Page 72 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

replied. “I may say this (and I am sure Mishael and Azariah will concur) that it was
not even the unique experience of the complete powerlessness of the fire over us that
left us with the deepest impression and with the highest satisfaction. It was the

wonderful heavenly companion who walked with us in the midst of the flames. He
spoke to us hardly a word, but His presence, with us, the light of His countenance that
shone above the blaze of the flames beamed upon us with love and approbation
unspeakable. It occasioned a rapture of joy in our hearts that we never expect to be

duplicated while we tarry here on earth as mortals. A glorious smile overspread His
face and He gave us a nod of farewell and was gone just before we issued forth from
the furnace at the summons of the king.

“We have cast in our minds for previous precedents in the history of our race of
such a wonderful theophany, and have concluded that He is one with the priest
Melchizedek who met our father Abraham returning from the conquest of the four
kings, and appeared to him again as the leader of the three who visited him at his tent

by the oaks of Mamre. We conceive that it was He who spoke to Moses from the
burning bush on the back side of Horeb and who appeared to Joshua by the Jordan, the
captain of the host of Jehovah! Gladly would we pass through danger or death again,
that we might be reunited with Him.”

A wistful expression passed over the face of the Prime Minister as he listened to
the glowing testimony. “Would that I had been here, my dear friends, to walk with you
through that fire and in the company with the glorious One. You are right! He is the One

who appeared to those of old. He is the Beloved One-Messiah of whom have spoken
Moses and all the prophets. He will come one day to tarry on this earth for a season,
and he will finally bring again the captivity of Israel and restore again the tabernacle of
David that is fallen down, and sit upon his throne! And your eyes have seen Him and

these eyes saw Him not! I only beheld the insignificant princes of this world―creatures
of time with breath in their nostrils. May Jehovah grant me the privilege of facing death
for His Name’s sake, if I may but catch a fleeting glimpse of that Glorious One.”

The next day Daniel presented himself before the king, to give a report concerning
his journey. The king received him with cordiality, but with a certain stiffness and
reserve. He knew well that Daniel had heard of the whole episode concerning the golden

image and the salvation of his friends, after he had committed them to the fiery furnace.
In the presence of this man, the king was distinctly embarrassed and had no desire to
refer to the whole matter, which was another proof that, though sorry for some of his
actions, he had never really repented of them, and was still unwilling to humble himself
before the Lord or His servants.

Daniel was too wise and diplomatic to speak of the whole matter, but proceeded to