brought in, dipped in vinegar or salt water, of which they all tasted. Then the roasted lamb, the unleavened bread, and thank-offering, also of flesh, were served. At the same time, a dish called harosheth—a sauce, prepared of dates, figs and raisins, beaten together was placed on the table. A blessing was now asked upon the fruits of the earth: and the master dipping a piece of the salad, or herb, into the sauce, and eating it, the others followed his example. Then the dishes were all removed from the table, that the children present might inquire the meaning of the celebration, and be instructed by the eldest.† When they were restored, the second cup of wine was drunk, and Psalms 113th and 114th, called the Hallel, or song of praise, were chanted. The unleavened bread was then broken and blessed. After that it was wrapped in a piece of the salad, dipped in the sauce, and eaten. Then followed the blessing on the thank-offering; lastly, on the Paschal lamb, which was now eaten with the bread and the harosheth. At the close of the meal, ablutions were again performed by the master, and thanks given. The third cup of red wine followed, also called the cup of blessing, to which St. Paul refers in his epistle to the Corinthians; and the remainder of the Hallel, from the 115th Psalm to the 118th, was chanted. A fourth cup was drunk,- sometimes a fifth was added, dispersed. and the company * The thank-offering, or Khagigah, was first offered at the Temple, the breast and right shoulder being reserved by the priest as his portion; the owner took the remainder home, to be eaten at the Paschal feast or on the next day. -- HORNE. · † Horne. 1 Cor. 10: 16. During the week that followed, unleavened bread was eaten by the people, and unusual offerings were made by the priests, besides the thank-offerings by families or private individuals. The seven days were past, and the streets of Jerusalem were thronged with departing travellers. Joseph and Mary, with their company, left the city gate, and journeyed homeward. They had seen, no doubt, during the Passover week, many relations and friends from distant places, and enjoyed the pleasant interchange of kindly greetings, hallowed by the influence of the sacred occasion which had brought them together. With much to occupy their minds of all they had seen and heard, they went one day's journey, and at night stopped at a caravansera. Supposing that Jesus was with some of their relatives or acquaintances in the long train of travellers, neither Joseph nor Mary had felt any anxiety at his absence from them during the day. Now night had come, and all their inquiries for him were in vain; no one had seen him, and Mary's heart was overwhelmed with grief. Leaving the company, they returned to Jerusalem, meeting many on their way to their homes, but from none could they gain any tidings of their child. The distressed parents reëntered the city, and hastened to the place where they had lodged, to seek for Jesus. But he was not there. They sought him about the city, but not for three days did they find him. When almost despairing, they turned their steps towards the Temple. There, in one of the chambers used for public instruction, in the midst of learned teachers, they beheld him, asking them questions and listening eagerly to their replies. Other persons had gathered around, filled with wonder at the wisdom of so young a child. Mary at once addressed him," Son, why hast thou dealt so with us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing!" His reply only increased her surprise, as he asked, "How is it that ye sought me ? Know you not that I must be about my me? Father's business?" He wondered that they had not at once looked for him at his Father's house, instead of searching elsewhere for him. Knowing, as they did, his heavenly origin, how could they doubt that to His temple he would at once repair? So intent had he been to learn his heavenly Father's will, that he had forgotten his earthly parents would suffer at his absence, or that his mother would be anxious about him when she knew that his Father in heaven would be always with him. But his earthly parents understood him not, nor did they blame him; but his mother treasured his sayings in her heart. In peace and joy, bringing their treasure with them, they again left the walls of the holy city, and returned to Nazareth. There Jesus was obedient to them, and increased in wisdom, in knowledge and in stature. Two years later, when Jesus was fourteen years of age, an important event occurred in the political world. The long and splendid reign of Augustus Cæsar was terminated by his death; and the care of the empire fell into the hands of his step-son Tiberias, who, for the twenty-two years that followed, made himself renowned for every species of cruelty and tyranny. Little did the men of met in their daily walks. the Lord from heaven. Nazareth think who it was they |