The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1913-06-12

WHEN BROTHERS
STOOD BY BROTHER
international Sunday School
Lesson for June I Is, Joseph
Tests His Brethren" Gen.
Xiv.
BY William T. Ellis.

spirit or which we are reading IN tbs
newspapers. The determination moi
to betray q comrade, which is the
highest law in the code of the gang
takes its rise from an altogether
creditable sentiment. The opposite side
of the shield is the Spartan spirit OF
the Judge who condemns his own son
for law breaking. This the undiscern-
Ing do not see, The New York hood
lums who are going to Jail rather than
betfay d fellow criminal do not reckon
with the relative value OF principles.
They see only the idea of q lower
loyalty, and are blind to the higher
loyalty to public welfare. The average
politician binds his followers to him
by this same spirit of fidelity. He
stands by his friends, through thick
and thin. More of the same spirit of
family allegiance In religious matters
would be well for the church.
The theme is brought forward By the
story Of today's Sunday school lesson,
which deals with a group of men, who,
In an emergency, were not false to the
call Of loyalty. The 10 brethren of
Joseph, when put by him to a dramatic
test, showed themselves steadfast to
the ties of blood In brave self-ab-
negation they offered to share the
suffering of the brother who seemed
to be guilty of a crime The qualities
OF sheer manhood appeared in the
conduct of these sons of Jacob, The
years had been teaching them much.
The Hidden Cup.
The mysterious ruler of Egypt had,
all unknown TO them. large plans for
the IL men from Canaan. He could
not yet reveal to them that he was
the brother whom they had sold into
slavery. 1t was necessary first to test
their fitness for this new fortune that
he had prepared for them. We never
49, -I-1 49, 49,, g.
what Is being prepared for us. Every
day may be a judgment day in a way
We little understand.
In this case everything hinged on
Benjamin. the youngest child. He
like Joseph, was the favorite son of
beloved Rachael left at home. Joseph
had good reason to know the lengths
to which the jealousy of the older
brothers could go But they had
changed for the better. He had proved
that they would treat Benjamin we'll
in the long Journey from Canaan. Now
he wanted TO find out how they would
behave in an emergency, when Ben
1amiin's name n safety were inlper-
lied. Would they make the youngest
brother a ~scapegoat. and leave him to
his fate? Or would they play the
brother parto
Therefore. as he sent the party back
to Canaan with their bags ladden with
food. he had each mans money re-
turned to his bag, and in the bag of
Benjamin his own cup was placed.
Then, a few hours afterwards, he sent
his steward in pursuit of the men to
charge them with q theft of his cup
The Mystery of the Bags.
The sons of Jacob had scarcely got
outside OF he city on their home
ward journey. They were full of
stories OF their great adventure. The
glamour of the rulers presence was
upon them. Their Incredible good
fortune was discussed over and over
from all angles. Not only had they
seen the lord of the land. but they
had even dined with him. Thus they
We're bearing back to Canaan not
only sufficient food for their families,
but also a rich tale that would open
the aye of those left behind.
n high spirits OF the caravan were
suddenly dashed by the appearance of |
Joseph's steward. who came Fastening
up on horseback. followed by a retinue. |
AS he drew near he made sharp ac-
cusation that these men had stolen
Joseph's precious cup. At once arose
the oriental clarnor which all travellers
in the east know. Jacobs sons made
extravangant protestations of inno-
cence. They spurned the idea that any
one OF them was a thief, and they re-
minded the steward how they had re-
turned the silver which they had found
=, Lnelr bags on the previous trip.
found. let him die. and we also viii
be my lords bondmen." This was
the usage OF the harsh law of Ham
murabt current at the time. Death for
stealing still prevails In some parts of
the world.
"circumstantiaI Evidence.n
Many y man has beer hanged on evil
darnn fr - HlacS ft,1 - $3.50 II
BENJAMIN of theft. An examina-
ton revealed in the bags of the 10
older brothers the money they had
paid. but in the sack OF BENJAMIN
which was last searched. there was
the silver cup of Joseph. Then
= waning lamentation arose.
Snriii sfrieks filled the air. Dust was
thrown upon heads; garments were
The stewards feet were en-
braced. We of the west can scarcely
imagine this scene Of wild excitement.
Tor u Is not the Orient's way to meet
such crises In dignified silence.
The point of the story is he con-
duct of the older brothers. How would !!
behave in this emergency? Would
leave Benjamin to his fate. and |
hasten Off toward Canaan with the
food? This was what Joseph wasted
g know. Ina they We're determined
share Benjamin's sorrow and pun.
lshInent appeared on the instant. Then
rent their clothes, and faded every
his ass, and returned TO the city.
When Judge and Brother Arc one.r
Trouble proves who lis who. In this
testing hour we find Judah stepping
nta9th place OF the head OF the FAM
as sponsor and spokesman for the
group. A new dignity rests up
on him His words before Joseph are
those of e strong man. Listen to the
beauty of the simple speech. even as
into English. What shall
say unto my lord? What shall we
peal Or howSAssaafi we clear our
God hath found u the In
lqulty OF thy servants: behold, we are
lords bondsmen, both we, and he
also in whose hand the cup is found.
y an his--hs the Judah whose voice
was for the destruction OF his brother
Joseph? Can 1t be that the Jealous.
bloody minded ma has been trans
formed by bitter exparieI1ce
sad4thA grace OF God? Without self
justification, Judah, the head az the
delegation, spoke for them all. identi-
Tying himself with any misfortune that
might to nj one of the group.
T}aa1dlss@=11s---=-zST0tnerkood In the proof.
dreaming that the Judge and
the brother We're one and that ho was