ferred to Benjamin that envy and hatred which they had formerly manifested towards him, and from the fatal consequences of which he had only escaped by the wonderful interposition of God. For Joseph and Benjamin being the sons of one mother, the beloved Rachel, were both favorites of the father, and therefore equally exposed to the jealousy and aversion of their older brethren.

If now Joseph should find that they truly loved Benjamin, would it not be a proof that their hearts had been softened by divine grace? He therefore spoke to them harshly, accusing them of being spies, who had entered the country with evil designs; and caused them to be put under guard, and kept in confinement for three days.

When they were again brought into his presence, Joseph proposed to keep one of them bound, while the others returned home with corn for their families, and then came back again, bringing their younger brother with them. "So shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die." GEN. 42:20.

This unexpected proposition astonished his brethren, and made them very sorrowful. It

was painful to think of leaving one of their number in an Egyptian prison, and they knew it would rend the heart of their aged father to part with his youngest son.

In their distress, conscience brought to their minds the sins of former days. They remembered their cruel treatment of Joseph, and they said one to another, "It is on account of our guilt in destroying our brother, that this distress is sent upon us; his blood is surely required at our hands: we had no pity for him, and now this Egyptian ruler has no mercy for us."

Joseph understood what they said, for they conversed in their own language, not supposing that any one near them was acquainted with the Hebrew tongue. His heart was moved with compassion for their grief and perplexity, and he turned from them and wept.

But he did not relinquish his plans. He took Simeon and bound him, as a surety that they would return to Egypt, bringing their younger brother with them, and then dismissed them to their own country, with a large supply of corn. He also returned all their money, causing his servants to place it, without their knowledge, near the mouth of cach man's sack.

Bib. Prim.

8

SECOND VISIT OF JOSEPH'S BRETHREN TO EGYPT.

When Joseph's brethren gave their father an account of what had befallen them in Egypt, he was greatly distressed, and refused to let Benjamin go to that country with them. In his grief, he exclaimed,

66

Ye have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin also."

"His brother is dead, and he is left alone; if mischief befall him by the way, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave."

But the famine continued; the corn they had brought home was, after a time, exhausted, and Jacob saw that he must send again to Egypt for food, or his whole family would perish. Yet his sons durst not venture to go without Benjamin. The lord of Egypt had solemnly declared, "Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you."

Jacob was therefore compelled by necessity to let Benjamin go. He gave him into the special care of Judah, who pledged himself to

return him in safety to his father's arms.

Tak

ing with them a present of the products of the land, balm, honey, spices, and myrrh, and with double money in their hands-for they attributed its return to them before to some oversight, or mistake-they went down to Egypt, and stood again before Joseph.

They were received at this time with great distinction. Instead of being arrested as spies, and charged with falsehood and enmity to the country, they were welcomed as friends, and entertained as princes. Joseph had them conducted to his own house, where he restored Simeon to them, and made many kind inquiries respecting their welfare, and that of their father. "Is your father well," he said, "the old man of whom ye spake? is he yet alive?" Then turning towards Benjamin, he asked,

"Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious to thee, my son."

As he spoke, his heart melted into tenderness; tears began to flow, and hastening from their presence, he entered into his chamber and wept there.

After this, Joseph entertained his brethren

at a dinner, or feast; providing for them with great hospitality, sending them portions from his own table, and so conducting the feast as to make them feel at ease, and happy in his company.

"But Benjamin's mess was five times as much as any of theirs."

This

may

either mean so much more in quantity, or that Joseph distinguished his younger brother, by placing before him a greater variety of choice and delicate food.

The next day, with the morning light, they made ready to depart. But Joseph had not yet proved his brethren sufficiently. Yet another trial was in reserve for them. He commanded the steward, when he filled their sacks with corn, to return all their money as before, and to put the silver drinking cup, which he used at his table, into the sack of Benjamin.

This cup the brethren had probably observed and admired the day before; it was wrought with mystical figures, and was a kind of cup or tankard, called a divining cup, by the superstitious Egyptians.

All this was done as Joseph directed, and the little company went forth on their journey