affairs, Jacob was at length induced to comply, and therefore delivered up to them his son Benjamin. But before their departure he advised them, since it must be so, to take a double quantity of money with them, lest there should have been some mistake made in the other that was returned, and the price of what they had already bought demanded. He likewise told them to take some such presents as the country afforded, and what they imagined would be most acceptable to the viceroy. Having said this, he entreated Heaven for their safety, and then dismissed them with an aching heart, though fully resolved to acquiesce in God's good Providence, whatever might be the event.

On their arrival in Egypt, they immediately went to the king's principal granaries, and presented themselves before Joseph, who, seeing their brother Benjamin with them, gave orders to his steward to conduct them to his house, where he designed they should that day dine with him. They now began to have disagreeable apprehensions, fearing this might be a contrivance against them on account of the money which was returned in their sacks. They, therefore, before they entered the house, acquainted the steward with the whole affair; and, to demonstrate their honesty, told him, that besides the money which they found returned, they had brought more with them to buy a fresh quantity of provision. The steward, having been let into the secret, and perceiving the concern they were in, desired them not to make themselves in the least uneasy. He told them, that what they found in their sacks they ought to look upon as a treasure sent from Heaven: he owned that he himself had fairly received their money, and gave them assurance that they would never hear more of it. To convince them that they might rely on what he said, he left them a short time, and then returned with their brother Simeon unbound: after which he acquainted them that they were that day to dine with his master; and, in the meantime, showed them all the tokens of civility due to welcome guests.

As the time was near at hand that Joseph was to come home to dinner, his brethren took care to have their present ready; and, on his entering the apartment, they gave it him in the most humble and submissive manner. He saluted them with the greatest cordiality, and made anxious inquiry concerning the health and welfare of their aged father. To which they submissively replied: "Thy servant, our father, is in good health; he is yet alive."

Though Joseph addressed his brethren in general terms, his attention was principally fixed on his brother Benjamin, who was most near and dear to him. After inquiring of the rest if he was the youngest brother whom they had mentioned, without waiting for an answer, he saluted him in these words, "God be gracious unto thee, my son.' His passions were now raised to such a pitch, that, unable to contain the flood of tears that was ready to flow from his eyes, and fearing lest he should discover himself too soon, he retired into an adjoining apartment, and there gave a loose to his fraternal emotions. After a short time, having dried up his tears, and washed his face, that it might not appear he had wept, he returned to the company, and gave immediate orders for the provision to be served up.

In the room where the entertainment was provided were three tables; one for Joseph alone, on account of his dignity; another for his Egyptian guests, who would never eat with the Hebrews, and a third for his brethren.

These last were all placed in exact order according to their seniority, a circumstance which greatly surprised them, for, not knowing their brother Joseph, they could not conceive by what means he had obtained so perfect a knowledge of their respective ages.

During the entertainment Joseph behaved in the most courteous manner, not only to his brethren, but to the whole company. He sent from his own table messes to each of his brothers; but with this difference, that the one sent to Benjamin was five times larger than any of the rest. This was another mystery they could not account * Joseph was the only brother of Benjamin by his mother Rachel. His calling him son, therefore, was only an appellation of courtesy used by superiors in saluting their inferiors, whom they styled sons, with respect to themselves, as fathers of the country.

+ The dislike which the Egyptians took to the Hebrews did not arise, as some have imagined, from the latter eating animal food, but from their low degree in life, being shepherds, an employment, which, though esteemed by the Hebrews, was despised by the Egyptians.

It was the custom among the ancients for all the provision to be placed on one table, and the master of the feast to distribute to every one his portion.

Joseph certainly did this not only to show his particular regard to Benjamin, but also to observe whether the rest would look upon their younger brother with the same envious eye as they had formerly done upon

for; however, they made themselves easy for the present, and enjoyed the repast which had been so bountifully prepared for them.

The entertainment being over, Joseph's brethren took their leave, and made the necessary preparations for setting off, the next morning, to the land of Canaan, pleased with the thoughts of what had passed, and the satisfaction their aged parent would receive on their safe arrival. But Joseph had one more fright for them still in reserve. He ordered his steward, when he filled their sacks with corn, to return their money (as he had done before) but into Benjamin's sack not only to put his money, but the silver cup likewise, out of which himself was accustomed to drink.*

This being done, early the next morning they proceeded on their journey toward Canaan; but they had not got far when Joseph ordered his steward to pursue them, and upbraid them with ingratitude in having so basely requited his master's civility, as to steal away his cup.

The steward did as he was commanded, and having overtaken them, accused them of theft. Conscious of their innocence, they were not in the least affected at the charge. As a test of their integrity they reminded the steward of their bringing back the money which they found in their sacks in their former journey; and to obviate every suspicion of their being guilty of the accusation laid against them, they offered to stand search under the severest penalties: "With whomsoever of thy servants," said they, "it may be found, let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen.

The steward took them at their word, but softened the penalty, by fixing it, that the person on whom the cup should be found should be his servant, and the rest considered as blameless.

Impatient to prove their innocence, every one hastily unloaded his beast, and, as they opened their sacks, the steward searched them; when behold, to their great astonishment and surprise, the cup was found in the sack belonging to Benjamin. It was to no purpose for the poor youth to say anything in his defence: upon such a demonstration none would believe him. As they were all concerned in the disgrace, they rent their clothes, and, without attempting even to palliate the fact, loaded their asses, and, in a mournful manner, returned to the city.

Joseph had remained at home in expectation of their return, and no sooner did they approach his presence than they immediately prostrated themselves before him. Joseph, without giving them time to speak a word in their defence, charged them with the fact, and reprimanded them for their folly in committing a theft, which it was totally out of their power to conceal. "What deed," says he, "is this ye have done? Wot ye not, that such a man as I can certainly divine."t

In the midst of a general horror, Judah, in a very humble tone, addressed himself to Joseph in words to this effect: "We have nothing to offer in our defence; God hath detected our iniquity, and we must remain slaves with him in whose sack the cup was found." But Joseph interrupted him by declaring, that he could by no means do such injustice; for that he only who stole the cup should be his slave, while the rest, whenever they pleased, were at full liberty to return to their father.

Judah, encouraged by finding the viceroy somewhat softened, presumed farther to address him, which he did in the most submissive and pathetic terms. He acquainted him with the whole case between them and their father, in relation to their bringing Benjamin into Egypt, to take away the suspicion of their being spies. He very feelingly described their father's melancholy situation for the loss of his son Joseph; the extreme fondness he had for his son Benjamin; the difficulty they were under to prevail with him to trust him with them, insomuch that himself was forced to become himself. The custom of allotting the largest portion at the banquets of the ancients to any particular person, by way of preference, was practised in Homer's days, as appears from Agamemnon's speech to Ido

meneus:

+

"For this in banquets when the generous bowls
Restore our blood, and raise the warrior's souls,
Though all the rest with stated rules are bound,
Unmixed, unmeasured, are thy goblets crowned."

Joseph ordered this cup to be privately put into Benjamin's sack, in order to make a farther trial of his brethren's temper, and to see whether, moved with envy, they would give up Benjamin, or endeavor to assist him in his danger. It is not likely (as some have thought) that he really designed to have made a pretence for detaining Benjamin; or that he could be ignorant of his father's warm affection to his youngest son.

This was as much as to say, "You see by my office that I am one of the great ministers of state; while the other diviners are preferred only from the college of priests. As I am, therefore, so superior to them, could you be insensible that it was in my power to divine, or detect your robbery ?"

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

security for his safe return; and that, if he should go home without him, his father's
life was so wrapped up in the child, that he would certainly die with grief. To pre-
vent, therefore, so melancholy a scene, he offered himself as an equivalent for his
brother. "I pray thee," said he, "let thy servant abide, instead of the lad, a bond-
man to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brethren; for how shall I go up to my
father, and the lad be not with me?"

This moving speech, and generous offer, so operated on the passions of Joseph, that he could no longer contain himself: the force of nature shook his frame, and obliged him to throw off all disguise. Ordering, therefore, the rest of the company to depart, that he might discover himself with more affectionate freedom, they were no Sooner gone, than he burst into a flood of tears, and, looking earnestly at his brethren, pathetically exclaimed, "I am Joseph; doth my father yet live ?"*"

Conscious guilt, at the very name of that Joseph whom they had so unnaturally treated, struck them dumb, as they now dreaded the power he had of resenting the injuries they had done him. But brotherly love overcame resentment, and banished every desire of revenge. Joseph, observing their confusion, bid them, in the most endearing manner, approach nearer to him, when he assured them, that he was the very brother they had sold into Egypt, and though he had assumed the dignity becoming his office, he still retained the tenderness of a brother. To remove all further apprehensions of danger, he told them, that their selling him into Egypt, was directed by an unforeseen Providence; and that they had no reason to be angry with themselves for doing it, since they were no more than the instruments in God's hand to bring about what his wise purpose had determined. That himself had no reason to resent it, since, by that means, he had been advanced to the honor and dignity of being governer of all Egypt. And, lastly, that neither his father, nor any of his family, ought to murmur at it, since God appointed this method for the preservation of their lives.t

Having said this, he told them that there were yet five years of the famine to come, and therefore he would advise them to hasten home, and, as soon as possible, bring their father, together with all the family, into Egypt. As an inducement for them to leave their own country, he desired them, from him, to address their father to this effect: "that God had made him lord of all Egypt, and that therefore he must not defer coming; for he would provide Goshent for the place of his habitation, and there would he carefully nourish not only him but all his family." He acknowledged that this relation must, of course, appear strange to his father; but that he certainly would not doubt the testimony of so many eyewitnesses; and above all, that he would not fail to believe what was told him by his favorite son Benjamin. He then threw himself upon Benjamin's neck, kissed him, and wept for joy; and having a little recovered himself, he treated all the rest with like tenderness. His brethren being thus convinced that a perfect reconciliation had taken place between them, took courage, and conversed with him in a manner very different to what they had done previous to this happy discovery.

The rumor had reached the king that Joseph's brethren were come; and it is a pleasing evidence of the esteem in which he was held, and the regard which he had conciliated, that a domestic incident which was calculated to be a satisfaction to him, was highly agreeable to Pharaoh and all his court. The monarch sent for him, and authorized him to express the kindest attentions toward them, and the utmost anxiety for their welfare. He, as well as Joseph, saw that it would be best for them to come

There is certainly a distinguished beauty in this interrogation; and the transition is finely wrought. The soul of Joseph was so full of filial affection for his father, that, before he had finished his sentence, he inquired after him, though but a short time before, they had told him he was alive. And how must such an abrupt declaration affect his brothers! No wonder they were dumb for some time with astonishment, and unable to answer the question asked.

+These passages point out to us the very noble and just ideas which Joseph entertained concerning the providence of God: but, besides this, we may observe a peculiar generosity and tenderness of temper in this apology to his brethren, wherein he endeavors to remove every uneasy apprehension from their minds. Good hearts are always averse to giving pain; the same benevolence of disposition which makes them zealous to diffuse happiness, makes them tender of inflicting a momentary smart. Joseph was unwilling that his brethren should feel any alloy to their satisfaction which the present event afforded; and therefore he turned, as it were, from their view the very thought and remembrance of their former annatural behavior to him, and directed their attention to reflections which were equally comfortable and important.

This was the most fruitful part of all Lower Egypt, especially for pasturage; and therefore the most commodious for those who were brought up shepherds and accustomed to a pastoral life. Besides this, it was very conveniently situated, being but a small distance from the city where Pharaoh kept his court. 7

to Egypt, and he had the consideration to direct that they should be well supplied with provisions on the way, and that they should be furnished with carts, in which the aged Jacob, with the women and young children, might pass from Canaan to Egypt with more comfort, than by the more ordinary means of conveyance.

It is little to be wondered at that Joseph should very readily obey the king's com mands. Accordingly, he furnished them with a proper number of carts for bringing their family and substance, together with a sufficient quantity of provision for their journey as well home as back again. He sent his father a present, consisting of ten asses laden with the choicest dainties Egypt afforded. To his brethren he gave each changes of raiment, but to Benjamin he gave five changes, together with three hundred pieces of silver. Having done this, Joseph dismissed his brethren, giving them, at the same time, a strict charge that they should not fall out by the way.t

Thus supplied, and thus circumstanced, the sons of Jacob, with hearts full of joy, prosecuted their journey to Canaan. As soon as their aged father saw them, his drooping spirits revived, more especially when he beheld his sons Benjamin and Simeon, whose return he had little expected. But when they informed him that his son Joseph was likewise alive, and described the great pomp and splendor in which he lived, the good old patriarch was affected indeed; and, unable to bear so much good news at once, fainted in their arms.

When Jacob came again to himself, his sons showed him the presents sent by Joseph, together with the carts that were to carry him and his family into Egypt. The sight of these, with many particulars they related of their brother Joseph, revived his spirits; his doubts and fears vanished, and, in an ecstacy of joy, he exclaimed, "It is enough! Joseph, my son, is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die."

The necessary preparations being made, Jacob and his family left Hebron, and proceeded on their journey toward Egypt. It might be supposed that the old man's anxiety to see so dear a son, and for whom he had so long mourned, would have made him proceed with the greatest expedition; but parental affection gave way to religious duties. Being desirous of making proper acknowledgments to God for the benefits already received, as well as to implore his farther protection, he stopped at Beersheba, and there offered up sacrifices to the Lord. The reasons of his choosing this spot on the present occasion were, because it was the place where Abraham and Isaac had lived so long and at the same time it was in the way to Egypt, being the utmost boundary of Canaan toward the south.

On the evening of the same day that Jacob had performed his religious duties at Beersheba, the Almighty appeared to him in a vision, bidding him not fear to go down into Egypt, since he would be with him and protect him, and in due time, bring his posterity out of it to take possession of the promised land. That as to himself, he should live near his beloved Joseph, die in his arms, and have his eyes closed by his hand.‡

CARTS.-The Egyptians had no chariots, except perhaps war chariots, suited to bear such a journey as this, and they would have been most unsuitable for the present purpose. Besides, the word for a chariot is different from that which is here employed, although a wheel-carriage of some kind or other is certainly indicated. To indicate that carriage, we have taken the word "cart," as preferable, upon the whole, to that of "wagon"-partly as being less definite. But it does not appear that the Egyptians had any carts, or any wheeled carriages save chariots of war, and light curricles for civil use. The Nile and the nume rous canals offered such facilities for carriage and conveyance by water, that the use of carts and wagons does not appear to have been thought of. Carts are indeed represented in the paintings and sculptures of that ancient country; but not as being in use among the Egyptians themselves, but by a people with whom they are at war, apparently a nomade people of Asia, and who are represented as escaping in their carts. Now, we infer, that as the Egyptians had no carts of their own, those which were sent for Jacob were such as they had either taken in war from a people by whom they were used, or had been left behind by the intrusive shepherd-race. As having been used by a pastoral people, they would seem to the king particularly suitable for the removal of a pastoral family. In connexion with preceding statements, and with the conjecture just offered, it deserves to be noticed that the next instance of carts which occurs in the scriptural history is found among the Philistines. 1 Samuel vi. 7. The first of our engravings represents the only kind of wheel-carriage now used in Syria, and that chiefly for agricultural purposes. The second represents the carts of the Tartar nomades of Central Asia, whose usages offer many remarkable resemblances to those of the patriarchs and the early pastoral races with which early Bible history makes ns acquainted.

+ Joseph was no stranger to the tempers of his brethren, and therefore thought proper to reprove them in this gentle manner. Probably he suspected they might accuse each other with the cruelty they had exercised toward him, or throw envious reflections on Benjamin, because he had been eminently distinguished above the rest.

It must certainly have given great consolation to good old Jacob to find, from the promise of God, that Joseph was to attend him on his death-bed, and to close those eyes that had often assisted him in contemplating the beauties of nature. The custom of closing the eyes of persons departed is very ancient, and they were usually the nearest and dearest friends who performed this last office.