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1695 B. C.

All history shows that the priesthood formed the highest and most privileged class in the state of Egypt. The Egyptians were divided into castes, something like the Indians.

The priests were the first class, the military the second, and the tradespeople the third, and so on; and every man was obliged to follow the trade or profession of his father.

The highest castes considered themselves polluted by holding communication with the lowest caste. Joseph's father-in-law was a priest of On, a city in Egypt; he was he was considered about the rank of a prince. And Pharaoh was allowed one-fifth of all produce of seed as a tax.

Now the time grew nigh that Jacob must die, and Jacob called together his twelve sons and blessed them.

1. Reuben is deprived of his birthright, in consequence of his crime.

2 and 3. Scattered to the outskirts for their conduct at Shechem.

4. Judah shall possess pre-eminence.

5. Zebulon foretold to be of the maritime tribe.

6.

Issachar for labour in the field.

7. Dan shall be a serpent in the way (Sampson sprang out of this tribe).

8. Gad; this tribe to be the most violent in Israel.

9. Asher; fertile in corn and wine.

10. Naphtali; like a good tree that shoots forth fine branches.

11. Joseph, his favourite son, and for future blessings.

12. Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf.

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Joseph dies at the age of 110. He foretells the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, and desires to have his bones carried to his father's grave in Canaan.

After Joseph's death in Egypt, the children of Israel multiplied exceedingly; but there now rose up a Pharaoh who knew not Joseph, and ultimately, finding that the children of Israel had increased so much as to be in numbers more mighty than himself, he put taskmasters over them, and made them build cities. But the more King Pharaoh afflicted them, the more they multiplied; therefore the King commanded the midwives to kill all the Hebrew male children, and cast them into the river.

END OF VOLUME 1.

Nineteenth

Medal.

Jacob, on his Death-bed, blessing his Sons.

H. E. CARRINGTON, PRINTER, BATH,

9

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