The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-07-22

might he had achieved greatness. dan.
iv:30) Then his madness came on,
mentioned in our introduction. Seized
by the imaginations and promptings
Of beasts resulting partly from his
inflated conceit and partly from the
loss of the Spirits influence which
comes to all men, (Titus ii11) he was
no longer qualified to perform the du-
ties of the kingly office. Having become
q terror to those about him, a menace
to the welfare OF the government, he
was deposed and driven from the
habitations of men to take his place
among the beasts Of the field. There he
remained until recovered to his SAN
ity. Then he knew and confessed, what
long before he ought to have known,
that God rules among men, that He
establishes kingdoms and sets over
them whom He will.
REPROVED (Vs. 90, 23 and 2D.-
This reference to the career Of Nebu-
chadnezzar was made the basis of a
personal message to the king. Fully
aware of all that had befallen his il
lustrious predecessor Belshazzar had
not needed the wholesome lesson to be
derived therefrom. On the contrary his
heart had been lifted up against the
Almighty, and he had praised "the
gods of silver, and gold, and brass,
iron, wood and stone" and had not
glOrified the God in whose hands were
all his ways. der. X:23) This reproof,
so simple and direct, was administer
ed by Danial with cOnsummate cour-
age 1t was an eventful moment when
Hebrew could speak thus to Chal-
dean king. Going on from that Daniel
arraigned Belshazzar for what had
been the most impious of all his dolngs.
He had brought the sacred vessels.
taken from the house of the Lord at
Jerusalem, and from these he and his
lords, wives and concubnes had drunk
wine. And it was for this crowning
act of shame that the hand had been
sent from the Lord, and it was for this
reason that the inscription was made.
SENTENCED (Vs. 25 &c, q and 2S).-
AS the brave preacher delivered his
faithful message doubtless every heart
was filled with terror, and the con-
science smitten king turned his eyes to
the ceiling while Daniel announced his
doom. Three words only We're written,
it is supposed in Samaritan or ancient
Hebrew characters, known to no one
but to the prophet Those words stood
for Numbered, Weighed, Divided, BY
the aid of Gods spirit Daniel was able
to see whole sentences which he read
out to the assembly. The days of the
Babylonian monarchy We're numbered
and its overthrow determined. Bells
hazzar, the king tested in the scales
of infinite justice, had been found want
ing, lacking the elements of ruler.
unable to serve the high purpose of
heaven in his elevation to the throne
His possessions were to be taken from
him and given to the Medes and
Persians who would possess them. lisa.
xiii:17) Notice here Daniel did not ex-
hort Belshazzar to repent and so avert
impending calamity. He saw what God
had decreed and knew that no change
of purpose was possible.
REWARDED (Verse 29).-Belshaz-
Ear had one redeeming quality-he
kept his word Although Daniel had
declined the proffered gifts of the king.
they were promptly bestowed A suit
of scarlet, the royal color, was
brought to him from the great ward
robe and in this he was clad as a mark
of esteem and honor. How great was
this honor may be judged from the fact
=