Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-02
Sunday School Lesson

helper" was called Abednego, "serv-
ant of Nebo." The effect sought IN
each case was to obliterate the name
OF God and substitute that OF some
Babylonian deity.
Ample provision was mace py tne
king through his stewards Ior tne
support Of the students enrolled IN the
royal college. Changing the names
of the four Hebrew lads did no. ue
strov their faith. that called lot 'aeni
to meet the pressure or soclai cun-
tom, college traditions and the rules
Of school in connection with their
food and drink. It called Tor courage
for them to decline to partake Oh the
food and drink that the king ordered
given to the students from MS own
table. Daniels decision tnat ne
would not defile himself win tne
kings dainties, nor with tne VT xnt
which he drank" was due 10 the la
had been offered to the idols OF tne
king. which in the minds OF Dante me-
and his COMPANIONS contaminated lhe
rest OF the meal. 49,, ~
In making his stand for tolai az
stinence Daniel was moved ny le
gious convictions. He was followlils
out the teachings Of his parents w
may have persisted during the uateIe'
He was loyal to his conscience ana
obedient to Gods word that Daniei re-
called condemned their partaRlne Vi
any food or drink offered TO pagan
gods. The temperance question Is on
that each individual can easily settle
for himself. il he determines that 10Y
atty to God calls for him TO toIio" shs
example of Daniel, when ne declieu
that he would not defle his Doug WIZ
1at~ mo
or destructive of his spiritual "ei-
fare.
Daniel found favor with his tutor
and Melzar agreed to allow the TOUR
Hebrew Youths to test thelr clel ioi
ten DAYS. They were suppheu VIII
the simple fare Of the peasant class.
Fruit and vegetables We're given tnein
in abundance. The trial resulted IN
their favor They had met the
temntations Of college life and won
ont. Their plumpness Of form, when
is the especial pride of the oriental
was superior to their fellow students,
who had INDUCED in the wine ana
choice dainties from the kings table.
Total Abstinence Triumphant.
The first advantage Of the Hebrew
students under the leadership Of
Daniel was q physical one. Modern
science has confirmed the Scriptures.
The athlete must be a teetotaler TO
win victories. Records OF Arctic e1-
plorations and armies reveal that toIal
abstainers stand the strain or long
marches and endurance tests the pest
of all classes. The records or lie IN
surance companies prove that thev
are preferred risks, living longer thah
those who use liquor IN a MODERATE
way.
Na,+a,I,- +bav outstripped their fef-
low students Three years as students
found them ready to appear before the
king. who found them ten times bet
ter in all matters Of wisdom ana
understanding than all the magicians
and astrologers that were in MS
realm" German scientists have dem
onstrated that total abstinence serves
to increase the mental powers OF men.
The best places in life. that called Tor
clear thinking, are closed to all ex-
cept the total abstainer today. because
leaders in the industrial and COM
merciaI life know that efficiency and
executive ability are increased by
/ freedom from the indulgence in stron
| drink.
The greatest blessing that came to
them was a spiritual one. Their
| fidelity to their faith and TO Jehovah
brought them into closer fellowship
with their God. They realized the
| full meaning of the words, Blessed
| is the man that endureth temptation;
| for when he hath been approved, ne
| shall receive the crown Of life, which
| the Lord promised to them that love
Him." Daniel and his companions
experience confirms Paul's teaching
| that cit is good neither TO eat flesh,
nor to drink wine, nor anything
whereby thy brother stumbleth.