The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-10-05

ObuGE H6IlOI9 WCEC a U6xl6418. AZ WIS
probably so to the Romans. and, possi-
bly,, to the Hebrews. The Melitanese
were clearly kind IL somewhat ig-
norant. They saw a large number OF
people in distress. having lost all, and
in need OF help and sympathy, and they
gave 1t and ministered to their com
fort. These perhaps half civilized peo-
pie gave the world a new example OF
mercy and benevoIence, and it would
be better for all boastful, more highly
favored people. to follow these "barba-
rians" in succoring any in distress, in
poverty, in sorrow. The world Is filed
with Gods poor, and the opportunities
for doing good, for rich human sympa-
thy, expressed in prompt offices OF mer-
cy and affection. abound on every hand.
The needy, the forlorn, the hopeless,
the helpless are at every turn. It Is
more blessed to give than to receive.
The cup of cold water even given in
the name of a disciple Of the loving and
sympathetic Saviour cannot go unre-
warded. The Christians by profession
are not all faithful and active in ad-
ministering to the several necessities
OF humanity suffering in mind. in body,
as if indeed "shipwrecked." Around
and about us there are those who need
help, who are every way worthy and
wish to work and yet are unable to
find 1t. There are many who are de-
serving of help and sympathy because
exposed t o cold or rain or ~nakedness
or hunger or sickness or sin. Let our
hearts be moved upon by a sweeping
passion that shall lead US to bestow
of our goods and to stretch forth the
kindly hand moved by the fire of love
kindled in our hearts. It will warm
and comfort and gladden. other hearts
while warming and blessing u own.
The barbarous people showed US no
little Kindness This is Luke's record
of the people at Melita. The next thing
that impresses us in the narrative of
the inspired DR.. Luke, and it is what
struck with surprise the Melitanese,
vas the viper fastening upon the Apos-
tie Pau1's hand and no dangerous or
painful results following. They expect
ed to see him die suddenly, but when no
harm came to him, they marvelled, and
from regarding him as a murderer they
said that he was "a god" This was the
idea also Of people in those times who
were enlightened heather, cultivated
in the schools. If trouble and danger
befell men they were sinners, even
criminals, whom vengeance pursued
the avenging, fateful Nemesis. Does not
this idea in essence linger until our own
day? Are there MOI many people dwell
ing in so-called Christian lands Who
are governed in their views of right
and wrong by this erroneous principle
Of the Melitanese in Pauls day? Do
they not think hat judgment in con-
fined to this life-that men suffer here
for sins, for crimes, for mistakes, re-
versing the principle governing that
nations suffer in time, but individuals
suffer in eternity? The wicked are as
often exempt from poverty, from trou-
BILE, from suffering here as the good and
faithful are. But there is an appointed
day, when God the all-wise and forever
righteous, will judge the world in equi-
ty, and all things will be finally settled.
Then the obstinate shall be broken and
the sinners shall be punished. Then
Gods children who have owed and
honored and obeyed and served him
faithfully, will enter into Gods own
glory and be forever happy and joyous.
Paul, as Gods ambassador full of
faith of the highest type, (witness what
occurred. not long before the shipwreck
when the angel of God stood by him
and gave to him all on board the ship
had fulfilled in him on the island the
first disciples-"They shall take up,
serpents and, if they drink any deadly
thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall
lay hands on the sick, and they shall
recover" Paul not only was not hurt
from the bite of the viper, but he also
fulfilled the other part of the promise.
He cured the sick father and healed
other diseases of the smitten and suf-
fering islanders. How quickly the bar
barians changed their opinion of Paul.
At first he was a murderer, or else the
snake had not bitten him. When the
venomous reptile was shaken into the
fire, and Paul stood unframed. they
said he is a god. How the multitude,
ignorant and blind, are swayed by cir
substances and moved by appearances!
The Melitanese in their Ignorance
thought Paul "a god" because he was
more powerful some how than they,
better, wiser. But that is not the
Christians view of their God, the on1y
wise God, the King, immortal, eternal
and invisible. They think of Him and
worship His as good and wise and mer-
ciful and holy AND just and placable
and long suffering, and as far above
all others-beyond our best conceptions
of Godhead. When Paul and his COM