The Pulpit Commentary — Daniel — Section 130

is pregnant witl1 blessing. Now it would be known all through Che.Idea, that while the heathen oracles are dumb, the heavenly oracle is ever vocal, The false systems of human invention are covered with shame; the system of God's truth receives now honour. In that hour of anguish, Daniel learnt new lessons in heavenly wisdom- obtained fresh diecoveriCB of the Divine goodness-discovered new methods in the Divine procedure. Now be learns that" God giveth wisdom to the wise, and kno,vlcdgo to them that know understanding." They that use their capacities shall enlarge them. Tbe man who trades with bis ton talents shall gain ten more. He who sows in prayer ehall reap in praise,-D. Ver. 23.-" Special, blessing demands special praise." The state of mind wbich generates fervent prayer generates also joyous praise. Succe&S in prayer is a fitting occasion for exuberant delight. 1. The basis of sacred praise is gratitude, "I thank and praise thee," Inward insensibility of feeling and forgetfulness of past favours are deadly enemies to praise. When gratitude opens the inner fountains of feeling, the crystal waters of praise freely flow, Thankfulness is the parent of eong, 2. God the r,roper Objed of praise. God, in his own nature and excellence, is deservin"' of the best music of the heart.. The unchangeablenese and faithful love of God ar; fitting materials for praise. The covenant mercies of God ehould be celebrated in praise. "God of my fathers." 3. New bkssings received are new occasions for praise, No mental possession is of human origination. Our wisdom is a gift from God. Our power to influence others for good is a talent entrusted to us by God. Answers to prayer should ba occasions of hearty praise. Tbo pathway to the Divine favour has been found. New revelations of God's will should start afresh our powers of music. '' Oh, praise the Lord I "-D. Ver. 24.-.A good man becomes both king and saviour. The actnal king in the empire is not always the man who wears a diadem and occupies a stately seat. .An astute etatesman is often the real monarch. The poor man who, by his sagacity, delivered the city, was the veritable conqueror. The true servant of God becomes a king among mrn. See, for example, Joseph in Egypt, Moses in the desert, Samuel in IBrael, Daniel in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar was, at this moment, a captive, bound fast in the fetters of fear. Daniel was a real sovereign, directing the act of state office!'II, and moulding the destinies of the nation. I. HERE ARE lU.RKB OF A. TRUE PROPHET. "I will show unto the king the interpreta- tion." To prophesy ie not merely to foretell remote events : to prophesy is to disclose the unknown-to unveil mysteries. False prophets are a curse ; a true prophet is an immeasurable blessing. Guessee at truth are untrustworthy, deceptive, perilous. Real revelation is a sa.fe anchorage for the soul. Science soon reaches the end of her t.ether; ehe enjoys a very limited range. Revelation has to do with the infinite and the absolute-with all the secrete in the universe. To unfold the mysteries of human life, one by one, is the mission of God's prophets. "I will show the interpretation.'' II. HERE ARE SIGNS OF XINGLY BULE, Nebuchadnezzar "was angry and very furious;" he bad lost command over himself. Daniel had lea.rot the art of self-con- quest. Nebuchadnezzar had commanded hie officer to slay the wise men. Daniel, though one of the doomed, countermands the order. The magicians supposed that their lives were at the disposal of the monarch. They really were, by God's ordination, at the disposal of Daniel Nebuchadnezzar was a captive to dreadful apprehensions; feared a conspiracy; immured himself in the palace. Daniel walked abroad; breathed the sweet air of liberty; and wielded a power more mysterioue than any enchanter's wand. Nebuchadnezzar had said, "Let there be war I" Daniel said, "Peace, be still!" 'l'he king had said to Ariocb_, "Unsheath thy sword, and slay I" Daniel countersaid, "Put up thy sword into its sheath, and spare I" '!'he king had said to the wise men, "Die!'' Daniel said instead, "Live I' And the voice of Daniel prevailed. III. Here we have, in type and emblem, A. BEAL SAVIOUR. It Is easy enough to destroy; it is difficult to save. A child may set a city on fire; ten thousand men may be impot~nt to save it. .A madman has destroyed in five minutes what human genius bad ta.ken years to create. The fiat from Nebuchadnezzar's lips had been," Destroy I CH. II. 1----10.] Tim DOOK OF DANrnL.