“IT is a thought full of interest in connection with the subject before us that Paul’s voyage to Rome gives us the history of the Church as regards its earthly destinies. The vessel sets out in due order, as a compact and well-regulated thing, framed to endure the violence of the stormy ocean over which it had to pass. After a time the apostle offers a certain suggestion, which being rejected, the ship is dashed to pieces by the waves. There was, however, an important distinction between the vessel and the individuals on board—the former was lost, the latter were all saved. Let us apply all this to the history of the Church in its earthly path. The testimony, as we know, emanated from Jerusalem, from whence Paul started on his way to Rome. Apostolic testimony was designed to guide the Church in its earthly course and preserve it from shipwreck; but this being rejected, failure and ruin were the consequences. But in the progress of the failure we perceive the distinction between the preservation of the Church’s corporate testimony and individual faithfulness and salvation. “He that hath ears to hear” will always find a word of instruction and guidance for him in times of thickest darkness. The waves may dash in pieces the corporate thing, everything connected with earth may vanish away, “but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”