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a very pathetic manner, entreating them not to be uneasy at his uncle Onias's negligence; for that he himself would go as their ambassador to the king, and faithfully plead their cause.

The people received his speech with the strongest marks of approbation and thanks. Upon this he went down from the temple, and honourably entertained Athenion, the ambassador, and his attendants, for many days, presenting them with gifts of great value.

Athenion, after promising him friendship and service, returned to Egypt. Joseph followed in a short time, and in his way met with some persons of consequence from Colosyria and Palestine, who were going to Egypt to offer terms for farming the revenues of those provinces. As the equipage of Joseph was far from being so magnificent as theirs, they treated him with contempt. Joseph, concealing his feelings, drew from them their mission to court, without affording them any ground of suspecting his intentions.

Joseph had the good fortune to meet the king and queen in company with his good friend Athenion, on the road to Memphis. The king, being impressed by Athenion with a favourable idea of Joseph, as soon as he saw him invited him into his chariot. Joseph executed his commission with inexpressible address, and the king, as a mark of regard, ordered him an apartment in his royal palace, and allowed him a place at his table.

The great men of Syria, who had treated Joseph with such contempt on the journey, were much surprised to see him seated near the king and queen. When the day came for farming the revenues of the provinces of Colosyria, Phoenicia, Judea, and Samaria, they offered no more than eight thousand talents. Joseph, having discovered

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by their conversation in the way that the purchase was worth double that sum, bid sixteen thousand talents, at the same time reproaching them for depreciating the king's revenue.

The king was pleased with Joseph's offer, but asked what security he could give. The Jewish deputy calmly replied that he had such persons to offer as he was certain his majesty could not object to. Being ordered to mention them, he named the king and queen themselves, adding that they would be securities to each other. The king was so pleased with this little pleasantry that he allowed him to farm the revenues, with only his verbal promise for payment.

Joseph continued many years in this important station, conducting himself to the mutual satisfaction of the court and provinces. In his days the Jews enjoyed peace and prosperity.

(To be continued.)
-0880-

THE GATHERED LILIES.
CANT. vi. 2.

To the Editor of the LITTLE GLEANER.

DEAR SIR,-I was much affected in reading your address in this month's GLEANER; and while the sympathetic tear flows for the bereaved mother, my heart ascends in adoring gratitude to my heavenly Father for the humble hope that He has been pleased to own and bless the little account of my dear departed child to one of His dear little lambs that He was about to gather home to His fold above. And while musing and wondering why God should take away these promising ones, the following lines sprang spontaneously in my mind, which, although they may appear fanciful, brought some comfort with them. Praying you

may still prove your labour is not in vain in the Lord, I am yours in Jesus,

Two lovely lilies recently were seen

E. C.

With buds upspringing 'mid the verdant green;
We hoped ere long to see these buds unfold,
And show beneath the white a tinge of gold.
While we admired, the Gardener came that way,
Selecting flowers at the break of day,

That to the mansion they might be conveyed,
Ere scorching rays their beauteous hue could fade.
These lovely lilies quickly caught his eye,
In vain we begged he'd pass the lilies by ;
"The Master sent for them," the Gardener said,
Then took the lilies from their native bed,
"He needs them to adorn His mansion, where
In full perfection they will soon appear;
And, when He comes to gather all the rest,
These will be with Him in full glory drest."

BIBLE ENIGMA.

ONE who his asses once did lose;

One who was maimed by the loss of his toes;
One to whom a secret God revealed;

One who the sword with his left hand did wield;
A king whom Israel gained a victory o'er;
The site of a sore battle in days of yore:
One who was suddenly struck blind;

One who to the altar a youth did bind;

Her in whose tent stolen goods were found;

One who was saved when many more were drowned;
One who to heaven with glory went;

One who to a wicked king was sent.
Join the initials of each name,

And they will to you the word proclaim.
Elsworth.

S. S., JUN.

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REMEMBER THY CREATOR.

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less your sin's for-giv- en; Thy great Cre-a-tor fear.

Remember thy Creator

And may his mighty grace,
Make you an early waiter,
On Jesus for his peace;
Lead you at Calvary's mountain,
To drop the contrite tear,
And find in Jesu's fountain,

Relief from slavish fear.

Remember thy Creator,

While youth's fair spring is bright,
Before thy cares are greater,

Before comes age's night

While yet the snn shines o'er thee,
While stars the darkness cheer,

When life is all before thee,

Thy great Creator fear.

Remember thy Creator,
Before the dust returns,
To earth,-for 'tis its nature,
And life's last ember burns.
Before the God who gave it,
The spirit must appear,
And none but He can save it,
Thy great Creator fear.

The first two verses only by the Editor. The other

two from a Supplement to all Hymn Books.

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