The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-03

ITOm every COuCCifubiO hAOA"'
The facts that do come to our view
the close connection between cause
and effect, displayed in any train OF
events, and the great and happy re-
suits which we see and know to have
grown out of some moral evil among
men,-ought to furnish us with key
to unlock those dark and mysterious
aspects of divine providence and
grace which we cannot fully fathom.
Instead of doubling and denying the
great and glorious results OF the di-
vine administration, because, to our
narrow view they seem incredible,
we ought to yield to the force of the
clear and indisputable Developments
which God seems purposely to have
made, in full and comprehensive
manner, in order to remove our in
credulity in reference to all his ways.
The history of Joseph is an enduring
monument of that wise and mysteri-
GUS ordering of human affairs, which
infallibly counter-works the evil
deeds and evil intentions of men, and
so turns the current of their wicked
ness, in it's near or remoter conse-
quences, as to bring out of it bless
ing to themselves, in their own refor-
nation and holiness. While, then,
we lament that wickedness does pre-
vail among men, on account OF the
misery which inevitably follows in its
train, we are still encouraged to hope
that the wisdom of God will 30 con-
troll and restrain it, as to make it all
subservient to the ultimate good of
all our race.
2. And not only does this history
afford instruction in. respect to the
government of providence in the af-
fairs of men; but it is rich in its
salutary lessons, displayed in the
character of Joseph in relation to the
excellence and moral beauty of hui
man conduct 1t sets forth an in
dividual, who, 80 far as the history
let's us know anything of his char
acter, acted on the principle Of
overcoming evil with good-acted
according to the strictest require
ments of integrity and kindness.
And therefore it furnishes an ex-
ample, highly useful, instructive,
and important to the interests of vir-
tue and happiness among men.
Though in the character of Joseph
there are many important features
that are we'll calculated to call forth
the admiration, and we'll deserve the
attention and imitation of all sue.
ceeding generationsj yet one of the
most clear and strongly-marked
among them, is that equanimity of
temper and disposition which enabled
him at all times to command him
self, and especially to exercise kind
ness and extend cordial forgiveness
to those who had injured him.
There was a peculiar and striking
display of this trait of his character
at the time when, as great prince OF
Egypt, he made himself known to his
guilty brethren as the illtreated Jo-
seph whom they had sold into slav
cry. Though upon the first arrival
of his brethren into the domains of
Pharaoh, he affected severity, and
made himself strange to them; yet
from the whole narration, it appears
to have been his intention to discover
himself in such manner as would
not only make their surprise Of joy
complete. but disarm them'of hatred
and jealousy, and command their re-
spect for his kindness and clemeney.
Accordingly he took measures to
b ing all the children Of his father be-
fore him into Egypt. When the news
was presented to the venerable Jacob
that the Prince OF Egypt had refused
/ to confer with his sons unless their
younger brother Benjamin was with
them, the old mans spirits tainted
within him. Yielding, however, TO-
dire necessity of famine, he consented
to the departure Of his beloved boy,
on the condition that Judah would
youch for his safe return And whens
with this dearest treasure of their
father, they appeared at the Egyp-
tam court, the stern governor threat
ened to detain him. This was tre-
mendous blow upon these guilty
men. They dared not, however, re-
turn to their father without their
sacred charge. They knew full we'll
that the detention of Benjamin would
completely overcome the broken
spirits of their father, and perhaps
bring down his grey hairs with SOP
row to the grave. Judah stepped for
ward in behalf of the youth; and with
all the pathetic energy of simple and
naturoI aIoouenca. he besouvht the