Bee Hive-Junior Festival

Bee Hive- Junior Festival Curtains Closed ' Cornets: "Womanho Call" followed by a chorus giving the same call. Reader : WHENCE comes this glori- ous gathering of Zion's favored youth? And why? And what high purpose serves as inspiration for achieve- ment such as theirs? They come from far and near as earthly daugh- ters of a heavenly King. Not to a man-made church do they belong, but to the Savior's own — the one to which he gave his name — the Church of Jesus Christ. Within the folds of this divinely endowed sanctuary all truth abides in fulness; which those who seek may find and thence enjoy. As in our Father's house are many man- sions found, and as all earthly things are typical of those in heav- en, so are these in this wondrous Church of latter days, societies, associations, groups; each with spe- cific aim and purpose high, yet conscious each of partnership in one great cause. In contemplation of the miracle wrought since the first the rays of living light burst forth, a hundred years now gone, the soul of M. I. A. o'erflows with gratitude to God that we its members are par- takers of this gift divine. Four generations now have pio- neered the way. With never wa- vering faith they kept the path nor loosed their hold upon the iron rod; and so, in high resolve and proud humility because of our blessed heritage, we dedicate our lives anew, to still press on and on and on. Curtains Open Disclosing a large bee-hive at back center WITHIN our Mutual sister- hood, the first to enter its protective fold, come Bee-Hive girls, in all the loveliness of purity and youth. They come in answer to the Call of Womanhood. (Chorus — Call of Womanhood — Bee-Hive and Junior Girls.) To help the girls build for perfect womanhood is the aim of those who over them preside, that they might reach maturity with under- standing heart and mind and know the joy that comes with work for home and all mankind. Romance which shines through every daily task is emphasized and girlhood forgets the drudgery of work that might unpleasant be, and glori- fies it. Their symbol is the bee hive, signifying industry. The watchword is Womanho — service for home and mankind. Could loftier aim or nobler desire be planted in the human heart than that provided for these children of the light. If thought be father to the deed what means it, think you, to a maiden at life's thresh- old to start each dav with aspira- tions kindled by "The Spirit of the Hive" as thus set forth? Have faith, seek knowledge, safeguard health. Honor womanhood, understand beauty, know work. Love truth, taste the sweetness of service, feel joy. (Girls have been entering stage gradually and have gone up and into the large bee hive) . They are now within the shelter of the hive, and each girl has been touched by the Spirit of M. I. A. Like a great mother she has cast her influence 'round them. Ten- derly she listens to them. With her let us lend an ear that we might be partakers of the "Spirit of the Hive." (Chorus — from within bee hive — Spirit of the Hive,) And now with drooping head and humbled heart, give heed unto the prayer of the ever earnest Bee- Keeper. The Bee-Keeper's Prayer. O Father, Bless our swarm of M. I. A. workers. Let our efforts be as untiring as the bees we pre trying eto emulate: Like them, let us seek and gather, and like them store away for the future. We thank Thee that Thou hast inspired the minds of those who have planned this work for us. It is a glorious work. Help us to grasp its meaning and appreciate its possibilities, Under its guidance now may our minds broaden and develop; Touch our hearts with the true spirit of service ; Bless me, their Bee-Keeper. I know that the success of the swarm depends largely upon me. May 1 never be indifferent or careless or grudge or stint in my labors. Give me, I pray thee, initiative sufficient that I may adapt the work to our special requirements. I would be humble. I would be full of love and sympathy for each individual member; I would strive to understand their in- most desires and ambitions; I want their love and confidence in re- turn for the love I give to them. Grant me power, O Father, to guide them from things undesirable Into the paths of life that are noble and full of beauty. I would forget my cares. I would go with them out in the open, and cull the lesson of youth from flower and streamlet and mountain, That we may know a keener joy, a purer faith in thee — Reading — Bee-Keeper's Prayer (within the hive) . Each girl becomes a Builder in the Hive, and could achievement be more glorious than may be wrought through consummation of the Builder's Purpose thus ex- pressed? As bees bring to their building Obedient and purposeful service So into the hive of life I enter to do my part. Faith I have from my fathers Faith to move me to action Health I hold in my keeping Health to guard and to cherish That life may come to my children Pure and in limitless power. When each girl has filled her nine foundation cells and twenty- seven structural and sealed them over one by one she moves from Builder in the Hive to Gatherer of Honey, and continues to acquire from seven fields experience and knowledge. The field in which she gathers first is religion. Enter Religion Girls robed in purple, carrying large books of scripture. "REFORE girlhood entered this field she may have thought re- ligion would be dry, fenced in by dogma and limited by fanaticism. Instead she finds a broad and beau-

The Improvement Era for August, 1930 667 tiful expanse, with a trail running through it into the far horizon, in- to the very heavens, and the crys- tal stream of truth flowing gently on, bordered by flowers of light and understanding. Here in this field she shall study the history of the Church for which her grand- parents sacrificed home and loved ones, and which is the heritage they have bequeathed to her. She shall read of the leaders whom God hath chosen to direct his children, and learn from the scriptures and know for herself the work of the Lord; she shall seek among the events of her life and others for things which will increase her faith and deepen her love for truth. In this field she shall rest and dream dreams and hear the call which will give her courage to face a question- ing world fearlessly, and know that she belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ. (Several girls leave bee-hive to join field of Religion,) Within the Field of Home she gathers next. Enter Field of Home Girls dressed as family group- parents and several children. (Reader pauses until they are placed.) VO this field she has been bidden x and has obeyed. In part the meaning of the word home she long has known, but in the light of the "Spirit of the Hive" she reads into it a deeper and a sweeter meaning; not a place it is in which merely she sleeps and eats, as at one time she interpreted it to be, but a haven of happiness wherein to learn how to prepare food, and to create pleasant surroundings for the ones on earth whom she loves best. It is a laboratory in which to practice the arts which will help her to know how to beau- tify the little home she herself shall have some day, and in the learning she shall be guided by those who love her and have high hopes for her future. It is the one place in all the earth where she can go in joy and sorrow and know that only kindness and faith will surround her, to decrease her sor- row and add to her joy. (Girls come from hive enter field of Home.) Chorus — Home Sweet Home — Bee-Hive Girls. Enter Field of Domestic Art Girls robed in brown, bearing loom, embroidery hoops, pottery or other tools for handcraft. ■T ET the beauty thereof be the *** workmanship of her own hands." Here in the field of Do- mestic Art shall she learn the glad content which comes with work done by the hands. To see ma- terials change from dull uninter- esting things to ones of lovely distinctiveness, will lend fascina- tion to her every task. The fun of visioning, the pleasure of plan- ning, the thrill of creating, and the joy of completing, will bring into her days a new pride and gladness. (A few Bee-Hive Girls come from bee hive to enter field of Domestic Art.) All that she makes in this field will become real and alive to her, for she shall stitch bits of imagination into all that she does. Into the golden fabric of the future she will em- broider the designs of the heart, and secrets only half defined and never half revealed she will weave into pattern sweet and beautiful. She will glimpse afar off her handiwork when she makes her bridal robes. Before that time comes, to know how to do all these things well, shall be her task. Enter Field of Out -of -Doors Girls dressed in green, carrying leaves or flowers, and a couple of children dressed as butterflies. ^JHAT a marvelous field is this in which to gather honey — the field of Out- of -Doors. How wide its gates will swing to wel- come her and unveil for her its hidden beauties. Long she has known the glory of the earth, but from this time on she will vision its many glories. The pink of dawn and the gray shadows of the dusk; the sunset turning waters into li- quid gold and fire; the birds, the bees, and all winged creatures of the air; the flowers, the trees and all that root upon the earth; the sky above, by day with floating clouds and high bright sun; the glory of the storm; and still at night the shining peace of moon and stars. 'Tis true from these shall come into her heart, a knowl- edge that God lives and all is well. (A few girls have been coming from the hive into the field of out-of-doors.) Enter Field of Health Girls dressed in deep red and carry- ing red streamers. UEALTH is a part of her heri- tage. The color for this field is red, telling of the life's blood that is flowing through her veins. The symbol is a girl in the act of diving, reminding her that clean and happy recreation will help her to acquire grace and poise. She shall keep her skin clear bv the aid of food and water pure, eyes bright with sleep enough; heart warm with lovely thoughts and high resolve. In this field she shall gain new knowledge, new vision and new desire to keep strong the body which has been entrusted to her keeping, the palace in which lives the soul of a daughter of the King. (Girls from hive arrange them- selves near field of Health. Dance — by field of Health.) Enter Field of Business HPHE truth of the old adage, -"- "Waste not, want not," she will learn in the field of Business. Re- luctantly she may enter this field, for she may fear to face its cold methodical facts, its uninteresting, uninspiring precision, but how amazed she is to become to find that there is ,a glowing joy in learning what to do and how to do it well. Earning, saving, paying to the Lord an honest tithe — these will arouse in her strange triumph, gladness, pride. She will find that order is a delight, method a mar- vel, and accuracy will impart a sense of power never guessed by her before. In the field of Busi- ness she may find quiet understand- ing and contentment that is a part of efficiency. (Several girls from hive come to field of Business.) Enter Field of Public Service Bee-hive Girls with red, white and blue bunting. 'THIS is the field of Public Serv- ice, represented in colors red and white and blue. Red is for the courage it requires to face great problems and solve them for humanity; white is the flower of purity which blossoms in the hearts of those who turn their ef- forts into channels of public serv- ice, blue is for the truth and loy- alty to right which grows and de- velops and increases as service to others is rendered. Here she shall

668 The Improvement Era for August, 1930 pledge allegiance to her city, her state and her country. Enter the Flag Bearer Holding the American Flag Music — Red, White and Blue — Organ. Cornets— "Womanho Call." {Bee Hive Girls leave Fields.) Chorus — repeats "Womanho Call" Chorus — All Bee-Hive Girls. — "Bee-Hive Cheer Song" and "Song of Joy." Bee -Hive Girls from fields make Bee-hive formation. All girls in uniform fill hive in solidly, all singing two above named songs as they move about. Chorus — Honey Gatherers' Song — Girls in hive formation. Curtain Chorus repeats. Cornets — "Womanho Call" — Chorus repeats. Cornets repeat (muted, as though echoing.) Curtain opens to soft music on stage bedecked with roses. At rear is a door, leading into a chapel. Reader: From two years' training in high ideals, in lofty symbolism and rich achievement, our Bee-Hive girl is graduated to the realm of Juniorhood. Her outward vest- ments and insignia she carefully preserves, we trust, and lays aside in treasured chest, with many lovely memories; but into this new sphere she brings with her the sweetness of life's honey stored in mind and soul; the brightness of the sunshine she absorbed while flitting on from field to f'eld in Bee-Hive land. In eagerness we Junior girls give welcome and with outstretched arms encircle them with flowers, with garlands of sweet roses, to signify the tie that binds our hearts to theirs. (Meet Bee- Hive girls place garlands about their necks.) Here are seen the Junior girls under the inspiration of religion, watched over by the Spirit of M. I. A., by study and example guided along the way of Gospel ideals, to gain a testimony, a faith to live and learn. (Soft music.) The Junior girl is likened to a blossom in a garden of rare flowers, when youth sees life in roseate hues and in her joy of life she seeks to make life beautiful. Just blooming into woman- hood, she typifies the opening of a lovely rose which is her chosen flower. She plants and tends them, gathers blossoms to adorn our sanctuaries. (Soft music contin- ues. Reader pauses while girls carry armful of flowers into chap- el.) She takes these "stars of earth" to cheer the sick and ban- ish gloom of death. (Other girls follow, helping old lady into church.) In bringing beauty into others lives, she finds enrichment for her own. Appreciation for the beautiful unfolds with each expe- rience and thus is wrought the project of the Junior group. (Pause. Curtain closes momen- tarily, then opens again.) The magic of the travelogue has cast its spell on many hun- dred girls. But few might ever visit foreign lands and so the cus- toms, scenery, and traits of coun- tries other than their own have come to them. (Girls dressed to represent all nations file in from either side of stage and form in rows.) Missionaries of near and by- gone days have brought for us to see, rare keepsakes of material things, and from the storehouses of their memories, rich treasures of experience have come. The tour- ist, too, and native convert have given much of interest to enrich our travel course. From cherry blossom land — Japan — come sto- ries of much skill. Much courtesy and courage, too, from China quaint with ancient wisdom's lore. From northern lands of midnight sun has other knowledge come, as from the far-famed islands of the southern seas. From ancient sa- cred peoples of this land, a part of Israel long lost. Great Britain with its many groups, a harvest rich has yielded. Central Europe with its peoples of France, Ger- ■* HERE is sufficient reason to cause hair-pin manufacturers to look doleful. Heavenly sunshine is necessary to the growth of flowers of the fields, mental sunshine is necessary to the development of talents of the mind. No matter to what social, politi- cal or financial heights a man climbs, his wife can always call him down. When you find a woman who pities herself, you may be sure she has very little else to do. — Dorothy C. Retstoff. many, Denmark, the low Nether- lands, high Switzerland and Slavic nations each are here presented, for with enlightenment comes new sympathy, and education of the heart as well as mind, which is >true culture. (Curtain for a moment) The Drama, too, now added lends opportunity for uplift. Through fantasies and fancies of this alluring art youth, our hero worshipers, strive to emulate the virtues of all the splendid char- acters they seek to personate. (Drama tableau.) The dance when kept in atmos- phere of graceful rhythmic motion teaches poise; harmony of ex- pression, and adds its own full measure toward development of charming perfect womanhood. (Dance tableau.) What maiden has not had heart questionings unsolved, longing to understand the mysteries she finds in life and all its varied problems, and yet she shrinks to bring them forth lest hearts less sensitive, may fail to understand. But the wise question box receives them with no curious glance or laugh derisive, thence anonymous to pass to sym- pathetic souls who give as best they can, the answer, and content- ment to the girl. (Girls approach large box and drop folded papers in.) i But these are all diversions — book, travelogue, music, dancing, drama, and question box are but additions to the main building which our Junior girls are rearing. The yearly course of lessons forms its strong foundation and its su- perstructure. Each brick and stone is chosen with the greatest care. Once "Stepping Stones to Faith" were used; again, "The Teachings of the Master;" "Ideals of Home and Home Life" and now "Be- lieving and Doing" and thus they raise the building tier on tier, and when the glorious edifice is done, across its front, emblazoned in pure gold, will be the one word "character." And now the music of our choruses with one accord acclaim, "It's Joy to be a Junior Girl of Glorious M. I. A. (Curtain as chorus sings.)