In order to enforce his laws, the cruel king of Syria sent officers to the various parts of his empire. Of the two names by which Antiochus was known—Epiphanes, the “Illustrious” and Epimanes, the “Madman”—he was more often called by the latter name. He frequently indulged in wine, and while under its influence he became a real madman. His highest ambition was to make one people of all his subjects. In order to accomplish this, he thought it best,—and here he was indeed Epimanes, “the mad”,—to compel them to adopt one faith. The Jews however, were not going to submit to the rash demands of a madman. They now began a struggle which has never been equalled in the history of the world. In the few years that followed, many Jews sacrificed their lives for refusing to worship heathen idols and gods, many heroes shed their blood on the field of battle to uphold their religion. ELEAZAR. In Antioch, there lived a pious old man in his ninetieth year, named Eleazar. When the overseers came to see that the commands of the King were obeyed, this old man refused to eat of the swine’s flesh which was offered him. The King’s officer not wishing to harm so old a man, offered to give him meat which he was allowed to eat but which it would be announced was swine’s flesh. In making this offer, the overseer thought that if the other people would see the respected Eleazar eating what they thought was pig’s flesh, that they would readily do as he did. The brave old man, however, refused to set such an example to the Jews, some of whom would excuse their weakness by his act. He was then stripped of his clothes, beaten, and tortured. The last words of the martyr were: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is One”, and then he died. HANNAH AND HER SEVEN SONS. Even more pitiable is the story of Hannah and her seven sons. A widow and her sons were brought before Antiochus and commanded to bow to his idols. The King first addressed the oldest of the sons, saying: “Bow to my gods”. “God forbid”, answered the oldest son, “that I should bow to your idols”. “Why not?” asked the King. “Because our commandments teach us, “I am the Lord your God”, and I shall worship no other”. After being cruelly tortured in the sight of his mother and brothers, he was put to death. “You have seen what was done to your brother for disobeying me. Now, bow to my gods”, said the King to the second son. “You can torture me as you will”, said the youth. “I shall not bow to your idols”. “Why not?” asked the King. “Because we are commanded, “Thou shalt have no other God but me”, he answered. The King ordered that he, too, be slain.