Nurses her store, with thine to blend Their spotless lives at last? Even so the course of prayer who knows? But streams shall meet it by and bye Their chaunt of many parts. Keble. The Gospel of St. John abounds with expressions of light and life, and also with the mention of water. As if of this evangelist, or of those who were with our Lord in this Gospel, it had been said: "Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well, and the pools are filled with water. They shall go from strength to strength." From the waters of Bethabara to the water-vessels of Cana; from the water-vessels of Cana to the well of Samaria; from the well of Samaria to the Sea of Galilee; from the Sea of Galilee to the pool of Bethesda; and from thence to the pool of Siloam; and then to the washing of the disciples' feet; and at the close of all, after the Resurrection, to His last converse with them at the Sea of Galilee. Such are the indications of His goings, Whose footsteps are in the vast deep, the noiseless and secret ways of Him, "Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters." Leighton. Scripture Texts ON ST. PAUL'S VOYAGE IN ADRIA. And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy, and he put us therein. And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the Centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. And when the south wind blew softly, sup posing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: |