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Sketches from the Life of Paul
a look of pity or sympathy. He meekly wears his chain, and silently,
slowly pursues his way.
Suddenly a cry of joy is heard, and a man springs out from the
passing throng and falls upon the prisoner’s neck, embracing him
with tears and rejoicing, as a son would welcome a long-absent father.
Again and again is the scene repeated. With eyes made keen by loving
expectation, many discern in the chained captive the one who spoke to
them the words of life at Corinth, at Philippi, or at Ephesus.
The whole company is brought to a stand-still, as warm-hearted
disciples eagerly flock around their father in the gospel. The soldiers
are impatient of delay, yet they have not the heart to interrupt this
happy meeting; for they too have learned to respect and esteem their
prisoner. In that worn, pain-stricken face, the disciples see the image
of Christ reflected. They assure Paul that they have not forgotten him
or ceased to love him; that they are indebted to him for the joyful hope
which animates their lives, and gives them peace toward God. In the
ardor of their love they would bear him upon their shoulders the whole
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way to the city, could they but have the privilege.
Few realize the significance of those words of Luke, that when Paul
saw his brethren, “he thanked God, and took courage.” The apostle
praised God aloud in the midst of that weeping, sympathizing throng,
who were not ashamed of his bonds. The cloud of sadness that had
rested upon his spirit had been swept away. He felt that his labors had
not been in vain. Although his Christian life had been a succession of
trials, sufferings, and disappointments, he felt in that hour abundantly
repaid. He rejoiced that he had been permitted to preach Christ, to
bring the light of eternal life and peace to so many souls who had been
in the grossest darkness, without hope, and without God in the world.
His step is firm, his heart joyful in hope. He will not complain of
the past, or fear for the future. He knows that bonds and afflictions
await him; but he knows too that it has been his life-work to deliver
souls from a bondage infinitely more terrible, and he rejoices in his
sufferings for Christ’s sake.
At Rome the charge of the centurion Julius ended. Here he de-
livered up his prisoners to the captain of the emperor’s guard. The
good account which he gave of Paul, however, together with the letter
of Festus, the procurator of Judea, caused the apostle to be favorably
regarded by the chief captain, and instead of being thrown into prison,