The revelation was a new one-surprising to him, and still more surprising to the Jews, who thought to have monopolized every spiritual blessing, whether proceeding from the old or the new covenant.

And, now, what are we to gather in respect to prayer from the case of Cornelius? May we not hope that there are thousands in heathen lands, who do pray with the faith and sincerity of Cornelius: and, like him, are accepted of God? In lands where the Gospel shines, prayer, in order to be acceptable, must be offered in the name, and in the faith of Jesus Christ. To this, there is no exception, unless it be in those cases where the mind is darkened through unintentional ignorance or prejudice. But, in heathen countries, where the name of Jesus is unknown, prayer, in his name or in reliance upon him, is not to be expected. And yet, the "spirit of faith" may exist, we hope those dispositions of the heart which would embrace a Redeemer, were a Redeemer revealed. Cornelius embraced the Savior when he was offered to him: and prayer, ascending from any soul, and every soul which would embrace him, wherever it exists, in the heathen world, must be acceptable to God.

Let this thought comfort us in those dark and gloomy hours, which every Christian experiences, when pondering upon the state of the heathen world. There are there, indeed, thousands and tens of thousands of altars erected to Moloch and to the host of heaven. Yet, may we not hope that there are other altars here and there-not a few in the aggregatewhere prayer, according to the dim light of nature, is offered, and is acceptable to God?

But, were there a thousand more such altars than we have reason to believe there are, our efforts to extend the full blessings of the gospel to them should not be lessened. Rather should Christians, who appreciate the blessings of a throne of grace, increase their exertions in behalf of those who dwell in pagan lands.

O'er the realms of pagan darkness
Let the eye of pity gaze;

See the kindreds of the people

Lost in sin's bewild'ring maze.
Darkness brooding

On the face of all the earth.

Light of them that sit in darkness!
Rise and shine-thy blessings bring:

Light to lighten all the Gentiles !
Rise with healing in thy wing;
To thy brightness

Let all kings and nations come.

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.

PRAYER IN BEHALF OF PETER.

Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him.-Acts xii. 5.

In this chapter we have an account of a second persecution, to which the infant church was exposed. In the first persecution Stephen was involved, and attained to the honor of martyrdom. In this, Peter is seized, imprisoned, and condemned to death.

The author of this latter persecution was Herod, grandson of Herod the Great, who attempted the life of our Savior in his infancy, and nephew of Herod, by whose command the Baptist was beheaded. Prompted, either by his own bigotry for he was educated in the religion of Moses-or, to gratify the resentment of others, "he stretched forth his hand to vex certain of the church. James, the brother of John, he killed with the sword; and, because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also."

Upon his apprehension, Peter was imprisoned; and, that there might be no chance of escape, sixteen soldiers were

appointed to guard his person. At length, the day of his execution was fixed.

There was, apparently, now, no prospect of Peter's release. The apostles had no civil power; the church had none; and an appeal to Herod would be in vain. There was, however, one alternative; and to that, the church, in her extremity, resorts. The disciples assemble at the house of Mary-herself a devoted Christian-and there, during the night, they offer long and importunate supplications for the deliverance of Peter.

There are many instances of successful prayer recorded in the Scriptures; but few, if any, more joyful and surprising than that before us. Surely, the Church need never despair. Upon the estimate of human probabilities, there was no hope in respect to the escape of Peter. For, how could that prison be reached?—how that door be unlocked ?—how those keepers silenced?-how those fetters loosened?

But let us not anticipate. Peter is sleeping-at peace with God-at peace with himself. It was his last night. But there is within his bosom a good conscience, and the hope of immortality. Why not sleep calmly and secure? But his Divine Master is awake; the church itself is awake, and is at prayer: and, in answer to prayer, an angel of the Living God is dispatched to the prison, to release the apostle. We must, however, pass over the circumstances of his release. Suffice it to say, that under the guidance of the angel, he departs from the prison walls, and repairs to the house of Mary.

Peter knocks at the gate, and is heard by a damsel by the name of Rhoda. In a suppressed voice, Peter asks admittance; but, in the tumult of her thoughts, and in the excess of her joy, instead of unbarring the gate, she hastens to the disciples, and, to the surprise of all, announces that Peter himself is standing at the gate.

This was deemed impossible-and the damsel is pro

nounced "mad." But wherefore this unbelief? For hours, they had been praying, with all possible earnestness and importunity, for this very result; and, now, when told that Peter is safe, they cannot credit it, and prefer to think that the damsel is insane, than that their prayers are answered. And still more, upon her affirming that she is neither mad nor mistaken, they resort to another explanation, not less indicative of unbelief, that, probably, it is Peter's ghost!"

We do not say that there was any thing uncommon in the conduct of these disciples; but, there was a great want of faith. Christians often pray earnestly, but they are slow to believe that their prayers will be answered, and express great surprise when they are answered. How often is it that a revival is sought-ardently and importunately-and should, therefore, be expected: but when God pours out his Spirit, and sinners begin to be humbled and convicted, Christians are astonished that their prayers are thus answered.

This narrative suggests several important truths in regard to prayer. 1. Prayer is a direct means of obtaining blessings from God.

That Peter was delivered from the hands of Herod, in answer to the prayers of the Church, is evident from two facts. 1. That prayer was made for his release. And, 2. That God sent his angel for the special purpose of effecting his deliverance. The inspired penman has so connected these facts, that any other inference is impossible. They are stated as cause and effect. Had the Church not assembled, or had they not thus prayed, who will affirm that the apostle would have been delivered. But it is incredible, say some, that the high and mighty God should listen to the supplications of worms on his footstool. It is, doubtless, great condescension; but, why incredible? May not a child ask a favor of his parent? And may not the parent respond? God is infinite; but he hears when the young ́avens cry-he notices the falling sparrow-why not listen

to the cries of an immortal being? Why not rescue one at the instance of others, when that one is to be made an instrument of good to a world?

It is further objected, that God is immutable; and, therefore, cannot alter his purposes consistently. God is, indeed, immutable. He has decided never to alter his purposes; but it is his purpose, has been, and ever will be—an unchangeable law of his moral administration-to answer sincere and importunate prayer. Should he not answer such prayer, when such are his purposes, he might, indeed, be charged with mutability, inconsistency, and unfaithfulness. He has provided for a response to every faithful prayer, from the beginning to the end of time.

2. Prayer should be earnest. Steady, ardent, intense. Mr. Barnes observes that the word rendered "without ceasing," is found but in one other place in the New Testament. 1. Pet. 4: 8. "Have fervent charity among yourselves." The word conveys the idea that their prayers were earnest and fervent, rather than constant. They corresponded, in these respects, to the importance of the blessing sought. This was the life of a fellowdisciple of an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. The death of Peter at this juncture-of this ardent, bold, single-hearted champion of the Cross-would, seemingly, have been a severe blow to the rising Church of Christ. The disciples were quite right, then, in throwing into their prayers, that night, all the ardor of which they were capable; and, to that ardor, the spirit of God, we may believe, imparted his own divine energy in "groanings which could not be uttered."

3. Prayer should be persevering.

If the object sought, be important, why should it be relinquished? Why not pray on till the blessing is bestowed? This the child does. He gives not over seeking, till the parent grants his request, or decides that it cannot be con