Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-11-06
Paul a Prisoner
The Shipwreck
Sundsy School Lesson for Nov. 7, 1903
Specially Arranged for This Paper


Orv verses. g. I'D
GOLDEN TEXT. -'Tho Lord rcde.meth
the soul OF DIS servants. auf mono OF
them that trust in him shan h. desoiate."
TrIE.-Early On November. a. j. SO or
81
PLACES raus bay on tho north-
east Shore ~ tne Island of HfaIta. in tne
Meaitcrranoan sen. DO miles southwest
" the most soUtltrlv 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-
stances. We have found h.m con
scientous. consecratcd to God. de
voted 10 the good and the salvation OF
his fellow men. energetic. wise. cour-
agcous. joyful faithful. persevcrinE.
independent. unselfsh. courteous. of
strong feelings. but selfcontrollcd.
sanity and true. We have seen him
chiefly az his missionary work
In This storm and wreck we see him
from another point of view. connected
with bodily interests. physical needs.
things pertaining 90 ordinary human
life, as a man among men. not. as one
has said, "a long-distance pastor" but
ia close touch with humanity.
J. The Manly Authority OF a Tested
Character.-Ns. 1882 The four
teenth night" ~. % 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
Adriauc sea. but the name then given
20 the central basin OF the Mediter-
raneau. The shipmen deemed that
they drew near 20 some country"
20 They cast four anchors out OF
the stern" Anchoring from the stern
is unusual but much the best under
the circumstance. for 10 would leave
them free 90 sail 90 either shore when
daylight come. During tho drcary
waiting. while they wished FOR the
day the sailors tried TO save them
selves az the expense OF an the rest
by means 81 the boat. the one visible
way OF reaching the shore. But Paul.
noticing the plan. appealed 20 the
centurion aud the soldiers 20 nut a
stop 90 a. Tho sailors had the boat.
but the soldiers had the weapons and
the power Paul therefore appealed
90 the soldiers. for De saw clearly that
lv. SD except these abide I'm the
ship. ye cannot be- saved" as had
been promised. Those who went in
the boat would doubtless De drowned.
and even n they reached the shore.
there were none left 90 manage the
ship. especially ~ the officers Of the
ship We're among those who planned
so selhshly for their own safety.
The soldiers put an end 90 the plan
by cutting the ropes and letting the
boat adrift
Nothing was too good FOR Paul
after that and when 40 last the shin
broke. and the roll call was made on
land, every man. soldier. and sailor
sang out cheerily. Here And when
az last Paul got TO Rome. Capt. Julius
and his soldiers did not soon tire OF
telling 20 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.-V
1888. While the day was coming. "
AS soon as IL was light enough 10 find
food. Continued fasting" took no
regular meals
81. Il pray you take some meat"
food; FOR your health" safety. they
would need 20 put their bodies in the
best condition to give them the
strength needed 10 reach the shore.
80. He began to eat" To lead
them on by his example. he himself
did what he advised them to do.
SO. Then were they all Of good
cheer. The hearty cheerfulness lis
II too colloquial phrase TO say the
'pluck?) of the apostle had communi-
Gated itself, as by a kind Of electric !
sympathy. 10 his companions"
III 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. 40. |
Publius, the governor Of the island, |
living not far away. entertained the
company for three days till they had |
time 20 make other arrangements.
The father Of the governor lay crit
icaiiy sick Of dysentery. Paul prayed !
for him and laid his hands on him,
and healed him. This gave Paul an
opportunity 10 preach the gospel. For |
Paul had no credentials that would be |
Of use. and as a prisoner suspicion
would be cast upon him. So that God
himself gave him the best credentials !
by bestowing on him miraculous pow
CT. Paul healed many others: and as |
Christ's 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 kindness OF the |
gospel.
CASTING Away Cares