what our father must feel upon the loss of his children. There is something sacred in the name of father, therefore the Most High hath chosen it, as one of the endearing names whereby he reveals himself to his people, and whereby he chooseth to be addressed by them. God, your heavenly father, will certainly requite all the kindness which you shall shew to this young man, and unto us in him. I pray, my lord, by all that is tender and endearing in the bonds of nature; by all that is amiable in a member of society, and by the endearing obligations we are all under to the father of mercies, that you will spare the boy to be a comfort to his aged parent.

"I became bound to restore him to his father again, and shall not return without him. If he is to die, Loffer myself in his stead. Or if the sentence is slavery, it is the same. Death and slavery are alike to me. In saying this, I speak but the sentiments of all my brethren, for they are all determined to stand or fall with Benjamin."

So saying, he cast himself at the governor's feet, and all the rest after him in joint mediation for their unhappy brother. All seemingly to no purpose.

Benjamin with an amiable serenity, and with a glow of brotherly affection, said, "My brethren, if the governor's heart is a stranger to pity, I fear not what he can inflict. It is but to die, and he himself cannot escape it. But live ye, my brethren, for Israel's sake accept the life that is offered to you. It will be some satisfaction for our good father to hear that his Benjamin is innocent of the crime for which he suffers. Let me repeat my request my brethren, for I fear not death."

With the greatest difficulty, Joseph suppresed the gust of tender affection ready to burst forth, so far as to be able with some degree of austerity, to command the guard to secure the prisoner.

Simeon and Levi sprung from their places, drew their well tried swords, rushed between the guards and their brother, and with all the vehemence of passion, cried out, " If Benjamin dies he dies neither

alone, nor unrevenged. These swords have been bathed in the blood of hundreds, and hundreds yet shall perish ere Benjamin dies an unmerited death. The children of Ham shed not Hebrew blood at free cost. If we must die, let us sell our lives as dear as possible."

Stay your hands upon both sides," cried Joseph, "it is enough; let all depart the hall except the eleven brethren" said he, and all departed. Left alone with his brethren, Joseph said, "I have tried and proved your virtue, my brethren, and rejoice to see it. I am Joseph, your own brother Joseph.". He said, and burst into tears as he fell upon Benjamin's bosom, and wept aloud, that even the Egyptians heard him. His brethren stood in the utmost amazement, and confusion glowed upon every countenance. The sight of their injurred brother realized all the horrors of their guilt. They durst not approach him, however much they rejoiced at seeing him alive.

He went to them one by one, and embraced them with ardent affection, and in particular he assured Simeon and Levi that their generous valour, in defence of his brother Benjamin, had effectually obliterated the last remains of his resentment, of their former conduct towards him.

When passion had subsided on both sides, and Cooler reason had resumed her government, all being seated in the hall of the palace, Joseph thus harangued them.

"My dear brethren, it is impossible for me to describe the pleasure you have this day given me, by your firm and zealous attachment to Benjamin, your brother and mine. It was not without some ground, as you know, that I had suspicion of your regard to the descendants of my mother Rachel. To be satis fied in this, I devised the scheme by which your virtue has so eminently discovered itself. Reuben, you deserve my warmest acknowledgment for the service you intended me at Dothan; but it had been worse for us all to-day, if your well meant scheme

had succeeded. Whilst I had a vision of an heavenly messenger that informed me of the mind and will of God concerning me and perfectly reconciled me to my fate. Methinks the countenances of Sim+ eon and Levi are not free from cloudy apprehensions. O my brethren dismiss your fears. I should be worse than an infidel, if your generous attachment to Benjamin did not wholly rivet you in my esteem. Yes, my brethren, I will ever confide in the noble resolution of Simeon and Levi. I have seen so much of the hand of my God in my personal affairs, that I have really lost sight of second causes; or I love them with the greater tenderness, knowing that there must be poignant remorse follow after evil meanings. Your meaning was then evil I acknowledge, but the design of God was good. And I should be exceeding culpable before God, if I did not heartily approve of the means by which he has exalted me.

I assure you, my brethren, that all past injuries are with me, as if they had never been and I rejoice to see the Spirit of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, diffuse itself throughout all his seed. Here in this cup of cordial friendship, let us drink an eternal oblivion of past injuries. And now, my brethren, you see what God hath done, but perhaps as yet you know not the cause of it. I am here advanced to power and dignity in Egypt: not for my own sake, but for yours, and that of my father's house, to preserve much people alive. Two years of the famine are already past. Last year the Nile did not arise to its usual height, by eight cubits; and this present year, not by twelve cubits. Five years are yet to come, in which there shall be neither earing nor harvest. As this is the case, it may reconcile you to what cannot be recalled, or remedied; and you may see that God over-ruled your little prejudices for Israel's good. After you have regaled yourselves with me a day or two, I would have you return to Jacob, my father, and tell him of all things that God hath done for me in the land of Egypt. How that he hath made me as a father to Pharaoh, and lord over all.

the land. Tell him, that I invite the whole house of Israel down to Egypt to sojourn, till the famine is over and gone. And lo, I send light carriages by you to carry my father, your wives and little ones, and bring them down to me."

By this time it was known in Joseph's palace, that his brethren were come; it got wind in the streets and flew like lightning from one street to ano ther, till it had spread itself all over the metropolis. The inhabitants in general, were in a rapture of joy, and to testify their regard to the lord high-chancellor, there were bonfires made in every opening, bells ringing, waterworks playing, and every other demonstration of joy that those antient times admitted of. And even Pharaoh himself rejoiced to hear of the brethren of his favourite being arrived in Memphis.

Now Joseph commanded Manasseh and Ephraim to be brought before him, and presented them to their eleven uncles; and the fair Asenath, greatly rejoi ced in having found such a number of heroic brethren. Pharaoh commanded Joseph to send suitable provisions and carriages for Jacob and his children, and from the monarch himself, to invite him to come to Egypt, and assure him of protection and provision all the time the famine should last. This the considerate monarch did, to prevent any envious mind from reflecting on Joseph, for any kindness shewn to the household of Israel.

Having regaled themselves two days, with Joseph, and seen every thing curious and valuable in the metropolis, he sent them away, after he had given them friendly advice.

After supper, the evening before they began their journey, Joseph thus addressed them, " My dear brethren, you are now, going to visit the best and most honourable of fathers, to bring him the unexpected news of having found his son, who has been so long lost. You will be prudent enough I hope, to take care how you divulge the matter to him; least the news of my life should prove as fatal

to him, as the former news of my death had likely to have done. Let it be done with caution, and by little and little. In all probability you will find yourselves under a necessity of disclosing the whole of the former plot against me, in order to account for my being yet alive. But, my brethren, beware of reflecting upon each others conduct: remember that the hand of God was in it. I sympathize with you, my brother Judah, under the heavy loss of my youthful nephews. But I foresee that Judah shall yet be great in the house of his father, and they shall descend from Judah who are destined to rule. Let all thoughts of past things be for ever banished from your minds, and cultivate amongst yourselves the strictest amity and friendship. Whilst you stand by one another, as you all nobly did the other day, by my brother Benjamin, no power on earth shall overcome you; but if ye should disagree among yourselves, ye would become an easy prey to every enemy.

"Ye depart to-morrow. But let me not send you empty away. You will be pleased to accept of of this, as a small token of my regard to the children of my father. So saying, he presented each of them with a goodly sum of money and changes of raiment, but Benjamin's present was three times as valuable as any of the rest: he likewise sent ten beasts of burden, laden with the best things of Egypt, as a present to his honourable father; and other ten, laden with healthful and delicate provision for them all by the way. Then he blessed them, took his leave of them, and retired to communicate the whole adventure to Asenath, his beloved consort,