The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-12

GOLDEN Textile thanked God and took courage.
Act xviii To-
HOME READINGS.
Hospitality of the Ephraimite Judges XIX 1921
The Feast at SiInons Luke vii. $3.50
Deeds OF Mercy ----.--------. Rom. XII 9-50
The Seeming Prosperity of the Wicked job xiv 2I6
Divine Vengeance deprecated --.-. Psa lxxxiii
Gods Everlasting Mercies Zeph iii l4-2o
LET the incidents the geography and the history of
this lesson be carefully studied The teachers by
using ali the helps that fair knowledge OF history
and geography will give him make graphic and
impressive picture of Paus life the island, of his
landing upon the shores of Italy and of his progress
upon the celebrated Appian way that led to Rome.l
There can be no question that Paul was ship
wrecked on what we now know as the island of
Malta, and since then made famous by the his
tory of the middle ages. 1t was a chill, stormy,
desolate morning, and 1t was joy to find that
though the natives were barbarous. yet they
were full Of kindness and humanity, and at once
built great fire because Of the present rain and
cold. We know not how far they may have
been overruled by the Spirit of the Lord, for it
was mo common kindness-Rev Ver. that was
shown. But barbarian" may mean nothing
more than difference in language. The natives
of Melita probably came from the old Phenician
stock, and were not barbarians in our use of the
word. The incident of the lesson is of great in
terest
Paul, in his usual active, earnest way begins
to gather wood for the fire. In the bundle he
had collected was chilled serpent that, when
brought to the fire. crawls out and fastens on
Pauls hand Knowing the viper 70 be poison
Gus, and seeing the chains on Pauls hands, the
innocent natives Immediately concluded that he
p1urderer, and, though he had escaped the
sea, yet vengeance on his track. and sends
this serpent. to kill him. In the old Greek myth
ology Nemesis, vengeance, swas a daughter
of the great God and they at once see its pres
ence, for though it does not say that Paul was
bitten by the serpent, yet such is the evil
dent meaning. for they are greatly sur
prised that he felt no harm. But these barba-
rlanS were no further astray than when
we assume to interpret the meaning of provi-
dence and the presence of ''the hand of God"
We fall into the same habit of judging men by
their misfortunes, and we sometimes try to find
divine purpose in some accident that has come
to ourselves. Some morbid souls in this way
count themselves children of wrath. And now,
when Paul does not fall down dead suddenly,
then these natives, with the quick revulsion of
feeling common to barbarans and children,
sumo that Paul must be god himself. Doubt
less he was protected by divine power, according
to the promise of the Lord. Mark xvi, Is; Luke
x, 49,
Whether through the native Maltese. or
through the centurion reports came to Publius,
the chief man of the island, of the needs Of the
Roman troops it is certain that he entertained
the company of Paul with all courtesy three
days Arrangements were probably then made
for their comfort so long they should be COM
PEELED to remain on the island. Always alive to
human distress and misery, when the apostle
learned of the sickness of Publius's father, he
went to visit him. With hearty sympathy he
prayed for him, and in the name of Jesus laid
his hands on him and healed him. The news
soon spread that there was a wonder worker in
the place. and others who had diseases came to
Paul and were healed. Surely some converts
were made among this people by the labors and
preaching of the faithful minister!
They remained on the island for three months,
and then set out for Rome. The inhabitants
honored Paul and his companions with many
honors, and gave them everything necessary for
the voyage. Good deeds requited with
kindness. The ship they embarked in was the
Castor and Pollux, gods worshiped by sailors,
deemed themselves safe under their pro-
lection. They first landed at Syracuse, city in
Sicily, about eighty miles from Malta. They
waited here for three days probably for favor
able wind, and then were obliged to fetch a
compass or make circuit, by sailing wind
ward until they could sail through the
Straits of Messina. The south wind was favor
able, and they soon reached Puteoli, the largest
and most important harbor on the western coast
of lower Italy. 1t is on the famous and
beautiful Bay of Naples There Christian greet
ing awaited the heroic apostle, and loving en-
treaty prevailed with the centurion to permit
stay of seven days. Whence Christianity found
it's way to Puteoli-from Rome or from Alex
andria-we have knowledge The week
sped quickly, and then the company moved
onward toward Rome over the famous
"Appian way" to be met at forty and thirty
miles distance, respectively, by two companies
of Christians, who had learned of Pauls coming,
and came out to do honor to 1.-The prisoner of the
Lord" This mark of esteem from those who
had not before seen his face, touched his heart
to praise and courage He thanked God" and
his long tried courage and endurance was rein
forced by this practical sympathy from devoted
Christian hearts The day was dawning, and
Paul was soon to preach the gospel sin Rome
Also"
TRUTHS TO BE IMPRESSED
Who honors the servant honors the King
The ''barbarous people" served the Master when
they served the needy. Both were strangers;
both proved truest and best friends.
''The prayer of faith shall save the sick"
Faith is the great healing agency to both body
and soul. The healing of the soul means eternal
health to both body and SOUL
''We went toward Rome" That was Gods
plan fer Paul that was Pauls purpose for God.
All winds speed the vessel which carries Gods
messenger and message. All the advances of
civilization have made more effective the eff
forts of Christianity to save the world We
need have no fear that the progress of science or
the increase of knowledge will hinder the ad
vance of His kingdom. AS the Lord used the
Greek language and the Roman laws the Egyp-
tan commerce and the Hebrew prosecutions
used them in spreading knowledge of Jesus
Christ-so to-day every art and science, and IN
vention shall, in some way, help to hasten tho
day of His final coming.
Christian Greeting-The bravest, strongest
hearts under the strain and burden of life are Ii
able to grow discouraged. A faithful worker, see
ing no fruit, may lose heart You can do no
better work, Christian friend, than to encourage
the heart of your pastor Sunday-sehool SUI
perintendent by speaking to them words of
sympathy and love. In the midst of success
everybody speaks weland hopefully to you and
then you do not so much need it. But when
there is no revival and no manifest fruitage
from your labor then you need It. and he who
comes out of his way to greet you and bless you
causes you to thank God and take courage
An example-Paul used every opportunity for
work and ministry. Do the duty nearest at
har a. ho a halrful lyhriStiau md NIL h.