Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-09-02
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON x, THIRD QUARTER, INTER-
NATIONAL SERIES, SEPT. 8.

LESSON x, THIRD QUARTER, INTER-
NATIONAL SERIES, SEPT. 8.
Text of the Lesson, Acts xvii, 30-4A-Mem-
DRY Verses. 4:-44-GoIden Text, Ps. XVI,
documentary by the Rev. d. NJ.
stearns-
80. And as the shipmen were about to
flee out of the ship, when they had let down
the boat into the sea, under color as though
they would have cast anchors out of the
ioreship." feel grieved to begin this les
on with the treachery of these sailors,
when such rich food for the soul is in verses
SO to 25, so strangely omitted by the lesson
committee.
81. Paul said to the centurion end 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 respon-
sible for 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 X, 81 IS;
John ii, 19).
49, ''Then tho soldiers cut off the ropes Of
the boat and let her fall off," 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 90 our own
righteousness, our own works and even
our own ways and thoughts-in fact, all that
we have lisa. Xiv, 6; Titus iii. 5; Isa. ", Z,
and Luke xiv, 33).
SO. And while the day was coming on
Paul besought them all to take meat"
They had endured IA days of such tempes-
tuous weather that they had little opporta-
nifty and perhaps little desire to taste food.
In verse 90 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 Ozark ". S9) had
for His servants sake sent a message of
peace.
a. This is for your health, for there
shall not an hair fall from the head Of any
of you" This is n common Old and New
Testament illustration of perfect safety.
See Sam. xiv, As; III Sam. xiv, II; / Kings
i, SO; Math. X, so; Luke xii, Z; xxi. IS. Even
concerning Daniels friends WHO were cast
into the seven times heated furnace it is
heads singed dan. iii, 90.
35 "And when he had thus spoken he
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.
i, 90). He testified before all that he knew
God, that he trusted In God and that he
l. 4 I.
for deliverance when it was not yet visible
except to faith.
36. Then were they all Of good cheer,
and they also took some meat" He not
only exhorted them to be of good cheer, but
being Of good cheer himself he influenced
others to do likewise oversees 81, 25) Com
pare Acts xiii, II; Math. TX, q %, and John
xvi. 3S. If we steadfastly believe God, we
will be filled with JOY and peace (Rom. XIV,
l3), and inasmuch as it is impossible for
any of Us to live only unto ourselves Rom.
xiv, y we must of necessity influence 9th
ers to be cheerful also.
81. And we were in I'LL in the ship two
hundred, threescore 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 Sturgeon, Moody, Munhall, Needham
and othersi What is your influence in the
world? Does it tend to the health and safe
ty of others, or are you trouRler and Il
dishonor to the Prince of Peaceg
IS. And when they had eaten enough
they lightened the ship and east 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 there
fore no object in attempting longer to pre-
serve the cargo. The life is more than meat,
and 10 tighten the ship would tend to their
safety. If some Christians would unload
some of their wealth for tho good of others
and for Jesus sake, it would be better for
them, both for this world and for the world
to come.
80. And when 1t was day they knew not
the land" How welcome the daylight
would be and also the sight of the land
since they knew that ell would somehow
reach it in safety The storm was still on,
and ON lee shoreas they were there would
seem to be more danger of their lives than
ever, but the word of God had been given
that no life would be lost How happy and
peaceful should those be whose anchor is
within the vale, sure and steadfast Heb
vi, 10Y
40. And when they had taken up the
anchors they made toward theshore" Now
came the greatest danger apparently, for
might they not all lie dashed to pieeess
No, for the word of God was pledged on
their behalf One who trusts in that word
can say, Therefore will not we fear though
the earth be removed and though the
mountains be carried into the midst of the
sea" (ps. XVI. y.
Il. And falling into place where two
seas met they ran the ship aground Z"
Thus part remained immovable, while the
rest was soon broken by the waves, and the
vessel that had held together through all
the tempest 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 ship should be lost tverse 22l.
~. And the soldiers counsel was to kill
the prisoners, 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 II 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 that the servant Is not
greater than his master and be well con-
tent to be as He John XIV. 10. a0),
49, But the centurion, willing to save
Paul, kept them from their purpose" The
records of the eenturions whom the Lord
used TO accomplish His purposes or who
were led 10 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. 5. 6, 10; xvii. 81
~. And SO IL came to pass that they es-
capped all safe TO land" What God and
angels testify We may surely believe, for
THE Loid of Hosts hath sworn, saying,
surely as ! have thought SO shall It come
TO pass, and as ! have purposed SO shall 1t
stand" lisa. xiv. 30. May the fnlfllmant
of the words Of this angel lead na to believe
firmly the words Of some other angels who
said. This same Jesus shall so come In
like manner" And also the words OF Ca
briel. that 1.-THE Lord God shall give unto
Him the throne of HIS father David, md
He shall reign over the house OF Jacob for
ever, and of His Kingdom there shall be no
end" Acts Il Iii Like i, 8. So