The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-06-08

INTRODUCTORY.
The window, open toward Jerusalem,
Is the real introduction to this lesson. It
is the ante-room to the den of harmless
lions. For Daniel had two places whore
he stood alone, two closets, indeed, OF
communion with God, "a window seat
and lions den. And the one ac-
counted for the other. The place OF
prayer made out OF cage OF death
glorious citadel of strength. Who
knows what passed on that night among
the lionsy John Bunyan, speaking
from behind the bars of Bedford Jail,
righteousness sake can declare it. Read
the 57th Psalm, the Psalm OF the lions
den: MY soul is among lions-I will
sing and give praise.
WHAT THE LESSON SAYS.
Then the king commanded. When tho
logic of his own laws was used against
him. He was himself subject to them.
Daniel. Now. doubtless, an old
man. Years have interviewed since the
last lesson.-Den. Or cave. Free
quently applied to cistern: from the
verb to excavate, cut out.-Servest.
The word for hard work, labor
Continually. Literally, in a circuit.
Douay: Always. Used several times
here.
stone was brought. Suggesting the
precautions at the burial Of Christ's
body.-Signet. Or ring. So the
Douay.- or will. The root
verb means TO go forth. Changed. A
peculiar word; first meaning, to double,
hence, to do over again, hence, to
change. The Douay version here Is odd:
that nothing should be done against
Daniel. The verb do again seems to
have been read do against.)
Passed the night One word in the
Hebrew: to house. bath. )-Fasting
Douay: Laid himself down without
taking supper. Doubtless the meaning
is that he did not give himself to his us
ual feasting. -Instruments of music.
A difficult term TO render. The original
root seems to be to pound. The margin
says tables. The Revised margin sug-
gests dancing girls. 1t was evidently
night of restraint for the king.
In the morning. Or, in the dawning;
literally brightne ss, /. e., he rose with
the light. The same word is used at
Esther 8: IA.
Lamentable, /. e., grieved, distressed;
from the verb to cut up.--Able to de-
liver, or, strong enough to deliver. The
verb literally means to contain, to have
capacity.
Said Daniel Said is a rare word, like
our quoth.-Liye forever. Ordinary
salutation of subject to his king.
My God. Hebrew, God of me; per-
sonal edgmont.-Angel. From
the verb, to 60 on an errand, one Of the
Lords couriers.-Shut. Frequently
applied to the shutting of gates. lisa.
go: 1.-Innocency. Or, cleanness;
h ha al
Hurt Same word used above of the
lions. The beasts did him no hurt, be-
cause he had done the king no hurt.
Glad He was valuable servant Of
the king, and doubtless beloved
Taken up. Hebrew: caused TO ascend
Believed. Hebrew: to trust, or lean
upon with assurance; from this comes
our Amen.
Accused. An interesting word. Liter
ally, they ate up pieces of Daniel, /. e.,
slandered him. Like our expression,
tear to pieces. Ps. 80: 10 C"They did
tear me. Had the mastery of them.
Or perhaps had seized them, laid hold
of them. Douay: They did not reach
the bottom OF the den before the lions
caught them.
Prospcred, of striking etymology; to
cut ones way through. The same used
of the blessed man in Ps. 1: 3. Such
was Daniel.
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
Is thy God whom thou servest contin-
ually able? Yes, he is able, the God
who is served continually. There is
one thing that hinders omnipotence. 1t
is disobedience, which is another name
for lack of faith. He could not do
many mighty works there because of
their unbelief." Is there man of much
faith in your community, brother, man
who serves God continually, i. e., with.
out break of toll or trust? Then your
community shall yet be made to know
the might of God. The God who is
thus served is the God who manifests
his might. Trust him, and prove him.
BE we steadfast, unmovable, always
Astounding in the work of the Lord.
My God hath sent his angels. Per-
sonal faith Somehow we fall at once
to thinking of Paul in the Mediter-
ranean. There stood by me this night
the angel of God, whose am and whom
1 serve, saying, Fear not, Paul.
Very close intimacy. And very clear
faith: wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer,
for 1 believe God" Gods angels are
not far away from Gods trusting ones.
The man who believes God, by his very
faith, summons angels to his aid. L
like to live in the same town, in the
same house, with that kind of a man.
Yes, even though it be in the midst of
lions.
Because he believed in his God. Just
to believe. Is there anything, more
needed to-day? Is there anything for
which more fervent prayer should be
offered? The same God is In the heav-
ems. The same lions are on EARTH and
the same faith, even though expressed
in the heart of poor mortal man, brings
down the might of Jehovah to put to
shame the so-called might of earth.
The lions that menace us to-day are the
lions of cupidity and avarice and selfish
ness. The faith that will save us to-
day is the faith that brings all the tithes
into the storehouse and proves the God
of heaven till the windows and doors OF
his house of plenty are thrown wide
open.
Next Lesson: Regeneration Before
Church Membership. John 3: 1-S.
Gems of Thought.