and the result of this private conference is their firm persuasion that Paul had done nothing worthy of death, or even of imprisonment. So fully convinced is king Agrippa of the innocence of his prisoner, that, addressing Festus, he says, "This man might have been set at liberty if he had not appealed unto Cæsar."

XX.

PAUL COMMENCES HIS VOYAGE TO ROME. THEY TOUCH AT SIDON.-AT MYRA THEY GO ON BOARD ANOTHER VESSEL.-THEY ARE IN GREAT DANGER UNDER THE CRETAN COAST. -AS THEY PROCEED, AFTER SOME FAIR WEATHER, A VIO LENT STORM ARISES.-BEING VISITED BY THE ANGEL OF GOD, PAUL FORETELLS THEIR SHIPWRECK. THEY ARE ALL CAST ON SHORE AT MELITA.

PAUL is now put under the command of Julius, a centurion of Augustus's band, which was so called in honour of the Roman Emperor Augustus, and none were allowed to enlist in this band but those who bore a good private character.

There was in the port of Cæsarea at this time a ship of Adramyttium, and Paul, with some others, prisoners, was placed on board this vessel, as, although it was not bound for Rome, the centurion thought it very probable they would meet with some other ship which would take them on to that city.

We are glad to find that Paul has his friend Aristarchus, the Macedonian with him. He had before been his travelling companion in Asia; he had been with him in scenes of danger; and Paul himself speaks of this friend in his epistle to Philemon, as his fellow-labourer; and now unflinchingly he accompanies Paul in his voyage, for he is not ashamed of the testimony of the Lord nor of Paul, his prisoner, but joyfully he becomes partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel, according to the power of God.

The little vessel is launched on the sunny waters of the Mediterranean; and we cannot but feel that Paul is engaged in prayer. The Ruler of the ocean is looking down on his faithful servant, and the promise is given, "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest."

Oh, how dreary is the world to those who, amidst its mazes, are unable to take hold of the guiding hand of Providence! all is to them, even in sunshine, perplexity and confusion; and, should darkness overtake them, they are at once in despair.

But how different it is with the lowly, trustful Christian! His way may be through a labyrinth of cares; his sight may be obstructed; but he hears a voice, saying, "I will bring the blind by a way that they know not ;" His faith may be so clouded that all around him is gloomy, still he listens to the

comforting accents, "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light, let him trust the name of the Lord and stay upon his God."

And thus it was with Paul. He knew that bonds and afflictions awaited him; he knew his enemies were strong; that they that hated him wrongfully were multiplied; yet he knew that he was safe under the shadow of a Father's love; and, in his present trying circumstances, he could joyfully exclaim, "In God is my salvation and my glory, the Rock of my strength and my refuge is in God."

Look at that town standing on an elevated plain! It is Sidon. We are very glad, for Paul's sake, that the vessel touches there; for Julius kindly gives him leave to visit his friends at that place. What, then, have Paul's truthfulness and sincerity made themselves known? Are those who have the charge over him so convinced of his honesty of purpose that they thus fearlessly put confidence in him? We may be sure that this is the case.

We have often found many amongst the thoughtless, nay, amongst those who would deridingly give the appellation of "saint" to the lowly and contrite spirit, who, in the sudden emergency or unexpected sorrow, have sought amongst the despised Christians a friend and guide.

Paul had frequently journeyed in the neighbourhood of Sidon, and we have no doubt he had many friends there. Can we not fancy that we see them crowding round the beloved prisoner, with the kindly gift; with supplies that would be most comforting to him on his perilous voyage?

But the vessel does not remain long here; again they are under weigh. The island of Cyprus is in sight, its purple mountains, its shadowy woods; for by keeping near the land and steering between Cyprus and Asia Minor, they were sheltered from the strong south-west winds, and thus enabled more tranquilly to pursue their voyage.

And now we must follow them as they sail pleasantly over the seas of Cilicia and Pamphylia, till from the brow of its lofty hill the city of Myra meets their view.

It was from this port that they went on board another vessel, a large Alexandrian ship laden with wheat; for vast quantities of this grain were at that time sent from Egypt to Rome. We think this ship must have been driven out of its course by stress of weather.

The strong westerly winds are directly against them; and many weary days pass ere they come in sight of Cnidus, which is scarcely a hundred and fifty miles distant from Myra.

Now the wind rises, and is so strong that they