The Brinkley argus., 1917-09-07
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER g .rueeITs OF TOTAL AeeTl.
 NENCE.
..ooN TExT-Daniel 1.

asif with me portioh oA tAio "AAo AAsSCS, sor with the wine which he drank-Danisi ia
 The hook of Daniel, with the great ,roohecies, fulfilled and unfulflled, is ,ra of the most interesting and impOr- ..nt in the Bible. Without a grasp of \. nrophecies of this book 1t is absO- ,r,olv impossible for one to know the New Testament and the times in which rs live. Daniel gives an outline of the .utre period of time from the passing 4 supremacy to the Gentiles in Nebu- ,hadnezzar to the final overthrow of ,Ae Gentle dominion, to the establish ment of the millenial kingdom. The .ourse. character and end of Gentle dominlon are given. It is that period tnown in Scriptures as the "times of ,he Gentiles" (Luke 21 :24).
 The book of Daniel falls into two mrts: Part I Chapters 1 to 6), in which the prophet appears as the di- ,Ipely chosen interpreter of dreams urt II Chapters to 12), in which the orophet appears as the mouthpiece of God. setting forth in visions, not dreams, the times of the Gentiles. The book is written in two languages, He- brew and Aramaic-chapte :1-2.3 and chapters 8 to 12 (Hebrew); chapters E47 :28 (Aramaic). The part which concerns the Hebrews was written in their own tongue and the part which concerns the empires of the world Is written in their tongue.
 l. Daniels Home Leaving (vv. 1-4). He was carried away to Babylon by Nsbuchadnezzar in tie first siege of Je- iunlem, .,s was a great trial for bM dle seems to have been alout fouTte2n years of aee.
 IL Danis.. TrIals and oIfflcuIties tvx 5.13). It was the custom for the best of the captives to be selected and trained for service in the land of cap- uyity. They usually selected those of the royal house for such training. 1. Change of name. Among the He, brews names were given to childrenf which were significant. Daniel means NGod Is my judge" The significance of the name then was that all prob lens of life were submitted to God for decision. This was the secret of Dan- isls life. This purpose of his parents sems to have been instilled into his very life and being. So thoroughly did hs lmblbe this spirit that in all things De made God arbiter of his plans and purposes. The object no doubt in the change of name was to Obliterate his nuonal and religious connection and Identify him with the heathen people. The king of Babylon evidently liked Dauels appearance and scholarship. mt was sverse to his religion. It is me same today. Nations and indlvid- as are perfectly willing to recognize nd utilize the scholarship and efhcien- Of Christian ministers and mission mes, but are not willing to embrace heir religion.
 < His conscience tested (vv. 6-6). It VI With reference to the kings meat ua the kings wines. It Is ever to be "fhe In mind that conscience Is the p"uhdwork of human character. It Is us law which must be followed. No aaot Daniel was taunted and laughed 1i0r his fidelity, just as all men and 'uuen today who are loyal to their ~lHctions must experience, for all .no will live godly in Christ Jesus aaA suffer persecution.
 a Ills religious life. This involved " fefusai to eat meat and drink wine .ulca was contrary to his teaching. tday.
 ''' Hls Success (vv. 14-21). 1. Phy. aai health (v. 15).
 waiy and temperate living pays. " nngs meat and wine would have sa peasant to the palate, but would
 sm meant compromise of conscience.
 dental growth (v. 20). He was ten s4ss superior to his comrades. It IS sssw true that those who abstain
 indulgence fn the use of wine uearer minds and are mentally
 ''' equipped for their work than @S'e who indulge.
 Soeial. Daniel stood before the sa,, No higher position of honor '.a nave been given him.
 ~ temporal, He became president Ms College of Wise Men and prime
 @.s'er Of the nation. This position enastes. 'o
 tr. spiritual (v. ID. Because of Dan-
 'oyaity to God, Nebuchadnezzar's N. u was revealed to him and he was
 visions sketching the whole his
 N Of the world.
 hl.. ne Secret of His Success. The A"ng may be set down as the
 which made Daniel successful
 ne Was conscientious. If we would A, eu m the world, let us see to 1t ss,aa a all things we live In good con M,a 0saity to God. He made God the A", oi everything that pertained to enas, NO pleasure was indulged in M, mOolem disposed of without it's sub-
 %slon to God
 ~, s.ision ws. of character. With him A wa 'cn had been submitted to God
 a ,hs s' shown to be right before God.