The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

I've took off my hat just with thinking
of He
At the same work as me.
lie warn't that set up that He could
mt stoop down
And work in the country for folks In
the town,
And I'll warrant He felt a bit pride,
like I've done,
At a good job begun.
ST thinks of as how not the parson
hissen,
As is teacher and father and shepherd
of men,
Not he knows as much of the Lord in
that shed,
Where he earned his own bread"
The Boy at Church.
All that the country boys first visit
adays, and far more, the journey to
Jerusalem which the boy Jesus made
in this twelfth year meant to him. It
was great event not only because of
the new experiences involved, and be-
cause the adventure of it all, but also
because he had become a "son of the
law and obliged to join with his
parents and neighbOrs in the yearly
pilgrimage to the Passover feast. This
was the great social and religious
event Of the year. Groups of friends
and neighbors set out at the same
time for the journey. 1t was all sim
pie and primitive, and so different
from our modern travel that we
scarcely Cali understand II. NOW InaC
railways are threading Palestine and
the old ways are departing, it will be
more difficult than ever to visualize
this company of peasants tramping
songfully over the hills, most of them
afoot, a few on donkeys and all i'm
peded with very little luggage Their
own simple wants, and the hospital
ity of the time made travel a matter
of no great expense or difficulty.
We can imagine the boy Jesus
CT L.
the darting lizards; admiring the lus-
trOus, velvety black of the native
flower which is today called Aaron's
Rod; studying the clumps and hedges
of cactus; watching with wide-eyed
interest the Sinking jackal, and en-
joying the new faces and interests of
every wayside halt. While the grown
folk gathered about the daily fire and
exchanged news, he listened in wide
cared silence. His sweet voice Joined
with enthusiasm in the chanting of
the appropriate Psalms of Ascent, as
they drew near the Holy City
No eyes looked more eagerly and
Wonder1nSly upon the great temple as
they saw 1t gliStening in the sunlight
and as they entered the borders of its
than this unnoticed boy to
whom 1t meant his Fathers house. In
all of his world there was nothing to
with the magnificent temple
or with this vast concourse of wor-
Shipping people.
The temple of Jesus time was more
IKE the MohaInmedan mosque or orr
entail temple, than like the modern
It was not one closed build
ing, with worship at stated intervals
In its great courts trading was carried
on, IN order to meet the needs of the
pilgrims, just as today one buys Mecca
oeads In the courts of the Mosque of
Rahbis and the lodging of the priests
as well as the place of worship.
boy LOST
None OF the two million or more
persons at this Passover feast under
STOOD how fascinating to this boy was
t than for the meetings with relatives
and the Assip about the daily meal.
All the interests Of his life concentrat-
20 upon this great center of his ma
ions worship. A trusted boy, he was
permitted to range widely by his fam
ly; SO when the homeward journey
was begun he was not at first missed.
The distressed family later returned
ana found him in the temple, where
upon the agitated mother reproved the
BOY, only to hear the amazing reply,
Which even her ears could not compre-
1end, "W1st ye not that I must be i'll
ny others house"
That is a tragic hour, when a child
realizes higher responsibility than
as responsibility to his parents. It
s a sacred hour also, and one not to
De hastened or postponed for it means.
,hough parents do not always so I'M
1erstand it, that the child has become
L man. Jesus in truth became on thar
visit a 'son of the law" Thenceforth,
he will of the Father for his life took
more definite form. How far into the
future did those lustrous wondering
yes peer?
A Boys Great Question.
fd1nlllar pictures represent the boy
'esus as teaching in the temple-a sort |
II boy wonder" laying down the law
% MS elders. I suppose in this some |
ok find their warrant for those in
siderable prigs. 'fthe boy preachers"
The picture is not supported by the I
ext The attitude Of Jesus was one
correct for a respectful, in /
crested, inquiring boy.
They found him in the temple, sit I
ing In the midst of the doctors, both !
fearing them and asking them ques-
ions He was properly deferential to
lis elders. He frankly wanted to know
many things. and so availed himself
L the privilege of asking questions,
which belonged to everybody in that
ime and place. How full of inquiries
his onei The mind of Jesus must
ave lusted to know more about his
lation, about the expected Messiah.
nd about the coming kingdom, as laid
own IN the law. His own understand
ng, and the answers he made to the
uestions which these interested thee
9gians put to him, astonished every
ody.
Greatest OF all the wonders in this
tory is that knowing all he knew, con-
cious to some degree at least of his
niQue mission and of his peculiar re-
alton to the Father. and of the fact
hat he was not understood by those
lose to him in the flesh, he nevertne-
ass went down with them and came
D Nazareth and he was subject unto |
hem.' This Wond erful self-subordina-
ION may be dinnly giimpsed by the
reat company of hrst-rate workers
tho are subject to second-rate super
,r officers. Thus early, Jesus emptied
imseIf hnd made himself of no repu-