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Wonderful in its significance is the brief record of His early life： 〃The child grew； and waxed strong in spirit； filled with wisdom： and the grace of God was upon Him。〃 In the sunlight of His Father's countenance； Jesus 〃increased in wisdom and stature； and in favor with God and man。〃 Luke 2：52。 His mind was active and penetrating； with a thoughtfulness and wisdom beyond His years。 Yet His character was beautiful in its symmetry。 The powers of mind and body developed gradually； in keeping with the laws of childhood。
As a child； Jesus manifested a peculiar loveliness of disposition。 His willing hands were ever ready to serve others。 He manifested a patience
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that nothing could disturb； and a truthfulness that would never sacrifice integrity。 In principle firm as a rock； His life revealed the grace of unselfish courtesy。
With deep earnestness the mother of Jesus watched the unfolding of His powers； and beheld the impress of perfection upon His character。 With delight she sought to encourage that bright； receptive mind。 Through the Holy Spirit she received wisdom to co…operate with the heavenly agencies in the development of this child； who could claim only God as His Father。
From the earliest times the faithful in Israel had given much care to the education of the youth。 The Lord had directed that even from babyhood the children should be taught of His goodness and His greatness； especially as revealed in His law； and shown in the history of Israel。 Song and prayer and lessons from the Scriptures were to be adapted to the opening mind。 Fathers and mothers were to instruct their children that the law of God is an expression of His character； and that as they received the principles of the law into the heart； the image of God was traced on mind and soul。 Much of the teaching was oral； but the youth also learned to read the Hebrew writings； and the parchment rolls of the Old Testament Scriptures were open to their study。
In the days of Christ the town or city that did not provide for the religious instruction of the young was regarded as under the curse of God。 Yet the teaching had become formal。 Tradition had in a great degree supplanted the Scriptures。 True education would lead the youth to 〃seek the Lord； if haply they might feel after Him； and find Him。〃 Acts 17：27。 But the Jewish teachers gave their attention to matters of ceremony。 The mind was crowded with material that was worthless to the learner； and that would not be recognized in the higher school of the courts above。 The experience which is obtained through a personal acceptance of God's word had no place in the educational system。 Absorbed in the round of externals； the students found no quiet hours to spend with God。 They did not hear His voice speaking to the heart。 In their search after knowledge； they turned away from the Source of wisdom。 The great essentials of the service of God were neglected。 The principles of the law were obscured。 That which was regarded as superior education was the greatest hindrance to real development。 Under the training of the rabbis the powers of the youth were repressed。 Their minds became cramped and narrow。
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The child Jesus did not receive instruction in the synagogue schools。 His mother was His first human teacher。 From her lips and from the scrolls of the prophets； He learned of heavenly things。 The very words which He Himself had spoken to Moses for Israel He was now taught at His mother's knee。 As He advanced from childhood to youth； He did not seek the schools of the rabbis。 He needed not the education to be obtained from such sources； for God was His instructor。
The question asked during the Saviour's ministry； 〃How knoweth this man letters； having never learned？〃 does not indicate that Jesus was unable to read； but merely that He had not received a rabbinical education。 John 7：15。 Since He gained knowledge as we may do； His intimate acquaintance with the Scriptures shows how diligently His early years were given to the study of God's word。 And spread out before Him was the great library of God's created works。 He who had made all things studied the lessons which His own hand had written in earth and sea and sky。 Apart from the unholy ways of the world； He gathered stores of scientific knowledge from nature。 He studied the life of plants and animals； and the life of man。 From His earliest years He was possessed of one purpose； He lived to bless others。 For this He found resources in nature； new ideas of ways and means flashed into His mind as He studied plant life and animal life。 Continually He was seeking to draw from things seen illustrations by which to present the living oracles of God。 The parables by which； during His ministry； He loved to teach His lessons of truth show how open His spirit was to the influences of nature； and how He had gathered the spiritual teaching from the surroundings of His daily life。
Thus to Jesus the significance of the word and the works of God was unfolded； as He was trying to understand the reason of things。 Heavenly beings were His attendants； and the culture of holy thoughts and communings was His。 From the first dawning of intelligence He was constantly growing in spiritual grace and knowledge of truth。
Every child may gain knowledge as Jesus did。 As we try to become acquainted with our heavenly Father through His word； angels will draw near； our minds will be strengthened； our characters will be elevated and refined。 We shall become more like our Saviour。 And as we behold the beautiful and grand in nature； our affections go out after God。 While the spirit is awed； the soul is invigorated by coming in contact with the Infinite through His works。 Communion with God through
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prayer develops the mental and moral faculties； and the spiritual powers strengthen as we cultivate thoughts upon spiritual things。
The life of Jesus was a life in harmony with God。 While He was a child； He thought and spoke as a child； but no trace of sin marred the image of God within Him。 Yet He was not exempt from temptation。 The inhabitants of Nazareth were proverbial for their wickedness。 The low estimate in which they were generally held is shown by Nathanael's question； 〃Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth？〃 John 1：46。 Jesus was placed where His character would be tested。 It was necessary for Him to be constantly on guard in order to preserve His purity。 He was subject to all the conflicts which we have to meet； that He might be an example to us in childhood； youth； and manhood。
Satan was unwearied in his efforts to overcome the Child of Nazareth。 From His earliest years Jesus was guarded by heavenly angels； yet His life was one long struggle against the powers of darkness。 That there should be upon the earth one life free from the defilement of evil was an offense and a perplexity to the prince of darkness。 He left no means untried to ensnare Jesus。 No child of humanity will ever be called to live a holy life amid so fierce a conflict with temptation as was our Saviour。
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The parents of Jesus were poor； and dependent upon their daily toil。 He was familiar with poverty； self…denial； and privation。 This experience was a safeguard to Him。 In His industrious life there were no idle moments to invite temptation。 No aimless hours opened the way for corrupting associations。 So far as possible； He closed the door to the tempter。 Neither gain nor pleasure； applause nor censure； could induce Him to consent to a wrong act。 He was wise to discern evil； and strong to resist it。
Christ was the only sinless one who ever dwelt on earth； yet for nearly thirty years He lived among the wicked inhabitants of Nazareth。 This fact is a rebuke to those who think themselves dependent upon place； fortune； or prosperity； in order to live a blameless life。 Temptation； poverty； adversity； is the very discipline needed to develop purity and firmness。
Jesus lived in a peasant's home； and faithfully and cheerfully acted His part in bearing the burdens of the household。 He had been the Commander of heaven； and angels had delighted to fulfill His word； now He was a willing servant； a loving； obedient son。 He learned a trade； and with His own hands worked in the carpenter's shop with Joseph。 In the simple garb of a common laborer He walked the streets of the little town； going to and returning from His humble work。 He did not employ His divine power to lessen His burdens or to lighten His toil。
As Jesus worked in childhood and youth； mind and body were developed。 He did not use His physical powers recklessly； but in such a way as to keep them in health； that He might do the best work in every line。 He was not willing to be defective； even in the handling of tools。 He was perfect as a workman； as He was perfect in character。 By His own example He taught that it is our duty to be industrious； that our work should be performed with exactness and thoroughness； and that such labor is honorable。 The exercise that teaches the hands to be useful and trains the young to bear their share of life's burdens gives physical strength； and develops ev