Evening journal., 1909-11-06
aFoR GOD WAS WITH HIM.g

Our studies show US ST. Paul from
various standpolntE-a bigoted persecu-
tor. humble penitent crying Lord,
what wouldst thou have me to dor
courageous witness to the Truth amongst
his own people; a self-sacrifcing mis-
sionary in foreign lands; we have noted
his conduct in the presence Of mobs and
in the presence Of kings and mobiles; and
his courage in the presence OF danger
uslie on his voyage as a prisoner to
Rhine To-day we view him as a man
amongst men IN contact with the duties
az life and In the midst Of q great dis
aister-a shipwreck. His department from
the time he became a follower of Jesus
was noble, humble. reverential. faithful,
devout, sanity; worthy Of emulation by
all the followers Of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The transformation wrought in St. Paul
is possible In all who have the hearing
car and who receive the Gospel message
into good and honest hearts. Such
transformation Of itself is a witness to
the power OF God-to the reality Of the
religion Of the Bible. What a changed
world we would be in. II all mankind un-
derwent such transformation! But all are
not In condition Of heart to be thus in
duenced, thus drawn by the Go-pel. Some
will need the strong arm of Messiah, will
need the authority and force OF the Nil
lennial Kingdom to bring them to sub
lection and 70 show them the advantages
Of right over wrong. Thank God that we
may pray with faith. Thy Kingdom
come; thy Will be done on earth as it is
done in heaven"
Fourteen days and nights soudding be-
fore a terrific storm brought ST. Paul
and the ships company of two hundred
and seventy-six souls TO where the trained
ears Of the seamen in the night caught
the sounds Of the surf. they knew not
where. Four anchors we're cast out Of the
stern Of NE vessel and they waited for
morning. ST. Paul, the Jew Prisoner, by
this time had risen in the estimation of
all on board the ship-"For God was with
him" Throughout the storm all had lost
courage and hope but him, and his was
due TO his submission to Gods will and
partly to the fact that in a vision the
Lord showed him that he should yet
preach the Gospel at Rome and that, for
his sake, Divine Providence would care
FOR every life on board the ship.
A heart at peace with God and instruct
cd through his Word Is prepared for
what may come, OF joy or sorrow. The
Apostle exhorted his detected companions
TO be Of good cheer. He reminded them %
his vision ana assured them Of his alb
solute faith therein. He urged them IA
take food that they might be strength
ened for the strenuous exertions Of tbs
coming day. His cheerfulness and ex-
ample were contagious. AS the light Of tbs
Lord was his peace and joy so he In turr
was the light of that ship and its com.
fort. He illustrated what he taught-thai
Gods people should do good unto all mer
as they have opportunity. especially t.
the household Of faith He exemplified hi,
own words Of II Corinthians 1:4-"Got
oomforteth US in all our tribulation. tha
we may be able to comfort them which
are in any trouble. by the comfort where
with we ourselves are comforted Of God
with the morning light they discernes
the shore and little bay which now &
known as st. Paul's Bay, in the Islan,
Of Malta, then called Melita. The pilo
cut loose from his anchors, hoisted sal
and sought 20 beach the boat; but, befor
reaching shore grounded on mud bank
the forepart holding fast, the rear begai
70 go to pieces with the force OF tn
waves. as it was a meeting place for tw
sea currents. The life boat had been Gu
adrift in the night. because the seamei
had attempted TO desert the ship. s.
Paul advised this course. realizing III
need Of the seamen TO bring the boat I
land. His confidence in Gods promis
did not lead him to be slack as respect
the proper use OF earthly means. Their
IS a lesson here for Gods people. Will
praying and trusting. let US not slack on
hands.
Seeing that only by swimming or floal
ing or wreckage could the shore be reach
ed. the soldiers proposed TO kill the p-is
pners because under Roman law they wer
enswerable for their security with the
own lives. But the Centurion had lesrnc