tremity; and notwithstanding his afflictions and his bonds, still (as the historian tells us) the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. Being placed immediately under the eye of Potiphar, the captain of Pharoah's guard, for he was in the house of his master (probably a personal attendant), it was impossible that the integrity and superior gifts of Joseph should escape his notice, for he seems to have been a man of prudence and discernment; and thus it was, that even the Egyptian officer clearly perceived that the Lord was with him, and that which he did, he made it to prosper. What time he remained in abject bondage we are not precisely informed; certain, however, that it was not very long before the Lord shewed him mercy, and gave him grace in the sight of his master. So true it is, that our beneficent Creator, although he may permit his servants to suffer affliction, to try their faith, or perfect their love, and serve the dispensations of his providence-yet, so

long as they put their trust in him, he will never leave nor forsake them altogether; and in the end will reward them double for all that they have endured. God can and hath made bare his holy arm to those who knew him not; for where he is there is honor, however dark and unpromising may be the prospect. So it was with Daniel when in the Babylonian thraldom, the king preferred him above all the presidents and princes because he saw that an excellent spirit was in him, for it was the Spirit of God; and for the same reason the king delighted to honor Mordecai, who, from being a pensioner at the palace gate of Ahasuerus, was advanced above all the princes that were with him, and became the light and gladness of his people; and in like manner Joseph found favor with his master, and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. To do good and to minister justice to all men, is the boundless latitude of the Christian religion; but God is especially

pleased when virtue is rewarded, and his faithful servants honored. Accordingly, he is not content with lifting up the unfortunate Joseph from adversity, but blesseth his benefactor for the deed, and the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake, and the blessing of the Lord was upon all he had in the house and in the field; a circumstance, recorded no doubt for our encouragement, to do good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of faith ;* for notwithstanding their inability to make any return, they have an everlasting chancellor above, who is rich in mercy to him who sheweth mercy, and emptieth the full horn of his bounty upon the liberal soul-and he who soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully, for the Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.†

Thus prospered by the Lord, and daily exhibiting marks of wisdom and

*2 Cor. ix. 6. † Psalm cxlv. 17.

integrity, he advances in the esteem and confidence of his master, until every thing all his riches-and all his possessions, are entrusted solely to his care; and the Egyptian captain, assured of his undeviating honesty, cared not to keep any account against him-and he knew not ought he had, save the bread that he did eat. There is a loveliness in virtue

that attracts esteem though it be clad in poverty-there is a nobleness in virtue that commands respect though it be fettered in servitude-and there is no situation in life so destitute and forlorn, but that the integrity of a man's heart may guide him to happiness and to honor. It was this integrity, aided by that blessing of God which is never wanting to the upright, which won for Joseph the confidence of his master; and remote as the period now is, and distant the country in which it happened, there beams upon my heart a ray of unaffected pleasure, as I survey the rising

fortunes of the youth, and mark them starting from obscurity, like the sun in glorious majesty from his cloud-confined light! and who would not exult, and who would not feel pleasure with me? What a change of circumstance was here; he who, but a short time since, was despised, and stripped, and sold for a few beggarly pieces of silver, is highly valued, and clothed with honor, and made the treasurer of much riches; and he, who lately torn from his kindred and consigned to ignominious vassalage, now finds a friend in the captain of Pharoah's guard, and is made lord over all his household!

But neither innocence nor prosperity are proof against the shafts of trouble -indeed, they serve rather to lay the bosom bare; for innocence frequently invites wickedness to take hold on its possessor, and prosperity too often inclines us to take hold on wickedness. To the first of these evils we find it was the