said that God had made him a father to Pharaoh. (Gen. 45. 8.) He gave him a new name> which shewed not only Pharaoh's authority over Joseph, but at the same time expressed the high esteem he had for him. His new name signifies A REVEALER OF SECRETS. These honors were conferred in the most solemn manner in the presence of all the Court, "I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."

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The last mark of Pharaoh's favor that Jo seph received, was the Princess Asenath, the daughter of a Prince, to be his wife. There is every reason to believe, that by his means his wife, and probably her whole family, became worshippers of the true God, of that God who had given Joseph all this wisdom and honour.

IV. JOSEPH'S PERFORMANCE of the DU. TIES of his OFFICE.

"And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went over all the land of Egypt. And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid

up the food in the cities: the food of the field which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering, for it was without_number." Joseph paid no visits to the jailor or the captain of the guard. He was not proud of his new diguities, he had great grace given him as well as wisdom. Joseph was faithful to the trust reposed in him by the king. Joseph' immediately became a traveller. He took a general survey of the country: directed what parts were to be cultivated and sown with corn; where the granaries and public stores were to be erected; set persons to work. He gathered or bought up the corn with the king's money. Perhaps it was commanded by pub lic proclamation that the fifth part of the land was, to be sown with corn. Joseph bought up all that was to be sold while the corn was cheap. Some think that the corn was not threshed, but stacked, so that the straw might be food for the cattle and the corn for man. How many large stacks of corn there must have been in the vicinity

of every city.

V. JOSEPH's CHILDREN.

"And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came; which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah, priest of On, bare unto him." Some think that Joseph's wife was an orphan. That her father was dead, and that Pharaoh had the charge of her. He was guardian to this princess. Joseph called the name of his first born Manasseh.* For "God," said he, "hath made me forget all my toil and all my father's house." All the unkindness he had received from his brethren was now forgotten. And the name of the second he called Ephraim.† For * God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." It had been the land of his affliction, and it was still the land of his affliction. He was still at a distance from his father's house. Fruitfulness and forgetfulness are often seen in the same family.

VI. CATECHETICAL QUESTIONS.

1. What advice did Joseph give to Pha raoh? "That he should appoint a wise and

* Forgetfulness.

+ Fruitfulness.

discreet

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discreet man, with officers under him, to buy up all the spare corn in the years of plenty." 2. Who did Pharaoh appoint to this office? Joseph.

3. What other employments and honors did Pharaoh give Joseph?" He made him ruler over his house and all the land of Egypt. He gave him his own ring, clothed him in fine linen, put a chain of gold round his neck, and made him ride in the second chariot."

4. What is the meaning of Joseph's new name? A revealer of secrets.

5. How old was Joseph when he stood before Pharaoh? Thirty years.

6. Where did Joseph go when he went out from the presence of Pharaoh? “ He went over all the land of Egypt."

7. What is the meaning of the name which Joseph gave to his eldest son? Manas seh means "forgetfulness."

8. What is the meaning of the name which Joseph gave to his youngest son? Ephraim means "fruitfulness."

VII. PRACTICAL ADDRESS.

Joseph not only interpreted Pharaoh's

dream,

We

dream, but gave him good counsel. ought to listen to the advice of strangers as well as friends. None so wise but what they may be made wiser. We may learn what is good even from our enemies. What a good thing it would be for the kingdoms of the world, if every king had such a counsellor as Joseph. In him we behold a bright example of fidelity, activity, and equity. We see here what extensive good may be done by one man. Seek, then, my dear children, Joseph's God. Pray that he would give you grace and wisdom, aud make you useful in the world. The knowledge of future temporal events might sometimes be useful, but it is much better for us to know what our future state will be in the world to come. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, Let us not forget God in our prosperity. Before honor is humility.