The log cabin Democrat., 1909-11-06
Paul a Prisoner The Shipwreck Sunday School Lesson for Nov. 2, 1909
 Specially Arranged for This Paper
Specially Arranged for This Paper

LESSON TEXT-Acts 27:27-2S:1O. Mem ory verses, 9, 10.
 | GOLDEN TEXT.-'The Lord redeemeth l the soul of his servants. and none of them that trust In him shall be desolate." | -Psa 34 20.
 TTME,-Early in November. A D. 5s or | PLACE.-St Paul's bay on the north .ast shore of the Island of Malta, in the | Mediterranean sea. l50 miles southwest of the most southerly point of Italy.
 Suggestion and Practical Thought.
 What the storm and wreck revealed as to the character of Paul, the mis- sionary Hero:
 For nearly seven months we have been studying the character of Paul under a great variety of circum- 1 stances. We have found him con- scientious, consecrated to God, de- voted to the good and the salvation of his fellow men, energetic, wise, cour- ageous, joyful, faithful, persevering. independent, unselfsh, courteous, of strong feelings. but selfcontrolled. saintly and true. We have seen him chiefly at his missionary work.
 In this storm and wreck we see him from another point of view, connected with bodily interests, physical needs, things pertaining to ordinary human life, as man among men, not, as one has said. "a long-distance pastor," but In close touch with humanity.
 l. The Manly Authority of Tested Character-Vs. 27-32 The four teenth night" (v. 27) from the time they left Fair Ravens in Crete, when the storm began. Driven up and down." tossed by the waves and borne along" "in Adria," not the Adriatic sea. but the name then given ranean. "The shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country"
 29 They cast four anchors out of the stern" Anchoring from the stern is unusual, but much the best under the circumstances, for it would leave them free to sai! to either shore when daylight come. During the dreary waiting. while they wished for the day. the sailors tried to save them selves at the expense of all the rest by means of the boat, the one visible way of reaching the shore. But Paul, noticing the plan, appealed to the centurion and the soldiers to put stop to it. The sailors had the boat, | but the soldiers had the weapons and the power Paul therefore appealed to the soldiers, for he saw clearly that l (v. 3D except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved" as had | been promised. Those who went in | the boat would doubtless be drowned, and even if they reached the shore, | there were none left to manage the ship, especially If the officers of the | ship were among those who planned so selfishly for their own safety.
 The soldiers put an end to the plan | by cutting the ropes and setting the boat adrift.
 Nothing was too good for Paul i after that, and when at last the ship broke, and the roll call was made on land, every man, soldier, and sailor sang out cheerily, Here And when at last Paul got to Rome, Capt Julius and his soldiers did not soon tire of telling to wife and child and sweet heart how the little preacher had saved them from the angry deep"
 H. Care for the Physical Comfort and Health of His Companions.-Vs. 333S. While the day was coming" As soon as 1t was light enough to find food. Continued fasting" took no regular meals.
 34. 'I pray you take some meat" food; flor your health" safety. they would need to put their bodies in the best condition to give them the strength needed to reach the shore
 35. He began to eat" To lead them on by his example, he himself did what he advised them to do.
 36. Then were they all of good cheer" The hearty cheerfulness Qs it too colloquial a phrase to say the pluck?) of the apostle had communi- cated itself, as by kind of electric sympathy, to his companions"
 IT. Paul Doing the Commonest Du- ties to Help his Companions-Acts 2S:1-6 1. They knew" recognized. that the island was called Melita," now shortened into Malta"
 ". Paul Healing the Sick.-Vs. 7-10. Publus, the governor of the island. living not far away, entertained the company for three days till they had time to make other arrangements.
 The father of the governor lay crit ically sick of dysentery. Paul prayed for him and laid his hands on him, and healed him. This gave Paul an opportunity to preach the gospel For Paul had no credentials that would be of use, and as prisoner suspicion would be cast upon him. So that God 1 himself gave him the best credentials by bestowing on him miraculous pow CT Paul healed many others; and as Christs works of healing showed his kindness and love for men, and re vealed the loving nature of our heavenly Father, so Paul's aid for the sick expressed the kindliness of the