They visited the many courts of the Temple many times, but no sight or word of the boy rewarded their search.  The bloody altars, the showy costumes of the priests; the chants; the readings; seemed like mockery to them.  They wished themselves back in their humble village, with their boy by their side.  They prayed and besought Jehovah to grant their hopes and desire, but no answer came.

Then, on the last day, a strange event occurred.  The weary and heart broken parents wandered once more into the Temple—­this time visiting one of the less frequented courts.  They saw a crowd gathered—­something of importance was occurring.  Almost instinctively they drew near to the crowd.  And then amidst the unusual silence of the people they heard a boyish voice raised to a pitch adapted to a large circle of hearers, and speaking in the tones of authority.  It was the voice of the boy, Jesus!

With eager feet the couple pushed forward, unto the very inner row of the circle.  And there, wonder of wonders, they saw their child in the centre of the most celebrated teachers and doctors of the Law in all Israel.  With a rapt expression in his eyes, as if He were gazing upon things not of this world, the boy Jesus was standing in a position and attitude of authority, and around him were grouped the greatest minds of the day and land, in respectful attention, while at a further distance stood the great circle of the common people.

When one remembers the Jewish racial trait of reverence for age, and the consequent submission of Youth, one will better understand the unusual spectacle that burst upon the gaze of Joseph and Mary.  A mere boy—­a child—­daring to even speak boldly in the presence of the aged teachers was unheard of, and the thought of such a one actually presuming to dispute, argue and teach, in such an assembly, was like unto a miracle.  And such it was!

The boy spoke with the air and in the tones of a Master.  He met the most subtle arguments and objections of the Elders with the power of the keenest intellect and spiritual insight.  He brushed aside the sophistries with a contemptuous phrase, and brought back the argument to the vital point.

The crowd gathered in greater volume, the gray heads and beards grew more and more respectful.  It was evident to all that a Master had arisen in Israel in the form of a boy of thirteen.  The MASTER was apparent in tone, gesture, and thought.  The Mystic had found his first audience, and his congregation was composed of the leading thinkers and teachers of the land.  The insight of the Magi was verified!

Then in a momentary pause in the argument, the stifled cry of a woman was heard—­the voice of the Mother.  The crowd turned impatient, reproachful glances upon Mary, who had been unable to restrain her emotion.  But the boy, looking sadly but affectionately at his lost parents, gave her a reassuring glance, which at the same time bade her remain still until he had finished his discourse.  And the parents obeyed the newly awakened will of their child.