From the torments and dangers of this ordeal the three Hebrews were miraculously preserved. Daniel tells us that Nebuchadnezzar himself saw them “loose and walking in the midst of the fire.” “Not a hair of their heads was singed, neither were their coats changed, nor had the smell of fire passed on them.” Elsewhere, in the Song of the Three Children, we are told that “they walked in the midst of the fire, praising God, and blessing the Lord.” After so signal a deliverance, it is easy to conceive the fervor with which their hymn of gratitude was poured forth. The deepest consciousness of the merciful power of God welled up in their hearts and burst from their lips, and the whole universe was ransacked for illustrations to typify and express it. In whatever direction they turned, they beheld Nature crowded with emblems of his greatness and mercy, and they eagerly seized upon them as aids to bring their thoughts up to the fervor of their adoration. Shall not we also do wisely to profit by their example? Our daily obligations to God may not be so miraculous, in the ordinary meaning of the term, but they are, nevertheless, great and countless beyond our power to conceive. Let us then, in humble consciousness of the poverty and imperfection of our thanksgivings, gladly make this suggestive hymn our own; and let us on this, as on all occasions, accept with joy every aid that helps us to “bless, praise, and magnify the Lord.” “BENEDICITE, OMNIA OPERA.” O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever. O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever. O ye Heavens, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him forever. O ye Waters that be above the Firmament, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever. O all ye Powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever. O ye Sun and Moon, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever. O ye Stars of Heaven, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever. O ye Showers and Dew, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever. O ye Winds of God, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever. O ye Fire and Heat, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever. O ye Winter and Summer, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever. O ye Dews and Frosts, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever. O ye Frost and Cold, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever. O ye Ice and Snow, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever. O ye Nights and Days, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever. O ye Light and Darkness, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever. O ye Lightnings and Clouds, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him forever.