The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1890-11-06
THE STORY OF DANIEL.
Sermon by Rev. T. Dewitt Tai
mage Delivered at Waco, Tex.
The Bible Story of Daniel and the Lions
Has It's Prototypes To-day Among
Those Who Dare to BE True
to Gods Commands.

city. His text was:
Then the King commanded, and they
brought DAME and cast him into the den OF
lions-Daniel vi. 16.
Darius was King of Babylon, and the
young man Daniel was so much favor
tie with him that he made him Prime
Minister. or Secretary of State. But
no man could gain such high position
without exciting the envy and jealousy
of the people. There were demagogues
in Babylon who were SO appreciative Of
their own abilities that they we're
affronted at the elevation of this young
man. Old Babylon was afraid of young
Babylon. The taller the cedar the
more apt it is to be riven by the light
ming.
These demagogues asked the King to
make decree that any body that made
petition to any one except the King
within thirty days should be put to
death. King Darius, not suspecting
any foul play, makes that decree. The
demagogues have accomplished all they
want, because they know that no one
can keep Daniel from sending petitions
So far from being afraid, Daniel goes
on with his supplications three times a
day, and is found on his house-top max
ing prayer. He is caught in the act.
He is condemned to be devoured by the
lions. Rough executioners of the law
seize him and hasten him to the cavern.
hear the growl of the wild beasts, and
see them paving the dust, and as they
put their mouths to the ground the
solid earth quakes with their believing.
see their eyes roll, and almost hear
the fiery eyeballs snap in the darkness.
These monsters approach Daniel. They
have an appetite keen with hunger
With one stroke of their paw or one
snatch of their teeth they may leave
him dead at the bottom of the cavern
But what a strange welcome Daniel re
ceives from these hungry monsters
They fawn around him, they lick his
hand, they bury his feet in their long
name. That night he has calm sleep
with his head pillowed on the warm
necks of the tanned lions.
But not so well does Darius, the King
sleep. He loves Daniel, and hates this
stratagem by which he has been con.
denied. All night long the King walks
the floor. He can not sleep. At the
least sound he starts, and his flesh
creeps with horror. He is impatient
for the dawing of the morning At the
first streak of the daylight Darius hast
ems forth to see the fate of Daniel
The heavy palace doors open and clang
shut long before the people of the city
waken. Darius goes to the den of lions
he looks in. All is silent His heart
stops. He feels that the very worst has
happened; but gathering all his
strength, he shouts through the riffs OF
the rock: 80, Daniel! is the God whom
thou serVest continually able to deliver
three?" There comes rolling UP from
the deep darkness a voice which saws
80, King! live forever. My God ha:
sent His angel to shut the lions
mouths that they have not hurt me-"
Then Daniel is brought out from the
den. The demagogues are hurried int
it, and no sooner have they struck the
bottom of the den than their flesh was
rent and their bones cracked, and theil
blood spurted through the riffs of the
rock, and as the lions make the rocks
tremble with their roar, they announce
to all ages that while God will defend
His people, the way of the ungodly
shall perish.
Learn first from this subject that tho
greatest crime you can commit in the
eyes of many is the crime OF success.
What had Daniel done that he should
be flung to the lions? He got to be
Prime Minister. They could not for.
give him for that, and behold IN that a
touch of unsanctified human nature az
seen in all ages of che world. So lono
as you are pinched in poverty so long
as you are running the gauntlet be.
tween landlord and taxgatherer, SO long
as you lind it hard work to educate your
children, there are people who will saw:
Poor man, l am sorry for him: he
ought to succeed, poor mani"
But after awhile the tide turns in
your favor. That was a profitable in.
vestment you made. You bought al
Just the right time. Fortune becomes
good-humored and smiles upon YOU.
Now you are being in some department
successful, your success chills some one
Those men who used to sympatbize
with You stand along the street, and
they seowl at you from under the rim
OF their hats. You have more money O,
more influence than they have, and yor
ought to be scowled at from under The
rim of their hats. You catch word o,
two as you passed by them. 'Stuch
up" says one. Got it dishonesty j,
says another. "Will burst SOON" saw,
third. Every stone in your new house
is laid on their hearts Your horses
hoofs went over their nerves.
Every item of your success has been
to them an item of discontinue and
despair. just as soon as in any respect
you rise above your fellows, if YOU are
more influential, you cast a shadow on
the prospect of others. The road ~
honor and success is within reach 1T
the enemy's guns. Jealousy says: STAY
down, or I'll knock you down. ), 81
don't like you," said the snowflake 70
the snowbird. why don't Won like
me?' said the snowbird. 'sOhm said
the snowflake, you are going mn