Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-10-28
By Rev. 4. I. Stevenson.

Although Agfippa had declared, that
Paul was Innocent OF any erime., Fes-
tus was eompsiled, since Paul had aap-.
pealed to Caesar. to send the apostle
to Rome at the first convenient op-
poftunity. No ship being at Caesarea
that Would sail direct to Rome, Paul
was placed with other prisoners on
board Of coast trading ship that
brought them in ffteen days to Myra.
whose harbor-for the city itself was
some distance up tl1e riverAwas the
great port for Egyptian and syriar
COMMERCE. There. they re-embarked
upon o large Alexandrian wheat ship.
that vas carrying an enormous cargo
of grain from Egypt. that was then.
as America ID today. Italy's chief
source Of supply for bread. !.
When Paul. who evidently. as Ram
say has pointed out. had come into his
family possessions. departed from
Caesarea, that had been the place Of
his imprisonment for some time. new
era opened In the history OF Chris
tianity. The graphic and vivid narra-
tive. in fact. the most vivid sea tale
of all antiquity. vas written by Luke.
who was allowed to accompany Paul
as . physiciah. together with Aris-
tarchuS. as an attendant. That sea
voyage married. the providential pass
fng away from the Holy Land of It's
position as the religious center. and
through Paul. the prisoner. 1t was car
ried to Rome. The protection at
ferded Paul and his travelling COM
Imperial guard whose duty 1t was to
see that the political prisoners should
have Q safe conduct to Rome. secured
for the capital city the place lost by
men. His mercy forsook His ancient
people and passed on to Rome the
privilege of sending the gospel to the
world.
The Voyage. which was commenced
tust about at this season of the year,
must have filled the apostle and his
companions with sadness as the coasts
Of the God forsaken land Of their faith
ers passed from their view. They were
CONFERRED IN their sorrow by the evil
denee Of the proyidential protection
God YVES giving them. The humane
centurion Recognized the strong per-
sonAiity Of Paul and gladly extended
every possible courtesy to the apostle
and his travelling companions, allowing
them to visit the Christians In Sidon.
and no doubt the same courtesy was
EXTENDED at other places where their
boat stopped while waiting for local
place along the coast.
Luke's account Of the details Of the
voyage impresses every student with
the fact that It IL not And-Iubbers log
but the record 81 one wen versed In
nautical affairs. The precision and &C.
cufacy Of Luke'S statements have been
cohhfm4d BY historical research and
Inscriptions 10 that Ii the records Of
this eye-Witn4ss. who was alert t.
every phase OF the situation. IL found
the most valuable records Of travel
that hays bean handed down from the
0raSco- Roman world. Any landsmar
can easily trace with 4 map the story
Of the progress made each day by Pau
on this voyage. Providentiaily II en-.
abled the apostle 10 carry out his de-
sire to see Rome SO as to carry out
Gods purpose that the gospel should
he more fully preached. not only ir
Rome but Throughout the world.
The course from Caesarea to Myrs
was easy for a coast trading vessel
but from there on the voyage wal
niled with difficulties. The ifnmens'
sailing vessel required fully fort
night 70 reach Cnidus, the southeAs
point Of Asia Minor. From that plAc,
they ought TO have crossed the opeI
> Iatapan. Saf wnsn thSy lost the shsl
Ter q the lard ths wind would not 81
low them 10 90 any fnrthsr In 10,
faeo. - tefn1n0 D0utnwefa to Cre4or
OF Whlsh Island 0etA 6elotns wae IN
!, north166t -pednt--&Aey aA1leA under ~
lee-nansay. along ~ southern side