Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 271
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264 LIFE OF PAUL . or attemptto reacha more favorableplaceto spend the winter. The matter was earnèstlydiscussed,and was finallyreferredby the centurionto Paul,who had won the respectof both sailorsand soldiers. The apostleunhesitatinglyadvised that they remain where they were. Said he, "Sirs,I perceivethatthisvoyagewillbe withhurtand much damage,not onlyof theladingand ship,butalsoof our lives." But the owner of the ship, who was on board,and the majorityof passengers and crew, were unwillingto acceptthis counsel. They urged that the harborof Fair Havens was but imperfectlyprotectedfrom the wintry winds, and that the neighboringtown, being so small, would afford littleoccupation forthreehundredsailorsand passengersduringa stayofseveralmonths . Port Phenice,but thirtyfour miles distant, had a well-shelteredharbor, and was in allotherrespectsa farmoredesirable placein which to winter. The centuriondecidedtofollowthejudgment of themajority. Accordingly, "when thesouth wind blew softly," theysetsailfrom Fair Havens, with the flatteringprospectthat a few hourswould bring them to the desiredharbor. All were now rejoicingthat they had not followedtheadviceof Paul:but theirhopes were destinedto be speedilydisappointed. They had not proceededfar,when a tempestuouswind,such asinthatlatitudeoftensucceedsthe blowingof thesouthwind,burstupon them with merciless fury. From the firstmoment that the wind struckthevessel,itsconditionwas hopeless. So sudden was the blow, that the sailorshad not a moment inwhich toprepare,and theycouldonly leavetheshiptothemercy of thetempest.