Article November 25, 1933 Issue

"Dare to be a Daniel"

[Written Especially for Young People]

OSCAR GRAHAM PEEKE

"My son, you have read the lives of some of the truly great men and women of history; what characteristic in particular did you note as contributing largely to their greatness and success?" This, in effect, was a question a father put to his son shortly before the latter commenced a college course. The boy did not answer readily, so the father continued, "Did you not find that moral courage was a particularly prominent characteristic in their lives?" The lad agreed that this was true. After a few more words of kindly advice the father ended the conversation with the statement, "It is worth while to 'dare to be a Daniel.' " Thereupon the boy resolved to do his best to keep himself morally strong throughout his experiences.

In preparing for a career one finds much stress is usually placed on the desirability of striving for scholarly attainments. Oftentimes, however, this is done without giving thought, in addition, to certain very necessary spiritual and moral qualifications. To learn early the great desirability of a fine sense of spiritual values, and to realize the utter worthlessness of wrong thinking, is to have the finest equipment for the attainment of success.

There can be no doubt that Daniel at an early age was so imbued. Soon after he was taken to Babylon the young captive showed a high degree of moral strength. The Scriptural record of his life, although somewhat fragmentary, emphasizes his ability to meet and master temptation, and to nullify the effects of malice and hate through spiritual fortitude coupled with moral courage. Throughout the centuries this record of Daniel has strongly influenced the thinking and lives of countless people. The accounts of other great Biblical characters who left inspiring records show that with some of these the struggle for self-mastery was severe, but that victory came, as it always does, by trusting in Spirit and spiritual means, by realizing that true happiness and success are attained only by loving God, good, above all else.

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