which it unfolds, and the many plain and useful lessons which it teaches-above all, from the mighty consequences, both near and remote, which resulted to the family of Jacob, to the Egyptian monarch, and to the human race, from incidents, at first insignificant and seemingly contemptible, but gradually swelling into magnitude, extending from period to period, and ultimately occupying all time and space.

Of Joseph, the long expected son of beauteous Rachel, we know nothing from his birth until he had attained his 17th year. At this early period he was engaged in the usual employment of the age, "keeping the flock with his brethren." But, at this very period, we have an indication of his virtuous conduct and disposition, for he seems, even now, to have been grieved at the unholy conversation of his brethren, and, in the ardour of youthful indignation at it, he re ports it to his father. We cannot read of Joseph thus early exposed to the danger of contamination from his ungodly brethren, without trembling for the consequences, lest he be drawn aside by the evil examples continually presented to him. And, surely, when we consider the natural bias of the human heart, and that its imaginations are only evil continually, we cannot but see, in Joseph's preservation, the exercise of the restraining grace of God.

Of all his children, Joseph was the patriarch's fa vourite. He was the son of his old age, and the elder of the much loved Rachel's offspring. His mother was now dead, and he served to recal to Jacob's recollection the fond remembrance of her worth and virtues, by the excellency of his own. If we cannot

justify, we may at least account for the old man's affection and partiality; it was indeed natural, yet was it reprehensible in him not to conceal it. The weakness and imbecility of even pious old age evinces. itself by

Jacob's distinguishing his beloved boy by cloathing him in "a coat of many colours." This injudicious mode of expressing his parental partiality, could, evidently, tend only to sow the seeds of jealously and hatred in the bosoms of Joseph's brethren; indeed, to so high a degree do these passions appear to have been inflamed, that we are informed they could not "speak peaceably unto him." Nor can we suppose but that Joseph himself must have suffered by this ridiculous distinction. Some unholy emotion, some unlawful feeling, some proud consciousness of superiority, must have inspired his bosom with a tincture of vanity and self-sufficiency, which soon evince themselves in his indiscreet and imprudent relation of two dreams with which he was favoured.* Upon relating to his brethren the former dream, we find that their hatred was excited yet more and more. As Joseph found that his narration had highly displeased his brethren, and provoked their resentment, he ought not to have communicated the other dream to them; but, alas! youth, impetuous and indiscreet at all times, cannot but err when under the influence of those passions which, flattery and conscious superiority never fail to produce. There was something in these dreams so flattering to human vanity, and so pleasing to an ardent and ambitious mind, that Joseph could not help teazing and mortifying his brethren, by telling them this other dream. He thus provoked them to yet greater indignation and enmity; and even Jacob seems now to be not, altogether, pleased with the spirit which Joseph manifested. He, however, "ob, served the saying." Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, he might doubtless have considered these dreams as prophetic of something great and good to his. :beloved child. The dreams of Joseph, as indicating his gaining a pre-eminence over them, haying excited such. * Gev, 37.

deep and violent indignation in Jacob's elder children; they were resolved to counteract the prediction, and an event soon occurred which seemed to present a favourable opportunity for gratifying their revengeful and malignant passions:-as they were feeding their flocks in Shechem, at a considerable distance from Jacob's residence, he determined to send Joseph to inquire after their welfare and, to bring him word again." Although his children were rebellious and ungrateful, and had forgotten their duty, yet Jacob retains for them the affectionate solicitude of a parent; and even Joseph is sent to enquire after their welfare, that Jacob's anxiety may be satisfied. Joseph, with cheerful willingness, obeys his father's commands, and sets out for Shrechem, leaving his father's house never, never to return to it more. Little did Israel 'then think that the parting of that day was to be of such long duration!

Arrived at Shechem, Joseph wandered in a field for some time, seeking his brethren, but in vain. He is, however, soon relieved from his anxiety by some courteous stranger, who informs him, that he had overheard them say, "Let us go to Dothan." Thither he proceeds. His brethren, as soon as they saw him," afar off," even before he came near to them," conspired against him to slay him. Behold," say they, this dreamer cometh. Come now, therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, some evil beast hath devoured him; and we shall see what will become of his dreams."How different were Joseph's feelings? Fatigued, no doubt, and wearied. by so long a journey; his strength and spirits begin to revive, as he descries his brothers, and their tents, and their flocks, afar off. With ardour he redoubles his diligence; and being now arrived among them, he is about to pour the contents of his anxious bosom into their's; when, all of a sudden, they seize upon hina

as their prey. Instead of meeting with brethren, he falls into the hands of the worst of foes. His youth, his alliance, his prayers, his tears, avail him nothing. Envy and revenge have gained such full possession of their hearts, that no feeling of humanity or mercy can gain admittance. Joseph's death has been determined upon, and nothing but murder can satisfy them. The mode, at Renben's intercession, is changed; but, alas ! even in this instance, “the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." To be cast into a pit, and there left to perish with hunger, is such a punishment, that, compared with it, instant death had been a mercy and a kindness.

Having satisfied their revengeful spirit, they sit down, with indifference and unconcern," to eat bread." At this critical moment God interposes on behalf of Joseph. A company of travelling Ishmaelites, unconsciously guided by Heaven, pass by whilst these brothers are at dinner. Judah proposes to his brethren to sell Joseph to them as a slave: thus, without the crime of murder, he would be effectually removed from them; and the possibility of his return to detect their villainy, and to renew his pretensions to superiority, would be for ever prevented. No sooner was this proposal made than it was assented to, and carried into execution. Joseph being transferred to the merchant's hands, for a stipulated sum, is carried by these strangers towards the land of Egypt, whilst his unfeeling brethren consult together how to conceal the deed, and how to account to Jacob for the nonappearance of his beloved son." And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; and sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, this have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or not. And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him: Joseph

is without doubt rent in pieces. And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. Who can hear of Jacob's sorrow without sympathizing with the wretched father, afflicted and bowed down with grief? without congratulating departed Rachel that she has escaped pångs more frightful than the pains of childbirth, or the dying struggles of dissolving nature? without indignation at the conduct of Joseph's, brethren? who, adding hypocrisy to their other crimes," rose up to comfort Israel, but he would not be comforted."

[To be continued.]

AFFECTING ACCOUNT OF MRS. CAREY. THE Rev. Mr. Averill, a pious clergyman, repre-. sentative from the Irish Conference in Dublin, to the English Conference, held at Leeds, 1801, preaching the second Sunday morning in conference, from these words of Isaiah Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind his stayed on Thee" by way of illustrating the subject, gave the following affecting account of a Mrs. Carey, a pious woman in Ireland :Mr. Averill observed, that having heard much of this person's remarkable piety, he had a great desire to see her, and accordingly he procured one of the preachers to guide him to her habitation. Athis first interview with Mrs. Carey, he begged to hear her Christian experience, which was to the following effect. Mrs. Carey, told Mr. Averill, that about twentyfive years ago she heard the Gospel preached, after which she was savingly converted to God. Sometime after this, she met with a young man in the neighbourhood whom she thought very pious, and who paid his ad