June 19

Acts xii.—1. Now, about that time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

2. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

3. And, because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. Then were the days of unleavened bread.

4. And, when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

5. Peter, therefore, was kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

6. And, when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

7. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison; and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly; and his chains fell off from his hands.

8. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals; and so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

9. And he went out, and followed him, and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision.

10. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

11. And, when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

12. And, when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together, praying.

13. And, as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

14. And, when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in and told how Peter stood before the gate.

15. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

16. But Peter continued knocking. And when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

17. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things unto James and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

How wonderfully true to nature is this whole narrative! The artlessness with which the story is told verifies the miracle. The surprise and bewilderment of Peter; the mechanical way in which he did just as the angel told him, as one might do in a fit of somnambulism; his coming to himself, and realizing the hand of God,—all this belongs to reality. And "nothing could be more life-like than the description of the scene which follows. Rhoda, in the excess of her joy, forgets to open the door, runs into the house, declares the news; while Peter is left in the street, still knocking, and exposed to arrest. The pas-

sage has all the vividness of the recital of an eye-witness. When Peter gained entrance, the joy of the disciples was so tumultuous, that he could make them understand a gesture better than a word." This miracle was wrought, not for Peter's sake, but to further the gospel. Even now it should serve to inspire confidence in the ministry of angels to the heirs of salvation. In after-years, when Peter was seized, the angel of death alone came to his deliverance, when, like his Lord, he hung upon the cross.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 131, 147.

Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Oh, may thy kingdom fully come in our hearts, casting out all sin! may thy will take possession of our wills, so that in all things we shall please and serve thee! Thy mercy, O Lord! of which every night and morning bears witness, binds us to thee in love and gratitude; and we dedicate ourselves to thee this day as obedient children. Help us to fulfil our vows. Keep us, we pray thee, from the love of this world, and from the power of evil. O Lord! strengthen, defend, deliver all thy servants, and maintain thy cause.

O God, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy! increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal. Dwell thou in our hearts by thy Spirit; yea, make our very bodies temples of the Holy Ghost: and may all sin be put far away from us! O Lord our Saviour! make this home thy habitation. [May the children gather about thee with songs of praise, with hearts and hands to do thy will!] And finally bring us unto our Father's house, to dwell forever in love and purity and joy, for Christ's sake. Amen.