Enlightening the World, in New York Harbor, 151 feet high, upon a pedestal 155 feet high, or 306 feet in all, about half of which is the height of the statue itself.

The Colossus of Rhodes," a brazen statue of Apollo at the entrance to the harbor of Rhodes, an island in the Mediterranean Sea near the S. W. Coast of Asia Minor, was 105 feet high. It was so large that ships in full sail could pass between its legs. Nebuchadnezzar's image was probably not of solid gold, but of wood or clay covered with plates of gold.

III. DELEGATES FROM THE WHOLE EMPIRE ASSEMBLE ON THE PLAIN OF DURA, vs. 2, 3. Nebuchadnezzar, like a wise monarch, brought the chief men of each country and race together at the capital. The terms and titles of the original cannot be precisely defined.

All these with their trains of officers and attendants in gorgeous array. was crowded with "the beauty and the chivalry" of the empire.

Babylon

Bringing these together would enable them to realize the glory and power of the capital, would attach them in various ways to the emperor, and make them acquainted with one another.

IV. THE TEST OF LOYALTY TO THE EMPIRE IS THE WORSHIP OF THE BABYLONIAN IDOL, vs. 4-7. The multitudes were gathered on the plain around the golden image glittering and radiant in the sun. Besides the officers in their richly colored attire, there was a motley gathering of tribes from every direction. "All diversities of speech and dress and manners were there; all varieties of complexion, from the pale bronze of the Persian to the black of the Ethiopian. National enemies stood side by side. Dwellers on plain and mountain, in walled towns and in tents of the desert, were in the throng." - Dr. Hunter. They spoke many languages, as if the confusion of tongues had been repeated in the same Babel.

A Great Orchestra of six kinds of instruments of music, named below, together with other instruments not mentioned by name, was all ready to lead the multitude in their worship.

1. Cornet, a horn, whether straight or curved, used for giving signals like our bugle. 2. Flute, reed instruments of two kinds, the long flute played by blowing in one end, as the modern clarionet, or the oblique flute played by blowing in a hole at the side as in the modern flute. Some of these have vibrating tongues like a clarionet, which give a more penetrating sound, and therefore would be best for an out-ofdoors band.

It is probable that the word for "flute" in Daniel may express a combination of several of these reeds, as in the syrinx.

3. Harp, a stringed lyre or harp, of which there are many kinds.

4. Sackbut, a large powerful harp of a rich quality of tone, or a triangular instrument with four strings, making a sharp tone.

5. Psaltery, something like a harp with a sounding board, and played by being struck with a plectrum.

6. Dulcimer, a kind of bagpipe, like the Scottish bagpipe. It was a combination of pipes supplied with wind by a bladder or leather bag. The Greek word means symphony, a concord of sounds. Many other musical instruments were united with these.

The fact that three of the names of these instruments are Greek words in Hebrew letters has been used as an argument that the Book of Daniel was composed long after his time. But late discoveries by Mr. Petrie at Taphanhes, Egypt, show that just before Nebuchadnezzar's time this was the seat of the Greek frontier garrison, numbering according to Herodotus 30,000 men. Naturally they would bring their band music with them.

When everything was ready an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,

At what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up :

16. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

The Reasons for the severe penalty for disobedience, were (1) That it would be an open and direct defiance of the king's authority, in the presence of the whole empire. It was somewhat on the same principle that the royalists in France persecuted the Huguenots; for the Roman Catholic religion and the royal government were so united that to oppose Catholicism was felt as treason against the government.

(2) To disobey this command was in direct opposition to Nebuchadnezzar's plan of unifying the Empire.

(3) It was a defiance of the Babylonian deity, and the king might fear that not to punish such an insult would bring disaster and defeat.

V. THE THREE JEWISH NON-CONFORMISTS, vs. 8-18. The music sounded, the orchestra played and behold the whole vast assembly with every face toward the image of gold, kneeled down, and bowed their heads to the ground in silent worship.

But lo! three men were seen standing up alone, conspicuous all over the plain, like a city set upon a hill, by their unbowed forms and their splendid robes of office. They were the same three young men who joined with Daniel in refusing to defile themselves with the king's meat (Dan. 1: 6, 7, etc.) They must have been at this time 30 to 35 years old, in the prime of young manhood and usefulness. They were rulers in the provinces of Babylon, and therefore prominent men. It was the more difficult to do this because they were friends of the king, honest and true in his service. For in many ways the king had been to them a friend. He had treated them well. While

he might have killed them years before, he ennobled them, enriched them, and placed them in position of power. To go against the desires of a kind employer is far harder than to refuse obedience to one who has been harsh.

Certain Chaldeans, high officials, took notice of this fact. "They were men of culture and influence, though traditionally they believed in humbug, and by that creed their fathers and they had been successful. In a general way Daniel and his companions were of their class (Dan. 1: 20; 2: 12 ff.), and had surpassed them in scholarship, and were now serving the kingdom with an ability and faithfulness that were a reproach to all who were less able and faithful. Presumably also their fidelity stood in the way of selfish schemes on the part of the Chaldeans." - Willis J. Beecher in S. S. Times. The pure, upright conduct of these men was a constant rebuke to those who ruled for selfish ends, and accepted bribes. They hated the men and the religion which produced such men and required such conduct. It was a fine opportunity for corrupt men and takers of bribes when they found these righteous men breaking a law of the king, and thus unexpectedly thrown into their power.

The Chaldean Officials reported to the king, that the three Jews whom thou hast set over the province of Babylon . . . have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up (v. 12). The men were brought before the king.

Nebuchadnezzar asks the three, Is it true? was it done on purpose? or was there some misunderstanding? He had a friendly respect for these men, and was glad to give them another chance. The musical instruments shall play again, and if you will worship the image the previous neglect shall be forgiven. But if not, then the fiery furnace.

Let the music sound. And who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Do you imagine that your God who let your capital be destroyed by me, and his Temple be burned, his means of worship come to my city, and his people be my captives,- that he can save you? Vain, vain hope!

The Faithful Three. 16. We are not careful (Am. R. " We have no need"). We are not anxious to answer thee, to explain how God could deliver them, as he had delivered his people many a time, always when they obeyed him; nor why God, for the people's sins, and to bring them back safely to him, had permitted the king to destroy Jerusalem and the Temple.

17. If it be so, if we are cast into the fiery furnace, in spite of all you say, our God whom we serve IS able to deliver us.

18. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

19. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont.to be heated.

20. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

21. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

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"Though He

But if not, among the sublimest words uttered in all Scripture." slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” Be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

The Father of the Wesleys: "Theirs were the words which the father of the Wesleys is reported to have used in reply to the unlawful order of James II."

Compare Luther, who, when pressed to stay away from the Diet at Worms, where he was to be tried for heresy, said to the messenger, "Go tell your master that though there should be as many devils as there are tiles on its roofs, I would enter it." And again of his mortal enemy, Duke George, "If I had business at Leipzig, I would ride into Leipzig though it rained Duke Georges for nine days running."

Casabianca, the Story of Heroic Obedience. Young Casabianca, a boy about 13 years old, son of the Admiral of the Orient, remained at his post (in the Battle of the Nile) after the ship had taken fire, and all the guns had been abandoned; and perished in the explosion of the vessel, when the flames reached the powder.

VI. IN THE FIERY FURNACE, vs. 19-23. 19. The form of his visage was changed. By the anger and passion it expressed. His feelings got beyond control. Heat the furnace one seven times more. "This fact is mentioned to show the greatness of the miracle which followed." Keil. "Fuel abounded in the locality, and as vast amounts of naphtha were found in the wells around Babylon, there could have been no difficulty in obtaining a very intense heat at the expense of a very small amount of labor." - Dr. Deane.

20. Commanded the most (Am. R. " certain ") mighty men in his army. From whom there could be no escape. Cast them into the burning, fiery furnace. Probably a smelting furnace in the form of a pit with an opening at the top and a door in the side. Possibly one in which the gold was prepared for the image.

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21. These men were bound in their coats (Am. R. breeches," wide trousers.) Professor Driver thinks that the word means "mantles," the rich outer robes of state. Their hosen, costly linen tunics (as in Am. R.), or flowing robes. And hats (Am. R., mantles") or some kind of covering for the head." Driver. "A short hood or cape that was thrown over the head and shoulders for protection from the sun, and

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22. Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

23. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

25. He answered and said, Lo, 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 the Son of God.

26. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

27. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

bound round the head with a fillet, exactly as to this day the Bedawee and Syrians wear the kefieh of silken or woolen stuff, and fasten it round the head with a camel'shair cord." Canon Tristram. See Herodotus, I: 195.

22, 23. The flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego who fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

They fell down, because they were bound, and could not stand or walk. They were cast in through the top. But the flame consumed their bonds, while it did not burn the men; hence they were soon seen walking. "In the Catacombs the scene of the Three Children in the fire is common. They are painted walking in a sort of open cistern full of flames, with doors beneath." In the Septuagint, Syriac, Arabic, and Latin Vulgate, there follow in this place sixty-eight verses, containing Song of the Three Holy Children." It may be found in the Apocrypha, and read as an example of what some thought would be the prayer of these three martyrs while in the flames. The three martyrs are represented as praising God " as out of one mouth," from the midst of the flames.

VII. THE WONDERFUL DELIVERANCE, vs. 24–28.

"The

The king was astonied (Am. R., " astonished") (1) that the three men were not consumed; (2) that they were loose; (3) that a fourth was with them. The thought flashes upon him that he has come into conflict with a new and unknown power. Rose up in haste. Expressing the strength of his astonishment and terror. Said unto his counsellors. The word means the highest officers of government, who were in immediate attendance upon the king; his ministers of state.

25. The fourth is like the Son of God. As the article is wanting in the sacred text, it is more correct to read a son of the gods (as in Am. R.). Only a divine being, the king knew, could live thus in the fire himself, or preserve others there. 28. Blessed be the God of Shadrach, etc.

The king recognized the power of the Jews' God, and his readiness to defend those who obeyed him. The miracle would

make such an impression on the princes and people that the king could more easily treat the Jews kindly. Yielded their bodies. Men who were so faithful to their God that they would die rather than do wrong would be faithful to their king, and could be trusted in all matters. Hence they were reinstated in their places with more influence and permanence than ever.

Some Helpful Suggestions.

1. This deliverance was the answer to the doubts that may have arisen among the Jews, because God suffered them to become exiles. God was able to deliver them, and when they became devoted servants of God, the deliverance would be nigh.

2. Any great deliverance from trouble, recognized as clearly from the hand and love of God, is a perpetual aid to faith in God.

3. Modern Images and Fiery Furnaces. There are still erected golden images, before which the world commands us to bow down and worship, success, pleasures, wealth, popularity, sinful custom, palatable doctrines, an easy, lax morality.

4. There are still fiery furnaces for those who refuse to worship the golden image, social ostracism, unpopularity, losses of place and honor, failure in business. Even children, in these days, are sometimes subjected to a fiery furnace of unpopularity, or ridicule, sometimes when they try to become Christians, when they obey their parents, contrary to the customs of their companions, in strict Sabbath-keeping, in keeping from doubtful amusements or places of amusement, in faithfulness to study or teachers.

Illustration. There is a tradition among the Mohammedans that Abraham was cast by Nimrod into a furnace of fire for refusing to worship false gods; and the flames. instead of scorching and consuming him, were changed into a bed of jasmines and roses. 5. Use the Illustration of the 475 Scottish clergymen who gave up their livings for conscience sake (in 1892 Notes, p. 168).

6. Philip Howard, Manager of the Sunday School Times, gave the following illustration to his Sunday School.

"A crowd of college students sat listening to an address by the president of the university. He was a man with many cares, a quiet man not given to much speaking. 'I wish to tell you,' he said, ' of a sermon I heard that impressed me very much. It was on the story of the men in the fiery furnace. You will remember that with the three men was seen a fourth. I have thought much about that fourth person. It has seemed to me that in my own trials he has been with me, sustaining me in the midst of these trials. I pass this impression on to you for what it is worth.' Many a man in that crowd learned something new about the head of the university that day. How many of us, in time of trial, go courageously on, daring to do the right and the brave thing because the presence of God sustains us?

"Sometimes we go on in fear when we forget our all-sufficient companion. When we remember that he is right there, we have no room in our hearts for fear. To help us remember that we are not alone, let me make three lines on the board to represent the three men of whom we study to-day their names, please? (draw three short vertical lines on the board). But the astonished king saw yet another form in that fiery furnace. Let me arrange the three lines differently, and we shall have not the number three, but four (erase the three lines and draw a figure 4). There are still the three, but any one can see now the four. Can you see the form of that fourth companion, the loving messenger of God, in the heart of your furnace of trial? there. Will you lean upon him? Let us pray."

He is

LESSON XIII.-September 23.

DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN. — Daniel 6.

PRINT vs. 10-23. MEMORIZE vs. 22, 23.

GOLDEN TEXT. — The angel of Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear him, And delivereth them.

THE TEACHER AND HIS CLASS. "Daniel in the den of lions is an old story, the story of a man who went down into danger and faced the lions rather than go back on himself and what he thought was his duty. It is usually an interesting story to a Sunday-school class. But a boy is likely to think that

PSALMS 34:7.

it is getting a little old, and it will not stir his blood much unless you get it nearer to him. But if you can show that some modern hero has been down in the den of lions and held his peace like a manly man while the lions snarled, and has come out of the den with his good name, secure to live in history as having done his duty in his own place,