The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-18
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Beautiful Character and Pattern.

| tfor Boys anu rounE Men,
I The eighth verse. FIRST chapter, OF Daniel,
reads as follows: Bat Daniel purposed in his
| heart that he would not def1e himself with the
pofhon OF the kings meat. nor with the wine
which he drank: therefore. he requested of the
prince of the eunochs that he might not defle
himself" In order 10 accomplish his purpose
without seeming disobedience to the kings or
GERS, Daniel made earnest request OF Melzar.
MS master and guardian. to allow him and his
three companions. Hananiah, Mishael and Aza-
rish, TO be fed on vegetable diet and with water
10 drink for "a period Of ten days, as q test Now
see the result AT the end OF the ten days their
countenances appeared fa!rer and fatter than
all the children who did eat of the portion of
the kings meat" The ten days' experiment
with simple, ordinary diet with water to drink.
proved to be exceedingly helpful to the four
growing boys and the conn pa rison could now be
made. and it was made. and the four boys were
signaly triumphant. The three years course
was at last finished, and the four young Israel
ties were now learned in all that Rahyionian
literature and science could teach them and
they were now fully equipped for whatever du-
ties the king might impose upon them as az
sstant rulers. The first great qualification OF
these young men was their loyalty to God And
see the results God gave them knowledge and
SKIN in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel
had understanding in all visions and dreams"
True, we car say in our days. twenty Ave hum
dred years after the time of Daniel, blessed
we If God he on our side: and lie will be on our
side If we will let Him. In a special sense God
is on the side of all who are loyal to Him.
This beautiful and instructive story of the
four God fearing boys, is sometimes called a.
temperance lesson. Yes. II is excellent illus
tration OF Bible temperance. which differs widely
from the popular definition of temperance which
teaches that temperance means self-control, self
restraint in moderation.
In the case of Daniel and his three conFpan-
IONS II was not seif-controi. nor moderate use
of the kings meat and vino, for they did not use
them AT all They totally abstained Now the
point that would emphasize is this. that Bihis
temperance means total abstinence to every
thlng that viii be stumbling blocks to our neigh
DORIS, or those by whom we are surrounded and
hurtfnl 10 our own bodies and morals; and that
we should exercise moderation In the use OF
such things as are good and helpful to ourselves
and To others within influence Read
Romans f4:21' 1T is good neither TO eat flesh
tohered to idols). nor to drink wine. nor any
thing whereby thy brother stumbieth or IL Of
fended imade To SIM, Or is made weak" There
are some things that should not all,
not even moderately and Intoxicating wine and
other like liquors are among such things. for
( the Scriptures say wine is a mocker" and COM
mand us Look not thou upon the wine when II
ts red when it giveth It's color In the cup when
1t moVeth itself Alright: at the last 1t bteth like
serpent and stingeth like an adder" And 'be
not among wine 5ihbers" These Scriptures
strike directly at wine drinking. wine suppcrs
the punch bowl and other like practices which
are fearful temptations to every class of citt-
aens.
And let 1t be remember that the term temper
anee applies not only TO Intoxicating liquors but
to our whole conduct in life: to what we do
say and where go. In other words. we should
SO deport ourselves as not to mslead other peo-
pie and especially the young, to their hurt In
Daniel, who lived twenty five hundred years ago
we ind model man who exemphed true Bible
temperance,
VETERAN ]. w. DOIIN
Soldiers Home Richmond. Va.