Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-02-14
FEB. 1.-THE Conversion of the
Jailer.--Acts lG: 25-40

precisely the same mental and moral
state, so the experience of no two per
sons brought under its power will, in all
respects, be the same. There are some
marks which every conversion must
bear. Ii is, in all, sin.forsaking and
trustGl turning unto God. But the
circumstances and manner, and immc.
diatc outward indications of such turn.
ing may vary To help us to see this, as
well rs to see the suitablcne,s and
prcciousness Of the gospel for all hearts,
we have the story Of the conversion, not
of Lydia only, but of the .jailer also.
Note some of the more striking things
here brought to view;
|, Songs in heHyht-lt was nov mid.
night. And Paul and Silas were in the
inner prison at Philippi, that part
which was farthcst from light and fresh
air, probably damp and cold; their feet
''fa,t in the stocks" an instrument of
torture as we'll as of confinement; their
lacerated and bleeding backs smarting
from the 'many stripes which had
been cruelty laid upon them. And yet
there was 30 much of trust and gladncss
in their hearts that they could sing as
well rs pray. They "sang praises" and
heartily, too, for "thc prisoners heard
them Their JOY oyertlowcd
Here Is an indication Of the power of
the gospel. Could one be in a worse
plight than these men. They had no
earthly assurance that they would ever
come out alive. What sustained them ?
They were sure Gods eye WAS upon
themi that the Master knew they were
there; that he could deliver them If their
earthly work was no longer needed: that
death could not separate them from his
love; that in Chri,t'- Keeping they were
forever safe.
What contrast thcre is here To- what
we often witness, indeed. to what may
be sometimes true of our-eIvc. f.! In |
the midst OF countless mcrcie-, Of bless
ing,, all undcscryed. with no i'l.. save /
such as our own iault- may have brought /.
upon Us, how often we murmur and I.
complain We think we have hard |
time; too many burdens and crosses: too /
few comfort. and delights. j. -thcrc not /
something wrong with our faith? 1t /
must bc very weak Have we nught of |
it?
.. Prayer ooaisIfdy a1rsrsi.-Thc
answer, in this instance. came in tho
earthquake which opened the prison
door. and looscncd the prisoners chain-.
Whether the earthquake was a miracle.
or a providence is q question one need
not concern himself to answer 1t was
Of God; it brought more than deliver.
ance and this clearly came in answer to
their cries. II was testimony to others
that God was with them: that their g1-.
pei was from heaven. Why do irc have
no such wonderful answers TO rravcr2
Were we to pray with like joyful trust
an to give ourselves, a. these men did
over to the Master direction and dis.
posnl. perhaps we might have them.
Possibly we now do. but fail to connect
the mcrcies with our too di,trlI-tful pc.
ti,ions Then. God knows best bow to
give and how to deny our faith may
need the discipline Of delay. even Of de.
NAL.
3. A heart prepared for he elg,,g mes
sggs.-Roused from his slumbcr. the
iailcr, who doubtless slept where he
could see the prison door. and always
had his sword at his side, at once saw
that the doors were open, and Inferred
that the prisoners had fled. Tho Ro.
man law made the iailer responsible for
a prisoner, and liable to the punishment
due to one who should escape. This
man. like many better men of his dav.
looked upon suicide n o simple and |
proper way to escape from dishonor and
suffering. Drawing his sword he would |
have killed himself but for the interpo.
sition Of the Apostle, who fastened to
assure him that the prisoners were all
there. Then he called for light. and
sprang in, and came trembling before
Paul and Silas, and brought them out
and said Sirs what must do to be
-avcdgr
il Is not likely that Luke has recorded
every word that was uttered. But |
enough is told us to make it plain that
The trembling Of the iaiIer, and his ever
memorable question, are by no means to |
be explained az slncited by fear Of the |
fnagistrates The prisoners being safe, |
he had no occasion for such fear: or had |
such fear still fingered, Paul and silas
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