sing men work only to get
food, clothing and shelter. To work only an hour a day is to evolve into
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, Economites, and
the Oneida Community, all grew very rich, and surpassed their neighbors
not only in point of money, but in health, happiness, intelligence and
general mental grasp.

Brook Farm failed for lack of a leader with business instinct; but as it
was, it divided up among its members a rich legacy of spiritual and
mental assets. In family life, or what is called "Society," there is a
constant danger through rivalry, not in well-doing or in human service,
but in conspicuous waste and conspicuous leisure. The religious rite of
feet-washing is absolutely lost, both as a rite and as an idea. In
truth, "good society" is essentially predatory in its instincts. In
communal life, or the life of a group, service and not waste is the
watchword. This must be so, since every group, at its beginning, is held
together through the thought of service. To meet and unite on a basis of
jealous rivalry and sharp practise is unthinkable, for these are the
things that disintegrate the group.

It is an economic law that a group founded upon and practising the idea
of each member giving all, wins all. Benedict's idea of "Ecce labora"
made every Benedictine monastery a center of wealth. Work stops
bickering, strife and undue waste. It makes for health and strength. The
reward of work is not immunity from toil, but more work--an increased
capacity for effort.

De Tocqueville gave this recipe for success: Subdue yourself--Devote
yourself.

That is to say, subdue the ego to a point where it gets its
gratification in concentrating on unselfish service. He who does this
always succeeds, for not only is he engaged upon a plan of life in which
there is little competition, but he is working in line with a divine
law, the law of mutuality, which provides that all the good 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. "I took the vow of poverty, and it
led to an income of twenty thousand pounds a year. I took the vow of
obedience and find myself ruler of fifty towns and villages." These are
the words which Sir Walter Scott puts into the mouth of an Abbot, who
became a Baro