The Detroit times., 1916-04-26
In the Religious World
WHEN A PREACHER BROKE JAIL


Antonio. the ruins OF which are stu
10 be seen by the visitor TO Jerusa-
lem. that Peter was incarcerated.
Here tradition says that Christ was
tried. We know not what memo
ries and musings filed the brain OF
Peter as he lay handcuffed TO his
guards, but this we are told, and the
truth is a precious one. that Peter
slept peacefully in his prison cell.
The church In the house OF Mary
might he awake in anguished sup
phcation for his deliverance. but
Peter slept In peace. sure that the
power which had stilled the waves
of Galilee was equal to any new
need OF his life.
While the prisoner slept the an
gel came. Startled, he must have
rubbed his eyes, assuming that the
summons TO death had arrived. Not
always do Gods angels come in this
fashion 10 deliver His people from
their manifold prisons. A few years
aso. some Korean Christians were in
prison for their faith. A missionary
on furlough in America told al a
dinner table how those simple-mind'
ed Christians we're sure that God
would send His angel TO open their
prison doors. and He did; for partly
a. a result OF that very conversation
there began an elaborate and far
reaching propaganda on the part OF
Christian Americans TO free the no
re an Christians by the power OF pub
lie sentiment. and this was done. We
cannot always recognize the messen-
gers OF heaven in the providences OF
God.
When Peters chains fell and he
stood before the radiant angel, he
could not believe his eyes. HE
thought he had been dreaming. and
when the prison. gates opened he
walked as in trance 10 the city.
whose gates opened before him. The
marvellous deliverance seemed so
amazing as to be incredible. That Is
the unbroken history OF the Chris
ton church. God has delivered His
people from their enemies In ways
that always pass belief. Il seems as
II the Deliverer of Israel delighted
in versatility and In His surprises
OF grace.
The Disrupted Prayer Meeting
Once in the city. Peter was left
by the angel The task of the heav-
emily visitant was over. Peter could
do the rest himself. Gods help ends
where mans ability begins. There
is no warrant for praying the Lord
to do what We should do for our
selves. Peter could not get himself
out OF prison, but once put safely in
the city, he could manage his own
movements. So after pondering the
/, situation he turned toward the home
of Mary. the mother OF Mark. where
he knew the Christians would be as
sembled.
The hour was late. Danger was
near. Herod's spies were in every
street Nevertheless, the little COM
pany of Christians were meeting in
continual prayer for their leader VINO
was in prison. That was not the
sort OF prayer meeting that grows
restless IL IL lasts even five min
utes past 9 o'clock. II In a beautiful
glimpse Of church in house that
this narrative gives US. As we see
In this cottage prayer" meeting,
when IL comes to praying, the
women may be counted on. How
constantly Christian women have
been driven to prayer. That was
a fearful. solemn meeting held in
Mary's house.
Suddenly all we're shocked by
vigorous knock at the door. Some
bad news" We can hear some pes
simist whispering. But young
Rhoda. or Rose. az her name means.
who could be easily spared, slipped
to the door % see what the inter.
ruption meant. There she heard
Peters voice and in her excitement
ran back TO tell the news without
opening the door 10 let him in.
Just like woman says a cynic.
Rhoda's tidings we're received with