In an extravagantly furnished apartment of a fine-looking mansion in
the heart of the city, sits a family group, consisting of a father,
mother, two sons, and one daughter. They are far from exhibiting in
their countenances that contentment of mind which is a “continual
feast,” and yet something has transpired that gives them, for the time
being, an unusual degree of pleasurable emotion.
The father leaves his seat, and with folded arms he begins to pace
slowly backward and forward the length of the apartment with an air of
pompous dignity, while ever and anon a smile of extreme selfishness
plays on his lips. He has received intelligence which he considers by
no means displeasing.
The mother, to whom nature has been rather niggardly in the endowment
of outward charms, is loaded with a superabundance of golden ornaments,
in the vain attempt to supply the lack of the natural with the
artificial. In her eye you look in vain for intelligence, or in her
countenance for benevolence; but she smiles! yea, indeed, with
something the mother is evidently pleased.
The two sons, in making a declaration of their brotherhood to a
stranger, would stand in no danger of being suspected on that point as
deceivers. The resemblance is quite striking.
The daughter is beautiful—in her own estimation. To this she clings as
an essential part of her creed—that she constitutes a very important
share of the beauty of Babylonia, but in getting it implanted into the
creed of others, she proves unsuccessful—her converts being wholly
confined to her father’s household. She also, with the rest, on this
night manifests an unusual degree of hilarity.
“Ah! they are ensnared at last!” said Scribbo, with an air of triumph.
“They must either deny their religion or face the furnace. This is
right, and happy am I that the king has at last seen fit to enact a law
that will bear with stringency on those pretending foreigners who fill
the most important stations in the government.”
“But, brother,” said the sister, eagerly, “which thinkest thou they
will choose—the worship of our gods or the fiery furnace?”
“I am in hopes they are fanatical enough to choose the latter,”
answered the brother; “for in case they should choose the former, they
would be as much in our way as ever. But then it would be some
consolation to know that they had been compelled to worship and bow
before the gods of the Chaldeans.”
“There is one thing to be deeply regretted,” said Shagoth. “I am
informed that Belteshazzar, the great Rab Mag, is now in Egypt, and is
not expected to return for some weeks. He also ought to bear them
company and share the same fate. But if only we can put these three out
of our way we shall have abundant reason to adore the gods.”
“But, my sons,” said the mother, “will not these Hebrews elude notice
among so many? The gods know how I fear lest after all they may
escape.”
“Fear not that, mother,” answered Scribbo. “Shagoth and myself will so
arrange matters as to be near them; and if they bow not with us we will
on the spot report them to the king.”
“This is a matter of ponderous importance, and of immense consequence,”
said the promenading father. “From this, Chaldea shall hereafter reap
abundant harvests. These proud and insolent foreigners who insinuate
themselves into offices which native Chaldeans ought to fill, will now
learn a lesson of modesty to which they have hitherto been strangers.
Far better for our beloved Chaldea if the superstitious brood had been
left in their own country. May the gods grant that every Hebrew
office-holder may so cling to his imaginary god as to walk straight
from office into sure destruction. My motto is ‘Chaldeans for Chaldea!’
Personally, I have no hostility toward these young men. Nay! But, O my
country! my country! it is for thee my heart bleeds! Sons! ye shall do
well to be on your guard, and see to it that they escape not your
vigilance. If they die, their offices will be vacant, and must soon be
supplied by some persons of ability. O my country! It is for thee, O
Chaldea! my heart bleeds!”
“But,” said the anxious mother, “are not these important offices at the
disposal of the Rab Mag? If he still remains, can we expect any favors
from him? Alas! my husband may well cry, ‘O my country!’”
“Perhaps,” said the daughter, “if he hears of the death of his
companions, he will never return, but flee over the mountains to his
own country.”
“A trivial mistake, my daughter,” said the patriot; “his country would
lie in an opposite direction.”
“But could he not change his course?” asked the half-offended daughter.
“Yea, verily, my child, if he should find that he was in the wrong
path; peradventure, this would constitute his first business.”
“I can hardly hope for such a happy result, sister,” said Shagoth. “The
conniving demagogue will cling to his office until compelled by a
stringent law to abandon it.”
“Before many days, the Rab Mag will return,” said the erect promenader.
“And will not the king ere long set apart another day for the public
worship of the gods? And if this foreign pretender escapes now, justice
will overtake him then. The vengeance of our deities will not always
slumber, and these worshipers of other gods shall soon know that the
best offices in our government and the best interests of our beloved
country are not to be entrusted to a horde of superstitious foreigners.
O my country! Sons! let me caution you again to be on the watch for
these three rulers. They hold important offices, and such a favorable
opportunity is not to be lightly regarded. O my country, my country!”
The day appointed for the dedication of the great image at last
arrived. Its ushering in was hailed by the populace with universal
enthusiasm, marked by shouts of rejoicing. The day was fair and
beautiful. No threatening cloud was visible in the heavens. The
metropolis, at a very early stage, presented one grand scene of
activity and preparation. The soldiery were out by thousands, their
glittering panoply dazzling in the clear sunbeams. Officers of all
grades hurried to and fro with excitement visible on their
countenances. Those swarming thousands were evidently expecting some
signal, at which they were ready to march. The word of command was at
last given, and the multitude moved forward.
Onward the mighty concourse moved through the principal thoroughfares,
amid the ringing of bells, the blasts of trumpets, and the waving of
banners, until they arrived in a spacious square in front of the royal
palace. Here they halted.
At last, the massive portals were thrown open, and the king, in a
magnificent chariot, surrounded by an imposing guard, made his
appearance. He waved his hand in the direction of the multitude, when,
with one voice, the people exclaimed:
“O king, live forever!”
The procession was soon on its way to the plains of Dura, the king
leading the pompous train, while eager thousands brought up the rear.
On the way, they were joined by thousands more, who at different places
waited their arrival, and at every stage the high praises of the King
of Babylon echoed from ten thousand voices.
The great image far surpassed anything of its kind within the realm.
Its dimensions were large and well proportioned, its height being
twenty cubits, and its breadth six cubits, elevated on a richly gilded
pedestal, forty cubits in height, thus being perfectly visible to all
the worshipers. Around its base stood the officiating priests of Belus,
with solemn visages, their long flowing robes adorned with numerous
articles of rich regalia.
Scribbo and Shagoth, faithful to their revengeful promise, were on the
keen alert for the three Hebrews. In their wanderings they came across
Apgomer.
“We are in search of thy three Hebrew friends,” said Shagoth. “Canst
thou inform us where we may find them?”
“I can,” promptly replied Apgomer. “I know the exact spot on which they
stand.”
“This is truly gratifying,” replied Scribbo. “Now lead us to the spot
without delay.”
“To my Hebrew friends your presence would be anything but agreeable;
and, as I am under far more obligations to them than to some others, I
am very happy to disregard your request.”
“Thou art in command of the same daring insolence as characterized thy
school-days,” said Scribbo, in an angry tone.
“To be accused of insolence by the envious sons of Skerbood, is fully
equivalent to being called noble and gentle by a worthy citizen,”
answered Apgomer, with a smile of contempt playing on his lip. “So
permit me to thank you for the high compliment.”
“Speakest thou so to us, thou insulting pretender!” cried Shagoth, in a
rage. “Thou hadst better depart ere we punish thy insolence with the
edge of the sword.”
“Terrible words, surely, from mighty swordsmen!” said Apgomer, smiling.
“Is it any wonder I tremble beneath your gaze? Even from the days of
your childhood your courage and valor have been proverbial. My cousin
Scribbo, at the early age of ten years, would, without fear, push
headlong into the water little girls years younger than himself; while
the brave Shagoth, at the early age of twelve, could find no more
pleasing recreation than to scourge his poor relatives of eight years
old and under. Then ye were heroes in embryo; and now, having grown up,
is it any wonder that the whole realm quakes beneath your tread? Hail!
all hail, ye mighty sons of Skerbood! This is the day in which ye look
for the full realization of your guilty hope, in the death of three of
the choicest noblemen that ever adorned the Chaldean realm. Be not too
sure of your prey. Strange things have appeared in those young men’s
histories, and more strange manifestations may yet appear.”
“Too long already have we listened to thy insolent and silly harangue,”
said Scribbo. “Right glad are we that these foreign pets, who have so
long been dandled on the lap of royalty, are at last brought to the
test. We only hope that their fanaticism may lead them to disobedience.
In that event, we would ask for no greater pleasure than to be
permitted to throw them into yon blazing furnace.”
“Ye are surely well adapted for such an undertaking. By all means,
volunteer your services; and remember that, in the midst of your
burning patriotism, these young foreigners hold responsible offices,
that must be filled by some competent personages.”
“Away, Scribbo, from the sound of this barking dog!” said Shagoth. And
the two office-seekers hurried away in search of the doomed Hebrews.
They had gone but a little distance when they saw the three brothers
together, a few rods on the left from the throne. The two Chaldeans,
unobserved, stationed themselves close behind them, and there waited
for the grand result.
Soon, a signal was given for the throng to come to silence and order.
This was not easily accomplished. At length, however, order was fully
gained, and breathless silence reigned over half a million of
idolaters. This silence was broken by the loud accents of heralds, who
passed through all parts of the assembly, crying at the top of their
voices:
“To you it is commanded, O people of all nations and languages, that at
what time ye hear the sound of the flute or harp, ye fall down and
worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up. And
whoso falleth not down and worshipeth shall the same hour be cast into
a burning fiery furnace.”
The heralds returned to their places, and their voices were no longer
heard.
The grand signal was given! The musical instruments poured forth their
loud strains, and the great mass fell prostrate before the glittering
idol. But, yonder, behold those champions of moral integrity! Only
three among five hundred thousand! While all besides have bowed the
knee, there they stand! Their figures are heroic, their forms are
erect, their arms folded, while an involuntary smile of contempt plays
on their lips.
“By the gods, we have them!” whispered Shagoth, in ecstasies. “Behold,
Scribbo, how erect their posture!”
“Hold thy peace!” whispered Scribbo, in return, “or they will hear us.
When we rise, then we will confront them to good advantage. Thanks to
the gods, they have well favored us.”
The signal for the vast throng to arise from their worshiping attitude
was given. No sooner was it heard, than Scribbo and Shagoth walked with
an air of conscious triumph and stood before the three Hebrews.
“And who are these presumptuous and rash mortals,” said Shagoth, “who
thus dare to set the laws of the king at defiance? Tremble, ye daring
wretches! for who are ye to withstand the vengeance of our sovereign?”
“To the king, then, we are accountable; and not to thee, thou crawling
reptile,” answered Hananiah. “So haste thee away; and if thou hast any
authority, let it be displayed within its own sphere.”
“Ah!” cried Shagoth, “ye are doomed to die! See ye not the heated smoke
of the fiery furnace? Your guilty and rash conduct shall be made known
to the king without delay. Your guilty career is well-nigh run; and
Chaldea shall soon be delivered from the curse of foreign
office-holders.”
“But not from the curse of a groveling, envious, unprincipled horde of
office-_seekers_,” said Azariah, casting a withering glance on the two
brothers.
“Away, brother!” cried Scribbo. “For why should we hear the abusive
harangue of these overfed demagogues?”
And away the patriots hurried with their complaint to the king.
The monarch was surrounded by a large number of his nobles, who were
loud in their congratulations at the complete success that had crowned
the day.
An officer in uniform came forward, and bowed low in the presence of
the king.
“What is thy pleasure, Arioch!” asked Nebuchadnezzar.
“Two men have approached the guard, O king, greatly desiring to be
admitted into thy presence.”
“Let them be admitted!” was the answer.
With anything but ease of manner, Scribbo and Shagoth walked into the
royal presence.
“And what have ye to communicate?” inquired his majesty, eying them as
if not quite satisfied with their appearance.
“O king, live forever!” replied the Chaldeans. “Thou, O king, hast made
a decree that every man shall fall down and worship the golden image;
and whoso falleth not down and worshipeth should be cast into a fiery
furnace. There are certain _Jews_ whom thou hast set over the affairs
of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—these men, O
king, have not regarded thee; they serve not thy gods, nor worship the
golden image which thou hast set up.”
Then was the king full of wrath and fury. “What!” said he, “is my royal
decree to be thus set at defiance? Is this the return they make to the
king for their high promotion in the government? By all the gods, I
will bend their stubborn wills, or they will suffer my vengeance to the
uttermost! Let them be summoned into my presence without further
delay!” And officers were soon on their march to bring the offenders.
The king, from his elevation, saw them approaching. An innocent smile
rested on each countenance; and in spite of his haughty arrogance, the
king’s heart was touched, and his better feelings for a while
triumphed. They stood in his presence, and respectfully, as usual, made
their obeisance.
“Am I rightly informed, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,” said the
king, “when I hear that ye do not serve my gods, nor worship the golden
image that I have set up? It may be true; yet for your sakes, I will
give you one more trial: but beware that ye further provoke not my
displeasure! The king’s command is not to be trifled with!”
Without the least betrayal of fear, Hananiah, in a firm tone of voice,
addressed the monarch:
“O king, it requireth no careful deliberation in this matter. In so
plain a case the answer is ready at hand. Thy servants, as thou well
knowest, are natives of Judah, and we worship no god but the God of our
fathers. As foreigners, we have at all times been careful to use no
disrespectful language in regard to the gods of Chaldea, or those who
pay them homage; and hitherto, unmolested, have we paid our simple
adoration to the Lord God of Israel. The law of our God, with us, is
regarded as infinitely superior to all human edicts. In all things
pertaining to the government, we have faithfully endeavored to do thy
will, and obey the directions of our sovereign. But not until this day
have we been required to deny our religion, and insult our God. To
thee, O king, we are much indebted. For many years have we been the
objects of thy kind regard. But be it known to Nebuchadnezzar, that the
continuance of his favor is not to be purchased by a base betrayal of
our principles, or a denial of our God. We cannot serve thy gods, nor
worship the golden image which thou hast set up. We bow the knee to God
Most High alone! To us thy fiery furnace has no terrors! Jehovah, in
whom we trust, is able to deliver us. That God who divided the Red Sea
in two parts and made Israel to pass through the midst of it, and who
parted the waves of the swelling Jordan, is able to preserve thy
servants alive in the midst of the devouring flames! Yea, _he_ will
deliver us out of thy hand, O king! But, if in this we are mistaken, be
it known unto thee, that _we can never obey any law of man that
requireth a violation of the law of God_. Therefore, we refuse to serve
thy gods, or worship this golden image which thou hast set up.”
“Seize the ungrateful wretches!” cried the king, in a rage, while
paleness spread over his countenance. “Seize all who set my authority
at naught, and who thus insult their king! By the gods, now shall they
feel the weight of my displeasure, and reap the reward of their daring
insolence! Let the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. Let
the worthless dogs be thrown in, and let their God, if he be able,
prove himself superior to the gods of Chaldea! Bind them now, in my
presence!”
The three brothers were seized on the spot by several strong men, and
bound hand and foot with cords. When this was done, they were conveyed
in the direction of the fiery furnace. The news soon spread throughout
the assemblage, and pressing thousands urged their way towards the
place of execution. The fire raged with fury. Fagot after fagot was
thrown in. The flames leaped high above the top of the black walls that
surrounded them. The executioners were strong men of the royal guard.
To these were added a number of others, who, to show the strength of
their patriotism, volunteered their services. Foremost among these were
Scribbo and Shagoth. With what triumphant malignity they gazed on the
bound Hebrews! How complete they considered their own victory!
The word of command was given, and the victims were dragged up the
massive steps that led to the upper edge of the burning pit. In this
the volunteers showed more than an ordinary degree of patriotism. The
Hebrews were laid side by side, ready for their awful doom. The stout
hearts of the soldiers were touched with pity as they gazed on the
noble forms of their victims, of whom they had never heard aught but
good; and they felt loath to perform the awful deed. But not so the
patriotic sons of Skerbood.
“Why not throw the guilty rebels in?” cried Shagoth, with an air of
importance.
“As ye appear to take far more pleasure in this transaction than we do,
we are very willing to bestow the honor of throwing them in on
yourselves. So proceed with your delightful performance,” said an
officer, at the same time giving way, while his companions followed him
some two or three steps downward.
“With all pleasure!” answered Scribbo, while, with fiendish eagerness,
they both turned to perform the foul deed. With a firm grasp they first
laid hold on Azariah, and he was thrown into the midst of the flames.
The same was done to Mishael; and, finally, as Hananiah dropped to the
burning depth below, the ascending flames became doubly fierce; at the
same moment the wind shifted and became strong, and, as sudden as a
flash of lightning, the flames poured their awful vengeance on the
guilty heads of Scribbo and Shagoth. For a moment they whirled in the
midst of God’s avenging scourges, crying loudly for help; but no help
could be administered! In another instant they became bewildered, and
soon their blackened forms fell on the edge of the furnace, where a few
moments before had lain the sons of Judah!
[Illustration: The ascending flames became doubly fierce]
The king had not accompanied the prisoners to the fatal spot, but
continued, in a surly mood, to sit on his elevated throne. He was far
from being satisfied, and he inwardly regretted his severity toward the
best of his officers.
The furnace was a roofless inclosure, twenty feet square, built of very
thick walls in solid masonry. At the height of about twenty-five feet
from the ground, on the inside, there were ponderous bars of iron,
which were made to cross each other at right angles, and which fastened
in the walls, forming the bottom of the furnace into which the victims
were thrown from above. Below, in different parts, were appropriate
places for fagots and light combustibles wherewith to heat the furnace.
To the lower story there were eight doors or openings, two on each
square, through which easy access was obtained to the fireplaces. On
the outside there was but one entrance to the top. This was by means of
massive stone steps. The depth from the edge of the furnace to the
crossbars below was fifteen feet, making the whole height, from the
ground, forty feet. From above also, there were steps to descend into
the bottom. To spectators, on the ground, the victims were not visible
after they had been thrown over the edge.
The king unwillingly turned his eyes towards the fiery furnace, and
from his elevation he could see its interior. He suddenly sprang to his
feet, lifted his hands on high, and exclaimed, in affrightened tone:
“O ye gods, what do I behold! What do I behold, O ye gods!” Then,
turning to his nobles, he exclaimed: “Do I fancy, or is it real? Turn
your eyes on yonder flames! In their midst what behold ye? Speak!”
The nobles tremblingly replied:
“We see men walking unhurt in the midst of the fire, O king!”
“It is even so!” cried the monarch, in deep agitation. “It is _not_ a
delusion! It is a marvelous reality! But did we not cast in three men
bound? And I see four men loose walking in the midst of the fire, and
they have no hurt! And the form of the fourth is like unto a son of the
gods! Arise, let us hasten to the spot!”
The king, attended by a number of his nobles, and surrounded by the
royal guard, was soon on his way towards the furnace. The thronging
masses divided to give way to their sovereign. There were but few there
that knew the cause of the king’s agitation. Those who witnessed his
countenance attributed it to the awful death of Scribbo and Shagoth.
All eyes are fastened on the king. With a hurried pace he ascends the
steps of the furnace. He has nearly reached the top. He stops. Now the
vast assembly eagerly listen for a royal address. But why turns he not
his face toward the throng? Regardless of the swaying masses, he lifts
his hand on high—he speaks! Hark! “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye
servants of the most high God, come forth and come hither!”
At the conclusion of this, which seemed to the multitude an
incomprehensible speech, there were but few present who did not
inwardly pronounce the king to be laboring under a sudden fit of
insanity.
While all is still and solemn, behold, arm in arm, the forms of
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! A heavenly smile rests on their
countenances. Already they have reached the top, and they stand in the
presence of the wondering thousands. For a moment they cast a smiling
glance on the throng below; then, with that ease of manner which always
characterized them, they approach the king, and make their obeisance,
with as much apparent good feeling as if nothing of an unkind nature
had ever transpired. The king grasps them by the hand, and a mighty
shout of good feeling and gladness resounds from thrice ten thousand
tongues. The king then, turning to the multitude, in a loud voice
exclaims:
“Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent
his angel and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have
yielded their bodies that they might not serve nor worship any god
except their own God. Therefore I make a decree, that every people,
nation, and language, which speak anything amiss against the God of
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces; because there
is no other god that can deliver after this sort. And now, by the
command of the king, let that image be taken down, and let it be
carried to the temple of Belus, and there, in a secluded part, let it
remain.”
The assembly was now disbanded and broken up by royal authority. The
masses began to move homeward with deep astonishment. The golden image
was lost sight of, and the miraculous deliverance of the three Hebrews
was the all-absorbing theme. The priests of Belus were utterly
confounded. This mighty demonstration of the power of Jehovah soon
spread throughout the land. The numerous Hebrew captives were treated
with much more kindness; thousands of Chaldeans lost all confidence in
their gods, and learned to pay their homage at the shrine of Jehovah.
Daniel returned from the court of Pharaoh, after having arranged all
things to the satisfaction of his sovereign, in whose estimation he now
stood higher than ever. The three brothers were held in awe and
reverence by all, and the king communed with them freely on all
subjects. Their lives were rendered comfortable, and, according to the
late decree of the king, whosoever dared to speak disrespectfully of
their God did so at his imminent peril.
The priests of Belus kept much within their temple, and whenever they
appeared in public, it was with far greater modesty and much less
arrogance. They were fast losing the confidence of the populace, and
the worship of the gods was greatly disregarded. The great Rab Mag was
universally admired, and his three companions stood above reproach.