The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1909-07-02

His desire to create was form of the
great Cosmic Urge, that lives eternal
ly and is building in America finer,
better and nobler religion than the
world has ever seen--a Religion of
Humanity religion OF which at
times Benedict caught vivid passing
glimpses, as one sees at night the
landscape brilliantly illumined by the
lightning's fash.
The motto Of st. Benedict was
"Ecce Laboras These words were
carved on the entrance to every Ben
edictine monastery.
The monastic idea originated in the
Orient, where nature placed no spe-
cial penalty on idleness. Indeed,
labor may have been q curse in Asia.
Morality is crystallized expediency,
and both, we are told, are matters of
geography. as well as time. And
truth it is, that north OF the Mediter-
ranean idleness is the curse, not
labor.
The rule of Benedict was not un-
like that of the Shakers, for near
every monastery was a nunnery. The
association of men and women, al
though quite limited, was better fer
both than the absolute separation,
say OF Trappists, who regard it sin
even to look upon the face of woman.
The thrift and industry Of the Ben
edictines was worthy Of Ann Lee and
our friends the Shakers. A man who
works eight hours, with fair intelli-
gence, and does not set out to make
consumption and waste the business
of his life, grows rich. Thoreau was
right, an hour day will support you
But Thoreau was wrong in suppos-
ing that men work only to get food,
clothing and shelter. 20 work only
an hour day is to evolve int a
loafer We work not to acquire, but
to become.
The group idea, cemented by able
leadership and a religious concept, is
always successful The Mormons,
Quakers, Harmonyites, Economics,
the Oneida Community, all grew rich,
and surpassed their neighbors, not
only in point of money, but Ii health,
happiness, intelligence and general
mental grasp.
Brook Farm failed FIR lack Of q
leader with business instinct, hut as
it was, 1t divided up among its mem
bers a rich legacy of spiritual and
mental assets. In what is called
good society there is a constant
danger through rivalry not in we'll
doing, not in human service, but in
conspicuous waste and conspicuous
leisure. The religious rite Ct feet
washing Is absolutely LOST, 10th as
rite and as an IDEA. In truth, good
society" is essentially predatory In its
instincts. In communal life, CT
the life of group, service and not
waste is the watchwcrd. This must
be so, since every group, at its begin
ming, is held together through the
thought of service. To meet and
unite on a basis of jealous rivalry and
sharp practice is unthinkahle, fer
these are the things that Gislategrate
the group.
It's an economic law that a group
founded upon and practicing the idea
of each member giving all, wins all.
Benedict's idea If "Ecce Labora"
made every Bene6ictine monastery
a centre of wealth. Work stops lick
ering, strife and undue waste, 1t
makes ror health ana strength. The
reward of work is not immunity from
toll, but more work-and Increased
capacity for effort.
De Tocqueville gave this recipe fer
success Subdue yCurself-GevoJe
yourself.
That is to say, subdue the ego to
point where 1t gets its qualification
in concentrating on unselfish service,
He who does this always succeeds,
for not only is he elgassd upsn a
plan of life in which there is little
competition, but he is working in line
with divine law. the law Of mutual
ity, which provides that all the &, cd
you do to others you do for yourself.
Benedictine monasticism leads
straight to wealth and great power.
The Abbot Of the group became a
Baron. Il took vow of poverty. and
il led to an income of twenty thou
sand pounds year / tcok the VOW
of obedience, and find myself ruler Of
fifty towns and villages
These are the words which Sir Wal
ter Scott puts into the mouth Of an
Abbot, who became Baron through
the simple law 70 which | have hint
ed. And in this novel, THE Abbot,
Sir Walter Scott gives a tragic pic
ture Of how power and wealth can be
lost as well as won. Feudalism be-
gan with the rule of the monastery.
BENEDICT WAS ona nf tha, worldis.