Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-28

lift and inspiration at Bethel that
changed his life, 1t was not until the
night alone with God at Pencil 'as. u
climax of the revelation Of grace that
began at Bethel. he received that new
name. which, from its high spiritual
significance. has since been applied to
the whole Israel OF God"
Joseph. when we first saw him In
our studies, did not apparently give
the promise Of becoming a successful
man Of affairs. The pampered pet was
the recipient of a religious training
that laid the foundation for his great
ness. The cunning shrewdness OF his
father becomes in Joseph the tact Of
diplomat The religious principles
Of faith that his father and also his
grandfather taught him formed char
scter that is today a worthy example
for all young men to follow. His in
tegrity parental affection and un-
swerving purpose to be true to God and
loyal to his superiors we saw early in
his life were strengthened later amid
trial and temptation, by his fellowship
with God, who made adversely, perse-
cution and prison the pathway to
power.
The evil OF his brethren became under
divine grace a means by which the
whole family could be saved and fulfill
the dreams Of his youth. The visions
that Joseph related showed not only
his conception of his own Importance,
but the need OF closer contact with life
In order to transform his ambitions
into actual achievements.
Misfortune opened TO Joseph the door
Of opportunity. which he entered. He
forgot his own misfortunes by consid-
erfng and helping others that had SUI
Tered wrong. If he had filled up his
mind with the thoughts OF how he had
been wronged Joseph would never have
become the successful man OF affairs.
Seeking to forget his trials by indus
try and the Improvement OF every OPP
porfuntty to help some other troubled
burden =
ted for the great opportunity of his
life that enabled him to carry out hfs
dreams of power. Nothing illustrates
better the truth that all things work
together for good to them that love
God than the experience Of Joseph. that
equipped him for life's test.
=
Life's Test.
Christ calls upon us to love our
enemies. He Commander His love for
us" by dying for us while we were
yet sinners" When the brothers who
had sfnned against him came under his
power Joseph arose above the natural
vfndictiveness of humanity by show
ing the spirit OF love to those who had
hated him and despitefully used him.
The greatest test is the love test for
our enemies. The rough treatment
was hiding the great heart that was
anxious to make up with them, but was
compelled to wait until the Christening
Of God had brought them into a state
where he knew that they were ready
to be forgiven. 1t requires two persons
for any forgiveness that is worth
while. He showed his attitude by en-
tertaining them and testing their de%
votion to his father and his brother
When Joseph saw that their hearts
were filled with love for his dear ones
then the depths of his great soul broke
loose. and the providential preparation
of God to save the family was made
clear. The transfer OF the aged pa
triarch and his family with their fiockB
TO the fertile fields OF Goshen was in
accordance with Gods plan for thk
making Of great nation out OF the
family Of Jacob.
AS we draw near tie nations birthday
We are brought face to face with the two
different standards OF success presented
in the lives Of Jacob and Joseph. thai
we have been studying. The great dArl-
ger that We confront is that in our mad
dening race for gold we are apt TO thinst
that the selfish Jacob spirit is the beSt
standard for our guidance I'll fares the
land and to Fastening ills aprey whery
wealth accumulates and men decay" !.
The spirit OF Lexington. Bunker HfR
and Kings Mountain is the spirit of 20
which was characterized by the unselfish
devotion OF the patriots lives for tho
land that God wflled free. The one thing
that amidst the social conditions a
America differentiates II from Ron9
in the days preceding its decline. ara
France in the period Immediately prece@L
ing its revolution. Is the practical philart
throphy that nearly all of America6
their faith in their responsibility o
Christ for the advancement OF their caurSr
try, civilization and the church, and thak
no man has q right to use his wealth for
his own pleasure, but for the good Of an
Here again .aith is winning an
a. 800