Passaic City record., 1893-09-02
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
SEPTEMBER 3.
Lesson Text: ssPaul at AtIens,'' Acts
xvii, 30-44-Golden Text:
Psalm XVII, 1-CoIn-
Ixentary.

80. "And as the shipmen were about to fee
out of the ship, when they had let down the
boat into the sea, under color as though they
would have cast anchors ont ofthe forsship.'
feel grieyed to begin this lesson with the
treachery of these sailors. when such rich
food for the soul g in verses % to 25. so
strangely omitted by the lesson committee.
81. Paul said to the centurion and to the
soldiers, Except these abide in the ship ye
cannot be saved Paul was only promised
the lives of those with him in the ship (verse
"a /; if they should start off in the boat by
themselves, he could not be responsible fo2
them. Noah was given those with him in the
ark, and Rahab those with her in the house.
Only those can be saved who are In Christ,
and abiding is the evidence that we are truly
in Him John K, 27. 2S John H., 49,.
80. "Then the soldiers cut off the ropes Of
the boat and let her fall of" 1t looked like
throwing away their only hope, but it was
really their only safety. In order to be saved
by Christ we must let go our own righteous
ness. our own works and even our own ways
and thoughts fact, all that we have (Isa.
Xiv, 6 /; Titus ill.,, s. Isa- w., z, and Luke
xiv. 33l.
33. "And while the day was coming on
Paul besought them all TO take meat They
had endured fourteen days of such tempest
uous weather that they had little opportu-
nifty and perhaps little desire to taste food.
In verse 20 We read that all hope of ever
seeing land had been given up. But now
there is light in the darkness. He who con-
trolls the winds and the sea Mark w.. 39)
bad for His servants sake sent a message of
peace.
81. ''This is for your health. for there
shall not an hair fall from the head of anyof
you" This is common Old and New
Testament illustration of perfect safety. See
/ Sam. XIV, 40; II Sam. xiv, II; II Kings i,
81 Math. K, 30; Luke xii, z xxi, Is.
Even concerning Daniels friends VIII were
cast into the seven times heated furnace it is
written that there was not hair Of their
heads singed dan ill.,, 27).
49, "And when he had thus spoken ne
took bread and gave thanks to God in the
presence of them all. and when he had
broken it he began to eat" Thus he glori-
fed God, whose he was and whom he served.
Thus he magnified Christ in his body (Phil.
j., 20). He testified before all that he knew
God. that he trusted in God and that he had
dealings with God. He gave thanks for de-
iyerance when it was not yet visible except
to faith.
36. .sThen were they all of good cheer. and
they also took some meat" He not only ex-
horted them to be of good cheer but being of
good cheer himself he influenced others to
do likewise (verses %, 25l. Compare Acts
xiii, IL; Math. tx, 2, %, and John xvi, 33.
If we steadfastly believe God, we will be filed
with joy and peace Rem XIV. 13). and mas
only unto ourselves (Rom. xiv, y we must
OF necessity influence others to be cheerful
also.
81. eAnd we were in all In the ship two
hundred, three score and sixteen souls"
Think Of 275 people saved from watery
grave by one man. Ten righteous men would
have saved Sodom from its fiery overthrow.
How many thousands have been saved from
eternal death by such men as Spurgeon,
Moody, Munhall, Needham and others? What
Is your influence in the world? Does it tend
to the health and safety of others, or are you
a troubler and dishonor to the Prince OF
Peace?
38. .sAnd when they had eaten enough they
lightened the ship and cast out the wheat into
the sea-" The angel had told Paul, and he
had passed it on that the ship would be lost
(verse 22). There was therefore no object in
attempting longer to preserve the cargo. The
life is more than meat, and to tighten the
ship would tend to their safety. If some
Christians would unload some of their wealth
for the good of others and for Jesus's sake,
it would be better for them. both for this
world and for the world to come.
SO. And when it was day they knew not
the land How welcome the daylight
would be and also the sight of the land,
since they knew that all would somehow
reach it in safety. The storm was still on,
and on a lea shore as they were there would
seem to be more danger of their lives than
ever, but the word of God has been given
that no life will be lost. How happy and
peaceful should those be whose anchor is
within the vale, sure and steadfast (Hob. vi.
19)!
40. sand when they had taken up the an
chors they made toward the shore. !" Now
came the greatest danger apparently, for
might they not all be dashed to pieces? No,
for the word of God was pledged on their
behalf One who trusts in that word can
faoJ-
earth be removed and though the mountains
be carried into the midst OF the sea" Cps.
XVII, y.
Al. ssAnd falling inro . place where two
seas met they ran theship aground. Thus
part remained immovable, while the rest was
that had held together through all the tenn
pest on the sea and kept them from going to
the bottom was now hopeless wreck. 1t
came to pass as Paul had been told-the shin
should be lost (verse 22).
AZ. .sAnd the soldiers counsel was to kill
tsae Or r.soners. lest any of them should swim
out and escape. 1t was because OF one OF
these prisoners that all were alive They
were glad enough to listen to his words OF
encouragement in the storm, but now they
would ruthlessly take his life If permitted
All. Paul, thou hadst much fellowship with
thy Master, for those whom He came to bless
actually took His life. When shall we learn
the lesson En3L Ine SeTVaut - Aoh u oatOt
than his master and be will content to be as
He(John xy., 19, 20)?
49, ssBut the centurion, willing to save
Paul Kept them from their purpose Inc
records of the centurions whom the Lord
used to accomplish His purposes or who
were led to know Him as their Lord Is most
instructive. The name of this one Is given
in verse /. Compare chapter X. ~, and see
also Math. viii, s, 6, 10 xvii. 81
~ ssAnd so it came to pass that they es-
capped all safe to land" What God and
angels testify We may surely believe, for
isThe Lord of Hosts hath sworn, saying,
surely as have thought so shall it come to
pass. and as have purposed so shall It
stand Elsa. XIV: 24). May the fulfillment
of the words of this angel lead us 10 believe
firmly the words of some other angels who
said. ssThis Same Jesus shall SO come In like
manner" And also the words OF Gabriel,
that s.the Lord God shall give unto Him the
throne of His father David, and He shall
reign over the house of Jacob forever. and
Of His kingdom there shall be no end" Acts
/, II Luke l., 80. 3S).-Lesson Helper