Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-18
THE Fool Or ruoAM @

327 A. d. by Queen Helena above the
grotto which was the stable of the inn to
which Joseph and Mary came on that
memorable night.
ument of Christian architecture in the
world. The shafts of the forty columns
which support its fine architecture and its
decaying roof are each Of a single piece
Of marble more than two feet in diameter
and sixteen feet high. They are sur
rounded by deliberately carved capitals.
The upper parts of the columns are faded
and frescoed with Greek and Byzantine
figures of saints. The columns were TAX
en- from the ancient temple in Jerusalem
These and the mosaiCS on the walls and
roofs made of cedar wood from the Leb-
anon reveal the former splendor of the
church.
On the road from Bethlehem to Jerusa-
lem one meets many a living illustration
of the flight of the Holy Family to
Egypt. The mother in her blue gown, her
white veil covering her head and falling
gracefully over her shoulders, sits on the
strong Arabian donkey holding her babe
wrapped In "swaddling Clothes while her
husband walks slowly by her side guild
ing the animal from time to time.
In the mysterious life of the Holy
Child there is the silence of thirty years
unbroken excepting by the visit of the
Boy Jesus to Jerusalem at the age of
twelve
The Scriptures give but short glimpse
OF the beauty of the character unfolding
in the boy during these years of seclusion
One picture is OF filial devotion and of re-
Spectful submission combined with sur
passing wisdom and attainment of knOwl-
edge, which caused Him to be lin favor
with God and man." The episode at
twelve years of age in the temple III
Ion liz cftrdn and
tative inclinations of the Child, who soon
became the Great Teacher OF all man
kind.
In the quaint little village of Nazareth
He spent those childhood days of quiet
seclus on. One can picture Him on the
beautiful hills on which Nazareth is sit
uated dehghting in natures beauty ana
meditating on the task before Him. 10
the fountain, now called Tie Virgins
Fountain, He doubtless went daily with
His gentle mother helping her carry the
stone pitcher to be Tiled from the vii
lage we'll every morn and eve In the
fields one can see Him gathering the
fire wood for the little earthen stove.
Standing al the bench with tool In hand
beside Joseph in the carpenters shop he
learned the trade by which RE was known
when He emerged from His solitude with
the knowledge and wisdom which could
battle rabbis. scribes and lawyers. is not
this the son of Joseph the carpenter?
The carpenters shop is shown 10 VISITORS
in Nazareth ABOVE IL IS a l%ttIH
in which a large painting represents the
child Jesus helping Joseph, at the bench
Another chapel nearby, in a vaulted cave
exhibits the traditional Table of Christ. -
where He often had supper with His
disciples. The table is a sold rock stand
ing three feet above the floor.
The most prominent building. in Naza-
reth is the Latin convent. rising above
the other buildings and appearing like
some grand medieval castle Towering
above it is Turkish minaret, giving the
town a touch of oriental grace. Even
the star and crescent glitter beside the
cross of Christ. Tall palms wave their
green branches above the white build
ings and stately expresses stand like dark
pillars, forming an effective background
1t is with a feeling of reverence that
approaches the town. and one IS hi!ea
with a sense of love for these wales,
where His voice SO often resounded.
The convent stands on the site believe
by the Franciscans to be that of the an
nunciation. 1t is surrounded by high