The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-10-27

execution. We may suppose an extra guard
was duty. Two OF said soldiers were in
the cell aud two OH guard at the gates of the
prison. st. Peter WAS chained between the
soldiers. The prisoner was in night garb
simply. ". 81 We cannot tell how long he
had been in prison. IL seems he was arrested
during the feast that lasted seven days. The
execution was to be Immediately afterHard
We may suppose he was in prison for at least
week.
C. Escape. Notwithstanding the unfsyorabls
surroundings IL seems St Peter was asleep.
making it necessary for the Angel to wake him
up by sort of shaking. ". a. II is found
persons TO be executed often sleep very sOuudly
the night prior to death. BY some strange
anaesthctic the two soldiers chained to St.
Peter Slept unmolested by the presence OF
the Angel. the light, the clang OF chains, the
opening Of grated doors. ". Isl There was
the utmost caImness No hurry Time for
deliberate dressing. There was simply the
quickness of cool sensible dispatch. No loiter-
ing. No hesitation. Doors opened and shut.
There was 10 more than necessary interven-
ton of miracle.
81. Peter found himself out Of prison. The
Angel had done his part and left For the
moment 81. Peter was in q maze. He was as
one who excaims, - Ii is too good to be truei"
The people were to be disappointed. They ex-
pectcd his execution. (V. H. Something must
be done. What more natural than to 20 to
some home, the inmates of which were known
to him. Mary was sis'er of Barnabas As
her brother gave his life to the ministry, so
the sister made her home welcome to Christian
assemblies. Even then a prayer service was
being held in interest Of st. Peter, whom they
expected would be executed that night next
morning. ST. Peter knocked at the door; there
were probably then no knobs bells. electric
signals. Rhoda went to the door. st. Peter
spoke and his voice was recognized IL was
Cd ktul- - kn1
have been An impression he had been slain, and
that his spirit was visiting them. He cautioned
them not to be bosterous. since it might lead
to his reaTrest; to be quiet and hear his story.
Query: Did he not know Of the death Of st.
James ". ~? or was James executed later?
We do not know how matters proceeded as
to St. Peter. He got out of the way; and
Herod seemed not anxious 20 have him ar
rested. Seemingly no rewards were offered,
nor special efforts made to capture him.
g. Suggestions.
l. Please God rather than the people. 8.
Please both God and men if you can. III it be
question as to which, decide in Gods favor.
2. Respect seasons. ". H. 1t was thought
unseemly to execute a criminal during great
church festival. We see this illustrated in the
general custom prevailing of not sentencing
criminals 10 suffer death, e. e, on Good Friday,
on Sunday, or. indeed. OH Thanksgiving
Day, Fourth of July, etc. In fact, in some
States custom has gained ground of pardon
ing several prisoners on, e. g., Thanksgiving
Day.
3. We notice that many really good man
has been imprisoned, as ST. Paul, Bunyan. etc.
Piety has been regarded as crime. a.
4. Pray for persons who are in peril. persecu-
ton, ETC. Is, 12)
s. God helps us only where We cannot aid
ourselves. I0)
6. God now in thousand ways comes to the
help of his people.
z. Give heed to our prisons. Be merciful to
prisoners See that the innocent are not pun
ished. Do not chain prisoners. Let prisons
be healthful.
8. Persist. Do not easily give up. 49, CT.
" Without ceasing." ". 5.)
9. On knocking in religious sense read st.
Mt, TT, g.