Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1855. Excerpt:... Joseph just waves his right hand gracefully toward Jacob, and with a countenance alive with the finest sentiments of filial affection, seems to say,--"may it please your august majesty, I present my venerable father." But we must leave this scene of unequalled moral beauty and grandeur, to look upon quite a different condition of the Hebrews in their Egyptian life, when at a subsequent period, a "king arose who knew not Joseph." The path of Providence in which we now find these events, will be made brighter by going back a little in the patriarchal history. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob led a wandering life for many years, pitching their tents and pasturing their flocks where most convenient. But now the time and the circumstances of Jacob's large and increasing family, called for a more permanent settlement--a home or country of their own, which as yet they never had. The Abrahamic covenant guaranteed to the patriarchal race the possession of the land of Canaan. But Jacob, even when his family was too large to continue the migratory life, was in no situation to found a national existence, and still less so to conquer their promised land, and take possession of it. Their weakness would constantly expose them to attacks from neighboring tribes too powerful for them to resist. They must be placed somewhere, in some situation where they would be protected, and as their numbers rapidly increased, they would be learning those arts and acquiring habits of industry, which would be a foundation for their own national prosperity when the time should come for their settlement in the promised land. Where was such a place of security to be found? What nation then could, by its wisdom and prosperity, furnish the knowledge which the Hebrews needed? Obviously, Egypt was the...