Evening journal., 1908-02-15

These are the first recorded words Of
Jesus at the age OF 12
His parents had been up to Jerusalem
to attend the Feast of the Passover. and
Jesus accompanied them. perhaps, the
FIRST time since His infancy. AT the age
Of IL a Jewish boy incurred legal obllsa-
tons. He was put under a course Of in
struction. began to fast on such occasions
as the day OF atonement and to learn a
trade.
When at the end Of the first days jour
ney on their return to Nazareth Joseph
and Mary halted for rest and sought the
child among their lSinsfolk and acquaint-
ance, the boy was not to be found.
1t was an anxious night for the parents
and In the morning they returned to
Jerusalem. On the third day they found
Him in the temple sitting in the midst
of the doctors both hearing and asking
them questions. His mother said TO Him.
son. why hast thou thus dealt with us7
Behold thy father and have sought thee
sorrowing." There is gentle rebuke in
this question. Jesus replied: How is it
that ye sought Me? wist ye not that 1
must be about My Fathers businessT'
and the strange impulse Of sonship here
find expression. His frequent attendance
at synagogue worship further developed
In Him this consciousness Of sonship. He
was taught His Fathers will from Mary S
Bible. He was taught unfeigned faith in
the Jewish scriptures and love for them.
Jesus had an abiding sense Of respon-
slbility. This sense OF responsibility Is the
most powerful incentive to activity. This
sense OF Il must" is invincible. Although
the purpose 10 attend to His Father =
business meant untold sacrifice, He did not
falter. He steadfastly set His face to go
to Jerusalem. Gethsemane and Calvary
stood out before Him, but there was hdel-
ity 10 purpose at every step Of the jour
ney.
A clearer sense of obligation to God and
humanity and a sublime purpose TO be
about the Masters business is the su-
preme need OF the age. This sense OF re-
sponsibility comes If we live close to
Christ. Fellowship with Him nourishes
this purpose.
In Christ we see a complete subordina-
ton to his life-work. There was no
thought Of self or personal ambition, but
entire conservation to the Fathers busl-
ness.
A pious shoemaker when asked, what
is your businessT' replied, 1T Is my busi-
ness to serve the Lord, but make shoes
to pay expenses" This is the true idea
Of life. It is pity that it is not fully
realized. Our chief business should be to
serve God, to do His will and glorify His
name. Paul says whether we eat or drink
or whatever we do. we should do all 20
the glory OF God. / Cor. 1913. With many
pleasure and gain are the chief objects
Of life. We must do more than talk about
our Fathers business. We should lay our
selves out with utmost vigor and industry
to attend to II. A boy when asked. SIS
your father a Christian replied. Yes,
sir. but he don't work much at the bust
ness" Alas. this is true of many profess
sors. The greatest work that can engage
us is the salvation Of our own souls and
that of others. Every work that has for
its object the uplift OF men should enlist
our sympathy and heartiest cooperation
and TO its performance we should devote
ourselves conscientiously and indefati-
gably. The Kings business requires haste.
Whatsoever thy hand fndeth to do do il
with thy might. Jesus says: BE thou
faithful unto death and 1 will give thee a
crown Of life"