The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-29

PaulS Voyage. Acts XVII, j, ~ I4-ZO
Paul Foresees Danger Acts XVII, 5-i3
The ANGELS Charge Mark xvi, lib
The Manner of Resurrection. .-..--.1 Cor XIV, 80 SO
Belief in the Resurrection job xix, 21-29
| The Resurrection Necessary, Luke xiv Sc SO
The Resurrection Foretod --.---.-..Psa. xvi, ILL
CHARACTERS. Paul, Julius, Roman officer;
Aristarchus, a Macedonian OF Thessalonica, and
Luke, the historian.
PLACE AND TINE. The ship in the Mediter-
ranean sea. The geography of the lesson should
be studied and the situations of the several
places mentioned clearly fixed. The time iss the
autumn of the year co. probably between Aug
Il, when they sailed from Cesarea, to Nov. l.
the time of the shipwreck On the island of
Malta.
THE LESSON. The determination to send
Paul to Rome was occasioned by the Apostles
appeal ch. 25), in the exercise of his right as a
Roman citizen. The only matter left to the dis
erection of the Governor was as to the time and
manner of the journey. Deciding on a sea voy-
age, Paul, with certain other prisoners per-
haps political, was intrusted to the care of a
centurion named julius. ''of Augustus band"
1t is not clear what the reference to
Augustus means-whether the title was
merely one of honor for particular cohort,
or whether it indicated the service to which
the troops were assigned: nor can we wisely in
fer the reasons for selecting Julius for this serv-
ice of conducting prisoners to Rome. The party
took passage in ship of Adramyttium, intend
ing to coast along by Asia.
The mention of Aristarchus as of Pauls COM
pany on board the vessel, indicates that the
kindly courtesy, with which he was treated by
the Roman officials at Cesarea, was continued;
and it is probable from the narrative that Luke
also accompanied the apostle.
At Myre, in Lycia, they re-elnbarked, and
sailed southwark along the coast of Crete, to
Fair Ravens, the port of Lasea. Here Paul al
vised remaining for the winter but the owners
and the masters of the vessel decided on sailing
for Phenice, harbor some forty miles further
west where there was better roadstead. In
favorable weather the distance could be ac-
complished in few hours; and when the south
wind blew softly" they hoisted sail, thinking the
conditions propitious. But the diyinefy taught
landsman ". 10y was in this wiser than the
weatherWise Seamen: for mot long after they
were overtaken by
THE SToRM.-As they attempt to double the
Cape Matala, few miles beyond Fair Ravens,
they are caught by an east northeast wind
called Eurocydon, the name indicating the direc-
ton of the storm. The sailor of to-day knows it
as a Levanter, and breads its power. So fearful
was it that they could not bear up into the
wind, they could not hold the vessels head
toward the northeast and were obliged to let
her drive or be driven by the Eurocydon.
The vessel was carried for over twenty miles
before they gained any control of the helm, and
then they under the opposite side of the lit
tie island of CLAUDIA. In this place they, with
much work. take on board the small boat they
had dragged through the water after them.
They then used helps by drawing large cables
| under the keel of the vessel, undergirding the
ship or Trapping" it, as it is now called This
sort of tackling was common in their ships as
1, ~ctA~ 1+un, ,o1 hxr %1a NE
wind against the single huge sail. Their fear
now was that they should fall into the quick
sands [should be cast upon the Syrtis Rev.
Yer. This dangerous place on the coast
of Africa southeast from Crete where Virgil
locates the shipwreck of Eneas. Here, under
the lee of the island, they strike sail, or
took in their large sail, and prepared the vessel
so as to hold her head TO the wind and ride out
the storm Being tossed with p tempest they
lightened the ship, probably by throwing over
part Of their cargo, which may have been Of
wheat. The third day they cast over the tack
ling of the Ship not the necessary ropes, but the
extra furniture, beds, etc. Still the storm con-
tinued. To add to their troubles, they had not
seen the sun or stars in many days, and 80
could make no reckoning of their position. 1t is
not strange that under this long and fearful
strain they lost all hope Of being saved But
when we are at the end of our power, and really
helpless, then God comes to our help He came
through his servant the prisoner Paul.
THE PROMISE.-In the midst of great perils,
men do not care to eat. and so, after long abstl-
nence, Paul stood forth in some prominent posi-
tion and addressed them. We are all ready at
such time to listen to men of courage and
hope. He properly reminds Them first of all,
that they ought to have hearkened to him while
they were safe in the harbor Of Crete, in order
that he may induce them to listen to his present
message. Some people are fond of saying, II
told you so" but leave us alone, then, in the
midst of our trouble. But Paul comes with good
news OF deiverance He assures them, first of ali,
that not one mans life would be lost, but that
the ship alone would be destroyed. The God
whom Paul served sent an angel TO assure him
that the divine purpose was unchanged, and
that he should yet stand before Caesar He
also assured Paul that he had given to him all
that Sailed with him, and that soon they would
be cast on an island and all should reach the
land in safety.
TRUTHS THAT MAY BE APPLIED.
The storm is the servant of God. 1.-THE winds
and the sea obey him." Who shall fear when
He holds the winds and the sea in the hollow of
| his hand.
mans extremity is Gods opportunity" Our
| need commends us to His care Not the right
eous but sinners, did Christ come to save.
Whose am and whom | serve" discloses
| the secret of Pauls heroism. 'Ye are not your
own; We are bought with price" and He will
| give His angels charge concerning thee"
Faith in God gives peace in trouble. what
time am afraid will trust in Thee" Cannot
| God keep keep His own? ''Of all that thou Civ
| est me have / lost none"
| For one man God saved the whole ship-load.
This is His way of saving the world. The motto
should be- my whole class for Jesus" or
| Every one of my family to be saved"
| Prayer has the promise. Had not Paul prayed
| he had not had the vision. 1t was to faith in
exercise that God revealed the certainty of de-
! liverance.
| God cares more for souls than for ships Sue
cess in business social standing, fine houses, po-
| litical power, high office-these the ships on
| which we sail the sea OF life. But they come
| into storms and may be wrecked, but the man
may be saved. Sweet are the uses Of adversely.
Character proven by the storm 1t is easy to
sail the quiet seas: mans strength of character
| and Christian fortitude is shown when the gale
comes, and the storm howls, and the shipwreck
casts upon inhospitable shores Though He
| slay me, yet will trust Him."
| Boston Women.