Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-11-02
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,
International Lesson for November
|. 2, 1897-Paul in Melita and Rome

B'6e@S0N0tAy| SC7OOIs
International Lesson for November
|, z, 1S97-Paul In Melita and Rome
Acts 29s1-16. 'i,' !!
ARRANGED from Peloubet's Notesl
GOLDEN TExT.-We know that all
things work together for good to them
that love God.-Rom. 1928.
THE LESSON.
I. Kindly Reception by the Inhab-
itants of Malta.-Vs. /, 2. In our last
lesson we left Paul and his 275 COM
panions in terrible storm. escaping
from a wreck through waves and rain
to an unknown shore.
I. ''They Or. ", WEI knew from the
natives, or from previous experience
of the sailors. as soon as they saw the
place by daylight. THAT the island
was called Melita,'' of which Malta
is q shortened form. This is small
island GO miles south of Sicily.
2. "And the barbarous people, (or.
''barbarians." as in ~. So the Greeks
| and Romans called other nations than
themselves, especially when speaking
another language. 1t means here moth
| ingmore than natives" ''Shewed US no
little kindness:" mo common kind
ness" would be more correct trans
lation..
| II. Paul's Credentials.-Vs So. First.
Paul had gathered a bundle of
sticks. Paul. though the greatest man
then living, was ready to do the hum
blest duty. He knew the greatness of
serving.
3. ''There came a viper out of the,
heat" from among the fagots already
on the fire. whose increasing heat
awaked it from it's torpid state and
drove it forth. "And fastened on his
hand" as he was laying his bundle on
the fire.
4. mo doubt this man is murderer"
Paul was prominent prisoner, accused
of some crime unknown to them, and
they naturally attributed to him the
greatest crime. "Whom vengeance"
The God of Justice, Nemesis, the Aven-
ger. su1fereth not to live. Paul had
escaped from the wreck, but he could
not escape from the sword of Divine
justice.
5. "And he shook off the beast into
the fire." With perfect composure,
doubtless arising. from the two prom
Uses. () that of Christ to His disciples
concerning serpents (A1arl> 16 is; Luke
1o:1o), and (a) the promise that he
should preach the Gospel in Rome. and,
therefore. he could not die before he
reached that city.
6. ''They looked when" (they expect
ed that) The would have swollen" etc. ::
This was the usual effect of viper's
bite, making itself apparent in a very
short time. "Or fallen down dead sud
denly" Sudden collapse and death
ensue often from the bite of serpents.
mo harm come to him." but only by a
miracle. ''They changed their minds
and said that he was a god,'' because
only Divine power could have preserved
him from harm.
III. Paul's Three Months Mission in
Malta.-Vs. 70. 2. ''In the same quar-.
ters." in that neighborhood. The ira
ditional place is Citta Vecchia, where
is the country residence of the presen:
British governor. "Were possessions:'
He probably lived on more than one es.
tate, as do the English nobility
Lodged u.s." Entertained at his home
probably Julius and his prisoners.
s. 1.-The father of Publius lay sick Of
Il fever and of a bloody flux:" Literal
~. with fever and dysentery. botf
words being used by St. Luke with pro
fessional precision. ITO whom Pau
entered in" The report of his miracu
lous escape from the bite of the viper
would direct the attention of Publiu:
to Paul as remarkable man; and Pau
repaid his kindness by restoring hi:
father to health. "And prayed" Tt
obtain the blessings from God. will
the wisdom needed, and to show thu
people that all his power came from tn
same God whose Gospel he preached
"And laid his hands on him." 1t is re
ing up of serpents." we should read O
Paul having "laid his hands on the sicl
and they recovered" (see the two il
close connection, Marx 1919. "Ant
healed him." St. Luke was phv
stefan, but his skill was less effectua
than the agency of St. Paul, who wen
into the sick mans chamber. prayet
by his bedside. laid his hands on hin
and healed him.
9. "Others also which had Diseases:
.. The original is more extensive; all tn
rest. Nothing is said of Paul's preach
ing, for that is taken for granted. Pau
could not neglect such golden opportu
.. Eities of preaching the Gospel.
Nv. The Journey to Rome.-Vs 1915
10. "Honored US with many honors:
They paid him every possible attention
trying to express their respect and graf
-itude. "Laded us with such things a
were necessary" not as pay, but out o
kindness and love- We must remembe
that they. had lost>everything bysth'
wreck. This: was entirely different i,
principle and effect from receiving hir,
for their miraculous cures. which wa
forbidden by Christ (Matt. 1888. il.
Il II. "And after three months" TIL
three months residence then would EN-
brace November. December and Janu
airy. Their departure on February 8. tn,
day when. according to P.iny. naviga