The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-04-22
IHE SADDATHScHOOL lesson.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON For
APRIL 25.
Lesson Text: Peter Delivered From
Prison." Acts Kill, Is, IL
Golden Text; Psalm xxxiv.,
documentary,

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 doth God service" (John xvi.
81, y. From the glory after His ascension
He said, "The devil shall cast some OF YOU
into prison that ye may be tried. and we shall
have tribulation' Grow. H.. 10Y. But this
also we are perfectly sure of, that nothing
can possibly come to a child Of God without
Gods permission Dob l.. 10, u; Zech. H., 3.
3; Rom. Will, 2S).
6. Peter was sleeping between two SOL
diers, bound with two chains. and the keep
ers before the door kept the prison." The
enemy did his best to make sure of his prey.
Two words in the Greek tell tho story OF
James ~(anelle machaira) killed with n
sword. For Peter. God had other work yet
to be 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 deliverance seemed hopeless.
but the believers did all they could do and
cried instantly and earnestly to God
(marcin).
z. And behold the angel OF the Lord
me" Double guards, chains, bolted
doors and prison walls are nothing 10 one OF
those holy beings that excel In strength,
that do His commandments. hearkening
unto the voice of His word (Ps. Gill. 20).
From Heaven to earth as a flash of light
ming, through storm or sunshine, thov haste
to do His will and minister to His re-
deemed ones (Heb. l., IA; Eek. 1, Il; Acts
xvii. 20, 23.)
:. Cast thy garment about thee and fol-
low me-" Awakened by the angels touch.
Peter, loosed from his chains. nrose from be-
tween the still sleeping soldier and in the
light that shone in the prison girded himself
and bound on his sandals. There is no
stealth, nor injunction to step lightly, nor
fear of any kind, but the quietness and ma
iesty Of the power of Col.
8. Aud he went out and followed him.
and wist not that it was true which was
done by the angel; hut thought he saw q
vision In deepest trials God sometimes
gives restiul dreams or visions Of coming
blessings or deliverances, as when TO jacob
in his sorrowful journey from home IIs re-
vealed Himself TO him nj tho top OF tho
wonderful ladder on which angels wcro
seen ascending and descending (Gen. xviii,
~, 49,. 1t seemed TO Peter ~ II this wcrs
some such vision.
10. "rhey came unto tho iron gate that
leadcth unto tho 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 q mortal body doors aud
cntes must open. End they did without any
touch from human hands. The ~sameangelic
ministry attends usto-day. and all doors will
Nv open before us when our Lord desires il.
ii. Now | know OF n suretythat the Lord
hath sent His angel and hath delivered mo
out 70! the hand Of Herod." When Peter
found himself alone ont on the street In tho
night, he began to come to himself. There
rar 80 at ,--. ILL.,. liz -
him. no walls around him. but Gods earth
beneath him, Gods sky over his head. and
perhaps the stars looking peacefully down
upon him.. Thcn no began TO realize that for
the second time (Ac,s ", 49, M angel had
brought him out Of prison. No power can
hold those whom God wishes to set free.
II. "He camo to the house OF Mary, tho
mother OF John. whose surname was Murk,
where many were gathered together pray
ing" He had no difficulty in deciding
whittier to direct his steps, nor did the angel
need to tell him where to 20. Docs God see
that when you are free from the duties OF
daily cares you will promptly 90 to where
they meet for prayer? (Acts w., 23.)
IL. "And as Peter Knocked nj tho door OF
tho gate, n damsel came to ask who was
there named lhoda." Many womcn's names
which W. would like TO know. such as tho
mother OF David, are not found in Scripture.
Why should this girls name be- h IRE, mas
much as the Spirit does nothing without u
reason! IL any one has the answer, let us
hear 1t; II not, we can wait, and some day
we shall know.
IA. "And when she knew Peters voice shs
opened not the gate for gladness, but ran In
aud told how Peter stood before the gate"
Knowing Peters voice makes us think OF
John ", y. "My sheep hear My voice, and |
know them. and they follow Me-" Yet how
many hear His voice, but because they will
not open to Him He does not ONE in, and
they do not become His sheep. In this case
Joy caused Rhoda to lose her head, as wo
say, and she left poor Peter outside the gate
while she ran in to tell.
II. "And they said unto her, Thou art
mad. But she constantly affirmed that IL
SO. Then iidthey, tits his angel"
Yet they had heen praying that, II possible,
he r..;nt be released from his enemies (verse
81. Would we be about rs much surprised II
some Of our prayers were answered, or do
we always pray and expect an answer
l6. "But Peter continued knocking, and
when they hau opened the door and saw him
they were astonished." Peter was bound to
get in, and therefore kept knocking. That
IL the way to do, even rs our Lord taught us
In Luke XII. 3, 8; xviii, |. "Ye shall seek
Me and find Me when yo search for Ne with
nil your heart der. xxx, l3). The fear OF
the Lord, the knowledge OF God and wisdom
will he obtained when we seek II rs silver
and as men search for hidden treasure
prov. H., ~. Would gratitude or astonish-
ment I'LL US il we had to-day the answer long
looked for?
II. But he, reckoning unto them with
he hand TO hold their peace, declared unto
them how tho Lord had brought him out
OF the prison." Sitting them-which per-