The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1900-11-16
A TIMELY DISCOURSE
Dr.. Talmase breaches a Sermon on
Religion and Politics.
The Man Faithful to God Is the Most
Faithful to His COuntry-An
Example from the Life
of Daniel.
copyright, 1900. by Louis Klopsch'J
Washington,

" in there times of great political
agitation. The text is, Daniel W., It:
"Ihen the king commanded, and they
brought Daniel ana cast hl.l INTO 'he
den OF lions"
Darius was king of Babylon, and
the young man Daniel was so much
a favorite with him that he made MN
prime minister, or secretary of state.
But 40 man could gain such a high
position without exciting the envy
and jealousy of the people Ihere
were demagogues in Babylon who
were so appreclative of their own
abilities that they were affronted al
the elevation of this young man. Olu
Babylon was cfraid of young Baby lon
lhe taller the cedar the more apt 1t
is to be riven of the lightning. These
demagogues asked the king to make
a decree that anybody that made
petition to anyone except the king
during a period of 80 days should be
put to death. King Darius, not sus-
pectng any foul play, makes that de-
cree. The demagogues have accom-
plished all they want, because they
know that no one can keep DanleI
from sending petition before God Tor
so days.
So far from being afraid, Daniel
goes on with his supplicatlons three
times day and is found on his house
top making prayer He is caught IN
the act. He is condemned to be de-
voured by the lions. Rough execution
ers of the law seize him and hasten
him TO the cavern. l hear the growl
of the wild beasts and | see them paw
ing the dirt. and as they put their
mouths to the ground the solid earth
auakes with their bellowings. | see
their ewes roll, and | almost hear the
fiery eyeballs snap in me darkness.
These monsters approach Daniel.
They have an appetite l:een with hum
ger. With one stroke of their paw
or one snatch of their teeth they may
leave him dead at the bottom of the
cavern. But what a strange welcome
Daniel receives from these hungry
monsters! T&ey fawn around him;
they lick his hand; they bury his
feet in their long IL les. That night
he has calm sleep with his head pill
lowed on the warm necks of the tanned
lions.
But not so well does Darius, the
king, sleep. He has an attack of ter
rife insomnia. He loves Daniel and
hates this str.tagem by which he has
been condemned. All night long the
king walks the floor. He cannot sleep.
At the least sound he starts, and the
flesh creeps with horror. He is i'm
patient for the dawning of the morn
ing. At TIE first streak of the day.
light Darius hastens forth TO see the
fate of Daniel. The heavy palace
doors open and clang shut long be-
fore the people of the city wakep.
Darius goe- to the den of the lions.
He looks in. All is silent His heart
stops. He feels that the very worst
has happened; but, gathering all his
strength, he shouts through the riffs
of the rock: 80 Daniel, is thy God
whom thou servest continually able
10 deliver thee?" There comes roll
ing up from the deep darkness a voice
which says: 80 king, live forever. My
God has sent His angel to shut the
lions mouths that they have not hurt
me" Then Daniel is brought out from
the den. The demagoguas are hurled
into ii, and no sooner have they
struck the bottom of the den than
their flesh was rent, AM their bones
cracked. and their blood spurted
through the riffs of the rock, and as
the lions make the rocks tremble with
their roar they announce to all ages
that while God vii! defend his people
the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Learn first from this subject that
the greatest crime that you commit
in the eyes of many is the crime of
success. Wh;t had Daniel done that
he should be flung to the lions? He
had become prime minister. They
could not forgive him for that, and
behold in that touch of unsanctified
human nature as seen in all ages of
the world. So long as you are pinched
in poverty, so long as you are running
the gauntlet between Landlord and tax
gatherer, 60 long as you find it hard
work TO educate your children, there
are people who will say: Poor man,
/ am sorry for him. He ought to sue
ceed poor man." But after awhile
the tide turns in his favor. That was
a profitable investment you made.
You thought just at the right time.
Fortune becomes good humored and
emiles upon you. Now you are in some
department successful, and your sue
cess chills some one. Those men who
used 10 sympathize with you stand
A.