pray for a blessing on what she had resolved to undertake for their deliverance. When she was alone, after praying earnestly, Judith attired herself in magnificent robes adorned with jewels. Then, accompanied by her maid, she passed through the city gates, and proceeded to the Assyrian camp.

Holofernes received the beautiful stranger with great distinction, and for two days she was permitted to dwell apart with her maid, going whither she would. The third evening, Holofernes gave a great feast in her honor, at which he made merry, and drank much wine. When the guests had retired, he lay upon his couch in a heavy sleep. Judith called upon God to strengthen her arm, then taking the sword of Holofernes which hung by his bed, she twisted one hand in his hair, and with two strokes severed his head from his body.

Having accomplished her purpose, Judith hastened to quit the Assyrian camp. The guards, who were accustomed to see her pass, offered no hindrance, and she soon found herself within the gates of Bethulia. When she showed the people the head of Holofernes, and related the manner of his death, their joy knew no bounds. The ghastly trophy was hung upon the walls, and all prepared for a general assault.

The Assyrians, meantime, were struck with dismay at finding only the headless trunk of their great

Relate Judith's expedition to the Assyrian camp and the death Af Holofernes, What took place the next morning?

THE PROPHET DANIEL.

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general, and the Bethulians gained an easy victory. The Israelites, coming from every side, joined in the pursuit, and the slaughter was great, and the whole country was enriched with the spoils.

Judith returned to her own house, where she led the зame retired life as before. Her appearance on festival days was hailed with joy, and when she died, at the age of one hundred and five, all the people mourned for her seven days.

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CHAPTER LIV.

THE PROPHET DANIEL.

HE life of this holy man forms the most interesting part of the history of the Babylonian captivity. Daniel was a prince of the royal family of Juda, and was selected, with three other young Hebrews, to be trained for the royal service. They made extraordinary progress in every branch of the learning of the Assyrians, studying also the holy Scriptures, and observing the divine law. The young Assyrians were nourished with rich meats and costly wine, but the Hebrews, encouraged by Daniel, drank only water, and ate simple herbs, and such food as was permitted by the law.

God blessed the fidelity of these noble children,

What is further related of Judith? Who was Daniel? What is related of his fidelity to the law?

and Daniel was endowed with the gift of prophecy, and a wisdom beyond his years. Scripture records a striking instance in the trial and deliverance of Susanna. This young and noble matron had been condemned to death on the testimony of two elders, men who concealed under a grave and pious demeanor the depravity of their hearts.

It seemed impossible to reject such witnesses, and the unhappy woman could only call on God for deliverance. As they were leading her to die, Daniel cried aloud that he was guiltless of her blood, and reproached the judges with their hasty condemnation. Surprised at such language from a young boy, the people called on Daniel to undertake a new trial. He did so, and by the simple expedient of examining the witnesses separately, he made them contradict one another and exposed the falsehood of the entire accusation. The innocent Susanna was conducted to her home rejoicing, and the two elders were put to death.

Some years after this event, Daniel interpreted a dream which had terrified Nabuchodonosor. The king had seen a mighty statue of which the head was gold, the breast silver, the body of brass, the legs of iron, and the feet partly of iron and in part of clay. Then a stone cut out of a mountain struck the statue, and it was broken to pieces and destroyed. The stone, however, grew into a vast mountain, and filled the whole earth.

How was Daniel rewarded? Relate the trial and deliverance of Susanna. What did Nabuchodonosor see in a dream?

HEBREWS IN THE FIERY FURNACE.

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Daniel told the king that the statue represented the different empires which should succeed one another; that the stone which filled the earth was the kingdom which God would establish upon the ruins of all. This prophecy was fulfilled by the Persian, Macedonian, and Roman empires. The feet mixed with iron and clay represented the civil wars of Rome, and the stone the kingdom of Christ which shall never have an end.

CHAPTER LV.

HEBREWS IN THE

FIERY FURNACE.-PUNISHMENT OF

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NABUCHODONOSOR.

HE king was so much impressed by the wisdom of Daniel that he named him governor of all the province of Babylon. Daniel obtained that his companions Ananias, Azarias, and Misael might act as lieutenants under him. These honors conferred on Hebrew captives excited the enmity of the Assyrians, and they waited eagerly for some opportunity to effect their ruin.

Nabuchodonosor had erected on a plain near Babylon an idol of vast dimensions. A great festival was held, and it was ordered that at a given signal the entire multitude should prostrate themselves in adoration. If any one failed to do so he was to be

What interpretation did Daniel give? What honors were con ferred on him and his friends!

cast forthwith into the burning furnace. Word was soon brought to Nabuchodonosor that the young Hebrew officers had neither prostrated themselves, nor shown any token of respect to the idol. The king ordered the young men to be brought before him, and as they still refused to obey his orders, they were cast, bound and clothed as they were, into the burning furnace. The flames, fed with brimstone, tow, and pitch, mounted high in the air, destroying many of the Assyrians who stood near. Within the furnace the

An

young Hebrews walked at ease, praising God. angel had gone down into the fire and parted the flames, so that cool breezes played about them, and the fire did not even touch their garments. Nabuchodonosor, awed by this prodigy, called upon the young men to come forth; he adored the true God, and published a decree declaring that He alone was the Most High.

Notwithstanding these good dispositions Nabuchodonosor offended God by his pride. As the warnings of Daniel were unheeded, the king was terrified by a voice from heaven, his senses forsook him, and he wandered among the beasts, eating grass like an ox, while his body was wet with the dews of heaven.

At the end of seven years the king's reason returned, he acknowledged his sin, and adored the justice of God. He was restored to his kingdom, which he governed peacefully till his death.

Why were the three Hebrews condemned to the fiery furnace? How were they delivered? Relate the sin and punishment of Nabuchodonosor.