Page:The Story of Joseph and His Brethren.djvu/7

4 history against him. God, we may presume, has been pleased to record the history of this beautiful character in His Holy Book, for the purpose of showing to His children in all ages so lovely an example for their imitation. Joseph is especially worthy of imitation by the young; for they will learn from him how they ought to act at home and in the world, in adversity and prosperity, in humble and exalted stations. It is most important for the young to learn and practise home virtues, their duties to their parents, and to their brothers and sisters; for home duties and affections are the beginning and the foundation of all others. The young must love and obey their parents before they can love and obey the Lord, as their Father in heaven; and they must love and be kind to their brothers and sisters before they can love and do good to their neighbour. Nay, young people love God in loving their parents, for God has commanded them to honour their father and mother, which means to love and obey them; and they love their neighbour in loving their brothers and sisters, because the command to love their