The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-11-17
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 10
FROM MELITA TO ROME.

Sno kOoptlS kOT u IL tHe power OF GOD I'M
70 salvation to everyone that b<lieveth.-
Rom. 1:1s.
+, In this lesson we see somewhat of
the human side of Paul's character.
NO man appreciated fellowship more
than he. Look up Acts IL 10; 1876:
Cor. 7:8; Thess. 81, 2; II Tim. 4 :ci.
]. The Sea Journey wv. lid.
Paul left Meltn (Alalta) probably Feb
ruary, A. D. CO. From there to Syria
cuse was distance OF between 80 and
HOO miles. From the Island Of Syria.
cuse (now part of italy, to Rheglum
was one days sail. From Rhegium to
Puteoli was $50 miles. Putcoli (mod.
ern PozzuolD Is In the Bay Of Naples,
eight miles from the modern city Of
Naples. Paul and hls band who had
done SO much for the Maltese were
specially honored with many honors.
i(v. 10)
In these verses we have picture of
Paul seeking out his brethren wherever
he went, thanking God and taking
courage as they came to meet with
him and converse with him. 1t Is n
picture upon which we ought to ponder
deeply and be grateful that It reveals
to us side Of Paul little known and
appreciated.
u. Tho Land Journey wv. II, 15).
AT Puteoli, Paul and his companions
began their march to 40 miles to the
city Of Rome. After a march of 90
miles they reached the famous April
Forum. 1. g.. "The market Of Appius."
Here Paul is met by the first dele
CATION from the church at Rome, who
were waiting to welcome him and
Luke and escort them to the capital
city. A second delegation met them at
the Three Taverns, or 1.-THE Three
Shops" as we would call stores in the
modern sense. These Christians hnd
come at no small cost, as they had to
walk 40 miles to the April Forum and
b8 to the Three Taverns, and then
walk the same distance back to the
city. Thus 1t was that the sight of
these friends cheered Paul and he
thanked God. We can we'll imagine
the Joy Of those souls, the communion
enjoyed by those pilgrims as they
3ourneyed toward the imperial city.
We can see In the letters which Paul
wrote from Rome plain signs of his
longing for sympathetic friends and Gun
Imagine how he must have felt upon
being thus greeted on his Journey. We
can also imagine something of the
blessing and inspiration which must
= have come to those Christians who met
E1is famous soldier Of the cross and
cad the privilege Of escorting him to
sthe city:
/ III. In Rome wv. 1920. Having
entered into the city the centurion Ju-
Illus, who had become friend of Paul,
delivered the prisoners to the captain
Of the guard. This officer we are told
was nberal-minded man, one Of the
Few good people in the corrupt life Of
the city. Paul was probably first taken
to the forum, which was the center of
Imperial power and magnlfcence and
near which was the 'house Of Caesar"
(Phil. 4:22.) Paul was not sent to
prison for It was against the law to
put a Roman into prison without
trial. but he was permitted to dwell
by himself in "hls own hired house."
Of course, there was soldier who
guarded him. This was the city where
Paul had so long desired to preach the
Gospel. from. 1:14.1e) As In other
places, he first turned to the Jews, for
l1e loved his own people no matter how
enuch he had suffered at their hands.
He got them together that he might
preach unto them Jesus and sought to
Eonciliate them.
In Pauls preaching he always EN-.
phasized that Messiah was risen
from the dead as guaranty of all
other resurrections. In his day, as IN
shis present one, there were those
VINO spoke against this, and yet that
resurrection was to conquer the world
end to save 1t from moral ruin. Those
present had had no word out Of Judea.
~. 2l) At later and q public meet
ing ". 28) there came unto him, that
ts, into his lodgings, great numbers to
Rnom Paul sounded the Gospel of the
Kingdom and gave his personal testi.
tnony. He proved out Of the law Of
Moses and out Of the prophets, COM
|mon ground for them all, that the Mes
ptah had truly come, the prophecies of
Ehe kingdom Of God had been fulfilled,
hnd that Jesus by his life and death
hnd teaching had shown the Jews how
perfectly the latter were fulfilled. This
Paul did from morning till evening.
following tho same line as In his
speech before Agrippa aud IN other
places where he had been testifying.
Al Of his explanations and testimon.
kals conferred in Jesus. It was no alb
ptract mental theory for an improved
prder Of society but definite reign Of
3 definite person, Jesus of Nazareth.
Paul lis great example for any Bible
Student to follow.
As on so many other occasions,
Paul's preaching caused a division. ".
ee.)
And again he turns to the Gentiles.
". 2s.)