The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-01

. + Z & 4 IA, : .
chambers set apart for instruction He
was sitting with tho doctors. tho wise
mon OF the nation. many OF them gray
headed In the spirit of humility He was
Tearing and asking questions. assumln
tho attitude OF learner. His enthusiasm
and wisdom awakened the wonder ana
admiration OF these doctors. Ushereu
into His presence. Mary. not Joseph ven
tured to offer q gentle rebuke. SAYING
B "Syhy dost thou treat us thus? Thy
father and have sought lhec sorto"-
ing
REPLY.-The answer of Jesus to HIS
rnothcr-tlis first recorded words. OK
plains His conduct and gives the Key 10
Ills entire after life. How Is u that Se
sought me?" Put the emphasis on the
rronouns. 70 and me. Why need you
have any concern for me? He appeared
to be surprised that they should think
II ,,oesIblo that He could be in danger
or wrong or need their care, pnrhaps.i
moro surprised that they did not kno"
where to find Him. His next question
throws light on the first. Wist ye noe
TINT must be about my Fathers busl-
refs? He recognizes Himself as the son
c.f another. not Joseph, as Mary had Jus.
intIrnated. but the son OF the hlsnes1.
may have been the first dawnlns OF cor
seriousness OF the higher relation. Win
tl,c scnse Of spuship came the obligation.
There was d holy impulse toward scrNice.
,rhe magnitude of the Fathers business
Ma awakened His zeal and led HIM
into His Fathers house. All TINS was was
IN excuse for temporary neslcct o.
earthly ties. The nature ana mission u
the hoy Ind been misjudged.
srBJECl.-Having spoken ana reSeu.-
81 llimsclf Ills relation Ills work. HIS
NATIVES. Jesus loft the temple. ana ~
turned to Nazareth as an obedlcnt son,
un,lcr the roof Of II Is legal father. why
wa. this? If SO earnest FOR WORK VIZ
dil EIc cut short His nbors? Many ,lh-
swerr have been made to these quest!ohs.
Ilnder the Jewish law imam 1nish ~ ~.
on ter the ministry until thc.aSe OF tl'll.a,
and Jesus must obey tlns ~" " 49, -,
n'iic,iow,ng. John tho Baptist must ~
rore Hin ana prepare the way else
No nrophccIcs would not DO fuillllcd:
,nither would tho connection be mnuo pc
tnrenn .Tudnism and Christianity Inc
sno,al order OF thntHduy REQUIRED tna ina.
Jos,,s, must re-cnter tho house ma
~ jt.tas nfterwnrd In HIS f!rst ,.'llus =,
lie htnored It, Tho spirit, wMctt nuu ~ ~,
rcctcd Him In all His career now
80 cd toward the Cialienn retreat I'M
/ &, cnIicd permanently into public service.
~ IJIrJ I,C,lI ONS.-Ths passage afloTas
,nlv q glimpse Of the Divine nature .,
Jcsus sufficient. however. 70 uss.'to -
uarsons Of its presence. SEQ Him. tno
inv-man. surrounded by scholars. re-.
rr , BY Ills mother! Mediate on 1I ti.s
woros my Fathers business Us ny no ~ nitv Of
s ~ hov'1 IN the temple is most consplcn-
Gus Gus and, perhaps. most instructive, re re
jtis i good example to the young WIZ
curhi to employ their early years y s esaI
Inc 'tla cleyatlng knowledge OF sueruu
i hi a,s and Mo ought to desire nstruc,
lion t that they may enter into the serVlt 20
or Ged, but whose plety p hn1,, own ,nS pa.
!,,, ~ ,rhe early impulse toward q high
s ui.I may be held in check during X, me
s ycnrs needed 10 prepare for that cail,ng
If is bettcy to begin a great WorlAas ,l Iar
| lime with halt-deyeloped powers