Circumstances May Be Misinterpreted, as Well as Facts May Be Forged

    It is usually considered that circumstances are the strongest evidences, and that, when facts may be forged, circumstances are expelled. Facts, supported by circumstances, are no doubt evidence beyond just question. But circumstances should not be admitted as decisive without a full consideration of their bearing. Here was a circumstance apparently so strong against Joseph, that at first view it is useless for counsel to attempt to extricate him. He leaves his cloak behind him. Can there be better evidence of the fact alleged, and of his guilt? Yet, when the thing is considered for a moment in a dispassionate manner, the circumstance is not quite so conclusive. No wonder Potiphar had not the coolness to weigh evidence on on this occasion; but we may do it for him. Why, wife of Potiphar, did you on that occasion act so courageous a part, instead of flying for refuge to some more secure part of the house? Were you more intent to secure the culprit as a prisoner than to protect yourself from his insult? What need was there that you should seize him? Could your slave escape you? or would your husband be so incredulous as not to believe you? Joseph, you are the injured man; and this is a vile woman. She is not urged by a sense of duty to punish you, but, instigated by revenge, to ruin you, an innocent man. And I have known, on occasions of accusations, some upright and impartial men ready, from a false interpretation of circumstances, to condemn the innocent, on the evidence of false accusers. It is remarkable, that, notwithstanding the leaning of modern times to the side of mercy, there are still occasionally some instances in which the innocent suffer, from a false interpretation of circumstances. When Providence, in any instance, has ordained this issue, vigilance is some way unaccountably asleep, and a strong disposition to punish flagrant injustice leads away from a cool consideration of the necessary import of circumstances. Joseph was ordered on this occasion to go to prison, therefore the deficiency in the evidence of circumstances did not occur to those who judged. No wonder that Potiphar should not be very suspicious to observe the flaw in the testimony. It is not either guilt or innocence, strictly speaking, that determines the fate of the accused at human tribunals. Innocence may be overwhelmed with calumny, and guilt may escape the keen eye of the most rigorous justice, and the most conclusive evidence. The lot of the prisoner is decided by Providence, whether he unjustly suffers, or is unjustly cleared.