The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-10-09
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR OCTOBER i3.

| 21-Memory Verses, 21-23-Commcn'
tary on the Days Lesson.
Introduction. - The history of Joseph,
| beauty. So simple that child may un-
derstand it, yet, in its simplicity, so beau
tiful that no uninspired hand can embel-
| llish it. Modern writers would fill vol
ume in recording what Moses puts within
the compass of few chapters. No blem-
ish apDears in the life Of Joseph.
20. Unto the prison." This probably
implies an edifce, or portion of the OH.
cial mansion, mostly subterranean, OF
" from the surface of the ground, was
round, or shaped like an inverted bowl,
In chapter Al: IA it is called "the dun
geon." Such dungeons are still, under
similar circumstances, used in the East.
His Imprisonment must have been very
severe at first. In Psalm los: II, l8 we
read that they hurt his feet with letters;
he was laid in iron. But God greatly
blessed him, and it was not long before
he had many favors shown him; He was
there" Joseph was in prison three years:
81. "The Lord was with Joseph"
"This is an example of the strength of
Gods consultations in the worst trials"
Joseph had power within him, which en-
abled him to press forward, even though
it was very dark before him. The dsci-
pline seemed severe; he was suffering as
martyr. But he learned to trust God, and
with gladness of heart he goes to slavery,
persecution and Imprisonment, Gods
eye was upon him, and no weapon formed
right and made the best of everything.
%. Keeper of the prison., An inferior
discipline of the prison. COMMITTED to
JoseDh's hand" We see here the real
nature of human influence. 1t is not the
influence of rank, but of character. Make
all men equal in rank to-day, and to-mor.
row there will be found those who have
acquired influence over the others. These
prisoners were all in the same position,
but very soon Joseph's character gained
him influence.
%. Because the Lord" etc. The rea-
son of his influence was the God within
him. just so far as a man is Christlike
will he have influence. Wisdom and vir-
tue will shine in the narrowest spheres.
A good man will do good wherever he is,
and will be blessing even in bonds and
banishments, for the Spirit of the Lord
Is not bound or banished.
/. "The butler" The cupbearer and
overseer of the wine-makiug and storing
and serving; an important officer of the
king. Baker" This was another officer
in trust of the kings bread and its max
! ing, and his post was one of high trust.
because they who had charge Of the food
Had offended" High places are slippery
places.
8. "In the house." The state prison
was in connection with Potiphar's resi-
dence. See on verse 20.
4. Charged Joseph" etc. The captain
Of the guard himself, who was Potiphar,
charged Joseph with them, which init.
mates that he began now to be reconciled
to him, and perhaps to be convinced of
his innocence. HE served them" Joseph
waited upon them. So long as God is with
him Joseph will shine even in the dun
geon.. Pharaoh's officers are sent to wit
to come forth to show.
5. Each man-in one night. " This
shows that the dreams were of the Lord.
| While our ordinary dreams have no spe-
cial significance, yet it can not be doubted
that God has in many cases, especially in
! early times, spoken in dreams. accord
ing to the Interpretation. This express
sion is intended to show that the dreams
were not meaningless, but suited to each
mans case and capable of sound inter.
s: "sad."' They were sure their dreams
7. "Wherefore-so sadly" Joseph
spoke kindly to them; he, too. was a
common sufferer with them, and under
stood their feelings.
8. mo interpreter" One thing that
troubled them was that they were not in
O position to submit their dreams to the
magicians of Egypt, who were supposed
to be able to interpret dreams. But Joseph
pointed them to his God as the One who
could reveal difficult things. "Tell me
them" Thus had God at last brought
Joseph prominently before these officers.
II. Pressed them" From this we find
that wine aneiently was the pure juice of
the, grape, without fermentation. The
cuDbearer took the bunch, pressed the
juice into the cup. and immediately de,
livered it into the hands of his master
H. Three branches are three days."
Human knowledge could not have known
that. these branches had reference to
time, or if they did have whether three
days, months or years were intended. It
was wisely ordered that one part of the
dream should require divinely inspired
interpreter. 1t was Gods design to as
sure, the butler that Joseph obtained his
wisdom not from man, but by revelation
| from above.
l3. Lift up thine head" This NAV
refer to a custom which the kings of
Egypt observed when those supposed to
be guilty of great crimes were punished,
and others less guilty were pardoned.
IA. Think on me-" Joseph had much
yet to do to this world. He was to be-
come, 1.-The shepherd and the stone of
Israeli" he was to be lord of Pharaoh's
house: he was to become the father of
two powerful, tribes in Israel. He could
not perish while the promises he had re-
ceived were vet unaccomplished. Bring
me out" "ie desires enlargement not
preferment. Providence sometimes de-
signs the greatest honors for those that
least covet or expect them"
ID. Il was stolen" Joseph makes a
very modest statement with reference to
himself. He does not reflect upon those
who had sold him. or dwell upon the
great wrong done him in his imprison-
ment; he merely states the facts and de-
ciares his innocence. 'Tand of the He
brews." Judea was probably known by
this name in Egypt. Done nothing"
Joseph's way is now for a time in the
darkness, but. this is the very way through
joseph also interpreted the dream of
the baker; vs.. 1919. On the third day
after this Pharaoh made a birthday
feast, and the butler was restored to his
office and the baker was hanged, "as
Joseph had interpreted to them" The
butler, however, forgot Joseph 1t is sup
posed that Jose phi had at this time been
in prison one year, and he must wait two
full years" yet before Gods time comes
for his release. Joseph knew the future
of the butler and baker, but his own fu-
ture was wisely hidden from his view.
He must walk by faith and not by sight.
Galveston Has a Good Year.
Tho statistics of commerce of the port
or Galveston. Texas, for the trade year
lust closed show that in spite Of the hur.
ricanc of last September business is being