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Article MASONIC SYMBOLS. THE HIVE. ← Page 5 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Symbols. The Hive.
ready jaws supply the place of CI-OAV , pick , and shovel , and prepare the foundations afresh Avhen a neiv comb is to be built ; others see that the materials are provided in their due time and place , while it is the duty of some to watch at the entrance , lest strangers should gain admission . To each is assigned its different post , and all work together with that love and harmony that are always the characteristics of a well-regulated hive .
We now come to the drones , who are , on the whole , a set of as useless insects as can well be conceived . Perhaps one out of two thousand is found of use , but all the others just idle away their time in luxurious indolence . The idea of working never enters their heads , but they are quite indefatigable at their banquets of honey , ancl never take the trouble to go and get
food for themselves . So they congregrate outside the entrance , or go in either for the purpose of gormandizing or sleeping , in both of which pursuits they display considerable assiduity . They buzz very loud , display their figures to the best advantage , in order to captivate the laches , have very big wings , and evidently look down superciliously on the workers . It is needless
to add , that they are always very young , generally being rather less than a year's standing . Now all this is very pleasant while it lasts , but a reaction comes . The workers assist themselves , and the drones are turned out of the hive altogether , and left to get on as they best can . The natural consequence is , that they do not get on at allfor they hacl neglected all opportunities of
, gaining experience while in their hives , and are unable ever to gain admission into another . So they pass away from sight , and no one hears or cares anything more of them . The worst is , that each succeeding year always brings its supply of drones .
Bees do not attain their full perfection for a long time after they become members of the hive . On their first appearance within its walls , they are shapeless white grubs . After a -few weeks , they pass through another stage of existence , ancl alter their form , while their colour deepens . But it is not until after another stage has been passed that they attain their full rights ,
or are permitted to assist in the labours of the hive . Before that epoch in their lives takes place , they are carefully prepared by those under whose charge they are , ancl are thoroughly examined as to their fitness for work before they are permitted to take their place among the regular labourers . _ When they have thus attained their majority , they are furnished with an entirely new set of tools , ancl are expected to use them diligently in the service of the hive . It woulcl perhaps be VOL . II . TT .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Symbols. The Hive.
ready jaws supply the place of CI-OAV , pick , and shovel , and prepare the foundations afresh Avhen a neiv comb is to be built ; others see that the materials are provided in their due time and place , while it is the duty of some to watch at the entrance , lest strangers should gain admission . To each is assigned its different post , and all work together with that love and harmony that are always the characteristics of a well-regulated hive .
We now come to the drones , who are , on the whole , a set of as useless insects as can well be conceived . Perhaps one out of two thousand is found of use , but all the others just idle away their time in luxurious indolence . The idea of working never enters their heads , but they are quite indefatigable at their banquets of honey , ancl never take the trouble to go and get
food for themselves . So they congregrate outside the entrance , or go in either for the purpose of gormandizing or sleeping , in both of which pursuits they display considerable assiduity . They buzz very loud , display their figures to the best advantage , in order to captivate the laches , have very big wings , and evidently look down superciliously on the workers . It is needless
to add , that they are always very young , generally being rather less than a year's standing . Now all this is very pleasant while it lasts , but a reaction comes . The workers assist themselves , and the drones are turned out of the hive altogether , and left to get on as they best can . The natural consequence is , that they do not get on at allfor they hacl neglected all opportunities of
, gaining experience while in their hives , and are unable ever to gain admission into another . So they pass away from sight , and no one hears or cares anything more of them . The worst is , that each succeeding year always brings its supply of drones .
Bees do not attain their full perfection for a long time after they become members of the hive . On their first appearance within its walls , they are shapeless white grubs . After a -few weeks , they pass through another stage of existence , ancl alter their form , while their colour deepens . But it is not until after another stage has been passed that they attain their full rights ,
or are permitted to assist in the labours of the hive . Before that epoch in their lives takes place , they are carefully prepared by those under whose charge they are , ancl are thoroughly examined as to their fitness for work before they are permitted to take their place among the regular labourers . _ When they have thus attained their majority , they are furnished with an entirely new set of tools , ancl are expected to use them diligently in the service of the hive . It woulcl perhaps be VOL . II . TT .