The record-union., 1893-04-25
BELSHAZZAR.
Events That Occurred at the Close of
His Reign.
AS instructive and Impressive Les
sons as Are Taught in
the Bible.

the Bible.
The story of the fall of Belshazzar and
the destruction of Babylon is always one
OF great interest. A brief synopsis of it
Will be of special interest to-day to those
who expect to hear the cantata tonight:
The events that occurred at the close of
Belshazzar's brief reign in the year 538 B.
Z. are as Instructive and impressive as
can be found in the whole range of Bible
history. These events form the subject
OF our story, and at this time the Jews
had been in captivity seventy wears.
They were taken to Babylon by Nebu-
GSnadnezzar, VINO was the father of Neboni-
das, who was the father OF BelshaZZar,
Babylon formed the capital of the Baby
lonlan Empire. Its origin was so remote
that history cannot fix the date. After
the destruction of Nineveh it became the
most celebrated city of Assyria, and the
residence of its kings. 1t was located in
great plain upon each side of branch
OF the Euphrates. which flowed through
the city from north to south. 1t was
built IN the form of square, measuring
about ffty-siX miles in circumference
and contained 1000, $50 inhabitants. whose
homes were scattered over this vast space
IKE collection OF villas within general
walls. Upon the eastern side of the river
stood the largest royal palace. nearly
seven miles in circ1mference. and in,
closed by three lofty walls with prodig-
lous towers. The strength and resources
OF this vast city were of the highest
order. Two walls, an outer and
inner, completely surrounded it, hav-
ing thickness of about So feet and a
hight OF over 300 feet, outside OF which
was wide and deep ditch lined with
brick and filled with water. In the walls
were hundred gates made of solid brass.
and OF prodlglous strength and size.
Upon the walls were $50 watch-toWers
AT the points where the river entered and
left the city were ponderous water gates.
which were closely guarded and kept
closed at night.
The jewish captives had their own local
rulers, or Governors-their religious
chiets-and gave music and song to the
feasts OF their heather captors; living in
the midst of whom as a nation thew were
cured of their idolatry, and brought
nearer than ever to the true God. Thew
believed in the presence and appearance
OF angels, and as the years of their cap
tlVlty came to close were confident of
restoration to their native land.
At this time Cyrus, King of Persia, had
been Tor years besleging Babylon, with
no immediate prospect of success. Nabo-
midas was King of Babylon, but, with his
army, had left the city to fight the Per-
slams, placing his impetuous and riotous
son, Belshazzar, on the throne, with
Nitocris, the Queen-mother, as coregent
in his absence.
The time for the great annual fes-
tival in honor of Babylonian deities had
come, and Belshazzar had determined to
give feast surprising everything that
had gone before, as if in mockery of the
Medes and Persians, who came as the
min fS-tG of N.Nl,
serve" lie gathered "a thousand of
his lords" and brought in his wives
and concubines. ''They drank toasts
of enthusiastic patriotism, sane
songs of boundless loyalty, and
shouted defiance to every foe. The
high noon of the feast came. All hearts
were bounding, all spirits joyous" The
King descended from his throne, drank
In the most public manner, and then i'm
piously called for the holy vessels robbed
from the temple at Jerusalem by his
grandfather, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. This sac
rilege was regarded as the worst of
crimes; but inhamed by wine the King
would not be restrained Then. over
against the seven-branched candlestick
from the temple, appeared the fingers of
mysterious hand that wrote strange
words upon the wall which none could
read.
The revelry was hushed. 1.-THE Gun fell
from the Kings hand. His knees smote
toge her. His glazing eyeballs are fixed
on the wall before him, as beholding some
horror from which they could not turn
away. A thrill OF terror pierces through
every SOUL" and shrieks OF alarm are
mingled with cries to Baal, and the King
loudly commands that the astrologers. or
Magi, be brought to read the writing.
The Magi, of whom Daniel was once
made chief, were counselors of the
sovereign, administrators of justice and
educators OF the heir apparent to the
throne. None could occupy the throne
who were not so trained by the Magi. 1t
was the proper name for priests among
the Persians. They worshiped fire and
water. Baal was their god. Their priests
were conversant with the secrets of ma
ture, spirits, genii, and angels" Such
were the men whom the King summoned
They came but were dumb.
Daniel, formerly high at court under
Nebuchadnezzar, in the new regime had
gone into obscurity, perhaps sharing the
bitter fate of his despised and prosecuted
fellow eXiles, watching and waiting for
the day when the Lord should have
mercy on his people and restore Israel to
the land OF their fathers. 1t was over
thirty years since Daniel had stood be-
fore Nebuchadnezzar. He was now 80
years old, and so long had been his OBJ
security that Belshazzar had forgotten
him; but the virtuous and regal Nitocris
remembers him and suggests that he
be called. He came and declared the
hidden meaning to be that the King is
weighed in the balance and found want
ing, and that the kingdom is divided and
given to the Medes and Persians The
promised reward is at once given to
Daniel who was made third ruler of the
kingdom, and was the highest office in
Belshazzar's gift, he himself being sec
ond ruler.
While this was transporting at the pal
ace Zerubbabel had found his way to the
camp of Cyrus; between whom the opin-
ion is ventured that secret and servicea-
BILE league existed, and Cyrus was thus
| kept informed of all that passed in the
city. Acting by the command of God,
through an angel, and by the advice OF
Zerubbabel. Cyrus marched into the city
| by the way of the river gates, burst into
the palace with band of Persians and
slew Belshazzar on the scene of his i'm
pious revelry.
! Soon afterWard led nv Zeruhbah el the