T HE K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S Envy and jealousy of this Jewish for eigner were in the hearts of the native politicians. Daniel had climbed to a place and power far above them. They had to admit he was a clean man as a politician. He was no boodler or graft er. The only hope they had for his overthrow was in his religion. They got Cyrus in a weak-kneed moment. Having baited the trap the murderous old rascals and graybeards drew back into the corner to see it work. And when Daniel knew the decree was out, he went into his room, with those ras- 'cals beneath the window, and prayed three times a day. There was no con cealing in any degree. Now look at that. He walked straight into the trap. “ ‘Will you walk into my parlor?’ said the spider to the fly,” and he walked right in. Only he was a Jew fly, so he walked right out again. Might as well talk about a trap to catch a sunbeam. The devil will waste his time trying to catch that. Remember Daniel was a veteran Versed in statecraft and in knowledge of men of this world. He was a Jew. Is a Jew a soft-eyed, chubby-faced in nocent? Is that the idea you have of a Jew? Somehow we’ve got the notion that a man needs to rise early to see a Jew get out of bed, if he wants to make anything for this world before break fast. And you’ll have to sit up late at night to catch him going to bed if any thing is to be made for this world. Daniel was no religious ninny and softy. He belonged to the long-headed race. He was a man capable in affairs. Men hate Jews because they rival them in the markets of the world. Here’s a man in the hour of peril who never dreamed of meeting craft with craft. He didn’t produce a card at the critical moment and trump the game. You’ll pardon my illustration. Perhaps it’ll be all the more vivid to some of you. Daniel was naturally gifted to meet those fellows in a battle of wits. Why didn’t he send for Mr. Carnal Policy and Mr. Worldly Wise
225 and Mr. Facing-both Ways? You know those fellows. Mr. Worldly Wise is often a trustee in your churches. You put him there because he was. If he had been only pious, you wouldn’t have chosen him. Why didn’t he say to Mr. Carnal Policy, when he had called these emi nent gentlemen together, “Look here, if I hold on to God and prayer, I’ll lose my salary and job, but if I let go, my own creed teaches me that I’ll fall into a deeper pit. How can I save my soul and my salary at the same time? I sent for you three lawyers to help me out.” Daniel is no cock and bull story. It is up to date. Where is the Christian not tempted as Daniel was to sell God, Christ, heaven and all you mean when you eat the bread and drink the cup? Some of you sell for fear of a frown or a skinful of drink. Nothing but Daniel’s faith will carry us through. Glory to God, that will. No, he didn’t send for these three. He didn’t trust to his nat ural wit, veteran statesman that he was. He wasn’t moved. He went into the house as he did thie day before. In the east they always pray out loud— a mighty good habit. Idolaters are never ashamed. Oh, but you say, “Mr. MacNeil, wasn’t this needless daring? .Why couldn’t he pray to himself for thirty days?” Was hie rash? Here is the point. The decree was openly pub lished. Daniel had to remember that God would see he had hauled down his flag and showed the white feather. You can’t cheat God. That held him steady. It must be the same with you and me. If Daniel were here I know he would say, “I am a man with like passions with you.” He felt your temptations to haul down the flag. The only differ ence is, he flung himself on God and God carried him through. He \yas childlike in his faith-—not child-ish. That’s the Conquering note in the Chris tian’s battle. Be childlike in trusting God^—no confidence in your own abil-
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