The National tribune., 1894-09-13

StiHSu Tue SOOu OpiutOu VI AsHpSudS. hS
we read the life of Daniel we feel drawn to-
ward him. We feel favorably and even
tenderly drawn to him.
Z. God had brought. o. The biography
of Daniel cannot be considered apart from
Providence. There are combinations mex
plicable on the theory of mere coincidence
CT Gen, &c. 81, as 10 Joseph. And there is
| no question but that beauty, talents, attract
iveness of manner are gifts of God, if in no
other sense than that the trend of nature,
the reward of strict conformity to the laws
of health, is in the line of the greatest per-
fectness-the struggle, in fact, of evolution.
8. / fear. 10. Protection of self, the
maintenance of ones own interests, finds
uppermost place in general human nature.
8. Worse liking. TO- We have a hint in
Job, 80: A, which evidently refers to the fine
physical appearance of youth who have
ample and good provisions. V. Is of our
lesson explains the meaning. The word
liking is now obsolete. When used it
meant good bodily condition, healthiness in
appearance, plumpness of form. The word
appearance is quite an equivalent. Ash
ingly of very common food his face would
become pinched up, as is the case of fasting
or in the want of sufficient nourishment.
TO- Sort. 10. The Septusgint renders age.
So does the Revised Version. DR.. A. Barnes
prefers the rendering circle, rank, adyan-
tages grade, training.
II. Endanger my head. 10. Oriental
monarchs had power to treat subjects at
will They were particularly offended if
their orders were disobeyed, and one guilty
was sure of decapitation. There might also
be suspicion the eunuch had used or sold
the royal provisions and given the youth
much cheaper food-a gross offense.
IL. Pulse. IL. Vegetables, herbs, beans,
peas, etc. the opposite of flesh food. Ps.,
141:4; Prov, 1913. Revised Version has in
margin, herbs These were {" clean" in
Jewish eyes. Notice water" versus wine
of V. g.
Is. Ten days IL. Thine sufficiently
large to leave traces of the change of food
in the appearance of the young men. and not
too great for mere experiment"
IA. Prove. II. See proved in V. IA.
Experiment with US; put us to the test.
Is. Consented. IA. The reference is to
the steward or butler, called melzar. Mel
Ear is not proper name-the mezar. 1t is
evident AshpenaZ agreed to the proposition
of Daniel and had instructed the melZar to
allow Daniel and his associates TO eat herbs
instead of the Kings prescribed provisions.
In an Oriental land it required great cour-
age to assume such power. The eunuchs
ran great risks, we would suppose. And
yet the prince of eunuchs must have been q
man of great influence and have had consid-
cradle margin of freedom He may have
reasoned, Ten days are short time; no
harm can come Of the attempt. Daniel will
in all probability be glad to give up the
experiment; at any rate, let him try it.
Moreover, he resolved probably to watch
and prevent the matter going too far. The
melZar could lay all his part of the blame
on AshpenaZ, and so needed little courage
in the case.
16. We see the results in V. 10. We need
not grant the performance of miracle. 1t
was best in n hygienic way to live on plain
food Daniel was used to such. He thrived
on it, So OF his companions. Voltaire once
said that the fate of nations frequently de-
ponds on the digestion of the Minister of
State. Bishop Brooks wrote: 'Iu the
strong and healthy life of Jesus it was
made known to what divine uses a strong
body might be given"
Suggestions
l. Obey Gods laws, not ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. |
8.
2. Gods law is detailed, including direc- |
tions even rs to our diet. 8.
zi3. Request instead of demanding; bring |
about even matters of conscience in a friend |
1y, peaceful way, if possible. 8.
4. Cultivate manners that may ingratiate |
you into the good opinion of others. 8.
5. Temperance is healthful. 10. CT V. |
10. We should care for our bodies.
Better than grandeur. better than gold
Than rank md title thousandfold.
Is healthy body. mind at ease.
And simple pleasures that always please"
g. Be considerable Of others conscientious |
scruples. ID
z. Children should be so thoroughly edu- |
Gated in principles Of morals and religion |
that they can endure temptation. 8.
8. Do not compromise with sin. 1t is de- |
Element. 8. Had Daniel partaken of the |
royal food he would have countenanced in a |
measure heather worship.
8. Accept the doctrine of Providence
Gods will operative in all minute events in
life.
TO- 1t is not in the way of any young
mans success to be Christian.