Middletown transcript., 1915-11-13
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNNNSNOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER "a
DANIEL in THE KINGS COURT.
By Il. o. SELLERS, Acting Director ce
Sunday School Course Of Moody Bible
Institute Of Chicago.)
tCOpyrlght, 1918. Western Newspaper Unlou.)


day"-it is the first record Of his
Babylonian experiences and is an L.
iustrious example of those everlasting
principles which. govern a successful
life.
|. Daniels Position, w. ~. Ne
Ouchadnezzar, on the death OF his
father, returned to Babylon from be-
Steging Jerusalem to take the throne.
He carried with him Jehoiaklm and q
number Of young men, "in whom was
no blemish" (1D. They were perhaps
twelve years old. Among these were
four who had been particularly So
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 a
icentious 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
confronts these young men, viz, that
the king appointed them "a daily por-
ton Of the kings meat" (Am. 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 (Deut. 12:2S-25). See also Il
Cor. 8:7-10; 10:27-2S). Their captiv-
ity had been foretold III Kings O:l7l,
but a change of location and name
does not involve a change Of heart as
many a 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, 1878. The
real purpose Of a mans heart not
alone governs his acts but reveals
what he is-God looks upon that when
he judges men I'll Cor. 9:7; s:12;
Luke 1919. Without will (purpose)
there is no character (Acts 1929.
Daniel purposed "in his heart" not to
defile 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 ". 12l. Daniel ex-
ercised 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 (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, infiexibIe
loyalty mingled with a sweet reason
nbleness that always gains It's 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 a religion
that could stand without being tied.
His wisdom is likewise our privilege
(James 3:17).
III. Daniels Profit (Reward), w. IA.
Fl. Pulse denotes such vegetables as
beans and peas. Their diet was to be
a general vegetable one. Samson as
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 ".
l9. They stood before the king"
from. 14:10-12; l Cor. 3:1O-15; II Cor.
6.S; (a) because of their unsverving
loyalty to God and obedience to his
Word John 1915; 1926 r. w; (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:
10y even as Daniel was thus blessed
". III the spirit bestows diverse gifts
Il Cor. 12:1-4-1D; (c) and finally be-
cause having a special place in the
purposes and plans OF God their lives
were counted precious in his sight ".
I'D. Verify, HE that doeth the will Of
God abideth forever"
Temperance AppIIeatIon.-This les
son suggests the value Of total alb,
stinence.
There is not q single thought in .
hogshead Of beer. ."-Theodore Roose-
velt.
No user Of tobacco has ever taken
nrst honor at Harvard. ."-LongfelIow
Temperance and seIf-controI must
begin In the home and be perpetuated
IN the strength and power Of God
which alone comes through an lntelli-
gent knowledge and obedience Of his
WORD. There is no way to win sue
cess except by means Of a complete
victory; to compromise is to fall.
OVcr 30 per cent more accidents oc-
cur to workmen who drink than to
tnose who bstain."-Leipzig Sick
Benefit Society.
Temptation is always a forked road,
one fork OF which leads to a life Of
freedom Il Cor. 1919. Daniels loyalty
70 God paid immense dividends and
those who are loyal in this present
evi age" will stand before a greater
than Nebuchadnezzar.
The loyalty Of such is not earth