DANIEL AND HIS ENEMIES.
By Alexander Maclaren
[Dr. Alex. McLaren, in S. S. Times.] WHAT a different world we enter when we pass from base intrigues, and worship degraded into flattery, and a trap to catch a devout soul, to Daniel's still chamber! We note his calm ignoring of the decree. He "knew that the writing was signed," but he did not deviate a hair's breadth from his usual practise, nor hesitate for a moment what to do. When we take counsel of conscience only, the road is generally wonderfully plain. It is the bringing in of considerations of expediency and personal advantage that introduces bewildering complexities. Suppose Daniel had said to himself: "Should I not avoid open disobedience? Ought I to peril my 'usefulness' by flying in the face of an edict? May I not pray in my heart for a month, and save myself?" If he had faltered, he would probably have succumbed. The only path of safety lay in immediate determination, and execution of the resolution. To leave out one of the appointed seasons of prayer would have been perilous, for it would have been a great deal more difficult to resume the interrupted habit than to go right on without a break. One of the devil's most useful suggestions is, "Just this once, while the storm lasts; you can easily begin again when things have quieted." But if we give an inch, he takes an ell, and suspended habits of goodness are terribly apt to be choked by being suspended. But Daniel did not flaunt his nonconformity, nor run his head into the noose. He made no parade of his prayers. His "chamber" was probably an "upper room" on the roof where he had privacy, and there he "worshipped towards Thy holy temple." No doubt the plotters had spies enough. If they did not disdain to be conspirators, they would not disdain to be eavesdroppers, and they got evidence soon. Then, knowing what they would find, they "assembled," or, as the word is rendered in the margin of verse 6, "came tumultuously," breaking in on Daniel, and taking him in the very act. No doubt he had heard their noisy approach, and could have ceased his prayer for the time. But, like a true servant of God, brave because trustful, he would not desist, come what might, and prayed the more earnestly because the blow had fallen at last. Whether they seized him then, we do not know. Apparently, they were contented for the moment with having established his guilt and got a case to lay before Darius. So they hurried to the king, and Daniel had still time to escape; for it was not till the evening that "the king commanded, and they brought Daniel." Verse 16. He probably stayed still in his house, the calmest of all concerned. Why should he flee or be perturbed? He had God with him, and was kept in perfect peace, seeing that in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, he made his requests known unto God.