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lizing influences of the court of Babylon。 Strong were the temptations surrounding them in that corrupt and luxurious court； but they remained uncontaminated。 No power； no influence； could sway them from the principles they had learned in early life by a study of the word and works of God。
Had Daniel so desired； he might have found in his surroundings a plausible excuse for departing from strictly temperate habits。 He might have argued that； dependent as he was on the king's favor and subject to his power； there was no other course for him to pursue than to eat of the king's food and drink of his wine； for should he adhere to the divine teaching； he would offend the king and probably lose his position and his life。 Should he disregard the commandment of the Lord he would retain the favor of the king and secure for himself intellectual advantages and flattering worldly prospects。
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But Daniel did not hesitate。 The approval of God was dearer to him than the favor of the most powerful earthly potentatedearer than life itself。 He determined to stand firm in his integrity； let the result be what it might。 He 〃purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat； nor with the wine which he drank。〃 And in this resolve he was supported by his three companions。
In reaching this decision； the Hebrew youth did not act presumptuously but in firm reliance upon God。 They did not choose to be singular； but they would be so rather than dishonor God。 Should they compromise with wrong in this instance by yielding to the pressure of circumstances； their departure from principle would weaken their sense of right and their abhorrence of wrong。 The first wrong step would lead to others； until； their connection with Heaven severed； they would be swept away by temptation。
〃God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs；〃 and the request that he might not defile himself was received with respect。 Yet the prince hesitated to grant it。 〃I fear my lord the king； who hath appointed your meat and your drink；〃 he explained to Daniel； 〃for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort？ then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king。〃
Daniel then appealed to Melzar； the officer in special charge of the Hebrew youth； requesting that they might be excused from eating the king's meat and drinking his wine。 He asked that the matter be tested by a ten days' trial； the
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Hebrew youth during this time being supplied with simple food； while their companions ate of the king's dainties。
Melzar； though fearful that by complying with this request he would incur the displeasure of the king； nevertheless consented； and Daniel knew that his case was won。 At the end of the ten days' trial the result was found to be the opposite of the prince's fears。 〃Their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat。〃 In personal appearance the Hebrew youth showed a marked superiority over their companions。 As a result； Daniel and his associates were permitted to continue their simple diet during their entire course of training。
For three years the Hebrew youth studied to acquire 〃the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans。〃 During this time they held fast their allegiance to God and depended constantly upon His power。 With their habits of self…denial they united earnestness of purpose； diligence； and steadfastness。 It was not pride or ambition that had brought them into the king's court； into companionship with those who neither knew nor feared God； they were captives in a strange land； placed there by Infinite Wisdom。 Separated from home influences and sacred associations； they sought to acquit themselves creditably； for the honor of their down…trodden people； and for the glory of Him whose servants they were。
The Lord regarded with approval the firmness and self…denial of the Hebrew youth； and their purity of motive； and His blessing attended them。 He 〃gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom： and Daniel had understanding
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in all visions and dreams。〃 The promise was fulfilled； 〃Them that honor Me I will honor。〃 1 Samuel 2：30。 As Daniel clung to God with unwavering trust； the spirit of prophetic power came upon him。 While receiving instruction from man in the duties of court life； he was being taught by God to read the mysteries of the future and to record for coming generations； through figures and symbols； events covering the history of this world till the close of time。
When the time came for the youth in training to be tested； the Hebrews were examined； with other candidates； for the service of the kingdom。 But 〃among them all was found none like Daniel； Hananiah； Mishael； and Azariah。〃 Their keen comprehension； their wide knowledge； their choice and exact language； testified to the unimpaired strength and vigor of their mental powers。 〃In all matters of wisdom and understanding； that the king inquired of them； he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm；〃 〃therefore stood they before the king。〃
At the court of Babylon were gathered representatives from all lands； men of the highest talent； men the most richly endowed with natural gifts； and possessed of the broadest culture that the world could bestow； yet among them all； the Hebrew youth were without a peer。 In physical strength and beauty； in mental vigor and literary attainment； they stood unrivaled。 The erect form； the firm； elastic step； the fair countenance； the undimmed senses； the untainted breathall were so many certificates of good habits； insignia of the nobility with which nature honors those who are obedient to her laws。
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In acquiring the wisdom of the Babylonians； Daniel and his companions were far more successful than their fellow students； but their learning did not come by chance。 They obtained their knowledge by the faithful use of their powers； under the guidance of the Holy Spirit。 They placed themselves in connection with the Source of all wisdom； making the knowledge of God the foundation of their education。 In faith they prayed for wisdom； and they lived their prayers。 They placed themselves where God could bless them。 They avoided that which would weaken their powers； and improved every opportunity to become intelligent in all lines of learning。 They followed the rules of life that could not fail to give them strength of intellect。 They sought to acquire knowledge for one purposethat they might honor God。 They realized that in order to stand as representatives of true religion amid the false religions of heathenism they must have clearness of intellect and must perfect a Christian character。 And God Himself was their teacher。 Constantly praying； conscientiously studying； keeping in touch with the Unseen； they walked with God as did Enoch。
True success in any line of work is not the result of chance or accident or destiny。 It is the outworking of God's providences； the reward of faith and discretion； of virtue and perseverance。 Fine mental qualities and a high moral tone are not the result of accident。 God gives opportunities； success depends upon the use made of them。
While God was working in Daniel and his companions 〃to will and to do of His good pleasure；〃 they were working out their own salvation。 Philippians 2：13。 Herein is revealed
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the outworking of the divine principle of co…operation； without which no true success can be attained。 Human effort avails nothing without divine power； and without human endeavor； divine effort is with many of no avail。 To make God's grace our own； we must act our part。 His grace is given to work in us to will and to do； but never as a substitute for our effort。
As the Lord co…operated with Daniel and his fellows； so He will co…operate with all who strive to do His will。 And by the impartation of His Spirit He will strengthen every true purpose； every noble resolution。 Those who walk in the path of obedience will encounter many hindrances。 Strong； subtle influences may bind them to the world； but the Lord is able to render futile every agency that works for the defeat of His chosen ones； in His strength they may overcome every temptation； conquer every difficulty。
God brought Daniel and his associates into connection with the great men of Babylon； that in the midst of a nation of idolaters they might represent His character。 How did they become fitted for a position of so great trust and honor？ It was faithfulness in little things that gave complexion to their whole life。 They honored God in the smallest duties； as well as in the larger responsibilities。
As God called Daniel to witness for Him in Babylon； so He calls us to be His witnesses in the world today。 In the smallest as well as the largest affairs of life； He desires us to reveal to men the principles of His kingdom。 Many are waiting for some great work to be brought to them； while da