The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-09-27
YOUNG PEOPLES SOCIETIES.
Topic: Missionary Heroes" Acts
XXVII, 22-36.)

The topic universal for the different de-
nominstional young peoples societies for
tomorrow evening is. Missions; Mis-
sionary Heroes. Cheerfulness Amid Ae-
versiry." which is founded on Acts xvii,
22-ss.
OF the history OF the shipwreck of the Apes
lie Paul In his journey as q prisoner 10
Rome Paul had advised the centurion in
charge and the officers of the vessel N
which they iourneyed not 10 loose from a
port called Fair Havers, but they did not
heec MS advice. HIS Statement was: "Sirs.
perceive that this voyage will be with
hurt and much damage. not only TO the
Iacrng and the ship. but also OF our dives"
Fair Havens they were cauhtg in a
mighty storm 50 that the sun was not
seen for many days. 1t was then Paul
TO me. and not have loosed from Crete. and
10 have gained this harm and loss. And
now / exnort you TO be OF good cheer. Tor
among you. but OF the ship"
GOOD CHEER-The first thought OF the
lesson is that of cheerfulness under ad-
versity. Paul was the only man in ali that
ompany of 266 souls who was calm in the
midst OF impending danger. He only was in
aboard. and the secret OF his calmness OF
soul lay in the fact that the night previous
an "angel Of God stood BY him and said:
Fear not. Paul; thou must be brought be
fore Caesar: and. 10. God hath given thee
all them that san with thee Wherefore.
W. Dt u KUN C41tELE III 4 AZ SVU L1AL
it shall be even as IL was told me" The
source OF his faith and courage was his IN
faltering faith in God. With the Psalmist
he could say: God IS our refuge and our
strength; a very pleasant help in trouble"
Il is only he who thus leans on the ever
lasting arms that can face death without
fear. As the Psalmist again sings: Yea
though / walk through the valley and the
shadow of death. 1 VIII fear no evl. for
thou art with me. thy rod and thy stan
they comfort me" What g blessed thing IT
is TO have such faith in God. Without It
tbere cor be No -songs in The night"
/ FAITHFULNESS = Another Ofho1stt
brought out prominently is Paufs faithful
{ ness In declaring all the truth In close
connection with his statement as 70 the
safety OF all aboard the ship he avs.
'Howbeif. we must be cast upon q certain
island" and also Indicates that the ship
and al the cargo must be lost In a few
! laws Il came TO pass even as he had said.
And when the ship ran into shallow water
and some Of the crew sought to escape by
the boats. Paul said TO The c~entu-o-. T--
cept these abide In the ship. We cannot be
saved" Their remaining aboard was a part
they were needed 70 bring the ship to land
So after they had taken something TO eat,
they hoist the main sails ana made for the
shore The result was that the fore part
part was broken by the violence Of the
, waves. II was then that the soldiers coun-
seled TO kil Paul and the other prisoners,
hui to this the centurion would not listen.
And 50 Il came 10 pass that all came safe
10 land. Thus By his fRifhfulness, Paul not
only saved his own HE but also the lives
Ais WE'LL THAT ENDS wELIlThis
! But In the divine economy, faith goes far
Their than that This same apostle, In his
letter to the Christians at Rome said. W
10 them tina love God. 10 them that are the
called according TO his purpose. Through
this Incident IN our lesson. Paul sAs In