direct our steps, and in our experience we shall find the promise
fulfilled."
[Sidenote: Julius the Roman Captain.]
Paul's appeal to Caesar made it necessary for him to go to Rome, Italy,
where the Roman Emperor lived. Accordingly, when all was in readiness,
and passage on a ship secured, Paul and some other prisoners embarked
for Rome. He was put into the charge of a Roman captain named Julius, a
man who proved to be a kind, honorable gentleman, and a true friend to
Paul. He recognized that his apostle-prisoner was a great and good man,
and possessed wisdom superior to that even of the wisest. Thrilling
experiences happened on this voyage that proved to Julius that Paul was
not only wise but also inspired of the Lord. No matter where Paul was,
in whose company he was thrown, in peace or persecution, in prospect of
life or threatened death, he was always the same earnest preacher of
the Gospel--a true servant of his Lord and Master Jesus Christ. This is
why even his enemies respected and feared him, and why Julius and other
honest men admired and loved him.
[Sidenote: Companions.]
[Sidenote: On the Sea.]
Two of Paul's true friends were with them, Luke the doctor and
historian, and Aristarchus from Thessalonica. Sailing northward from
Caesarea, they stopped for a day at Sidon, where, through the courtesy
of Julius, Paul went ashore to see his friends who were living there.
What a happy and yet sad meeting that must have been! From Sidon, they
sailed to the northwest, past the island of Cyprus, thence westward,
past the shore of Asia Minor. At Myra, a city of Lycia, Julius, the
Centurion, found a ship sailing from Alexandria to Italy, so he
transferred his prisoners from the ship of Adranythum to the one from
Alexandria. This latter ship was loaded with wheat that was being taken
from Egypt to Italy.
[Sidenote: "The Fair Havens."]
For many days, the ship moved very slowly because of a heavy wind, but
at length it came to the island of Crete. They followed its shore until
they found a harbor called "The Fair Havens," near the city of Lasea.
As it was not a very good place in which to spend the winter, the owner
concluded to sail to another harbor.
PAUL GIVES WARNING
As the sailing was dangerous, it being late in the season, Paul warned
them not to leave, saying:
[Sidenote: Inspired Warning.]
"Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with injury and much damage,
not only of the lading of the ship, but also of our lives;" and he
urged them to stay where they were for the winter.
But the owner of the ship, believing Paul didn't know anything about
sailing, said it was alright to go; and the Centurion believing the
owner of the ship had better judgment than Paul, consented to sail for
sea again.
[Sidenote: Ancient Ships.]
The ships in those days were not like the steamships of today. They
were "rudely built and rigged; having one large mast, through whose
head passed Ancient strong ropes; and one large sail. It was steered by
two paddle-rudders. Easily strained and exposed to leakage, it was in
danger of floundering; the way in which many ancient vessels were lost.
Ropes were carried for binding the hull when weakened by storm. On the
prow was a painted eye, as if seeking direction and watching against
danger. Its ornaments were figures of heathen divinities, to whom
idolatrous and superstitious sailors looked for protection."
Paul's judgment told him it was dangerous to attempt to cross the
Mediterranean Sea in such a boat, and he knew by the inspiration of
the Lord that, if the sailors attempted to do so, they would meet with
disaster.
There were two hundred and seventy-six persons on board as they weighed
anchor at Fair Havens, and continued their journey. The fair weather
and favorable wind gave promise of a successful and safe voyage; and no
doubt the sailors laughed at Paul for his fears.
[Sidenote: A Storm Begins.]
But suddenly all was changed. A strong wind sweeping down from the
mountains on the shore, struck the ship and wheeled it around. The
sailors were unable to control it, and the rudder was powerless to
guide it. Behind the ship was a little boat, which they now pulled up
on board; and as the ship was being threatened to be dashed to pieces,
they bound it with ropes to keep it together, and if possible, to
prevent it from leaking.
[Sidenote: Ship Threatened.]
But notwithstanding all their efforts, the boat began to leak, and was
driven out into the sea. It was then that "they began to lighten the
ship." Still the "tempestuous" wind and rain beat against the ship,
and the danger of ship wreck increased every hour. The hours dragged
on into days, and the hungry, stricken passengers and sailors paced
terror-stricken day and night. On the third day, Luke says, "We cast
out with our own hands the tackling of the ship;" by which we conclude
that the ship was leaking so badly that even the passengers assisted in
casting overboard everything that could be thrown.
"And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small
tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken
away."
Even Luke, it seems lost heart, and was about to give up.
[Sidenote: All in Despair but One.]
"Without regular food--and what they had probably in a spoiled
condition--drenched and cold, despair seized the whole company. But
there was one exception--that was Paul. While others were losing hope,
'he was engaged in earnest prayer.' Neither discomfort nor danger,
nor opposition to his counsels, nor these combined could disturb his
calmness which was so unlike the fear and anguish about him. There was
a great contrast between the reeling ship and his firmness; between the
darkness, and the heavenly light within him; between bodily weakness
and spiritual strength; between the despairing cries about him, and
his calm voice; between the painted eye on the ship's prow, and the
all-seeing eye upon him; between the ornamental images of powerless
false gods, and the Almighty Ruler over all."
In the midst of this despair and darkness, Paul arose, and said:
[Sidenote: A Prophecy.]
"Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from
Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now, I exhort you to
be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among
you, but the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God,
whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be
brought before Caesar; and lo, God has given thee all of them that sail
with thee; wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that
it shall be even as it was told me. But we must be cast upon an island."
[Sidenote: Sailors Attempt to Escape.]
For fourteen days the storm lasted; and then one night the sailors
thought they were nearing land. They sounded the depth and found the
water twenty fathoms deep; then in a little while, they measured again,
and found it fifteen fathoms deep, so they knew that land was not far
away. They anchored the ship, and looked anxiously for the day. Then
some of the sailors began to lower the little boat, pretending to throw
out more anchors, but really intending to forsake the ship and leave
all on board to destruction. When Paul discovered their purpose, he
said to the Centurion,
[Sidenote: Paul Stops Them.]
"Unless these sailors stay in the ship none of us can be saved." At
this the soldiers cut the rope and let the boat fall away, so the
sailors could not get off.
[Sidenote: Comfort and Food.]
About daylight, Paul addressed the company again, and urged them to
take food. "This is the fourteenth day," he said, "that you have gone
without eating, wherefore, I pray you to take some meat; for this is
for your health: for there shall not a hair fall from the head of any
of you."
He then took bread, and gave thanks in the presence of them all: and
when he had broken it, he began to eat. Encouraged by Paul's faith and
assurance, they all broke their fast, and then lightened the ship by
throwing overboard the wheat.
As soon as daylight came, they could see land, but did not know what
place it was. However, they saw a creek coming into the sea, and
concluded they could run their ship safely into the bay. So they cut
anchor, hoisted the sail, and struck for shore.
As a climax of all disasters, the ship ran aground. The front end stuck
fast in the sand and the rear part began to break in pieces.
[Sidenote: Ship Wrecked.]
There was a Roman law which said a soldier must take a prisoner's
place if the soldier permitted the prisoner to escape; so the soldiers
fearing the prisoners might swim ashore and escape asked the Centurion
to kill all the prisoners while they were on board. But Julius,
desiring to save Paul's life, refused to permit the prisoners to be
killed. Some then swam ashore, and rendering help to others, succeeded
in getting every soul safe to land--not one life was lost, but the
ship, just as Paul had foretold it.
The island was Melita, just south of Sicily.
THE POWER OF GOD MANIFEST
Luke says "the barbarous people showed us no little kindness; for they
kindled a fire, and received us everyone, because of the present rain,
and because of the cold."
[Sidenote: Bitten by a Viper.]
Paul was busy helping to feed the fire, and to make it more comfortable
for himself and others, when something happened that startled the
natives. A viper crawled from one of the sticks, and fastened itself
on Paul's hand. When the people saw it, and knew how poisonous it was,
they said:
"No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea,
yet vengeance will not permit to live."
[Sidenote: Natives Astonished.]
Then they looked for him to swell up and die. But they were surprised
to see that not the least harm came to him. Then they changed their
minds, and said he was a god.
[Sidenote: Gospel Preached.]
Undoubtedly, Paul told them who he was, and preached the Gospel of
Jesus Christ to them. They were entertained by Publius, the chief man
of the island, who also heard the Gospel, and saw the power of the
Priesthood made manifest. His father was sick of fever, and very ill.
Paul administered to him by laying on of hands, and he was instantly
healed. The news of these miracles soon spread with the result that
many who were sick "came to the brethren and were healed."
"All these honored us with many honors," says the historian Luke, "And
when we departed, they loaded us with such things as were necessary."
[Sidenote: Seeds of Truth Sown.]
What a blessing to these people was the three months sojourn of Paul
and his companions, and with what keen regret and sorrow they must have
said goodby when the "Castor and Pollus," the ship from Alexandria,
carried Paul away from them forever? It carried him, but not the truths
he had taught. These would remain with them, and, if accepted, would
bless them eternally.
LESSON 38
THE WORLD ENRICHED BY A PRISONER CHAINED
"The blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church."
[Sidenote: Anticipation vs. Realization.]
A few school boys, one day, met to debate the question, "Resolved,
That there is more pleasure in Anticipation than in Realization." One
on the side that tried to prove that Anticipation gives more pleasure,
referred to every boy's experience at Christmas time, saying that
the day before Christmas and Christmas Eve always give more joy than
Christmas itself--"As soon as the boy gets his toys, then he begins to
regret that Christmas isn't tomorrow."
That boy expressed in his simple way about the same thought contained
in this sentence from Emerson: "Man looks forward with smiles but
backward with sighs;" or as another writer puts it, "What we expect is
always greater than what we enjoy."
Such may not be the case always in life; but it certainly must have
been Paul's experience in regard to his anticipated visit to Rome. For
several years he had looked forward with pleasure to the time when he
would have the opportunity to preach the Gospel in the famous capital
of the great Roman Empire. But now as he approaches the realization of
his hopes, he is an old man, worn with exposure and confinement, and a
prisoner.
However, we must not conclude that he was left comfortless, or that
he had any less desire to bear testimony to the world of the divine
mission of his Savior. On the contrary he continued to seize every
opportunity to preach the everlasting Gospel.
[Sidenote: Syracuse.]
This he did when the "Castor and Pollux" or "The Twin Brothers,"
stopped eighty miles north from Malta, at a place called Syracuse,
the ancient capital of Sicily. It is not unlikely that Paul asked
permission to go ashore and preach the Gospel to the Jews and the
Gentiles who were in that celebrated city. If so, we are sure Julius
would grant his request. At any rate, the Sicilians afterward claimed
that Paul founded the Church on that island.
[Sidenote: Puteoli.]
His next important stop was on the northern part of the beautiful
bay of Naples, where was situated a town named Puteoli; now known as
_Pozzuoli_. As the ship carrying Paul and his friends entered this
harbor, it was met by a crowd of people who had gathered to greet
it. Among these were "brethren" who came to welcome and comfort the
missionary-prisoner. Perhaps through a desire of Julius to remain here
long enough to communicate with Rome, or it may be through his kindness
to Paul, the company remained at Puteoli seven days, thus giving the
Elders an opportunity to spend a Sabbath day with the Saints in that
place. How refreshing to Paul's spirit to worship once again with those
who possessed the same testimony of the Gospel as he!
[Sidenote: Met by True Friends.]
Word having been sent ahead that Paul was on his way from Puteoli
to Rome, many of the brethren in that city started out to meet the
beloved and famous missionary. No doubt the Saints in Rome realized
that Paul's spirit as well as his body would be worn and weary, and,
as true friends indeed, they made preparation to go to him. True
friendship always prompts one to go to a friend in adversity rather
than in prosperity. It may be that they desired only to give him a
royal convoy into their city; for he was truly a royal personage even
though bound in chains. Whatever their motive, some of the brethren
traveled forty-one miles, and met their beloved Apostle at the Apii
Forum. Another party met him at "Three Taverns"--thirty miles from
Rome. Paul's heart was touched by this manifestation of friendship and
true brotherhood, and he "thanked God, and took courage."
[Sidenote: Under Guard.]
When the company reached the renowned capital of the ancient world,
it must have seemed to Paul like a huge prison; and when his friends
parted from him to go to their own homes and he to his guarded place,
his heart must have been heavy indeed. However, Julius kindly delivered
his prisoner over to the captain of the Pretorian Guard, the highest
military authority in the city--the guard that had charge of all those
who were to come before the Emperor for trial. Fortunately, Paul was
not put in prison but permitted to dwell in a house by himself, under
the constant guard of a soldier. Here he was given all the freedom
possible, to a prisoner; so, true to his energetic spirit, he found
many opportunities to continue his preaching. This he would do first
to the soldiers to whom he was chained daily. As they would frequently
relieve one another, he would have ample opportunity to preach the
truth to many of the guards, and thus, probably, indirectly to the
Emperor himself.
[Sidenote: Appeals to Jews.]
He made occasion, also, to preach to the Jews. He called the chief
men of this nation together and told them why he was then a prisoner.
"Though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our
fathers," said he, "yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into
the hands of the Romans, who, when they had examined me, would have let
me go, because there was no cause of death in me; but when the Jews
spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar.
"For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to
speak with you, because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with
this chain."
[Sidenote: Jews Reject Message.]
The Jews answered that they had heard nothing of evil against him;
but "as concerning this sect (meaning the Christians), we know that
everywhere it is spoken against." In fact, in Rome as elsewhere, the
Jews rejected the Gospel message, and compelled Paul to turn to the
Gentiles.
[Sidenote: The Gospel Spreads.]
For nearly eight hundred days, Paul remained a prisoner awaiting his
trial before the Emperor. During that time, he preached the Gospel to
hundreds of soldiers who had one after another daily been appointed as
guards. These, when converted, would convert others, and when sent off
to Roman provinces, would spread the Gospel in new lands, thus widening
the area in which the light of truth might shine.
[Sidenote: Message Through Epistles.]
But that was not the only way in which it radiated from the humble
abode of the missionary-prisoner. During that two years confinement,
he kept in communication with the Church in Europe and Asia. As there
were no railroads, no steamboats, nor telegraph, every letter that
he received or that he sent to them was carried by a courier, who
had to travel very slowly by land and sea, sometimes for hundreds
of miles. But he had loving friends attending him who were always
ready to bear his messages. Some of these you already know. Luke, the
faithful physician; Timothy, his son in the Gospel; John Mark, who,
you remember, started with Paul and Barnabas on their first mission;
Aristarchus of Thessalonica; Epaphroditus, a friend from Macedonia;
Onesimus, a slave belonging to Paul's friend, Philemon, and others.
With these faithful servants as messengers, Paul wrote letters, called
epistles, which have made the whole world better and richer in the
knowledge of truth. These letters are now in the New Testament, and are
called Epistle to the Philippians, Epistles to Philemon, Epistle to the
Colossians, and Epistle to the Ephesians.
[IMAGE: ST. PAUL. Chained by the wrist to his soldier guard, in his own
house, for two whole years.]
Thus did Paul's epistles written in a Roman prison become literally
"Winged messengers that can fly from east to west on embassies of love."
[Sidenote: Released.]
Certainty of what Paul did after his having been a prisoner in Rome for
two years, ends with Luke's statement, that he "received all that came
unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which
concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no man forbidding
him." It is believed, however, that he was finally given his liberty
and that he preached in many lands, tradition saying that he even went
to England. It is thought that it was during this missionary tour that
he wrote his first letter to Timothy, who had been appointed to take
care of the church at Ephesus, and also the one to Titus who was with
the churches on the island of Crete.
[Sidenote: Again Arrested.]
About the year 64 A. D., however, he was again arrested and imprisoned
in Rome. Only a year previous the Saints had been persecuted to death
by the wicked Nero. They had been thrown into the Arena, devoured by
wild beasts, burned to death as human torches, and martyred in other
cruel ways.
[Sidenote: Beheaded.]
It was soon after the burning of Rome by this wicked emperor, that
Paul, the most energetic of all missionaries, after thirty years of
constant service in the ministry, was put to death by beheading. Just
before the end came, he wrote to Timothy these beautiful and pathetic
words:
"I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the
faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day."'
As he bowed his head to receive the fatal stroke, we know that he could
have said in very truth:
"I feel my immortality o'ersweep all pains, all tears, all time, all
fears; and peal, like the eternal thunders of the deep, into my ears
this truth--thou livest forever!"
Before the Royal he was kingly,
In the prison, noble, true;
In the tempest, mighty captain
Of a terror-stricken crew.
Sunless days nor nights of blackness,
Prison chains--tempestuous wave.
Floundered ship nor deadly viper--
Feared he not the yawning grave.
"God's good angel stood beside me,
His I am and Him I serve,"
This the secret of his power--
Him from Right no power could swerve.