ing hold of God, and his duty was becoming
irksome, so he cried unto the Lord in his trouble. "I let them all go to
bed," said he, "and had an all-night of prayer," and his chains fell off.

VERY QUIETLY. Not a single soldier was awakened. God can speak in
loudest tones, as at Phillippi. He can bring His people out without
anyone knowing, till they tell the tale themselves. It has often been
the case, that some gentle, quiet preacher has been the instrument of
deliverance to the Lord's chosen ones. There has been a revolution in
nature. What a blessed change! How the chains of winter have fallen
off, and that surly east-wind jailer been dismissed without noise or
clamour.

When free, Peter went to tell those who had prayed him out. He found
them in a state of great surprise. How good of God not to limit our
success in prayer by our faith, or the want of it. In this also He does
"exceeding abundantly." Still they did not fail, depend on it, to praise
the Lord. Herod soon found it out, and was abashed. He would not dare
to meet a Christian in the street, for the smile on the believer's face
would say, "His chains fell off." Do not let us who can pray be ever
discouraged. We can touch the heart of God, so let us sing--

"The Lion of Judah shall break every chain,
And give us the victory again and again."

ISAIAH I.

I.--Feed an ass once, and he will know the place again. Feed a sinner
all his life, and you only make him more capable of rebellion (verses 2
and 3.)

II.--There are no wounds smart like those given by God's rod (verses 6
and 8.)

III.--Sin manufactures dunces so stupid, that even God's rod cannot mend
them (verse 5.)

IV.--Religion without piety sickens God (v. 11, 14.) There are folk in
church and chapel more hateful to God than those in the public-house.

V.--Sin is dirt (verse 16.)

VI.--God can bleach even crimson-dyed hands (v. 18.)

VII.--Those who are strong to sin shall burn in a fire hotter than their
lusts, and more quenchless than their hatred to goodness (verses 28 and
31.)

VII. LEAPING AND PRAISING.
ACTS iii, 8.

Little did the lame man's friends think that this was the last time they
should ever carry their dear one to the spot where he begged his bread.
Perhaps you have offered your last prayer to-day for some one's
salvation. He may come home to say, "Carry me no more, but let me walk
with you to heaven."

No one could blame the poor