Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1917-09-08
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNDMSOlOtA
LESSON
CBy REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D..
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicagol
Copyright, 1917. Western Newspaper T'nionD
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 9
BENEFITS OF TOTAL ABSTL
NENCE.
LESSON TEXT-Daniel /.


lis.
The book of Daniel, with the great
prophecies, fulfilled and unfuIfiil2d. IS
one of the most interesting and inpOr-
tant in the Bible. Without grasp Of
the prophecies of this book ii 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 Gentllcs in Nebu-
chadncz2ar TO the final overthrow of
the Gentle dominion. To the establish
mcnt of the milie:iai kiu-dom. Tn
course, character and end ~ GeNri."
dominion are given 4 * that period
known in Scriptures as the 't.ncS Of
the Gentiles" duke p pa.
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 I 10 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 s TO u (Hebrew) chapters
2:4-7 :2S (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 Home Leaving wv. 1-4).
He was CARED away to Babylon by
Nebuchadnezzaf 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.
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
tivlty. 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
IF 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 imbit ithis spirit that In all things
he mdtSsod arbiter of his plans and
PURPOSE 1.-THE object no doubt In the
ss1g$..s ,u1e-r-s Ko-.sa,sszute ms
nations aid religious connection and
Identity 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 efiicien-
cy of Christian ministers and mission
aries, but IRE not willing to embrace
their religion.
2. His conscience tested tvv. 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 cody 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 1t involved his praying three times
q day,
III. His Success tvv. 14-21). i. Ply.
sical 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 ". 20). 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.
8. 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 ". 10. Because of Dan
iers loyalty to God, Northumberland
dream was revealed to him and he was
giving visions kletching the whole his
tory of the wN.d.
w. The Secret OF His Success. The
following may be set down as the
things which made Daniel successful:
]. He was conscientious. If we would
succeed in the world, let Us see to ii
that In all things we live IN good con
science.
2. Loyalty TO God. He made God tbs
Judge of everything that pcrtained Il
his life. No pleasure was INDUCED il
Hr problem disposed Of without its sub
mission to God.
8. Decision of character. With hi~
hat which had been submitted to G."
and was shown to be right before God
vas the law OF his life.
"A r. n~s4.A V7>.,.