The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-07-08
DAN. 4: S-2l.

TESTED.-A new question was thus
raised. Is it true that the diet of q
heather king is more conducive TO
health and strength, to manly vigor
and grace than the diet of a Hebrew
home? That question was one of great
Importance. If answered in the affirm
ative Daniels resolve and principles
must be abandoned. That is the way
temptation usually comes. The first
departure from a chosen course is upon
prudential grounds. IF the evil world
has something that will better qualify
the young man for his place he gem
orally accepts it. with this question.
so insidous and far-reachng, there
was another. If it be so that the meat
and wine of the kings table give more
strength, will God help the young man
who refrains from them on conscien-
tious grounds? Or, may one trust in
God to bring the best results, when, in
the face of what the evil associates
order, he chooses because he wants to
be right? This was a more critical
moment, therefore, to Daniel than the
first. But he was equal to the new
trial. Conceding the rightfulness of the
pela made by the prince, he suggested
that the matter be tested Oversees 11-1D.
He would eat pulse, a purely vegetable
diet, for ten days, and at the end of
the time comparison should be made
between him and those who used the
regulation diet. The proposal was ac-
cepted
PROVED The result at the end of
the ten days was emnently satisfac-
tory. The countenance of Daniel was
fairer and his flesh was greater than
all the youth who ate at the kings
meat (verse 15). Melzar, the prince,
was highly gratified, and as he had but
one purpose, to train the eunuchs for
the court, and this measure accom-
plished that purpose, he removed the
food which Daniel rejected and gave
that which de desired (verse 16). What
did all this prove? Two answers will
be given. Some will say, as some have
said, that a vegetable diet is prefer
able. Many volumes have been writ
ten to support that view, and organ
izations have been formed whose MEM
bers pledge themselves to abstain
from all flesh and wine. Others will
reply that the choice made by Daniel
was an assertion of religious principle,
which secured Gods blessing. There
are many who hold that bodily health
and strength and even beauty result
from spiritual soundness through the
direct operation Of the Holy Spirit.
Whichever of these positions is taken
Daniel was Vindicated and sustained.
Either he had better knowledge of the
laws of health, or he had Divine assist
ance. In either case he stood firm.
BLESSED.-It appears that Daniel
was not alone in his resolution. Three
other Hebrew captives stood with him.
sharing his purposes and reaching the
same results. Whether God wrought
in their bodies to make their food most
profitable, as above suggested, it is
certain that He wrought upon their
minds Verse 10. And it would GER
tainly not be more difficult to do one
than the other. Their intellectual at
tainments under the Divine influence
were great, quite in harmony with
what was granted to Solomon, in
answer to prayer q Kings iii: 12), and
promised also Dy the apostle Games
j: 81. knowledge and skill in all
learning and wisdom" conferred upon
Daniel and his associates, signified
scientific. political, and classical infor-
nation, an ability to deal with all
secular matters. This would make
-uLeAoS eql o. 7IqBnIBA HuB!oods m9ul
ment. Besides this Daniel Git does not
say the other three) had understand
ing Of visions and dreams" This
hade him a seer and prophet, a relig-
ious teacher. Thus he was prepared
a - -