144
The Acts of the Apostles
upon the disciples of Christ, and he rejoiced that his eyes had been
opened to see, and his heart to feel, the power of the glorious truths
which once he despised.
With astonishment the other prisoners heard the sound of prayer
and singing issuing from the inner prison. They had been accustomed
to hear shrieks and moans, cursing and swearing, breaking the silence
of the night; but never before had they heard words of prayer and praise
ascending from that gloomy cell. Guards and prisoners marveled and
asked themselves who these men could be, who, cold, hungry, and
tortured, could yet rejoice.
Meanwhile the magistrates returned to their homes, congratulating
themselves that by prompt and decisive measures they had quelled
a tumult. But on the way they heard further particulars concerning
the character and work of the men they had sentenced to scourging
and imprisonment. They saw the woman who had been freed from
satanic influence and were struck by the change in her countenance
and demeanor. In the past she had caused the city much trouble; now
she was quiet and peaceable. As they realized that in all probability
they had visited upon two innocent men the rigorous penalty of the
Roman law they were indignant with themselves and decided that
in the morning they would command that the apostles be privately
released and escorted from the city, beyond the danger of violence
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from the mob.
But while men were cruel and vindictive, or criminally negligent
of the solemn responsibilities devolving upon them, God had not
forgotten to be gracious to His servants. All heaven was interested in
the men who were suffering for Christ’s sake, and angels were sent to
visit the prison. At their tread the earth trembled. The heavily bolted
prison doors were thrown open; the chains and fetters fell from the
hands and feet of the prisoners; and a bright light flooded the prison.
The keeper of the jail had heard with amazement the prayers and
songs of the imprisoned apostles. When they were led in, he had seen
their swollen and bleeding wounds, and had himself caused their feet
to be fastened in the stocks. He had expected to hear from them bitter
groans and imprecations, but he heard instead songs of joy and praise.
With these sounds in his ears the jailer had fallen into a sleep from
which he was awakened by the earthquake and the shaking of the
prison walls.