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ACTS XII-THE PERSECUTION BY HEROD

the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

27¶ And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar.

29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea:

30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Chapter 12

1 King Herod persecuteth the Christians, killeth James, and imprisoneth Peter; whom an angel delivereth upon the prayers of the church. 20 In his pride taking to himself the honour due to God, he is stricken by an angel, and dieth miserably. 24 After his death, the word of God prospereth.

JOW about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee and follow me.

9 And he went out and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord; and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, 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.

12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

Christ Waits on His Disciples

BY FORD MADOX BROWN, A LEADER OF THE ENGLISH
PRE-RAPHAELITE SCHOOL, DIED 1893.

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"Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter said unto him, Lord dost thou wash my feet?”—John, 13, 6.

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N THE next day, Thursday, Jesus went up to Jerusalem with His apostles to what He knew, and had warned them, would be His last meal upon earth. This Thursday was the day of the Passover, and the Paschal feast or supper was held by every Jewish family. So Jesus arranged to have His family, "the twelve," around Him for the last time. He sent Peter and John ahead to a certain "large upper room furnished and prepared," telling them by what miraculous means they should find it. In the evening when they had all gathered in the room, Jesus took a basin of water and began to do for each of these chosen friends that Eastern act of hospitality, the washing of their feet. They were loath to permit such a reversal of their humble position toward Him. Peter, especially, protested, "Thou shalt never wash my feet." But the Master warned him, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." Whereon Peter eagerly surrendered: "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head."

When the solemn ceremony was ended, Jesus explained that it was a final warning to them all against ambition." "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet."