The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-09-22
INTERNATIONAL,
,SUNlASQlO0L
LESSON
(By REV. L. Is. FITZWATER, d. D.,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of ChicagoD
Copyright 1917. Western Newspaper Union
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER %
DANIEL IN THE DEN OF LIONS
LESSON TEXT-Daniel 6.

Medo-Persian Empire wv. 1-3).
Daniels sterling worth brought hin
to the front and kept him there. tn,
new king was quick to discern hi
merits and TO give them recognition b.
placing him at the head of affairs IL
his kingdom.
u. An Occasion Sought Agains'
Daniel (vv. 4-9).
| Cd The Reason Of-Envy. TIC
have this foreigner placed over them
aroused the jealousy of the pres
idents and princes Of the empire, sc
they set about TO have him removed.
The presence of envy shows inferior
ity. One never envies those below
him 1t is hard to forgive those who
have Outstripped us and left US be-
hind in the race of life.
(2) The Failure ". ~. Daniels Of
fetal record was blamelesS. Not even
an error could be found Of which they
| could accuse him. Though he was
without fault he had to suffer. Those
who excel in any line are sure to suf-
ness, the home, the school, politics and
religion.
(3) The Wicked Plot wv. SOY. Not
being able to find any fault, they
trumped up charge against him on
the ground Of his foreign religion
They were not careful about the meth
cd employed, just so their end was at
tanned.
III. Daniels Noble Confession wv.
1919. Though Daniel knew that the
wicked decree was signed, he knelt
before God three times a day as usual.
He went quietly about his affairs, at
tended to his regulap devotiOns, be-
cause he trusted God. There is al
ways a marked silence about hero
ism. Weak men buster, but strong
men have little to say. Daniel con-
tinued his usual habit of prayer, even
though ii was violation of the civil
law, because he knew that Gods law
was first. When the laws of earth
conflict with the laws of heaven there
is but one thing to do; that is, to obey
God rather than man.
w. The Foolish Decree Executed.
wv. 14-1O. The king was greatly dis
pleased with himself ". 14) and dill
gently sought to deliver Daniel, but
he was helpless ". 15). The proud
ruler was slave. Laws which change
not are self-condemnatory, foolish,
positively wicked. The king was
weak for fear of others, which is utter
wickedness. Daniel was cast into the
den of lions ". 18) and q double seal
placed upon the den ". ID. They
were not content with the kings seal
alone, which shows that one rascal
will not trust another. The kings
words, Thy God. whom thou servest
he will deliver thee" to
Daniel were poor excuse, but they
were the best that he could offer to
his conscience.
v. Daniel Delivered wv. 1929.
(D The Kings Sleepless Night ".
lS). Doubtless Daniel was more COM
Portable in the den of lions than the
king in his palace. His quietude is
picture of the safety and peace which
ire the portion of those who trust
iod and do his will. This is sample
II what faith can do. Thou wilt
Keep him in perfect peace whose mind
S stayed on thee, because he trusteth
hee."
% The Kings Question ". 20). In
he morning the king called to Daniel
n the den of lions saying us thy God
bleT This Is always the question of
he unbelieving heart. The believing
eart says, Our God Is able"
(3) Daniels Answer ". 22). "My :
Tod has sent his angel" Angels are
'Od's ministering spirits. 1.-The angel
the Lord encampeth round about
hem that fear him, and delivereth o
hem" Psalms 34:7.) Many times no
oubt our lives are preserved because I
re are guarded by Gods angels. Not
ven sparrow falls to the ground [
fthOut the Father, and the very hairs :,
our heads are numbered, so we b
ught to expect the mouths of the q
Ons to be shut against us.
w Duilci ItcIuONtu TOM the Den
v. 23). There was no manner of hurt
pom him. The reason was that "he m
elieved in his God" The same rea- NJ
IN Is why the garments and hair of
Is companions were not even singed. h,
vi. Doom of Daniels Accusers ". HI
y. They were cast into the den Of
ons land the lions had the mastery
them, and brake all their bones i'm
eces or ever they came at the bot
IN of the den." Their envy was the "
luse of their own destruction. 1t
ought the curse upon themselves.
st as HamaE was hanged upon the
Try gallOws he prepared for Morde- W
II. Daniel is preserved alive while fl
S enemies go into the very trap of h,
cir own providing. After all, there m
a retributive justice in the provi- O,
nee of God which will ultimately III
EN- up things.
Daniels God to Be Feared.
VII. Darius Decree wv. 25-2O. He y
creed that in all parts of his king -
IN men of all peoples and tongues
Ould tremble and fear before the
I'd of Daniel
Viii. Daniels Prosperity ". 2S). a'
Tough Daniels enemies perish. he
es higher and higher In the king u