his chains immediately fell off from him, and having put on his sandals, and cast round him his cloak-both which in those hot countries were usually laid aside within doorshe went out of the prison following this glorious being, though he thought all the time that he was only dreaming. The soldiers still thought they were keeping watch as these two passed through the different wards and courts of the prison, and through the iron gates leading to the city, which opened of their own accord, unknown to the sentinels. When they had fairly got through into the open streets, the angel disappeared.

Then S. Peter knew that he was not dreaming, but wide awake; and that the LORD had sent His angel, and had delivered him out of the hand of Herod.

There was "no small stir" in the morning when it was found that S. Peter was gone away, and Herod caused the keepers who had been appointed to guard him to be put to death.

It was said that a little portion of the chain with which he had been bound was sent as a gift to the Emperor Justinian; and that little filings of these chains used to be enclosed in a small gold cross or key, and worn round the neck by persons to whom they had been

sent.

S. Peter's first mission was to the newly converted Christians in Samaria, whither he

was sent with S. John to confirm those whom S. Philip had gained to the Faith. When the Apostles finally separated to preach and carry on the Gospel all over the world, S. Peter travelled first in Phoenicia, a heathen country bordering on Palestine, where he founded several churches; thence he went forward to many places northward and westward, and became himself the first Bishop of Antioch.

Afterwards, in advanced years, he went to Rome, then the greatest place in the known world; and both he and S. Paul preached and taught here for some time. And here, at the same period, both met their death.

That cruel and bad man, Nero, was Emperor of Rome at this time, which was about sixty-nine years from the birth of our SAVIOUR. There was in Rome a magician called Simon Magus, a very clever man, who did many curious things, which made the people follow him, and attend to and believe what he said. This was a pity, for he was a most wicked and profane man; he not only spoke what was untrue, but impious-calling himself God.

He said also that he had power to raise the dead, and trying to do so, of course he failed; and S. Peter directly restored this dead person to life. Also Simon Magus made himself wings, pretending to fly; but you may be sure these failed him; and he fell, and died of his bruises.

This man was a great favourite with the emperor, who was very fond of magicians, and it is said that S. Peter was thrown into prison because Nero was so angry about this.

In about eight months he was brought out to be crucified, but was first scourged, as was usual. When brought to the Cross he desired the executioners to fasten him with his head downwards, because he did not think himself worthy to suffer in the same posture that our SAVIOUR had done.

It is said that a Christian, named Marcellinus, embalmed the body in the way, as you will have read of our SAVIOUR, it was the custom of the Jews to embalm dead people; and that this great Apostle was buried in what was called the Vatican, where there was a magnificent church erected to his memory. suppose it is the grandest in the world.

I

S. Peter wrote two Letters or Epistles, which you will find in the New Testament. It is said that the last was written (as was the second from S. Paul to Timothy) when the writer knew that he was about to suffer martyrdom. I well believe it; I have read of many Christians, since that time, who, even at the point of death-a quiet death, or a fearful, cruel death, as it might be-have thought only of others, not of themselves.

But S. Peter had undergone greater trials

than his own death, for he had seen his wife, the loved wife and companion of many a long year, led away to execution, because she was a Christian.

But he forgot his own grief and loss to succour her. He comforted and supported her. He told her it was an honour to die for CHRIST; reminding her earnestly and soothingly of Him and His meritorious death and Passion.

S. JAMES THE GREAT.

JULY 25.

"One of that chosen three, who found such grace, To be admitted to the secret place

Of His life-giving Presence, from the sight
Of the rude world there lost in radiant light.
Nor know we aught of thee, the great and good,-
The son of thunder, and baptized in blood,-
Nor thought, nor word, nor deed."

AMONG the holy Apostles were two named James. Of S. James the Less, the first Bishop of Jerusalem, you have already read. The Apostle whose life and memory are celebrated to-day was called S. James the Great: why so is not known. Some think perhaps because he was a much older man than the other, for he was called also S. James the Elder; perhaps for some peculiar honours and favours conferred upon him by our SAVIOUR which were not shared by all the disciples. He was with our LORD (as were two