Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-12-14


We are In the great capital Of Mem.
phis. We are standing under the shad.
ows Of mighty obelisks and temples
and pyramids which these men we see
about us have built and are building.
YOnder are the great harvest fields
where they grow the richest grain In
the world. Here are the slaves at
work. Joseph, the poor slave boy. has
worked his way up until today he is
the right hand man Of one of the chief
potcntates Of Pharaoh's court. But
40 he has gone up In life until he has
become manager of his masters estate
he has kept all his rugged northern
Hebrew beauty. In this country of
lasciviousness the wife Of Potiphar
wishes to do with him as Cleopatra
did with her parnmours. When this
evil woman cast her eyes upon this
youth lie either had to yield or in dis
grace leave the masters house and be
ENGAGED in Il dungeon. From afiiuence
he was to go to poverty. from honor
to disgrace, from q position Of power
to wear a convict's garb. Aye, the
temptation was awful. But It came.
And when 1t came Joseph's God was
the God Of his strength. My young
friend, just as certain as you 60 up in
the world awful temptation will come
wooing you. Her smile will be the
smile Of the enchant ress, but her hand
will be the claw Of a demon. You will
be face TO face with seeming annhila-
ton. And you must choose. Will the
God of Joseph he your God in that aw.
full day?
Even the very best Of men have
these awful temptations thrust upon
them. Mr.. Mckinley in an address
before a graduating class said that
short time after his election to congress
quite number Of young men wished
to be appointed to West Point from
his district. He had almost decided
to send one young man there and had
told him so. Much to his surprise, the
next day this young man sent him
letter inclosing ten 500 bills. Mr..
Mckinley was then comparatively
poor man. AT once he sent for this
young man. "Why did you give me
$1,000" he asked. Because" said the
young man. Il thought il might offer
you that you would be moro willing to
nominate me-" At once Mr.. Mckinley
gave the young man back his money.
He said: Under no conditions will
now nominate you. II you are untrue
to your government now you will be
untrue to your government when you
wear the United States uniform" That
was noble. That was brave and true.
But IL you had been poor congress
man would you have returned that
money? Perhaps not. unless, like 10
seph or like Major Mckinley, in your
public as well as private life you were
and are sustained by the saving grace
OF God.
Thus. my friends. feel that am
speaking to some Joseph now in Pot-
phars house. 1 know not what may
be the temptation which is imminent.
II is black for you, awfully black. But
lie Of good courage. Remember, the
God Of Joseph will be your God. You
may seem to be defeated and destroy
Ell II you do the right now. But wrong
will not triumph in the end. Put your
trust in Jesus. Keep close to him. He
will help you bear that temptation.
Though for a little while from Poti-
phar's house you may be cast into
prison. vet you shall again prosper.
Joseph. because OF his temporary dis.
grace, became the prime minister Of
the Egyptian capital. Be patient. BE
true BE firm for God. All will he
we'll. All will be well. May the God
Of Joseph be your everlasting help.
copyright, 1906. by Louis Klopsch.1