The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-10-05

est rays OF the sun from a roof OF bur
nished gold?
Religion permeated every department
of Jewish life not always the best or
most helpful form of religion, for with
many it had become a succession of
ceremonies. stated prayers, periodic
HASTINGS. theatrical charities sensational
motto texts about the brow and tassels
Of carefully counted threads of white
and blue. But 1t had not come to be
so to all. The humber folks, who could
neither afford the expense nor the waste
of time, and while listening respectfully
to the teachers in the synagogues still
held TO the simpler forms of worship
that spoke of the love and mercy of
God.
Week after week the child Jesus had
heard the scriptures read In Hebrew and
translated into Aramaic by the leader OF
the llturgical service in the synagogue.
And it is not improbable that some vii
lage scribe In Na@reth had
taught Him Hebrew Possibly
copy of all, or of important
TO His family and He had read and
pondered for Himself But so much
that He had read and so much that
pie at Jerusalem that we need not won
der that, on His first visit to the city
where the famous rabbits like Hillel.
Simeon. Gamaliel and Snammai lived,
the boy Jesus sought out the Hall Of
Squares" OF the temple and spent many
hours where they taught.
On these Passover occasions the city
Of Jerusalem was overrun with the null
titudes OF pious visitors and tens OF
thousands, unable to find accommoda~
ton within the walls, spent the week in
booths succoths erected along the
roadway outside. With the expirati ton OF
the week the temporary shelters were
removed and the pilgrims began their
homeward Journey. 1t is not hard for
US to imagine the scene that Luke
describes We can easily understand
that in the confusion attendant upon the
departure of such multitudes. when the
groups OF travellers that had made the
journey together from distant towns
and villages were setting out at the
same time lad might be overlooked,
especially IT, as in this case. his spirit
Of independence and ability to care for
himself. were well developed.
\ gay 8 journey mat DeSn made to-
wara Nazareth before the parents h~~
came aware that Jesus was not in the
party, Failing to find Him with any
Of the neighboring companies. they be
came alarmed and set out tor Jerusa-
lem again in search OF Him. A day was
consumed in the return to Jerusdlem
another IN fruitless inquiry and it Was
only on the third day that they be-
thought themselves OF the temple and
the RABBITS teaching place.
Going there they foauu Him sitting
ha r Not
ing them and asking questions: and all
That heard Him were astonished at HIS
| understanding and answers
RMS story seems so Reasonable
| ightforward that it bears he stamp
OF truth upon its face. we take no
stock in the wild and fantastic stories
| told i'll apochryphal gospels u how je-
sus was found explaining to the aatrol-
ogers and students of physical science
the deep secrets OF lneir scicaces
Neither do We gave any crcuence 10 the
stories nike those found in Mary
Birth and the Childhood OF the Re
deemer. one OF these describes how
Jesus was once playing with lis httie
companions and they were all mch1ng
clay animals, such as cows. donkeys ana
| birds, Each was boasting that his own
productions We're better than the others
when Jesus said to them, Il shall com
mand my animals to walk abOui." They
ridcuied Him. but He commanded the
animals TO Xix, or fly, or eat or drink
and they did whatever lie told them to
do Another tells of how one day His
| pla yfeilOWs went into large oven that
was standing in front of the houses. \
woman asked jesus if the children were
IN the ovea and lie replied, NO, there
goats in the oven Whereupon lie
really turned the little boys and girls
into goats and they came jumping out
But, being prayed to by the mothers, He
turned the soats back into children
again. Many stories are also told about
His miraculous aid to His fatner in the
work of carpentering. For instance, 10
: seph made one of the legs of a couch
! for a rich man 100 short and Jesus
stretched It out by His word
Jesus was normal child, The gospel
| pictures to us His healthy physical intel
| lectual and spiritual development. lie in