ing which Jacob gave him signifies prevail ing. Naphtali is a hind let loose, or a deer roaming at liberty; that is, he had been confined, but now has gained his liberty and roams at large. A deer is a beautiful crea. ture with large branching horns. Naphtali is compared to this beautiful animal, which intimates that his portion of Canaan should be fruitful and that he should be a numerous tribe. When he went down into Egypt he had but four sons, but when he departed from that country about two hundred years afterwards, there were no less than fifty three thousand men capable of bearing arms.

V.

JOSEPH.

He was Jacob's darling. His beloved son, by Rachel his beloved wife. His name signifies increase or addition. His mother called him Joseph, and said, the Lord shall add to me another son. He is compared by his father. to a fruitful bough or tree planted by the side of a well of water, whose branches run over the wall. The archers who shot at him were his brethren, they envied him; though he was beloved by his Father he was hated by his brethren. "But his bow abode in strength,

strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong, by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob: from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel. Even by the God of thy Father, who shall help thee, and by the Al mighty who shall bless thee with the blessing of heaven above, blessings of the de p that lieth under, blessings of the breast and of the womb: The blessings of thy Father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors, unto the utmost bounds of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separated from his brethren." Who was separated from his family by malice-from his brethren by holiness, and separated by his God for his good.

BENJAMIN.

VI.

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He was Jacob's youngest son, by his beloved Rachel, who died as soon as

Benjamin was born. His mother before She died called him Ben-oui, the son of my sorrow. But his father called him Ben

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jamin the son of my right hand. How painful were the circumstances that attended his birth. His father was unwilling that his

name

name should be the constant memorial of his beloved Rachel's death. When Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy corn, he kept Ben jamin at home with himself, as he then thought he was the only child of his beloved Rachel that was alive. Joseph wished to see his brother and ordered the sons of Jacob to bring him the next time they came to buy corn. Jacob parted with him with much reluctance, but was at last persuaded, to let him. To try how much his brethren loved him, Joseph gave him superior honours at his feast and then brought him into great danger appatently, by his silver cup being found-in his sack. Soon afterwards he gave him five suits of apparel, and about 280 rupees in money. VII. CATECHETICAL QUESTIONS.

J x

1. Where are the words of the Text to be

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found? In Gen. 35. 22d verse, last part,

2. What is Dan compared to.? A serpent by the way, an adder in the path.

3. What is the meaning of Gad's name? A troop or company of armed men.

4. What was the land of Ashur to yield? Royal dainties.

5. What is Naphtali compared to? A hind

or stag, branching horns, let loose and roam. ing at large with.

6. What is Josephi compared to? A fruitful bough, planted by a well, whose branches run over the wall.

7. What is Benjamin compared to? A wolf, Benjamin shall raven as a wolf.

8. Who was the mother of Dan and Naphtali? Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid.

9. Who was the Mother of Gad and Ashur? Zilpah, Leah's handmaid.

10. Who was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin? Rachel the beloved wife of Jacob. 11. What happened when Benjamin was born? Rachel died.

VIII, PRACTICAL ADDRESS.

What a difference there was in the disposi tions and characters of Jacob's children. Judah is compared to a Lion, bold and courageous, lying down and enjoying the satisfaction of his power and success. A Lion is called the king of beasts. He is the terror of all when he roars. Issachar is compared to a strong Ass. This animal is said to be a stubborn beast, obstinate and stupid, but he is patient and persevering, he carries very heavy burdens and

and is often treated with great cruelty. Dan is compared to a serpent that biteth the horse heels, to a deaf adder that stoppeth her ears, and will not hear. Naphtali is compar ed to a hind or deer. The flesh of this animal is called venison. It is a beautiful creature and very swift footed. It is often hunted to death. Benjamin is compared to a ravening wolf, and Joseph to a fruitful bough. Children, have you not heard of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Lord Jesus Christ? Love that Lion. Have you not heard of Satan? Is he not compared to a Lion, a devouring Lion going about seeking whom he may devour. Avoid this Lion, and flee for refuge to the arms of Christ: to the bosom of Jesus, to the fold of this good shepherd, where the Lion cannot enter. Rejoice that this devouring, this raging Lion is chained, he may roar at good children, but he cannot hurt them. Jesus Christ will take care of them.

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See that you are like that beast that boys and men treat so cruelly, be patient under the injuries you receive, and persevering in all you undertake, in every good work, Take heed of that old serpent the devil, who is more cun

ning