Evening star., 1921-11-26
Sunday School LessonI

power was given to the praying pris-
oner. Prosperity prevents many from
seeing the face of their Lord. Peril
drives most people to the throne OF
grace. Paul found poise in prayer-
God revealed His plan to save the shil,
TO his praying servant. Standing by
him in vision that night, the Lord
prepared the apostle to take charge
Of the ship in the storm and also TO
understand that he was to enter Rome
equipped with the supernatural pres
tige and power needed for his work
with the Roman, the man of power
Paul found peace in the Masters pres
ence and promise in the hour of trial
In that dark hour of despair. when
after fourteen days they had battled
with the storm, Paul commenced to
cheer and comfort the people by his
confidence and courage. The one
whom they despised and whose warn
ings they rejected, because they looked
upon him as an impractical. pious
preacher, suddenly became the leader
and director of affairs on board the
ship. Although he was only d pas
senger and d prisoner, yet he prac-
tically took command when he re
buked them for their failure to listen
to him at Fair Haven. in order that
they might be encouraged to listen TO
him now, when he reassured them
that all would be saved. Some of the
sailors We're able to detect the sound
of breakers. This convinced them
that they were near shore. Sound
ings proved that they were RAPIDLY
approaching land. They were plotting
to escape in boats under the preteAt
, that they were about ito lay out an
chorS from the bows" This the
apostle prevented by pointing out
their cowardly plan to desert the ship
and bring all into peril. The centurian
gave the orders and the soldiers pre-
-la..f, L..
empty boat adrift.
Paul recognized that all needed 1"
be strengthened for the trying task
of the morning. so he summoned all
to eat. He assured them of their
source of safety. When taking bread.
he poured out his thanksgiving pray
er before the soldiers. sailors and
passengers. 1t must have Impressed
the motley group. largely made up
of idolaterS. and opened the door for
the conversion Of all the rest of the
216 persons on board after he rescued
them from danger through his saga
cious plans. The sailors kept on
board were able TO obey the cap
tain's commands, which landlubbers
could not have done, when he ordered
,hem TO cast loose the anchors, un-
lash the rudder paddles and steer
straight for the beach-that encour-
aged them to try to make "A landing.
although they unloaded the wheat
so that they could successfully beach
the ship. they failed 10 save the
boat The current of the narrow
channel that cuts the small island of
Salmonetta from Malta formed sand
bars by meeting the tide of the bay.
now called st. Paul's. On one of
| these sandbars the ship stuck fast
ana Immediately the heavy sea began
10 break up the stern.
Paul, through his influence over
JULIUS, restrained the soldiers from
| executing the merciless purpose
which their Roman discipline had
taught them. of destroying the pris-
oners lives They feared that il the
prisoners escaped after reaching
shore they would be disgraced and
tnat their own lives would be jeopar-
| oiZed The sagacity of paul and
MS personality resulted in all being
saved. In this Gods word was full
hiled. The apostle not only PRAYED
out ne used every practical and rea
sohdpie means to help answer his
| own prayers. The spiritual man. of
| al al men. should he a practical mar.
Faith without works spells failur.
Coniplne confidence in Gods po,rcr.
win an effort to do His will r.r
his glory will always turn Ir.'s
greatest trials into triumphs