The Iola register., 1900-11-09
A TIMELY DISCOURSE
DR.. Talmage 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
ICopyright, 1900, by Louis f<lopsch.1

This discourse oil Dr. lalinUge Is APP
propriatc for all seasons, but especial
ly i'm these times of great political
agitation. The text is, Daniel Vi" 10;
"rhen the king commanded. and they
brought Daniel ana cast h.m 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 IA high
position without exciting the envy
and jealousy of the people. There
were demagogues in Babylon who
were so appreclative of their own
abilities that they were aifronted ut
:. the elevation OF this young man. Old
Babylon was afraid of young Babylon
Ihe 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 "A
petition TO anyone except the king
during period of 30 days should he
put to death King Darius, not sus-
pecting any foul play, makes that de-
cree. The demagogues have accom-
plished all they want, because they
know that no one can keep Daniel
from sending petitions before God for
30 days.
So far from being afraid Daniel
goes on with his suppicatons three
times day and is found ON his house
top making prayer He is caught in
the act. He is condemned to bc de-
voured by the lions Rough execution
ers of the law seizs MIN and hasten
him to the cavern. hear the growl
of the wild beasts AID ! 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 lne darkness.
These monsters approach Daniel.
They have an appetite keen 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 strange welcome
Daniel receives from these hungry
monsters! They fawn around him;
they lick his hand they bury his
feet in their long names. 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
rifle insomnia, lie loves Daniel ana
hates this stratagem by which he has
been condemned. All night long the
king walks the floor, lie cannot sleep.
At the least sound he starts and the
flesh creeps with horror lie is i'm
patient Tor the dawning OF the morn
ing. At the first streak OF the day
light Darius hastens forth to see the
tate OF Daniel. lhe hea\N palace
doors open and ciang smut long be-
fore the people OF the city W"kcn.
Darius goef TO the den of the lions.
lie looks I'M. All rs silent. HIS heart
stops. lie feels that the very worst
has happened; but, gathering all his
strength, he shouts through the riffs
OF the rock; 20 Daniel is thy Nod
whom thou SerNest continually able
10 denver luee Ih'r' comes rolf
Ing mp from the deep darkness a voice
which says; 80 KING, 1--we 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 demagognes are hurled
into IT, ana no sooner have they
struck the bottom OF the den than
their flesh was rent, ana their bones
cracked, and their Diood spurted
through the rltts OF the rock, and as
the lions make the rocks trembc with
Their roar they announce to all ages
that while God will defend his people
the way OF the ungodIy shall perish.
Learn first from this subject that
the greatest crime that you commit
in the eyes of many is the crime OF
success. What had Daniel done that
he should be flung to the lions? lie
had become prime minister. They