We have marked illustrations of the sustaining power of firm, religious principle. Even the fear of death could not make the fainting David drink of the water of Bethlehem, to obtain which, valiant men had risked their lives. The gaping lions’ den could not keep Daniel from his daily prayers, nor could the fiery furnace induce Shadrach and his companions to fall down before the idol which Nebuchadnezzar set up. Young men who have firm principles will eschew pleasure, defy pain, and brave even the lions’ den and the heated fiery furnace rather than be found untrue to God. Mark the character of Joseph. Virtue was severely tested, but its triumph was complete. At every point the noble youth endured the test. The same lofty, unbending principle appeared at every trial. The Lord was with him, and His word was law. {5T 43.2}

Vi har tydelige eksempler på, hvordan faste religiøse principper besidder en bevarende kraft. Selv frygten for at dø kunne ikke få den udmattede David til at drikke af vandet i Betlehem, som tapre mænd havde vovet livet for at skaffe ham. Den gabende løvekule kunne ikke afholde Daniel fra at bede hver dag og den gloende ovn kunne ikke tvinge Sjadrak og hans venner til at falde ned for det afgudsbillede, som Nebukadnezar havde stillet op. Unge mænd med faste principper vil hellere sky fornøjelser, trodse lidelser og lade hånt endog om løvekulen og den gloende ovn, end være utro mod Gud. Læg mærke til Josefs karakter. Kyskheden blev udsat for en alvorlig prøve, men sejren var fuldstændig. På ethvert punkt bestod den ædle unge mand prøven. Det samme gode, urokkelige princip viste sig i enhver prøve. Herren var med ham og hans ord var lov. Herren kommer 16.mar]