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

+. +. !.
CONNECTION.-The lesson for DeceH-
Der Goth, Matt. ii:1-12), left Jesus babe
in the mangcr at Bethlehem. worshippel
l,y wise men. Matthew and Luke alone
furnish Information concerning Him ltr
the time Immediately following. when
eight days old He was clrcumclsrd.
yersc el). fulfilling the law. (Lev. il:si,.
After the days OF publication Lev. %li:2)
He was presented in the temple az 1 esu,
salem. Subsequently, to escape the ciuel
Herod, the holy family sought an asylum
In Egypt, and after the dea.. or th;lt
blood thirsty monster they returned ana
took I'm their residence In .>aZnreta, inc
home OF Joseph. I4ukc 1920. In that de-
spiscd village (JohnAl:4G) Jesus must nave
pursued the course of training comlllon
to the boys ut that time, being known
as tho son Of q carpenter. (Alatt.i N1i A'.''
At least nino years elapsed between. liie :.
entrance into Nazareth and the events "
our present lesson; years or Pro!ou''u
quiet they were. the inspired pchinnn
.hnvInr given no account Of what trans
PRED. 45l
GROWTH.-Or those years Of JESUS N
His Nazareth home. the fortlcth verse ~
our lesson makes mention under a1ous
heads. lilo grew" referring, doubtless
Ills body, which, frce from disease un-
folded normally, like tho body Of. any
healthy child. Flo ''wnxcd & strong ~
spIrlt," the fncultlcs Of his mind mans
tested yEor. enabling Him to pursue ilnos
OF thought. JIc was "fillcd with wisdom
displaying sound Judgment concerning
things about Him. And best OF all tho
F.'grnce Of God was upon Him. tho ho'y
spirit illuminated His mind and iniiucnaea
his heart. These statements accorued Win
tho predictions concerning the MESSIAH.
Usa., xl:2-3. The development o.
Jesus was strictly human, lke that %
John duke 1870 and Of the aposl'es,
! (Acts v:33). How then, can the church ~ !.
firm thut lIo was more thnn hu'nnll
They who ask such questions forget ny ~
Luke wrote history. lie presented tl'c
how as lie appeared to those about Hin,
Tho divinity may not havo been DIS
PLAYED ut that early ago. further than
remarkable precocity. 1t would 30 re-
yenlcd IN latter years, and the RECORD
would bs made accordingly. QIukc xisa),
TEAsT.-At last Jesus came form from
obscuri,y into brict public notice, y
occurred when He WAS twelve years ola.
ri which aye Jewish boy was stpposea
"a huvo gained sufficient knowledge 70
Fl choose and act for himself. when 10 was
treouIrcd TO assume obligations as son OF
the law. Up to that ago jesus NV 49,
under instruction in the family OF IosePll,
according to time honored custom y,
israel, and that pious man had FegusAt,y
performed his religious duties LOT, ~ ~
entire household. But, having pussep ,,'s
Twelfth birthday. He was aIlo%eu -. ~.
+, first time ia 80 UP 90 Jerusa'sI. ~ ~
Passover, indeed, this was HIS duty'
For Inc law required all males Of &C
Sc COZ nrc to appear store the, Lord,
e,sx xxiIi:lD, Tho event was ono Of great
,nterest because Of its commemorative
1Es. xs!llil4) and typical character. !. 9
Jerusalem, q distance Of eighty miles
southwark lay along valleys and over nus 1ns
Of historic renown. destined 70 BE- .,,e
scenes Of many wonderful deeds IN ths
saylour'a ministry, tSs Z. !, 1, /
TARRIED.-JesHs came % We HaesYfs '1