ple will know that you are honest, and that they can trust you. It is good to see great men hospitable and generous. It is good to see children kind. Rich children should be kind to poor children. When in distress about any thing, we should ask advice, especi ally of those who are able to help us and to give good counsel. Encourage those that are fearful. Look to God. You must always behave with respect to those who are your su periors. Enquire kindly after the welfare of others, especially of aged friends. Let all young persons pray that God would be gracious to hem. Children must not be displeased if they do not sit at the same table with their parents, especially when they have company and there is no room for them. Every child should sit in their own place according to their ages. Then there will be no quarreling about places. We have sometimes reason to wonder at others conduct, but we ought to wonder most at our own. It is the greatest wonder of all that we sinful creatures are out of Hell; when we have deserved to be doomed to that place long ago: Let no child wish for Benjamin's mess. He had four times

more

more than, would do him good. It is not love to help children to more than they can Children must not wish to taste of eve

eat.

ry dish at the table. It is not proper that chil dren should have what they please; nor yet as much as they can eat.

LECTURE

THE CUP FOUND IN BENJAMIN'S SACK.

GEN. 44. 12. And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

JOSEPH'

OSEPH's Brethren seemed to have been very happy the last time we took leave of them. Their fears and their troubles seem to be all forgotten. They were dining with the governor of all the land of Egypt, and they drank and were merry with him. A merry evening Bometimes brings a sorrowful morning. Joseph commanded his steward to fill every man's sack with food as much as they could carry, aud to put every man's money in his sack's mouth, and " put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his cornmoney." This was done that he might have a reason for detaining them, and trying their love to Benjamin. Joseph's orders were o beyed. As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away and their asses. Little did they think how soon they were to return to Joseph's house.

We may suppose that they were all very happy and that they began to talk of the Governor's kindness to them. What a charming man. How kindly did he inquire after our aged parent. I am glad Benjamin went with us. What a good wish was that which he uttered when he laid his hand on Benjamin's head. He seemed to take a great fancy to him. We shall have wonderful things to tell our father when we get home. How glad he will be to see us all. My father will be very glad to see me back again, I know, says Simeon, I dare say he expected I should never get out of jail. The governor was very kind to me after you were gone. He did not let me want for any thing. I am glad that I was able to prevail on my Father (says Judah), I shall now have the pleasure of presenting him safe and well to him again. It appears rather strange, (says Reuben,) that the governor should know all our ages, and that we should be placed before him in the order of our birth. Happy Benjamin, you are the governor's favourite. Did you see how much food he sent to you to what he did to the rest of us. Thus they were anticipating the pleasure of easing the mind of their

father

father, from all anxiety and fear. Simeon restor, ed, Benjamin safe, asses laden. All in good

health, fearing no evil, with a light heart and cheerful countenance they journey on to the land of Canaan, to the peaceful abode of their aged parent.

I. JOSEPH'S BRETHREN PURSUED AND

SEARCHED.

"And when they were gone out of the city and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? Is not this it in which my Lord drinketh, and Whereby indeed he divineth? Ye have done. evil in so doing. And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words." How astonished and surprized they must be to hear this charge. The cup had probably been used the day before, and the steward suggested that it was left at their table, in a careless manner, to try their honesty. He charges them with ingratitude, in rewarding evil for good, and with folly in taking a cup, that was used every day, and which would