Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-09-07
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 9
BENEFITS OF TOTAL ABSTI
NENCE.
LESSON TEXT-Danfel 1


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 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" Ouke 81 :24).
The book of Daniel falls into two
parts: Part 1 ,(chapters 1 to g., in
which the prophet appears as the di-
vinely chosen interpreter of dreams;
part II Chapters to 12), in which the
prophet appears as the mouthpiece Of
dreams, the times of the Gentiles. The
book is written in two languages, He
brew and Aramaic-chapter 1 :1-2.3 and
chapters s to u (Hebrew) chapters
PAT :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 Home 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. For a
boy who loved his home and the house
of God it 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 sin
cerely prayed for him.
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 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
! 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 efficien.
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 Belteshazzar, which
means Bells Prince. This in its bear
ing upon Daniel would be, the CHIEF
one, or the one whom Babylons CHIEF
god favors. Back of the change OF
name was Satan's attempt to wipe ou
, 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 a change of dis
position. Daniel was in Babylon, bu
he did not do as the Babylonians did
Doubtless, parental discipline in thi.
case had done it's work.
2. His conscience tested wv. 5-9).
was with reference to the kings mea
! and the kings wines. 1t is ever to b'
! borne in mind that conscience is tn,
} groundwork of human character. It il
the law which must be followed. NJ
! doubt Daniel was taunted and laughed
: at for his fidelity, just as all men anC
| women today who are loyal to thei
: convictions must experience, for al
who will live godly in Christ Jesu
shall suffer persecution.
8. His religious life. This involved
his refusal to eat meat and drink, win
which was contrary to his teaching
Also it involved his praying three time
a day. This program he Loyalty car
ried out, even when it meant death
His praying was not done altogethe
in secret. He called upon God evel
when those who were opposed to hin
could see him.
Ill. His Success wv. 14-2D. l. PLY
sical health ". 15).
Cody and temperate living pays
The kings meat and wine would hav
been pleasant to the palate, but woul
have meant compromise of conscience
2. Mental growth ". 20). He was te
times superior to his comrades. 1t
always true that those who abstai
from indulgence in the use of win
have clearer minds and are mental
better equipped for their work tha
those who indulge.
3. Social. Daniel stood before tn
king. No higher position of homo
could have been given him.
4. Temporal. He became presiden
of the College of Wise Men and prim
minister of the nation. This positio
he continued to hold through severa
dynastieS.
5. Spiritual ". 10. Because of Dar
ieIs loyalty to God, Nebuchadnezzar'
dream was revealed to him and he wa
giving visions sketching the whole his
] tory of the world. No statesman hi
equal has ever appeared.
w. The Secret of His Success. Th
. following may be set down as tn
n things which made Daniel successful
e He was conscientious. If we woul
n succeed in the world, let us see to
IS that in all things we live in good cor
u science.
l. 2. Loyalty to God. He made God tn
judge of everything that pertained