a distance from Jerusalem, and provisions, and beasts of burden to carry whatever was necessary. In short, they would form a caravan; such as those which now travel from place to place in eastern countries, about which you have doubtless read. This is a more convenient, and a far safer mode of travelling in those countries, than travelling alone. So many people together can help each other, and defend each other against robbers. I suppose then, that it was with such a caravan, or large company of travellers, that the parents of Jesus went up from Nazareth to Jerusalem, at the time of the story.

And what was that time? Listen to the next sentence. "And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast." It was when Jesus was twelve years old, that he went up with his parents to the feast of the passover, according to the Jewish custom. But why did he go particularly at that age? Because it was at the age of twelve, that the Jewish children were especially instructed in the ceremonies of the Jewish religion, and that they began to take part in the festivals, and to be considered as strictly under the Jewish law. According to this custom, therefore, it was, that Jesus went up at this time to the feast of the passover.

The history goes on to say, that, "when they had fulfilled the days," that is, when they had finished the religious duties of the seven days of the feast," as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it." Jesus was so old and so prudent, that his parents permitted him, it is likely, to go about, without their always going with him; and when they left Jerusalem, they supposed that he would know it, and would join himself to their caravan. So they were not troubled when they set out, although they did not see him. They supposed him to be somewhere in the company of townspeople and friends who made up the caravan, and so they went on toward Nazareth a whole day's journey. But when evening came, they began to be surprised that he did not appear; for they supposed that now, as the whole company had halted for the night, he would come to their tent. They felt uneasy, and went about anxiously among the tents of their relations and acquaintance, hoping to find him there. "And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him." Thus two days were spent ; for as they had travelled a day's journey from Jerusalem, it took then another day to get back again. But on the next day, or, as the account says, " after three days," they found him.

Do you not think they felt glad when they found him? Indeed they must have felt very glad. You have heard, or perhaps you have known of parents losing their children for a time; and how grieved and distressed they are all that time, looking about every where, and fancying all kinds of terrible accidents. And you know how happy they are at last when their children are found. Just so must the parents of Jesus have felt happy, when they found him at Jerusalem.

You know where they found him. Not among idle companions, but "in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors," or teachers of the Jewish law and religion, "both hearing them, and asking them questions." He was so much engaged in learning all he could from the wise men of his nation, that he had not thought "of other things; and probably this was the reason that he had not joined the caravan of Nazareth, when it departed from Jerusalem.

This scene, of the child Jesus in the temple, is. sometimes called "Christ disputing with the doctors." But I think it is improper to call it so, and gives a wrong idea of his conduct at that time. The Bible does not say that he disputed with the doctors, but that he heard them, and asked them questions.

When he was older, indeed, he did dispute with them, and found fault with them; but now that he was a child, he sat modestly among them, and heard them attentively, and asked them questions, when it was proper to do so. His questions were so wise, and his answers so full of sense, that "all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."

His parents were amazed also; and his mother, though she was so glad to find him, could not help telling him how much they had suffered in missing him ; and so she said to him, "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." Jesus, who knew what an important work he had to do for his Heavenly Father, answered, "Why did ye seek me? Do ye not know that I must be about my Father's business?" We are told that his parents did not fully understand this answer; which is not surprising, for they did not understand what he was going to be.

But now that Jesus knew his parents wished him to return home with them, he was very willing to go; for he was perfectly obedient to them. "And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them."

My children, I wish you to observe particularly

these last words;-he "was subject unto them." Jesus was subject to his parents; that is, he minded all they said, and assisted them all he could, and obeyed them. Obedience to parents, as I have told you in a former sermon-is an important duty, and an excellent virtue; and here you have an example of it in Jesus. Remember that Jesus, when he was young, obeyed his parents. He no doubt knew by heart that commandment, which says, "Honor thy father and thy mother." And he not only knew it, but he kept it. Will you not also keep it, my children? Only think how much you do when you obey your good and careful parents. You not only obey them, but you obey God, by keeping one of his commandments; and you not only do this, but you follow the example of your Saviour, who, when he was a child, was subject unto his parents. And if you are required to work for them, to work with your hands, never be afraid or ashamed to work; for Jesus, when he was young, labored for his parents; and you ought not to be ashamed to do what he did. His parents were poor. Joseph was a mechanic-a carpenter. There is no doubt, therefore, that Jesus, as he was subject to his parents, labored for them. You do not suppose that his dignity or his real glory was made less by