exhibited in honour of the golden image the king hath set up. Silence is proclaimed. That vast concourse is hushed to profound stillness like the deep rocking itself to slumber. The royal herald cries aloud: "To you it is commanded, O people and nations, and languages, that 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 hath set up. And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace." The obsequious multitude yield their servile homage. Now is the opportunity to annihilate, if possible, the nonconformists of Judah. Eagerly their absence from the festival is reported to the king. The accusers of the brethren come near to speak to the sovereign. "O king, live for ever. There are

certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, have not regarded thee; they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." The intended effect is produced. The incensed monarch commands the youthful rulers of the province to be brought to answer the charge of the Chaldeans. There they stand in the centre of an envious and malignant group of observers, and in the presence of an exasperated and absolute king; and yet, perfectly calm,

respectful and collected, they betray no agitation of spirit. Not unmindful, it is true, of the perils which surround them, or of the difficulties of their strange position, but one feeling pervades them-that of which Huss was the subject in the Hall of Constance. "The Lord reigneth. When God giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? Great peace have they that love thy law, and nothing shall offend them." The stillness of the countless multitude becomes oppressive-Nebuchadnezzar is speaking: "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?" Mark the intrepidity and the heroic constancy of the youthful band! The threefold cord is not broken. They quail not beneath the frown of the infuriated despot, for a power greater than that of the king of Babylon sustains them. Well it is that the "root of the matter" is found in them, for in a scene like this nothing but genuine principle could stand. The result of early training is now seen, as well as the efficacy of fervent prayer. No pre-concerted plan,

hastily adopted for the occasion, could have been carried out; and, unless they had possessed sound integrity and mutual confidence, their embarrassment must have been distressing in the extreme. But their minds are made up. They require no time for deliberation, for they have no reply to seek ;-their spirit rises with the growing difficulty of the occasion, and at once they give utterance to the noble sentiments recorded by the pen of inspiration, and the echo of which shall be heard to the last day of time. "O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 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. 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."

There is a moral sublimity in this "good confession" that might arrest the attention of the angels of light, but it was greeted with no applause on earth. The frown of Nebuchadnezzar cast its shadow all around. It is not given to the faithful followers of God to foresee the immediate result of their testimony, or the effect of their labours. It may be that, like the vanguard of a besieging army, they shall fall in the trenches, or that it may be their honour to scale the heights of the citadel, and to erect the standard of victory. Like the Bohemian reformer, they may be cut off in the first campaign; or, like

the veteran of the German reformation, they may be spared to realize the consummation of their hopes. One thing they have to do. Whatever the issue, their course of duty is clear; and, with humble confidence in God, they must be "steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." "If it be so," said the intrepid confessors, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us,-and he will deliver us- -but if not, we will not serve thy gods."

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To utter these words required more courage than to lead an army into battle. They breathe a spirit of devotedness, in the last degree noble and magna ́nimous. Would that every youth in Christendom might be imbued with it; that, independently of all considerations of minor importance, regardless of personal fame, and superior even to the pride of success, he might "stand fast in the evil day; and having done all, to stand." A power of moral endurance, in combination with meekness and heavenly charity, will alone raise the character of the churches of Christ to the height of dignity and courage required to meet the wants of the age. This Abdiel spirit can only come by "fasting and prayer." The blind bard of nonconformity has furnished us with the noblest model of distinction :

"Servant of God, well done! well hast thou fought
The better fight, who singly hast maintained
Against revolted multitudes the cause

Of truth, in word mightier than they in arms;

And, for the testimony of truth, hast borne
Universal reproach, (far worse to bear
Than violence ;) for this was all thy care

To stand approved in sight of God, though worlds
Judged thee perverse."

VIII.

APPARENT DEFEAT.

THE Sovereign of the Universe reserves to Himself the right to dispense the awards of His service in the form and at the time His own wisdom shall determine. The faithful and devoted servant of an earthly ruler may be overlooked, forgotten, or go unrewarded. The sphere of his exertions being remote, he may suffer from misrepresentation and envious detraction. His best and most patriotic efforts may be little appreciated, because not crowned with immediate success. Spirit-broken and deeply dejected, he may go down to a grave of unmerited obloquy. His real merits may be discovered when it is too late to make reparation for the injury he has sustained. The monument may be raised to record with honour, deeds, which, at the time of their performance, were mentioned with scorn and contumely; or, when this is not the case, the intentions of the monarch to confer honour on those who have rendered distinguished services to the state, are often