DANIEL IN THE LIONS’ DEN. aL?

wisdom, nor bravery of Cyrus that | kingdom of Babylon? Because of
gained the victory. It was God who | the wickedness of the people. Sin
brought Cyrus to Babylon; who | has caused the destruction of many

taught him the best way, and the
right time to take the city; and
who gave him success in all he did.
It was God who said “to the deep,
Be dry, and I will dry up the rivers ;”
and who said of Cyrus, “He shall
perform all my pleasure.” Isaiah

countries and cities. There is only
one thing that can make a country
truly safe and happy. Not riches,
nor strength, nor power; but holi-
ness ; because God’s blessing will be
upon a righteous nation, and then
no enemy will have power to hurt

xliv. 27,28. God had taught His | it. “Happy is that people that is in

prophets to predict these things |

about Babylon, many years before
Cyrus was born.
But why did God destroy the

 

such a case; yea, happy. is that
people whose God is the Lord.”
Psalm exliv. 15.

conerereerememerenenrennea

 

CCXILI.

PaANIEL IN THE ions’ PEN.

i Z

   

ANTEL still lived in Baby-
lon in great favor and
honor with king Darius,
who made him ruler over
the kingdom, and over

the princes and nobles. But Daniel

had enemies in Babylon. The prin-
ces hated him, and did not like him
to have so much honor; and they
were always watching to find some
fault in him, that they might accuse
him to the king. But Daniel was
so good and holy a man, and so
honest and just in all he did, that
his enemies could find nothing
wrong in him to tell Darius. Why
was this? How was it that Daniel
was able to do right, and to behave
so well at all times? Was he nota
sinner like ourselves, and tempted
to do wrongas we are? Yes. But

Daniel knew how to get help and

strength; he sought them from

God every day he lived, and many

21

 

 

 

times every day; and God heard
his prayers, and gave Daniel all
those holy gifts which he needed
and asked for.

But Daniel’s cruel enemies were
still determined to accuse him to
the king; and there was one thing
of which they knew they could
accuse him. What was it? His
praying to God. They saw him
often kneel down, and pray to his
own God, the God of Israel, who had
made all things; not to the idol
gods whom his enemies feared and
worshipped. So, one day, these
princes went to king Darius, and
asked him to make a new law.
What wasit? ‘That no one in the
kingdom should make a prayer or
request to any god or man, for
thirty days, but to the king only;
and that whoever disobeyed this
command, should be taken and
thrown into a den of lions. Darius