The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-11-03

INC boul OF MS SerEbntS. and none OF
hem that take refuge inN him shall be
sondemned.--Ps H:22.
Paul was at Malta three months,
from the last Of November TO the last
of February, A. p. 30. A bay on the
north shore is still called st. Pnul's
bny. Much help on this lesson can be
secured by reading Mr.. James Smiths
book on the "VOyagc aud Shipwreck of
st. Paul." Sir William Ramsey's. "St.
Paul, the Traveller" and Everyday
Men" by Robert Elliott Thompson.
!. Paul safely ashore CT :3s.44). Az
the day dawned the ship was lightcned
for third time to enable them to np-
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
port where the ship now lay. Discov-
acing n s:gall creek. they perceived
rertnih bay with :, beach upon which
they might run the ship, and hold it
without lis going TO pieces before they
could land. 1t would have hcen i'm
possible TO escape IL they ran upon the
rocks in heavy sen. The words
taken up anchor" w. 5O) indicates
that tho sailors had cast them over
board, but attached to the ship. Now
they cut the cables and permitted
themselves not TO he anchored but to
blow with III" storm that they might
land upon the beach. Approaching the
inlet, where the waters OF the bny
met TINT of the sea, "wliere the two
seas met" the vessel would not an
swcr to its helm. The ship probably
drew about IS feet OF .water, and the
bottom stuck In the clinSing mud and
clay, and the forcpart began to break
away from the rear. due to the vio-
1encc of the waves. Here Paul had his
most narrow escape ". 42). Not
alone WIS llc on the point Of losing
his life by the sea. but the sword hung
over his head, not that Of n lawful ex-
cutioner, but of selfish murderer.
, Before 1t was danger from the sail-
ors: now 1t Is the soldiers. but the
centurion proved true, and oil of the
prisoners were saved for Pnul's sake.
1t 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. md 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 278 persons.
by Gods guaranty was "there shall
be no loss of any mans life," and his
word is sure.
I, II. Paul's continued service (2s:1-
10). This island is today and has
been since 1900 under British rule. It
was then governed by the Romans.
I(D Comfort wv. 1, p. The term
barbarian" does not indicate rudencss
or uncivlllzed people, but merely those
of nop-Greek birth. These people kin.
died 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 eakrtnined angels una
wares. (Heb. 1922. (2) Cooperation
Nv. 81: The fire would need continual
replenlshlng. Again Paul's energy is
conspicuous. Though the greatest of
men then living, he was ready to do
the humblest duty. Whether counsel
ing about difficulty or comforting I'M
der dangers, he was ready to relieve
distress Mt all times, and thus held up
the banner Of the cross and proved his
Christian spirit.
! Az 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-
lieve that in tho earlier days, when
sparsely inhabited, this common Eu-
ropean serpent, known as the viper, or
possibly the Egyptian asp. mny not
have been here. 1t was natural for
superstitlous nations to expect that
this was the vengeance Of a god
brought upon Paul because no doubt
ne was n murderer. Having escaped
from the wreck. Paul could not escape
from the sword of divine Justice. ana
tho goddess of justice, Nemesis, the
avenger. suffered him not to live.
With perfect composure. doubtless
arising from Gods promises that Christ
had made to his servants Mark 16:
Is; Luke 10:10), and nlso the promises
that he should preach tho gospel In
Rome, Paul shook the viper from his
wrist. They then changed their minds,
thinking that he must be god (see
Acts 14:S.19).
No reference is made to Paurs
preaching, though, Of course, that is
taken for granted.
His words and deeds went along
with his preaching.
They honored him with many hon.
ors, and loaded them with such things
as were necessary, such ns clothing
Anu provisions, not OF necessity, but
put of kindness and love
Service is one Of the ways by which
ire can show tO tho world orr life of