ty to humble themselves before God and repent. This was said to comfort them and relieve the anguish of their minds. Thus they were not only led to hope and seek pardon from God, but by the kind and affectionate manner in which Joseph had embraced them all, they were assured of his forgiveness. He had given them the kiss of peace and reconciliation, and now they were able to converse with each other.

III. PHARAOH'S KINDNESS to JOSEPH'S BRETHREN. "And the fame ther of was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come; and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, say unto thy brethren, this do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you into the land of Canaan, and take your father and your household, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat of the fat of the land. Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you waggons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father and come. Also regard not your stuffs,

for

for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours."

How kind and generous was this conduct of Pharaoh. This shews how much he loved Joseph, and what an high character he had with all ranks. Pharaoh and his servants were pleased that they had now some opportunity of shewing their gratitude to Joseph's family. Pharaoh offers them the best produce of the land, even the good of all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh's commands were obeyed, and Joseph gave them provisions for the way. "To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. And to his father he sent after this manner, ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way, so he sent his brethren away and they departed: And he said unto them, see that ye fall not out by the way." How kind was Joseph to send such a present to his aged father. His father had sent him a present of the best fraits of the land of Canaan, and now Joseph sends him ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt. How kind to his brethren, and especially to Benjamin. How necessary was the caution which he gave them, "not to fall out by the way." Not to reproach each other with their unkindness towards him, but to forget all and forgive each other even as he had forgiven them. Joseph laid his commands upon them, and they would now think it their duty to obey one who had shewed them such kindness and affection.

IV. The REPORT they made to their FATHER on their RETURN.

"And they went up out of Egypt and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father, and told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is Governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not." He thought the news too good and too wonderful to be true. "And they told him the words of Joseph which he had said unto them: and when he saw the waggons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived." The good news he had heard was now confirmed by the arri

val

val of the waggons. He was now revived in spirit. The days of his sorrow for Joseph were now turned into joy. No doubt he praised the Lord for this unexpected favor. "And Israel said; it is enough, Joseph my son is yet alive. I will go and see him before I die."" Jacob was old, he did not expect to live long. He however resolves to go and see Joseph, that he may be refreshed with the sight of his long lost son, and then he thinks of departing in peace. He made no remark on his glory, the thoughts that he was alive and that he should have the pleasure of seeing him once. again before his death, swallowed up every thing else. Jacob would think of nothing else. V.

CATECHETICAL QUESTIONS.

1. What did Joseph say when he made himself known to his brethren? "I am Jo. seph!! Doth my father yet live?"

2. How did his brethren feel when they heard these words? "And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence."

3. How did he convince them of the truth of what he said? He said "Come near to me,

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I pray you. I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt."

4. What comfort did he give them? Now therefore be not grieved nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did snd me before you to preserve life.

5. How did he show that he had forgiven them, and was reconciled to them? "Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him."

6. When Pharaoh heard that Joseph's brethren were come, was he glad? Yes. It pleased Pharaoh well and his servants.

7. What orders or commands did he give concerning them? That they should take waggons and return, and bring their father and their families down to Egypt, and live there.

8. What was the caution that Joseph gave to his brethren when they departed? See that ye fall not out by the way."

VI. PRACTICAL ADDRESS.

How much pleasure do we feel when we see a relation that has been absent many years. They are sometimes so much altered that