Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 273

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266 LIFE OF PAUL . that we should be saved was then taken away ." A gloomy apathysettledupon thosethreehundred souls,as forfourteendays theydrifted,helpless and hopeless, under a sunlessand starlessheaven. They had no means of cooking;no firecouldbe lighted,theutensilshad been washed overboard, and most of the provisionswere water-soaked and spoiled. In factwhiletheirgood shipwas wrestlingwiththetempest,and thewaves talked with death,no one desiredfood. In themidstof thatterriblescene,the apostle retained his calmness and courage. Notwithstandinghe was physicallythe greatestsufferer of them all,he had words of hope for the darkest hour, a helpinghand in every emergency. In thistime of trial, he graspedby faiththe arm ofinfinitepower,hisheartwas stayedupon God, and amidthesurroundinggloom hiscourageand nobilityof soulshoneforthwith the brightest luster. While allaround were lookingonlyfor swiftdestruction,thisman ofGod,intheserenity of a blamelessconscience,was pouringforthhis earnestsupplicationsintheirbehalf. Paul had no fearsfor himself; he feltassured thathewouldnotbe swallowedup by thehun-grywaters. God wouldpreservehislife,thathe might witnessfor the truthat Rome . But his human heartyearnedwithpityforthepoorsouls aroundhim. Sinfuland degradedas theywere, they were unprepared to die, and he earnestly pleadedwith God to sparetheirlives. It was revealedto him that his prayer was granted. When therewas a lullinthetempest,sothathis voicecouldbe heard,he stoodforth on the deck and said :- " Sirs,ye shouldhavehearkenedunto me ,and