Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1921-11-24

sailing from Myra to Italy.
2. The company. Two of Paul's
friends, Aristarchus and Luke. are
permitted to go with him. Besides
these three there were 273 in the ship
w. y.
3. The storm. The ship made little
Roadway on account of unfavorable
winds. Paul advised that they winter
in Fair Havens wv 9-12), but his ad-
vice was unheeded. The gentle south
wind deceived them, SO they loosed
from Crete, only to be soon Overtaken
by the tempestuous wind, called Eu-
roclydon. They did everything pos
sible to save the ship. They took up
the boat which was towed behind !;
they bound great cables around the
ship to strengthen it for the storm !;
they lightened the ship by bringing
down from the maSts and rigging ev-
erything that was superfluous; and
finally, the cargo and tackling of the
ship itself were thrown overheard All
this seemed to be Of no avail, so that
all hope of being saved was removed.
1t seemed that wicked men and ma
terial forces were combined to pre-
vent the great apostle from reaching
Rome. However, this is only appar
ent, for these very experiences were
overruled by God to bring good cheer
and salvation to many on the way.
We should remember that tempestu-
Gus winds, as well as the soft breezes,
await Gods faithful ones. The pres
ence of storms does not prove that we
are going the wrong way.
II. PauI's Serene Faith wv. 21-26).
To a man who did not know God,
the failure of the sun and stars to
shine for many days, the fading of all
hope, was natural; but to the man Of
faith, hope still burns brightly. God
is just as near to His own in the midst
of stormy sea as in their quiet homes.
Note Paurs behavior:
l. His rebuke for their failure to
heed his advice at Fair Ravens ".
Ply. This was not a mere taunt, but
reference to the wisdom of his for
mer advice urging them to give him
a more respectable hearing.
2. Bids them be of good cheer ".
22). He inspired them with hope.
g. He promises them safety ". 22).
Though the ship would go to pieces,
every mans life would be saved.
4. The source of his information
wv. %, 24). The angel of God had
revealed It unto him.
5. The reason Of Pauls calm faith
". 23). Whose l am and whom 1
serve
Ill. The Ships Crew All Safe on
Land (vv. 27-44).
This was exactly as the Lord had
said. We can rest assured that all
God has spoken shall come to pass,
even though there be broken ship,
brutal soldiers and a perfdious crew.
Aside from the fulfillment, of Gods
promise, the most important part of
this section is the splendid sanity
which characterizes Paul's action on
the way. Two things especially mark
his sanctified common sense
l. His vigilance had detected that
the sailors had planned to escape. He
knew how much they would be need
ed presently, and at once took steps
to prevent their escape. He went
straight to the man in charge and said,
Except these abide in the ship, We
cannot be saved" He practiced the
truth that genuine reliance upon God
is the all-powerful incentive to human
action. Gods DEGREES always include
the means for their accomplishment.
2. He knew that the furnishing con-
dition of the people was not the most
favorable for the physical struggle
which was soon to be undergone by
them when they must struggle through
the water to the shore. SO he gets
them to take a substantial breakfast.
He had the good sense to look after
that which was necessary. 1t was no
time to talk to these men about their
souls, for their bodies needed the main
attention. His prayer for that meal
had more effect upon the people than
his preaching would have had Let
US learn from this the divine method
Of administration, namely, God over
ruling While man trusts Him and acts.
A vigorous faith manifests itself in
reasonable action.
Peopled the F.oly City.