The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-12-06
READINGS FOR tbs WEEK.

FIX. Il lbs F-Dan. TX: l-2I.
VI Sam. /: 1-2S. S-JOhn il lilo.
S.-Aets xvii: 14-4O.
V. 1. Stretched forth 6is hands to ver.-
Herod Agrippa was the grandson of RerOd
the great, man of sensual and british traits,
and during his reign Christians were subject
ed to very cruel treatment. The word yea
means here more than annoy it includes per-
secutions, punishments and imprisonments.
V. 2. Killed james; the brother of John,
one of the sons of Zsbedee, and one of the
three admitted to special intimacy with Christ.
Except that of Judas IscariOt, thiSis the only
death of an Apostle recorded in the Bible.
He was the first that died after Christ; John
the last.
With he swOrd beheaded him.
v. 8. SasO It pleased the Jeos. To please
the Jews, Plate gave up Christ to be cruel
fed. What baseness there, as here, in a
ruler to deal thus with human life
Proceeded to take Peter also. He began
with persons comparatively unimpOrtant-
next James was struck down, and now he
aims at one more eminent still.
Days of Unlsausaed bread. Seven days
Immediately following the passover supper,
when the bread eaten must be unleavened.-
The words are thrown into parenthesis to
account for what follows, namely, for put
ting Peter first into prison instead of put
ting him to death Immediately. The Jews
were very scrupulous about putting any one
to death during that season.
V. 4. -Four Quateraions of soldiers. A
guard Of four, two at the door and two in
the prison with Peter. Every three hours
relieved BY another set.
after Easter. That word means in this
country the day observed BY many churches
to commemorate the resurrection of our Ss-
viOur But Improperly signifies the passover,
and should have been SO translated, as it re-
fers not to a Christian, but Jewish festival,
v. 5. Prayer acas made: not in public
assemblies, for that would have been unsafe;
but in private houses ". p Without eeas
ma. Means earnest, ferVent, impOrtunate.
His death was fixed for the next day; what
could be done? His life was of great value
to the church, and they did not " limit the
power of the Holy One" Chains were upon
Peter, but the Church was laying hold of the
hand of Him who could strike them off
V. 6. Peter was sleeping calm and peace
ful, for he had a good conscience. BetUeen
two soldiers, Sc. Il was the Roman Gus
tom to fasten the right hand of the prisoner
to the left hand of soldier. Peter was
chained to two soldiers to prevent all chance
of escape.
VI. " The Angsl of the LORD" What
are dungeons, and chains, and soldiers when
God comes to deliver? Smote Peter. &C. ;
which shows how sOundly he slept. Nearly
everything here was miraculous-the light in
the prison-the falling off of the chains, the
opening of the doors and gates. And prob,
ably the soldiers were cast into deep sleep,
for they do not seem to have been conscious
of the transaction till the next morning
VS.. Cast thy garment, sc. This was
the cloak or upper garment, a loose robe
thrown over the shoulders.
V. 8. A Piston. The deliveranCe was so
sudden and unexpected and supernatural
that it seemed TO him like dream.
V. 10. The first and second 0ard; places
where guards were stationed. THE iron gate,
which was of great strength, opened of ats
Darn accord that is no human agency was
used. But such gates, and securely fastened,
do not open without some efficient cause
A divine invisible hand was there.
V. IL. Come to himself. When he had
time to reflect and realize his situation, the
truth became plain to his mind that the hand
of the Lord had interposed for his deliver
ance.
V. Il. House of Nary Mother of John
Mark, and aunt of Barnabas. (COl. iv: 81
Probably the author of Marks gospel, and
was a convert of Peter. 4 Pet. V: 49,
Gathered together, praying. This must have
been near morning: for had there been an
other euaternion to come on watch, that re-
lief guard would have discovered the state of
thirgs and given the alarm; whereas it was
not given till morning.
vs.. Is, IA. Kaoeted at tie gate Orieu-
tai houses have a door on the street opening
into the vestibule, or porch. and attended by
a maid, whose duty it is to Asarken, learn
who is there, and obey the call.
Opened not for glaaRess, &c. A fine
touch-rue to nature. As we now say of a
piece Of unexpected good news: "Too good
to be true" (See Luke "a; Al
V. 10. Wsre astonisbed. So Christians
have often been when God has answered
their own prayers.
V. Is. Unto james: commonly called
James the Less. he was son of Cleophas
Cor Alpbeus), and of Mary, sister of our
Lords mother, and was author of the Epistle
of James; called also ''the Lords brother"
Cali i: 9 To tell it to him and the breth.
ren would greatly strengthen their faith.
THERE are some men who, if left alone are