Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-02-06
VOL. XII.
EY REV. j, O. SIIERBURN.

Feb. II: The conversion of the Jaer Acts lG:l5.4o
God did not suff the unjus, imprison
ment of his servants to make against hi
work at PhIlppi: Indeed the results O
that Imprisonment greatly aided in cstab
fishing that work. Though Paul and Sllas
We're arrested for no sufficient cause, an'
were cruelty punished contrary to th,
Roman law, (Which allowed every citizer
the privilege OF meeting his accuser and
answering him face to face.) Yet Goo
suffered them TO be farther abused b,
being fastened in the stocks. IN the nnel
prison; but all this only that their deliver
ance, by his hand, might be the more sie
nal, and might be the means of leading
some to him. These men. abused as the,
were, could yet enjoy the highest privilege
man has. that ot communion with his
Maker. SO while comfort was out Of the
question, and sleep impos ible they prayed
and sang praises unto God. The account
states thai the prisoners heard them; but
another heard them also. God, who does
not overlook the weakest or the strongest
of his followers, remembered them. Sud
denly his hand shook the prison wall
unbarrcd the gates and doors. and at the
same touch liberated his servants from the
stocks, The language indicates that not
only Paul and Slas but all who were
lodged in the prison were freed Possibly
no others were bound, save as the doors
were Shut upon them. The keepers of the
prison was aroused by the shock, and
among his first perceptions was that ofthe
fact tha the prison doors were open. Ills
ma ural conclusion was that the prisoners
had fled; then came the thought of his
responsibility in the matter, and the
severe punishment that might be inflicted
upon him because oC their escape. 1t is
evident that in the comm motion the i4iler
did not apprehend what had transpired.
If he had waited long enough to have
taken in the situation, he would have
known that even the iron handed govern.
ment of Rome would not require of him
the safe keeping of prisoners when the
prison had been shaken to pieces by an
earthquake. But without any thought of
this kind he drew his sword and was
about to end his life. 1t is not easily
explained how Paul knew ofthis intention,
unless the .jailer thought alOud over the
situation. The premises seem to have
been in darkness, for his first act, after
hearing Paul's cry, was to call for light,
or lights, MS the new version las it. Paul
cried out just at the opportune time how
ever, and the man who WAS Just ready to
throw away his natural lite was saved,
and promp ed to seek life eternal. Paul's
cry gave him assurance upon one point
that had caused him the most alarm, the
prisoners were safe; and since that was
true, he was no longer in danger on
,ccount of his delinquency. We ctnnot
positively declare what the import of his
hasty question to Paul and Silas really
was. l. seems difficult to believe that his
fear then was of punishment by the gov
ernment, and Just us difficult to consider
it wholly Il sudden terror which the earth
quake had inspired 1t would seem rather
that the catastrophe was somewhat con
nected in bis mind with the presence of
Paul and Silas, and he began to think of
himself AS connected with this God who
N, ol bineul in bohal If # bi corvontc
The man was yet hardly under convc.
ton for sin, rs one who has known and
refused Christ for Il long time often comes
under conviction, but he was beginning to
be in trouble, and needed direction. His
conduct was that of man who is impor-
tunate TO know the way of peace. His
pre- rcstrating himself before Paul and Silas
IS strange conduct, unless we allow that
he recognized in them the servants of the
supreme God. His case is like that of the
centurion who witnessed the crucifixon
and attendant wonders; his Judgment at
once graspea the real bearing of the facts,
and Immediately lie asserts his conviction
his Lldu 10 'llS SUI VI bOtl. L uC iUSWCl
to his anxious inquiry, "what must do to
be savedp' was simple and direct. But
more teaching was added until the jailer
and his family, as i; would seem, set
about making these men Of God comfort
able as hey could. This done, they openly
avowed their faith in Jesus by receiving
/. 'rbop 1uitb bn fn np,i1v nf thn |
i ,iler, the prisoners as his guests, they all
partook of meal served in the jailels
apartments. This was Il good beginning
to a Christian life. Thoughtful care of
the servants of God, because they are
Gods servants, not only has surereward,
but it is good proof that grace has wrought
in the heart.
What change in the jailer and his
family! few hours before goddess. and
well nigh in despair, now, as Christian
household, rejoining in being permitted to
serve, and sit down with gospel evangels.
Some strange power seems TO have
wrought upon the magistrates also; for
without any attempt to look further into
the case they sent sereants or lictors. to
the prison with orders for their release,
Some think that the earthquake and its
effects had to do with this order. The
taller seems to have been rejoiced at the
order, and at once communicated il to
Paul. But he would not be treated thus
meanIv; with no opportunity to speak for