Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-09-14
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Subject: Daniel in Babylon, Dan. l.. $50
Golden Text, Dan. l., - Memory
Verses, 1911 - Commentary on the
Days Temperance Lesson.
l. The temptation. These young
men were confronted with powerful
temptation. A desire to obey the kings
commandment, love of popularity, up.
petite, a desire to succeed-these were
strong attractions. They were slaves
in strange land, and was it not neces-
sary to fall in with the customs of the
people? They We're tempted ID to do
that which was degrading; (2) to dis
obey the law of their God; % to deny
their religions and God and fall in
with idolatrOus worship.
ii. The temptation resisted ". 81
s. "Purposed in his heart" He de-
cided what he would do and then took
the wisest possible way to accomplish
it. At first he made only simple re-
quest. 1t was not political strategy;
his actions were not planned to catch
the eyes of the king. The first emotion
of his heart was loyalty to God; this
led to his resolution. Daniel did not
trife with God or his conscience. They
changed his name, but could not
change his nature. Would not detile
himself" The Hebrew who ate with
out restriction at acknowledgements
table could not but defile himself.
Nor with the wine." He feared the
degradation which would follow from
wine drinking. He requested OBJ
serve the courtesy, and yet he was i'll
flexible. The prince" etc. Ashpenaz
". b, chief chamberlain.
Ill. The ten days rest Tvs. 9-16). D.
Into favor" Ashpenaz saw that Dan
iel was a young man of integrity ana
noble, loving character. His person
was beautiful and doubtless his NAH
ners were attractive. The best way to
please others is to please God first. ~,
Il fear-the king He does not posi-
lively refuse the favor which Daniel
seeks. This appeal by Ashpenaz was
very persuasive; and while Daniel did
not wish to imperil the life Of his ben
efactor vet he felt that it was safe to
do right and that God would deliver
them.
II. "Melzar." This is not proper
name, but should be read 1.-The melzar,"
the chief butler, or steward. the one
who had charge of their food. IL.
Prove" Test us; experiment for
short time and watch the result. Give
us pulse" A vegetable diet, with
water instead of wine.
IL. "Then-deal with thy servants
These words were spoken with quiet
confidence as to the result. A number
of other boys besides these four were
undergoing the same training. y fa'r
test, to place these young aDstalhers
beside those who partook OF the royal
banuuets. and see which company pre-
sented the most vigorous appearance.
IA. Ten days This would afford
ample time to show the effect OF
steady. good food on their health
Daniel had strong faith In God. and he
felt sure that he and his companions
would present the best appearance
Is. "Fairer and fatter' The complex
ion was healthier and clearer. Goa
meant that If a man would be intern
pcrate he should himself proclaim it to
the world. The glutton, the drunkard,
the debauchee carry the stamp of their
deeds upon their features. depraved
character corrupts the flesh that car
rles 1t.
". Honored by God and man Tvs.
1920, II. God gave them know.
edge" etc l. Through the highest
physical condition. which made their
minds clear. =. BY imparting it to
them directly. as the visions recorded
later. ). BY giving His blessing to
their daily studies. aiding their minds
by His Spirit, opening wider doors to
knowledge through His providence. 4.
BY keeping them from those vices.
from conceit and seltishneSs. which
1istort the judgment and dim the per-
reption of truth. Whatever we may
give to God of faith. or work. or trust,
or love. or zeal. He gives back again
with large interest. good measure,
pressed down and shaken together and
running over-ten. twenty, thirty, sixty
or an hundred fold in whatever we
need most from Him. "1n all learn
ing" I'm science. astronomy, Itera'
ture philosophy. the Chaldeans stood
at this time ut the head OF the world.
They had the beginnings OF chemistry
and even of the telescope. In all
visions" etc. God gave n double por-
ton to Daniel. He was endued with
proph etical spirit by which he was en-
abled to converse with God and To re-
ceive the notices of divine things in
dreams and visions. Visions We're rev
elations to the prophets when awake,
and dreams when asleep. God thus
made one of the despised covenant
people eclipse the Chaldean sages in
the very science on which they most
prided themselves. So Joseph, In the
court of Pharaoh Gen. 40:5: His.
Is. END of the days" After three
years ". 81, the time fixed for their
training. 10. king communed."
Talked with them, tested their prog
ress. learning and talents. He put
them through test examination. BE
fore the king" ITO be his personal
advisers and among the leading officers
of the kingdom. All officers and serv-
ants stood when in the presence of tho
monarch" 20. Ten times better
Probably high court of learning was
held. at which the king presided and
the mobiles and sages of the land as
sisted. These proposed difficult ques-
lions. which the youths readily an
sWered and were in turn allowed to
put questions which the sages could
not answer They were better coiin-
selors and better informed than the
others. Daniel continued in influence
and authority, at different times, dur
ing the whole of the seventy years OF
captivity. 1t is commonly believed that
when the captives returned he re-
NAMED in Chaldea, probably detained
by his employment in the Persian EN-
nire and that he died In Babylon.