them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:

44. And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass that they escaped all safe to land.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

PAUL'S STAY AT MELITA.—ARRIVAL AT ROME.

On what island was Paul shipwrecked? 1. When they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

What happened to Paul soon ofter his deliverance at Melita ? (Now called Malta.)

3. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

What opinion did the barbarous people of this island form of Paul, in consequence of this?

4. They said among themselves: No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

When they saw Paul shake off the venomous reptile, and that it did him no harm, what did they then conclude?

6. After they had looked a great while, and

saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a God.

What is recorded of the works of mercy which Paul wrought, whilst he was on the island of Melita ?

8. It came to pass that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux, to whom Paul entered in and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

9. So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came and were healed. How were the prisoners disposed of on their arrival at Rome?

16. The centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with a soldier that kept him.

When Paul called the chief men of the Jews together, and related the circumstances of his imprisonment, and of his appeal to Cæsar; what was their reply?

21. They said unto him: We neither received letters out of Judea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spake any harm of thee,

22. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

Did not Paul take an early opportunity with

the Jews, of labouring to convince them that Christ was the Messiah?

23. When they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God; persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

How did they receive the doctrines of the Gospel?

24. Some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

When Paul perceived how much they were divided, what prophecy did he remind them of, as descriptive of their state ?

25. When they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet, unto our fathers,

26. Saying, go unto this people, and say: Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive,

27. For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them,

Did he anticipate better success amongst the Gentiles ?

28. He said: Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

How long was Paul suffered to continue at Rome without interruption?

30. Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him :

31. Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, no man forbidding him.

EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO

THE ROMANS.

CHAPTER I

THE NATURE OF THE GOSPEL.GOD KNOWN BY HIS WORKS.

What is the Gospel, as described by the apostle Paul, in the commencement of his Epistle

to the Romans?

16. It is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed, from faith to faith.

What is it that renders man subject to the zorath of God?

18. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteous

ness.

19. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath showed it unto them.

What are the universal evidences of the existence of God?