XXI.

THE DEATH OF THE THIRD HEROD.

Acts, xii. 18-23.

As soon as it was day the soldiers were ready to lead Peter out to die, but they could not find him. They could not think what had become of him.

Herod heard that Peter was missing, just as he was expecting to see him led forth in chains. He sent for the soldiers who had the charge of him, and asked them where he was; and when they could not tell him, he had them all put to death, instead of Peter. Afterwards this cruel man made a journey to Cæsarea. That was the place where Cornelius lived. It was a very grand city, and there was a grand palace in it for King Herod. There was another grand building in it, where the multitude often came to

see shows of men wrestling, and beasts fighting.

Herod's chief servant was named Blastus. This Blastus told Herod that some men were come from Tyre in a ship, and that these men wanted to ask the king's pardon for something they had done to affront him.

Herod agreed to see the men from Tyre, and he fixed a day for their coming to the grand building. A multitude assembled to hear Herod speak to the men of Tyre. There were stone seats for the multitude from the floor to the ceiling, all round this vast hall, and there was a great purple throne for Herod in the midst.

Herod wished to look very splendid and glorious that day. He was dressed in glittering robes of silver, which when the sun shone dazzled the eyes of the beholders.* Blastus brought in the men of Tyre to hear the king's speech. * Josephus

Then Herod made a speech to the people, and he used such fine words that the people shouted, and cried out, It is the voice of a god and not of a man!' This was a wicked thing to say. I am sure if Cornelius was there he did not join in the shout. Herod felt pleased with the words. He liked to be thought a god.

But God was so much displeased with the words that He sent His angel to make Herod ill that very moment. He felt such horrible pain that he could not stay on his throne, and he was carried by his servants to his bed. Then his flesh was eaten by worms while he was still alive. No doctor could cure him, and in five days he died. Thus every one saw how unlike he was to a god.

God showed by sending him this loathsome disease how much He hates pride-even a proud thought.

His

sin was-liking to be called a god, and

not giving Jesus the glory. Was it not a proud thought to like to be called a god?

We have heard of three Herods, and all were very wicked.

The first killed the babes of Bethlehem.

The second killed John the Baptist. And the third killed James and mocked Jesus, and would have killed Peter if he could.

They were all proud of being kings, and they all hated the true King of the Jews.

'Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, "I am a god;" yet thou art a man and not a god.' Ezek. xxviii. 2.

XXII.

THE CHRISTIANS OF ANTIOCH.

Acts, xi. 19 to end.

Do you remember where Saul had gone when he left Jerusalem ? He had gone to his own country-his native country-Tarsus.

At Tarsus he had played when he was a little boy--at Tarsus he had sat on his mother's knee-at Tarsus he had been taught to repeat his first Jewish prayers.

Now he could tell his parents (if they were alive) about Jesus; now he could tell his old playmates about Him who was crucified at Jerusalem a little while ago. But he knew he must not stay there always, for God had chosen him to preach to all nations.

One day a man arrived in Tarsus,

inquiring for Saul.

Who was this

man? Saul's kindest friend. When the