BOYS OF THE BIBLE. 231

young Jews is so deeply imprinted on the very heart of the
world that to be “a Daniel” means to be full to the brim of
the very highest kind of courage.

While Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, was in Jerusa-
lem on one occasion, he commanded the chief of his officers
to choose some of the princes of the children of Israel, that
he might take them to be servants in his palace at Babylon.
None should be chosen, the King said, who had any fault in
them, but only such as were young and beautiful and quick
to learn. For he wanted them to be taught in all the wisdom
of the Chaldeans, and to learn also the language that the
Chaldeans spoke. After they had been instructed in these
things for three years, they were to come to the palace, and
stay there and wait on the King.

Among those that were chosen by the chief officer, were
four young men, named Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego. These four were brought to Babylon, and teachers
were set over them, that they might be taught as King
Nebuchadnezzar commanded.

From the very first, Daniel and his companions gave full
proof of what sort of mettle they were made of. Because
they were in Babylon, they were not going therefore to do
as the Babylonians did. On the question of wine-drinking
'and high living, they took a distinct stand from the very
first. And the fact that they preferred to get along with
simple food and water, seemed as absurd to the Babylonians
three thousand years ago, as the same thing does to many
people to-day.

But they would not drink wine, and they would not
indulge in luxuries. The steward of the palace, who had
charge of them, and was to some extent responsible for them,
was afraid they could not stand this kind of simple diet. He