Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-03


the ease Of the favorite son he never
would have had the opportunity to have
exercised dominion over his brethren that
came to him within the prison wallis.
Prisoners for principle have played an
important part in moIding the history OF
the world. Christianity owes a debt OF
gratitude to the prisoners who have suf-
Tered like Joseph for Righteousness sake.
The prophesieS during the captivity, the
prison epistles OF the New Testament.
the translations of the scriptures. Luz
theirs and Tyndales written within
prison walls: Bunyan's writings in Bed
ford jail. meditations OF martyrs. mes
sages of ministers. poems of poets and
history-are found marked by the infiu-
ence Of prison life The life OF Joseph
was shaped by his prison experiences.
In the palace he faced a social crdsiA.
while in the prison the epar1t that SUE
fered long and yet IL Kind was being
prepared by the service Cor strangers to
pass from the prison to power, thr0o4A
learning to leave all things In the hnnoa
OF God.
Service for Strangef1
The presence Of both the royxa euDs
bearer and the chief baker both me-
toned among the court onlcaals. aefx1c4ah
the sympathetic interest Of Joseph, vhA
becoming moro interested IN the dreams
OF others than In his own viGionaL tnene.
preted their dreams. They were Won
ried over the charge Of treason caused BY
the poison found In the kings food a.
drink. They were awaiting the result Of
the evidence that was being considered
while they were in prison and naturally
their dreams partook OF tho work OF
their former life in the palace Little did
u,t,~ ~ A.
minister unto their needs and help them
bear their trouble that these two pris-
oners would be called back to the court.
enc to honor and the other dishonor.
and be the means used Of God to fuldll
the dreams OF his boyhood days.
Both prisoners dreamed. and the poetic.
penetrating powers OF Joseph interprets
both visions. giving credit to God alone
as the one who could reveal the meaning
OF their troubled thoughts that came to
them In their sleep. when unconsciously
one was worried over his sin and the
other over his suffering. The Pharaohs
of the time Of the lesson were of Semitic
blood. who adopted the Egyptian customs
in their court OF having a chief butler or
cupbearer press the grapes into the
kings goblet instead of pouring wine
into It. thus preventing the possibility OF
being poisoned by treacherous cup
bearer. The innocent buffers dream
looked forward to resumption of his serv-
Ice. while the guilty baker. fearing the
consequences, awaits until after he saw
that the Interpretation Of the buffers
dream was good. and then presented his
vision, only to learn that II foretold hts
death at the hour when his fellow-pris-
oner from the palace would be free. upon
the birthday Of their royal master.
Those who see In Joseph's life a type
Of Christ in many ways find in the pre-
diction and fulfillment Of the prisoners
dreams a suggestion OF Calvary, when the
- Iw~k>
eternity. the one to his doom and the
other to his exaltation. There are many
lessons that can be drawn from the lives
of these three dreamers presented to u
in today's study that may be helpful to
our Christian life. Perhaps the greatest
lesson of all is the secret processes OF
revealing the presence and
overruling power Of the Almighty test
ing our strength amid the struggles OF
life. working out His program Tor our life
The Jail companions were
the chosen means OF vfndicating Joseph
that came to him as a result OF q life OF
well doing.
that we are misunderstood. misconstrued
and we become the target for SANDER
that fills us with suffering, sorrow and
sadness. the temptation comes 20 try the
methods Of men and secure revenge by
retaliation or appeal to the force OF the
law or public opinion. Joseph laid his
case before the high court OF heaven and
silently waited the hour OF victory. To
him and to us in the shadows OF life there
come comfort. consolation and cheer IN
the fact that 'tGod standeth in
the shadow, keeping watch above his
own No matter how dark the hour. we
know that while those we. befrtend may
forget our service and need, God will
never forget US, but He may come, as he
did to the apostles at midnight. to give
liberty even while We sing and pray. He
will. conduct us In safety IL we viii obey
His commands and follow the leadership
Of the Holy Spirit-the breath OF the AL
mighty that giveth UNDERSTANDING
Tuesday evening a reception in the in
terest OF the Presbyterian Home for the
Aged, was held in the lecture room of
the Central Presbyterian Church, Sd and