Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-02-10

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Egypt, the third generation Of whose pro-
geny-under the Mosaic ta'c-night claim
TO enter into the congregation IF Tie Lord.
Aliho' the sterility of her mistress seem
ed al first To fiatter Hagar with saIr pres
meet of social advancement: yet eventus
aIly such prospect vanished for NOT only
s,,e did not obtain manumIssiOn-Dui be-
ING on account OF her fruiifulness, disre-
,pectCuI TO her mistress, Sarai corrected
her so severely that she fled from her
service. Modern opinion might perhaps
excuse, or Justify Hagar's elopememi
yben she was 80 hardly dealt by But
villa, decision did she obtain whcu she
plcad her cause IN the wilderness before
The celestial minister Who represented
The person Of the Almighty Did Tic
Angel suggest the least disapprobai,ou
Of the proceedings of her mas CT or mis-
tresS ? Dad he signify TO her that her
truiliulress nu the correction she had re-
ccived, rescinded the contract Of her pur-
chase or thai slave holding was illicit,
aud It's tenure repugnant TO The statutes
of Jehovah Nothing like it. Directly
the contrary. The Angel depu'ed from
Heaven, although he assured her that
The Lord lad heard her Affections, order
ed Hagar the b0ndmaid 10 return 10 her
mistress and submit herself under her hands.
Yes-uotwi,Iis,amding that Sarai had dealt
hardly by her, that the Lord had looked
upon her affection and that Hagar was TO
become The grand parent al twelve flourish
ing naiiGns, the minister of the Lord order
ed !lagar 10 return and submit to her mistress
Thus Jehovah who had in!ui,ipe and en-
tire knowledge of every fact and event
touching the claims and rights of both
parties, by the very act of deputing All
Angel on purpose to command this fu.
gIiive bondwoman to return home and be
obedient 10 her lawful superIors-pro-
nounced that Hagar vas Abraham's pro.
perty-proDouDced The validity of such
acquisition by contract, aud that under
the primal theocracy, slave-holdiag was
not Incompatible with the Jurisprudence
then established for man. The report
therefore OF this leading case settles the
validity OF such tenure. This deliberate
decision OF the supreme judge of all
things entered upon the sacred records
III the third age of the word-even were
all other scriplural precedenis waning
settles the principle that buying african
servants and holding them fora possession
as warranted by the tcritten ,Oord Of God =
Let us now descend 10 the great grandson
OF this venerable patriarch and slave
holder
JOSEPH.
Whoever has attpniively studied and
considered the biography of the leading
human characters, which the sacred re-
csrds exhibit, will readily acknowledge
that The character of Joseph is one of tile
most amiable, upright and exemplary.
that ever instructed mankind. II" is re.
presented as acquiring by his wisdom and
virtue IN every vicisSliude nj age, station,
oriOr!une, the favour both food and man.
In ascending from the abect condition
OF an Hebrew slave 10 the intoxicating
rank OF ruler over all Egypt, his faith is
9ried III extremes OF adversely and pros
perity, serviiude and domination. But
ms virtue suffers no diminutiou, and his
wisdom is augmented. Betrayed and
sold by his envious brothers 10 Arabian
slave'dealers- and resoldin Egypt 70 a rich
idoiater, his hdelity 10 God and his new
master poilphar, who promoted him, is
severely tested. In the ruddy bloom of
youth, when his senses are unworne and
tender. ami when alone in the mansion
house of his military owner, he is assailed
by the double ailurcment OF volupiuous
delight and abundan, atfluence insinuaied
by the rosy lips, and persuading CLAN
cies OF Pouphar's enamoured con-
sort. Tempted by love aud opportunity,
he resisis Tic charm of both, with faith.
III hrhness. lie elOpes from the seduc-
i've clasp OF forbidden embraces. Pm
nlShed Tor such confluence and DrO6itU
plunged into the depths of a dungeon.
Dy Tie false accusation and arfifice of
sensual woman, whose Establishments he
had stunned, and whose honor he had
preserved, his integrity aud active pru-
dence. even in that dark recession,
attract the confidence and regard both Of
'ht idlleT, and stale prisoners. EQUALLY
conspicuous for the management of COM
mon business, and The uncommon faculty.
81 iorcseelng future cvenis-although for
lime ungratelully forgotten by Pharaob's
cmei butler, al last his prophetic gift is
Fecoliected. Joseph is suddenly summon
ca iTom prison to palace, arrayed in
decent apparel. and usliered into the
presence OF splendid monarch, whose
perturbed imagination, he Gains by mo-
Gest plety. lie not only we'll Interprets
PhaTaoh's pcrpieXiug vision; but iu giving
ilm counsel how TO profit by it, unfolhs
'he cultivated resources of sound TN
Outstanding. BY disclosing a discreet
project that he had conceived TO mitigate
misery, and rescue all Egypt from the
plague of hunger, he cOnvinces the alien
tive monarch, that 20 great prophet will
prove himself as great statesman.
liereupon Pharaoh Immediately appoints
Joseph, his prime minister exalis him
10 that summit oi power, on which his
talents are forthwith exeried, TO save the
nation from famine and his eminent
virtues are exercised 10 fulfil Gods pur
poses towards his chosen people. Cloihed
with despOiic authority, when Josephs
unnatural brethren who had peTfidiously
sold him 10 the Ishmaeliies for a bond.
man came into Egypt for bread, and
bowed before him in distress: he forgot