36. Such was our young furnisher of corn,
and second Joseph: though of him we can say somewhat more.
For the one made a gain from the famine, and bought up Egypt Gen. xli. 1 et seq. in his philanthropy, by managing the time of
plenty with a view to the time of famine, turning to account the dreams
of others for that purpose. But the other’s services were
gratuitous, and his succour of the famine gained no profit, having only
one object, to win kindly feelings by kindly treatment, and to gain by
his rations of corn the heavenly blessings. Further he provided
the nourishment of the Word, and that more perfect bounty and
distribution, which is really heavenly and from on high—if the
word be that bread of angels, Ps. lxxviii. 25. wherewith souls are
fed and given to drink, who are a hungered for God, Ib.
lxiii. 1; S. Matt. v. 6. and seek for a food which does not pass away
or fail, but abides forever. This food he, who was the poorest
and most needy man whom I have known, supplied in rich abundance to the
relief not of a famine of bread, nor of a thirst for water, but a longing
for that Word Amos viii. 11. which is really
lifegiving and nourishing, and causes to grow to spiritual manhood him
who is duly fed thereon.