St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1900-12-08
A TIMELY DISCOURSE
Dr. Talmage breaches Sermon on
( ~ Religion and Politics.
The Nan Faithful to God II thc Mos
Faithful 10 His COuntry-An
Example from the Life
: or Daniel.
copyright. 1870. by Louis Klopsch.l
Washington,


or Daniel.
copyright. 1870. by Louis Klopsch.l
Washington.
This discourse of DIR. Talmage is ap.
propriate for all seasons, but especial
" in these times of great political
! agitation. The text is, Daniel vi. 16:
.Then the king commanded, and they
brought. Daniel ara cast hlm into the
den Of lions"
Darius was king of Babylon, and
the young man Daniel was so much
a favorite with him that he made him
prime minister, or secretary OF state
But no man could gain such high
position without exciting the envy
and jealousy of the people. There
were demagogues in Babylon who
were SO appreciative of their own
abilities that they were affronted at
the elevation of this young man. Old
Babylon was afraid of young Babylon
Inc taller the cedar the more apt it
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-
pecting any foul play, makes that de-
cree. The demagogues have accom-
p.ished all they want, because they
know that no one can keep Daniel
from sending petition; before God fol-
50 days.
So far from being afraid, Daniel
goes on with his suppiicatlons three
| times a day ard 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. / 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
quakes with their bellowings. see
their eyes roll, and almost hear the
fiery eyeballs snap in Inc darkness
These monsters approach Daniel
They have an appetite lseen with hun.
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 strange welcome
Daniel receives from these hungry
monsters! T.ey fawn around him;
they lick his hand; they bury his
feet in their long m. mes. 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 inn
patient for the Gawning 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 clany shut long be
fore the people Of the city waken.
| 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: 20 Daniel, is thy God
whom thou servest continually able
to deliver thee?" There comes roll
ing up from the deep darkness voice
which says: % king, live forever. Ny
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 demagogues are hurled
into it, 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 annouGce. to all ages
that while God win 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. Whit had Daniel done that
he should be flung to the lions? HI
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 o!
the world. So long rs you are pinchei
in poverty, so long as you are running
the gantlet between Landlord and tax
satherer, so 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 awhil,
the tide turns in his favor. That wal
a profitable investment you made
You thought just at the right time
Fortune becomes good humored ant
smiles upon you. Now you are in some
! department successful. and your sue
cess chills some one. Those men whit
used to sympathize with you stant
along the street, ana they scowl a
YOU from under the rim of Their hats
You have more money or more influ
erce than they have, and You ough'
to be scowled at from under the rim
OF their hats. You catch a word ol
two as you pass them by. stuck up,
saws one. 'Got It dishonesty" say.
another. "Will burst soon," says /:
third. Every stone in your new hous,
is laid on their hearts. Your horses
hoofs went over their nerves. Ever,
item of your success has been to then
an item of discontinue AMI despair
Just as soon as in any respect yol
rise above your fellows, il; you arr
more yirtuous, if you are more wise
| If YOU are more influential, you cas-
a shadow on the prospects of Others
The road to honor ani success il
within reach of the enemy's guns
Jealousy says: "S.ay down or II
knock you down." II do not lik'
you." says the snowflake to the snow
bird. "Why don't you like me?" sal,
the snowbird. 'Oh," said the snow
fake, "you are going up and an
coming down." Young merchants
young lawyers. young doctors, younl
mechanics. young artists. young farm
ers, at certain times there are thos
to sympathize with you. but. now tha
you are becoming q master OF You
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