It was much safer for Paul to be locked up there than to be left among the Jews. Yet any prison is very gloomy and mournful.

Paul spent another night in the castle, but it was a joyful night; for the Lord came and stood near him, and said, 'Be of good cheer, Paul; for as thou hast been my witness at Jerusalem, so thou shalt be my witness at Rome.' Now Paul knew that his enemies would not be able to kill him, and that he would go to that great city Rome the grandest city in all the world, where Cæsar, the emperor of the world, reigned.

Paul had long wished to go to Rome, that he might speak for Jesus there, and turn many to the Lord. But he did not yet know how he was to get there.

"The God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation.'-2 Cor. i. 4

LII.

THE PLOT DISCOVERED.

Acts, xxiii. 12-22.

THE next morning a young man went up the stairs, leading to the castle. The place was well guarded by soldiers. The young man asked the centurion at the door, whether he might see Paul. The centurion gave him leave. Who was this young man? it Timothy ?

Was

No; it was none of Paul's fellow-travellers, but it was a young man who loved him, and a young man well known at Jerusalem as a gentleman and a Christian.

When this young man entered Paul's prison-room he said, 'Uncle, I have something very important to tell you.' You see this young man was Paul's nephew. He was his sister's son, but we do not know his name.

Paul wanted to know what he had

to tell him so important. It is a dreadful plan that has been made by forty Jews to kill you, my uncle. These forty have made a vow, or promise, that they will not eat or drink till they have killed you. But how

can they get at you? They have been to the chief priests, and have begged them to ask the captain to bring you down again to be judged by the Sanhedrim. Then they intend to hide themselves on the way, and suddenly to burst forth from their hiding-place, and to kill you on the spot.'

Paul thought that he ought to try to prevent this wickedness, though he well knew he should not be killed, for God had told him he should see Rome. He called a centurion, who was close by, and said to him, Will you take this young man to the captain? for he has something to tell him.'

So the centurion brought him to the captain. The captain took the

young man by the hand, and led him into a room where he could be alone with him. Now,' said he, 'what have you to tell me?'

He

The young man told him all. ended by saying, 'When the chief priests send to ask you to let Paul come down to the council, do not consent; for they are hoping that you will consent.' The captain answered, 'You may now go. Do not mention to any one that you have told me what the Jews intend to do.'

The young man readily promised this; for if the Jews had known that he had told the captain, they would surely have torn the nephew in pieces instead of the uncle.

This nephew had acted faithfully to his uncle, and had saved his life.

'Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers.'Ps. cxxiv. 7.

LIII.

THE JOURNEY TO CÆSAREA.

Acts, xxiii. 23 to end.

THE captain had a great deal to do before evening. His plan for saving Paul's life was to send him away secretly to another city.

There was a city called Cæsarea, thirty-five miles from Jerusalem. At that time the Roman governor was living there. The captain thought of sending Paul to be judged by that Roman governor; for that was a privilege that Paul enjoyed as a Roman citizen.

But if the Jews knew that Paul was going to leave the city they would attack Paul. Therefore the captain meant to send Paul by night, and to have him well guarded by soldiers.

The captain called two centurions, and said to them secretly, 'Get ready