These people calculated upon Daniel, and they had a right to calculate
upon him. Could the world calculate upon us, that we would rather go to
the lions' den than conform to what God and our consciences told us to
be a sin? If not, we have not yet learned what it means to be a
disciple. The commandment comes to us absolutely, as it came to the
servants in the first miracle, 'Whatsoever He saith unto you'--that, and
that only--'whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.'


FAITH STOPPING THE MOUTHS OF LIONS

'Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him
into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy
God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee. 17. And a
stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king
sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords;
that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. 18. Then
the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither
were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went
from him. 19. Then the king arose very early in the morning, and
went in haste unto the den of lions. 20. And when he came to the
den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king
spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is
thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from
the lions? 21. Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for
ever. 22. My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions'
mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him
innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I
done no hurt, 23. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and
commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So