The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-06-23
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone
Dare to have a purpose firm.

Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone
Dare to have a purpose firm.
Dare to make 1t known"
Remember how we used to sing
1t in our Sunday Schools? Possibly
some Of US still do. The thought Of
the song assuredly needs to be en-
phasized anew.
The 'times are out Of Joint" Mil
lions of men and women are meeting
new problems and temptations. The
standards of life they learned in
home and church or Sunday school
are not too easy to maintain.
Many are hearing that old excuse
for laxity. 'Man, you're in the
army now" or Don't forget you're
not at home with Mother; you're in
the navy" Civilians have similar
tempting excuses for careless liv-
ing, drinking, etc.
Our lesson is a timely one. It
presents Daniel as having
1. A Courageous Purpose ". 81.
Daniel and his three Hebrew COM
panions were among those carried
captive to Babylon. AS promising
young men, they were selected to
receive an education in the wisdom
OF the land, at the kings expense
and in preparation for his service.
The king provided for them the
delicacies of his household, thinking
thus to keep them strong and in
good health. Daniel recognized that
many of these things were unclean
according to the laws of his people.
He also knew that to eat such food
and to drink the intoxicants provid-
ed for them would be to injure his
health and cut down his ability to
learn. .5
It was no easy thing to ask to be
excused from what the king had
commanded, not to do what every
body else was doing; but Daniel had
q courageous purpose Gin his heart"
But Daniel had the wisdom to be
tactful about his convictions. He
went to the kings steward with
III. A Considered Plan wv. 9-13).
He had something thoughtfully
worked out, fair proposal which
would not endanger the life or stand
ing of the prince who was over
them. He proposed q test, and
agreed, If it failed, to be subject to
further orders. He knew it would
not fail.
How often those who have 1t in
their heart to stand true to God
against evils, such as beverage al
cohol, have no plan in mind, and
are only loud and tactless in their
condemnation. They make no con-
tribution to the cause. Let us be
intelligent and properly prepared.
Daniels plan put planned diet
and water over against rich foods
and wine. 1t was a case Of simple
living against "high" living, and the
result was a foregone conclusion.
Those high in positions of authority
in the field of diet tell us again and
again that we need simple, we'll
balanced meals. And science is def
mite and clear in it's condemnation
Of alcoholic beverages.
Daniels test period resulted in
III. A Convincing Proof wv. 14-16).
Ten days proved the point. Daniel
and his friends were fairer and fat
ter than the others. They were vim
Dictated in their courageous stand for
what they believed to be right. Sim
pie living demonstrated it's value.
Think what a fine testimony the
experience of Daniel must have been
in that great group of young princes
who were at the kings table. So
we also may give good witness for
our Lord by our loyalty to right
standards. Often it is true that
those who outwardly scott at them
are secretly moved to respect those
who consistently stand for what they
believe.
We need to cultivate in our young
people the high courage which will
enable them to stand against the
constant temptation to partake of
alcoholic beverages and to face with
intelligent courage the clever propa-
ganda of the liquor sellers.
Note that Daniel and his friends
did not lose by their decision-they
gained. They reached
Nv. A Commendable Position wv.
10, 20).
At the end of the training period
the king gave these young men ex-
aminations. Note that in technical
knowledge, 10" and in personal
characteristics, Daniel and his COM
rades were superior to ali the rest.
That is in accord with the findings
of modern science in the matter of
the use of liquor.
Is it not almost unbelievable then
that the advertising Of the liquor in
terests. suggesting that LIQUOR is a