The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-05-18
Daniel and HIS Companions.


We have a lesson or two now from
that obscure period termed, in Israels
history, the time OF the Babylonish cap
tivity From this time of seeming dis.
tress came many OF the choicest things
connected with Israels career. The
people OF God learned great lessons in
the land of bondage. thus spoke the
Psalmist, Thou hast enlarged me wheI
was in distress" Daniel, the princi-
pal character here, is one of the most
interesting in all the Biblical annals.
Like Joseph, he Is a man whom God uses
in royal associations. But he is Gods
man in the kings court; nothing other.
Why not more in such high station?
"Dare to be Daniel.
Dare to stand alone;
Dare to have purpose firm,
Dare to make it known"
WHAT THE LESSON SAYS.
Daniel, meaning God is judge. Like
Christ, he committed himself TO him
that judgeth righteously. "-Purpcsed
Literally fixed or set his heart. De-
file. From the root TO be loose. A
sacred word, to profane or make un-
clean, as with unclean food.-Re-
quested A strong word, to seek out, to
search for. He was not half-hearted in
his request; it was virtual though
courteous demand.
Had brought Daniel into favor. He
brew: had given. Favor is the gift OF
God.-Douay: God gave to Daniel
grace and mercy in the eyes of, etc.
Tender love. The expression refers to
warmth Of affection, from the verb to
glow. 1t is sometimes rendered pity,
compassion. The Hebre slaves were in
condition to be pitied.
Appointed or apportioned. portioned
out.-Worse liking. Literally, bag
gard, wan.-Your sort, or age; from
the word meaning Il revolving.
Melzar. The word means an over
seer, and so 1t doubtless should be trans
lated here. Revision, steward. Han.
aniah, same word in the Hebrew as
Ananias, signifying gracious.-
Misheal, meaning who is what God is.
Prove. First meaning, lift, hence
weight, hence, prove or test. So God
did with Abraham. Gen. %: l.
Pulse. Any sort of vegetable, from the
verb to SOW. 1t was a simple vegetable
diet.
AS thou seest Same word as looked
upon in the same verse above
Consented. The word for hearing OF
hearkening unto; rendered here consent
ed, because from superior to an in
ferior.
Fatter, i. O., well fed, from the verb
to feed.-Tbe portion of the kings
meat. The word portion is peculiar
one, signlfylng dainties, or It'd bits.
There may have been something of a
ceremonial restraint here, as for meat
offered TO idols.
Thus. Better: And so.-Gave them
pulse. AS general rule, alter the test
hoI Pol nd CO an
ed through.
Learning. Hebrew: sapher. The word
for writing. Douay: book And
Daniel. The Douay is probably right
here in bringing out, for contrast the
adversative here; but Daniel, i. e., in
distinction from his fellows.
Communed with. Or simply talked
with, had words (davor) Stood they
before the king. Iii token OF success
fully undergoing the examination init
mated in v. 3.
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
Daniel purposed in his heart. Young
men with purpose the world needs to-
day. The more purpose, the better for
the generation. 1t is the purposefu
soul that pTospers. His delight is in
the law of the Lord and in his law doth
he mediate day and night" such an one
shall be like tree planted, planted to
prosper" 1t is the young man with a
purpose that escapes the evil. Where
withal shall a young man cleanse his
way? By taking heed thereto accord
ing to thy word" 1t is the young man
with a purpose, q true heart purpose,
that ever keeps young. They that
wait upon the Lord shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with
tt
yet-his was an eternal purpose.
Now God had brought Daniel into
favor. Favor is of God he gives grace
in the eyes of all men. OF Christ the
Son it Was said that he was full of grace
and truth, and that he grew in favor
with God and men. We may well ask
sod for this boon, a means OF blessing
the world for it is only as the world
has respect for us that we can do the
best work and win souls. And God can
give 1.-THE worlds right regard. He
gave it to Abraham, TO Moses, to Joseph,
to David, TO Christ in his day. THE
kings heart is in the hand of the i ord,
as the rivers of water, he turneth il
whithersoever he will. Other things
being equal, no man has a right to for
felt the worlds respect. God gives ii
to his saints to be esteemed for their
works sake. Remember that Solomon's
fame" was concerning the name of the
Lord.
Prove thy servants. 1t is the personal
demonstration that counts. God him
self esteems such evidence. He would
tempt, |. e., test, prove, (same word)
Abraham. The ocular proof is the best
proof, and the world is having it all the
time, one way or another. Living epis-
ties are we, known and read of all men.
But what are we testifying t., what are
we proving? Gods law alwa US; the
rectitude OF Gods commands-all men
demonstrate this in their lives. 1t is for
Christians to prove it on the better side
by lives of meekness and trustful obed-
fence. Prove me now" every Chris
tian is saying, by his profession, to the
world; and in so doing he is proving
God.
Next Lesson -"Nebucha6nezzar's
Dream" Dan 2: 36-49.
Tonic for the Hair.