112 that natural love of life which is common to all men, especially to young persons, to whom the world usually looks' bright and alluring. They wished to Live to do $ood to their brethren in captivity, and they knew that there were many ways in which they might aid them if they retained the favour of the king. They had not yer lived to be old, and feeble, and so weary of this world. They loved life, they loved their friends, they wished to, be useful. But they loved God more. They therefore feared his displeasure more thran they feared death; actuated by so supporting a principle, they would not save their lives by breaking his commandments." ... we do not know whether Daniel was present in the plain of Dara on di occasion. не might have been sent to a distance to attend to some of the king'. busiaess. и he was present, he undoubtedly refused to worship the idol. But he was so great a favourite with the king, that the Babylonians might fear to bring any accusation against him. Perhaps they chose to begins with
