The age-herald., 1902-02-17
.CHRIST'S EARLY
 LIFE AN EXAMPLE The Rev. A. J. Dickinson at the
 First Baptist Church JESUS LEARNING OF GOD Minister Pictures the Savior in Tenn pie at Jerusalem Asking and
 Answering Questions of
 the Great Rabbis.
JESUS LEARNING OF GOD

At the First Baptist Church yesterday the Rev. A. J. Dickinson preached an able sermon, choosing as his subject the story of Christ as a boy being found in the seats of the Rabbis asking and an- swering questions and Illustrating how his early thirst for righteous knowledge should be an example for us.
 His text was from Luke 2:49 "Wist ye not that 1 must be about my Father s business"
 ''The little incident referred to in this text" said Dr. Dickinson, gives us the only glimpse we have of the relations of the favored family of Nazareth. Jesus as the son of human mother here comes before us. For three long days having missed him from the caravan of their kindred returning from the feast, his parents had sought him with sorrowing hearts. One can hardly imagine the dis tress of any mother when she imagines that her little boy is lost in a great and crowded city, much less the anxiety of Mary whose boy was Gods son, commit ted to her care. How often she must have wondered if the favored child had been carried away to some distant land by some of the companies of visitors return ing from the feast. imagine a mother having lost her son in Chicago during the Worlds Far and you will have a case in many respect parelel. So when she finds him in the temple with the Rab- bis she throws off her grief with the ex- camation Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold thy father and I sought tree sorrowing He said unto her Hcw is it that ye sought me mother? Wist ye not that I must he about my Fathers business?
 To His Fathers Business.
 You ought to have known where to have found me is his answer, for you well know that it Is my Fathers affairs that would havc engaged me.
 How true to nature is this mothers rebuke and sons retort. It might have happened with any of you-that was a truly human family al Nazareth. You notice that 1t is Mary who ventures to administer the reprimand and she shows by the way she does it that she was ac- eustomed to discipline her holy child. How much heart she puts in it and how she appeals to his accustomed love and regard for her motherly feelings. 1 think 1t is here clearly intimated that her son was usually very considerate of his mothers feelings, and that he was sub ject to her wishes Is elsewhere distinct ly stated. Their relations must have been so intimate that ne thought she must have known where he would be found.
 Fascinated by the Rabbis.
 There were many things to attract his young mind In the crowded city dur ing this feast but the thing which fas- cinated him most were the seats of the great Rabbis where they taught the law and the prophets. One seeing him sitting at their feet asking and answering ques- tons would have said he would become a great religious teacher. The bent of his mind was thus early shown. They that heard him were amazed at his un- dei standing and his answers. His par ents were astonished when they found him in the midst of the learned doctors, and the only explanation he gives is his irresistible desire to devote himself to his Fathers affairs.
 We learn from his answer that our Lord recognized that God has business in this world. The business which engag- ed the young Jesus was to learn Gods will and word from those best competent to teach 1t. And is not this the great business of man-to feel after God if hap ly he might find him, that he may learn the things that are freely given us of God, that they may seek his reign and his righteousness.
 To Learn of God.
 This was the business which so com pletely absorbed our Lord that for three days he forgot the time of the homeward returning and was oblivious to the glories of Jerusalem. We can all share in this business of learning God and his word and will. We, too, can ask and answer questions at these seats of dealing in the divine truth. We can ask divine wisdom which is to fear God and keep his com mahdments. Is not this diligence Of our Lord in seeking wisdom an example for us. Would he not if here today as young boy seek our Sunday schools. What a rebuke to those of us who put forth no effort to learn of God. Our opportunities today are so much better than those he enjoyed even at the seats of the great Rabbis at Jerusalem.
 "The business of fearing God rested upon our Lord as a necessity. The truth was to him among the necessaries of life He said that he must be about his fathers business. He thought this well known necessity of his nature should have taught his mother where to look for him. It is no small compliment If vou are one of those whom everyone knows where to find at church time A thirst after righteousness will lead us to seek the gospel of Christ wherein 1t is revealed Let us come to look upon this matter of instruction in Gods ways and words a., business Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled An that this busi- ness of Gods would seize our souls as 1t did our Lords, whose very meat and drink 1t was to do the fathers will and finish his work
 WIFI Love Ills Way.
 Tt Is the fathers business that should go completely enlist us. When we come into the position of sons of God we will tx.,s t.ta Ss,arA npA xvax.a tl,ra,,.t, t,Io