The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1909-01-13

wonders in heaven and in earth. whs
hath delivered Daniel from the power
OF the Hons"
These words proclaimed through the
streets Of the far of city Of Darius
realm fel! upon the ears OF one of the
easGcst devotees OF the gods Of the
Medes, one Of the priestcraft. In his
heart was a struggling hunger for the
truth. He believed In the gods before
whom he served He believed they
were the great gods before whom no
other gods could stand And now,
behold, here was the word from the
king, the great Darius, proclaiming
the power and najesty Of another
and an unknown God, a god he called
the living God.
Our gods are not living gods" he
thought to himself as he pondered the
meaning Of the words Of the proclama-
tion. And deep In thought be entered
the temple where The images Of their
gods reposed.
Can II be that there is one God
and these are no gods at all?" came
the vague Questionings into his heart
as he came and stood before the hid
eous creatures OF wood and stone that
looked down in meaningless way upon
him.
Surely some great thing must have
happened at Babylon that the king
should have sent out such decree"
he exclaimed aloud. who is this man
Daniel, to whom the king refers and
whose God hath delivered him from
the raging fury of the lions?'
Art thou troubled by these
things?" asked a voice at his elbow.
The young priest started violently.
for he had supposed he was alone, and
turned to look into the face Of his SUI
perior He was too surprised to an.
swer at first and the question was re-
peated with fresh emphasis.
Il would know concerning this man
Daniel and his God" at last came the
hesitating response.
A dark look shone in the face OF the
older man as he said, half menac-
ingly;
1T were not well for thee to wander
after other gods than thine own, lest
the first thing thou knowest thy call
ing shall be gone"
But what II the God OF this man
Daniel should be greater than our
gods?" questioned the young priest.
Dare you to question the greatness
Of the gods whose priest ye are?" de
manded the other.
Il would know of this God whom
the king declares is the greatest OF
gods" was the earnest response.
Turn from this folly of thy mind"
exclaimed the other with intense
voice. Let well enough alone" And
with those words he turned and left
he younger man standing alone.
A strange resolve had been forming
N the mind of the young priest while
his superior had been talking ts him,
md now that he was alone he started
o put it into execution. He divested |
himself of the robes,of his priestly Of |
ice and. hastily donning the simple
clothing Of traveller. and placing his
ew possessions in a bundle, he start
ID forth.
i will not even return home and let
he family know of my intentions lest
word reach the chief of the temple and
le forbid my going" he exclaimed to
himself, as he fastened through the
low dark and deserted streets of the
ity. He knew of the road which led
rom his city toward the great Baby.
On, and when he had reached the gate
t the city he slipped quietly through
nd struck out boldly into the dark
ess.
Footsore and weary many weeks la
er a dust-covered traveller was seen
. enter the gates of Babylon, and he
'as soon surrounded by the wondering
eople in the market place. It was the
oung priest from the far off corner of
'arius kingdom He spoke a strange
1ngue to those in Babylon and the
eople around him shook their heads
$ he stroye to make himself under
TODD. Al last one word seemed to
atch their ear and they repeated after
i'm, questioningly. "Daniel?a
A great light of joy broke over his
ice and he shook his head vigorously.
He wants to see Daniel" spoke the
sople, and with willing eagerness
icy had soon guided him to the pal
ee.
Would Daniel see a traveller from a
r of province?"
Surely" spake Daniel himself, and
: had soon found an interpreter for
e young priest and was listening at
ntively to his story.
Thy journey has not been in vain"
aniel responded, when the young
an had finished, and he went on to
i the young man all the wonderful
ory Of his devotion to the true God
heaven and of his miraculous deliv.
ance from the mouths Of the lions.
18th strained, eager intensity the
ung man listened, drinking in every
1rd as Daniel spoke and the interpre. !
+ repeated II In his own tongue.
Then he sat in silence for some min
as and then rising ho rOsrts>a 49,.