forget its sorrows, and my aged eyes shall weep no longer."

Let us now change our pity for a moment into indignation..

It is observable that vice destroys all traces of humanity in the heart.

These inhuman brethren were not in the least concerned for the misery of their father, provided that their story, however shocking to him, might effectually cover their own wicked actions. But the historian tells us they rose up to comfort him. O shameless insult! insufferable mockery! Ye abandoned hypocrites! how durst you behold the sacred sorrows of your venerable father! Ye! did ye offer your vile, dissembled condolence! did ye force the unnatural tear, and put on the appearance of pity! Heaven and earth! can man be so deliberately base!

But enough of this disagreeable part of the story! Let us hasten forward to a more pleasing scene; and behold the lamented Joseph, after the space of about twenty years, in possession of the highest honours of the most opulent kingdom in the world.

Inspired by the spirit of immortal wisdom, from the condition of a slave, he became the first minister of one of the first princes upon earth. The keys of power were entrusted

to him, and the gardens of Egypt yielded their treasure into his hand. He whose providence directs the events of nature, who lifteth the poor from his obscurity, that he may set him with princes, displayed in this instance, in a most extraordinary manner, his gracious purposes in behalf of suffering innocence. Suffer me to pass over some disagreeable circumstances that happened to Joseph, when in Egypt, the trial of his virtue, and his unjust imprisonment; perhaps the Almighty Providence might suffer these accidents as the means of his future promotion.

However that might be, it is certain that his God took him from prison and from judgment, that he made him see his seed, and prolong his days, and that the Divine pleasure prospered in his hand.

But behold! The same over-ruling Power, who led him safe to glory through so many perils, is now determined that he shall again see his brethren.

Before I proceed further upon this event, I beg leave to give you some caution against a common error concerning the ways of God to man. It is very natural to conclude, that the Almighty previously appointed all these circumstances in order to bring about the

event; that Joseph's brethren were fatally inspired with rancour against him, that they might sell him into Egypt; and that a general famine was the necessary and fore-appointed means of their seeing him there. On which I shall observe, in one word, that “God can"not be the author of evil;" but that to bring good out of evil, is consistent both with his gracious disposition, and with his moral government of the world.

I will now lead you, without further delay, to a very affecting scene, to the meeting of Joseph and his brethren.

At first, says the sacred writer, though he knew them, yet he spake roughly to them; and said, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. It appears to me, that, as Benjamin was not with his brethren, Joseph suspected that the youngest had chared the fate intended for himself; and that, through envy, they had slain their brother. Else why, before he would discover himself to them, should he so much insist upon seeing Benjamin? He does absolutely insist upon seeing him, and retains Simeon as a pledge for his appearance.

But ah! how shall they prevail upon their aged father to part with Benjamin! his youngest, his beloved Benjamin! What!

cried the venerable man, would ye rob me of this child too! Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away. All these things are against me.

The generous Reuben again interposed, Slay my two sons if I bring him not unto thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again. My son shall not go down, replied the impatient father; his brother is dead, and if death too should befal him in the way, ye shall bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to the

grave.

Necessity, however, stronger than all human affections, prevailed where other arguments were ineffectual. The brethren are again sent to buy food, and the fond father gives up his darling child, the last hope and comfort of his age.

But what language shall paint the inexpressible affection of Joseph, upon the sight of Benjamin? When he saw him, his heart swelled within him, the tears of fondness sprung into his eyes, and he retired to indulge them.

Do not you hear this affectionate brother thus giving a loose to the fulness of his heart? "Great God of Jacob! what a scene hast "thou brought before me! my eyes have "again beheld my brethren, strangers to me

"more than twenty years! Dear, unhappy "men! indeed my heart forgives you. How "do I long to discover myself to you, but "that you would die with shame at the sight "of your injured brother. None of you "could rejoice at such a discovery, save "Benjamin: he, amiable innocence! he en"tered not into your horrid conspiracy. But “I must think of some means to free you "from the disagreeable impressions of shame, "when I make myself known to you; and "endeavour to heighten your joy on that occasion, by first alarming your fears."

Such probably was the generous design of Joseph in his scheme for retaining Benjamin. Such certainly was the effect that it had, when under the terrible apprehension of returning to their incensed father, with an account that they had left his youngest child a bond-slave, they were struck with this important, this astonishing discovery, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

I shall not dwell upon this scene. It is too great for description. But the heart of every brother and every father may conceive it.

Most of the instructive reflections that arise from this affecting story I have interwoven with the thread of it. But you will accept of one general observation from the whole.