parkling with delight, held on to the railing. Joseph and Mary
tried to protect him. He thrust them back, and without ceasing to gaze
at the awful splendour, said: "Let me alone! Don't you see that I'm
with my Father?"

It is written of him that he is the only man who had no father on
earth, and so he sought and found Him in heaven.

Others who saw the youth that night became almost calm in spite of
their terror. If he is not afraid for his young life, is ours so much
more valuable? And then, whether to conquer or to fail, they went to
work with more courage to steer the ship, to mend the tackle with tow,
to bale out the water, until gradually the storm subsided. When day
dawned Jesus was still gazing with delight at the open sea, where he
had watched the struggle of winds and waves of light and darkness. At
last he had found it--light both within and without! The helmsman blew
his horn, and announced, "Land in sight!" Far away over the dark-green
water shone the cliffs of Joppa.

When the ship was safely steered through the high cliffs into the
harbour, our family landed in order to journey thence to Jerusalem on
foot. For it was the time of the Passover, and it was many years since
Joseph had celebrated it in Solomon's Temple. The feast--a memorial of
the deliverance from Egypt--had now a double meaning for him. So he
wished to make this _detour_ to the royal city on his way to his native
Galilee, and especially that, after their sojourn in the land of the
heathen, he might introduce Jesus to the public worship of the chosen
people. Joseph and Mary clasped each other's hands in quiet joy when
they were once again journeying through their native land, breathing
its fresh air, seeing the well-known plants and creatures, hearing the
familiar tongue. Jesus remained calm. If he found any childish
memories there, they would be of the king who had persecuted him. He
could regard the land with calm impartiality. And when he saw his
parents so glad to be at home again, he thought how strange it was that
lifeless earth should have so much power over the heart. Does not the
Heavenly Father hold the whole earth in his hand? Does not man carry
his home within his own bosom?

Their possessions were tied on to the back of a camel, and they trudged
cheerfully after it. Joseph carried an axe at his waist in order to
defend them from attacks, but he only had occasion to try it on the
blocks of wood that lay in t