The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1908-12-12


prince gave the names Of Shadrach.
Meshach and Abednsgo. respectively.
the names indicating their dedication
to the other three great gods Of the
Babylonians. the sun god. the earth
god and the fre god.
Needless to say that these names
had proved most distasteful to this
company Of Hebrew captives, espe-
cially to Daniel and his three friends.
The latter had talked the matter over.
as they had found opportunity, and
reasoning with good judgment that It
was useless to protest. and that after
all Il made little difference what they
were called, provided they remained
true to their God. they settled them
selves to the tasks assigned them.
Thus matters ran for a few days,
and then came the circumstance
which was to 30 severely test Daniel
and his three friends. One day there
came the decree from the palace OF
the king ordering that provisions from
the royal kitchen should be served to
the young men.
They shall have the best that the
kings table affords, that there may be
nothing lacking in preparing them
for service In the palace" he had
said, and forthwith had issued his de-
cree.
And the prince set over the Hebrew
captives had read the decree when
the first meal from the royal kitchen
had been served. What an array Of
goodly things that had been-the rich
meats, the choice wines, the leavened
cakes and bread. The low table fair
ly groaned under its weight of good
things. Silently the young men had
taken their places around the table.
and at first not mouthful of food
was touched. The prince noted this
and spoke reassuringly. telling them
that 1t was owing to the special favor
Of the king that he had done this
thing, and that 1t would be periious 20
offend him by refusing to eat,
But there is defilement in partak.
ing of that which has been offered to
idols" ventured Daniel, looking up
earnestly into the face of the prince.
Remember" sharply rejoined the
prince, that you are in Babylon, and
not Jerusalem, and that the laws that
were binding upon you there have no
claim upon you here. Here you are in
the service of the great king of all the
earth. Obey him."
True" spoke up boldly one of the
Hebrews reposing at the other end Of
the table True, we cannot call into
question the hospitality of the king
into whose hands our God has given
u.s." And suiting the action to the
word, he began to eat the food set be-
fore him.
Then one after another the rest fol-
lowed, except Daniel and his three
friends.
What shall we eat If not this?"
whispered Mishael, who sat on one
side of Daniel. He was more than
half inclined to follow the example Of
those about him who were now busily
engaged in eating, and it was evident
from the looks on the faces Of Han
aniah and Azariah that they, too, felt
the same inclination.
God will provide" was the quiet
rejoinder of Daniel, and the food BE-
fore him remained untouched.
But that was only the beginning Of
the struggle. He and his three COM
panions became the butt of ridicule Of
the others. And then there was the
prince to deal with.
why should you, when your life is
In the hands Of the king. let your TO
ligious scruples cause you to be lean
and ill-favored, when you shall be
brought before the kingT he demand.
ed. after a long argument following
the second meal which had also gone
untasted.
"Why" echoed Daniels three com.
panions, who were standing with him.
A panied look crossed the face Of
Daniel.
Remembered thou not" Daniel de-
manded, earnestly, as he sought to
strengthen their wavering resolution,
how we pledged ourselves as we were
leaving Jerusalem, to remain true to
the God of Abraham and Isaac and
jacob? And shall we fail him when
the first test comes? / know not what
shall come Oft but surely one who
would serve the, true God cannot eat
of the food offered toddolss. Z
L but what. shall wes'-Nat, then
lDafe we call into question the acts 81
the king 7 /. And shall We refuse to
iEobey him into whose hands God has
Ipsssis stieds s4sunsnt DAME,
lvouchsafed mo- answer. but Quietly
Ewithdrew. from the group ana sought
Eseclnston where he could fight out ne
EquSstionsfn his own heart and seek
wisdsm from CO. ~
L sIf the prince would hut slve d the
kplains food 1 verify believs We should
appear BE- we'll fiyCsed - thoA VINO
are eating ~ the kings neat" And
with this sthoushtscams the suggestion
of asking Tor . simple test. Surely,
after ten days II will be shown vheth.
or the plain food WIS better for IN
than the kings meat. ! will ask the
prince to let us try It." ~
II was no easy thing to convince the
prince. but At last he consented.
II ~ 4.