and, moreover, I must do so hereafter.  For fourscore years has thy servant offered his prayers to the God of his fathers.  When a little lad in the land of Judah, I was taught by a beloved mother to lisp the name of Jehovah.  From that time to this, O king, at morning, noon and eventide, thy servant has prayed to his God.  And is Daniel to be frightened from his duty now in his old age?  Nay, O king!  My prayers must daily ascend to the throne of the Most High!  Sooner would I suffer a thousand deaths than prove a traitor to the God of Israel.”

The king was deeply moved by the words of the aged Hebrew, and continued for some time in deep silence.  At last he rose to his feet, and, with a voice trembling with anger, exclaimed: 

“By the gods!  If these presidents have come before me with lying words, I will cut them in pieces, and leave them neither root nor branch!  Daniel, if thou sayest, I will have them arrested and destroyed!  This very hour the word shall go forth!”

“Nay, O king!  Listen to the counsel of thine aged servant.  This hasty movement would not be well received among thy subjects.  The decree has gone forth.  I pray thee let the law have its course, but be assured, O king, that not a hair of thy servant’s head shall be injured.  The God that I serve and in whom I trust, shall deliver me from every danger, and no weapon formed against me shall prosper.  Hereafter do with mine enemies as thou seest fit.  Be assured, O king, that my life is as secure among the lions as in the presence of my kind sovereign!  The same God that preserved my cousins alive in the midst of a burning, fiery furnace, can easily shut the mouths of the lions, and make them as harmless as the little lambs of the flock.”

Here the king was melted into tears; and, so deeply was he affected, that for a long time he was unable to speak.  At last, in a low key, he spoke: 

“O Daniel, this thing must never come to pass!  May the gods forbid that I should endanger the life of my servant!  But the writing is signed!  My heart is sad!  My soul is sick!”

“Let not the king be sore troubled on account of his servant,” said Daniel.  “The God of heaven shall certainly overrule this matter to his own glory.”

“Thou mayest return, Daniel,” said the king.  “I know not what to do.  I fear I have been greatly deceived.”

“The word of thy servant, in a case like this, is not sufficient to gainsay the testimony of six witnesses.  When the proper hour arrives, the king shall learn from other lips than mine the deep iniquity of these foul conspirators.  Adieu, O king!  Let Jehovah use his own measures for the vindication of his own law!” And the first president left the royal presence.

On that night Darius the Mede laid his head on his pillow with the full purpose of delivering Daniel.

Early on the morrow, the “Union Safety Committee,” accompanied by the other three, made their way into the presence of the king.