The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1917-09-07
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 8
BENEFITS OF TOTAL ABsTI
yNENcE

-
LESSON TEXT-Daniel 1.
GOLDEN TEXT-But Daniel purposed
n his heart that he would not defIe him.
self with tho portion Of the kings meat
nor with the win which he drank-DanisI
LIS.
The book Of Daniel, with the great
prophecies, fulfilled and unfulflled, il
one 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 n 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-
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. 1t is that period
known in Scriptures as the "times Of
the Gentiles' (Luke 81 :24).
The book Of Daniel falls into two
parts: Part I Chapters l to 81, in
vinely chosen interpreter of dreams;
part II Chapters 7 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 - (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.
!. Daniels Homo Leaving wv. 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
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.
1. Change of name. Among the He
brews ame were given to children,
which were significant. Daniel e
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
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
of name was to obliterate his
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-
lals are perfectly willing to recognize
and utilize the scholarship and efficien-
cy of Christian ministers and mission
aries, but are not willing to embrace
heir religion.
2. His conscience tested wv. 5-S). It
vas with reference to the kings meat
and the kings wines. 1t is eve to be
1orne in mind that conscience is the
groundwork of human character. 1t is
he law which must be followed. No
loubt Daniel was tainted and laughed
1t for his fidelity, just as all men and
women today who are loyal to their
convictions must experience, for all
Who will live cody in Christ Jesus /,
hall suffer persecution.
8. His religious life. This involved
lis refusal to eat meat and drink wine
which was contrary to his teaching.
Also it involved his praying three times ,
day.
IIr. His Success wv. 14-21). 1. Ply {
ical health ". 15).
Cody and temperate living pays.
The kings meat and wine would have
cen pleasant to the palate, but would \
ave meant compromise of conscience. s
2. Mental growth ". 20). He was ten '
ines superior to his comrades. 1t is I
ways true that those who abstain
indulgence in the use OF wine
ave clearer minds and are mentally q
equipped for their work than
who indulge. d
3. Social. Daniel stood before the t
Ing. No higher position Of honor a
ould have been given him.
4. Temporal. He became president :
the College Of Wise Men and prime
of the nation. This position
e continued to hold through several
ynasties.
5. Spiritual ". 10. Because of Dan
rs loyalty to God, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ream was revealed to him and he was
wing visions sketching the whole his
ry of the world.
w. The Secret of His Success. The
blowing may be set down as the
ings which made Daniel successful:
/. He was conscientious. If we would
cceed in the world, let US see to it
at in all things we live in good con-
fence.
2. Loyalty to God. He made God the
dge of everything that pertained to
s life. No pleasure was INDUCED in
problem disposed of without It's sub
lssion to God.
8. Decision of character. With him
at which had been submitted to God