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ical strength； and develops every faculty。 All should find something to do that will be beneficial to themselves and helpful to others。 God appointed work as a blessing； and only the diligent worker finds the true glory and joy of life。 The approval of God rests with loving assurance upon children and youth who cheerfully take their part in the duties of the household； sharing the burdens of father and mother。 Such children will go out from the home to be useful members of society。
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Throughout His life on earth； Jesus was an earnest and constant worker。 He expected much； therefore He attempted much。 After He had entered on His ministry； He said； 〃I must work the works of Him that sent Me； while it is day： the night cometh； when no man can work。〃 John 9：4。 Jesus did not shirk care and responsibility； as do many who profess to be His followers。 It is because they seek to evade this discipline that so many are weak and inefficient。 They may possess precious and amiable traits； but they are nerveless and almost useless when difficulties are to be met or obstacles surmounted。 The positiveness and energy； the solidity and strength of character； manifested in Christ are to be developed in us； through the same discipline that He endured。 And the grace that He received is for us。
So long as He lived among men； our Saviour shared the lot of the poor。 He knew by experience their cares and hardships； and He could comfort and encourage all humble workers。 Those who have a true conception of the teaching of His life will never feel that a distinction must be made between classes； that the rich are to be honored above the worthy poor。
Jesus carried into His labor cheerfulness and tact。 It requires much patience and spirituality to bring Bible religion into the home life and into the workshop； to bear the strain of worldly business； and yet keep the eye single to the glory of God。 This is where Christ was a helper。 He was never so full of worldly care as to have no time or thought for heavenly things。 Often He expressed the gladness of His heart by singing psalms and heavenly songs。 Often the dwellers in Nazareth heard His voice raised in praise and thanksgiving to God。 He held communion with heaven in song； and as His companions complained of weariness from labor； they were cheered by the sweet melody from His lips。 His praise seemed to banish the evil angels； and； like incense； fill the place with fragrance。 The minds of His hearers were carried away from their earthly exile； to the heavenly home。
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Jesus was the fountain of healing mercy for the world； and through all those secluded years at Nazareth； His life flowed out in currents of sympathy and tenderness。 The aged； the sorrowing； and the sin…burdened； the children at play in their innocent joy； the little creatures of the groves； the patient beasts of burden；all were happier for His presence。 He whose word of power upheld the worlds would stoop to relieve a wounded bird。 There was nothing beneath His notice； nothing to which He disdained to minister。
Thus as He grew in wisdom and stature； Jesus increased in favor with God and man。 He drew the sympathy of all hearts by showing Himself capable of sympathizing with all。 The atmosphere of hope and courage that surrounded Him made Him a blessing in every home。 And often in the synagogue on the Sabbath day He was called upon to read the lesson from the prophets； and the hearts of the hearers thrilled as a new light shone out from the familiar words of the sacred text。
Yet Jesus shunned display。 During all the years of His stay in Nazareth； He made no exhibition of His miraculous power。 He sought no high position and assumed no titles。 His quiet and simple life； and even the silence of the Scriptures concerning His early years； teach an important lesson。 The more quiet and simple the life of the child；the more free from artificial excitement； and the more in harmony with nature；the more favorable is it to physical and mental vigor and to spiritual strength。
Jesus is our example。 There are many who dwell with interest upon the period of His public ministry； while they pass unnoticed the teaching of His early years。 But it is in His home life that He is the pattern for all children and youth。 The Saviour condescended to poverty； that He might teach how closely we in a humble lot may walk with God。 He lived to please； honor； and glorify His Father in the common things of life。 His work began in consecrating the lowly trade of the craftsmen who toil for their daily bread。 He was doing God's service just as much when laboring at the carpenter's bench as when working miracles for the multitude。 And every youth who follows Christ's example of faithfulness and obedience in His lowly home may claim those words spoken of Him by the Father through the Holy Spirit； 〃Behold My Servant； whom I uphold； Mine Elect； in whom My soul delighteth。〃 Isa。 42：1。
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Chapter 8
The Passover Visit
Among the Jews the twelfth year was the dividing line between childhood and youth。 On completing this year a Hebrew boy was called a son of the law； and also a son of God。 He was given special opportunities for religious instruction； and was expected to participate in the sacred feasts and observances。 It was in accordance with this custom that Jesus in His boyhood made the Passover visit to Jerusalem。 Like all devout Israelites； Joseph and Mary went up every year to attend the Passover； and when Jesus had reached the required age； they took Him with them。
There were three annual feasts； the Passover； the Pentecost； and the Feast of Tabernacles； at which all the men of Israel were commanded to appear before the Lord at Jerusalem。 Of these feasts the Passover was the most largely attended。 Many were present from all countries where the Jews were scattered。 From every part of Palestine the worshipers came in great numbers。 The journey from Galilee occupied several days； and the travelers united in large companies for companionship and protection。 The women and aged men rode upon oxen or asses over the steep
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and rocky roads。 The stronger men and the youth journeyed on foot。 The time of the Passover corresponded to the close of March or the beginning of April； and the whole land was bright with flowers； and glad with the song of birds。 All along the way were spots memorable in the history of Israel； and fathers and mothers recounted to their children the wonders that God had wrought for His people in ages past。 They beguiled their journey with song and music； and when at last the towers of Jerusalem came into view； every voice joined in the triumphant strain；
〃Our feet shall stand Within thy gates； O Jerusalem。 。 。 。 Peace be within thy walls； And prosperity within thy palaces。〃 Ps。 122： 2…7。
The observance of the Passover began with the birth of the Hebrew nation。 On the last night of their bondage in Egypt； when there appeared
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no token of deliverance； God commanded them to prepare for an immediate release。 He had warned Pharaoh of the final judgment on the Egyptians； and He directed the Hebrews to gather their families within their own dwellings。 Having sprinkled the doorposts with the blood of the slain lamb； they were to eat the lamb； roasted； with unleavened bread and bitter herbs。 〃And thus shall ye eat it；〃 He said； 〃with your loins girded； your shoes on your feet； and your staff in your hand； and ye shall eat it in haste： it is the Lord's passover。〃 Ex。 12：11。 At midnight all the first…born of the Egyptians were slain。 Then the king sent to Israel the message； 〃Rise up； and get you forth from among my people； 。 。 。 and go； serve the Lord； as ye have said。〃 Ex。 12：31。 The Hebrews went out from Egypt an independent nation。 The Lord had commanded that the Passover should be yearly kept。 〃It shall come to pass；〃 He said； 〃when your children shall say unto you； What mean ye by this service？ that ye shall say； It is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover； who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt； when He smote the Egyptians。〃 Thus from generation to generation the story of this wonderful deliverance was to be repeated。
The Passover was followed by the seven days' feast of unleavened bread。 On the second day of the feast； the first fruits of the year's harvest； a sheaf of barley； was presented before the Lord。 All the ceremonies of the feast were types of the work of Christ。 The deliverance of Israel from Egypt was an object lesson of redemption； which the Passover was intended to keep in memory。 The slain lamb； the unleavened bread； the sheaf of first fruits； represented the Saviour。
With most of the people in the days of Christ； the observance of this feast had degenerated into formalism。 But what was its significance to the Son of God！
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For the first time the child Jesus looked upon the temple。