The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-15
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
July 10, 1~S90-DanieI III, 1~4-2S-Ihc
Hebrews in Their Fiery Furnace.

Nebuchadnezzar had completed his conquest OF
the world and wished to celebrate the event with
%triumphal festivities which should be observed
and participated in by representatives of every
conquered nation Naturally the religious ele-
ment predominated. and praise was offered TO
Bel (the tutelary god of Babylon). whose towering
golden image had been set up. There were rea-
sons Of state also. Nebuchadnezzar would further
strengthen his heterogeneous empire with the
band of a ommon faith and uniform worship.
He would make Babylon the seat Of a state
religion. a sort of papal Rome on the Euphrates.
But the whole expensive and toilsome af-
fair was brought to naught by three stubborn
and nonconforming youths. The king, so unused
TO defeat. was Unexpectedly thwarted in the SUI
preme moment and in presence of the populace by
the very parties whom he might have expected
TO be his obsequious assistants in view of his
marked preferment of them. The Young
men had passed through the real ordeal before
they ever entered the furnace-a fiery conflict in
their minds. How dear life was! How indis-
PeBsable they were 10 their fellow-countrymeni
Under what personal obligations were they TO the
Irresistible power. They would be doing no worse
than their ancestors had done at the foot of
casuistry, They had not studied the Decalogne in
VAIN IN the far-away home of their childhood.
Thou shalt not bow down myself" The in
vlncihle might OF Babylon Is not sufficient TO bend
their knees. . . . Their martyrdom was real
They had no positive assurance of deliverance.
Their sacrifice was as complete as Abraham's of
Isaac. . . Executions in the East are hasty
to this day. The penalty is usually paid by sun
there was uncommon haste In view OF the kings
excessive rage. and to retrieve. IL possible. the
ground lost by the unexpected revolt Of the
hebrews. The consuming of these recalcitrants
In full view Of the concourse. by that sacred
element: IRE might even more than recover the
youths in presence of the enraged monarch was
incomparably noble. They scorned a second
chance to obey the decree. Their case being pre-
judged. they declined 10 argue IL. Even 4 no
supernatural deliverance came, they were ready
10 die. but not to worship the image. " " The
consuming of the executioners revealed at once
the wicked injustice Of the kings decree and the
genuine deadliness of the flames. That the linen
clothes of the victims were not consumed. but the
iron chains melted. was further attestation Of the
miraculous character of the deliverance.
- This stirring and tragic scene is typical
undergoing. The nation itself in the providence
or God was in the fiery furnace OF exile to be
refined from the dross of idolatry. Had these
young men, high in office. and consequently wide
ly influential. failed in the ordeal the divine
purpose OF the captivity would have. at least for
the time. been thvsarted. But they endured. They
gave a conspicuous and admirable example of
steadfastness. Cajolery and coercion were alike
Intellectual. Their horror of idoIatry and their
heroic resistance to it infected their fellow
countrymen and fastened their deliverance from
the furnace of Babylonian captivity. . . . The
influence of their example and their subsequent
public and miraculous deliverance powerfully af-
fected the king. court and populace. The God of
the Hebrews was thenceforth revered. and the
Hebrews Themselves treated with greater len
iency. . . III these young men had followed
the dictates of policy. and saved their lives. they
would have lost them. Life would not have been
worth living. such would have been their remorse
and loss OF prestige. Benedict Arnold's existence
would have been more tolerable. They lost their
lives in this abandon of martyrdom, but they
gained life and everything.
THE
First-Providence using a heather festival for
promotion of the true faith. Modern parallel:
Melas heathen camp meetings) of India utilized
By missionaries for gospel preaching.
Second-Martyrs and martyrdom In general.
Third-The present instance in particular.
Sound judgment not perturbed by specious argu-
ments. Integrity unswerved by self interest. In
comparable moral courage. The cause of Christ
In constant need Of the same qualities.
Fourth-Authenticity Of Scriptures confirmed by
explorations. Vide, Professor Sayce, Fresh
Light Walsh. Echoes OF Bible History
Schrader. "Cuneifcrm Inscriptions and the Old
Smith. "Assyrian Discoveries etc.
Fifth-Hasty execution in accord with Eastern
custom. Futile effort to retrieve forlorn hope of
heathenism. Significance Of consuming of ex-
ecutioners and chains. but not of garments of
victims.
sixth-Enect upon Hebrews. the heather them
selves.
Seventh-Some present-day furnaces: Sickness.
loss OF friends and fortune. temptation. persecu-
ton. etc. Moral effect of steadfastness. Pres
ence of the Son OF God: announcement