the pond. One man is reported to have found one hundred and fifteen bodies along the road leading to Hinckley. The train, after having been abandoned, was completely consumed." "Relief. The sending of relief trains and provisions and physicians, with things for the injured, besides other necessities of existence in a homeless community, was commenced with commendable promptness and on a liberal scale, by the citizens of Duluth, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Chippewa Falls, Superior, St. Cloud, and other cities." The Great Burning Day. When we read of such terrible fires, the mind naturally turns to the great day of the Lord, that shall burn as an oven. The prophet says: "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." 11 12 The same prophet also points out the glorious salvation which shall be revealed: "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." 1 The Sun of righteousness is Jesus Christ. He is also called the "Dayspring from on high." 13 The tender mercy and loving kindness of God inclined him to visit us to bring the heavenly light to our dark world. He came to give the knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins. He still brings light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide their feet into the way of peace. And when he has finished this glorious work of salvation, he will be revealed in glory, with all his holy angels, to take his people unto himself. It will be a fearful time when the very elements shall be on fire and melt with fervent heat, and all the works 13 Luke 1: 78. 11 Mal. 4: I. 12 Verse 2. 14 in the earth shall be burned up.' The fire which is to do this work is already burning in the bowels of the earth. The Lord says, For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains." 1915 The fire is as real as the mountains themselves. It manifests itself in terrible earthquakes and fearful eruptions through the volcanoes of the earth, destroying sometimes whole cities with all their inhabitants. When the great subterraneous fires, obedient to the word of God, burst forth in all their fury, it will not take long to set everything on fire and to melt the foundations of the mountains. In that day of trouble it will be good to have God for our defense and refuge, for he alone can deliver. The sinners in Zion will say, "Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" 16 And the promise of the Lord to him who walks righteously is, "Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty; they shall behold the land that is very far off. God will be a devouring fire to the wicked, but his brightness and glory shall bring joy to the righteous. Let us then flee for refuge to Jesus while sweet mercy still lingers, and lay hold of the hope that is set before us, that it may be an anchor both sure and steadfast to our souls. 18 >> 17 14 2 Peter 3: 10. 17 Verse 17. 16 Isa. 33 14. 15 Deut. 32: 22. INTRODUCTION. DANIEL ANIEL was one of the most remarkable persons mentioned in the Bible. He was carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. He was of the royal family, and with some other young men of the children of Israel he was chosen to stand in the king's palace. These young men should be without blemish, well favored, and skillful in all wisdom. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were instructed in the learning and tongue of the Chaldeans for three years. But God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Through the blessing of God their faculties were so well developed that they excelled all their contemporaries in all matters of wisdom and understanding. 66 "2 Daniel stands before us as a pattern of virtue and wisdom. He possessed a wonderful intellect, and he is one. of the few persons presented in the Bible without fault. He combined a beautiful exterior and excellent understanding with a noble and humble spirit. It appears that the more honor and wisdom he obtained the more humble he became. Although the Bible does not mention his mistakes, he confessed his sins before the Lord, and said: "We have sinned, and have committed iniquity." "To us belongeth confusion of face," but "to the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses." 1 Dan. I: I-4. 2 Dan. I 17. : 3 Dan. 95, 8, 9. |