onversion had been a severe one, but in the hands of Jehovah it had
proved successful. His vanity was conquered, his haughtiness slain, the
pride of his heart subdued; he was a meek and lowly worshiper at the
shrine of the God of Israel.

The king was getting well stricken in years, and he was conscious that he
was not long for earth. Therefore, like a wise man, he bestowed much
thought on that world into which he was fast hastening. His worldly
ambition was at an end, he appeared but seldom in public, and was much
given to retirement and meditation. He had at last learned to see the
things of earth in their true light, and the enthusiasm of his younger
friends was viewed with a smile and a sigh. He clearly saw in the
distance the glory of Babylon brought to the dust, and its majestic halls
resounding with the voice of revelry from the sons and daughters of
strangers. Of this the reformed king could not think without painful
emotions; but with resignation he bowed to the Will divine.

CHAPTER XXI.

ON THE death of Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-Merodach took the throne. Of this
man we have said but little. He acted as regent during his father's
Insanity. He was a person of a low, groveling mind, and no sooner was he
established on his throne than he began to give signs that the scepter
was in the hands of a profligate tyrant. Contrary to the request of his
dying father, he neglected the weighty matters of the empire, and plunged
into dissipation and gluttonous revelry.

As with the commencement of Nebuchadnezzar's reign began the real glory
of Chaldea, so with his death the glory departed, and the empire was soon
in a rapid decline. No feature in the character of the new king was in
the least calculated to command either the love or the admiration of his
subjects. He was inwardly cursed by the nation, and feared only on
account of his cruelty. Of Daniel he had some dread, and over him the
Hebrew had some control. He was well convinced, from what he had seen in
his father's history, that Daniel was not to be slighted, and that among
all the wise men of the realm, there was none like him. And, moreover, he
was well aware that his superior wisdom had had much to do in elevating
the empire to its present high position. Through the influence of this
man of God, the wicked king dealt with comparative mildness toward the
captive Hebrews so numerous within the realm.

The reign of this monarch was of short duration. Some of his o