Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-09-07

why he didn't want to do like the Others were
doing.
Now Daniel had made a big hit with Aspire
max lie was a gOOd-loOking, clean. straight
forward, likely lad. God had brought him in
contact With the prince and had enabled
Ashpenaz to appreciate his good quahttos.
Ashpenaz would have gone out Of his way TO
do something for this likeable boy; but he
liked himself better. So he said, Danny my
boy, I'D like to do anything that you ask ;
but 1 like my own head better. You wouldn t
want me 10 risk my pate, would your IL IN"
king should find out that had disobeyed ORDER
be would take off my block in three shakes
Of a Sleeps tail
But Daniel had ''Purposed'-so he didnt
give up. He went TO Melzar, the head stew
ard, just above him, and repeated his request.
Give a chance, he said. Try an expert
ment for ten days. Just give me and my
friends here Boston baked beans and Adam
ale and the result. n you're from Mis-
souri,. then Wen show you. Then you can d"
eide what you're going to do later on.
Now that was bold move on the boy. 8
part. Ten days is too short a time 10 tell
the difference between two different dieteries.
But Daniel was sure that the difference wOul"
be in marked contrast, for he was depending
not the diet but on the Diety. His We
hooed for. the evidence Of things not seer
He knew that the God 10 whom they had given
their all would make fat and flesh out OF the
beans and water for them faster than meat
and wine dedicated to idols could do with
out God. Daniels attitude was Let God and
Ter so. His duty was TO stand squarely TO-
God; it was Gods job 20 make them look
better beans. If He willed otherwise, II
all right.
FLESH, FAVOR AND FORTUNE.
MelEar WAS a good sport; he was willing
90 try the experiment, aud SO il began. Now,
don't you faiI to believe that Daniel and the
other boys failed to do their part. Faith
shows itself by works. Can't you see those
four lads getting the outside Of dish after
dish of beans and potatoes and squash and
carrots and tunips-and all the other vege-
tables that grew in the Babylonian gardens
Melzar never saw such appetites; healthy appe-
rite without g0rmandlSng! And when the 90
dGys were up they pulled down the scales moEo
than any other four In the bunch. Their
cheeks were ruddier, skin clearer, eyes bright
ct, minds clearer and muscles stronger than
any Of the Others-because God had honored
their faith and works, and added His bless
ing.
MelEar was a wise mamie kept up the good
UCrk during the whole training camp; and
when the examinations were held Daniel and
his friends were the honor men of the class.
Sebuchadnezzar was mighty well pleased With
them. and appointed them TO attend him per-
sOnally. Nor could he put a test to them that
they didn't measure up TO ten times better
than anyone else at the court. Clean living,
holy living, standing squarely for God no mat
ter whether they were considered peculiar or
net-had eventuated in splendid bodies and
clear thinking. And il always will.
C0NFORMED AND TRANSFORMED.
This personal incident in the early life OF
this man suggests TO us that God Is calling us
to a life Of separation from the world. The
world in constantly trying to effect our dena-
tiOnaliza tioR--to make conform to its Gus.
toms and TO forget God. This was Nebucbad-
neEza's aim,
OF course IL is the easy way TO be like other
boys and girls. to do what others doing
but because il is easy is no reason for doing il.
God calls Us the other way; and taking the
hard way requires exercise and skill and per-
sistence and courage-makes iron in the blood
and drives out the yellow streak.
IL you give yourself TO God wholly and for
all. Daniel did. and determine to be true
TO Him, whatever the cost, He will give you
favor. faith. fairness Of flesh and mind. and
fortune. That's what he gave Daniel when
Daniel gave himslf. IL was q good trade for
DAiiel, was IL not?
Therefore, l beseech you. brethren, by the
merciies OF God that We present your bodies
a living sacrifict. holy, acceptable 20 God:
for this is a service He has a right TO expect.
And that you be not cOnfOrmed to this world
but be transformed by the renewing Of your
mind. that you may prove what is the perfect
and acceptable will Of God.