Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-05-22
AFFR,cHrEp By GOOD FORTUNE.
The International Sunday Senoo!
Lesson for May IS Is "Joseph ana
Ben lamIn." Gen. 43.
(By William T. Ellis.)

which never appear? This chaptel
Of the romantic story of Joseph II
for them. Here we have dramatic
lesson in optimism. The fate wnicl
ten characters in the tale dreaded
was really their good fortune. they
saw as evil, through eyes OF rear
that which was only and wholly gooa
The setting of the story is easily
recalled. Joseph was next to phar'
aoh. the supreme ruler and admins
traitor of Egypt. Famine was herce
throughout the country, and the al.
jacent lands. Jacobs ten sons nad
come down for grain, and had been
sent home with laden donkeys, out
the ruler had held Simeon as host
are for the presence of Benjamin on
the next trip. Joseph, who did not
make himself known to his brethren
wanted to see his own blood brotner'
Jacob refused to let the sons go again
for grain until imperative need GROVE
them forth. Then, with wallings, ne
allowed BENJAMIN to depart for the
sake of the salvation of the famlly.
Judah pledged that he would be spon
scr for the youngest child and LIS
safe return.
, The Making Of a Family.
MANY families are made new over
the coffin Of mother or q ratner,
who in death has accomplished VIVA,
in life could not be done. Strl1e anu
bitterness and division are heaIeo ia
adyersity.. Trouble proves a man
friend and it also shows the W1soom
If the rroyerb that "a brother is porn
fer adversely"
This family of Jacob came TO
nov dignity and nobility in the try
ins exrarience of the famine. Dang
er and rifficulty and sorrow matured
them all. Simeons offer OF hlmsei1
as hostage for Benjamin was nobie
decd. .Judah's dignified pledge OF MS
= life for the return Of Benjamin
Vas manhood at it's best. We fnd
each ready to fill his part of service
a. sacrifice for the welfare of the
whole family. The old rivalrles naa
disanneared. It had come to be 'all
for each. and each for ALL" Hardship
did it; ancient work win Jacop
family, in educating them into an un,
Outstanding Of the prlcelessness o.
blood relationship.
Sentimental school girls, and older
persons Of about the same intellectual
development talk airily OF "affin1tles
aud of their superiority to their own
KIN. It is darling belief OF every I'M
mature person that his family entirely
misunderstands him. One OF the
pathetic aspects of our American lie
is the number of young men and WON
en- who are going home from college
to families who, at the cost OF great
ea crifice have given them their educa-
ton. and showing themselves at every
point out of sympathy with the old
home folk. This is a cup OF bitterness
that many a father and mother has
drained.
The present story is lesson in
great truth that there are no ties like
the ties OF blood In the end, after all
ones fair weather friends have fallen
aside, It is ones own family who stand
by to the end. Cheap cynicism is fond
OF saying, God gives us our relatives,
but we can choose our friends The
truth is that God does give us our
relatives: they are his thought for US.
Into our own family we have been
horn because it is best for our growth.
Despite the delusions Of immaturlty,
worldly prosperity brings us no friends
quite so true and devoted as those
whom God gave us at birth. In all his
regal estate in Egypt. Joseph had no.
body who meant to him so much as
the old family back In Canaan. Home
ties last y
The Spectre That Never Came.
Little dreaming that the Judge they
feared was their brother, the ten sons
of Jacob went down to Egypt again
Their attitude and actions were those
OF scared men. They thought they
would be called robbers. They ex-
prrted Imprisonment, and punishment.
When they found special reception
prepared for them, it confirmed their
fears and increased their panic. They
were expecting to meet disaster around
the next corner, state Of mind that
has hot yet gone out Of fashion.
Like most of the troubles that men
fear, this one never appeared to
Jacobs sons. Instead Of difficulties.
they found themselves welcomed by
this mysterious potentate, who had
shown such a strange interest In them
before. They were received as hon
Dred guests. It was bewildering and
disconcerting to those who thought
that such things we're "too good to be
true"
The Call Of the Blood.
This was great hour for Joseph.
Only the exile in foreign land can
know the sweetness Of familiar
face. The wealth Of Egypt and it's
honors had no power to compensate
him for the loss of those who we're
dearest to him on earth. How the ad.
vent to his brothers. and especially
OF the only other son OF his mother,
affected him Is best told in words of
the inspired record:
And he asked them of their vel.
fare and said. Is your father we'll,
the old man of whom We spake? Is
he yet alive?
"And they said, thy servant our
father is well, who is vet alive. And
they bowed the head. and made
obeisance. And he lifted up his eyes,
and saw Benjamin his brother. his
mothers son, and said. Is this your
youngest brother, Of whom We spake
unto me? And he said God be
gracious unto thee, my son. And JOS
eph made haste: for his heart yearn-