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20 THE VOICE In the Realm of Pythianism WHAT HAVE WE ACCOMPLISHED, AND WILL WE ATTAIN OUR OBJECTIVE? By Arthur Dickerson Golden Rule Lodge No. 61, at Fulton, Mo., has rounded out its 20th year. We feel proud of the success made thus far, and hope to go on to greater achievements. It is not my purpose to advise in this article, because ways and means that we have devised may be obsolete with most of the lodges over the state. Golden Rule is seeking the advise of Pythian Brothering, and Lodges in the State, who have accomplished more and greater things than we have. Advice will strengthen and encourage us, criticism may anger us to an extent, and spur us on to greater attainments. Realizing some years ago that there was a lack of interest on the part of young men coming into the Lodge, and no incentive to do more than meet in our Castle Hall, and after droning God bless our Knightly Band, listen to the reading of previous minutes, hear the reports of committees, pay some dues, then chant in a sleepy manner. May our slumbers be all blessed, When we close our eyes in rest; And go home, or where something of a more entertaining nature could be found. The valiant officers backed by the thinking members of our lodge counselled together and sought ways to obviate what seemed a growing tendency to decadence. The following questions presented themselves for consideration: Can ways be devised to stimulate interest in out meetings? Can an increased attendance of the young Pythians be really expected with no more to interest them than the usual order of business? In the act of transacting official business alone, sufficient to inspire men to seek growth and development, and inculcate a desire to know more of the beauties of real Pythianism? Can ritualism and the observance of ceremony be relegated without destroying the principles upon which Pythianism was founded? Golden Rule in a tireless way, knowing full well that there is no excellency without great labor, is seeking a solution to the foregoing questions. We believe that we have accomplished much, and that we are near our objective. We started by having a get-together meeting and instituted reforms such as smokers and social meetings for the members only. We organized a quartet, orchestra and band. We have boxers and wrestlers who we will send to compete with any Pythian in Missouri at equal weights. These are some of our accomplishments. Our objective, goes beyond the amount of endowment a Brother carries, "or the amount of sick dues his lodge pays. Our longing for knowledge of Pythian precepts has caused some of us to hark back to the time of that staid old philosopher, centuries before our order was founded. He who gave the world the theory of numerals and solved the principles of harmony in music, I speak of Pythagoras. Considering the toil, sacrifice and expense of organizing, equipping and training a Pythian degree team, Golden Rule, in a methodical manner went to work and after five years of earnest toil, we are prepared to present to the Grand Lodge of Missouri the only Negro Pythian Degree Team yet heard of, exemplifying the work in the only way possible to impress men with the real beauties of Pythianism. The work "if properly done" is as impressive to old Pythians as it is to candidates. Seeking advise and inviting criticism, we commend our acts to the Pythian Brethren. [[end page]] [[start page]] APRIL, 1926 21 The Young Man in Business By R. F. CRENSHAW The question is frequently asked: "Is the Negro Ready for Big Business?" Taking into consideration the difficulties and trials which have and are confronting all our larger institutions in their struggles for birth and existence, we, too, sometimes wonder, "Is the Negro ready for big business?" On the other hand, we may well turn our attention to the findings amongst the business institutions of the other group, which show approximately eighty per cent of failures among the total number of business ventures. Yet, the other race is dauntless; they go religiously on ever reaching to higher and higher attainments. The crying need of Negro business today is man power. If we were able to secure efficient employes all of our organizations would be relieved of a serious handicap. It then becomes the problem of the young man to fit himself to serve in the business world proficiently. In no field of endeavor are the possibiliies so great; in no field are the heights of achievement as limitless When the young man, highly capable, with the ability to work collectively for the common good, having the confidence of the investing public, takes hold of the marts of trade, then and only then will we be able to realize the full possibilities of the commercial field. We as a people have tackled and are tackling cooperative business. Our standing as a race will be determined largely by our ability to cope with the other races and in proportion to our success in measuring shoulders with them in the avenue of commerce. It will take sacrifice, it will take study, it will take experience, but most of all, it will take an unselfish desire on the part of the individual to create and promote establishments of lasting credit and benefit to the group. And wherein comes one's reward. One cannot build a structure without climbing with it. It is my firm belief that that solution of all our troubles lies in the power and the grasp of the young Negro. I am convinced that the young man, with his ambition, with his vision, with his willingness to take a chance on big propositions, coupled with and help=d in check by the counsel and the reserve of the older and more experienced business man, can place us in the front ranks commercially. In answer to the opening question, I say, "Yes". A thousand times, "Yes." The Negro is ready for big business and now is the time. Young man! It is up to you. Moral Education By W. E. B. HUGHES Is there a need for character education? This answer can be placed only in the positive for it is positively true that the nation is in a midst of the greatest crime wave that has ever been known in history, hence some change or changes must be wrought in order to combat this wave. What social development must solve this problem which has startled America? Society is the blame while prejudice adds to the shame. The greatest two factors in suppressing this undesirable demon is the home and the school for some scientific way must be obtained to combat crime. Morality is the phase of character which concerns man's relations to his fellowman. It then depends very much upon our family and social life. All of our daily information regarding our fellowman is received through the external (Continued on Page 23)
