Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-12

Student days largely determine ones
character and destiny. Moses received,
as student in the leading university
of Egypt, the training that fitted him
to be the law giver and leader of his
nation. Paul laid the foundation for
his success, as the ambassador to the
GentileS, during his college days at
Tarsus and Jerusalem. He received the
benefits Of training in the culture of
days in Tarsus, but in Jerusalem he
was given the benefit of study in the
Scriptures and the Jewish literature.
Daniel and his companions were fitted
for the high positions in the govern
mental service by the education given
them as students in the royal college
located in the palace grounds Of King
Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon.
We considered the circumstances
connected with their capture and exile
in recent lesson, so there Is no need
son that resulted in their being car
ried as prisoners to Babylon and Sc
lected for royal scholarship. Upon
the arrival Of the princes and other
Jewish leaders in Babylon, Nebuchad-
neZzar decreed that certain noblemen
be selected to be trained for the pub
lie service. They were chosen because
of their high rank, physical perfection,
intellectual ability and culture. This
honor assured them the privilege of be-
ing trained by the worlds greatest
tached to the court and city life OF
Babylon.
When they were matriculated they
were given new names that made clear
to them daily that their status was
completely changed. Each one was
given a name that revealed something
connected with the Baal, the god OF
Babylon. These names were given with
the idea that they would understand
that their nationality and religion had
been changed.
Meeting LIES Temptation.
Every person who enters college faces
the temptation that comes with enter
ing upon every new life. Although thi'
weeks study has been assigned to teach
temperance lesson, there is nothing
In the Scriptures selected that teache.
temperance as we understand 1t today
If we should interpret the passage tt
teach total abstinence from the use Of
alcoholic liquors, we would be com
PEELED by the same methods of inter
probation to hold that 1t taught We
should not eat meat. IF we follow the
Scriptures, we will realize that wher
Daniel purposed in his heart that hi
would not defile himself by eating thu
meat and drinking the wine, he wa.
not thinking of taking O stand fol
temperance. for his action was based
upon the religious principle involved
He did not object to their calling hin
q new name, but he refused to take thu
food and drink, that was allowed hin
from the kings table because 1t haC
11aav1 nfForpd fn I1oofhaT1 c0dc inst q
we ask a blessing upon our food. II
eat the meat and drink the wine mean
that he was worshiping the heather
god.
Daniel and his companions were ava,
| from home, when they faced tn
| temptation, that tested their loyalty tt
their God. Many youths would hav'
thought that under the circumstance
there was nothing for them to do bu
accept the provisions supplied then
from the kings table. But not 81
| Scriptures, and knew that such foos
should not be used. Loyalty to hi
home training and his conscience callet
for him to refuse the food supplied ant
win. He recognized his obligation {,
Jehovah and refused to deflie himself.
| Our modern temperance problem wouls
| be quickly settled II we were as loya
to God as Daniel and his fellow stu
dents were during their early studen
| days in the Kings College.
Daniel did not act rashly, or as
:! fanatic. He was true to his God
| "When a mans ways please the Lord
| He maketh even his enemies to be q
peace with him." Daniel had unde
the leadership of Jehovah found favo
with his guardian, yet he could not per
| NIT him to break the rules of tn
school. Melzar, their tutor and direc
tor, agreed to allow them a ten-da.
class, fruit and vegetables, was supplies
them In abundance. = The trial tssuet