ver, and they usually took their wives with them, and such of their children as were twelve years old. And when the young people were thirteen, their parents took them again, to be examined and confirmed by the Doctors.

When JESUS was twelve years old,

he went up to Jerusalem, at the Passover, with his mother and Joseph; but instead of returning with them, he stayed behind. As soon as they missed him, they went back to Jerusalem, and, after searching for him three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the Doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. And all the Doctors were astonished at his understand

ing and answers, for he was able to explain the Laws of GOD far better than the most learned Doctors themselves, because he was the Son of GOD, and taught by his Heavenly FATHER.

After this, JESUS went back to Nazareth with Joseph and Mary, and was subject to them, that he might set an example to children to be dutiful to their parents.

Map of Canaan, 3 H.

AND it came to pass, many years after JESUS Conversed with the Doctors at Jerusalem, the time being at hand for him to appear as CHRIST the SON

OF GOD, that John the Son of Zacharias, being commanded of GOD to enter on his office as the Messenger of the LORD, went forth preaching in the wilderness of Judea,* and saying, Repent ye, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

And John was clothed like the prophets of old, in a coarse garment made of camel's hair, fastened with a leathern girdle; and instead of dainty food, his meat was locusts, a kind of large grasshopper, and honey, made by wild bees, in the clefts of rocks or hollow trees.

And great multitudes of people went out to hear John; and all such as con

* Map of Canaan. A 2.

fessed themselves to be sinners, and

promised to amend their lives, he baptised in the River JORDAN,* in token that their sins were forgiven. Many people thought that John was himself the CHRIST; but he said unto them all, I, indeed, baptize you with water unto Repentance, but there cometh one after me, whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. He shall baptize you with the HOLY GHOST, and with fire. He will gather the good people together, as a husbandman gathers the wheat into his barn to be preserved; and will condemn the wicked to unquenchable