Joseph was often with the Lord. He prayed to God and thought upon his name, so that there is reason to think that he was not only diligent in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. II. JOSEPH'S PIETY AND FIDELITY. "And his master saw that the Lord was with bim, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand." Joseph was not like many young persons in India, ashamed of his religion. He made no secret of it: All who saw Joseph knew that he was remarkably pious, prudent, honest and faithful. He acted like one who knew that the eyes of Jehovah were upon him, like one that walked in the fear of God all the day long, like one that cared for reproach and ridicule on account of his religion. Many young persons in India will suffer themselves to be laughed out of their religion. But he that is ashamed of me and of my word (saith Jesus Christ) in this adulterous and simple generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his father with the holy angels, : Many young Men of Joseph's age are ex actly actly in his situation as to religion. They go to their stations where there is perhaps no Church, no Chaplain, no meeting together for the public worship of God. They are surrounded by idols and idolaters: they see no respect paid to religion, to God, or to his holy day. That they are apt to forget God, lose all reverence for his day, all desire of attending on, public worship.-Let them act like Joseph and not be afraid, letting their equals and their superiors see that they are not ashamed of God, of their religion or their principles. Joseph's Master saw that the Lord was with him. Joseph's fellow servants saw that the true God was with him. It was not in the power of the gods of Egypt to make Joseph prosperous, and honest and faithful; but the fear of God is not only the beginning of wisdom, but the source of every Christian virtue and spring of every Christian duty in every rank and condition of life. III. JOSEPH'S REWARD and POTIPHAR'S BLESSINGS." And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him and all that he had he put into his hand."-Thus Joseph was raised from a slave or common servant to be : th the chief or head servant. He was made overSEER, that is, one that overlooks. He overlooked the rest of the servants to see that they did their duty. There was a time when Joseph was overlooked by another in the same manner in which he now overlooked the rest of the servants. He was not a hardhearted overseer like those that are usually put over the Negros in the West Indies; Ro, he was kind and condescending, not proud, cruel and overbearing. It was a happy thing for those servants who were put under Joseph's care. He would not treat them ill. Joseph was a young man, quite a youth, but the Lord was with him. Potiphar saw this and did not despise either his youth or his religion. Let us now see the favor that the Lord shewed to Potiphar. He blessed him for Joseph's sake. "And it came to pass from the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house and in the field." Whatever substance Potiphar had when Joseph came, it was blessed and increased. His cattle increased abundantly. The produce of the earth was much greater, every thing was altered for the better. Order, regularity, peace and harmony at home. Abundant crops and numerous flocks and herds in the fields. And all this for Joseph's sake.. Thus Laban was blessed for the sake of Joseph's father, and thus poor sinners are blessed with peace and joy, pardon and salvation, the favor of God and eternal life, for the sake of Jesus Christ the son of God. IV. POTIPHAR'S CONFIDENCE in JOSEPH's HONESTY and GooD MANAGEMENT. “ And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not aught that he had, save the bread which he did eat." Joseph had all the care and trouble, and his master all the pleasure and enjoyment. It was the best thing that' Potiphar could do, to put all into Jos.ph's hands, for he knew that it would prosper better in his hands than in his own. Good and faithful servants will always be rewarded with honour and exaltation, At the same time Joseph had a master in heaven as well as og earth, whose eyes were always upon him, whose whose ears were open to all his prayers and thanks. By this means Joseph became a man of business. He learned how to manage an estate first, before he governed a kingdom. Thus God fitted and prepared Joseph for being governor over all the land of Egypt. v. The description given us of JOSEPH'S "And Joseph was a goodly person favored." He was a handsome PERSON. and well young man. This is the description that was given of his mother. "Rachel was beautiful and well favored." He was in the bloom and vigour of youth, in the prime of life. He was not only comely in his person, but polite in his manners. There was a dignity and kindness in his countenance that command at once the love and respect of all who knew him. There was nothing assuming or overbearing in his conduct. By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honour and life. He was hum, ble and kind to all, diligent and active in his business. Joseph did not forget God in his prosperity-No, he lived in his fear, and it was that alone which preserved him safe. In the day of prosperity be watchful, and in the day of |