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 "I see," said Nimrod, "we shall never have done with this prattler. Worship the wind, then, and we will pardon thy former profanations." "Be not angry, great king," said Abraham; "I cannot worship the fire, nor the water, nor the clouds, nor the wind, nor any of the things thou callest gods. The power they possess is derived from a Being, not only most powerful, but full of mercy and love. The Creator of heaven and earth, him alone will I worship." "Well, then," said the tyrant, "since thou refusest to adore the fire, thou shalt speedily be made sensible of its mighty force." He ordered Abraham to be thrown into a fiery furnace. But God delivered him from the raging flames, and made him a source of blessing to many nations.

Genesis Rabba, § XXXVIII; for parallels, see "Jewish Encyclopedia," I, pp. 86, 88.

No Loss of Dignity from any Innocent Means of Promoting Peace and Harmony; or, Rabbi Meir and the Unhoused Wife

Seek peace, and pursue it.—Psalm xxxiv. 14.

was accustomed to preach publicly for the edification of the people, on the eve of the Sabbath. Among his numerous audience, there was a woman, who was so