The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-01
The Sunday School
BY REV EUGENE P. NICKEL DID

had no right either In law or morally
to include all in the punishment Of
one II found guilty. We should never
be so certain in our minds Of any event
either past or future as to make I'M
just or foolish risks depending upon
our judgment.
HE with whom it is found shall be
my servant."-The steward was
speaking not for himself, but for his
master (see verse 10. Doubtless Jo-
seph had given full instructions as to
what he was to demand. II the others
came back to plead for Benjamin, 1t
would show that they were not the
same in heart as when they had sold
Joseph into Egypt. Then he might
have known to them who he was, and
prepare to bring them out Of Canaan.
On the other hand, If they should now
desert Benjamin. he would be under
Joseph's care, WHO would give him
every advantage, and the others would
be left to go their way and live after
their own low and sordid ideas
THE cup was found in Benjamin's
sack. TO conceal the fact that he
knew about the placing OF the cup,
the steward began his search with
the Oldest and went through all their
sacks until he came to that of the
youngest. The older brothers might
have had some doubts about each
other, but these quickly disappeared
as sack after sack was found without
the cup. Neither was the money in
their sacks as they had so mysteri-
ously found on the first Journey. But
alas, for all their rising confidence,
In the last sack is found both the
purchase money for the grain and the
silver cup, In the sack of Benjamin
the one OF all whom none suspected
Then they rent their clothes. -
Tearing the outer robe was the mark
OF greatest sorrow and distress. There
was the evidence before their eyes of
crime. Yet they could not believe
that Benjamin was guilty. There was
nothing that they could say to the
steward. If there is any plea which
can prevail 1t must be made to the
ruler himself. Had they thought Ben
Jamin guilty, they would have deserted
him. or perhaps themselves attempted
to take his life. But in silent hu-
initiation they place their sacks on
their beasts and return in slow pro-
cession to the city, sadder than If 1t
was funeral procession to the grave.
Judah and his brethren came to
Joseph's house. Here but twenty
four hours before they had been mer-
ry as favored guests. Now they return
with slow steps and bowed heads,
land they fell before him on the
ground" This was not the usual bow
ing OF polite entrance as on the day
before; 1t was the prostration Of grief
and helplessness. They had learned
the most important lesson that there
may come a time when human
strength and wisdom cannot avail.
when there can be no aid except in
mercy.
"And Judah said, What shall we
Pie did not believe that Ben
Ia mi n C,1{1f MT he
deny It Here, as before Jacob, 1t Is
Judah who is spokesman for the
others. How shall we clear our
selves?" He counts all together as
accused OF the theft. The first token
Of their strong manhood is seen in
their refusing to desert their young
est brother whom they believed limo
cent though they were unable to
prove 1t.
God hath found out the iniquity OF
thy servants. did not here
confess that the cup had been stolen:
1t is confession OF sin rather than of
any particular transgression. Prob
ably he was thinking of their great
sin when they had sold Joseph In his
Now they were to pay the penalty.
1t would appear. by themselves being
made slaves when guilty of no crime
I'VE are my lords servants" He can
make no plea: he will attempt no re-
sistance. They will submit to giving
up their freedom as a punishment
from the God of their fathers. Here
is type Of the sinners full submits
sion when he shall admit the utmost
justice Of Gods law in condemning
him unless he shall have a Saviour
to redeem.
God forbid that should do So
literally. "Wickedness to me in doing
this'-that is In Furnishing the in
nocent with the guilty. He only de-
clared that he would exact what his
servant had demanded, the man in
be my servant" and the other should
be free Strict justice holds only the
sinner for his own guilt, THE soul
that sinneth 1t shall die" Geek. Is:
A..
'As for you, get you up In peace
unto your father."-Here was the real
test OF Joseph with his brethren. To
satisfy their own selfish ambitions.
they had sold him years before. Now
II they had been still unchanged. see
Ing that Benjamin would only be
slave to a great prince and that they
would be permitted to go with all
their grain back to Canaan, they would
have at once departed. This would
have proved that they were unworthy
might have seen to it that they got
the privilege of buying grain till the
famine was ended. He could never
have revealed himself to them as their
brother, he never could have pro-
NOTED them to places of dignity and
trust. However, he would have kept
BENJAMIN and would have offered him
all the privileges OF Egyptian educa-
ton and culture.
Then Judah came near unto him
and said'--as in the closing verses of
the chapter. 1884. This address of
Judah before Joseph is one of the
most pathetic and persuasive appeals
to be found anywhere, 1t Is dignified,
eloquent. earnest, simple and force
full; the worlds most famous rhetori-
clans have never written an Grafton Of
deeper feeling or greater power. To
fully analyze and study it would make
a complete lesson In itself.
Thou art even as Pharaoh. Jul
dab had doubtless learned Of the great !
power given to Joseph, and he ad-
dresses him with full courtesy and
implies that the mercy which he asks
is In his power to grant Even when !
we feel that we are being unjustly
treated II 10 rfeht and aIco tho hast