throughout the land; but that after these should follow seven years, in which there should be a scarcity of every thing.

Ellen. What good was it to Pharaoh to know this before hand, Mamma?

Mamma. In order that he might provide against it, and avoid the misery which it might otherwise occasion in the country. It was a great mercy in God to let Pharaoh know of the famine which was likely to take place, and to endue his servant Joseph not only with the power of foretelling the famine, but with the wisdom of advising Pharaoh what course he should pursue in order to meet the difficulties which were expected to arise.

Ellen. Did Joseph advise Pharaoh what to do, Mamma?

Mamma. He did so, Ellen: he advised him to appoint a person who should be discreet and wise; and to direct this person to lay up stores of corn throughout the country for provision during the expected famine. And Pharaoh who saw very plainly that Joseph was himself discreet and wise, and under the immediate favour of heaven, appointed him to this important post. Whence you now see, that though Joseph was hated

by his brethren, and sold by them into Egypt, the providence of God still protected and supported him; and having found him steady and faithful under trial, God was now pleased to exalt him to great honour and distinction.

Ellen. And did Joseph lay up great stores, Mamma?

Mamma. He did so, Ellen: he went through all the land, and laid up stores of corn in all the cities, so great was the abundance of these first seven years. And the consequence was, that when the seven years were past, and the famine began, the Egyptians had plenty of provisions. And Joseph then opened the storehouses, and sold out corn to the people; and Joseph became a very great man, and was governor over all the land of Egypt.

Ellen. Did not Joseph hear any thing more of his father, Mamma?

Mamma. I will answer this question another day. At present, we will make a pause in the interesting history of Joseph; having first told you, that before the famine commenced Pharaoh had given Joseph a wife whose name was Ase · nath, and that they had two sons, the one named Ephraim, and the other Manasseh,

DIALOGUE XIV.

CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH.

Mamma. We are to-day coming to a very interesting part of the history of Joseph, Ellen : but before I proceed with it, I must ask you a few questions in regard to what I have already related to you. Who treated Joseph with great kindness on his first arrival in Egypt?

Ellen. Potiphar.

Mamma. What did Potiphar make Joseph? Ellen. Ruler of all his house.

Mamma. Who accused Joseph falsely to his

master?

Ellen. Potiphar's wife.

Mamma. What became of Joseph then?

Ellen. He was put into prison.

Mamma. Did God forsake him then?

Ellen. No: he was still with him.

Mamma. What did God put it into the heart

of the keeper of the prison to do to Joseph ?

Ellen. To shew him great kindness, and to give him the care of the other prisoners.

Mamma. Who were some of the other prison

ers?

Ellen. The butler and baker of Pharaoh. Mamma. How did Joseph shew his wisdom to the butler and baker?

Ellen. By explaining to them their dreams. Mamma. How did Joseph get out of prison? Ellen. Pharaoli, the king, had a dream which no one could explain, and the butler of Pharaoh said that Joseph could explain it. And he was sent for. Mamma. And did he explain it ?

Ellen. Yes-and told Pharaoh how to provide against the famine.

Mamma. What did he tell him to appoint over the cities?

Ellen. A governor, discreet, and wise.
Mamma. Whom did Pharaoh appoint?
Ellen. Joseph.

Mamma. Did the famine happen as was expected?

Ellen. Yes.

Mamma. How was it that the people were relieved under it?

Ellen. All the storehouses full of corn were

opened, and the people had corn sold to them by Joseph.

Mamma. Then you see it was a very great blessing to the land of Egypt that Joseph had been sent down into that country through the wickedness of his brethren. His brethren little thought that they were thus unconsciously the means of Joseph's great exaltation, when they thought they were taking measures to humiliate and abase him. And Joseph himself, when sold as a captive and employed as a servant in the house of Potiphar, little thought that these trials were to lead to such great advancement and exaltation. But the hand and the favour of God were with him, and strengthened and supported him through all his afflictions; and in vain might the wicked strive to hurt him, if the goodness of God was resolved to protect him.

Ellen. And now, Mamma, perhaps you will tell me if Joseph ever saw his father again: for he need not have been afraid of his brethren, now he was so great a man; but might safely have gone back into Canaan.

Mamma. No doubt, Ellen, Joseph, who was so good a man in every respect, thought frequently and with tenderness of his beloved parent; but