OUR revered Leader writes in Science and Health (p. 126), "I have found nothing in ancient or in modern systems on which to found my own, except the teachings and demonstrations of our great Master and the lives of prophets and apostles." This statement lends added interest for all Christian Scientists to the study of the many interesting characters of Old Testament history, among which Daniel is one of the most eminent as an exponent of unswerving fidelity in the service of God. The record of his career delineates an absolutely blameless life. We know of no retrograde step, no hesitating action in his upward way, and to the student of Christian Science who may think that his own busy life precludes rapid progress in the study and demonstration of truth, Daniel's career is a noble object-lesson. Student, governor, administrator,—his daily routine of work must have been unremitting toil. Nor was this for the welfare of his own people, of his own country, but loyal and unselfish service on behalf of those who had ruthlessly destroyed his home and kindred. The brief facts recorded in the book of Daniel show us the picture of the captive youth, calm and uncomplaining in the midst of upheaval of environment and sore affliction for the Jewish nation. But Daniel seems to have been always, in spirit, above his material surroundings, always dwelling in that sure refuge, "the secret place of the most High."
The first independent line taken by the young Hebrew of which we read, depicts him turning, on behalf of himself and his friends, from the proffered dainties of the king's table, knowing with clear insight that he and his friends could not come short of the desired beauty of form and feature when realizing that God is, as the psalmist had declared, the health of man's countenance. The trial, hesitatingly allowed, was followed by complete demonstration, and it gives us Daniel's first recorded victory over "the lusts of the flesh." The next picture shows us his absolute faith in God as "a very present help in trouble." When the angry Nebuchadnezzar issued his intemperate decree to destroy all the wise men of Babylon, earnest prayer to God by Daniel and his friends was answered. When in a third test he was brought before the monarch, Daniel with true self-abnegation told him at once that it was God who had revealed the dream to him, and that he had no more wisdom or understanding than another to know anything of himself. The dream of the king was told, the wonderful interpretation made, and we see how this spirit of humility protected the young Hebrew from "the pride of life" when adulation, honors, and power were showered upon him by the wondering king. The next call upon Daniel's God-given understanding seems to have been recorded by Nebuchadnezzar himself. It would seem that another remarkable dream had troubled the king, and when he repeated it to Daniel the effect upon him was at first overwhelming. We are told that he "was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him." But the king encouraged him to speak, and with a moral courage which in these days we can perhaps but dimly appreciate, Daniel described to Nebuchadnezzar the sad fate in store for him.
In the various brief records which comprise the book of Daniel, we see how the monarchs he served rose and fell, but this servant of God was continuously called to fill a higher post than before. At last, under Darius, he became first of three presidents in the kingdom, and showed so excellent a spirit that the king contemplated setting him over the whole realm. We cannot wonder that, this Jewish captive had many enemies, but much as they sought to find occasion against him, they could not do so: "He was faithful," it is recorded of him, "neither was there any error or fault found in him." A grand tribute indeed! Envy and jealousy have seldom laid a fouler plot than that which ended in Daniel's being thrown into the den of lions. His faithful service to God had been reflected in loyalty to one king after another, but not for a moment could his duty to an earthly king come before his duty toward God. We cannot but notice the wonderful freedom from even a shadow of resentment against this, the fifth pagan king he had served so faithfully, for his cruel decree. But again the clear understanding of the prophet proved that selfless service of God, good, destroys evil's false claim to have either place or power.
