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The Story of Redemption
Delivered by an Angel
On this last night before the execution a mighty angel, commis-
sioned from heaven, descended to rescue him. The strong gates
which shut in the saint of God open without the aid of human hands;
the angel of the Most High enters, and they close again noiselessly
behind him. He enters the cell, hewn from the solid rock, and there
lies Peter, sleeping the blessed, peaceful sleep of innocence and
perfect trust in God, while chained to a powerful guard on either side
of him. The light which envelopes the angel illuminates the prison,
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but does not waken the sleeping apostle. His is the sound repose that
invigorates and renews and that comes of a good conscience.
Peter is not awakened until he feels the stroke of the angel’s
hand and hears his voice saying, “Arise up quickly.” He sees his cell,
which had never been blessed by a ray of sunshine, illuminated by
the light of heaven, and an angel of great glory standing before him.
He mechanically obeys the voice of the angel; and in rising lifts his
hands, and finds that the chains have been broken from his wrists.
Again the voice of the angel is heard: “Gird thyself, and bind on thy
sandals.”
Again Peter mechanically obeys, keeping his wondering gaze
riveted upon his heavenly visitant, and believing himself to be dream-
ing, or in a vision. The armed soldiers are passive as if chiseled from
marble, as the angel again commands, “Cast thy garment about thee,
and follow me.” Thereupon the heavenly being moves toward the
door, and the usually talkative Peter follows, dumb from amazement.
They step over the motionless guard and reach the heavily bolted
and barred door, which swings open of its own accord and closes
again immediately; while the guard within and outside the door are
motionless at their posts.
The second gate, which is also guarded within and without,
is reached; it opens as did the first, with no creaking of hinges
or rattling of iron bolts; they pass without, and it closes again as
noiselessly. They pass through the third gateway in the same manner,
and at last find themselves in the open street. No word is spoken;
there is no sound of footstep; the angel glides on before, encircled
by a light of dazzling brightness, and Peter follows his deliverer,
bewildered, and believing himself to be in a dream. Street after street