The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-05-03
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Prayer ass==ss==.s= Isssae For the weel
Beginning May is.

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Beginning May is.
Topic.-What Joseph ana Benjamin
teach about brotherly care.--Gen. xliii, 90
81, "a; xiv, 14-22. (Union meeting with the
Juniors.)
Joseph and Benjamin were the two
sons of Jacob and Rachel. They were
brothers, the other ten sons Of Jacob
being but half brothers to them. Be
ing the sons Of Rachel, whom Jacob
had first loved and whom he always
loved above any other, it was natural
that they should be favorites Of their
father. Until Joseph was sold into
Egypt he held the first place in his
fathers heart, and after Jacob sup
posed Joseph to be dead Benjamin be-
came Joseph's successor in his fathers
affections But not only did Jacob
have a special affection for these two
of his sons. but they must have had a
strong love for each other, as the beau
tiful story of Joseph's especial interest
in and care for Benjamin in Egypt
abundantly proves.
Joseph's attitude toward all his
brethren when they came to Egypt dis
plays magnanimous and forgiving
spirit, but his loving care for Benjamin
is one of the most beautiful and touch
ing incidents to be found even in the
word Of God. When his brethren re-
turned with Benjamin, and Joseph look
ed upon his brother, his heart yearned
over his brother, and he sought where
to weep, and he entered into his cham
Der and wept there The flood gates Of
memory were opened, and his love for
Benjamin was found to have been
proof against the intervening years
and the difference in political station.
Joseph was a ruler in Egypt, while
Benjamin was a suppliant before him,
yet Joseph still remembered hifa and
loved him. Would that it were always
so. But, alas, how often this picture is
reversed. One brother, in the course of
life, rises higher than another, perhaps
is separated from him and has no sym
pathy, no brotherly love, for him in
the hour of trial and distress. Many
in their success do not care to acknowl-
edge the relationships of former days.
But this was not SO with Joseph, and
his example should be an inspiration to
all to keep in loving remembrance the
brothers and sisters OF childhood and
of youth.
Joseph not only remembered his
brother Benjamin, but he also made
him the object Of his especial care. Be
fore he made himself known to his
brethren 'the took and sent messes
unto them from before him, but Ben
jamin's mess was five times as much
as any Of theirs" And afterward,
when they knew him, he provided for
all for their home journey, but espe-
cially for Benjamin. "To all Of them
he gave each man changes of raiment,
but to Benjamin he gave 800 pieces of
silver and five changes of raiment."
Where can be found more beautiful
picture Of brotherly care? Let us all
initiate it.
Our brothers In the flesh have spe-
cial claims upon us. 1t is true that
this relationship is physical, while
with others our souls may be knit to-
gether, but at the same time it is a
God given relationship, the mutual
obligations of which never cease to
exist Time and distance and position
cannot blot them out, and we should
consider it joy as well as duty to
love and care for the members of our
household if God calls upon us to do
so. And then, too, in the broader
household of faith" and the still
broader household Of humanity
men"-we should not fail in the du-
ties of love and of service as the OPP
portunity and ability present them
selves to us. $50, then, as we have
opportunity let us work that which is
good toward all men, and especially
toward them that are of the house
hold of faith"
BIBLE READINGS.
Gen. iv, 0-15; XIV, 27-34; Deut. XIV,
Z, s; Ps. cxxxiii, 1-3; Matt. v, 21-26;
xviii, Is, 81, S22; Mark iii, 31-35; Luke
XIV, 11-31; Gal. vi, 10; | Tim. v, 8.