The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-07-29
The International Sunday School Lesson

The International Sunday School Lesson
IJuly so, 1900. Daniel vI1o-ea.
Daniel in tho Den OF Lions.
Religion qualities rather than units
for affIrs OF state. The Ethiopian af-
ter his conversion was the better pre-
pared to assume his charge Of all Cam
dace's treasure. SO there was nothing
incompatible between Daniels piety
and his discharge of the duties Of the
mlghtlest nation on earth for half a
century. But his religion did
not shelter him from the shafts OF envy.
His uprightness was a constant rebuke
to his fellow officials, Their pecula-
lions were likely to be unearthed any
time by this lncorruptible and fearless
Hebrew. And when the king took
steps looking towards a civil service
reform (that the king should have no
damage. verse p, and medIated making
Daniel chief of the bureau, self-preser-
walton as well as jealousy suggested q
conspiracy against his life.
The plot was well suited to the kings
vanity and weakness. Obedience to
the decree suggested, It would be con-
splcuous recognition OF the fact that he
not only relgned by divine right, but
that he himself was divine, a Pigment
Of antiquity, which survived to our day
in the divine nature accorded, until
lately, to the Mikado. Not
when Daniel knew (verse 1O) but
thought he knew, in spite of his knowl-
edge of the decree. he continued his
habit. Not in the spirit OF bravado-
not because he was reckless and head
strong, but because a principle was at
stake, and he was the most conspicuous
representative OF his race-as he did,
SO would they. The power Of thou
sand sermons would be concentrated in
his conduct in the emergency. Great
in the council chamber, he was greater
in the closet OF prayer"
DO you see the Hebrew captive kneelIng
| At morning, noon, and night to pray?
In his chamber he remembers Zion,
| lnQuku III eAllG uWugs
The weakness Of Darius makes a good
foil for the courage of Daniel II he
had not the adage, "a bad promise is
better broken than kept" he had at
least the principle which underlIes It,
for that is perennial. The promise to
do an unjust and inhuman thing is best
kept In the breach of 1t. or, II this flc-
ton OF the remedlless penalty must be
observed, then Darius should have gono
to the den in Daniels stead.
What a glorious contrast the divine
government presents at this point to
the ancient monarchy! The Medo-
Persian system found itself in an mex
trlcable difficulty, with no way to save
the innocent; but God has provided
means to spare the guilty, and that, too,
not by the abasement OF law, but rather
Its exaltation. Justice and mercy are
reconciled in the atonement.
The Palace and the Den!-what con-
trast! In that building. the marvel Of
mankind, the monarch OF the world
was restless and unhappy. He loathed
the dainties Of his banquet room, nor
would he listen to music. Sleep for
sock him. An upbraiding conscience
and a consciousness OF unkindly weak
ness were his companions, In
the den Daniel had the Undesirable
JOY of an approving conscience, void Of
ofrense toward God and man. He had
the fulhllment of the promise: He shall
give his angels charge concerning thee"
His security was complete, his COM
partnership angelic. The stead
fastness Of Daniel. and his consequent
miraculous dellverance, was the finish
Ing touch In the provldential process Of
preparing the Hebrews for their exit
from bondage. The circumstances had
a powerful educative effect upon the
heather. also,
The Teachers Lantern.
~ Religion not impractlcable. Moth
ing in 1t inlmlcal to true success, on
the contrary, the best preparation for
business, professional. political, social
and domestic life. Instances: History.
sacred and prOfane. ancient and mod
ern.
t2) The meanness of envy, The de-
spIcable means 1t will take to accom-
pllsh It's end.
(s) The elevation of weak and vain
men to office public misfortune.
90 Incidental evidence Of the anthem
ucIty of Scripture, Casting into
Hons den mode of capital punishment
in Babylon.
C0 The use Of DrovldentIal crises,
where, by heroic stand, one can do a
lifetime OF good In few moments.
(0 Examples of the habit and spirit
Of prayer In those occupying high posi-
lions.
"a Bad promises; the folly of making
them, and what to do with them when
once made.
(s The desIrublllty of a good con-
science, which can transmute Hons
den into safer and happier place than
a royal palace.
National Export Exposition.
PHILADELPHIA. Pa, July T.-At
the headquarters of the national ex-
port exposition to-day n telegram was
| -o,ot,,od frop, gecratorv Frank Wig