Evening star., 1928-12-08
Sunday School Lesson

Luke, the beloved physician. accom-
panied Paul on his journey to Rome
with Aristarchus, according to RAM
say, as slaves. Their presence with
Paul, who did not travel as an ordi-
nary prisoner, added to the apostles
dignity and importance. It was this
fact that gave him the information
that he may have written out in a
diary and that he used In writing the
most graphical record Of the voyage,
that gives 1t rank as masterpiece of
biblical literature. While everything
seemed to be against Paul, Luke shows
how Paul never lost his courage. his
poise, or his faith In God, during the
six months that it took to make the
journey. He brought out PaupS ca
pacity as a prophet and leader, which
would impress the Roman authorities,
who would review his case at Rome. In
this record of Luke, which has been
compared with that Of Thucydides in
grasp and power, we have more infor-
nation concerning ancient seafaring
than can be found in any other source
The Prison Preacher.
Paul had opportunity on the island
of Malta, at Syracuse, Reggie and Put
coli to preach the gospel OF the king
dom of God. He found Christian friends
in the latter CITY, which was the sea-
port of Rome They dispatched word
to the brethren In Rome, some OF whom
met Paul at the market Of Appius, 40
miles from Rome. When he had Travelled
over the famous Appian Way about 10
miles farther, he was met by another
delegation Of Christian disciples from
the metropolis at the Three Taverns.
This was q new experience for Paul,
so he thanked God and took courage
for he considered 1t a happy omen.
No more remarkable man ever passed
through, the Arch of Drusus into the
city of Rome than the prisoner of
Julius, the centurian, whose high char
acter, courtesy to and confidence IN Paul
appears on every page OF the narrative
of their journey. He had tried TO snow
every possible consideration to his
distinguished prisoner, who rejoiced
when he entered Rome. Cnrist nag 3,1
kept his word Paul was IN the worlds
capital and from that center he would
press the evangelization program until
he could say concerning his experiences
that the things which have happened
unto me have fallen out rather unto
the progress of the gospel"
while waiting for the decision of
Nero upon his appeal to Caesar, Paul
spent fully two years In his own lodg-
ing as a prisoner He was bound to
one soldier, who guarded him in his
own home, probably near the barracks,
and saw all the friends who visited the
apostle. He was permitted to preach
to all who wished to hear him. In
fact, he started his evangelistic work in
less than a week after arriving In Rome
for he summoned at the earliest DOSSi-
BILE moment the leaders among the Jews
and explained his position and aroused
their interest in his gospel. Some be-
lieved, others refused to believe his
message. Speaking of this prisoner
preaching under the walls of Nero's
palace, one has we'll said; ,thencefor-
ward there was but two religions in the
Roman world, the worship of the em-
peror and the worship of the Savior.
The old superstitions had long been
worn out; they had lost all hold on
educated minds" Paul preached day
and night to all until men commenced
to believe that the only faith that would