of its possessor, is confined by a stark necessity, and only wants an opportunity to burst into a devouring flame. This opportunity was soon afforded to the sons of Jacob. It appears they had gone down to a distant part of the country to procure pasturage for their flocks; and having been some time from home, their father became anxious for their welfare, and resolved on sending Joseph to see whether it were well with them, and to bring him word. No sooner was the thing proposed, than the dutiful and ready youth is prepared. Here am I, was the expression of willingness, with which he receives his father's message; and elated, no doubt, with the expectation of meeting his brothers, he bounds over the vale of Hebron, to Shechem, where they were used to feed their flocks: but, lo, they are not there! The disappointment, however, is no abatement to his youthful ardor, and he wanders about in anxious search of

them; anxious, indeed, he must have been, so anxious, it seems, that it was visibly depicted on his face, for the first stranger that he meets, accosts him with this question, What seekest thou? And he said, I seek my brethren; tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks? The man then tells him, that he had heard them say, let us go down to Dothan, a place eight or ten miles still distant. Such intelligence had damped any spirit less ardent than that of Joseph; but far different with him; without waiting to coldly calculate on the danger or the difficulty of such a journey, he pursues his course, duty to inspire him, and hope in the God of Israel for his safety and

success.

And here we might infer an example for every minister of the gospel to follow, for their case is parallel; they also are entrusted with a message from the father to their brethren; no disappointment must dishearten them-no danger

must retard-no difficulty must damp their zeal duty, too, must urge them on, : and innocency of life, and trust in God, must be their support and assistance. Not satisfied with carrying their inquiries to Shechem-to the place of usual resort-the sanctuary of Godbut to the houses of the wretched and the wicked-even to those who are most distant from their father's house, and, like the poor prodigal in the parable, are in the far country of error and of wickedness. But to return to the story.

Having arrived at Dothan, he finds his brethren, who discern him afar off: but how different are the sensations which pervade his bosom, and the bosoms of his brethren; his, dilated with pleasure and glowing with affection —theirs, swollen with envy and burning for revenge. Taking advantage of the loneliness of the place, they immediately counsel together to put him to death. Behold this dreamer cometh, come let us

slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say some evil beast hath devoured him Just Heaven! what complicated crime is here! falsehood and deceit, treachery and murder, all combined. This is the spirit of envy ranging for revenge, and against its dread malignity, nor youth, nor virtue, nor innocence, are any protection, and blood, it is determined, shall wash away their father's preference.

Oh, wrath unnatural! Oh, abject baseness! Oh, cruelty unparalleled! to conspire the ruin and death of their young brother-that brother, tender, confiding, and unprotected; in a moment, too, when he was performing towards them an act of affectionate kindness when he was the glad herald of their household's weal-the ready messenger of their father's love! Fortunate for them, the hearts of all were not so deceitful and so desperately wicked. Fortunate for them, the canker-worm of envy had not eaten so deeply into

the bosom of their elder brother; for, when Reuben heard their intention, he seems to have been shocked, and said, let us not kill him; shed no blood, but cast him into this pit, and lay no hand upon him. This he planned, as we learn from the historian, that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again. Either compelled by the authority, or urged by the persuasion of their elder brother, they consent to leave him to die in the pit. Vain and detestable subterfuge! And by this, it seems, they thought they should be innocent of his blood; and so thought Pilate, when he washed his hands in the sight of the multitude, after having basely consented to the death of our holy and innocent Redeemer. But God, who knoweth the secrets of the heart, is not to be mocked with such evasions; and had they left their brother to perish in the pit, they were as guilty, as if their murderous steel had drank his inof