Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-09-21
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 23
DANIEL IN THE DEN OF LIONS.
LESSON TEXTDaniel 6.

GOLDEN TEXT-The angel of the Lord
encampeth round about them that fear
him, and delivereth them-Psalms 34:7.
|. Daniel the Prime Minister of the
Medo-Persian Empire wv. 1-3).
Daniels sterling worth brought him
to the front and kept him there. The
new king was quick to discern his
merits and to give them recognition by
placing him at the head of affairs in
his kingdom.
H. An Occasion Sought Against
Daniel wv. 4-9).
Q) The Reason of-Envy. To
have this foreigner placed over them
aroused the jealousy of the pres
idents and princes of the empire, so
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 ". A.. 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-
fer in some way. 1t is true in busi-
ness, the home, the school, politics and
religion.
(3) The Wicked Plot Wv. 5-9). 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
Ill. Daniels Noble Confession wv.
1913. Though Daniel knew that the
wicked decree was signed, he knelt
before God three times day as usual.
He went quietly about his affairs, at
tended to his regular devotions, be-
cause he trusted God. There is al
ways a marked silence about hero
ism. Weak men bluster, but strong
men have little to say. Daniel con-
tinued his usual habit of prayer, even
though it was q 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. 141O. 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 a 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 ". 16) and a double seal
placed upon the den ". 10. 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
continually, he will deliver thee" to
Daniel were poor excuse, but they
were the best that he could offer to
his conscience
v. Daniel Delivered (vv. 1929.
O) The Kings Sleepless Night "
49,. Doubtless Daniel was more com
Portable in the den of lions than the
king in his palace. His quietude is 6
picture of the safety and peace which
are the portion of those who trus
God and do his will. This is sample
of what faith can do. Thou will
keep him in perfect peace whose minC
is stayed on thee, because he trustetl
thee"
(2) The Kings Question ". 20). II
the morning the king called to DAME
in the den of lions saying, SIS thy Coz
able?" This is always the question O
the unbelieving heart. The believin!
heart says, Our God is able"
(3) Daniels Answer ". 22). IN,
God has sent his angel" Angels ar,
Gods ministering spirits. "The ange
of the Lord encampeth round abou
them that fear him, and deliveretl
them" Psalms 34:T.) Many times NJ
doubt our lives are preserved becaus
we are guarded by Gods angels. No
even a sparrow falls to the groun
without the Father, and the very hair
of our heads are numbered, so W
ought to expect the mouths of tn
lions to be shut against US.
a. Daniel Removed From the De
". 23). There was no manner of hun
upon him. The reason was that "h
believed in his God" The same ref
son is why the garments and hair c
his companions were not even singe(
vi. Doom of DanieI's Accusers {
24). They were cast into the den c
lions "and the lions had the master
of them, and brake all their bones
pieces or ever they came at the bo
tom of the den." Their envy was tn
cause of their own destruction.
l brought the curse upon themselve
: just as Haman was hanged upon tf
/ very gallows he prepared for Mord
l cal Daniel is preserved alive viii
his enemies go into the very trap
> their own providing. After all, thel
= is a retributive justice in the prov
dence of God which will ultimate
), even up things.
Daniels God to Be Feared.
: Vii. Darius Decree wv. 25-27). Z
i decreed that in all parts of his kin
5 dom men of all peoples and tongue
should tremble and fear before Il
God of Daniel.
VIII. Daniels Prosperity ". %
: Though D"riel's enemies perish,
i goes highv. and higher in the kin
+ dom, even continuing into the reign
4 Cyrus. In all our trials and testing
a we should net be moved, for there
n a righteous and just God in heave
and nothing can occur without hil
Mans schemes shall even continue
praise him.