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AN EXCELLENT SPIRIT

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 5, 1900

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 23.

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AN EXCELLENT SPIRIT.

By H. E. S. Hopkins

H. E. S. HOPKINS.
(Battle Creek, Mich.)
When Daniel and his companions were brought in before King Nebuchadnezzar, there were found none like them. In all matters of wisdom and understanding they were ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. Why were these chosen in preference to the philosophers in Babylon? Those wise men were influential, learned, and of a cultivated class, and professed to interpret visions and dreams.
Why was Daniel hereafter made ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of that great Babylon? Why was he chosen the first of three presidents over one hundred and twenty princes during the reign of King Darius?
Read the answers to these queries in Dan. 6:3: “Because an excellent spirit was in him.”
When the king approached the den where Daniel spent the night among the hungry and ravenous beasts, did Daniel reproach his king for yielding to his persecutors, who were envious because Daniel was preferred before them? Read his reply to the king’s first salutation: “O king, live forever.” Truly, is not this an excellent spirit—the spirit of the Master, that enabled him to render this tribute to the king of Babylon?
The Most High could read the hearts of all these men. He knew whom he could trust with that which concerned the well-being of his people, and the advancement of his cause. He knew that Daniel’s highest aim was to honor him, instead of exerting all his powers to secure the highest position in an earthly kingdom.
Thus, we see he was rewarded for his uprightness, honesty, faithfulness, and his regard for the requirements of the King of heaven. In realizing his constant need of strength from heaven that he might not be overcome through pride and self-exaltation on account of honors and gifts bestowed upon him, he was often found in prayer, and through reverence and humility he retained an “excellent spirit” throughout the period in which he rendered service to these earthly kings.
How many among us stand in such a position to-day? How many cherish the spirit of our Saviour for our fellow men, down deep in our hearts, returning good for evil to those who say hard things against us? How many in families possess this “excellent spirit,” that they can continually manifest respect and love for one another, never uttering harsh and unkind words because of some trifling matter, always greeting each member with a pleasant smile.
As members of the royal family in Daniel’s place, when he passed through the den of lions unharmed, would we, with him, be ready to say, “O king, live forever”? If not, let us make haste to secure this excellent spirit at once: let each heart be full of love, overflowing toward those in our homes, toward our brethren and sisters in the faith, and our fellow men everywhere, else we shall not be ready for the conflict.