The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-07-15
Sunday-SchOOI Lesson for July 16
The Hebrews i'm the Fiery Furnace.
DAN. iii; 14-2S.
BY j. e. GILBERT, D. d. LII. D.,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education.

captives, now public servants, would be
exceedingly exaspcrating. The king was
furious with anger, and his countenanco
showed the intensity of his feelings. II
was critical moment. Here was open
defiance and rejection of authority, be-
sides an affront to royal dignity and pre-
rogative. If such conduct is allowed
others might catch the spirit and rebel
lion might result. Quickly he ordered
the furnace to be heated seven times
more than was usual for purposes of
punishment. What n commentary on
the age and the civilization that made 1t
necessary or possible to employ such
horrid modes of dealing with criminals!
Into what depths of infamy has n ruler
sunken who, to enforce his will and i'm
pose a religious worship upon a subject,
will resort to such extreme measures.
Babylon with all its glitter and wealth
and pride was n very house of death con-
trolled by monster. All things being
prepared Nebuchadnezzar ordered the
strongest men in his army to bind Shad-
rach, Mcshach and Abed-negro and to
cast them into the furnace Why strong
men? Did he fear these three Hebrew
youth? 1t must have been that he eX-
pectcd some supernatural power might be
eXerted for them.
EXECUTION CVcrses 21 and 23).-The
kings orders were obcyed There was
no appeal. The life of every man in his
empire was in his hands. How strange
that absolute monarchy could ever be
set up How strange that it could so
long be maintained! What gladness
ought to fill the hearts of men that no
where, save among savage tribes, does
such government now exist! The three
men were securely bound, as If
some one feared escape or opposi-
ton. Born along through the streets
of the city they were FASTENED to
the place of execution. The doors
were thrown open for their admission
The hot air which poured forth might
have caused the stoutcst heart to shud-
der, but the Hebrews did not recnt
Strong hands were upon them, and they
were cast into the midst Of the heated
apartment, falling down upon the pave
ment helpless. So intense was the heat
that the eXcutioners themselves, though
standing without were overcome, and,
falling pTostrate at the entrance, they
perished. Three men lying bound with
in, but alive! Strong men of the army
lying dead without! Such was the re-
suit of the kings mandate. Already
his plans had miscarriod Those who de-
fled him were safe, and all must wait
| for explanations in future disclosures.
| SURPRISE (Ncrses q and 20.-The
scene in the furnace soon changed Tho
men, who at first fell down bound, were
| loOsed walking about urharmed. Some
power greater than that of man had in
| terposcd 10 save them. They were in full
view Of the king, probably because some
| transparent medium had been provided
! that officers might watch the progress
| of death. Here, then. is victory, the
righteous triumphing over those who
would destroy them. But something
more wonderful appeared in the furnace.
! A fourth person was seen walking in
| the midst Of the fire. Who was he?
! Nebuchadnezzar was astonished. The
| strange spectacle startled him. He
| seemed to be moved by an unearthly in
| nuonCe. lie called his counselors and
| made inquiry. Were there three cast
| in? The affirmative puzzled him. The
| folm Of the fourth is like the Sons of
| Cod he said, or more properly trans
lated, "son of the gods" He had no
| knowled dge of Christ who was doubtless
the person seen, but he thought tie form
had an unearthly appearance, as Of an
! angel, or the inhabitant Of the heavenly