The Brinkley argus., 1916-11-03
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 5.
SHIPWREcKED AT MELITA (MaIta)

them that take refuge in him shall be condemned.-Ps 34 422
 Paul was at Malta three months, from the last of November to the last of February, A. D. 59. A bay on the north shore is still called St. Paul's bay. Much help on this lesson can be secured by reading MT. James Smiths book on the Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul." Sir William Ramsey's, "St. Paul, the Traveller" and Everyday Men," by Robert Elliott Thompson.
 l. Paul safely ashore (27 :3s-4N. As the day dawned the ship was frightened for third time to enable them to ap- proach nearer to the shore. This time the main cargo of wheat was thrown out, heretofore having been saved as long as possible. The sailors were fa- miliar with Malta, but not with this part where the ship now lay. Discov- ering small creek, they perceived a certain bay with beach upon which they might run the ship, and hold it without it's going to pieces before they could land. It would have been inn possible to escape if they ran upon the rocks in heavy sea. The words taken up anchor" (v. 4O) indicates that the sailors had cast them over- board, but attached to the ship. Now
 they cut the cables and permitted themselves not to be anchored but to blow with the storm that they might land upon the beach. Approaching the inlet, where the waters of the bay met that of the sea, "where the two seas met" the vessel would not an- swer to it's helm. The ship probably drew about IS feet of water, and the bottom stuck in the clinging mud and clay, and the forepart began to break away from the rear due to the vio- lence of the waves. Here Paul had his most narrow escape (v. 42). Not alone was he on the point of losing his life by the sea, but the sword hung over his head not that of lawful ex- cutioner, but of selfish murderer.
 Before it was danger from the sail OTIS: now it is the soldiers, but the centurion proved true, and all of the prisoners were saved for Paul's sake It would be interesting speculation as to how many of those saved realized that they were not for Paul's sake, but for the sake of his Savior, and how many of them were duly grateful. On this second stage of the journey, after having left Caesarea with the larger ship, there were probably 276 persons, by Gods guaranty was "there shall be no loss of any mans life," and his word is sure.
 II. PauI's continued service (2S:1- 1O). This island is today and has been since 1900 under British rule It was then governed by the Romans. CD Comfort (vv. 1, ?. The term "barbarian" does not indicate rudeness or uncivilized people, but merely those of non-Greek birth. These people kin dled a fire because of the cold and of the rain. They received everyone, prisoners and soldiers like brothers, and, in the persons of Paul and Luke, they certainly entertained angels una wares. (Heb. 13 p. CD Cooperation (v. 3: The fire would need continual Again Paul's energy is Though the greatest of men then living, he was ready to do the humblest duty. Whether counsel ing about difficulty or comforting un- der dangers, he was ready to relieve distress at all times, and thus held up the banner of the cross and proved his Christian spirit.
 AS Paul gathered the roots and put them upon the fire there came out a viper, probably benumbed by the cold, which fastened itself upon his hand. There are now no venomous SerpentS in Malta, but this is no reason to be- sparsely inhabited, this common Eu- ropean serpent, known as the viper, or possibly the Egyptian asp, may not have been here. It was natural for nations to expect that l this was the vengeance of a god l brought upon Paul because no doubt l he was a murderer. Having escaped | from the wreck, Paul could not escape from the sword of divine justice, and | the goddess of justice, Nemesis, the avenger, suffered him not to live. l With perfect composure, doubtless | arising from Gods promises that Christ [ had made to his servants (Mark 16: | IS; Luke 10 :19), and also the promises that he should preach the gospel in | Rome, Paul shook the viper from his | wrist They then changed their minds, that he must be a god (see Acts IA :8-19).
 No reference is made to PauPs though, of course, that Is taken for granted.
 His words and deeds went along with his preaching.
 They honored him with many hon. DTS, and loaded them with such things IS were necessary, such as clothing md provisions, not of necessity, but put of kindness and love.
 Service is one of the ways by which we can show to the world our life of