"Arioch, it is my desire to see the wise men of Babylon as soon as
possible at this apartment. Go! Haste thee! for the command of the king
is urgent. Let them be native Chaldeans who appear before me at this
time; trouble not Belteshazzar. If I need his services I shall call for
him hereafter."
The officer, faithful to his charge, was soon on his way to summon the
wise men to appear before the king.
It was not long before a number of the Chaldeans stood in the presence of
the king, ready to learn his will and do his pleasure.
"Are ye able to give me the correct interpretation of a wonderful dream?"
asked the king, in a doubtful tone.
"We surely can, O king!" replied the chief of the wise men; "we derive
our knowledge from the gods, and the interpretation of the dream must be
sure."
"But what proof do your gods give of their own existence?" asked the
king, looking sternly on the chief.
"Our gods made the world, O king!"
"Some gods, or God, made the world; but why not the God of Israel? Can
you point to any miraculous interference of your gods in the affairs of
mortals? If I have forgotten my dream, can ye, through your gods, restore
it? And if, in case ye fail, I should cast you all into a fiery furnace,
would your gods preserve you unhurt in the midst of the fire? Answer me!"
"Thy servants," said the trembling magician, "from their youth up have
been taught to reverence and adore the gods of Chaldea.
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