We are all living on probation. Those who have passed into their graves have been tested and tried, to see if they would realise their responsibility to serve God. A desire to glorify God should be to us the most powerful of all motives. It should lead us to make every exertion to improve the privileges and opportunities provided for us, to use wisely the Lord's goods. It should lead us to keep brain, bone, and muscle in the most healthful condition, that our physical strength and mental clearness may help us to be faithful stewards. Selfish interest must ever be held subordinate, for if given room to act, it contracts the intellect, hardens the heart, and weakens moral power. Then disappointment comes. The man has divorced himself from God, and sold himself to unworthy pursuits. He cannot be happy; for he cannot respect himself. He has lowered himself in his own estimation. He is an intellectual failure.PrT September 7, 1899, par. 1

Daniel was regarded by the Lord as a man, because he was a steward who traded faithfully on his Lord's goods. He did not forget God, but placed himself in the channel of light, where he could commune with God in prayer. And we read that God gave Daniel and his fellows knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom.PrT September 7, 1899, par. 2

Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon dreamed a dream which none of his wise men could interpret. The secret was revealed to Daniel in the night vision, and we read, “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are His; and He changeth the times and the seasons; He removeth kings, and setteth up kings; He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding; He revealeth the deep and secret things: He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him. I thank Thee and praise Thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of Thee; for Thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.”PrT September 7, 1899, par. 3

Daniel did not stand before king Nebuchadnezzar to glorify human power, to dishonour God by failing to acknowledge His goodness. Had he not acknowledged God as the source of his wisdom, he would have been an unfaithful steward. Those who follow the example set by Daniel will connect with the Lord. They will consult Him as a son consults a wise father. Not all human fathers possess wisdom; but God may always be trusted and depended on. With perfect assurance we may commit the keeping of our souls to Him as unto a faithful Creator.PrT September 7, 1899, par. 4

Did Daniel's faithful recognition of God before kings, princes, and statesmen detract from his influence?—No. Read his firm, bold testimony, and then follow his example. Let the clear-cut testimony, like a sharp, two-edged sword, cut to the right and to the left. Make appeals that will bring foolish, wandering minds back to God.PrT September 7, 1899, par. 5

After Daniel had given Nebuchadnezzar God's warning in regard to self-exaltation, he said to him, “Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.” Had the king heeded this counsel, the threatened evil might have been averted, but he went on with proud superiority until his reason was taken from him, and he became as the beasts of the field. God allowed him to suffer seven years of deplorable degradation, and then removed His chastening hand. Then the king acknowledged his sin. “At the end of the days,” the record reads, “I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured Him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing, and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can slay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment; and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.”PrT September 7, 1899, par. 6

Those who act a part in the work of God do good only because God is behind them, doing the work. Shall we then praise men, and give thanks to them, neglecting to recognise God? If we do, God will not co-operate with us. When man puts himself first and God second, he shows that he is losing his wisdom and righteousness. All that is ever done towards restoring the moral image of God in man is done because God is the efficiency of the worker. Christ in His prayer to His Father, declared, “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.”PrT September 7, 1899, par. 7

Said the great Apostle Paul, “Let a man so account of us, as ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” Let every steward understand that as he strives to advance the glory of God in our world, whether he stands before Christians or infidels, peasants or princes, he is to make God first, and last, and best in everything. Man cannot show greater weakness than by thinking he will find greater acceptance in the sight of men if he leaves God out of his assemblies. God must stand the highest. The wisdom of the greatest man is foolishness with Him. The true Christian will realise that he has a right to his name only as he uplifts Christ with a steady, persevering, and ever increasing force. No ambitious motive will chill his energy; for it comes from an inexhaustible Source,—“the Light of life.”PrT September 7, 1899, par. 8

Mrs. E. G. White. (To be Continued.)

August 31, 1899

September 14, 1899