that he had been drinking wine out of the holy vessels of the temple, and had praised the dumb idols which see not, neither hear nor understand, while he had not glorified the God, in whose hand his breath was, and whose were all his ways.

After he had said this, Daniel looked at the writing on the wall, and he told the king that the meaning of it was, that he had been weighed in the balance and found wanting; that his kingdom was at an end, and would be given to the Medes and Persians: all which came to pass as Daniel had spoken, for that very night Belshazzar was slain, and Darius, the Mede, took possession of the kingdom of Babylon.

They who set themselves up against the Lord of heaven and earth, will surely be brought to desolation. They may flourish for a while, but their glory endureth not, and their fall is terrible.

Let us then submit ourselves to the Lord our God, and praise his holy name for ever and ever. Let us acknowledge his mighty power, and revere his wisdom, and love Him for his goodness. Let us study his holy word, and walk without wavering in the path of his commands.

DANIEL IN THE LIONS' DEN. (Daniel vi.)

WHEN Darius came to be king of Babylon, Daniel was a very old man. But the king had heard of his wisdom, and he saw that an excellent spirit was in him: he therefore advanced him to great honour, and thought even of setting him over the whole kingdom.

But the princes and other great men of Babylon did not like to see a stranger preferred before themselves, and they determined, if they could, to destroy him. Now they knew that they could find nothing against him except on

account of his religion. They therefore prevailed upon Darius to make a decree, that if any one should ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, except of himself, he should be cast into the lions' den.

Now Daniel always prayed to God three times every day: and though he knew of the decree which the king had signed, yet he also knew that he must obey God rather than man. He therefore went into his chamber, and prayed three times a day, and gave thanks to God, as he had been accustomed to do.

When the princes of Babylon found that Daniel prayed as usual, they informed Darius, who was very sorry that he had made such a rash decree, and wished very much to deliver the prophet from punishment. But the princes reminded him that the laws of the Medes and Persians could not be changed; so he gave commandment, and Daniel was thrown into the lions' den.

Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night without either eating or drinking; neither were instruments of music brought before him, and his sleep went from him, for he could not help thinking of the prophet who had been cast into the den.

Very early in the morning the king arose, and went in haste to the lions' den, to see what was become of Daniel. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice, and said, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?" Then said Daniel to the king, "O king! live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and shut the lions' mouths, and 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."

Then was the king exceedingly glad ; and he commanded that they should

bring up Daniel out of the den; and that they should throw into it all those wicked men who had accused him. They accordingly threw them in, and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces before ever they came to the bottom of the den.

As God delivered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace, so did he also deliver Daniel from the mouths of the lions. He will never forsake those who love and fear him, and' who strive always to conform themselves to his laws. He is great, and wise, and good; and he loves those who are upright in mind, and faithful in his service. Let us, then, seek His favour as the greatest blessing that we can possess. Let us serve him with willing and with cheerful hearts, and endeavour at all times to act as He has commanded us.