Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-05-29
(By William T. Ellis.)

(By William T. Ellis.)
Often perverted though 1t is, there
is something noble about the gang
spirit" of which we are reading IN
the newspapers. The determination
not to betray comrade, which is
the highest law in the code OF the
l gang, takes It's 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 I'M
discerning do not see. The New YORK
|hoodlums who are going to jail rather
than betray fellow criminal do not
reckon with the relative value of prin-
ciples. They see only the idea OF
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 we'll for the church.
The theme is brought forward by
the story of today's Sunday school
lesson, which deals with group Of
men who, in an emergency, were not
false to the call of loyalty. The ten
brethren of Joseph, when put by him
to dramatic test, showed themselves
steadfast to the ties of blood. IN
brave self-abnegation they offered to
share the suffering of the brother who
seemed to be guilty of 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. a-~>.
| The mysterious ruler of Egypt had,
all unknown to them, large plans for
the eleven men from Canaan. He
could not yet reveal to them that he
was the brother whom they had sold
into slavery. It was necessary first
to test their fitness for this new for
tune that he had prepared for them.
We never know when we are being
proved for what is being prepared
for US. Every day may be 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
father Jacob, the only child of the
beloved Rachael left at home. Joseph
had good reasons 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 Benja-
min we'll in the long journey from
Canaan. Now he wanted to find out
how they would behave in an emery
ency, when Benjamin's name and
safety were imperilled. Would they
make the youngest brother scape-
goat. and leave him to his fate? Or
would they play the brother part?
Therefore. as he sent the party
back to Canaan with their bags lad
en- with food. he had each mans
money returned 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 a theft OF
his cup. $50
The Mystery Of the Bags
The sons of Jacob had scarcely got
outside of the city on their homeward
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 were
bearing back to Canaan not only SUIT
ficient food for their families, but
also rich tale that would open the
eyes of those left behind r..
Z The high spirits of the caravan
were suddenly dashed by the appear
ance of Joseph's steward, who came
Fastening up on horseback, followed
by a retinue AS he drew near he
made sharp accusation that these
men had stolen Joseph's precious cup.
At once arose the oriental clamor
which all travellers in the East know
Jacobs sons made extravagant pro
testations Of innocence. They spurned
the idea that any Of them was thief,
and they reminded the steward how
they had returned the silver which
they had found in their bags on the
previous trip. with whomsoever
of thy servants it be found, let him
die, and we also will be my lords
bondsmen." This was the usage OF
the harsh law of Hummurabi current
at the time Death for stealing still
prevails in some parts of the world.
"Circumstantial Evidence"
Many a man has been hanged on
evidence far less than that which
convicted Benjamin of theft. An ex-
animation revealed in the bags OF the
ten elder brothers the money they
had paid, but in the sack of Benja-
min. which was last searched, there
was found the silver cup of Joseph.
Then what wailing and lamenta-
ton arose! Shrill shrieks filled the
air. Dust was thrown upon heads;
garments for rent The stewards
feet were embraced. We of the West
can scarcely imagine this scene OF
wild excitement, for it is not the
Orient's way to meet such crises in
S;onifiod silence re'- r.- ~