Evening journal., 1911-02-09
Christian Endeavor
Society
Topic for Sunday, February IL, 1911,
Lesson from the life of Joseph.
Gen. 4Is 14-iI.

Topic for Sunday, February 12, 19II.
Lesson from the life of Joseph.
Gen. Al; Hal.
Joseph. the son OF Jacob and
Rachel, was born in MesopOtamia in
the year 1174 b. c. God in his wise
providence in that year raised up a
man to be the leader, ruler and pre-
server of His chosen family. He is
most memorable for the wonderful
providence of God who raised him
from a prison to be the grand-vizier
of Egypt. and made him the honored
means OF saving countless lives. Jo-
seph died. aged one hundred and ten
b. c. 1887. and when the Israelites,
century and half later, went up
from Egypt, they took his bones and
buried them in Shechem A Moham-
medan tomb now covers the spot
where he is supposed to have been
buried.
IL was the misfortune of Joseph to
be a favorite. Parents should not
choose pet from among their chill
dren and lavish on him all their af-
fections and favors. It did Joseph no
good to be given the best clothes. He
could not afford to incur the hatred
and envy of his brothers. II Is strange
that he was not spoiled by fine
clothes, a thing which has turned the
head of many a boy. But this boy
was sensible. No one should think
that people are judging man by his
dress.
It was undoubtedly Josephs high
character, noble disposition and gem
tie manners that first aroused the
envy of his brothers. The favoriusm
OF his parents only famed the evil
fame. Then Joseph told his dreams
as though It had never occurred TO
him that he was making his brothers
fairly insane with jealousy. II may
not have been worldly wise for Joseph
20 tell his dreams, but there was a
isdom above all earthly wisdom in
control of Josephs destiny, and his
dreams were divinely inspired prophe-
cies. Envy however, was blind to the
providential government of this world.
Envy would rule God out of history.
Envy il was that sold him into Egypt.
Envy il was that put him in prison.
A noble character like the sun,
radiates blessed influence in its
course. Joseph was a benediction to
the house of Potiphar because God
was with him. The Captain OF the
Guard bought the Hebrew only 10 find
that he was entertaining an angel Of
God unawares. Although he was in
advorsity. he was ever the same no
bic. manly fellow that he had been
when at home under the petting OF
his father. This fact clearly demon
strated HIS strength of character. But
often has the man destined to high
] achievements entered upon his career
from humble and adverse circum-
stances, to rise to power. position
influence and fame.
Virtue and honor must always suf-
fer temptations. possibly even 10 mar
tyrdom. Joseph was a martyr of chas-
tity, and the victim of q wicked wo-
mans prejudice. But his honorable
sense OF duty to his master and his
religious sense Of duty 10 his Maker
restrained him IN the hour of HE
temptation. Moreover Joseph was al
ideal gentleman. The gentleman Il
that man of honor and character, WHIT
never forgets his obligations and VIII
never betrays trust. In the mos
= humble service in Potiphar's house
hold Joseph never forgot that he wa
gentleman. and in the hour q
temptation the sanctified instincts &
the gentleman saved him.
Better a prison with honor than
throne with kickedness. Joseph
virtue and honor made his prison
palace Samuel Rutherford in prisol
used to date his letters. Christ
Palace, Oberdeen." With a consci
ence void of offense toward God ant
man, the innocent victim Of envy o
revenge may be content and happy il
a pit or in a prison cell. Madam
Guyon could say, The stones Of m.
prison looked i'm my eyes like rubies.
II is a noble thing for one to carr.
a good temper into life's veXation
and put a smiling face on misfortune
Consciousness of innocence must b
the support and JOY of those who ar
falsely accused and maliciously perse
cuted How Ioseph's self-control, ami
able temper, and calm dignity rebuk
our own impatience with trials ant
misfortunes. It is easy to trust CO.
and believe in the wisdom of Proyi
ldence when all goes well with u'
but to carry that faith and trust righ
through temptation and persecutio
TO prison and the stake, If necessary
requires the spirit of Joseph.
Stephen, a Paul. "A Wesley. a Luther.
Conscience is always master Of Gil
cumstance whether arrayed in the cos
of many colors or in the prison garl
Joseph had a conscience. He was
gentleman even in Jail. His fellow pril
oners felt the benediction Of his pre-
D ence With a light heart. a cheerfl
. countenance. and always a kind
hand. he ministered to them I'm the
necessity. What a brave, manly fello
= he must have been. True to his fe
4 low-sufferers, true TO his Egyptia
: master, true to his pure Hebrew bloc
and true to his God, he walked the
= in the shadows of that prison life. q
~ admiration of the ages. Faithful, hol
= Orable, sincere everywhere and alwa,
= that is the true man, the man
= God. Have we learned to always NAL