brethren, when they dreaded his just resentment, "Fear not; for am I in the place of God?" all these things tend to show that he must have had true humility of character.

And such is the character of all good men, whatever their possessions, or learning, or rank, or repu tation may be.

They are sensible-as I have no doubt Joseph was-how very little they know, although others may esteem them wise; and how imperfect and sinful they have been, and continue to be, although others may regard them with approbation and es

teem.

Their faith in God leads them to look up to him as a Being of spotless purity and perfect holiness of character, and to feel very humble in his presence. And when they look round on their fellow-men, should they see any not loving and serving God as they hope they do, or their inferiors in any respect, they ask themselves, who maketh me to differ?

They know that they are naturally no better than others; that if there is a difference, the grace of God has made it; and that, in their intercourse with their fellow-men, they should cultivate a meek and quiet spirit; remembering, that "before honor is humility," and that "blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Are you among the number of those who are thus poor in spirit? Do you know what it is to feel truly humble in the sight of God on account of your great unworthiness; that you have sinned. against him so often, and so much; and that you have loved and served him so little, or, perhaps, not at all?

How do you feel and conduct toward those around you? Do you feel proud of your appearance and dress; of the family to which you belong; of your attainments of any kind; of your prospects in life; or perhaps, even of your good feelings and conduct?

Do you treat others with unkindness or neglect, with haughtiness or contempt? Do you look on any, even the most degraded and worthless, as beneath your notice?

I propose these inquiries, that you may look back upon your past conduct, and look into your present thoughts and feelings, and see whether you have any true humility of spirit.

Without such humility you can have no interest in Jesus Christ and his salvation. He was himself meek and lowly in heart; and such must all his followers be.

Had he not humbled himself, and been willing to leave the glories of his heavenly state, and lead a 18

L. J.

life of reproach, and die a death of ignominy, what would have been our condition? Lost, undone, hopeless, we should have perished in our sins if this Savior had not humbled himself to redeem us from sin and hell.

And shall we not be humble; we, poor, miserable sinners, who have so much that ought to make and keep us humble! We be proud and haughty! What are we-what have we—to be proud of!

CHAPTER XL.

Joseph had general benevolence of character.—This grew out of his faith in God.-The reader can do good in many ways. Has he a desire to do good ?--Does this desire lead to action. Where there is no such desire and conduct, there is great guilt and danger.

FROM all that we have seen of the character of Joseph, we must conclude that it was one of general benevolence.

Faith worketh by love. In other words, a true faith in God always produces in the heart a desire to do good to others; and this desire is accompanied by corresponding conversation and conduct.

Such was the faith of Joseph. It led him to exercise good-will toward his fellow men, and to endeavor to do them good.

We do not find him laying plans for himself alone, so as to promote his own ambitious views. Throughout the whole course of his life, his elevation and power were brought about by the providence of God, and not by his own seeking.

The general esteem, too, in which he appears to have been held, both by the king and the whole nation, shows the kind and benevolent character of his conduct. Had it been otherwise, the kindred of Joseph would not have been welcomed so cordially by Pharaoh, nor such striking respect been shown to Jacob in the great attendance at his funeral.

No other than a kind and benevolent ruler would have received such marks of respect and attachment from a powerful monarch and his numerous subjects.

To endeavor to do good to others; this should be the great object of your desires and your efforts. Even young as you are, there are many ways in which you can do this.

How often, while with your brothers and sisters and companions, you can say something, or do something in a kind manner, that will tend to make them better and happier.

Are there no poor persons, also, in your neighborhood, to whom your parents or friends are willing to give something which you can carry to them, and thus get the habit, in your younger days, of relieving the wants of the necessitous ?

Are you not old enough to earn something by your own labor, that you can give to some one of the benevolent objects in which good people are engaged?

Have you not opportunities every day (while you feel for the souls of those around you, and pray for them) of saying something to them that, under the blessing of God, may lead them to the Savior, and to imitate his example?

Have you a desire thus to do good to others? If you have, I rejoice greatly, and pray that it may increase, and that you may live to have such benevolent feelings form the constant state of your soul, and make you more and more like the inhabitants of heaven, and prepare you to be holy and happy with them, for ever.

But remember, that if you truly have such a desire, it will manifest itself in action-in something that you say and do.

If you are saying and doing nothing to make others better and happier, then it is certain that you have no feelings of benevolence toward them.