JOSEPH AND JESUS.

was now ruling as king in Jerusalem. So they went farther on to the little city of Nazareth, high up among the hills of Galilee, where Joseph and Mary had lived before.

Here they made their home, and here Mary's dear boy, Jesus, the the Son of God, grew up to manhood. He was loving, helpful and obedient, perfect in all His ways. He was full of wisdom and the grace of God was in Him.

"For a Child is born to us,

Müller. and a Son is given to us, and the government is upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace."

Isaias 9:6.

ago, some small frail boats were slowly approaching this island. Seated in the little skiffs were twelve brave, daring men with a young Irish prince, the good St. Columba, who was their leader.

These monks had come over the sea from Ireland, to preach the Gospel of Christ to all the savage tribes in the North, who were still in the darkness of heathenism.

In those days, Ireland was the center of learning and of education. There were numerous churches, schools and libraries in this beautiful land. The church in Ireland was a great light shining like a star in the midst of the heathen world. Thousands of young men were educated in her schools free of

missionaries. He and his twelve disciples had left their native land, and had braved the stormy sea in little wicker boats covered with skins.

They now drew the boats up on the beach and began the work of making a home in this wild, lonely place. There is a glen on the island where they found ivy growing all over the rocks. The ivy twigs they wove into a basket work for the sides of their houses.

The little church was made of oak planks, and was thatched with reeds. The monks began to till the soil, and to raise grain and fruit, and soon they built a granary in which to store their harvests. Day after day they labored in the fields earning their own living, and teaching the people many kinds of useful work.

journeys, they used the same little boats, made of a wicker frame covered with skins. The fishermen in Wales still use boats like these.

The good monks spent much time in studying the Bible and in copying the Gospels and Psalms. For in those days there were no printed books. Every page had to be carefully copied by hand. It is said that the monks at Iona alone made more than three hundred copies of the Gospels, besides copies of many other very precious books.

It was not long before St. Columba's work was widely known, and Iona, "the Holy Isle," became the center of learning in all that part of Europe. Many learned men came to visit this great Christian teacher and to listen to his words of wisdom.

To him came the poor, also, and all who were in

savage tribes,

always in every place teaching the gospel lessons of charity and peace.

This part of Scotland is very hilly; it is called "The Highlands." In the valleys between the mountains, there are many lakes and small streams. The woods on the lower slopes of the mountains are bright with flowers; pinks, bluebells, violets and primroses.

As St. Columba glided in his skiff over these lovely lakes he could look up at the mountains high above, and think of God who made them. Perhaps he repeated verses from the Psalms which he loved,

"I have lifted my eyes to the mountains from whence help shall come to me. My help is from the Lord who