The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-03
THEsE we're the words of Joseph,

when, bearing the honors OF a prince
of Egypt, he made himself known
to them as the unfortunate brother
whom they had previously sold, IN
violation of all the ties of consan-
guinity, into a long and dreary sla-
very. Every one, who is at all ac-
ouainted with the sacred volume, has
some knowledge of the history OF
Joseph. Even if it were regarded as
mere fiction, it contains one OF the
most interesting narratives that can
be found upon record. But when 1t
is felt and acknowledged to be fact,
and is read with the full conviction
that the events which are narrated
are events of actual occurrence, 1t as
sumes a doubly thrilling interest,
both from the painful nature OF the
facts. and the strong and vivid de-
lineation of character, and the WIS
dom of God, in over ruling compll-
Gated train of circumstances TO the
production of happy termination.
No one can fail to recognize the hand
of God in the direction of events so
dark and portentous to- termina'lon
so teaceful and glorious. And no
one can fail to see how perfectly
futile are human devices and inten-
tions. when a wisdom more than hu-
man is directing all the events that
depend upon them to their direct and
inevitable Illustration. Men may de-
sign evil toward their fellow men;
but God will override it for good
The words of the Psalmist are found
to be true by the actual occurrence
of conirmatory events in every sue
ceeding generation: 1.-THE wrath OF
man shall praise thee; the remainder
of wrath shalt thou restrain" This
truth was particularly illustrated IN
the incidents recorded in the event
full history of Joseph. The base
purposes of his envious brethren
were all overruled, by wise provl-
dence, for the benefit both of Joseph
himself, his aged parent, and even
his wicked and unnatural brethren;
and for the manifestation OF the glory
of God, in continuing long line of
successive generations as his own
chosen and favored people.
The history contains many useful
lessons of instruction; and will lead
us to consider the wisdom and good
ness of God, in the events which it
records.
l. The first point claiming our at
tention, in which the wisdom and
goodness are displayed, consists in
educing good from evil. The mis-
fortunes of Joseph and the base in
tentions of his brethren were produc-
tive of great good to the whole tribe
and to their extensive posterity. The
long and wonderful concentration OF
events, from the first awakening Of
jealousy in the breasts of Joseph's
brethren, to the great consummatlon
of blessing long afterward devel-
oped, displayed, in bold and lively
colors, the sure but mysterious opera
tions of divine providence, We are,
perhaps, very properly aroused to in
dignation, when we see injustice and
cruelty, and unnatural barbarity ex-
ercised by man toward his fellow
men; but if we could foresee all the
remote and sublime consequences
that follow each act of injustice or
cruelty, we might be disposed to
bless God that the act itself was COM
mitted. Though in accordance with
the unerring principles of rectitude,
we could never approve the narrow
and evil intention of the individual
bv whom the act was committed, yet
we might truly bless God that ne
permitted the preparation OF an act
which. in his own wisdom, he would
override to the subversion of the
base intentions of the actor. The
actor himself could not be held guilt
less, for intending violation OF the
lust arrangements of a great moral
system. The inhexible laws OF his
own nature,-the elementary princi-
niles of his own moral constitution,
would unavoidably impose upon him
either directly or indirectly a great
and deserved punishment.
But certainly it should call forth
our admiration of the wisdom and the
goodness of God, when, as in the case
of Joseph and his brethren, we see that
a high-handed crime is committed
and are assured that the perpetrators
shall be duly recompensed; but at
the same time, in its remoter conse-
ouences. that crime is wisely and
graciously overruled 30 as to confer
a great blessing upon the very perpe-
traitors themselves! While they de-
s;oned To commit an evil against their