Page:The Story of Joseph and His Brethren.djvu/62

Rh of his own brothers, who were bound to love and cherish him. When, therefore, we see him returning good for evil, love for hatred, blessing for cursing, we cannot but regard Joseph as a noble example of what religion can do to cast out the evil feelings of the corrupt human heart, and soften it down into a state of tender and forgiving love. "He kissed all his brethren and wept upon them." No doubt this tenderness flowed out the more, that he had so long been separated from them and from his home. Joseph's flood of tenderness to his brethren disarmed all their suspicions and banished all their fears; and now for the first time since the disclosure of the secret "they talked with him." Their minds were relieved from a load of conflicting and contending passions, and they communed with him as men relieved of a burden on their conscience, and reconciled to one whom they had greatly outraged.