The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-11-12
LESSON FOR NOVEMB 10
DANIEL On THE KINGS COURT.

DANIEL IN THE KINGS COURT.
LESSON TExr-Daniel 1876, 70. %.
GOLDEN TExT-watch ye. stand fast
~ the faith. quit you like men. DO strong.
II Cor. 1913. IA
This familiar story has BEEN select.
Cd for the Worlds Temperance Sun.
aay"-it Is the first record Of his
Babylonian experiences and 10 an IL.
iustrious example Of those everlasting
principles which govern successful
life.
Z. Daniels Position, w. ~. Ne.
buchadnezzar, on the death Of his
father, returned to Babylon from be.
siegtng Jerusalem to take the throne.
He carried with him Jehoiahm and a
number Of young men. .'in whom was
no blemishr t14). They were perhaps
twelve years old. Among these were
four who had been particularly Sc.
lected for pious training and the name
OF each Is compounded with the name
ofIaod: Daniels meaning-"God Is my
Judge. They are now alone in a
licentious heather palace and absc.
iutely ct the power OF the king and
his court. Their samen are now
changed; Daniel becomes Belteshaz.
favored of Bel" Such changing
ofnames 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 por-
ton Of the kings meat" Gam. Rev. v.
81. To refuse to eat invited ridicule
and perhaps loss Of life. but to eat
was to break the Jewish law as to
food tDeut. 12:23.25). See also Il
Cor. s:7-10; 10:27.2s). Their captiy.
tyihad been foretold IN Kings 2o:1D,
but Q change of location and name
does not involve change Of heart as
many astempted one has discovered.
These men in spite of natural appe-
tiles. 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.
%. Daniels Purpose, 1858. The
real purpose Of mans heart not
alone governs his acts but reveals
what he lis-God looks upon that when
he Judges men Oh Cor. 81; s:12;
Luke 1s:1h, without will tpurpose)
ths.e Is no character . (Acts 11:23).
Daniel lpurposed "in his heart" not to
defile himself" No compromise, no
trimming because Of being away from
Nome, no partnership with the rich
and iopulent court. Daniel was to be
sas clean as hounds TOOTH" Men
who dare to stand alone always find
cooperation, SO Daniel found those
who stood by a ". 12). Daniel ex-
lercised great tact in his dealings with
the prince Of the eunuchs but God
had evidenced his protecting and lead.
ing care ". 81 enabling him to win
his way and persuade the eunuch to
allow the suggested test ". 12). II
Christian workers would exercise
more tact they would more frequently
attain their desired ends duke 1879.
II Is possible to be go unbendingly
puritanical as to lay US open to a
charge of pharisaical pride. Daniel
tllustr- tes spotless purity, infexible
loyalty mingled with q sweet reason.
ableness that always gains its ends.
Daniel had sufficient confidence in his
God and faith in his actions to be will.
ing to be submitted to the acid test
OF experience. His was religion
that could stand without being tied.
90. Daniels Profit tReward), yv.s14.
81. Pulse denotes such vegetables as
beans and peas. Their diet was to be
. general vegetable one. Samson as
o 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 because Of tho 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 ".
l9). They STOOD before the king
tRom. 14:10-12: I Cor. 8: 1915; II Cor.
6.s) ta) because OF their answering
loyalty to God and obedience to his
Word tJohn 14.15; 1925 R. w; tb)
because of their life Of prayer, for II is
the work of the Holy Spirit to give
unto us wisdom tLuke 2:15, Acts g.:
10Y even as Daniel was thus blessed
y.i17) the spirit bestows diverse gifts
~ Cor. 2:1:4.11) (c) and finally be.
cause having a special place in the
purposes and plans OF God their. lives
were counted precious in his sight ".
40. Verify, He that doeth the will Of
God abideth forever 80.
Temperance ApplIeatlon.-This les.
son suggests the value Of total alb.
stinence. s
No user Of tobacco has ever taken
first honor at Harvard.'-Longfellowl
Temperance and self.control must
begin in the home and be perpetuated
IN the strength and power Of God
,unich alone comes through an intellt
sent knowledge and obedience OF his
Word. There Is no way to win sue.