Evening star., 1932-06-11
Trials develop character. Troub

Trials develop character. Trouble
reveals the heart Of humanity is filled
with the desire to help, aid. and assist
one another. Let the news be printed
in our newspapers of great disaster
in any land. Immediately there COM
mences to be poured out the evidence
OF the tie that binds men to one an
other. The telegraph, cable, telephone
and radio have made the whole world
not only community Of nations but
a brotherhood of individuals. Selfish
ness disappears in the crucial hour OF
human need. The spark of universal
brotherhood glows and gives forth the
evidence OF the interdependence OF men
and nations.
Centuries ago, when Joseph demon
strated his ability as prophet to point
out the approaching peril and as an
executive his power to assemble the
forces to meet it, the world was not
then closely united by means of rapid
communication that brings us daily
through the press the news OF all ma
tions. The famine that manifested
itself In Egypt quickly spread into other
lands. The result of the common suf-
fering proved then as it does today that
men and nations do not live alone.
They are interdependent. A few years
after men felt the pinch OF want In
Egypt the effect of the famine was seen
in Palestine. Jacob sent his 10 Oldest
sons down into Egypt to purchase corn
to supply the family needs. He had
probably learned from travellers that a
food controller had succeeded in storing
up food, so that there was corn In
Egypt, while all other lands were in
want.
Jacob recognized his 10 brothers, who
did not detect in the prime minister OF
Egypt the brother whom they had pro-
posed to murder 20 years previously.
Through an interpreter he learned what
he wished to know about his father and
younger brother. Many nights during
his trying times as well as during his
prosperous hours, he had thought OF
those whom he loved in spite OF their
jealousy and injustice to him. Joseph
tested the 10 when they appeared at
his offices seeking food. He charged
that they were spies sent by enemies
to learn the poverty of the land. He
proposed to keep nine Of them In prison
and allow one to return and bring
back the other brother. After keep
ing them In prison for three days
Joseph permitted nine Of them to re-
turn to Palestine with ample provisions.
He kept Simeon as hostage that they
would return and bring back with them
Benjamin. Joseph's own brother, whom
he evidently was planning to force them
to bring back with them. When they
opened their bags of corn upon reaching
home the brothers were surprised to
find, when they emptied their sacks,
that every man had his own money in
his sack that he had paid for the corn.
It made them afraid to return. Not
until the force of necessity compelled
their return were they willing to go
back. Jacob was unwilling to permit
BENJAMIN to go with them until they
made clear to him the necessity Of their
return.
Back in Egypt.
When the nine returned they brought
Benjamin with them. They we're given
all they asked and apparently went
away rejoicing. They had not gone far
before they were arrested and their bags
searched, with the result that Joseph'S
so-called "divining cup" was found In
Benjamin's bag. They refused to go
back without him and all the IL re-
turned to plead for Benjamin's release.
They had given Joseph, who appeared
to have an uncanny knowledge of their
family and their ages. hint that after
he had disappeared they saw their sin
and tried to make amends by being
kind to Benjamin. Their attitude
proved it, especially the eloquent, earnest
and effective plea of Judah on behalf Of
Benjamin.
One can search the literature OF the
world of letters without finding any
greater speech than that of Judah, who
reveals his ability as leader Of the
IL as well as an orator When We
reread his message We see the skillful
way in which the former rough rider
had been transformed into the tender
hearted suppliant. The rapid moving
Of dramatic events reveals a completely
changed man speaking on behalf of his
brother, pleading unconsciously before
his own brother whom he had sold into
slavery over 20 years previous
Judah did not make any effort to
deny Benjamins guilt. The evidence
appeared to be conclusive He opened
his appeal by asking Joseph if he had
father and brother. He pointed out
how Joseph had insisted that they
bring their younger brother with them
when they returned and the difficulty
they had in persuading their aged IA
ther to allow the little one as he
appeared in their fathers eyes, to ac-
company them. There is a ring OF