South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-07-17
FINDS LESSON IN
STORY OF DANIEL
AS TOLD In BIBLE
Rev. L. S. Davis. Pastor of
First Baptist Church,
Points Example.

The Message OF DanielY was the
subject OF a sermon preached sun
day morning by Rev L. s. Davis
before his congregation at the First
Baptist church. Rev. Davis in his
sermon stressed on the splendid ex-
ample the life OF Daniel affords 70
Christian people.
HIS sermon in part follows:
The story OF Daniel begins in the
year COS 3. G. He was taken cap
tive In the first band deported from
Jerusalem by NebuChadneZZar
At this time he was a young man
about IS years, and we trace his
history for 20 years after this.
The time when Daniel lived and
wrought for God was the most
significant in ancient history. The
times OF Isreal had passed away and
the times Of the Gentiles begun. The
worlds mightiest kingdoms were
rising. Babylon was worthy OF the
place given 70 it in Nebuchadnez-
zar's vision. as the golden head OF
the worlds greatest power.
Into this splendid city Daniel
came in the prime OF his manhood.
II was a great opportunity for he
was chosen TO be educated for spe-
cial service 10 the king. Every OPP
portunity has its test 10 character
Kept His Faith.
The old saw When in Rome do
as the Romans do was not allowed
by Daniel. He would not go with
the crowd. The lessons Of the old
home back In Jerusalem were not
forgotten The God he served In
youth he continued to serve in man
hood. He refused 10 take a vaca
ton from decency. Though among
Gentiles he would not fOrsake the
{ God of his Hebrew faith.
He purposed in his heart and
he stuck 10 his purpose. He refused
the viands and wine Of the kings
table He kept his habit Of daily
prayer while away from home.
Those who contemplate a vacation
should read the book of Daniel.
Daniel had real principles; TO him
right was right and wrong was
wrong. The question OF popularity
and personal influence was nothing
compared with obeying his con-
science and pleasing his God.
Daniels life was not all on the
! spiritual plane. He lived like other
men and took part in the common
place duties and callings Of human
| life. He was in politics for 20 years
and had his political enemies. Dan
| lei was a statesman Babylon was
suffering from an overdose OF petty
politicians Politicians are always
/ jealous Of a real statesman.
These little politicians decided to
ruin the political influence OF Dan
tel In their plotting they said, we
can find nothing against this Daniel
! except II be as concerning the law
of his God They got the king TO
sign a decree that any one who re-
/ fused TO worship the image OF the
king should be put 10 death In the
/ lions den. It was a political trap.
! Daniel refused 10 bow down to the
image. The politicians were happy.
| Daniel was - be put IN the lions
/ den. When morning came, Daniel
was found without hurt Critics eX-
| plain away the lions den story by
green cabbage and were not hungry.
But when the king rdered the poll
ticians TO be thrown into the den
the lions had-a fine appetite This
was a short way TO rid the land OF
such pettifogging politicians. Per-
haps it would not be such a bad
thing II we could establish such a
den somewhere on the Potomac.
/ There are too many politicians and
not enough real statesmen.
Daniel was devoted 20 the cause
OF the people. He was in Babylon
not for political and personal ad-
! Vantage. but for God and for Israel.
His one though was how 20 use high
/ position there for the glory Of Je-
! hovah and help his suffering ana
! captive race. He teaches us that
the politician. the business man, the
| courtier may serve God IN their sta
/ tions Just as truly as the saint IN
/ his closet and the sufferer under the
hot FIRE Of persecution. Daniel had
I a ministry that could reach beyond
his immediate sphere 20 distant and
/ latest ages. He was not permitted
TO go back TO the city OF his fathers.
though It was his prayers that sent
/ his people back. 1t was DanieTs
craftsmanship and prayers that got
rthe right Of the people TO go back
| TO Jerusalem.
These times Of ours are strangely
parallel. and the qualities which
Daniel so nobly eXemplihed are just
/ the qualities which God wants in
the men and women Of today. God