The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-05-30
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.
For June Z. "Paul's Voyage and
Shipwreck." lActs xvii, 33-44.O

CONTEXT-Paurs speech at Caesarea,
our last historical lesson, studied May "A,
secured the favor of King Agrippa, who
would gladly have released him. But as an
appeal had been taken to Caesar. it was
determined fSsssFnls dt to send him to Rome; He was
placed on board a ship. Fair weather pre-
vailed for a time until the island of Crete
tempestuous wind arose and the vessel was
tossed about for several days on the deep.
Neither sun nor stars appeared and all on
board expected to perish. Then Paul re-
tired to fast and pray that he might learn
the mind of God, whether they would out
ride the storm. After a time he came forth
with a cheerful countenance. He had re-
ceived a vision with assurance of safety.
and he proceeded to comfort the crew.
Afterward as they drew near to land there
allayed the fears Of all and appeared as
ABSTINENCE Verse ssJ-For two full
had habstained from food. This long fast
may have been due in part as some think
to religious conviction. cherished among all
Eastern people, that in this way the gods
might be propitiated. 1t was supposed that
every disturbance in nature, the real cause
Of which the ancients knew nothing. was
by certain sacrifices or selfabasements be
disposed to mercy. 1t Is more probable
that because of the storm and the excite
ment there was no opportunity to eat. that
the whole company was busted with. acts
of self-preservation. But at the break of
the fourteenth day. Paul came forward with
and urged that the fast might be broken.
He was very urgent in his words-he be-
sought all to take meat. that is to take
food for the nourishment of their bodies:
He assumed the role of a friend. and
counsellor as well as that of a minister.
Indeed, the two offices cannot be altogether
ASSURANCE Verse sI-His words of
advice were accompanied by words of prom
Use. the latter designed to strengthen the
former. There shall not an hair fall from
the head of any of you" he said. a form Of
expression used from very ancient times.
Il. Kings /. SD 1t was equivalent to guar
The origin Of this form cannot be given, as
it is lost in the depths of by-goae centu-
ries. 2 Sam. xiv, III Its appropriateness.
common than for a single hair to be loos-
ened and cast aside. and one takes notice
of it, only as the least of all the things that
belong to us. Hence. this was an assurance
of such care and protection as includes the
most minute Of all the affairs that con-
cerned the men in the ship. Matt. x. 30)
How was Paul able to make such assur-
ance? He must have received. as he said,
from God a direct communication and
pledge. a most wonderful disclosure of the
men were exceedingly rare even In the
apostolic period. They were doubtless in
tended to advance the cause of religion.
words of the apostle. so full Of comfort.
! were followed by acts that must have car
| ried even greater conviction to all hearts.
| pie and proof of his faith that the time to
eat had come. QScci. Iii, L. Then he gave
| thanks to God. thanks for the preservation
Used. for the food that was supplied. This
| he did in the presence of all. 1t was the
| glory Of those times that men would not
eat without recognizing the siyerA q Sam.
tx. 49, Gratitude was the common expert
| ence of all hearts whenever any blessing
was received. Even our Lord gave thanks
mends this virtue. q Tim. Nv. ~ After the
| blessing the apostle ate. and the whole COM
| pany did likewise. Nearly 800 souls were
| ence. Fear fled away. Composure took its
place. and good cheer filled the hearts Of
Those who a short time before were alarmed.
| And In the midst Of this congregation. the
| center of its hope. stood the Christian min
! REFuGEGWerses Is and s0-Thas break