The Man of Clean Life
Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself. Living in the midst of the debilitating and corrupting influences of the court of Babylon, Daniel purposed not to defile himself, to live a clean life. The result was that he soon outstripped his self-indulgent companions of the king's palace. He forged ahead, until finally the king "made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief of all the governors over all the wise men of Babylon." Daniel's greatest achievement, however, was not the position he attained, but his attainment of moral strength and spiritual power. It was this, more than anything else, which distinguished him above his fellows and marked him for a place among the immortal characters of the Bible. And it all goes back to that hour when he determined in his heart to be a clean man. I speak particularly for the benefit of young men, for Daniel was a young man when he made that noble resolve. Let every young man starting out in life register a fixed purpose to keep himself clean from all impurity. There is nothing more blighting upon one's life than impurity. It undermines one's physical strength, impairs his mental faculties, and robs him of all those finer elements essential to strong character. When one yields himself to unclean living, there are bound to be penalties that will seriously handicap him for whatever he aspires to be and do in the world. If you would be and do your best, keep a close watch on yourself, and suffer not your prospects to be spoiled by an evil indulgence. Uncleanness in any form is weakness. Wrong living of every kind is paralyzing to high purpose and ambition. It renders one unable to go before the world in the full glory of a clean, strong, courageous manhood. The Daniels are the men the world is seeking out today to place over its provinces. In all lines of business and industry, in all the trades and professions, and in all the seats of government, the man wanted for the top place is - THE MAN OF CLEAN LIFE.
