The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-05
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL.

International Lessons-By Henry ~. Grout,
ID. D.-Second ouarter.-April 5.-PauPs
voyage.-Acts ~: 1, 2, 1926
GOLDEN TExT.-l believe God, that it shall be
even SIS II was told me.-Acts 21:2o
1t was Agrippa's verdict that, had Paul
not made this appeal to ca sar, he might
have been set at liberty. Bat plainly there
was divine providence in the shapicg of
events which led him to do as be did. For
it was by this very means that his hearts de-
sire to visit Rome. and preach the eel
there, was to be accomplished. Moreover he
gained free passage. He went on 8 new
mission at his enemies expense. They
thought to hinder the Gospel, aud at every
point rather helped the good cause along. II
! is often so. Therefore let us take when OBJ.
stscles seem to be interposed on every hand.
OF the many points of interest here pre-
sehted, Number deserve particular atten-
! ton.
/. We see how impossible il is for rs al
ways to choose our company Il, p. Ones
Who'll earthly life is strikingly like ships
progress from one port to another. So we
read, and speak, OF the voyage of life" Bat
! in this instance we observe how diverse in
condition and character were the Apostles
companions. In all the ships company
. there were nearly three hundred
! persons. The I'VE" implies that
4, the narrator, Luke, was one of the number.
| Aristarchus, else where spoken of a" a fellow.
| laborer" (Philem. 2I) was another. These
| were congenial and helpful Julian, the GEN.
| turan, also proved a sort of Cornelius il
! manliness. But there were other sorts, no
| doubt-goc3 and bad, wheat and tares. in
| company. Here was opportunity to do good.
We might desire to withdraw to some saint 8
| rest, or delightful corner, where we should
be surrounded by the good only. Col does
not crafty this desire. He has discipline
| for US, and work also. We fad this In the
mixed society OF the world.
| 2. We are reminded OF the exposure in
| this world of the good as well as bad to storms
and perils IA, 15). The first days sail proved
| smooth and unhindered. Bat then the
| winds began to the contrary" And mot
| long after there ar-se tremendous wind,
| csllsd Euroclydonn-(E uroquilo, in the new
| version. This is what We should call
| typhoon or hurricane. That Paul and Luke
and Arhtarchus were on the ship made no
| difference.
| Why God does not make difference, in.
| deed why he suffers such ills at all, we may
not be able to explain. Is it needfal that we
should be? We know that God is Just, wise
| and good: we know that these things-.e ~
| pests and earthquakes, and perils to TEN pied
souls also-come BY his permission; and We
know that he has the best reason for all he
! does. Is not that enough? But there are
some things We can see. We can sea that
temptations do but test us-they do not COM
| pei Us; and with them there il ever provided
o way OF escape. And as for the storm which
sinks the ship. it only hastens the upright
souls entrance into the haven OF heavenly
rest.
| 8. We note the efforts and sacrifices men
cheerfully make to escape external ills 10
| l9)-Struck by ihe hurricane the seamen
lost 10 time in efforts to secure the b0at,
thus far towed astern. Then they used
helps undergirdlng the ship; that is passed
strong cs bies around it, after the ancient
fashion. to keep the planks from springing
apart Next they lightened the ship. throw
log The freight over board. Finally the " csst
out the tacKling of the ship. such gear and
furniture as could be moved,
| Here was effort and sacrifice. Wealth,
goods, msaus Of comfort, oil was willingly
surrendered. Why? To save life: the bodily
life. Were these men uuwise? Any body
would say, They would have been fools