Evening star., 1918-08-03
BY REV. HUGH r. STEVENSON.

| Christian life starts, but does not
| end with conversion. The beginning
| of the new life is without spiritual
strength. THE carrying on of the di-
vine life toward perfection calls for
a growth in grace and in the knowl-
| edge of the Lord. Christian develop
ment follows along the fourfold
| growth of Jesus, who during the
| silent years of His life grew INTEL
leectually. physically. spiritually and
| socially. The process Of Christianiz-
| ing a Christian starts with fegenera-
J ton, continues throughout life until
the fullest completion and perfection
| of character is attained. The Chris
tian's growth does not end with
death, but continues in the lie De-
yond the grave.
| Crises mark the pathway of every
life. Possibly the great crisis OF
every life comes at the period OF ado
| lescence, when person awakes to
| sense of life's powers and possi-
| bi,ities. relations and responsible
| ties" Jesus had reached that hour
| when He made his first visit to the
| temple at Jerusalem. 1t was an
| epochaI hour in His life when ne LETT
| the secluded yet stirring village OF
Nazareth, where the I'M impissss1S .wna pnevt ~
and its school. had helped mold al.
| character. The surrounding scenery
that one can see from the brow OF
| the hill south of Nazareth must nave
frequently impressed ana ass to inspiFso Isl Es.
d,sn arss,on % rises from it's southern edge
| t,,a ron,ntair land of central Pal
est;ne Mount Carmel closes the val
I lev upon the west. On the east .ne
rich. fertile plain Is closed py Mount
Tabor, Mount MGreh neso- ersnnn snnnem mnUsd sssd
JezreeD and Mount Gilboa-
While Jesus must have been I'M
nressed and Influenced by His knowl'
edbe of the satslselds aas H1shs 81 safaf ali
Srowth, find in the home, the cafpen.
| ter shop. where the growing Doy
learned His trade and came into per
sonal contact with the commerce, cuh.
world, and in His study OF the 0io
Testament, the great factors in HE
marvellous development He was reeay
when He entered Jerusalem after the the
eenters Of history TO become "a son OF
the commandment"
The temple, with it's services, be-
came at once the center OF attraction
1 to Jesus 'In the midst OF the doc
tors" He found the opportunity that
| He had long desired. not only to heal
their expositions. but to question them
upon some Of the truths that were
already finding a clear conception in
His growing life and thought The
establishment of the doctors OF the
! law "at His understanding and An.
swers'' proves that Jesus surpassed
| the ordinary youths in His knowledge
| and religious interest
| Few verses of the gospel narratives
better repay meditation than those OF
the lesson which record the develop
ment Of Christ. The religious crisis
| in His life may have come during His
visit to Jerusalem. The mental up,
turning that accompanies the physical
transformation during the adolescent
period is peculiarly favorable to life
decisions in matters of religion. It is
time when most persons settle their
relations to Christ and the church.
The answer of Jesus to the question
of His mother furnishes the keynote
of His life. It is the first recorded
utterance of the Master and like His
last message, it's central theme tS the
fatherhood of God.
The reply Of Christ, twist ye not
that must be about my Fathers
business? proves that the call for Him
to do the will and work OF His Father
had received an affirmative answer.
The words 10y Father stand In d.
Lrect contrast to.1HordSAo6 Ht0>nnoeheE