During the terrible times which followed the fall of the Holy City, Hannah and her seven sons were cast into prison. According to their ages they were brought before the tyrant conqueror, and commanded to pay homage to him and his gods. "God forbid, exclaimed the eldest lad, athat I should bow to thy image. Our commandments say to us, ( I am the Lord thy God; to no other will I bow.
He was immediately led out to execution, and the same demand made of his brother, the second son. " My brother bowed not,* he answered, "and no more will I.w. " Wherefore not? B asked the tyrant. " Because, replied the lad, " the second commandment of the Decalogue tells us, < Thou shalt have no other God but me. '. His death followed immediately his brave words. " My religion teaches me, ( Thou shalt worship no other God," said the third son, "and I welcome the fate accorded to my brothers rather than bow to thee or thy images.
The same homage was demanded of the fourth son, but brave and faithful as his brethren, he replied, " ( He that. sacrificeth unto any God save unto the Lord only,* and was slain pitilessly. "'Hear, O Israel! the Lord our God, the Lord is One,* exclaimed the fifth lad, yielding up his young life with the watchword of Israel's hosts. " Why art thou so obstinate? was asked of the sixth brother, when he, too, was brought before the tyrant and scorned the propositions made him. " 'The Lord thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty and terrible God/ he said; and died for the principles he proclaimed.
Then the seventh and youngest boy was brought before the murderer of his relatives, who addressed him kindly, saying: —.