But Amos did not quit, nor did he go home. The fight, that morning, was a mere incident, to be forgotten; but his mission to his people burned deep in his soul, a flame that could not be quenched. On the day of the conclusion of the great festival, Amos again appeared in the sanctuary. This time it did not take long for a crowd to gather. In fact, most of the people were looking for him to appear. Even the richest and most exclusive, who usually are not interested in such men, had heard about Amos and had come to see and hear him, expecting something unusual to occur. Amos did not waste any time. Without preparatory remarks, he gave voice to his warning call: "Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel!" Hardly had the words left the Prophet's lips, when a man stepped forward from the crowd, and facing Amos with threatening fists, exclaimed: "Hold thy peace! Thou art a false Prophet. Who hath sent thee to prophesy?" Here was a challenge to Amos. Who, indeed, had appointed him a Prophet? Who had set him up to judge the people's wrongdoing? Who had commanded him to declare Israel's doom? What entitled him to speak in the name of God? This challenge, however, was just what Amos was looking for. He had wanted a number of times to correct the mistaken idea the people had of him. There were, in the land, the long-established Schools of Prophets. These schools were under the protection of the king. At the head of each was a leader, like Samuel, Elijah and Elisha of the olden days. The leader was called "The Seer" and his pupils "Sons of the Prophets." Now, the Seers and Sons of the Prophets, with the exception of such strong and powerful characters as the three great men mentioned, usually did the bidding of the king and his officers, and prophesied to please them. Amos was not a member of any of these established schools. He was a free lance--in truth, the first of the independent Prophets, who cried out against the evils of their day and who, fearlessly and without favor, laid the blame where it belonged--on king, on priest, and on people. Amos, therefore, grasped this opportunity to set himself aright. He answered his questioner with a series of beautiful similes: "Do two walk together unless they be agreed? Does a lion roar in the forest when there is no prey for him? Does a young lion cry out in his den unless he has taken something? Can a trumpet be blown in a city and the people not tremble? Can calamity befall a city and God hath not sent it? Surely, the Lord doeth nothing, Unless He revealeth His purpose to His servants, the Prophets. The lion hath roared; who does not fear? The Lord God hath spoken; who can but prophesy?"