a lie, but many years afterwards it found them out. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them, shall find mercy. Joseph's brethren could not feel for him, they could not feel for Reuben when they saw his grief, nor for their aged parent when they saw that he put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. How could they pretend to sympathize with their father on account of Joseph's death when they knew he was alive. How easy was it for them to have said, Joseph is alive, he indeed is sold into Egypt; but it will be easy for us to take a sum of money and go and ransom him. He can soon be set at liberty and restored to you. No, their hearts were hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Miserable comforters indeed they all were. How can they weep at that which gives them pleasure in their own minds. Revenge is said to be sweet; if so, we cannot but think that Joseph's brethren had a full cup to drink; they had taken revenge on Joseph and their father also; but there is a voice that says, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord. 1 A HYMN A HYMN. Providence equitable and kind. THRO' all the various shifting scene Thou givest with a paternal care, Of joy and sorrow, health and pain. When thou see'st fit may blast them all When lowest sunk, with grief and shame, Fill'd with affliction's bitter cup, Lost to relations, friends and fame, Thy powerful hand can raise us up. Thy powerful consolations cheer, Thy smiles suppress the deepest sigh, Thy hand can dry the trickling tear, That secret wets the mourner's eye. All things on earth and all in heaven, R. M. LECTURE LECTURE XXXIX. JOSEPH APPOINTED OVERSEER. GEN. 39. 4. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and ke served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. JOSEPH'S " Brethren sold him, and the mer chants who bought him, sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharoah's, and Captain of the Guard. We are not informed of any particulars concerning the journey of Joseph to Egypt. We are not told how he liked this Jarge and beautiful city. Nothing is said concerning Potiphar, only that he was an officer of Pharoah's, and Captain of the Guard. We know not what price he paid for Joseph, but we know that he had obtained by this means a pious and valuable servant. And that he soon found by experience that the blessing of the Lord maketh rich. We shall notice, I. JOSEPH'S HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY. "And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian." We find that Joseph submitted to the will of God, that he was cheerful and contented, active and diligent; as a servant, he endeavor, ed by every means in his power to make himself useful and agreeable to his Master. How many young men would have rebelled against God, murmured at his dealings with them, they would become sullen, ill tempered and cross. Joseph was a happy man, though he was a servant, and at first he did many things that he had not been used to do, and which was only fit for the lowest servant of his Master to be employed in; but the Lord was with him, he made Joseph happy and prosperous; he gave him such wisdom and prudence as to enable him to do all things right, in the best manner, with the least trouble and in the shortest period of time, so that his work was soon done and done well. Every thing be did, prospered. It was done as it should, and the effects of it was evident to all. He was a house servant, so that all might see and ob serve him. He did his duty to his master and Ms God, The Lord was with Joseph, and Joseph Joseph was often with the Lord. He prayed to God and thought upon his name, so that there is reason to think that he was not only diligent in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. JOSEPH'S PIETY AND FIDELITY. "And his master saw that the Lord was with bim, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand." Joseph was not like many young persons in India, ashamed of his religion. He made no secret of it: All who saw Joseph knew that he was remarkably pious, prudent, honest and faithful. He acted like one who knew that the eyes of Jehovah were upon him, like one that walked in the fear of God all the day long, like one that cared for reproach and ridicule on account of his religion. Many young persons in India will. suffer themselves to be laughed out of their religion. But he that is ashamed of me and of my word (saith Jesus Christ) in this adulterous and simple generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his father with the holy angels, Many young Men of Joseph's age are ex : actly |