The Grenada sentinel., 1906-12-29

q wing of which was set apart for tn
use of the young men whom the kin
was having trained for his service.
And the change had been a welcom
one, for these Hebrew princes ha
been accustomed to the comforts an
luxuries of the royal court at Jeruss
lem. and when it was told them tha
they were to be educated in all tn
learning Of the Chaldeans, they al
felt, especially Daniel, more reconcile,
to their lot. So it was that when tn
evening meal was served all were Il
quite a cheerful mood, and fell t
eagerly partaking of the rich bountie
spread before them.
All but Daniel, The food before hin
remained untouched, and as we hav,
already said his conscience troublet
him, for it was an abomination for
Hebrew to partake of food which hat
been offered to the heather Gods. ant
was not food from the kings tabl,
rendered sacred by reason of having /;
portion offered to their gods?
This fact had been emphasized ant
impressed upon his mind during the
| formal ceremony that afternoon wher
! they had been received into the pal
| ace, for each had been given a rev
name in token of their dedication tc
| the service of the king in the names
of the Babylonian gods. To him had
been given the name of Belteshazzar
prince of the god Bel, and now they
were expected to partake of meats and
drink offered to idols.
But what else could he do?" he
asked himself again. why should he
a Hebrew slave in heather court,
draw such fine distinctions? Did not
circumstances absolve him from his
obligations to the God of the He
brews? And then too, how tempting
did the viands look before him. He
felt impatient with himself for letting
such thoughts trouble him and gave
outward expression to the inner irri-
tation by shrug of his shoulders and
a savage shake of his head.
g. This AshpenaZ, who had just en-
tered the hall, noted, and sent for him.
What cOmely-looking youth he
is" the prince muttered to himself as
he waited. Thoughts of home have
robbed the boy of his appetite" And
then aloud as Daniel came before him
and bowed, he said, abruptly:
What ails thee, my son? Speak,
and fear not" he added, as he noted
Daniels confusion.
Now it was not in the nature of
Daniel to dissemble and so frankly he
told the prince that it was defilement
for Hebrew to partake of that which
was offered to idols.
But are not these, thy brethren,
eating of the meat which the king has
sent them?" inquired Ashpenaz, in
surprise. why shOuldst thou let the
laws of the Hebrews trouble thee
here? Thou art no longer in Jerusa-
lem but in Babylon. Act in accord
ance Herewith"
But why may not plain food which
has not been offered to the gods be
SlFtn my SSl VAIN W CdL.
plain food," exclaimed Ashpenaz,
in alarm. plain food! Dost thou not
know that thou art to be prepared to
go before the king? and why should
he see thy face worse looking than
these thy brethren? Then shall ye
make me endanger my head to the
king. 1 fear my lord the king, who
hath appointed your meat and your
drink" i
With these words Ashpenaz dis
missed Daniel and he returned to
his place but the food before him re-
mained untouched. That night three
of his friends came to him and in
quired of him why it was that he had
not eaten and what it was that Ash
penaz had said to him, for they had
observed what had transpired.
81 am resolved" replied Daniel
simply, "that l will not defile myself
with the kings meat"
Then what will you eat" demand
ed Mishael. 1--WE are in Babylon now,
not Jerusalem, and We cannot starve."
But the God of the Hebrews still |
ives. I will serve him. Daniel re-
sponded, firmly.
Let us ask, Melzar our steward, to
est us and see If the plain diet work
eth i'll with u.s." exclaimed Hananiah, !
,uiting his action to the words and
starting off in the direction of the
steward, who had just appeared in the
doorway.
Finally after much persuasion, and
many misgivings on the part of Mel
ar, the latter gave his consent to the
est, and the1ceforth Daniel and the
-oung men he had influenced to faith
ulness to their God had their plain
ood to eat, and at the end of the
en- days which had been agreed upon
nd Melzar had looked upon their :
ace he was delighted with their ap.
earance and declared that they
hould continue to have the same food
Not long after this Ashpenaz was in.
pecting his wards and in his rounds
ound Daniel and his friends.