The Green Forest tribune., 1911-09-08
DANIEL AND HIS
 COMPANIONS Sunday School Lesson for Sept. 10, 1911
 Specially Arranged for This Paper
LESSON TEXT.-Daniel 1:S-2o. \ -AI [ LA

eat HeSn, nor drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth. "-Rom. l4:21
 TIME.-B. c. 605-4. The third year of King Jehoiakim CLesson VII). The access sion year of Nebuchadnezzar when Dan iel was carried captive to Babylon. The next year is called his first year.
 PERIOD.-Three years, B. c. 605-4-603-2. on Nebuchadnezzar's return to Babylon after defeating the armies of Egypt
 PLACE.-Babylon on the Euphrates. Be- fore his captivity Daniel lived in Jerusa- lem.
 PLACE IN THE HIsTORY.-2 Kings E4;1-6; 2 Chron. 36:5-S.
 ROPHETS.-Jeremiah and Habakkuk were prophesying at Jerusalem when Dan Tel was carried away. and Ezekiel was his contemporary in Babylonia but not in the city of Babylon. He was on the river Chebar, southeast of the city.
 At the time of this lesson the two great world powers were in deadly conflict. The Egyptian army under Necho had marched toward Babylon as far as Carchemish on the Euphra- tas.
 On the other hand Nabopolassar with the assistance of the Scythians had conquered the Assyrians, and de- stroyed Nineveh, the capital, B. c. 606. The Babylonians marched up the Eu- pirates and met the Egyptian army at Carchemish, and defeated them. Nabopolassar, king of Babylon, sent his son Nebuchadnezzar on to Jerusa- lem, who besieged that city. Jeremiah speaks of the seize as in GOA, Jehoia- kim's fourth year, probably in the early past, so that a difference in the period covered by the Babylonian and the Jewish years would account for the variation. The last part of 6O5 is treated as Nebuchadnezzar's access sion year, and GOA his first year as king.
 At this time Nabopolassar died and Nebuchadnezzar hasted back to Baby lon, taking with him a number of cap- ives including Daniel and his three companions. from royal or princely families, either as hostages or persons whom he could train for his officia service
 The names of the four young princes were all compounded with the name of God. Daniel-God is my judge; ananiah-Jehovah is gracious Mishael-This is as God; Azariah- Jehovah is helper. Their new names were compounded with those of royal ty or of idols. Daniel was named Bel teshazzar, favored of Bel or Beltis, the great Babylonian god and goddess The custom of changing names con- tinues up to this day; any change from Mohammedan to Christian, or the reverse, being accompanying by change of name. These four were selected from among the captives on and promise of ability, to be trained in, the language and literature of the Chaldeans, to be trusted officers
 When these young men were select ed for their future career, several things were appointed for their train ing, like the training of young men now in professional schools, after col lege graduation. Their names were changed, as noted above, so that, at least officially, they would be in har- mony with the administration, and not known distinctiYely as Jews. They were to be trained in court customs and ways, doubtless with other young men of heather morals and religion. They were given luxurious foods such as the king ate, and costly wines such as the king drank.
 Now here was a strenuous test of the faith, the courage and the self control of the young men. The eating of the kings food would be a break ing of the Jewish law as to food, and thus be repudiating of the religion of the true God. The dietary would almost certainly comprise articles of food, such as the flesh of swine, hares, etc, which the law interdicted to the Israelites.
 The young men were greatly favored by having friend at court God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love; had made him to find kindness and compassion. God had made Dan- iel lovable, giving him attractiveness of person and wisdom of mind; more SfSA, IlC opll IL udu uOuDll6SS moved directly upon the heart of Ashpenaz. turning him toward Daniel. All true love and friendship are in spired by God.
 Said Daniel to Mefzar: Give us pulse to eat" Rather, vegetable food in general; there is no reason for re- stricting the Hebrew word used to leguminous fruits, such as beans and peas, which is what the term pulse" properly denotes. And dater to drink instead of the wine" They be- gan the simple life.
 The result of the test was better physical condition, countenances fair CT, fatter in flesh. The simple life brought better bodily health, more beauty, greater strength and activity, all that was needed for the best work and the highest joy, of which the body is capable.
 Every trainer in athletics in all our colleges throughout the land will con firm this fact, and acts upon it.
 Therefore stood they before the king, were the personal advisers, and among the leading officers of the kingdom. All officers and servants stood when in the presence of the monarch. He found them ten times better than all the magicians and as- trologers. The magicians were the learned class, the scribes, the priestly class. The astrologers," reasoners from the stars, were the scientific men, versed in magic and occult science,
 The Best of All Habits.
 As an alienist and one whose whole lAe hoe boap concerned with fhe SIIf.