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d with sorrow the trials brought upon Him in His childhood and youth。 By her vindication of what she knew to be right in His conduct； she herself was brought into trying positions。 She looked upon the associations of the home； and the mother's tender watchcare over her children； as of vital importance in the formation of character。 The sons and daughters of Joseph knew this； and by appealing to her anxiety； they tried to correct the practices of Jesus according to their standard。
Mary often remonstrated with Jesus； and urged Him to conform to the usages of the rabbis。 But He could not be persuaded to change His habits of contemplating the works of God and seeking to alleviate the suffering of men or even of dumb animals。 When the priests and teachers required Mary's aid in controlling Jesus； she was greatly troubled； but peace came to her heart as He presented the statements of Scripture upholding His practices。
At times she wavered between Jesus and His brothers； who did not believe that He was the Sent of God； but evidence was abundant that His was a divine character。 She saw Him sacrificing Himself for the good of others。 His presence brought a purer atmosphere into the home； and His life was as leaven working amid the elements of society。 Harmless and undefiled； He walked among the thoughtless； the rude； the uncourteous； amid the unjust publicans； the reckless prodigals； the unrighteous Samaritans； the heathen soldiers； the rough peasants； and the mixed multitude。 He spoke a word of sympathy here and a word there； as He saw men weary； yet compelled to bear heavy burdens。 He shared their burdens； and repeated to them the lessons He had learned from nature； of the love； the kindness； the goodness of God。
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He taught all to look upon themselves as endowed with precious talents； which if rightly employed would secure for them eternal riches。 He weeded all vanity from life； and by His own example taught that every moment of time is fraught with eternal results； that it is to be cherished as a treasure； and to be employed for holy purposes。 He passed by no human being as worthless； but sought to apply the saving remedy to every soul。 In whatever company He found Himself； He presented a lesson that was appropriate to the time and the circumstances。 He sought to inspire with hope the most rough and unpromising； setting before them the assurance that they might become blameless and harmless； attaining such a character as would make them manifest as the children of God。 Often He met those who had drifted under Satan's control； and who had no power to break from his snare。 To such a one； discouraged； sick； tempted； and fallen； Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity； words that were needed and could be understood。 Others
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He met who were fighting a hand…to…hand battle with the adversary of souls。 These He encouraged to persevere； assuring them that they would win； for angels of God were on their side； and would give them the victory。 Those whom He thus helped were convinced that here was One in whom they could trust with perfect confidence。 He would not betray the secrets they poured into His sympathizing ear。
Jesus was the healer of the body as well as of the soul。 He was interested in every phase of suffering that came under His notice； and to every sufferer He brought relief； His kind words having a soothing balm。 None could say that He had worked a miracle； but virtuethe healing power of lovewent out from Him to the sick and distressed。 Thus in an unobtrusive way He worked for the people from His very childhood。 And this was why； after His public ministry began； so many heard Him gladly。
Yet through childhood； youth； and manhood； Jesus walked alone。 In His purity and His faithfulness； He trod the wine press alone； and of the people there was none with Him。 He carried the awful weight of responsibility for the salvation of men。 He knew that unless there was a decided change in the principles and purposes of the human race； all would be lost。 This was the burden of His soul； and none could appreciate the weight that rested upon Him。 Filled with intense purpose； He carried out the design of His life that He Himself should be the light of men。
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Chapter 10
The Voice in the Wilderness
From among the faithful in Israel； who had long waited for the coming of the Messiah； the forerunner of Christ arose。 The aged priest Zacharias and his wife Elisabeth were 〃both righteous before God；〃 and in their quiet and holy lives the light of faith shone out like a star amid the darkness of those evil days。 To this godly pair was given the promise of a son； who should 〃go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways。〃
Zacharias dwelt in 〃the hill country of Judea；〃 but he had gone up to Jerusalem to minister for one week in the temple； a service required twice a year from the priests of each course。 〃And it came to pass； that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course； according to the custom of the priest's office； his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord。〃
He was standing before the golden altar in the holy place of the sanctuary。 The cloud of incense with the prayers of Israel was ascending before God。 Suddenly he became conscious of a divine presence。 An angel of the Lord was 〃standing on the right side of the altar。〃 The position of the angel was an indication of favor； but Zacharias took no
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note of this。 For many years he had prayed for the coming of the Redeemer； now heaven had sent its messenger to announce that these prayers were about to be answered； but the mercy of God seemed too great for him to credit。 He was filled with fear and self…condemnation。
But he was greeted with the joyful assurance： 〃Fear not； Zacharias： for thy prayer is heard； and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son； and thou shalt call his name John。 And thou shalt have joy and gladness； and many shall rejoice at his birth。 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord； and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink； and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost。 。 。 。 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God。 And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias； to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children； and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just； to make ready a people prepared for the Lord。 And Zacharias said unto the angel； Whereby shall I know this？ for I am an old man； and my wife well stricken in years。〃
Zacharias well knew how to Abraham in his old age a child was given because he believed Him faithful who had promised。 But for a moment the aged priest turns his thought to the weakness of humanity。 He forgets that what God has promised； He is able to perform。 What a contrast between this unbelief and the sweet； childlike faith of Mary； the maiden of Nazareth； whose answer to the angel's wonderful announcement was； 〃Behold the handmaid of the Lord； be it unto me according to thy word〃！ L