New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-09-07
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 9
BENEFITS OF TOTAL AeSTl.
NENCE.

In his heart that he would not defle him
self with the portion OF the kings meat.
nor with the wine which he drank-Daniel
lis.
The book Of Daniel, with the great
prophecies, fulfilled and unfulflled. is
n of the most interesting and impOr-
tant in the Bible. Without a grasp of
the prophecies Of this book 1t 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 Gentiles in Nebu-
c~hadneZZar 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. 1t is that period
known In Scriptures as tine times of
the Gentiles" duke q :24).
The book of Daniel falls into two
parts: Part l Chapters l to 81, in
which the prophet appears as the di-
vinely chosen interpreter of dreams
part II Chapters Z 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 1:1-2.3 and
chapters 8 to IL (Hebrew) chapters
2:4-7 :28 (Aramaic). The part which
concerns the Hebrews was written in
thafr nyvn fnnUun and tho nart 1-hiph
concerns the empires of the world Is
written In their tongue.
|. Daniels Home Leaving wv. 1-4).
He was carried away to Babylon by
Nebuchadnezzar in the first siege Of Je-
rusalem. This was n great trial for
his W heart. He seems to have been
about fourteen years of age. For a
boy who loved his home and the house
of God 1t was a great trial to be thrust
out and dragged away to a foreign
country. 1t was not only a trial to
him, but doubtless to his parents also.
They no doubt were anxious, and sim
cerely prayed for him.
u. Daniels Trials and Difficulties
wv. 5-13). 1t 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.
l. 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 vas that all prob
lens of life were submitted to God for
decision. This was the secret Of Dan
iels 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 Obliternte his
national and religious connection and
identify him with the heather people.
The king of Babylon evidently liked
Daniels appearance and scholarship,
but was averse to his religion. 1t 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. The name which Daniel
received by which he was to be known
in Babylon was Bdteshazzar, which
means Bells Prince. This in its bear
ing upon Daniel would be, the chief
one, or the one whom Babylon's chief
god favors. Back Of the change Of
name was Satan's attempt to wipe out
the name of the true God and have
these young men lose their separation
and become assimilated with the heath
en-. There is much in a name. Hap
PLY in this case, however, the change
of name did not make q change Of dis
position. Daniel was in Babylon, but
he did not do as the BabylOnians did.
Doubtless, parental discipline In this
case had done Its work.
2. His conscience tested wv. 5-S). 1t
was with reference to the kings meat
and the kings wines. 1t is ever to be
borne in mind that conscience Is the
groundwork of human character. 1t is
the law which must be followed. No
doubt Daniel was tainted 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. This program he loyalty car
ried out, even when 1t meant death.
His praying was not done altogether
in secret. He called upon God even
when those who were opposed to him
= could see him.
~. His Success wv. 14-21). 1. Ply
steal health ". 15).
Cody 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 ". 2O). He was ten
times superior TO his comrades. 1t 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