Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1897-04-23
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON ", SECOND QUARTER, IN
TERNATloNAL SERIES, APRIL 25.


but prayer was made without ceasing of
the church unto God for him" There is
no doubt but that God could prevent the
devil from touching one Of His children,
but such is not His way When on earth,
the Lord Jesus said: "In the world We
shall have tribulation Whosoever killeth
you will think that he doeth God service
(John xvi, 33, p. From the glory after
His ascension He said, "The devil shall
cast some of you into prison that We may
be tried, and We shall have tribulation"
(Rev. ii, 10). But this also we are perfect
ly sure of, that nothing can possibly come
to child of God without God S permission
dob !, 10, IL; zech ii, 3, s; Rom viii,
2S)
8. "Peter was sleeping between two sol
diers, bound with two chains, and the
keepers before the door kept the prison. "
The enemy did his best 20 make sure of
his prey Two words in the Greek tell the
story of James (aneile machaira) killed
with a sword For Peter, God had other
work yet to he accomplished and suffered
him to be placed in these circumstances
that He might show forth His power. In
the hands of the authorities and under the
constant guard of four soldiers, to two of
whom he was chained, the dcliverance
seemed hopeless, but the believers did all
they could do and cried Instantly and ear
ncstly to God (mGrgin)
T. And behold the angel Of the Lord
came. Double guards, chains. bolted
doors and prison walls are rothing to one
of those holy beings that excel in strength.
that do His commandments. hcarkcning
unto the voice Of His word ops CHI, POI
From heaven TO car,h as a fash of light
ming, through storm or sunshine, they
haste to do His will and minister to His
redeemed ones (Heb. l. Il; Eek /, Il;
Acts xvii, go, 23)
s. Cast thy garment about thee and
follow me" Awakened by the angels
touch, Peter, loosod from his chains. arose
from between the still sleeping soldiers
and in the light that shone in the prison
FirdCd himself and bound on his sandals
There is no stealth, nor injunction to step
lightly, nor fear Of ny,kind, but the quiet
ness and majesty of the power of God
9. And he went out and followed him,
and visit not that it was true which was
done by the angel; but thought he saw
vision" In deepest trials God sometimes
gives rcstful dreams or visions Of coming
blessings or dclivcrances, as when to Jacob
in his sorrowful journey from home He re-
wonderful ladder on which angels were
seen ascending and descending (Gen
xviii, II, 49, 1t seemed to Peter as if
this were some such vision.
10. "They came unto the iron gate that
lcadeth unto the city, which opened to
them of his own accord. The angel needed
no open gates or doors for him to pass
through, but for Peter in mortal body
doors and gates must open, and they did
without any touch from human hands
The same angelic ministry attends us to-
day and all doors will fly open before us
when our Lord desires it.
II. "NOw | know Of u surety that the
Lord hath sent His angel and hath dcliv-
cred me out Of the hand of Horod " When
Peter found himself alone out on the street
in the night, he began to come to himself
There were no chains upon him, no SOL
diers near him, no walls around him, but
Gods earth beneath him. Gods sky over
his head, and perhaps the stars looking
peacefully down upon him. Then he be-
gan to realize that for the second time
(Acts Y, l9) an angel had brought him out
of prison. No power can hold those whom
God wishes to set free.
II. He came to the house of Mary, the
mother of John, whose surname was Mark
where many were gathered together pray
ing" He had no difficulty in deciding
Whltner 10 uir 'I ms Steps nor uld the
ahgei heoq 10 tGll MN Whore TO 60 does
uou see Chat Wheh you are free rom the
uuVlGS Vi uallF cures you VIII NlhltIy go
" WAeIe my il'cro Ior prayer AcUs w. 20
10 Anu as TctCr hhocheu aV tne door
Vi INC e@Ue' ualnsel came 10 ask VINO was
thcrc halilGu hhooi' Many women 5
liai'ies "hlch we MoUiu ike 10 know, such
as inc lio'Ilcr Oh DAVID, are not FOUND IN
scripture why should TINS Elrl's name
DC mere, lhaslhuch rs the SplIlt does moth
ing WiChout reasohf II any one has the
answer let Us near II IL not we can wait,
ana some Gay we snail know.
H. Ana When she knew Peter voice
she opened not the gate Tor gladness, but
ran IN anG told how Peter stood before the
gate. knowing feter voice makes us
thihk OF John " % Ny sheep hear My
voice. ana Know them, and they follow
Me et now many hear His voice, but
because they Will not open TO Him He does
, not come in, ana they do not become His
sheep. In this case lOy caused RhOda TO