duty, as the professed worshipers of the God of Israel, to yield
obedience to the demand of an unholy and wicked law, that throws insult
into the face of the God of heaven, and the Jehovah of the universe? In
this case, either obedience or disobedience must be pleasing to God. Is
it the will of Jehovah that we should obey this law, or disobey it? To my
mind, it is clear that, in this case, nothing short of a manly
disobedience can be agreeable to the will of our God. Brothers, we must
have decision of character. In this matter there must be no compromise
with iniquity."

And Hananiah took his seat with a smile of holy satisfaction playing on
his lips, when Mishael arose, and said:

"The question rests here, brothers! Can any edict from any king,
potentate, or human power, make null and void the laws of the eternal
God? To this question, from us, there is but one short answer, and that
is, 'Nay!' Is He not higher than the highest? Are not His commands far
superior to all human edicts? The law of Jehovah is supreme, and let the
higher law be obeyed, though the heavens should fall! Azariah, what
sayest thou?"

"I say I shall not bow to any god but the God of Israel! In Him I trust.
If we perish by the hand of our enemies, so let it be! Better death than
a base betrayal of our sacred trust. But is not that God who saved us
once from death able to deliver us again? Is his arm shortened, that he
cannot save? Then let them heat the fiery furnace! That God in whom we
trust will yet deliver us from this calamity, and overrule this dark
providence to his glory."

A knock was heard. The door was opened, and the pleasant voice of the