As children of the same father; as worshippers of the same God; as partakers with him of the blessings of the promises which had been made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; they besought him to forgive them.

Joseph had too many kind and generous feelings; he was too much above what was mean or revengeful; he felt too strongly his obligations to God for all his goodness; he cherished too deeply the spirit of benevolence toward his fellow-men; and he was too sensible of his own imperfections and sins, to resist this appeal.

It awakened all the better emotions of his heart. It revived the most grateful recollections of his father. It enkindled his warmest piety toward God. He was overcome by it, and melted into tears.

It is probable that he very soon sent for his brethren. For we are told they went to see him, and bowed themselves down, as they had formerly done, in his presence.

And they said, Behold, we be thy servants.

And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? as if he had said, "I am but a man like yourselves. Why do you thus stand in awe of me and my displeasure? It is God who is the judge of your conduct. It is to him that you are accountable for what you have done. It is against him

that you have sinned. Humble yourselves before his presence. With deep repentance implore his forgiveness. So far as I am concerned, let all your apprehensions cease."

"Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now, therefore, fear ye not: I will nourish you and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them."

What a relief this must have been to their minds! What an impression it must have made on their hearts, if they had any such feelings as they ought to have had!

Under such affecting circumstances, how they were called upon to exercise gratitude toward their brother, for his generous and kind conduct; and a still livelier gratitude toward God, for his great forbearance and long suffering. For it was the gracious course of his providence which had over-ruled their wicked designs, and brought out of them so much good to Joseph, the object of their hatred, to their father, and even to themselves and families.

My dear children, have you ever been placed in similar circumstances? Have you ever done wrong toward some one; and afterward had great reproach of conscience; and feared lest God would, in some way or other, punish you for your guilt?

And has it happened that you have been obliged to acknowledge your guilt; and that the person whom you offended has freely forgiven you; and that, thus far, you have not met with the punishment which, you know, your evil conduct deserves?

It is very probable that all this has happened to some of you; and how have you felt under such cir

cumstances?

Have you felt humbled before God for the sin committed against him? For, in doing wrong to any of your fellow-men, you break the commands, and despise the authority of God. He forbids you to do wrong. He requires of you always to do right. He enjoins it upon you to love your neighbor as you do yourself, as well as to love Him with your whole soul, and strength, and mind.

Have you felt truly sorry for the wrong done to the individual, and asked his forgiveness, from the heart, intending to feel and conduct toward him as you ought to do?

Have you felt thankful to God that you were spared the punishment which you so justly deserved; and to the individual, for having assured you of his for giveness and future friendship?

Have you resolved, that with the grace of God, through Jesus Christ, assisting you, you will do no

such evil thing again, and that you will strive against all sin?

If you will stop a little, and think seriously, and ask yourself the above questions, you will learn something about the real state of your heart.

You will be in the way of finding out (while you know very well how the brethren of Joseph ought to have felt) whether you have felt as you ought to have done.

Let your conscience speak. If your heart con demns you, remember that " God is greater than your heart, and knoweth all things."

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them, shall have mercy."

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Joseph near to death. He makes his brethren swear that his body shall be buried in Canaan; whither, he assures them, the Israelites shall go.-He dies, and his body is embalmed. Why did he direct his body to be kept in Egypt till the Israelites should go to Canaan ?-Wonderful Prov dence of God.

THE brethren of Joseph returned to their families in Goshen, where they continued to reside. They increased greatly in numbers, and were prosperous in their business, under the protection of the king of Egypt, and the fostering care of their kind brother.

Joseph, in the meanwhile, as we have every reason to suppose, continued to enjoy the favor of Pharaoh, and of the kings who succeeded him, and to hold his office as governor of Egypt, ruling the people mildly and justly, and esteemed by the whole

nation.

He lived to see the children of Ephraim and Manasseh, in whose education he took a lively interest, and whom he treated with great affection.

At length the advances of age reminded him that the time of his departure was not far distant. His feebleness increased. He gathered his brethren around him, and told them that he was about to die.