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Patriarchs and Prophets
to the pit by the temptations that assail worldly success and honor.
But Joseph’s character bore the test alike of adversity and prosperity.
The same fidelity to God was manifest when he stood in the palace
of the Pharaohs as when in a prisoner’s cell. He was still a stranger
in a heathen land, separated from his kindred, the worshipers of God;
but he fully believed that the divine hand had directed his steps, and in
constant reliance upon God he faithfully discharged the duties of his
position. Through Joseph the attention of the king and great men of
Egypt was directed to the true God; and though they adhered to their
idolatry, they learned to respect the principles revealed in the life and
character of the worshiper of Jehovah.
How was Joseph enabled to make such a record of firmness of char-
acter, uprightness, and wisdom?—In his early years he had consulted
duty rather than inclination; and the integrity, the simple trust, the
noble nature, of the youth bore fruit in the deeds of the man. A pure
and simple life had favored the vigorous development of both physical
and intellectual powers. Communion with God through His works
and the contemplation of the grand truths entrusted to the inheritors of
faith had elevated and ennobled his spiritual nature, broadening and
strengthening the mind as no other study could do. Faithful attention
to duty in every station, from the lowliest to the most exalted, had
been training every power for its highest service. He who lives in
accordance with the Creator’s will is securing to himself the truest
and noblest development of character. “The fear of the Lord, that is
wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”
Job 28:28
.
There are few who realize the influence of the little things of life
upon the development of character. Nothing with which we have to
do is really small. The varied circumstances that we meet day by
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day are designed to test our faithfulness and to qualify us for greater
trusts. By adherence to principle in the transactions of ordinary life,
the mind becomes accustomed to hold the claims of duty above those
of pleasure and inclination. Minds thus disciplined are not wavering
between right and wrong, like the reed trembling in the wind; they are
loyal to duty because they have trained themselves to habits of fidelity
and truth. By faithfulness in that which is least they acquire strength
to be faithful in greater matters.
An upright character is of greater worth than the gold of Ophir.
Without it none can rise to an honorable eminence. But character is