Vers. 13--27.-171e plaa of angelic ministration. .Angele appear upon Daniel's visionary scene, and indicate the manifold services they discharge for men. In all probability they have individual and special qualifications for different kinds of service. 'l'l,e utmost variety of gift is consistent with wisdom, happiness, and purity. I. OBSERVE THEm HOLY CHAJI.ACTEB. They are denominated '' saints," i.e." holy ones." Our Lord distmctly styles them by this epithet, "the holy angels." They are capable of sin; have been exposed to temptation; and yet have preserved their original puritv. 'l'his is their high distinction, their crown of excellence. Bo far they are models for our imitation. II. THEID PREVAILING DISPOSITION. They are not absorbed in thinking anti planning about themselves. 'l'he very reverse. Their chief concern is the honour and m~jesty of God-about the well-being of man. They are represented as inquiring of each other respecting the cessation of symbolic sacrifice, the desolations of God's temple, and the unhappy prospects of mankind. Into the great problems of atone- ment and redemption " the angels desire t-0 look." So absorbed are their minds in these momentous themes, that all time appears to them but as a season of atonement. "Days" are described as "evening-morning." They are the subjects of hope, oven as are men; and they encourage the faith of the godly by announcing the brevity of the disaster. It stirs their joy to anticipate the termination of the transient eclipse, and to see beforehand the brightness of Messiah'e reign. III. TREIB suBmss10N TO THE Gon-M.AN. The Son of God is Lord of angels, as well as Lord of saints. Without doubt this was a pre-incarnate visit of Christ to our earth. Daniel W1U1 sta"gered by the vision, and stood in an attitude of reverent inquiry. He was knocking at the gate of truth, and lo I Incarnate 'l'ruth himse!f stood before him. 'J.'o his rapt vision there was" the appearance of a man." Hie orj!an of hearing caught the BOnnde of a human voice. Yet this voice _was not addressed directly to Daniel. Gabriel wa, s~mo11ed to inierve11e &8 media.tor and CH, IX, 1-27.) THE BOOK OF DANIEL. 2!37
instructor. Immediately Gabriel undertakes the office, and proceeds to instruct Lhe trembling prophet. The obedience of angels is prompt, hearty, and complete. IV. THE BUPF.nIOnITY JN KNOWLED0E OF ANGELS TO MEN. They aro said in the Dook of Psalme to" excel in etrength." We know that they excel in purity; hern we learn that they excel also in wisdom and knowledge. Without doubt, they have clearer and larger vision of the kingdom of God, ee it extends through the entire universe. As man possesses, through God's goodness, a gift of memory ; so it is possible that the unfallen angels are endowed with a measure of foreimowledg;e. In this case Gabriel certainly knew the precise import of the vision, and knew the order of events which were about to occur in the Eastern empires. Such prescience may be an nseistence to their loyal service; it would be mainly a hindrance in the discharge of human duty. But the case of Daniel was exceptional. So much of humility and patient trust had he that he would not run counter to the revealed will of God. Thie was a manifest reward of his piety, and was a. banquet of pea.ea for his soul. A large accession was made to his knowledge through the friendly interest of Gabriel. V. THEIR DESIRE THAT MEN, LIKE A.NOELS, SHOULD DO ALL THE WILL OJ' Goo. Having certified to the veracity of the vision a.ad to the certainty of approaching evente, Gabriel enjoins Daniel to fulfil hie part, viz. to seal up the vision. For the present it must be concealed from the common eye, and be carefully preserved for the future confirmation of human faith. To many men there would be a subtle temptation to publish abroad what they knew touching the march of events. This would serve to swell their self-importance. But Daniel was a wiser man. Fully to obey his God was his first principle in creed and life. To disclose these things prematurely might have injured the existing prospects or the captive Hebrews-might, in some measure, have turned the history of the world into another channel. To wait is at times as plain a duty as to act, Patiently to endure is one of the most; heroic virtues the world has seen.-D.