Page 67 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

cause the young men more pain in the process of death, he should have ordered the fire
to be cooled! The heat to be intensified could only shorten their suffering by hastening
their death.

The effect of the increased heat was only to cause the death of the brave officers of
the army to whom was committed the unpleasant task of casting Shadrach, Meshach
and Abednego into the furnace.

As they were marched forth with hands bound behind them, the noble three were
full of good cheer. As they walked down Palace Way and past the little white house
where they had formerly lived so happily, the people lined the streets and watched them

pass. There was many a tear-stained face as it was contemplated that in a mere matter
of minutes these handsome young men, high officials of government would be cremated
alive, and be seen no more forever. The victims were more cheerful than any who were
spectators of the death march. “Can it be, my dear friends,” said Azariah “that the good

prophet Isaiah prophesied of us when he said ‘when thou walkest through the fire thou
shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God,
the Holy One of Israel thy Savior’?”
“It is possible that he did,” replied Mishael. “At any rate we are glad to be found

worthy in this land of idolatry to bear witness to Jehovah even unto death as did the
prophet himself in Judah.”

Drawing near to the furnace, the two officers assigned to each of the condemned

men bound their feet as well as their hands, and at a concerted signal picked up the
bodies of the young men and rushed to the openings of the furnace from which the fierce
flames leaped forth, and catapulted their bodies into the midst of the fire. It was
necessary for them to draw very close to the doors of the furnace to accomplish this

purpose. As soon as they had discharged their burdens the six officers collapsed,
overcome by the terrific impact of the heat. They lay in the very shadow of the furnace
until life was extinct from them, for there were none who would venture near enough
to rescue them.