An obvious CONCLUSION from the CIRCUMSTANCE of ST. PETER'S IMPRISONMENT and RELEASE. Acts xii

Deep in the dungeon's hateful gloom, The victim of tyrannic hate, Lo! Peter bows to cruel fate, And, gall'd with fetters, meets his doom: Remorseless Herod gave the word, And soldiers grasp the vengeful sword To keep their captive there; And harden'd keepers vigils keep, While Peter, sunk in peaceful sleep, Knows respite from his care.

For Peter's sake the ransom'd few With melting hearts and earnest cries, And prayers, that sweet as incense rise, Their supplicating vows renew; The God of saints inclin'd his ear, And listen'd to their urgent pray'r, And order'd quick relief; For in the troubles of his saints, He hears with pity their complaints, And feels for all their grief.

Sent on an errand of his grace, An angel wings for Peter's cell (Such embassies please angels well) Commission'd Peter to release: So all who feel a chain within, That binds them fast the slaves of sin, Like liberty would share, If they could but by faith aspire Upon the wings of pure desire, And try—the force of prayer.