Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-27

Our story of Daniel opens with the
commencement of the exile. The hero
of faith was one of the number carried
away from their Jerusalem home by the
victorious conQueror. He took them as
hostages to Babylon. During that period
of trial, tribulations and testing Daniel
attained a high rank in both the re-
ligious and governmental affairs.
He showed the evidence of his strong
character and coming greatness shortly
after he had been selected with three
other Hebrew youths to be educated in
the Royal College, that was located
within the palace grounds OF King
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of Babylon. Being Sc
lected as a Kings scholar presented
them with a great opportunity. 1t was
an honor similar to an appointment to
West Point or Annapolis. Probably 1t
was more like Rhodes scholarship for
the college was located in the center of
the world commerce. culture and creeos.
Connected with the court were nu-
merous guilds, whose members depended
for their living upon their skill as
magicians, soothsayers, astrologers, en-
chanters and sorcerers. There was also
a class of scholars, who held special
rank, called "Chaldeans." The culture
of the ancient world was at its best in
Babylon in that day. The students in
the Royal College had the privilege Oh
being taught by the greatest living
authorities in their line. The city sur.
passed any other city In its scholars and
scientists. Writing, that has preserved
the records of the past, was In all prob
ability the invention of Babylonians.
They gave the world the division OF
time used in our present system OF
reckoning.
Entering the Royal College.
The King had the four Hebrew
Youths selected because OF their nlgn
rank, physical perfection. intellectual
ability and Hebrew culture. He ex-
pected that they would be completely
denationalized by their college training
He counted on their assisting In en-
1arping the sphere Of Babylonian inf1u-
ence and power. especially through their
position, prestige and popularity IN
helping to develop the Hebrew exiles
into thoroughly loyal citizens OF Baby
Ion. The King ordered that they be
enrolled under new names. In eacn
case the name of their God was eilmi-
mated and one submitted connected Win
his god. Names are Slgnlncant III
the East. The names were intended 70
mark that they had become cltiZens OF
the Babylonian kingdom and mad
adopted their faith. Daniel, meaning
Good is nv Judge" was enrolled as
Belteshazzar, that means "Bel protect
his life" :,
We can almost reproduce the course
of studies pursued by the students IN
the Royal College from the work OF
Iayard, not to mention that OF others
who have obtained great results In their
explorations of Babylon. The tablets III
the British Museum, not to mentlon
oh SIIh1PCTS
studied. The great library of Assur-
banipal was located with the palace
grounds. In 1t were found grammars,
dictionaries, treatiseS on mathematics,
law, history, geographical encyclopedia,
governmental registers, religion and the
sciences, geology, mineralogy. Zoology,
botany and astronomy. This library
was for the use OF the students OF tne
ROYAL College. Daniel and his fellow
students were given instruction by the
scholars, statesmen, scientists and seerS
of Babylon in "the learning ana the
tongue of the Chaldeans."
Mastering Temptations.
Students reveal their character dur
| ing their college days. What one /!
during their school days they will bt
throughout their life. The judgmen
of our classmates is probably the trues
| ever pdSScu upO1l 10 OAAS NA~e%N
any school or college, where for thu
first time the restraints of home hav'
been removed, unless one enters tina
| institution of learning with principle
well established he is apt to fail unde
the stress of the new experiences. TIL
destiny of our life is largely determined
during our high school days. The reli
| gious training of the home and tn
| church helps fix our character.
Daniel determined, when he was en-
rolled in the Royal College, to be tru
| to the God of his fathers, even If ]
meant the forfeiture of the college pri
vileges and his own life. Being al
exile had not crushed his faith ii
Jehovah. He still enjoyed the fellow
ship of prayer with Him and receive,
help in the performance of his duty
! which he saw was the same whethe
he was in Jerusalem or Babylon
Sooner than he had expected DAME
was faced with the necessity OF settlin
the question, whether he would follo'
custom or creed, policy or principle Il
reference to the use Of the food an
drink from the kings table. He dl
not falter. The influence Of his mrs
teacher. his mother, and of the religi
Gus training of the temple reveale
itself. II had been dedicated TO