age now became the chief theme of
conversation. In city and village, on hill and in dell, in the palace and
cottage, it was the leading subject; and throughout the empire it gave
universal satisfaction. The measure for the time being had its desired
effect--to establish in the minds of the Chaldeans the conviction that the
king was faithful to the gods.

This proclamation was received by the three Hebrews with profound
astonishment and deep regret. For many years now they had enjoyed
tranquility and Worshiped the God of their fathers in calm simplicity;
and this was the first time, since they came to Babylon, that they were
required to do violence to their conscience by worshiping a false god.
Daniel, on business of great importance, was sent to Egypt.

The three worthies soon met for the special purpose of deciding upon a
course of action to be followed in the approaching emergency. No fearful
apprehensions could be read in those countenances. No fainting fear took
hold of their spirits. Their eyes sparkled with holy courage, their
cheeks flushed with noble emotions, their forms were unusually erect.
They were fully prepared for the worst.

The opening remarks were from Hananiah.

"Well, brothers, another cloud seems to darken our skies, and to hang
threateningly over our heads; but I trust that, as servants of the Host
High, we have by this time learned to gaze upon such things without
terror or alarm. We are now assembled together to take a calm, sober look
at the thing as it really is, and decide on our future course. We are
surely much indebted to the king. For a number of years, we have been the
recipients of his bounty and the objects of his kind regard, for which,
undoubtedly, we all feel grateful. But the question is this: is it our
duty, as the professed worshipers of the God of Israel, to yield
obedience to the demand of an unholy and wicked law, that throws insult
into the face of the God of heaven, and the Jehovah of the universe? In
this case, either obedience or disobedience must be pleasing to God. Is
it the will of Jehovah that we should obey this law, or disobey it? To my
mind, it is clear that, in this case, nothing short of a manly
disobedience can be agreeable to the will of our God. Brothers, we must
have decision of character. In this matter there must be no compromise
with iniquity."

And Hananiah took his seat with a smile of holy satisfaction playing on
his lips, when Mishael arose, and sa