Paul at Melita.

BY ALEXANDER GARDINER MERCER, D.D. Acts xxviii., i-6. This little story has much interest, both as to Paul and as to the barbarians. As to Paul : '' And 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.*' If this little incident stood alone it would be absurd to gather any thing from it ; but when we unite it with the story of the shipwreck going before, and with what else we know of Paul, it seems to be quite in char- acter that he of all the company should be the active, helpful one, ministering beneficently, even in so small a thing as feeding the fire, realizing the poet's fine words : '* Thou noble man, be helpful and good, Ever creating the right and the useful."