this injured, faithful, pious, innocent young man into prison. What a change in his condition! Here we behold Joseph confined in a dungeon in a strange land, without a friend to speak for him or care about him. 0, thinks he, if my father knew this, how it would grieve him. Not only was he cast into prison, but his feet were hurt with fetters, being laid in iron. His feet were galled, his heart was grieved, and probably he expected nothing but death. This was the punishment inflicted on those who were guilty of the crime of which he was accused. God interposed, he saved his life. He thus proclaimed his innocence. Had Joseph been put in any other prison, perhaps Pharoah would never have heard of him. III. The FAVOR which JOSEPH found with the KEEPER of the PRISON. 66 But the lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper." Though he was confined in a dungeon, yet the Lord was with him. It is a very great relief to the mind of a person confined in a prison, to know that he is innocent of the crime laid to his charge. It is also a great comfort to be allowed to see his friends, to write to them and speak to them. -Joseph had a powerful and almighty friend in the Lord; he was with Joseph, he comforted him. Joseph could pray to God in a prison. He could enjoy peace of mind and joy in the Lord, even in a prison. The Lord made the keeper kind to Joseph, he did not appear like a guilty person, and from what he saw of Joseph and what he heard from his fellow servants, he was no doubt inclined to think him innocent of the crime laid to his charge. And IV, JOSEPH made TURNKEY. Those persons who lock and unlock the cells of the prisoners, who carry them their food and wait upon them, are called TURNKEYS. the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. This was Joseph's remarkable office, and it is not a very desirable place. In England the Turnkeys in a jail are exposed to more danger than the keeper of the prison. They are sometimes obliged to go armed with H 2 pistole pistols and swords to the cells of some of their prisoners. If he is not a bold, strong and courageous man, he is in danger of being overcome by those who are hardened in sin. It is an office which requires confidence and fidelity, firmness and sobriety. Joseph soon gained the confidence and good will of the keeper, and though he was at first severely treated, yet afterwards he was made both comfortable and useful. All who were under his care were no doubt treated with great kindness; probably he gave them good counsel and advice, if so, they must have profited under his instructions and example. Many have been more happy in a prison than they have in a palace. Joseph was both happy and useful. Such was the confidence that the jailor placed in him, that he looked not to any thing that was under his hands, because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper. V. CATECHETICAL QUESTIONS. 1. What is a prison? A place of confinement. 2. Who put Joseph into prison? And Jo seph's seph's master took him and put him into prison. 3. Into what prison was Joseph put ? Into a place where the King's prisoners were bound. 4. Who was with Joseph in prison? The Lord was with Joseph. 5. What did the Lord do for Joseph in the prison? Shewed him his mercy and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 6. What did the keeper of the prison do for Joseph? Made him TURNKEY. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison 7. How did the keeper she w his confidence in Joseph? The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hands: because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper. V. PRACTICAL ADDRESS. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God." Whenever Satan tempts you to sin, remember these words. Whenever wicked boys or girls would tempt you to sin, remember these words. Avoid the object of temptation. Flee from the place of temptaH 3 tion. tion. Pray against the time of temptation. Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it, are the issues of life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not into the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. There was great sincerity, wisdom, resolution, perseverance and grace in Joseph's conduct. Follow his example, imitate him, and if you are falsely accused God will vindicate your character, he will make your innocence known. Only let it be your concern not to displease him ; remember he is every where present. O may these thoughts possess your breast, Though Joseph was put in prison, laid in irons, and might have been put to death, yet the Lord was with him. The Lord shewed him mercy. Unless the Lord show mercy to you, my dear children, you must be shut up in the prison of hell for ever and ever. Satan will shew you no favor, he will not treat you |