The Carlisle independent., 1917-09-06
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER g BENEFITS OF TOTAL ABsTI.
 VENICE.

in his heart that he would not defile him. self with the portion of the kings meat, nor with the wine which he drank-Daniel Is
 The book of Daniel, with the great prophecies, fulfilled and unfulfilled, is one of the most interesting and impor- tant in the Bible. Without a grasp of the prophecies of this book it is abso- lutely impossible for one to know the New Testament and the times in which we live. Daniel gives an outline of the entire period of time from the passing of supremacy to the Gent;les in Nebu- chadnezzar to the final overthrow of the Gentle dominion, to the establish ment of the millenial kingdom. The course, character and end of Gentle dominion are given. It is that period known in Scriptures as the times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21 :24).
 The book of Daniel falls into two parts: Part I Chapters l to 6), in which the prophet appears as the di- vinely chosen interpreter of dreams i; part II Chapters to 12) in which the prophet 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-chapter :1-2.3 and chapters 8 to 12 (Hebrew); chapters 2:4-7 :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 Nebuchadnezzar in the first siege of Je- rusalem. This was a great trial for his own heart. He seems to have been about fourteen years of age.
 II. Daniels Trials and Difficulties (yv. 5-13). It was the custom for the best of the captives to be selected and trained for service in the land of cap- tivity. They usually selected those of the royal house for such training.
 I. Change of name. Among the He- brews names were given to children, which were significant. Daniel means "God 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- iel's life. This purpose of his parents seems to have been instilled into his very life and being. So thoroughly did he imbibe this spirit that in all things he made God arbiter of his plans and purposes. The object no doubt in the change of name was to obliterate his national and religious connection and identify him with the heather people. The king of Babylon evidently liked but was averse to his religion. It is the same today. Nations and individ- uals are perfectly willing to recognize and utilize the scholarship and eficien- cy of Christian ministers and mission. aries, but are not willing to embrace their religion.
 2. His conscience tested (vv. 5-8). It was with reference to the kings meat and the kings wines. It Is ever to be borne in mind that conscience is the groundwork of human character. It is the law which must be followed. No doubt Daniel was taunted and laughed at for his fidelity, just as all men and women today who are loyal to their convictions must experience, for all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
 3. His religious life. This involved his refusal to eat meat and drink wine which was contrary to his teaching Also it involved his praying three times a day.
 III. His Success (vv. 14-2D. 1. Phy- sical health (v. 15).
 Godly and temperate living pays. The kings meat and wine would have been pleasant to the palate. but would have meant compromise of conscience.
 2. Mental growth (v. 20). He was ten times superior to his comrades. It is always true that those who abstain from indulgence in the use of wine have clearer minds and are mentally better equipped for their work than those who indulge.
 3. Social. Daniel stood before the king. No higher position of honor could have been given him.
 4. Temporal. He became president of the College of Wise Men and prime minister of the nation. This position he continued to hold through several dynasties.
 5. Spiritual (v. ID. Because of Dan- iePs loyalty to God, Nebuchadnezzar's dream was revealed to him and he was giving visions sketching the whole his tory of the world.
 w. The Secret of His Success. The following may be set down as the things which made Daniel successful:
 1. He was conscientious. If we would succeed in the world, let us see to 1t that in all things we live in good con- science.
 2. Loyalty to God. He made God the judge of everything that pertained to his life. No pleasure was indulged in or problem disposed of without its sub- mission to God.