Disgusted and outraged by this barbarous sight, Jesus, the boy, stole away from the side of His parents, and sought the remote chambers and corridors of the Temple where were to be found the great teachers of the Law and of the Kaballah, surrounded by their students.  Here the boy sat and listened to the teachings and disputations of the teachers and exponents of the doctrines.  From one group to another He wandered, and listened, and pondered, and thought.  He compared the teachings, and submitted the various ideas to the touchstone of the truth as He found it within His own mind.  The hours rapidly passed by unnoticed by the boy, who found Himself amidst such congenial environments for the first time.  The talks with the travelers of the caravans paled into insignificance when compared with these of the great occult teachers of Israel.  For be it remembered that it was the custom of the great teachers of that day to so instruct those who were attracted to their company.  And Jerusalem being the centre of the culture and learning of Israel, the great teachers dwelt there.  And so it will be seen that Jesus now found Himself at the very fountain-head of the Hebrew Secret Doctrines, and in the actual presence of the great teachers.

On the third day, there began a breaking-up of the vast gathering of the two million of people who had made the pilgrimage to the Holy City.  Those poorer in purse were the first to leave, after the obligatory rites of the first two days had been performed.  And Joseph and Mary were among those preparing to retrace their steps to their distant homes.  Their friends and neighbors gathered together, and the preparations for the return were completed.  But at the last moment, the parents discovered that the boy, Jesus, was missing.  They were alarmed, but friends told them that their boy had been seen in the company of kinsmen and neighbors traveling along the same road, who had preceded them but a few hours.  Somewhat reassured, the parents left with their company, hoping that they would overtake the boy before nightfall.  But when they reached the first station on the caravan route—­a village called Beroth—­and the night descended upon them, and the boy failed to appear among the neighbors and kinsmen, the parents were sorely distressed.  They slept but little that night, and when the first rays of dawn appeared, they parted from the company, and retraced their way back to Jerusalem, in search of the boy apparently lost in the great capital amid the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.

Every mother and father will enter into the feelings of Joseph and Mary in their frantic return to the city, and in their subsequent search for the lost child.  They inquired here and there for the boy, but not a trace of him was found.  And night came without a ray of hope.  And the next day was likewise barren of results.  And the next day after.  For three days the devoted parents searched high and low for their beloved child—­but no word of encouragement came to them.  The boy had seemingly dropped out of sight in the vast crowds and winding streets.  The parents reproached themselves for their lack of care and caution.  None but a parent can imagine their anguish and terror.