_And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy! _ ST. Paul’s voyage The power of religion is best seen when it is exhibited in living reality. It is so as to its sanctifying energy. It is so, too, as to its efficacy in sustaining amid danger, and comforting in difficulty and sadness.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when we had sailed slowly many days._ SLOW SAILING As on board our ships, one has not always a favourable wind, and does not always proceed quickly forward, so the Christian in his journey through life has often to wait. (_K. Gerok._) CAME UNTO A PLACE WHICH IS CALLED THE FAIR HAVENS._--_ T... [ Continue Reading ]
_But not long after there arose … a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon._ PAUL IN THE STORM No landsman who has never been in a storm at; sea can truly picture one. The description in our lesson is allowed by those who know to be one of the best ever written. It is on record that Lord Nelson read... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared._ SPIRITUAL DARKNESS I. There are many ways in which we may account for this state of mind. 1. It may be due in part to nervous and physical exhaustion. To the speed of modern life we do not add an increased proportion of rest. And to all our... [ Continue Reading ]
_For there stood by me this night the angel of God._ THE ANGEL OF GOD I. Paul’s consolations. 1. The visit of the angel. Once it would have alarmed him. Rut then he was in the service of the prince of darkness! Now he has changed masters; and he can say of the Father of lights, “Whose I am, and w... [ Continue Reading ]
_God hath given thee all them who sail with thee._ CHRISTIAN PILOTAGE What Paul was in that ship, Christianity seeks to be in the vessel of the world. What was that? I. He took upon himself the direction of common affairs. The master of the ship gave way, the centurion was no longer the centurion... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me._ A CHEERY WORD IN TROUBLOUS TIMES The presence of a brave man in the hour of danger is a very great comfort to his companions. You must have seen in history that it is the one man, after all, that wins... [ Continue Reading ]
_But when the fourteenth night was come … about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country._ LAND AHEAD I. Men possess that which tells them there is land ahead. “The shipmen deemed,” etc. There is, universally, a consciousness in man, that beyond this there is “some country.”... [ Continue Reading ]
_And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship._ SELFISHNESS I. Its hideous character. 1. Its cowardice. They sought to flee out of the ship. 2. Its cunning. “Under colour,” pretending “as though they would have cast anchors,” they let down the boat into the sea. Selfishness has always a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the soldiers cut off the ropes._ PRECAUTIONS 1. By casting off the boat--the apparent means of safety--true safety in this case was secured. Thus many a soul is saved by giving up what it may have once esteemed most precious. 2. By assuming command, Paul on this occasion saved his companion... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship._ FOOD AND WORK What is the use of gaining strength by eating, unless we are to put our strength to some practical service? We might as well starve for lack of food as to live worthless lives while we have bread enough and to spare. It is of... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship._ And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land. SAFE TO LAND They were all saved notwithstanding-- I. Their fears to the contrary. You have feared-- 1. The power of the Evil One. 2. The subtlety of your own hear... [ Continue Reading ]