The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-23
THE LESSON AND ITS APPLI.
CATION.

The Error of the Ships Com
pany. There was complication of er-
rors in the conduct OF the voyage. In
the first place the long delay as to the
disposition of Paul's case due to the un.
certain mind of Festus on the represen-
tation he should make to the emperor,
had the effect of postponing the de.
parture till the season had so far ad-
vanced that navigation was uncertain.
The indecision of the Roman governor
found a fitting field for its operation in
the difficulties that an insecure season
furnished. The winds were contrary;
and the ship had to sail far out of its
course to make any progress at all to-
wards it's destination. 1t could not
trust itself on the open sea; but must
sail along the east coast of Cyprus, and
then across to the shores of Cilicia, TAX
ing advantage of the current and of the
occasional land breezes. Delay after de-
lay took place; so that Paul saw that
there would be no prosperous advance.
Everything pointed to constant delay
and danger. He had the evidence of
many indications to sustain his opinion;
but the company rejected his advice.
The season was not trustworthy; it's nat
ural and usual character forbade uni
form conditions; the season for storms
had come. But the company trusted to
it's own desires and closed it's eyes to
the fundamental facts of experience. At
the bottom of the voyage was an un-
just purpose; in the minds of those who
controlled it were uncertainty of judg-
ment, unwise wishes, and neglect OF
common prudence. The end might
have been foretold
Paul's Confidence. It's basis was
in the stability of the purpose of his life
God had work for him to do; and he
felt that he would be sustained till he
had done it. He not only had the con
seriousness of a great mission to sustain
his courage; but it had 80 led him into a
knowledge of Gods guidance that he
was assured of further work; he was
not to fail and be lost at this point in his
career. Then he had long course of
work advancing step by step. and show
ing progress of movement that had in it
living purpose which required further
time and movement; it was not to end
at that time. Then Paul's love of men
knit him to the men in his company;
and he saw in them field for his hand
to work. A little at time he came to
feel that his insight was correct. and
that eventually they must come to him
and be guided by him.
The Awakening. Hardly had the
ships company rejected Paul's advice.
and trusted itself to its own course when
disaster befell them. They had been
deceived by the Elusive south wind
blowing out of season; and then tempest
from the north northeast blew down
upon them and beat them out upon the
open sea. From this time on there was
storm. darkness, ignorance, loss, leak
ing ship. and unavailing effort, till hope
failed; and they gave up to their fate.
So had injustice and its mental states
met their fit companions In outside ma
ture and come to their maturity and last
result
Paul's Mastery. At this point
Paul breaks silence and assumes the
leadership of the company. 1t is given
him on the evidence of his superior
knowledge of the events of the voyage.
and the manifest presence OF the divine
favor and guidance. Ore may not see
in the Difference of the company any
evidence OF their faith in the God OF
Paul; but there was recognition OF his
mastery of the situation and grateful
acceptance of his encouraging CONT
denee and assistance. The wise kind.
ness of the man wins its way in the
midst of the untoward fortunes Of the
occasion. Through the whole course of