asleep on a bench.  The storm thundered over his head, the masts cracked, but he slept peacefully.  Mary bent over him, and climbed on to the bench so that they might not be hurled apart.  She would let him sleep on, what could a mother’s love do more?  But Joseph thought it time to be prepared, and so they woke him.  He stood on the deck and looked out into the wild confusion.  He saw the moon fly from one wall of mist to the other, he saw dark monsters shoot up from the roaring abyss, and throw themselves on the ship with a crashing noise, and turn it on its side so that the masts almost touched the surface of the water, while birds of prey hovered above.  The ship heaved from its inmost recesses, and cracked from end to end as if it would burst.  Jesus, pale-faced, his eyes sparkling with delight, held on to the railing.  Joseph and Mary tried to protect him.  He thrust them back, and without ceasing to gaze at the awful splendour, said:  “Let me alone!  Don’t you see that I’m with my Father?”

It is written of him that he is the only man who had no father on earth, and so he sought and found Him in heaven.

Others who saw the youth that night became almost calm in spite of their terror.  If he is not afraid for his young life, is ours so much more valuable?  And then, whether to conquer or to fail, they went to work with more courage to steer the ship, to mend the tackle with tow, to bale out the water, until gradually the storm subsided.  When day dawned Jesus was still gazing with delight at the open sea, where he had watched the struggle of winds and waves of light and darkness.  At last he had found it—­light both within and without!  The helmsman blew his horn, and announced, “Land in sight!” Far away over the dark-green water shone the cliffs of Joppa.

When the ship was safely steered through the high cliffs into the harbour, our family landed in order to journey thence to Jerusalem on foot.  For it was the time of the Passover, and it was many years since Joseph had celebrated it in Solomon’s Temple.  The feast—­a memorial of the deliverance from Egypt—­had now a double meaning for him.  So he wished to make this detour to the royal city on his way to his native Galilee, and especially that, after their sojourn in the land of the heathen, he might introduce Jesus to the public worship of the chosen people.  Joseph and Mary clasped each other’s hands in quiet joy when they were once again journeying through their native land, breathing its fresh air, seeing the well-known plants and creatures, hearing the familiar tongue.  Jesus remained calm.  If he found any childish memories there, they would be of the king who had persecuted him.  He could regard the land with calm impartiality.  And when he saw his parents so glad to be at home again, he thought how strange it was that lifeless earth should have so much power over the heart.  Does not the Heavenly Father hold the whole earth in his hand?  Does not man carry his home within his own bosom?