The angel touched St. Peter gently and awoke him saying, "Arise quickly." And the chains fell from his hands. "Cast thy garment about thee," said the angel, "and follow me." St. Peter followed, not knowing what he did, for he thought he saw a vision.

They passed through the first and second wards of the prison, and came to the great iron gate, which opened of its own accord. They went out and passed through one street, and immediately the angel left him.

There, alone, in the quiet street, St. Peter stood astonished. He knew now that it was no dream. The Lord had sent His angel and had delivered him from the cruel king.

It was in the middle of the night, a good time to flee from the city, but he must first tell his friends of his release. He went to the home of Mary and knocked at the gate. And when he knocked, a little maid came to listen, whose name was Rhode.

In the Bible, we find the names of two little girls, Miriam, the sister of Moses, who watched over her baby brother lying on the river bank, and this Rhode, who went to open the gate for St. Peter.

It is pleasant to think that they were both good little maidens doing what they could to serve God. They were real little heroines. It took some courage for Rhode to leave those in the house, and to go alone through the dark court to open the gate. But it seems she was ready to do any little duty that came to her.

When she heard his voice, she was so glad and so excited that she did not stop to let him in. She ran joyfully back to tell them that St. Peter stood at the gate. They could not believe it, but Rhode was sure it was he. Then they said, "It is his angel."

Meantime, St. Peter kept on knocking, and at last they went to the gate. When they saw him standing there, they were overjoyed and so surprised that they could hardly believe it was really he.

Then he told them how he had been delivered, that God had sent His angel to open his prison door. Messengers were sent all over the city to tell the good news to all their friends. Then St. Peter left the city and went to another place.

In the morning when Herod and the enemies of the Church knew that St. Peter had escaped, they

were full of rage.

wide open.

There were the prison doors There were the broken chains lying

upon the floor, but the prisoner was gone.

How foolish it was for those wicked men to imprison St. Peter or try to put him to death!

Christ, the Divine Founder of the Church, had solemnly declared, "Thou art Peter," that is, a rock, "and upon this rock I will build my Church."

And Christ would surely preserve his life. St. Peter lived until the Church was firmly established. Bolts and bars and legions of soldiers would all have been powerless to prevent it.

"The walls were never built, the chains were never forged, the guards never breathed that could hold in bondage him whom God willed to be free."

Fear the Lord, all ye his saints; for there is no want to them that fear Him.

The rich have wanted, and have suffered hunger; but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good.

Psalm 33.

WHAT THE MOON SAW

"Oh, yes," said the

been a great traveler,

that is true, and have

seen many strange and wonderful sights. I am well acquainted with people all over the world.

"It is not too much to say that I have friends in every town and village on the globe. They all seem to like me and I prize their friendship very highly, I assure

GATHERING COCOANUTS.

you. I am glad to visit them just as often as I can.

"Last night I visited some little friends of mine who live in a great stone house. This house is built around four sides of a square court. In the courtyard is a fountain which plays all the time. The

water spray looks like silver in the moonlight. It makes sweet, tinkling music as it falls upon the stones.

"Vines creep and climb over the veranda, and tall, graceful trees sway gently to and fro. Orange, banana, cocoanut and palm trees are growing close to the house.

"There are no windows of glass in this old mansion, for it is so warm that none are needed. It is summer all the time in Porto Rico. There, I have told you where it is, and I did not intend to tell just yet.

"When Columbus made his second voyage to America, he found this beautiful island. I was present at the time. How delighted he was with the country! On every hand he saw beautiful flowers and luscious fruits of all kinds. No wonder he called it Porto Rico, the rich port.

"But let us return to my little friends in the big stone house. Alphonso and Maria Teresa were sitting in the courtyard last evening, talking of their pleasant trip to the seashore.

"It seems that they all went to a seaside picnic yesterday. I will tell you about it if you would like to hear it. Of course I was not present, but I