--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Weed, George Ludington collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 9 number: 11 published: 1906-09 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'George Ludington Weed, "Life of St. Paul for the Young—XXXII–XXXIII," *Improvement Era* 9, no. 11 (September 1906): 870–880.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0911unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera0911unse start_page: 870 end_page: 880 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1906-09) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0911unse publication_year: 1906 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1906, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Life of St. Paul for the Young—XXXII–XXXIII LIFE OF ST. PAUL FOR THE YOUNG. BY GEORGE LUDINGTON WEED. CHAPTER XXXII. TWO YEARS IN C^SAREA. Paul before Felix— Drusilla— Contrasts— Prisoner's Speech a Palace— Prison in Visitors — Felix no Longer Governor — Festus Jerusalem with the Jews in Paul before Festus inCsesarea — The Appeal Unto Caesar— Agrippa II— Noble Apostle before Ignoble Royalty— Reflections of Agrippa and of Paul — Paul's Story of Himself — Agrippa' Response — From Palace to Dungeon. s Let us think of Paul, the innocent Apostle of Jesus Christ, a prisoner in chains on trial before Felix the Roman governor. The Jews had hired a lawyer Tertullus to speak against him. He began by flattering Felix, telling him how glad the people were because he had punished robbers, and deceitful men who had led others astray. He tried to prove that Paul was such a man and deserved punishment. He charged him with making trouble among the Jews; of being the ringleader of the Christians whom he ridiculed by calling them Nazarenes; and that Paul was guilty of profaning the temple by saying and doing in it improper things. As Tertullus spoke the Jews present cried out saying that these things were so. Felix beckoned Paul to answer him if he wanted to. The Apostle made a speech proving his innocence. Felix had no doubt of this, but he would not say so for fear of displeasing the enemies of this poor, hated prisoner. He told them he would put off the decision a short time. He gave orders to have Paul put into Copyright, 1899, by George W. Jacobs & Co., Philadelphia. LIFE OF ST. PAUL FOR THE YOUNG. 871 prison, but not to be cruelly treated, and that his friends might visit him there. Drusilla was the wife of Felix. She had been very beautiful in face, but not in character which had been and still was very bad. She was a Jewess, and doubtless from childhood had heard much about Paul, and was now curious to see and hear him. So she and Felix sent for him to come to a room in their palace. Its carved ceiling and benches covered with rich Tyrian dye were a great contrast to the rude things in his prison. So were the gorgeous robes of Drusilla and Felix, to the prison garb of Paul. But greater than all was the contrast between the guilty pair, and the innocent Apostle of Jesus Christ. The by-standers looked on them in their pride of riches and power; and on him in his poverty and helplessness.Did anyone remember the words of the prophet Samuel spoken eleven hundred years before? "The Lord seeth — not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." Paul's life was in the hands of Felix. Would he dare to reprove him and his wife of sin, and plainly tellthem of judgment to come? Did he not fear that the governor would become angry and send him back to prison for severer punishment? This did not keep him from speaking boldly and plainly the truth of God, whose minister he was. ' 'No more he feels upon his high raised arm The ponderous chain, than does the playful child The bracelet, form'd of many a flowery link. Heedless of self, forgetful that his life Is now to be defended by his words, He only thinks of doing good to them , That seek his life." For a few moments "Felix trembled," as his guilty conscience troubled him. But he tried to hush it and to drive away serious thoughts, saying to Paul, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season I call for thee." will He did send for him often, but not to have Paul teach him about Jesus and how his sins could be forgiven and how his conscience could be at peace. He hoped that in some way, perhaps through the Christians in Caesarea, Paul might secure money and pay Felix for his release. Paul, 872 IMPROVEMENT ERA. refusing this, was kept in prison two years longer. Yet he was probably allowed to see his friends. When the Christians in Caesarea wept over his going to Jerusalem, they little thought that he would so soon return to them, that they could be a comfort to him in his loneliness, and he be their comforter and teacher so long. Timothy was a frequent visitor ever welcome; so was "Philip the Evangelist" and his four pious daughters; and so Cornelius the Centurion rej dicing to hear from Paul in prison the same gospel he had heard from Peter in his own house. It is supposed that Luke the beloved physician was much with him, writing his gospel. It was during this time that Felix ordered the cruel massacre of Jews living in Syria. Why Paul was allowed to escape we do not know, but we do know that God had plans for him. Felix was hated for his massacre and other crimes, and could no longer be trusted as a governor; so he was recalled by the emperor of Rome. Before leaving Cassarea he might have released Paul whom he had unjustly kept in prison so long, still hated by his accusers. But he wished to do something to lessen their hatred to himself. So "Felix, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound." How strange a "pleasure"! and what a cruel deed! Festus became governor in place of Felix. He was more just and honorable. Soon after arriving in Csesarea, he visited Jerusalem. Immediately the chief priests and others asked him to let Paul be brought to Jerusalem for trial before the Sanhedrin. Their real purpose was to have him murdered on the way. Festus refused their request and told them that if they had anything to say against him they must do it in Csesarea, meeting him face to face. So they followed Festus to Csssarea where there was another trial. Festus soon saw that they were accusing Paul of religious matters with which he as a Roman governor had nothing to do. The prisoner had done nothing worthy of death. They proved nothing against him, yet to satisfy them, he proposed to Paul to go to Jerusalem and be there tried before the Sanhedrin. He promised to go himself and see that there was a fair trial. Paul understood what Festus did not, that going to Jerusalem would be his destruction. He addressed him in words like these: "I am a Roman citizen, and have a right to be judged by Roman law. You LIFE OF ST. PAUL FOR THE YOUNG. 873 know full well, Festus, that I have not wronged the Jews in the least. If I am found guilty of any crime against the Roman law worthy of death, I will not refuse to die. But you know I have a right to be tried before the emperor in Rome." Then he suddenly exclaimed, "I appeal to Caesar. Festus was surprised, and not altogether pleased to have it appear that Paul could not have justice in his court; but he could not dispute Paul's right to be tried before the emperor and in the Roman capital. So he answered, ' 'Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? Unto Caesar shalt thou go. That appeal not only changed the place of trial from Caesarea to Rome, but the whole of Paul's future. It was the first link in a long chain of events relating to him and the Church of God. He had longed to preach the gospel in Rome, but had not been able. Now he saw by what way God would lead him there. Within a day or two after Paul's appeal, Festus had a visit from King Agrippa II., and his sister Bernice. Festus told him of the troublesome case of Paul his prisoner. It could not be hoped that such a man as Agrippa would have any sympathy for Paul, or care for Jesus whom Paul preached. His great grandfather Herod had been the murderer of the innocent children to destroy the infant Jesus. His great uncle Antipas had beheaded John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus. His father, Agrippa I., had executed James, an Apostle of Jesus. Festus told Agrippa how Paul was hated by the Jews because he preached about Jesus who was dead, whom Paul said was alive; and that he had appealed to Caesar. "Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To-morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him." And so he did. The place of meeting was not the court room containing the judgment seat, but a drawing-room in the palace. The occasion was one of grand display for Festus and his noted guest. The company consisted of Jews and Gentiles, chief officers of the army, and the aristocracy of Caesarea. We can imagine the scene. Festus and his wore their bright scarlet military cloaks. officers We are told expressly that Agrippa and Bernice came 'with great ' pomp, ' ' which would mean with his purple robes and her dazzling jewels and golden head-band, and with their attendants in gor- 874 IMPROVEMENT ERA. geous dress. For the royal personages there were gilded chairs, behind which stood the lictars and body guard with their military arms. Amid all this vain showAgrippa might have had solemn reflections, remembering how his proud father sixteen years before had come "with great pomp" into the neighboring theater with his royal silver robes glittering in the sun until he was smitten with death when the people shouted that he was a god. In our record of that event, it was suggested that Paul may have witnessed the scene. must have remembered it, If so .he though Agrippa did not. He must also have remembered another — that in Damascus when the Lord said to Ananias concerning Paul, ' 'He shall stand before kings. " As he is now led before them, pale from his long confinement, hated by some and ridiculed by others, friendless and powerless, our pity and indignation are kindled; but there rings in his ears his Lord's promise made in a vision, "I will be with thee." Though the lictors behind the royal chairs reminded him of those in Philippi, though the chain that bound him to his guard told of shame and captivity, he was the noblest Roman, the noblest man of them all, because he was the Lord's freeman and the Lord's nobleman. Such he proved himself to be when "Agrippa said to Paul, "Thou art permitted to speak for thyself." "He stretched forth his hand." Did the clanking of his chains strangely mingle with his own voice? — that voice now calm and earnest and solemn in which "he answered for himself." He told the story of his own life;how he had persecuted the friends of Jesus, shutting them up in prison and aiding in their death; how he saw a light from heaven and heard the voice of Jesus and obeyed his call to preach salvation to the Gentiles;* how for doing this the Jews hated him and persecuted him though he preached only what Moses and their other prophets said concerning Jesus ' 'that Messiah should suffer and that he should be the first to rise from the dead, and should show light to the House of Israel and also to the Gentiles." Thus far Festus had listened in silence, though as Paul spake he became more and" more excited until, interrupting the speech he exclaimed, "Paul, thou art mad — an insane man believing things that are neither true nor wise." Paul calmly replied, "I am not LIFE OF ST. PAUL FOR THE YOUNG. 875 mad, most noble Festus, but speak forth the words of truth and soberness." Turning to Agrippa, Paul said, ' 'King Agrippa, dost thou believe the prophets? know that thou believest. " The king an- I swered in respectful words, but his manner had something of playfulness and contempt: "You are trying to persuade me to become a Christian." Paul answered him as if he had spoken in earnest. Holding up his hands heavy with chains he said, "I would to God that not only thou but all that hear me this day were both almost and altogether such as I am except these bonds." What a declaration! It is as if he had said, "Though I am a prisoner in bonds unjustly treated here, with dark prospects before me, not knowing how I shall be treated in Rome, I am better off and happier than you." Neither Festus nor Agrippa wanted to hear any more. Their curiosity was satisfied*.They did not care to hear the truth. So the scene ended, and Paul was led back to his gloomy prison to stay till some passing ship should receive him and, beneath the bright blue sky, bear him over the Mediterranean to the city of which he had once said, without knowing when or how he could go thither — "I must see Rome. CHAPTER XXXIII. THE SHIPWRECK. The Apostle Prisoner— —Paul's Ship—Companions —Sidon—Contrary "Winds Julius —Passing —Myra—Historic Vessel — Cnidus and Crete —Paul's Warn- Cilicia ing — Storm and Danger — Clauda — Leaking Ship — Hope Lost — Praying Pas- senger— Subject for a Painter — A Prisoner a Prophet — The Angel of the Ship — The Lord of the Sea — Human Lives a Gift to Paul — Dark Days and Nights —Breakers — Sailors' Plan — Paul's Protest — His Cheerful As- Selfish surance and Example — Unknown Land — Shattered Ship— Prisoners Saved for Paul's Sake. Once more Paul is on the sea; he is sailing from Caesarea for Rome. We might say he is beginning his fourth missionary journey. It is not so called; it was not his own planning; he was not able to direct his own way. But his spirit and purpose were the same, to preach the gospel wherever he went, and in whatever circumstances. Paul the prisoner, sailing from Caesarea, was no less Paul the Apostle than when he sailed from Seleucia on his 87 IMPRO VEMENT ERA. first journey. The same Holy Spirit which separated him from other Christians for apostolic work was with him still. Paul had planned a journey to Rome: he was apparently defeated in his purpose. But a wiser than he formed his plan anew, sure of accomplishment. Paul was in charge of a Roman officer named Julius, an honorable, just and kind man. He had probably he?rd Paul's address before Agrippa, and perhaps had become acquainted with him, and discovered something of his goodness and greatness. Such impressions were deepened on the voyage. It was the month of August. The season for safe navigation was nearly closed. The vessel was no palace steamer. Like the Greek and Roman ships of that day, it was rudely built and rigged: having one large mast, through whose head passed strong ropes; and one large sail. It was steered by two paddle-rudders. Easily strained and exposed to leakage, it was in danger of foundering; 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. On such a vessel was Paul and other prisoners with Julius the commanding officer, soldiers, sailors and passengers. Two of Paul's old companions were with him, possibly fellow-prisoners. One was Luke, and the other Aristarchus. Leaving Csesarea, the vessel with a fair wind reached Sidon, From its coast many had sixty- seven miles distant, the next day. gone afar to hear Jesus for whom Paul was now a prisoner. To it Jesus himself had come and rewarded the faith of a Gentile mother by healing her afflicted daughter. Here ' 'Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go unto his friends to refresh himself." Two years of prison life and fare affected his already shattered health. It is not likely that he had the comforts and necessities of a long voyage. His call at Sidon gave opportunity for both spiritual and bodily refreshments. On leaving Sidon, and his company the experience of Paul was like that of the disciples on the sea of Galilee 'the winds — ' were contrary." The direct course to Asia Minor, whither the ves- LIFE OF ST. PAUL FOR THE YOUNG. 877 sel was bound, was that of Paul two years before, near the southern coast of Cyprus; but the opposing wind drove them around the eastern and northern sides. Paul could not forget his journey over the same waters with Barnabas. Passing under the mountains of Cilicia, gazing for the last time on their loftiest peaks, what memory he had of Tarsus on the plain below, and of perils in the fastnesses almost within his view. The vessel passed Perga and Attaleia, of which we already know, and anchored for the first time since leaving Sidon, at the port of Myra, an excellent harbor situated at the opening of a wonderful mountain gorge. Here was a large wheat-ship from Alexandria bound for Italy. This seems a roundabout way of passing from Egypt to Italy, but we must remember that mariners did not then have the modern compass, and depended very much on the coast high-lands to show them the way. That Alexandrian vessel was to become historic, because of one of the two hundred and seventy-six persons it carried,and he one of the prisoners whom Julius transferred to it. Leaving Myra, either calms or another contrary wind hindered their progress, so that it required many days of weariness and discomfort to sail one -hundred and thirty miles to Cnidus. passing under the island of Crete, the vessel "came unto a place which is called The Fair Havens," even to this day. "Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, Paul admonished them and said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of lading and ship, but also of our lives." Paul knew by experience much about the perils of the sea; and they soon learned the wisdom of his judgment. But the master of the vessel, and the owner who was on board, thought they knew more than he, and the centurion believed them rather than Paul. So weighing anchor, with a fair breeze, forgetful of the past and careless of the future, perhaps laughing at Paul as a poor sailor, the journey was continued. But without a moment's warning, all was changed. Down from the mountains of Crete rushed a most violent wind which struck the ship and whirled it around. The helmsman and his rudder were powerless. The sea was in commotion. The vessel was tossed upon it and driven before the gale. Running under a certain island which is called Clauda, where 878 IMPROVEMENT ERA. the wind was not so fierce and the water was smoother, the sailors with great difficulty hoisted the small boat which had been in tow; and then passed the ropes around the vessel to prevent if possible leakage and foundering; and then arranged the sails as sailors do when they call a ship lying-to. Thus it drifted from Clauda thirty-six miles •in twenty-four hours. The storm continued, increasing in violence. On the day after they left Clauda the vessel probably began to leak, notwithstanding the binding by the ropes, and so "they began to lighten the ship" by throwing overboard the heavy things that were the least necessary. Luke says third ' 'the day we" — sailors — and passengers "cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. Then followed many days of fruitless labor and fatigue with increasing anxiety and confusion. Adding to the terror of the scene was a cloudy sky in which "neither sun nor stars in many days appeared. " The mariners could not watch the stars to guide their way. They were in constant fear of a dangerous coast. The leaking continued. Luke's brief, sad record is in these words: "All hope that we should be saved was then taken away." Even he shared in the hopeless feeling. 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 yielding to it, 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. Has any painter ever attempted the on the Mediterranean suggested by these few words — 'Paulscene sublime ' stood forth in the midst of them." He first reproved those who had despised his counsel —now shown to have been wise— and thus endangered the lives of all. With dignified tone and manner he cried out, LIFE OF ST. PAUL FOR THE YOUNG. 879 "Sirs, you should have hearkened unto me." But immediately he had a word for all, "Now I exhort you to be of good cheer." All must have thought this very strange. They saw nothing that gave promise of good cheer. They were no more ready to heed his exhortation than they had been his advice. He assured them that there would be no loss of any man's life, though there would be of the ship. His confidence must have startled them. Perhaps it inspired a little hope even against hope. But what reason could be given for so bold a declaration? One little word — "For" confirmed it, as he continued, "There- stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve." Now, as they contrasted his calmness with the storm and their own terror, they could understand the reason therefor; it was his confidence in God. We may think of Paul as having talked of the true God during the voyage as the One whom he served. With what close attention they listened to what the angel had said — "Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar." "Fear — not" so said Jesus to the Twelve in another storm. So had he spoken in a vision to Paul in Corinth. So in Jerusalem had ' 'the Lord stood by him and said, Be of good cheer, Paul; for thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou also bear witness at Rome." The astonished ship's company was now prepared to believe that Paul was in communication with One greater than Caesar, and must be an innocent man. But the angel had not spoken of Paul only, he had given him the authority to declare the safety of others in these words 'Lo, : ' God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. '' His prayer had not been for himself only. There would have been little satisfaction in his being saved while witnessing the death of all the rest. Again he bade them be of good cheer, giving as the reason, "I believe God that it shall be even as it was told me." While the vessel was tossed on the billows helpless and forlorn, Paul had the assurance of the Psalmist when he declared, 'The Lord sitteth on ' the floods, yea the Lord sitteth king forever." Their angry noise did not trouble him. He could say, "Though the waters roar and be troubled, the Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea." His heart was 880 IMPROVEMENT ERA. fixed trusting in God because he could say, "I believe him." Paul also uttered a prophecy which, when fulfilled, would confirm all he said: it was this — "We must be cast upon a certain island." The prisoner became more than captain or owner or steersman or centurion. In God's sight he was the person on that vessel: all others were only sailing with him. Their lives were a gift to him. Were not some souls also given to be his joy and crown long after his journey of life was ended? The gale continued. Each of fourteen dark days was followed by a darker night, during which the vessel was "driven up and down in Adria." At the last midnight, the practiced ear of the sailors distinguished the sound of breakers from the other sounds of the storm. By the sounding-lead they found the lessening depth of the sea and knew that the land was near. They anchored the ship and "looked anxiously for the day." Then they saw the certain island of which the angel told Paul. The sailors anxious, selfish, unmanly and deceitful, made an attempt to save themselves by lowering the small boat, pretending that they were attending to the anchors. Paul's quick eye and thought detected their purpose to escape. He knew their help was needed. So he exclaimed to the soldiers and centurion, "Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved." The soldiers immediately completed the work the sailors had begun, by cutting the ropes to the little boat which dropped into the sea and drifted away in the darkness, without the disappointed crew. The gray dawn of the morning revealed how near destruction the ship's company had been. Paul's assurances had not quite overcome their terror. Cold and wet, hungry and fatigued and fearful, they were a sad While the day sight. was coming on Paul again stood forth. He spoke of their long fasting and enfeebled condition, and of their need of food — however unsavory it might have become in the leaking ship. He repeated bis assurance of final safety by saying, "There shall not a hair fall from the head of any of you." Taking bread and giving thanks to God, in whom he believed and whom he served, he began to eat. With the good cheer to which he had twice exhorted them, they followed his example. They then lightened the vessel by casting out the cargo of wheat, doubtless water-soaked and useless.