The Spectator., 1915-11-09
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER IA
DANIEL IN THE KINGS COURT.

ft T Cor. 16:13
 ed for the Worlds Temperance Sun. day'-it is the first record of his Babylonian experiences and is an il. lustrious example of those everlasting principles which govern a successful life.
 |. Daniels Position, w. 1-7. Ne buchadnezzar, on the death of his father, returned to Babylon from be. sieging Jerusalem to take the throne. He carried with him Jehoiakim and a number of young men. "in whom was no blemish" 14. They were perhaps twelve years old. Among these were four who had been particularly se- lected for pious training and the name of each is compounded with the name of God; Daniels meaning-"God is my judge They are now alone in licentious heather palace and abso- lutely at the power of the king and his court. Their names are now changed: Daniel becomes Belteshaz. zar-"favored of Bel" Such changing of names is customary in most heath en or Mohammedan lands even today. A still greater danger or temptation confronts these young men, viz, that the king appointed them "a daily DOT tion of the kings meat" (Am. Rev V. 5. To refuse to eat invited ridicule and perhaps loss of life, but to eat was to break the Jewish law as to food (Deut. 12:23-26. See also q Cor. s:7-10; 10:27-2S). Their captiv- ity had been foretold QI Kings 20:1D. but a change of location and name does not involve a change of heart as many tempted one has discovered. These men in spite of natural appe- tites. danger of being thought pecu. liar, or even gratitude to king for lives preserved refused to eat the kings meat and to drink his wine.
 II. Daniels Purpose, 18:13. The real purpose of mans heart not alone governs his acts but reveals what he is-God looks upon that when he judges men GIT Cor. 9:7; SIP; Luke 16:15). Without will (purpose) there is no character (Acts 11:23). Daniel purposed 'in his heart not tc iefile himself" No compromise, no trimming because of being away from home. no partnership with the rich and opulent court. Daniel was to be as clean as a hounds tooth" Men who dare to stand alone always find cooperation. so Daniel found those who stood by him (v. 12). Daniel ex- ercised great tact in his dealings with the prince of the eunuchs but God had evidenced his protecting and lead ing care (v. 9 enabling him to win his way and persuade the eunuch to allow the suggested test (v. 12). If Christian workers would exercise more tact they would more frequently attain their desired ends (Luke 16:S). It is possible to be so unbendingly puritanical as to lay us open to a charge of pharisaical pride. Daniel illustrates spotless purity, inflexible loyalty mingled with sweet reason ableness that always gains it's ends. Daniel had sufficient confidence in his
  ing to be submitted to the acid test of experience. His was a religion that could stand without being tied.
 iii. Daniels Profit (Reward), w. IA. 21. Pulse denotes such vegetables as beans and peas. Their diet was to be q general vegetable one. Samson as a Nazarite drank no wine. This age has yet to fully comprehend the reasonableness and efficacy of those ancient Jewish laws of sanitation and diet Myriads of men are today dig ging their graves with their teeth. The result of this test was that Daniel and his companions were delivered from transgressing Gods laws and the prince of the eunuchs from being punished bcause of the physical con dition of his charges. Beauty, health. and strength came to Daniel and his friends with the result of preferment. position, and influence at court (v. 19). They stood before the king" tRom. 14:10-12: I Cor. 3:10-15: II Cor. 5.S: (a) because of their answering loyalty to God and obedience to his Word (John 14-15: 16;26 R. V); (b) because of their life of prayer. for it is the work of the Holy Spirit to give unto us wisdom (Luke 2:15, Acts 6: 10) even as Daniel was thus blessed (v 17) the spirit bestows diverse gifts q Cor. 12:1-4-1D; (c) and finally be- cause having special place in the purposes and plans of God their lives were counted precious in his sight (v. 2O. Verify, He that doeth the will of God abideth forever
 Temperance AppIication,-This les son suggests the value of total ab. stinence.
 No user of tobacco has ever taken first honor at Harvard. J."-Longfellow. Temper ance and self-control must begin in the home and be perpetuated in the strength and power of God which alone comes through an intelli- gent knowledge and obedience of his Word. There is no way to win sue cacc ayaapt hv naopc nf a cnp,p pl af O