met his father with the strong argument that she
had consecrated her child to God before he was born, because God gave
him to me after the death of my six children. But the mother lived in
continual fear that her son would be devoured by wolves on his way to
school and then she said, "I will go down to my grave in a miserable
condition." But the son, willing to sacrifice even life itself for
study, said, "I will go, mother, trusting in God and your prayers."
Events soon proved that the mother's fears were well founded. Once,
very early in the morning, while on his way to school he was attacked
by a large, ferocious wolf. But he made good his escape up a tree near
by. But he received such a shock from this attack that he was
prostrated three months and his life was despaired of by all his
friends. But God graciously restored him to health for His holy
ministry. Daniel always believed in the out-stretched hand of God that
snatched him from the wolf. Hundreds of times he thanks God in his
prayers for this deliverance.

When Mr. Daniel was seventeen years old he reached the greatest crisis
of his life. His parents decided to marry him to a girl a few steps
only from his residence, because the parents of the couple had decided
when they were children to marry them to each other. This was in
accordance with a foolish custom of the Nestorians. His father had
firmly decided to make the match, but his mother said, "Only if he
himself wishes." But Daniel's aim was very high, he was running to
obtain a higher prize. He said to his mother, "I am married to my
studies." His mother replied, "My son, I have dedicated you to God, I
cannot compel you to marry." His father was full of indignation and
anger against the disobedience of his son, and he said, "I will never
send you to the Presbyterian college. I cannot spend one cent on you."

Daniel was very fond of fishing, hunting, and raising grapes, and was
one of the best husbandmen in Persia. One morning when fishing, a young
man whose name was Abraham, and afterward a classmate for seven years
in college, handed to him an envelope in which was written by Dr.
Oldfather, a missionary, and President of the Presbyterian College at
Oroomiah, Persia, "We have accepted you in our college." Daniel thought
this a calling from Jesus Christ just as He had called four of His
disciples from their fishing. He threw his net on the shore of the
river, and kneeling down, thanked God for this, His h