east of
the Passover, and there for the first time he saw the holy city
Jerusalem, and the Temple of the Lord on Mount Moriah. Young as he was,
his soul was stirred, as he walked among the courts of the Temple and
saw the altar with its smoking sacrifice, the priests in their white
robes, and the Levites with their silver trumpets. Though a boy, Jesus
began to feel that he was the Son of God, and that this was his Father's
house.

[Illustration: _Sitting in a company of the doctors of the law_]

His heart was so filled with the worship of the Temple, with the words
of the scribes or teachers whom he heard in the courts, and with his own
thoughts, that when it was time to go home to Nazareth, he stayed
behind, held fast by his love for the house of the Lord. The company of
people who were traveling together was large, and at first he was not
missed. But when night came and the boy Jesus could not be found, his
mother was alarmed. The next day Joseph and Mary left their company and
hastened back to Jerusalem. They did not at first think to go to the
Temple. They sought him among their friends and kindred who were living
in the city, but could not find him.

On the third day, they went up to the Temple with heavy hearts, still
looking for their boy. And there they found him sitting in a company of
the doctors of the law, listening to their words and asking them
questions. Everybody who stood near was surprised to find how deep was
the knowledge of this boy in the word of the Lord.

His mother spoke to him a little sharply, for she felt that her son had
not been thoughtful of his duty. She said: "Child, why have you treated
us in this way? Do you not know that your father and I have been looking
for you with troubled hearts?"

"Why did you seek for me," said Jesus. "Did you not know that I must be
in my Father's house?"

They did not understand these words; but Mary thought often about them
afterward; for she felt her son was no common child, and that his words
had a deep meaning. Though Jesus was wise beyond his years, he obeyed
Joseph and his mother in all things. He went with them to Nazareth, and
lived contented with the plain life of their country home.

As the years went on, Jesus grew from a boy to a young man. He grew,
too, in knowledge, and in wisdom, and in the favor of God. He won the
love of all who knew him, for there was something in his nature that
drew all hearts, both young and old.

Jesus learned