CHAPTER XI.

DANIEL WITH THE LIONS.

BUT Daniel's final trial drew near. His faith and determination must be exposed to still severer tests. Is his heart established? The gathering storm will reveal his true character. Is there a God who is able to save? And will that God regard the devotion of a finite mortal? Daniel's opposers, or rather the spirit of opposition to the kingdom of heaven will not rest. God has wrought wonders through humble means, but so virulent is the opposition that the God of eternal Truth must interfere and prevail, or Daniel will be cut off. "He was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king" (Darius) "thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion or fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

66

'Then said these wise men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God." How earnestly the emissaries of error seek

to thwart the influence of Truth! In every age and clime this spirit has been manifested against those by whom the law of God is especially maintained, and the infinite contrast between Divine Revelations and those of the finite and unreal rendered prominent. Nor is it necessary to resort entirely to the history of the ancients, to discover the evil designing against the Truths of heaven. Every age from Adam to the present, is stamped with unmistakable demonstrations. And who, familiar with the religious history of the Hebrew or christian, will presume to attribute the cause to man alone? The conflict is with the law of God. The heralds of Divine Truth, of God's revealed Will, the advocates of Holy Inspiration, are the objects of revenge. Upon them sorrows have been multiplied. And for what? Why should communities and even nations combine, and labor for the destruction of individuals whose position renders them the specific manifestation of Heavenly Purpose? If their inspiration is unreliable it must fail. If their doctrines are founded in error, they must pass away. Why then this evil strategy which has revealed its insidious form in every important period and combined its forces to suppress the principles of the Word of God? Daniel's religion did him no harm. He was wise above all others of the king's court:

blameless and useful withal. Why then seek his destruction? No answer can be given, save that which charges the purpose upon the malicious being who first seduced the race to sin.

The plot against Daniel epitomizes the natural movement of perverted sense. Whoever reads cannot fail, if divested of prejudice, to recognize the deceptive and invidious nature of that element which is ever operative against the religion of the Bible. The king, without the remotest thought of the end of the scheme, was drawn into an act which terminated upon Daniel. His professed friends, therefore, betrayed him. They presented an object before his mind, best calculated to mislead and render him, through base intrigue and from his confidence in them, most unexpectedly the agent of a nefarious plan. Mark their hypocrisy. "Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and thus said unto him, King Darius, live forever." How like Judas: "Hail Master, and betrayed him with a kiss." Little did they respect the king's welfare, if they could only effect their purpose. Satanic characteristic most manifest by those Heaven-daring and Godopposing agents of Diabolism. They continued to plead with Darius, saying, "All the presidents of thy kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counselors, and the captains, have

consulted together to establish a royal statute." Where was Daniel? The devil was a liar from the beginning. "Ye are of your father, the devil, whose works ye do," said Jesus. How truly confirmed by those who contend with divine Truth! Does a natural religion require such base concealment? such an hypocritical countenance? such a false tongue? Facts, both ancient and modern, shall answer these important inquiries. The multitudes thronging the king, and the tumult consequent upon such an occasion, rendered it improbable that he would enquire after each of his prime-counselors, etc.; therefore they said, "all have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not." (How flatteringly introduced, and how cautiously and assiduously guarded.) "Wherefore king Darius signed the writing."

What conspiracy! and against an individual! Who cannot in this perceive the ghastly visage of infernal design? How plainly revealed the fallen spirits who behind the screen prompted the external actors! "Now, when Daniel knew

that the writing was signed, he went into his house, and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God as he did aforetime." But Daniel could not have misunderstood the decree. Each time he kneeled before his God he endangered his life. The law was like that of the Medes and Persians, unalterable. Therefore he must choose to abide the consequences rather than refrain from or even conceal his devotion. Observe that single servant of the Most High. His was a faith, a religion, that in very deed af fected the heart. He loved his law who had revealed himself to the Patriarchs in the glory of Divine bestowments. His soul delighted in prayer. God was his hope, and in him he put his trust. No earthly potentate or demoniac tactic could induce him astray or move him from his purpose. He therefore proceeded according to his accustomed manner, and to God submitted himself. Heaven could deliver, if for the glory of God. If to suffer was the most effectual means by which his mission in the world would be fulfilled, with meekness he submitted. prayed not to king Darius, but to the King of kings, the Disposer of events.

He

"Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God."