Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-31

iniquity. They faced the trial deter
mined to sacrifice their own lives to save
BENJAMIN. Time had transformed tnem
so that they were prepared 10 STAND lne
test before Joseph. because they mao
been chastened by the conviction OF tnelr
unworthiness, were suppliants for mercy:
thereby again fulfilling the dreams OF
Joseph's boyhoOd days.
X X 4
Final Test.
The host Of Yesterday is the judge that
summons them before his court to an
.swer the .framed-up charges. WINE we
cannot approve of the deceptive methods
employed. by Joseph, any more than we
could commend his pretended use OF me
divining cup. we do find In the motive
hack of his. actions, as we'll as the skill
nv which he carried out his program
with his brothers, that which demands
absolute commentator. When he asked
them what deed they had done, and sus-
sested that. in view of his power of div
nation, they could not deceive him. theS
Frustrated themselves before him plead
ing for mercy. just as We Will Wnen We
are called upon by the Eternal Judge 10
give an account of the deeds done ana
the life lived by US. Benjamin. conscious
of his innocence is silent because he Is
unable to explain away the circumstan-
tial evidence Reuben, who tried 10 per-
suade his father and failed, cannot IND
i'm this hour anything to plead In SELL
justification, which is his usual defense'
is also silent. -, IL.
ctx
cult questions, assumes the rank OF adNo-
cafe The one who. over twenty years
before as the ruler knew It'll Weli' thirst
ed for the blood Of the one VINO is now
the master of their lives ana eon.lois ,,
of their liberty. before whom tney all
bowed to the ground, pleads for the Tree
dom of his youngest brother HE does
not seek to explain their past me- VI
to excuse either Benjamin or themselves.
for he saw in it punishment LOT men Sa
fore He saw that it was useless 10
plead any extenuating circumstances OF
make any defense. SO he frankly az
knowledged their sin and oessea ~,
mercy, linking the whole famny up IN
the sin by becoming with Benjamin slaves
of the viceroy He passes over tneir
promise that the one in whose sack tne
Gun is found should lose his lie, LOT nc
sought to save his brother. Inc senIenee
passed by Joseph declined their suoiiIs
sion. ana, IN dccOIodhSr 49,.
dence ordered Benjamin to be neid as MS
slave. and babe them return IN peace "
their father.
Judah notes at once the chance FOR an
other plea suggested by the CLOSING
thought of the sentence, referring 10 lhs
peace of the father. Joseph had opened
up to him the picture of their father IN
his grief so he advanced toward the vice.
roy. and delivered an appeal that Tor pa
thos and eloquence, is not only one o.
the masterpieces of Hebrew composition.
but is unsurpassed in all literature. NO
comments are needed to make clear It's
meaning. He points out how the peace
of the. father was wrapped up in the lie
of the lad, and that IL Benjamin went not
back with them the old man would surely
die.
Repeating the conditions that are most
tender and touching, he makes his oner
te gladly give up his own life to save his
brother and preserve the aged father
from the cruel blow that would bring him
to the grave. Surely Joseph would recall
the scene at the pit, and note the trans.
formation not only in Judah, but in al
his brethren. God had worked In nys-
terious way His wonders to perform con-
Meeting the individual, family and per-
sonal interests with the working OFT OF
His plans In connection with the cove
nant promises concerning the future not
only of the chosen family, but the nations
OF the earth. There can be but one re-
cult Of such q spirit as revealed by judah
and the brethren. as we Will see next
week In orr study Of the forgiveness that
Joseph gave to his. brethren