Part 26 (1/2)

6. The next station was to have been Cnidus, 100 miles from Myra, on the coast of Caria; but the vessel only reached it with difficulty, and was unable to enter, on account of contrary winds: so the prow was turned southward toward the island of _Crete_. This lies at the entrance to the aegean Sea, and is 140 miles long by 35 wide. They rounded Cape Salmone, at the eastern point of the island, and anch.o.r.ed for a time at a place then known, and still known, as _Fair Havens_, on the southern coast, about midway between the two extremes of the island. Here they were delayed for some time, and Paul urged the centurion to remain during the winter, and escape impending dangers. But it was resolved to follow along the sh.o.r.e still further westward, to the more commodious harbor of Phenice. But in this they were disappointed; for they were driven out to sea, and to the final result predicted by the apostle. (Acts 27:7-13.)

7. Soon after leaving Fair Havens, the storm set in. It was of the kind then called Euroclydon (Revised Version, Euro aquilo, ”east-northeaster”), now known as ”a Levanter.” They were able to run under the lee of the little island of Clauda, 23 miles from Fair Havens, where they strengthened the vessel for the gale by ”frapping,” or winding ropes around the hull. Thence for fourteen days and nights they were driven before the wind in a westward direction, until hope perished in every heart save Paul's. They were driven 476 miles, upon the island of _Melita_, which is 62 miles south of Sicily, and is 17 miles long by 8 or 9 wide. It is of irregular oval shape, and its coast is indented by many bays. The one in which the apostle was s.h.i.+pwrecked is on the northeastern side of the island, and is known as St. Paul's Bay. A close investigation of the locality, its surroundings, and the soundings of the sea approaching it, show the remarkable accuracy of Luke's statements. The island is now known as _Malta_, and is under British rule. Some years ago an ancient inscription was found on the island, giving to its ruler the same t.i.tle, _protos_, ”first or chief man” (Acts 28:7), given by Luke.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ST. PAUL'S BAY, MALTA, ENLARGED.

MALTESE ISLANDS.]

8. After wintering in the island of Melita, Paul and the other prisoners were placed on board an Alexandrian s.h.i.+p which was bound toward Rome.

The first stopping place in this part of the voyage was at the historic city of _Syracuse_, on the eastern sh.o.r.e of Sicily. (Acts 28:12.) Here they paused for three days, and then continued their voyage.

9. The next station was at _Rhegium_, where they lay, awaiting a favorable wind, for one day. (Acts 28:13.) This is at the ”toe” of the Italian boot, opposite Sicily, from which it is separated by a strait, only 6 miles wide. It is now a flouris.h.i.+ng town, called _Rheggio_.

10. The vessel ended its voyage, and Paul and his fellow-prisoners disembarked, at _Puteoli_, near Naples. This was one of the leading ports of Italy, being to Rome what Liverpool is to London. Here Paul found a Christian church, and was permitted to remain for a week before going onward to the capital, 141 miles distant. The city is now called _Pozzuoli_.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLAN OF ANCIENT ROME.]

11. At a place called _Appii Forum_, ”the forum of Appius,” a village on the Appian Way, 43 miles from Rome, and again at the ”Three Taverns,” 10 miles nearer, Paul was met by some Christians, who had heard of his coming, and came to give him a welcome, which rejoiced his heart.

12. At last great ROME was reached, and the apostle was at the end of his long journey. For two years he dwelt as a prisoner at large, chained to a Roman soldier, but in ”his own hired house.” At this point ends all that is positively known of the journeys of the apostle.

The city of Rome stands on the river Tiber. In the period of its greatness it occupied ten hills, with the valleys between them, and a plain near the river. The apostle lived near the Pretorian Camp, on the northeastern border of the city, and at the opposite end of the city from the Jewish quarter, which was on the west of the Tiber. At the time of Paul's imprisonment, Rome contained about 1,200,000 inhabitants.

One-half of the population were slaves, and two-thirds of the rest were paupers, supported in idleness by the free distribution of food. During the two years of Paul's imprisonment he wrote at least four Epistles--Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. After about two years of imprisonment, Paul was released and spent two or more years at liberty.

OUTLINE FOR REVIEW.

1. Jerusalem. 2. Antipatris. 3. Caesarea. 4. Zidon.

5. Myra. 6. Crete. (Fair Havens.) 7. Melita. 8.

Syracuse. 9. Rhegium. 10. Puteoli. 11. Appii Forum and Three Taverns. 12. Rome.

THE LAST JOURNEYS OF PAUL.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PAUL'S LAST JOURNEYS.]

The definite history of the apostle Paul ends with the last verse of the Acts of the Apostles; but, from the later Epistles and the dim light of early tradition, we may gather a few facts, and perhaps can indicate a few more journeys. From Philippians and Philemon, it is clear that Paul expected an acquittal and release; from 1 Timothy and t.i.tus, it is evident, that after his imprisonment there were two years, perhaps more, of liberty. Combining the allusions in the Epistles, we offer a conjectural outline of the apostle's journeys during that year, following mainly the order of Canon Farrar.

1. Near the close of his imprisonment he expressed an expectation of speedily visiting the churches of Proconsular Asia, especially that at _Colosse_ (Philem. 1:22), and desired a lodging to be prepared for him at the house of Philemon. We may take for granted that this purpose was accomplished, and that _Ephesus_, as well as Colosse, was visited at this time. Ephesus has been already described. (See page 125.) Colosse, called also Cola.s.sae, was a city on the Lycus, near Hierapolis and Laodicea, and on the great caravan road from Ephesus to the Euphrates.

At one time it was a large and flouris.h.i.+ng place, but declined as other cities gained its Eastern trade. Paul had never before visited this city, and its church had been founded by Epaphras. Yet Paul was well acquainted with several of its members, and addressed to it, during his imprisonment, the Epistle to the Colossians; and to one of its members the Epistle to Philemon. The site of the ancient city is near the modern village of _Chonas_.

2. Just before his release, Paul dispatched Timothy to Philippi, expecting soon to follow him. (Phil. 2:19-24.) Timothy fulfilled his mission, and came to Ephesus, where Paul left him in charge of the church, and himself went to _Macedonia_. (1 Tim. 1:3.) Here he doubtless visited the churches which he had planted in Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea, and probably journeyed as far south as Corinth.

3. We judge that to this time belongs his visit to _Crete_. (t.i.tus 1:5.) He had touched at this island during his voyage to Rome, and may have gone on sh.o.r.e at Fair Havens; but now he organized the church, and left it under the care of t.i.tus, who had accompanied him to the island.

4. We find that after this Paul was at _Nicopolis_, a place not previously mentioned in his history. (t.i.tus 3:12.) There were no less than ten cities of this name in the ancient world; but it must have been one of three among them: Nicopolis of Thrace, of Cilicia, or of Epirus.

The latter has been generally accepted as the one where Paul ”determined to winter.” It was in the Roman province of Achaia, near the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Isles; and was built by Augustus to commemorate his victory at Actium. The place is now called _Paleo-prevesa_, ”old Prevesa,” and contains extensive ruins, among which is a building said to have been Paul's place of prayer. Some think that Paul was arrested here before his final imprisonment; but there is no certainty concerning it.

5. _Troas._ (2 Tim. 4:13.) It is evident that Paul pa.s.sed through this place, and stopped with a certain person named Carpus, where he left his mantle for winter wear, and some ma.n.u.scripts. Farrar is of the opinion that he was here arrested, and in such haste that he could not obtain these articles. He may have come from Nicopolis by way of Macedonia, pa.s.sing through Philippi, and sailing across the aegean Sea.