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meat： for this is for your health： for there shall not a hair fall from the
head of any of you。〃
〃When he had thus spoken； he took bread； and gave thanks to God in presence
of them all： and when he had broken it； he began to eat。〃 Then that worn and
discouraged company of two hundred and seventy…five souls； who but for Paul
would have become desperate； joined with the apostle in partaking of food。
〃And when they had eaten enough； they lightened the ship； and cast out the
wheat into the sea。〃
Daylight had now fully come； but they could see nothing by which to
determine their whereabouts。 However； 〃they discovered a certain creek with
a shore； into the which they were minded； if it were possible； to thrust in
the ship。 And when they had taken up the anchors； they committed themselves
unto the sea； and loosed the rudder bands； and hoisted up the mainsail to
the wind； and made toward shore。 And falling into a place where two seas
met； they ran the ship aground； and the fore part stuck fast； and remained
unmovable；
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but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves。〃
Paul and the other prisoners were now threatened by a fate more terrible
than shipwreck。 The soldiers saw that while endeavoring to reach land it
would be impossible for them to keep their prisoners in charge。 Every man
would have all he could do to save himself。 Yet if any of the prisoners were
missing； the lives of those who were responsible for them would be
forfeited。 Hence the soldiers desired to put all the prisoners to death。 The
Roman law sanctioned this cruel policy； and the plan would have been
executed at once； but for him to whom all alike were under deep obligation。
Julius the centurion knew that Paul had been instrumental in saving the
lives of all on board； and； moreover； convinced that the Lord was with him；
he feared to do him harm。 He therefore 〃commanded that they which could swim
should cast themselves first into the sea； and get to land： 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。〃 When the roll was called； not one
was missing。
The shipwrecked crew were kindly received by the barbarous people of Melita。
〃They kindled a fire；〃 Luke writes； 〃and received us everyone； because of
the present rain； and because of the cold。〃 Paul was among those who were
active in ministering to the comfort of others。 Having gathered 〃a bundle of
sticks；〃 he 〃laid them on the fire；〃 when a viper came forth 〃out of the
heat； and fastened on his hand。〃 The bystanders were horror…stricken； and
seeing
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by his chain that Paul was a prisoner； they said to one another； 〃No doubt
this man is a murderer； whom； though he hath escaped the sea； yet vengeance
suffereth not to live。〃 But Paul shook off the creature into the fire and
felt no harm。 Knowing its venomous nature； the people looked for him to fall
down at any moment in terrible agony。 〃But after they had looked a great
while； and saw no harm come to him； they changed their minds； and said that
he was a god。〃
During the three months that the ship's company remained at Melita； Paul and
his fellow laborers improved many opportunities to preach the gospel。 In a
remarkable manner the Lord wrought through them。 For Paul's sake the entire
shipwrecked company were treated with great kindness； all their wants were
supplied； and upon leaving Melita they were liberally provided with
everything needful for their voyage。 The chief incidents of their stay are
thus briefly related by Luke：
〃In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island； whose
name was Publius； who received us； and lodged us three days courteously。 And
it came to pass； that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a
bloody flux： to whom Paul entered in； and prayed； and laid his hands on him；
and healed him。 So when this was done； others also； which had diseases in
the island； came； and were healed： who also honored us with many honors； and
when we departed； they laded us with such things as were necessary。〃
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Chapter 43
In Rome
With the opening of navigation； the centurion and his prisoners set out on
their journey to Rome。 An Alexandrian ship； the 〃Castor and Pollux；〃 had
wintered at Melita on her way westward； and in this the travelers embarked。
Though somewhat delayed by contrary winds； the voyage was safely
accomplished； and the ship cast anchor in the beautiful harbor of Puteoli；
on the coast of Italy。
In this place there were a few Christians； and they entreated the apostle to
remain with them for seven days； a privilege kindly granted by the
centurion。 Since receiving Paul's epistle to the Romans； the Christians of
Italy had eagerly looked forward to a visit from the apostle。 They had not
thought to see him come as a prisoner； but his sufferings only endeared him
to them the more。 The distance from Puteoli to Rome being but a hundred and
forty miles； and the seaport being in constant communication with the
metropolis； the Roman Christians were informed of Paul's
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approach； and some of them started to meet and welcome him。
On the eighth day after landing； the centurion and his prisoners set out for
Rome。 Julius willingly granted the apostle every favor which it was in his
power to bestow； but he could not change his condition as a prisoner； or
release him from the chain that bound him to his soldier guard。 It was with
a heavy heart that Paul went forward to his long…expected visit to the
world's metropolis。 How different the circumstances from those he had
anticipated！ How was he； fettered and stigmatized； to proclaim the gospel？
His hopes of winning many souls to the truth in Rome； seemed destined to
disappointment。
At last the travelers reach Appii Forum； forty miles from Rome。 As they make
their way through the crowds that throng the great thoroughfare； the
gray…haired old man； chained with a group of hardened…looking criminals；
receives many a glance of scorn and is made the subject of many a rude；
mocking jest。
Suddenly a cry of joy is heard； and a man springs from the passing throng
and falls upon the prisoner's neck； embracing him with tears and rejoicing；
as a son would welcome a long…absent father。 Again and again is the scene
repeated as； with eyes made keen by loving expectation； many discern in the
chained captive the one who at Corinth； at Philippi； at Ephesus； had spoken
to them the words of life。
As the warmhearted disciples eagerly flock around their father in the
gospel； the whole company is brought to a
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standstill。 The soldiers are impatient of delay； yet they have not the heart
to interrupt this happy meeting； for they； too； have learned to respect and
esteem their prisoner。 In that worn； pain…stricken face； the disciples see
reflected the image of Christ。 They assure Paul that they have not forgotten
him nor ceased to love him； that they are indebted to him for the joyful
hope which animates their lives and gives them peace toward God。 In the
ardor of their love they would bear him upon their shoulders the whole way
to the city； could they but have the privilege。
Few realize the significance of those words of Luke； that when Paul saw his
brethren； 〃he thanked God； and took courage。〃 In the midst of the weeping；
sympathizing company of believers； who were not ashamed of his bonds； the
apostle praised God aloud。 The cloud of sadness that had rested upon his
spirit was swept away。 His Christian life had been a succession of trials；
sufferings； and disappointments； but in that hour he felt abundantly repaid。
With firmer step and joyful heart he continued on his way。 He would not
complain of the past； nor fear for the future。 Bonds and afflictions awaited
him； he knew； but he knew also that it had been his to deliver souls from a
bondage infinitely more terrible； and he rejoiced in his sufferings for
Christ's sake。
At Rome the centurion Julius delivered up his prisoners to the captain of
the emperor's guard。 The good account which he gave of Paul； together with
the letter from Festus； caused the apostle to be favorably regarded by the
chief
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captain； and； instead of being thrown into prison； he was permitted to live
in his own hired house。 Although still constantly chained to a soldier； he
was at liberty to receive his friends and to labor for the advancement of
the cause of Christ。
Many of the Jews who had been banished from Rome some years previously； had
been allowed to return； so that large numbers were now to be found there。 To
these； first of all； Paul determined to present the facts concerning himself
and his work； before his enemies should have opportunity to embitter them
against him。 Three days after his arrival in Rome； therefore； he called
together their leading men and in a simple； direct manner stated why he had
come to Rome as a prisoner。