in the heavens, which will guide you to the Lord of glory. Behold the light which once enlightened the wise men on their way, inviting you to follow its direction. It will lead you to the "new Jerusalem "it will bring you into communion with the Son of God-not as he then was-a cradled infant in a mean village-but as the King of glory in heaven-the Lord of all power and might the theme of angels' praises-the God of all creation.

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SERMON XII.

THE THREE CHILDREN.

DANIEL iii. 25.

He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

In the perusal of the chapter, from which these words are taken, there is a peculiar interest awakened, as we associate ourselves with the spirit-stirring energies of the detail. It is one of childhood's choicest stories; and who has ever imbibed from a mother's lips the rich instruction which it conveys, without sentiments of admiration at the heroic resolution of the men of God, and the triumphant result of perseverance in duty? In conjunction with the

stern sanctity of undeviating truth, it possesses all that entertainment and variety, which is usually sought for in the fictitious elaboration of the marvellous and romantic. However familiar to us all, it is never found to tire on repetition, nor can we hear it read without feeling ourselves mentally present at the scene described. There is the golden image in lucid exhibition before our eyes, upraised on its lofty pedestal. Then we behold, on the day of impious dedication, the pouring hosts of grandees and people rushing to do honour to the splendid idol. While the very music is sounding in our ears from a thousand instruments of various power and intonation, the vivid picture presents itself of the whole assemblage falling down and worshipping the manufactured god. The boundless fury of Nebuchadnezzar succeeds in review, and the cool decision of the summoned recusants elicits our silent applause. We are then struck by the display of God's retributive justice upon the promoters of this condemnation of the innocent. They felt the first torture of those flames, which, without sympathy or remorse, they had seen prepared for others; and

the martyrs, in this glorious cause, were miraculously preserved by the interference of Jehovah's mighty hand.

The Jews were at this time in captivity to the king of Babylon. They were suffering for their multiplied enormities, and repeated acts of rebellion against their God, While, however, they were bewailing their captive lot, that omnipotent Being, who can make evil subservient to good, was bringing out from this event a signal illustration of the power of faith. An idolatrous court was to be influenced and reformed by the religious heroism of three Jewish champions in the cause of Almighty God.

We first read of these celebrated persons in the beginning of the book of Daniel; where we find, that the king had commissioned one of his officers to select certain of the Jews for instruction in the language of Chaldæa, with a view to their ultimate introduction at court, and employment in the palace. The sacred history

thus characterizes them :-" Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and

understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the language of the Chaldeans. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azarial, unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar, and to Hananiah of Shadrach, and to Mishael of Meshach, and to Azariah of Abed-nego."

I may here remark in passing, tbat they are called children, from the old signification of the word childe-a youth of noble blood.

These young men were subsequently raised to great eminence in the kingdom of Babylon. Daniel was made ruler over the whole province, and his three associates were invested with the

management of its concerns. Little thought

this heathen monarch what an instrument he was in the hands of providence, for the furtherance of his designs. Little did he imagine what high-principled-God-devoted men he was nurturing in his court, for the reformation of himself, and the public acknowledgment of Jehovah's undisputed authority. But the secret