Order of Bees
Ritual of the Second Degree - Thrift
In ante-room, one Colony Watchman, with Humble Bee—gives two raps on Colony
door—answered by three raps—answered by one rap. Enters Colony Hall as door
is opened.
1912
Colony Hall and ante-room to be in complete darkness. Watchman with candidate
proceeds into the hall.
Watchman, after two minutes interval: Mighty King Bee, darkness
overwhelms us, and we see no prospects of light.
King Bee: Keep striving, Brother.
Watchman continues walking.
Watchman: Mighty King Bee, we are almost exhausted in our attempts
to find the light, so that our walk will be easier.
King Bee: Never give up, Brother, remember it is always darkest
just before dawn.
In a short interval the light is turned on.
Watchman: Ah, the light, now our path will be easier. Conducts
candidate to Noble Bee, business to be conducted personally.
After completion, watchman conducts candidate back to noble Bee.
Thrift
Noble Bee: Thrift implies frugality, economy, good management,
prudence, carefulness. We should say it means these things in all the walks of
life,—in regard to business, social, intellectual and religious life and
personal care.
First, in regard to business life. Can a young man starting out in the world
ever hope to gain a foothold, firm and sure, without constant practice of
thrift? He who thoughtlessly, carelessly or willfully spends all his earnings is
surely laying by for himself a time of poverty, want and despair, a time when he
will see his loved ones suffer for the things he cannot provide. To spend week
in and week out all that one makes, and perhaps a little more borrowed from a
trusting friend He means well he fully intends paying back, but living expenses
increase, Perhaps illness throws him out of work for a time; he is forced to
borrow more to tide him over to better days. Debts have a wonderful way of
increasing and fastening themselves around the neck of a man like a great rock
He is so burdened with them that he cannot put forth his best energies; his
sleep is troubled and broken and his earning capacity is steadily lessened He
sees so many opportunities whereby he could make a comfortable living—he feels
he has the ability, if, if, if, he was only out of debt and had just a little to
start with, but he has to let it pass. He struggles hard and may, with ninny
sacrifices, be able to pay off finally his just and honest debts—but his
golden opportunities have passed, his ambition and strength of body are failing
him.
Or if he is not able to pay off his debts, should illness, loss of position,
or many other misfortunes overtake him, he goes down to his grave leaving a
heritage of debts and a clouded name to those who loved him and had a right to
look to him for support. He knows in his own soul that he was honest and meant
well, but many would believe him dishonest and thriftless and shiftless, all
because he knew not how or could not see the necessity of taking care of the
pennies and living within his income.
In contrast to this man we will take one of the same age with less ability
and much smaller earnings. He looks around him, he sees the men who have made a
success in life and the men who have failed. Men who have started out with only
their own energy, pluck and determination to aid them have made great fortunes,
starting out with a mere pittance for wages or salary. He thinks the matter over
and compares the lives of the men around him. Soon comes to the conclusion—‘Tis
not what a man makes, but what he saves, that totals his real worth. He sees the
man next to him earning far more than he—but this man s motto is live while
you live, and he spends as fast as he makes. So he determines within himself to
practice thrift, to live within what he makes and save a little besides. This he
does faithful systematically, and in a few years an opportunity to invest wisely
his savings presents itself, and soon he finds himself climbing more easily each
succeeding round of the ladder of financial success.
Thrift affects our social, intellectual and religious life. Socially—by
providing us with better surroundings, better homes, better clothes, etc.
Intellectually—by giving us more time and more money to devote to study,
self-culture, art, literature, travel—all that pertains to culture and
refinement. Religiously—by giving us the means not only to be good, but to do
good. Yes, thrift affects both our religious and personal life as well as social
and business life.
The thrifty man practices self denial, the doing without some things he
thinks are almost necessary, the curbing of appetite, the determination to give
up some longed for pleasure—but all such denials repay many fold by giving
great strength of character, the power to conquer one’s self. When a man
masters himself, then he is able to rule others.
Thrift in regard to physical life will not permit one to waste his strength,
to use up his energies by useless and frivolous use of time. It teaches that he
must have proper recreation, proper food and proper rest. Thrift teaches us to
become master of self instead of slave to personal desires. It teaches holding
ones physical being in subjection to his better self-economy of strength,
economy of time, economy of earnings.
To practice thrift, avoid the little leaks—the spending of little driblets
here and there. Save the pennies, the nickels, the dimes, and succeed you must
and will. Be as thrifty as the thrifty bee, laying by in the summer time of
youth for the winter of old age.
You have witnessed tonight the results that generally follow perseverance,
all of which go hand in hand with thrift.
Noble Bee: Conduct Humble Bee to King Bee for further
instructions.
King Bee: Humble Bee, remember the lesson tonight. Carry it with
you, and may you profit by it, I now create you a Thrifty Bee, and confer upon
you the degree of Thrift.
King Bee: Watchman, conduct the Thrifty Bee to the anteroom for
further orders.