THE BOY WHO DARED TO BE A DANIEL.
By S. Jennie Smith
SABBATH SCHOOL was dismissed, and the children were going, some in one direction, some in another, to their homes. The majority of them were chatting merrily of the proposed strawberry festival, but one little fellow seemed to be engrossed with more serious thoughts. He was alone, and apparently unconscious of the nearness of his companions, until a lad about his own age joined him and inquired: "Say, Ralph, what are you thinking of? You look as wise as an owl." "I should hope I was a little bit wiser than a bird," answered Ralph with a smile. "But I was just wondering, Ned, if I could be brave enough to go into the lions' den like Daniel did. I wouldn't like to stop praying to God, but it would be pretty hard to make up your mind to face a lot of lions." "Yes, indeed; but then father says that we don't need grace to do those hard things until we are called upon to do them, and then if we ask God, he will give us the strength we require. All we've got to do is to attend to the duty nearest us, and seek for strength for that." Ned was the minister's son, and had enjoyed many an instructive talk with his kind father. "He says, too, that we are often called upon to face other kinds of lions in this life, if we persist as we ought in doing right. But here we part, Ralph. Good-by." And the boy turned off into a side road, leaving Ralph again alone. Ralph's way led through a quiet country lane, for his home was beyond the village where nearly all of his companions lived. "Well, I won't have to go into the lions' den to-day," he said to himself, as he sauntered along; "and when I do, I guess God will give me the strength," and with this thought a gayer frame of mind came to him. "But it must be grand to be a Daniel." Just then two large boys crept stealthily from the bushes that lined one side of the road and looked anxiously around. "Say, John, there's Ralph," one of them muttered. "He'll tell we didn't go to Sabbath school. Let's frighten him into promising not to." "Hello!" cried John in a loud voice.9Ralph turned and was surprised to see his brothers approaching him. "Going home?" one of them asked. "Why, yes, Tom, ain't you?" "No, not yet; and if anyone inquires where we are, just mention that we've been to Sabbath school and will be home soon." Ralph's eyes opened wide in astonishment. "But you didn't go to Sabbath school," he replied, "because your teacher came and asked me where you were, and I told her I didn't know; I thought you were coming." "Well, it isn't any of your business whether we went or not," growled John. "All you've got to do is to say we were there if you're asked." "I can't tell a lie about it, can I?" "Yes, you can, if you just make up your mind to do it." "But I won't tell a lie about it," said Ralph sturdily. "No, I suppose you had rather get your brothers in a scrape. You know what will happen if we're found out." Ralph hesitated. He was an affectionate child and disliked to see anybody in trouble, especially his own brothers, but he had a very decided opinion that he was in the right, and therefore concluded to speak the truth at all hazards. "I'm just as sorry as I can be," he returned sadly, "and I'll beg papa to forgive you, and say I know you won't ever do it again, but if they ask me, I can't tell a lie about it." "You won't, eh, little saint?" cried John angrily, grabbing his brother's arm. "Now promise to do as we say or we'll pitch you into that deep pond over there." Ralph was too young to realize that this was only an idle threat, and he was very much frightened, yet in that moment of terror the thought of Daniel in the lions' den flashed through his mind and gave him the strength that he had not dared to hope for. He saw in an instant that he had come to his temptation and his den of lions, and he felt that as God had protected Daniel in that far-away time, he would now protect him. Ralph had never learned to swim, and he was in fear of the big frogs and other creatures that inhabit ponds, but he did not flinch; with a boldness that surprised even himself, he looked steadily at his brother and replied: "You cannot frighten me into doing that wrong thing. I will not pray to the image of falsehood that you have set up." It was now his brothers' turn to be astonished. They had never thought of Ralph as anything but a timid little boy, who could be overcome by the slightest threat, and for a moment they were at a loss what to say. Of course Ralph was merely repeating some of his teacher's words, but they were not aware of that fact, and consequently wondered at his remarks. Finally John managed to stammer, "Do—do you want to go in that pond?" "No manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God," continued Ralph, his mind still on his Sabbath school. "God delivers his faithful ones in times of trouble." Turning away, John was about to walk off, but Tom detained him. "Wait a moment, John," he said, and then the others noticed that there were tears in his eyes. "I want to tell my brave little brother that I honor him for sticking to the truth. As for me, I shall confess to father, and promise not to repeat the offense." "I am with you," John replied. "Come, Ralph, we'll go together now and hereafter. We need never be afraid to go where Daniel leads."—Christian Intelligencer.