The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-11-03
Sunday School Column.
Side Lights on Next Sundays Les.
son for Teachers and Pupils.
BY CHAs. K. MEYERS


Nov. z. Paul the Prisoner. Ship
Acts 9th chapter and to
Acts % 10. a
Those who know about the, lesson
of last week will remember that it
told of the apostle Paul being taken
a prisoner to Rome under guard in q
sailing ship. Further, that terrific
storm had come upon the. vessel aid
that it was driven helpless for four
teen days westerly across the Med
terranean Sea. Paul seemed the
only, man on the ship who was not
scared and ready to give up hope
He had the assurance from God that
in due time all on board would be
saved. We made special mention
last week Of the declaration Of Paul
that he believed God and that all
would come to pass as He had said
To the minds of the sailors things
grew worse and worse. At midnight
on the fourteenth day the soundings
showed land near and all were inter-
ror that the ship would be dashed on
rocks with no daylight to aid in
reaching safety. Anchors were let
down and the records says they
wished for day." During the night
the sailors made up plan to lower .
small boat ana desert the soldiers and
passengers. This was known to Paul
and he TOLD the commander Of the
soldiers that unless the sailors re-
manned to care for the ship all on
BOARD would certainly be lost. The
centurian ac.ed promptly, and cut.
the boat adrift. keeping the sailors
on board.
Paul now steps to the front again
He makes the very sensible SUCCESS
ton that those on board had eaten
little during the storm and that they
needed food to strengthen them for
the efforts of the coming day. He
then himself made ready to ate. but
before doing so he Gave thanks to
God in the presence Of them ALL"
bis example gave new courage to
the crew and they ate, and felt con-
fidence that after all the God Of Paul
would save their lives. Morning COM
ing the anchors were lifted and the
ship navigated toward land aud
beached. The common soldiers adj
vised that the prisoners be killed,
but he centurian would not order
this. Those who could swim jumped
into the sea, others foated to land on
wreckage. but in the end all were
saved. So the confidence Of Paul
in God was indicated. asat
II would appear that the ship had
been wrecked on the island Of Malta
off the coast of Sicily. The natives
treated the water soaked men with
kindness. made fire to warm and
dry them. As Paul was gathering
wood to put on "a fire a poisonous
snake fastened on his hand. He shook
it off into the fire, and when he did
not show signs of poison the natives
reasoned he was god. and this was
further shown to their mind when he
cured the father Of the chief man of
the island of dangerous fever. Such
we're the feelings of awe and graft
tude felt by the natives TO Paul and
the party. that on their departure they
were laden with things necessary for
their comfort.
The conduct of Paul during TIE
fearful days of the storm we'll shows
the truth of the bible statement that
God will keep those in perfect peace
whose minds are stayed on Him. 1t
was, the christian raul, who was up
held and sustained when the unchris-
tian people about him were IN terri
BILE fear. It Is in the times If sick
ness. distress, the call Of death that
the calm trusting faith and hope Of
the christian shines forth. He knows
that under him are the everlasting
arms of God. He feels that il death
comes, it is only passing to further
nearness to God. and triumphant
entrance to heaven. Now really is
not this something to be, desired,
and is it not worth an endeavor to
obtain, for one who does not have
it? God offers forgiveness of sins
and acceptance by Him freely and
this fall is very good time to
accept these. thus having the az
surance of blessed spiritual eternal
life beyond the grave and Gods
sustaining puwer while yet on this