Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-24
Reception, Reunion, Repast.

The presence of Benjamin changed the
manner of their reception, for Joseph,
when he recognized his younger brother
was with them, Immediately ordered that
they be taken to his home for dinner.
The life of shepherding the fiocks i'm the
fields of Canaan did not give much OPP
portunity for them to become Nersed In
the usages of polite society, certainly not
the customs of the Egyptian mobility.
When they We're conducted into the court
of the viceroy's palace they We're nat
urally perplexed when they saw FOR the
first time within the paved courtyard thu
covered walks leading up TO the mansion
of vast extent but probably only one
story high with each room opening upon
the veranda that ran all around the
house, which was decoratei with paint
ings and embellished with ornamental de-
sign. The sight Of the palace with lis
gardens in which palms. sycamores and
acacia trees, figs. pomegranates and Jas
mine. grew in luxuriance, watered by
the fountain IN the center and cultivated
by a large number Of slaves, filled the
simple shepherds with awe. while the
recollection of their previous treatment
and the silver found I'm the mouth OF
their sacks filled them with fear.
When they spoke in their perpleNitN
to the steward about the silver he con-
fronted them with the message OF
peace that gives us a side light upon
the possible influence of the religious
life of Joseph among the servants ana
slaves, for the religion of Egypt did
not recognize Elhohim az their god. yet
this servant speaks OF the goo OF
Joseph to them In a sympathetic way
saying. Your god. the god of your
father" was the one who gave you the
money for my books show that YOU
paid your account Then TO reassure
them he brought in Simeon informed
them that the yiceroy had ordered
that the preparations for dinner should
include them and conducted them INTO
the guests quarters, where they could
prepare fc- the meal Although they
received sA,h attention as would only
be given to special guests TO Whonl
Joseph desired to extend special nos
pitality, they were still fearfui OF
some danger. looking upon this ex-
tension of hospitality with suspicion.
being afraid that the governor WAS
but seeking some occasion against
them in order that he might seize them
as slaves and appropriate their asses.
The mental processes through which
they passed as well as Joseph Is APP
parent and furnishes an excellent idea
to their character. Conscience vas
bringing back to the ten recollecuons
OF the past. which made towards OF
them ali. Their fathers suffering had
kept ii constantly before them. and nlled
with repentance for their past envy, re-
venge and jealousy, they watched ten
derby over Benjamin. determined that no
lures are silent concerning the converse
lions that took place between the broth
ers who had come from nome ana Sim
con, but the fact they proceed 10 ar
range their gifts shows that they reared
the outcome of the dinner and meeting
with the brother whom they did not rec
ognize in the Egyptian yiceroy. Joseph.
with great difficulty, secures control OF
his feelings SO that he can learn what ne
has already come to believe, that they
were changed men from what they Were
i'm his boyhood DAYS at home. While
they had Ill treated him. yet he had i
long since seen the hand of God In the
experiences of his life. as the names ne
gave to his sons showed. The greatness
of Joseph is seen in his ability TO over
look the failings and faults of his broth
ers and continue TO love them In spite or
their iniquity Restraining the great
emotions that weIled up from his heart.
for their sakes he subdued the desires o.
his soul. until by a series or tests they
had demonstrated that he was right I'm
his judgment of them, by seeking Sc
clusion he fitted himself for the dinner
that he ordered TO be served.
4 The meal was served in several courses
to the brothers. who were seated by
themselves. separate both from the
Egyptians and Joseph. who ate at his
own table from which he sent special
dishes to them. testing their spirit by
his partially to Benjamin. to whom no
gave a fve-fold more than the others,
showing special courtesy Wiliioui dious-
ing any jealousy among the ten who
We're not only wondering at the service.
but that each had been seated accord
ing to their age. II they had been wise
they ought to have recognized the pres
ence of their brother. byt instead they
gave to him the same rank as did inc
Egyptians. that he was a seer.
The music and the attention paid To
them surprised the brothers seated by
themselves in accordance with the es-
ia blished custom of society that recog-
nized the difference in rank. as wei az
race. for the Egyptian would not eat at
the table with one of another race. one
of the Oldest books that has been handed
down to us Is largely filled up with
rules OF table etiquette which occupied a
large place In the Egyptian Thought, Tor
they were famed gourmands. and their
banQuets were long-drawn-out and iux-
urious. Underneath the influence OF the
meal. as they all ate. drank and were
merry" fear left them and they began
to believe that they had no cause Tor
alarm. but as We will see i'm next week
study. they had Vet TO stand another
test that would demonstrate that he
that loveth his brother abideth in the
light" seeing the hand of God overruling
IN the affairs of men. filling them with
love for one another.