The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-04-18

The inevitable and grevious con-
sequences of polygamy were upon
Jacob. Even the blessing at Jab-
box could not avert, though it
may have mitigated them. That
experience, no doubt, made the
patriarch more patient and just
under his extremely trying cir
cumstances. But his home, if it
deserved the name of home at all ,
was rent with jealousy. Four wives
and four sets Of children kept the
camp in pandemonium. I.
Under the most favorable circum-
stances the rearing of twelve sons
is an operose task. At the very
time Jacob should have been Civ
ing his undivided attention and
strength to it, he seems to have
been chiefly engaged in outwitting
Laban and accommodating a fortune.
The result was, he had a lot Of I'M
ruly, wicked boys on his hands,
who made his name unsavory
among the inhabitants of the land.
On the dark background
of this polygamous household the
pure and artless character of Joseph
energies with most pleasing effect.
He was the son of Jacob later and
better days. He was taken away
soonest from the degrading infu-
ences of Padanaram. He was chas-
tened by the greatest grief that can
befall a young heart, a mother S
death. The very frequency and
completeness with which his sur
roundings changed was calculated
to cultivate the devout and depen-
dent spirit. From the
thorny and thistly sons of Jacob
grapes and figs could not be ex-
pected. The extreme cruelty, es-
pecially of Simeon and Levi, had
already shown itself in the case
of the Shechemites. All were
rude, treacherous Bedouin. The
gentle and pure character of Joseph
was a standing structure upon
them. They were envious of his
impending honor; ready to cry as
their descendants afterwards did:
1--WE will not have this man to
reign over us They nursed
their jealousy until it reached the
size of murder. Joseph
had come to them on an errand of
love from his father. 1t was
long and perilous journey from
Hebron to Dothan. There were
Bedouin and bears in the way.
He had brought his brothers good
~ viands. If there was to be any
criticism Of their conduct on his
part, direct or indirect, it would
be Just, and for their real advan-
tage. But they allowed them
selves be moved with envy. Their
utter heartlessness is shown in
that they could sit down to the
very banquet he had brought them,
and eat it in sound of his wailing
voice. Amos compassion
ately refers to the "sufferings of
Joseph. They were pitiful, I'M
paralelled. He was treated with
indignity; stripped Of his robe of
state; tainted with his dreams;
cast into demijohn-shaped els
tern, from which escape was i'm
possible. There, in the mire and
clay of a horrible pit, he shivered
for want of his cloak. He was
a-hungered and weary, with no
place to lay his head. He was
treading the wine-press of sorrow
alone, and of his brothers there
was none to help him. At length
he is lifted from the pit, but only
to suffer a worse fate.
There is an eXpulsive power in
new vice as we'll as a new virtue.
Murder is ousted by avarice, The
sight of the approaching trading
caravan suggests the possibility of
making merchandise of this OBJ
noxious brother. A moment later
they gloat over their two silver
shekels apiece, and see their kins-
man, according to the flesh, depart
l.. I