Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-04-27


Lesson Title: "Peter Delivered from
Prison"
Lesson Text: Acts IL: 10. Mem
orize v. II.
Golden Text: "The angel Jehovah
encampeth round about them that fear
him, and delivereth them."-Psa.
81: 7.
l. The Man in Prison.
Herod tried to stop Peters influence
by putting him in prison. Many a
king, or other government, has tried
the same plan. 1t always fails. The
quickest way to publicity and influ-
ence is sometimes through imprison-
ment. Reformers without number
have been put in Jail. From the
time of Peter to Bunyan, Luther, Gar
rison and Bouck White, there has re-
suited an influential literature. These
men are not in the same class but
they Illustrate the principle.
Today free speech is sometimes
threatened. Miss Elizabeth Flynn
tried to speak in Paterson, N. J.
She was arrested and the chief of
police gave her the choice of going
to Jail or of going home. To her re-
monstrance he replied: "You may
have the right to speak here but we
have the power to prevent you" 1t
was a mistake for which we shall
pay somewhere. 1t is the same blum
der the Industrial Workers of the
World are making. One of their
foundation principles is that might
makes right" 1t doesn't. They
also will pay for this blunder.
Meanwhile, what shall we do for
the men in prison for other reasons?
What are the greatest causes of i'm
prisonment? Why did an ex-convict,
once "Nnumber 11,221" present the
petition of 1000 men in Sing Sing,
Daunemora and Auburn prisons ask
ing for the passage by the legislators
at Albany of statewide prohibition
law? Were they right when they
said that 80 of every 100 men in pris-
on were there because of drink? Who
knows better than the men them
selves? Can the S1S,000,000 taxes
New York receives from saloons pay
for putting so many men in prison,
pay for the sorrow and misery caused
to countless women and children :?
What are you going to do about it?
|. Motives in Government
"Herod killed James, the brother of
John, with the sword. And when he
saw that it pleased the Jews, he pro-
ceeded to seize Peter also" He was
playing politics. His action was sim
ply an endeavor to curry favor The
same thing can be seen today. 1t is
perhaps more likely to occur in a de-
mocracy like our own. Men willing
to hold office by playing to the gall
cries" are altogether too common. So
called popular movements" may be
only the result of proper batting" by
Interests" or politicians. We have a
right to examine and demand the mo-
tives of our governors.
We must also see to it that the
poor secure justice as easily as the
rich. The alien, the laborer, the ig-
norant, and the black man, have rights
which states and courts are bound to
respect and protect.
III. Prayer Privileges and Problems
When Peter was put in prison
"prayer was made earnestly of The
church unto God for him." Doubtless
they prayed for James also. Why
was James killed and Peter released ?
Why are some prayers answered anc
others not? And why did this pray.
ing church doubt, Acts II; Is?
Back of all our doubt and ignorance
about prayer we may safely go tc
the example and teaching of Jesus
He prayed, often and regularly. He
taught, his diciples to pray. His com
mand and example are reinforced by
the instinct to pray. When we are Al
our best, we pray.
"More things are wrought by pray
er than this world dreams Of" There
are abundant evidences in every com
munity that prayers are answered
now. A praying father is blessing
a praying mother is safeguard anc
help; a praying man is a better citi
zen, worker, friend. No man wastes
time when he prays. He reinforce
his soul with the wisdom, resource
and power of almighty God!