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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atra raproduit en un seul ciichA, il est fiimi A partir de I'angle sup^rieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut an bas, an prenant le nombre d'imagas nAcessaire. Las diagrammas suivants illustrant la mAthoda. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 o by beqttest« /% or tiM ■♦> ,,ji< ,«; \» 0-' (■,-i Wf * v..'-,* l*he Contents of the following Address we highly approve of. And its circulation among our youth we strongly recommend, as eafculated to eflfect much good, by producing a love of virtue- and an abhorrence of vice. ^.. •^: m^- ^ W. B. KINNEAR, President qfthe Young Men's Christian Association. , JAS. PATERSON, L. L. D., LeBARON BOTSFORD, M. D., T. W. DANIEL, ^* fi. E. LOCKHART, Vise Prtndtntt. .♦• f ^¥ # «-.> 'ff: V. Nr i"" ■ - • M-. M^ Vf- iUE)I£)mi£SS« ■;Wiik ■nr.i'' There is perhaps no department of study that is more instruo- tive than Biography, or that which details the sayings and doings , of the men of other years. One main advantage flowing from the presentation of truth in this form is, that thereby we se3 princi' pies reduced to practice, and are, therefore, in a more favourable position for forming a correct estimate of their real value. It is a law of our nature that we are more deeply impressed by the exhibition of actual results, than by hearing of circum- stances fitted to produce them. We may hear the most minute description of a complicated piece of machinery ; or we may be even admitted to an actual examination of the machinery itself, and we may admire the genius of the contriver, and the artistic skill of the operator; but, how much deeper will be the impres- sion produced on our minds, by seeing it in actual operation, and all its complicated adjustments harmoniously co-operating in the 'production of the intended result. So it is also in relation to mental and moral attributes. Such attributes far more deeply affect us when acted out in living character, than when embodied in a system of mental and moral philosophy. We may hear the moral philosopher most ingeni- ously analyze that affection of the human soul, which we call- Benevolence ; and from an examination of physical developments, the phtfsiologist may pronounce a Howard of the past, and a Florence Nightingale of the present, illustrious examples of sucii a state of moral feeling ; but, how much brighter are the views which we have of the nature and tmdency of benevolence as a ' virtue, and how much more profound are our sentiments of res- pect for these illustrious examples of it, when we see the ybr- mrr flying from country to country, from city to city, from prison to prison, enduring the stench ot the filthiest dungeons, in order « to ameliorate the physical and moral condition of their degradedf inmates ; or when we see the latter, aa the true sister of mercy flying on piniims oi love and compassion to the hospitals of Sea- tari, to minister with her own hands to the sick and dying sdh- dicrs. -■''-' '■ \*'*r^ V''- • '*> ^■ -i?: 'Jr .^^.- . •' - * .'' I X * ■ -^ ADDRESS. f: 6 Now it is well worthy of our notice, as an illustration of the wisdom and goodness of the Author of Revelation, that He has adapted his method of^ conveying truth to the mind, the consci- ence, and the heart, to this constitution which He has given to man. Hence in the Revelation which we have received from on High, we are not simply told what Truth is — the beautiful adapta- tion to each other of its various parts — how it will operate in cer- tain circumstances — and the effects which it is fitted to produce ; but the machinery is set a-working before our eyes, a»d we are in- vited to " come and see" all its parts, harmoniously co-operating in the production of the grand effect — " Glory to God in the highest, on the earth, peace, good will to men.'* We are furnished with a striking illustration of the principle in the case of our Blessed Lord and Saviour. We have no for-^ mal delineation by the Evangelists of the character of Christ, but we are furnished with a minute account of what he said, did, and suffered. To use the language of a distinguished writer.* " We r^^are not told that he was devout; but he appears before us in aH .the purity and elevation of intimate and habitual communion * **iivith his heavenly Father : — we have no statement of his personal Virtues ; but we aee him in all the unblemished rectitude of de- meanor, contracting no taint from the contact of an ungodly ^orld : — we have no eulogy of his benevolence, but he " goes about continually doing good :" — of the admirable combination of " meekness and gentleness" with fearless decision of princi- ple his Biographers say nothing; but in his intercourse with friends and foes, these qualities unfold themselves in a manner which at once captivates our affections and commands our vene- ration. No laboured panegyric is pronounced on the tenderness of his friendly sympathies ; but two touching words let us into . bis heart — " Jesus wept." At every step of his progress, in every fituation, and in every company, by every word and action^ some feature of his character is brought out and placed in a light ^incomparably more advantageous for impression, than could have been effected by the most eloquent eulogium.*' It is in this way too, that the character of the Saints is exhi- bited before us in the inspired history. We are not told so much' what they were, as what they said and did and endured. They are brought before us in a variety of positions: — the wheel of divine Providence is perpetually revolving, and bringing them into new sc?ne%of teg«)t9Jl^on^^d^t^|gl, ^f vexing ipt^^ fea^v^ff^ *r.* . • *^ • fa,- * ■-- \ . f Vr ■, > *]^ fX I' ' ' • Dr. Wardlaw. i»- ' \ AODBKSt. e e le nd Ye. att ion mail de- odly goes ation :inci- with inner vene- rness into every tction» lighV dhave -*.j-,t, exhi" They heel of them 0f ^ir eharacter ; and from their conduct in these ever changing iWfi^Sy vre are left to draw our own conclusions as to the nature of the internal machinery, the character of their governing prin- .Qiples. We are furnished with no lengthened panegyric of Ab- raham's faith ; but we see him at the command of God, leaving ^Is father's house and his own people, " not knowing whether he went." We have no laboured eulogium on the devqtedness of Daniel and his fellows ; but we see him in the lion's den, and libm in the burning fiery furnace, rather than renounce their allfSgiauce to their God : — We have no lengthened description of t^e Seraphic love of the Apostle Paul ; but we are invited to con- template bim in " journeyings often," in " perils " of every des- ^iption, *' in weariness and patnfulness. in watchings often, in jiuinger and thirst, in fastings of^en, in cold and nakedness ;" and from a contemplation of the picture of his travels, labours, and sufiering for the name-sake of his Lord and Master ; we are left to draw our own conclusions as to the strength of his faith, the ardour of his love, and the fei vency of his zeal. tx is in thb w^y that we collect together the various ingredi- ents which compose the <* character " which we have selected for this evening's Lecture. In the inspired history, there is not a lengthened eulogium on Joseph'^s moral excellencies ; but we are invited to look at him in various positions, calculated to develope the principles of his moral nature ; and from a review of his con- duct, in these ever changing circumstances, — his conduct at home and abroad, — as a servant, a prisoner, and then a gover- nor j-o-from his conduct as a son, a brother, and a father ; we are left to collect and arrange the various elements, which when so col^cted and arranged, present before us one ot the most beau- tiful pictures of moral worth, which adorn the pages of the Scrips tural biography. Before entering upon an analysis of such a character, I think it necessary to remark, that it is not the design of the Spirit of inspiration to present the youthful son of Jacob before us, as a perfect model of moral excellence. Whilst there is no scripture character, with the exception of Him, who in " all things has the pre-eminence," marked by fewer of those moral excrescenses wbi^h indicate a deranged state of the moral system, and which ar^ inseparable from the present state of imperfection, we are not by any means to look upon him as a perfect pattern of vir-> ^uoiif priociplf and deportment. 3ut making allowance for all ^ID^Mcf^i^ipna, (and whq is tberethat Uveth and sinneth not? ) I, thinly it will be allowed, that with the exoeption of Him who wa» ¥ \ **■■ ■'.'•,>» *-j; ^■" -?i.; -M -Mik!^^' liiiiHiaii A 9- fairer than all the children of men, there is no Scripturd character, that is more worthy of our admiration and imitation than Joseph. He presents before us such an assemblage of high moral qualities, as entitle him to rank among the bright* est stars that bespnngle the firmament of inspired history. Amongst these moral excellences. I assign the first place to that feature of his character which shines brightest of all, viz. : — his purity. You arc all doubtless acquainted with the incident, which de* veloped, to the admiration of ages to come, this illustrious fea* ture of Joseph's character. Contemplate a young man with youthful passioas in full development — a stranger, too, in a fo- reign land, far removed from every external influence calculated to support virtue in the hour of trial — allured by the fascinations of a lewd mistress — and in circumstances that gave promise of entire siecrecy, as far as man was concerned ; and yet coming forth from the fiery ordeal with moral character unscathed — with uot so much as one hair of a good conscience singed ; and you contemplate such a picture of virtuous decision — of nature conquered by grace, as has never been surpassed and seldom •equaled. It is not a favourable feature of the age we live in, that this topic is so seldom adverted to in the pulpit or on the platform.— Other vices are analyzed, exposed ; and by the terrors of the fiery law and the promises of the Gospel the young are exhorted to beware : — Ministers will preach on drunkenness and other vices — Associations will be formed for the suppression of intemperance — Meetings will be held and Lecturers will exert their powers of reasoning to persuade the young and old not to look ou the wine when it is red, when it giveth its colour in the cup ; but how seU dom are they warned with equal fidelity to beware of the fasci- nations of the " strange woman, whose feet go down to death, whose steps take hold on hell." 1 know that this is a theme, a distant allusion to which is con- sidered indelicate before a miscellaneous assembly. I have yet to learn, however, why it should be so. I have yet to learn that directing the attention of any audience to any thing that the Holy Spirit of God has revealed in his word, is an infringe- ment of the laws of true decorum, or calculated to offend the most delicate sensibility. The presence of females is the circumstance that is considered by some as suflicient to render the public allusion to this subject peculiarly delicate. With regard to this circumstance, I would say, .■M' m ..1 ■><). lis.-i # * ADDRBM. ikat to females that cultivate purity of thought, of languiigt, ind •f action, there is not the slightest danger of any such alltiiioo proving offensive, or bringing the blush to their cheek. " To the pure all things are pure.'' And in regard to females of an oppo* site stamp, I would say, if they can sit, and talk, and difnon, and sing, with well known libertines, and even luxuriate in the impure language, the wanton gesture, and the meretricious lear witnotit any blush of shame crimsoning the check : is it not the vilf^it hy« pocrisy in them to affect a blut>h,when, either in the House of Qod, or in the lecture room, a distant allusion is made to that vioe,whioh of all others is marked deepest with the seal of everlasting death. If the Holy Spirit has placed the incident in Joseph's history oit record, he has done so that it may be read, that it mnv be pon* dered — that parents may speak of it at the fireside to their chil- dren, that ministers may speak of it* in the pulpit, and that the friends of virtue may draw from it motives to encouruge the young in the cultivation of moral purity. My young friends, I cannot pass away from this feature of Jo* seph's character, without tendering to you a word of nffeotlon* ate and earnest warning to beware of the sin of impurity. Even when it is simply confined to the heart, there is no vice that exerts such a debasing influence on the mental and moral pow- ers, and when practised outwardly, it gives the death blow to every intellectual energy, and every noble aspiration. '* It com- mences in impurity of heart, continues in debasement of life, and ends in a shattered constitution, early death, and ceaieleie pain hereafter." If )ou would avoid the sin and its cnnecqiien- ces here and hereafter, guard well your thoughts. Avoid all im- pura conversation. Avoid, as you would the flames of hell, thi! company of the libertine. Turn away your sight and eyea fVom every lascivious publication and picture. Ponder frequently and prayerfully the words of God in relation to the strange wumaa that flattereth with her lips. " Hearken unto me now, therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth, let not thine heart decline to her ways, go no^. {.stray in her pathi, for she hath cast down many wounded, yea many strong men have been slain by her;" her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death," Prov. 7, 24—27.) " This ye know, thai no whore monger nor unclean person hath any inheritance In the kingdom of Christ or of God." Passing from this feature of Joseph's character, I notice that he presents before ui an exam- ple of integrity and honesty in the management of every affair with which he was entrusted. »> 8oM by his unnatural brethren to a company of lahina^ittM, IM IS brought down into Egypt. He is brought into the service of a distiii^iished Epyptian, Potiphar an officer of PharaoJi, and Captain of the guord. How does he conduct himself in this em- ployment ? We can learn the character of his service from the oonfldence his master reposed in him. We Team in the history tJiat the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man • and ha was in the huufo of his master— the Egyptian. And his waster sow that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all be did to prosper in his hand. And he left all that he had Ml Joseph s hand, and he knew not ought he had save the bread which he did eat," (Genesis 30, 1—6.) We follow him a little farther, and we ftnd him in a dungeon in which be is immured tor the sake of a good conscience and the glory of God. How does he conduct himself there ? With so much wisdom and in- tiwrity, that the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's bahd all the prisoners that were in the prison ; and whatsoever thet did, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was witlt Sr«!r io"! ^i,'^'! ^® *^'^' ^^^ ^''''^ ™a^e it to prosper," (Gen. 3», 22--«3.) Following him a little farther on, we see hiiA token from prison, elevated to the second place in the land of Egypt, and having all the afi'airs of the realm entrusted to his management. The confidence thus reposed in him by Potiphar, though a slave, the confidence reposed in him by the gaoler, and the greater confidence reposed in him by the monarch, in en- trusting to him the helm of affairs in a most critical period of Egyptian history, shew us the excellent spirit that dwelt in him, and the wisdom and integrity, which through the grace of God «faaracterized all his tronsactions. '^U^Sll^ friends, I would say to you— «*Go ye and do like- wise. 1 he greater number of vou are. I presume, occasionally in the employment of others. You have a character to acduirfe, and on your character mainly depends your success in life. « A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." If you would secure tfiS good name which will be far better to you, than all adventitiote «iircum8tance8 of rank or fortune, which will make you resp&te- table and influential whatever be your position in the world; Itit ■je^whisper one thing in your ear— ^g vpnght inKHte mcOte^i. Ifyoo are m the employment of others, do not let the ct« o not contract debts which you do not see your way clear to ' dischiirge. Do not undertake any work whi6h you tvrk hot prth j pared to finish in exact accordance with the lettier of your Coh* , tract. Let truth, honour, and integrity h?i your guides in eViery I transaction. Then you will get on in the world. 'Those tk^l j know you will h:ive confidence in you. You will never want a friend in the time of need. And better than all, you will enjoy the approving smile of a conscience "void of offence toward God and man. Again, Joseph presents before us a beautiful example ot filial affection. ; /'• ; Contemplate him when but a youth in implicit obedience fd his father's commmd, cheerfully undertaking a long and perilous journey in search of his absent brethren — listen to him inquiring so affectiomtely of his brethren concerning their father — " the old mm of whom ye spake," reflect on his anxiety to have his aged parent brought down into Egypt as soon as possible, that he might provide for him in the time of famine — the tenderness which he manifested in meeting with his father. ** And Joseph in ide ready his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father to Goshen, and presented himself unto him, and he fell on 'lis neck and wept on his neck a good while," (Gen 46, 29,) — and then contemplate his subsequent attentions to his aged parent, as re- corded in the history ; and you are presented with an illustrious exiraple oi filial affection. Here is another element in the character of this devoted youth, which I would invite you, my young friends, to ponder, admire, and imitate. The tie that binds parents and childreti is peculi- arly te ider, and the responsibilities that duster around th it re- lationship are peculiarly weighty and solemn. It is one of the commands of that eternal immutable code of laws — founded on the eternil fitness of things — binding upon all — and enforced by sanctions of the most awful import, " honour thy father and mother that thy days may be long upon the land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee," (Exodus 20, 12.) Respeet for their persons, cordial obedience to their lawful commands, and a comfortable provision made for theni in declining years, and frequent and fervent intercession on their behalf at a I'hrone df Grace, are the great duties that are required from childreri' iii fulfilment of this precept. The threatenings addressed to tho^c who disregard these filial obligations, and trample adder foot the' authority and the feelings of their parents, are of the most a\i^fdi cliaracter. "Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or 1-' to AdaitE^'fl. mother, and all the people shall say Amen," (Deut. 27, 16.) Ttf manifest the Divine abhorrence of this sin, it was enjoined in the law of Moses, "If a man have a stubborn or rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that when they have chastised him will not hearken unto them ; then shall his father and mother l.iy hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place. And they shall say unto the elders of his city, this our son is rebellious, he will not obey our voice, he is a glutton and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die : so sh ilt thou put evil away from you, and all Israel shall hear and fear," (Daut. 21, 18 — 21.) Agiin is it de- clared — " The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother : the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it," (Prov. 3'J, 17.) * We are furnished with a striking exemplification of the divine abhorrence of this sin in the case of Ham, the youngest son of Hoah. Instead of drawing the veil of filial love over the blem- ishes of his parent, when he found him in a position which indi- cates that the best men are but men at the best ; he went out and made an exposure of his father's infirmity, before his two brethren. What was the consequence ? The curse of God came down upon Ham, and was also entailed upon his posterity. — " Cursed be Cantan ; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren, God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem ; and Canaan shall be his servant," (Gen. 9, 25 — 27.) On the other hand, blessings the most precious are promised to those who cultivate and practise filial piety. '* Honour thy father and mother, that it may be well with thee, and thou may- est live long on the earth," (Ephes. 6, 1 — 3.) We are furnished in the Divine word with one peculiarly memorable instance of cordial filial submission, and of God's gracious approval of it.— • We read in Old Testament history that Jonadab, the son of Re- chab, commanded his children to ab.^tain from wine. How did they receive that injunction ? Did they allege that such a pro- hibitory law was an infringement on their rights and liberties ? No-~We do not read th it they even so much as inquired why such an injunction was given. They felt that Jonadab was their father, that be hod a rightful authority over them, that he would command them nothing without sufficient reason, and, therefiire, thoiigb their appetites might clamoujr against the prohibition, their better feelinga triuinpbed, ai^d they threw down the cup, M ■MMi t mma s m^ . ADDltZSS. 11 §.« once and forever, in obedience to the order, " Ye shall drink no ^ wine, neither ye nor your sons for ever." What was the testimony which God gave of his gracious approval. " Thus saith 4he Lord oi hosts, the God of Israel ; because ye have obeyed the com- mandment ( f Jonadab, your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all tliat he hath commanded you ; therefore, t^ thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel ; Jonadab, the son <^'-'9^: of Rechab, shall not want a man to stand before me fur ever.— (Jer. 35, 18—19.) iVb^e.-Although I do uot bring the rauttcr forward in illustration of the duty ^ of abstiueuce from wiueintheprescntday, yet 1 may be permitted to make a lemark or that subject. 1 do not think that there is anything, apart from the circum,, •'• ^. ;t^ ■H' ~i«- u- \>'- «* fi^AaDtautH. a '-■n,' '4 ■,''. '■' flj^* u- J K •elf Uo Him who judgeth righn -Jy. Meet ererf teinpftatioa to n^iliate with the heioic Iangu«, c of Nehemiah — "I am engag* led in ai great work, and I cannot come down ;" and that God who always pleads the cause of injured innocence, will some day bring your character out of the mire and filth, in which a malig- nant world may have submerged it, and you will sing songs of deliverance like Israel of old, whilst you see your fuul accusers strewn as sea weed on the ocean's margin. Commit thy way uMo the Lord ; trust also in him ; and he shall bring it to pass< And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noon day, — (Ps. 37, 6 — 6.) I must necessarily pass over the bright features of Joseph's character, in order that I may have time to notice some circum' itarices which rendered that character peculiarly illustrious.— First — Joseph presents before us a notable example of virtue and plenty in a young man. I^venteen years old wus he when he lefl his father's house, and all the principal incidents, that furnish the tests of his high moral qualities, transpired, when he was advancing towards the iheridian of life. Although the hoary head is a crown of glory when found in the way of righteousness ; yet virtue is an orna- itient peculiarly graceful to the young. It is always a symp- tom of a degenerate age, when youth is considered an apology ftr lolly. And yet how frequently do we hear such expressions as these coming from the lips of those from whom better things might be expected. " Youth must have its follies." " Old heads cannot sit on young shoulders." " The young must sow their Wild oats sometime." Now, I know that it is a melancholy truth that most young persons do early learn to walk " according to the Course of this world," by indulging in evil habits, and fre- (|tienting scenes of sinful amusements. Early in life they do find the way to the tavern, the ball roonr, the gaming table, the thea- tre, and even take an advancing step in depravity, and find their Way to the house of the strange woman, that flattereth with her words ; and there they sow their wild oats which yield for fh'em a harvest of painful regrets here, and unless repented of in time, eternal misery hereafter. I know that many young persons do fhii; but 1 have yet to learn that they must do it. Are they i)itf|^lled thereto by any fatal necessity ? Is there any propelling ^wer that drives them, contrary to the current of their own in- tilin&tiOns, to those sinful and ruinous indulgences, which darken the irifi^ll^t, stupify the conscience, and debase the heart, and fti«l{W* ©rwlttch is *v*Harting death ? On the contrary, are not ^■m^ u AD&ttBI«. the most alluring invitations held out to the young to walk in wisdom's ways ? Is not the most gracious promise of help oflfcr- ed them in their efforts to resist every sinful propensity ? And are not rewards the most glorious set before them as an encou* -ragement to refuse the evil and choose the good ? But, however true it is in regard to some, whose moral educa- tion has been wofuliy neglected by unfaithful parents; yet it is a -calumny on the young as a class, to say that they must sow their wild oats sometime. There are thousands of young men who have never sown their wild oats, in the sense in which that phrase is generally understood. Through the blessing of God on faith* ^ul parental training, they have been brought early to yield their hearts to God, and thus they have been mercifully preserved from the paths in which destroyers go. I could point to more than -one in this Christian Association, and many out of it, who give the lie to the infamous accusation, and though young in years, «re examples of whatsoever things are true, pure, honest, and of ■good report. Let it be your study, my young friends, to thinkf and speak, and act, so that you may he alt living illustrations of the falsehood of the allegation ; remembering the solemn words of scripture — " Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap cor- ruption ; but he that soweth to the spirit, shall of the spirit reap life everlasting,"— (Gal. 6, 7—8.) ~ Second — Joseph presents before us an illustrious example of moral excellence in a young man from home. Kgypt was a strange land. Far removed was he from home and kindred. Far separated was he from a father's eye and from others, whose good opinion would be a powerful support to his virtue in the hour of trial. He was emphatically " the young man from home," and yet he dared to be virtuous still. In a degene- rate age like the present, of which hypccrisy is the prevailing characteristic; is it not refreshing to look at such a picture of sterling uprightness — a picture of one though young in years, deriving his principles of action, not from mere prudence or ex- pediency : but from a source that made him the same in Egypt that he was in Canaan — the same abroad that he was at home. In ancient times there were some in the land of Israel who could speak half in the language of Ashdod, and half in the language of Canaan. So it is with multitudes still. They can speak the language of Canaan at home ; but with equal fluency, they can speak that of Ashdod abroad — advocates of total abstinence at liome, tipplers abroad — members of christian associations at ADDBKS*. w .M .,;■* K^" home, theatre frequenters abroad— regular church 'jsroers at home, but just as regular sabbath desecraters by rail and steam- boat when abroad. Such persons are blotches on the fair face of Christendom. They put the most powerful weapon into the hand of the infidel, with which to assail the bulwarks of our faith. My young friends, let the example of Joseph be your guide in this matter. Let it teach you to aim at christian consistency wherever you go. Adopt no rule of action which yuu are not prepared to take with you into the steamboat, or the rail car, the crowded city, or the desolate wilderness. Remember that though the eye of friends and acquaintances may not be upon you, there is an eye that slumbers not, nor sleeps. It is the eye of llim who ponders all the goings of the children of men, that he may give to every man according to his works. Third — Joseph presents before us an illustrious example of moral excellence in a young man, amid influences most unfavouv' able to its cultivation. A young man may be far from home ; but yet if in a strange land he be brought within range of the influence of virtuous cha- M- racters; that influence will be a powerful safeguard to hit virtue. But no such advantage had Joseph. Egypt was not only a land of strangers, but idolaters^ and wherever he went, he breathed the f polluted and noxious atmosphere of ungodliness and vice. As ikely would a plant of the sunny South flourish amid the snows of the frozen North — as likely would animal and vegetable life luxuriate amid the miasma of the Charapagna Di Roma ; as vir- tuous affections would be likely to flourish in such a morally pestiferous clime as idolatrous E^ypt. And yet Joseph's virtue livedi aye, flourished, and brought forth those fruits of righteous- ness ot which we have been speaking. Surely we are forced to say — " this is the Lord's doing and it is wondrous in our eyes." Now, whilst I would be sorry to make any remark that might have a tendency to lessen in the minds of the young — a sense of their obligation always to seek the society of the wise and good ; I nevertheless would direct your particular attention to this fact in Joseph's history, for the purpose of shewing that a high reli- gious character can be maintained and nurtured in the most un- fanourabh circumstances. You will hear persons sometimes al- lege as their excuse fol^^laxity in moral deportment, that they are brought into such company in the prosecution of their lawful calling, that it is impossible for them to live as they ought, or •s they^ would like. This is a mistake^ and it is a ruinous mis- take too^j bftoause such persons usually look upoo it as a suffi-^ 14 AftDRCWa. oient 4UUU for their moral delinquencies, and consequently mike no effort either to change their calling, or reforin their oonduot. Now let it be considered, that it is possible for an in- dividual, by the Grace of God, to maintain a high moral and re- lil^ioun character, amid the most unfavourable influences. If Noah could walk with God amid the corruptions of the antedi- luvian world— if Moses could maintain holy affections in a Pha- roah'a palace— if Obadiah could fear the Lord from his youth, in the licentious court of Ahab, King of Israel — if Nehemiah could Airnish a bright example of holy affections, as cup bearer to (he Monarch of Persia — and if Joseph could serve the Lord God of his fathers, amid the gross idolatries of Egypt,-^then it will not be denied that similar examples may be exhibited, through the effectual operation of the same grace. Whilst then, in choosing your companions and forming your engagements, you are always to take into account the character of those with whom you will be necessarily brought into contact ; yet if Divine Providence has placed you in circumstances of moral danger, having influences of a deleterious nature continu- ally darted upon you, yet be not discouraged. By the grace of God, you may even there keep your garments unspotted from the world. Taking unto you the whole armour of God, you will be able to ** withstand in the evil day." Abounding in prayer and watching — in the same with thanksgiving, you will grow up and flourish like the palm tree, or the cedar in Lebanon. And the greater diflSculties you have to contend with in nurturing holy dispositions and in maintaining your christian consistency, the brighter will be your crown i.f glory hereafter. '* Be ye sted- fast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for aa much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lor^, -^(1 Cor. 15, 58.) Fourth — Joseph presents before us an illustrious example of moral excellence, when assaiied by temptation. -^i' ' : ? It has been truly said : if we want to know what a man really is, we must view him in temptation. We can form no concep- tion of the seaman's skill and courage, by merely seeing him pace the deck of his noble ship, as she walks the deep with a prosper- ous breese; if we want to know what his capabilities es a sea- man are, we must view him in the storm^^^Vfe can form no con- ception of a British soldier's heroism, by merely watchihg him on a aQmrner's day parade, marching to the tune of **'ftulr'Bi4* tonnia," or " the flag that br«ved a thousand years the battle -Mid the bree«e;" bat if we want to know whet a Brttish soldier «r, f9fm 'SW^ ■^'*!?. '■ ■ )'Sh mora/?; '■'^ ire conf- °^ d r*'^ of . '^°'« the ^" 'viii 6e ;^^«^ and ^ "P and .^«<' the '^^ Aoitr '® sted, ''•^ for X.ord^ P^e of ea//y cep, >3ce >er% ADDRESS. a I I we must follow him to Alma or Inkermann, and there see him in actual combat with the enemies of his country. In like manner, if we know the strength of a man's moral principles, we must view him under tempation. An individual produces no sure evidence of his honesty, until that he is tempted to be dis- honest — no evidence of his truthfulness, until that he is brought into circumstances in which a falsehood promises to serve his interests — no evidence of his meekness and humility, until he receives some great provocation — no evidence of his sterling pu- rity, until that like Joseph, he comes forth from some fiery trial unscathed — no evidence of his loyalty, until that the laws of his country conflict with his appetite or his avarice. But to walk in sight of uncounted gold for days, and months, and years, with a conscience still unstained, — this is to be an honest man ; to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, when pre- VHrication would promise to promote his interests better ; this is to be a truthful man — to freely forgive those who have malig- nantly wronged him, when he is in circumstances to revenge that wrong ; this is to be an humble, forgiving man — to yield cordial obedience to the laws of his country, when these laws conflict with his worldly interests; this is to be a loyal man. Such was Joseph. Was secrecy a powerful temptation to dis- honesty : Joseph was allured by the promise of that. Was secre- cy a powerful temptation to unchastity ; he was allured by the prospect of thil. Was treatment the most b&rbarous, a tempta- tion to murmur; he was assailed by that. Was opportunity to re- venge ill treatment a powerful temptation to indulge it ; Joseph was assailed by that. But yet, as the mountain oak, all the more deeply strikes its roots into the earth, the more fiercely it is as- sailed by the driving tempest; so by these fierce assaults of temp- tation, his moral principles were all the more firmly rooted, and grounded, in the soil of a regenerated heart. Well might Jacob in his dying benediction say — *' The ar- chers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him : but his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob," — (Gen. 49,23 — ^24.) Yes, Joseph was " strong " to resist temptation; but it was " in the Lord and in the power of his might." He found Divine grace suflicient for him in the time of need ; and in that alone he fought, and by that he conquered. It was not any superiority in natural principle, nor any peculiar force of re- solution inherited by birth, and atrengthened by education i|nd babit, that made him when assailed by the blasts of temptatiott ! 18 ADDRRSS. firm ari'i immoveable as the rock of the ocean — round which the angry waves have for ages dashed and foamed. No — As well could the stripling David, with a sling and stone, bring the vaunting Goliab to the earth, m his own strength — as well could Sampson by his own physical power, carry off the doors of the gate of Gaza, and the two posts, bar and all — as well cou!d Da- niel, by any force of natural character, cheerfully submit to be thrown into a den of infuriated lions ; as could Joseph, by any power of his own, acl;ieve the greatest of all victories, the con- quest of himself — for " he that ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a city." — (Prov. 16, 32.) But by the grace of God, he was what he was. — " The hands of his arms were- made strong by the hands of the Almighty God of Jacob." And if you, my young friends, would attain to the same character, you must derive your power from the same source. You must know where your great strength lies — you must learn, that whilst, without Christ you can do nothing, through Christ strengthening you, you can do all things. Then, you will find the same grace that was sufficient for Joseph, also sufficient for you, and from every conflict with Satan and your own corrupt passions, how- ever fierce and long continued, you will come forth, ultimately, conquerors, and more than conquerors, through " Him who loved you." A few words with regard to the great principle that lay at the foundation of Joseph's character, and I shall close this address. You see the stately vessel steaming up your Arbour. There is every thing apparently to drive her back. The tide is against her. The wind is tempestuously against her. Yet on she comes — onward, and still onward, nobly braving the wind, and stem- ming the tide, until she drops anchor at the wharf Yoii look, you wonder, you think. What drives her forward against a com- bination of opposing forces ? You examine, and you discover an internal agency at work, sufficient not only to keep the noble vessel steady in the most tempestuo«is sea, but even to propel her forward, against the joint action of wind and tide. Now, when you look at the character of Joseph, you see some- thing more wonderful still. What, do you ask, was the great principle that made that character so lovely? What was the foundation of such a beautiful edifice ? What was the influence ''• that propelled him forward in his virtuous career, against so many 3 ^^owerfal agencies, all continuing their forces to drive him back ? "''-' My young friends, you have the whole secret of the matter, in ^' those ever memorable words uttered by him on the occasion of .r; t» ADDRESS. i» t»- .►t|. his fiercest struggle. '* How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God " — (Gen. 39, 9.) Joseph believed in God's existence and attributes. He believ- ed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was to come to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. He was a firm believer in all the truths of revelled religion. He believed that the eye of God was upon him wherever he went, and in whatever circumstances he was placed. He believed, that thai God, with whom he had to do, was a holy God, who could not look upon sin, — that He was a just God, and could by no means clear the guilty. He believed this all wise and glorious Beins so orders the affairs of his wide empire, thai a course of vicious conduct will sooner or later bring down the divine judgments upon the transgressor, and that a course of virtuous deportment will sooner or later be gloriously rewarded. He believed in the reality of a coming judgment, when all the apparent ills of life will be rectified — when every man .will find his level — and when the wicked shall be " clothed with shame and everlasting contempt," while the "righteous ahall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." — It was Joseph's firm and cordial belief in these and kindred truths, implanted in his soul by the Holy Spirit, that was the transforming principle of his character. This was the sheet an- chor, that kept him sure and steadfast, when assailed by tempta- tion's stormiest blast. This was the impulsive principle that pro- pelled him forward in a course of steady, consistent, attractive piety, against both wind and wave. ' '? ' -' How widely different was the character of Joseph, from that of another individual of whom we read in the inspired history : and the diHrence is all to be attributed to a diversity in their governing principle of action. You have, perhaps, all read the account whfch is given in Old Testament history of Joash, king of Israel. " Seven years old was he when he began to reign, and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem," — (3 Chron. 24, I.) For a considerable period he pursued a course of praiseworthy conduct. He looked very much like a truly excellent character, so that God's people rejoiced in him as one who should conduct the na- tion to peace and enduring prosperity. But yet there was one thing in wliich his character was fatally deficient. His motives to virtu ms deportment were all drawn from the eye of Je^otada, the priest. "He did that which was right in, the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada»V But the moment that the eye of the aged Saint, under which he had quailed,' wad closed in death, ^hen the source of his former apparent piety was dried up— the *•' ■■%-. flf 20 iDDRES*. I reetrainta which formerly bound and galled him gave way ; and from that day forward, he rapidly descended in the scale of moral degradation, until finally, he became a noted monument of God's indignation against sin, and a nuisance morally and physically to those who had rejoiced in his accession to the throne. He drew all his principles of action for the eye of man, and, there- fore, like as the vessel dependent on the wind& for her motive power, is driven back in her course when these winds are un- favourable ; so when his motive power, the eye of Jehoiada was taken off him, then he turned back and became an apostate. Not so with Joseph. He derived his motives to the practice of ' piety, not from the eye of man, but from the ever watchful eye of God; and, therefore, like the noble Steamboat that is in a great measure independent of wind and weather, having a pro- pelling agency within : he held on his course of wise, upright, and pious deportment, through evil report and good report — in adversity and prosperity— ^amongst friendi and strangers, until he ultimately reached the haven of everlasting glory. My young friends — would you imitate Joseph's example — shine forth before the Church and the world, in all the loveliness of his moral character — and finally attain th it bright crown of glory whieh he now wears, — there is one thing essentially requisite, Tiz. :-*that you adopt the same principles of action and yield yourselves to the subduing influence of the same motives. Do not imagine that an amiable natural disposition, a refined educa- tion, graceful accomplishments, or a desire to secure the esteem of the virtuous and good, will suffice to preserve you in paths of uprightness and virtue. These miy embellish you in the calm, but they will not secure you in the storm. In the dark hour of temptation, they will be as useless as are the ornaments of the foundering vessel to keep her above the wave, or as is her canvas when wind and tide are adverse. ,.. In the very first place, seek union to the Lord Jesus Christ, by a faith of the divne operation, that you may enjoy reconciliation and peace with God through the death of his Son. Without thi» union, all your advantages of a graceful form, liberal education*, polished manners, and refined taste, will never recommend you to that God who looks not upon the outward appearance, but looks in upon the heart. Seek grace from on high, to enablo- you to take the law of God as your rule of action in all circum- stances, and not the maxims, opinions, and practices of the sur- I rounding i^rorld. Think, and speak, and act, at all times, like ' If ofes, " as seeing Him who is invisible." Whether you be at \ tiotaeo'. it »» "v.« M.08t ll God- oW^« CA a 01 e ■^ *• >•*;.. m AODMM- an i I liomeof abroad, amongst friend, or '^r^J'%*^^'^^. Haiar in the wilderness be your '»««»»-/''?", Y'?,™" ^S~ ArS when temoted to sin in any of its deceitful forma ; when t1S>ttM tout" Mhem-oto. oath; when tempted to dishonesty Xne» uansaoti^nf when tempted to ^^^^^^^^^ nf the Most Hiffh. to indulge m a sabbath day s arausemeni , whin tempted to go to the%all room, the gammg table the r,vp?„ the theatre or the " house of the strange woman ; O,. tavern, the theatre, or i of defence in the hour TdZer GrSsp it'^in the hand of ?aith and holy resolutio.K «H^^ CAN I DO THIS GREAT WICKEDNESS AND 8.N AGA.NST ® Thus Dlanted in the house of the Lord by his abundant grace, Ihuspianteainin flourish like Jo- LXa ' "r^rfuTbough Cn. fruitful Ugh by a well, who.c lepn, a >r""'"; tu^ wall "—and in old age, when ethers fade, \'Z^l 'Z °b, bg fonh Lit, and 'aye he iurishing. " Uviug ? f.:?h „^n the Son of God : and walking in the ways of dulilul EncTJonr pea« s'h° 1 flow Uke a nvi, and your righteous Bess shall be like the waves of the sea. "Youth is the most accepted time To love and serve the Lord, A aower presented in its prime Will much delight aiford. He'll crown with peace your rising years And make your fruit increase, WiU guide you through this vale of teare, And bid your sc rows cease. Give Him the morning of your days, And be for ever blest, * 'Tis none but those in vrisdom's ways Bnjoy substantial rest."