The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-11-03
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER 7.

INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER 7.
Lesson Text: "Paul in Melita and Rome"
Acts xviii, 1-16-Golden Text: Ro-
mans Will, 2S-Commentary on the
Lesson by the Rev. ID. M. stearns.
Ia. Having all got safely to land, some
by swimming and some by the help Of
boards and broken pieces OF the ship, they
found themselves on the island OF Melita,
or Malta, and received much kindness from
the people, who kindled fire and well
coined them and did what they could to
deliver them FROM the rain and the cold
which prevailed. 1t must have been such
cause Of gratitude to find themselves safe
on land that they would not think 80 much
OF the rain and cold, and yet the kindness
OF the natives was very refreshing. How
much Joy might be brought into many q
life II we all lived to show kindness to those
in needl As we experience in our own
hearts the loving kindness OF God, which Is
better than life (Ps. kill, 3) we should
surely show the kindness of God to others
C1I. Sam. *, 81, but these people probably
knew nothing Of the love Of God. How Of
ten the conduct OF one who knows not God
puts to shame those who are Hisl
SO. Paul was not above gathering sticks
with the rest to help make the fire burn. It
Is Christlike to be ready to every good work,
however humble. The meek and lowly
scorn not any service they can render to
another. Paul was an esrthen vessel for
Gods glory (Gal. l., 24), and God was glori-
pie on the ship. ae now allows viper to
fasten on Paul's hand that before the ma
tives the power Of God may be seen in His
shaking off the viper and experiencing no
harm. This was according to our Lords
words in Luke <, 10, "Behold, I give you
power to tread on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power Of the enemy. and
nothing shall by any means hurt you"
q 8. "Paul entered in and prayed and
laid his hands on him and healed him."
This was the father Of Publius, the chief
man OF the island, who was sick of fever.
but the Lord, through Paul, Instantly healed
miracles by the hands Of Paul, so that by
handkerchiefs or aprons which had touched
his body the sick were healed (Acts XIX,
II, 12). At another time Paul had to leave
Trophimus at Miletum sick. We cannot
always tell whether health or sickness or
life or death shall glorify God the most, so
we should say as Paul said, "Christ shall
be magnifed in my body whether 1t be by
life. or by death" (Phil. l., 20).
g. $50 when this was done others also
which had diseases In the island came and
were healed" Thus the power Of Christ
was made widely known, and we cannot
think Of Paul obeying part Of our Lords
command without obeyinR the other. II
he healed the sick in the name Of Christ, he
would certainly preach the gospel Of God
concerning His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord,
to which he had been especially called and
separated {Rom. L., 1,3). Thus not only
were bodies healed, but many souls must
have been saved also.,
10. "Who also honored us with many
honors, and when we departed they laded
us with such things as were necessary"
When people are really blessed, 1t Is not
necessary to ask them to give. Gratitude
will show itself in some at least. The mis-.
sionary money which comes to me from
year to year In gratitude for the blessing
received at the Bible classes convinces me
Of this more and more, and the abundance
for current expenses In my own congrega-
tion from the grateful hearts who enjoy
the ministry Of the word, so that never
need to ask any one for cent, but merely
state the need when there Is one and look
to the Lord alone to supply 1t through His
willing people, makes me wish that all
preachers and teachers would so feed their
people that the gratitude would be more
manifest to the glory Of God.
II. "And after three months we departed
In ship Of Alexandria," Paul had learned
to wait, and whether 1t was two or three
weeks In storm at sea, or three months
on shore at Malta. or two years prisoner
at Casarea, he knew what It was to "rest
in the Lord and wait patiently for Him"
(Ps. x1xvii., y. Our Lord waited thirty
years at Nazareth, and has waited over
1900 years at Gods right hand to have His
body gathered out Of the nations OF She
earth. We have great need to consider Him,
lest we be wearied and faint in our minds
(Heb. xiii, 81.
1914. Three days at Syracuse, call at
Rhegium, seven days at Puteoli, then on
toward Rome. And every day, whether on
land or sea, journeying or waiting, just
living to glorify God. Conscious Of His
loving kindness In storm and sunshine, not
because we feel it, but because we know 1t
In Christ; conscious of His constant care
Of and interest In US; rejoicing that God Is
for US, Christ Is for US, the Spirit is for US,
and the angels minister to us (Rom. WILL,
81, "a, 36; Heb. t., 14). Sure that ell our
works are prepared for US beforehand, and
We have only to walk in them, doing as oc-
casion serve us, for God Is with US (Eph.
H., 10; I. Sam. K, y. Done with all fret
ling and murmuring and complaining, all
Of which is sinful; careful for nothing,
prayful for everything, thankful for any
thing and rejoicing In the Lord always.
Is. Brethren from Rome came to meet
forum and the three taverns, causing graf
tude and inspiring courage. 1t Is heaven
ly to meet on earth those who are our true
blood relations. I do not mean 80 much
our kindred as those who are one with US
by the blood of Christ. These are often
nearer to US than brother or sister. The
bond is wonderful. Blest be the tie that
binds our hearts in Christian lovel Paul
may have met some Of these brethren in
other parts Of the world or not. We are
not told. But they were one In Christ and
Lying for His glory and ready to die for
Him.
16. They came to Rome, and Paul was
suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier
who kept him. He was now where God
said he would be, and as to bearing wit.
ness he had only to watch his opportunity
and be ready to use it, or rather let God
use him in 1t. He was In measure free,
even as he was in Cesarea, and he was in
the Lords hand, who could easily make
him more free If 1t was best. We must
have the Spirit Of Him who said, II de-
light to do Thy will, o My God" His ser.
wants for His pleasure, not seeing people
or circumstances, but only and always God,
all and in all.
Oh, fill me with Thy fullness, Lord,
Until my very heart o'erhow
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show!
Oh, use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when and where,
Until Thy blessed face see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share!
-Lasson Hs1nar
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