the apostles, when they expected nothing but death.

King Herod had persecuted many of the Christians, and killed by the sword James, the brother of John; finding that this pleased the Jews, he also caused Peter to be arrested; but, as the feast of the Passover was at hand, he had him cast into prison; giving him in charge to four files of soldiers, and intending, after the festival, to bring him forth to the people for execution.

2. While Peter was kept in prison, the faithful prayed without ceasing to God for him; and during the night preceding the day fixed for his execution, as he slept between two soldiers, bound with chains, and watched by the keepers of the prison, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared beside him, light shone in the room, and the angel touching him on the side, awakened him, saying, "Arise quickly." The chains instantly fell from his hands, and then the angel said to him, "Gird thyself, and put on thy sandals."

When he had done so, the heavenly spirit directed him to put on his garment, and follow him. They accordingly went forth, Peter following the angel, but not knowing whether these strange occurrences were real, or whether he only beheld a vision. When they had passed the first and second ward, they reached an iron gate which led to the city, and which was carefully shut, but it opened of itself to let them pass. After this they proceeded along one street, and here the angel departed. Then

it was that Peter understood what had occurred, and coming to himself, he said, "Now I know in very deed that the Lord hath sent His angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews."

And having considered what was best for him to do, he went to a house where many Christians were assembled in prayer. When he had knocked at the door, a servant named Rhoda came to ask who wanted admittance, and recognising Peter's voice, her joy was so great that she did not wait to open the door, but ran in to tell the good tidings. The little company pronounced her out of her senses; but as she persisted that Peter was at the door, they said, "It is his angel." Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking: they opened the door at length, and, when they saw him, they were transported with joy and surprise. Signing with his hand that they should be silent, he related the details of his miraculous escape from prison; and, having desired them to make these things known to the faithful, he went away into another place. When day dawned there was great confusion amongst the soldiers, who wanted to know what had become of Peter. Herod also sought for him, and finding that the prisoner could not be produced, he had the guards tried, and put to death.

3. But Herod soon after received the punishment of his pride and cruelty. Seated on a throne, and arrayed in his royal robes, he made an oration to the people, who cried out, "It is

the voice of a god, and not of a man!" and as he listened to the blasphemy without reproving the guilty flatterers, an angel of the Lord instantly struck him, and he who had refused to God the honour due to Him died, eaten by

worms.

QUESTIONS.

1. How did Herod treat the Christians? 2. By what miracle was St. Peter delivered from prison ?

3. How was Herod punished for his pride and cruelty?

"Wo to thee that spoilest, shalt not thou thyself also be spoiled? And thou that despisest, shalt not thyself also be despised?

"When thou shalt have made an end of spoiling, thou shalt be spoiled: when, being wearied, thou shalt cease to despise, thou shalt be despised."-Isaiah xxxiii. 1.

"And they shall go out, and see the carcases of the men that have transgressed against Me: their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be a loathsome sight to all flesh."-Ibid. lxvi. 24.

LESSON LXII.

ANANIAS AND SAPHIRA.-TABITHA RAISED TO
LIFE.

1. It was not only to protect the apostles, and manifest the Divine origin of our holy religion, that God was pleased to work miracles in the early ages of Christianity. His Almighty power was also exercised in maintaining the purity and integrity of the laws of the gospel. The first miracle of this description was destined as a punishment of hypocrisy and falsehood, and as a proof of the horror with which God regards these vices.

2. When the multitudes converted by St. Peter's first discourse had been baptized, and had received the Holy Ghost, they were animated by a faith so lively, and a charity so ardent, that they seemed to have but one body and one soul. They were all united in one hope; they all evinced an equal patience in trial; and were inflamed with the same zeal for prayer and for the glory of God. They shared all they possessed, one with the other, taking care that there should be no poor among them; and it often happened that those who had lands or houses sold them, and brought the price to the apostles, who afterwards distributed to every one according to his need.

3. Thus Joseph, surnamed Barnabas, having

an estate, sold it, and laid the price at the feet of the apostles.

4. A certain man named Ananias, having sold a field, made pretence of bringing the money he had received for it to the apostles: but, instead of bringing the entire sum, he, with the consent of his wife, Saphira, kept back part of it, wishing, doubtless, to gain credit for disinterestedness, whilst he, at the same time, indulged his avarice.

But Peter said to him, "Ananias, why hath Satan tempted thy heart so as to make thee lie to the Holy Ghost, and, by fraud, keep back a part of the price of thy land? If thou hadst wished to keep it, was it not thy own? And having sold it, did not the money still belong to thee? Why then didst thou design this in thy heart? Thou hast not lied to men, but to GOD."

5. And Ananias, having heard these words, fell to the ground, and immediately expired, so that those who were present were filled with great fear. And some young men, who stood by, carried him away and buried him.

About three hours after, his wife, who knew nothing of what had passed, came in, and Peter said to her, "Woman, tell me the truth: Have you sold the land for so much?" And she said, "Yes, for so much." Then Peter said, Why have you agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, those who have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee away also." And immediately she fell at his feet and expired.

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