Society—Secret Societies—High Society—Society Life of all kinds!
Webster defines the word as a “number of persons united for a common interest; the more cultivated portion of any community in its social relations.”
Secret Societies have been a common form of organization since the beginning of communal living. They vary from organizations whose only secret is a pass word to those with elaborate initiation ceremonies, a private language, badges and many other secret rituals, all calculated to increase the atmosphere of mystery and exclusiveness.
The upper, richer or more fashionable class of people consider themselves in “high-society”—the body of those associated with the fashionable world.
To which do we belong? A society? Yes! But let us be glad and thankful we may be among the “number of persons united for a common interest”—in a very particular sense of the word.
The organization of young peoples’ societies in our churches has been a blessing in years past and we should appreciate the privilege we now have of being members. That is the place where we are given the opportunity to develop our talents in a very specific way, where we learn to express our thoughts and create ideas especially along religious lines.
Just why are you a member? Are you interested in your society? Ho you cooperate? How can we make OUR Society an ideal one?
I am privileged to quote from a “pep” talk given by the vice-president of the Talitha Society of Fuller Avenue at our first meeting of this season. She outlined the necessity of the members being “prepared, enthusiastic and having perseverance until the thing set out to be done is accomplished.” In order to have proper coordination in a society these three requirements are important; but, of course, let us understand this applies to each individual member, first of all.
Surely, we should all do our part to enable our respective organizations to develop the “common interest”—the study of the Word of God. Mere membership is not sufficient. We must study, we must discuss the lesson, we must be active! That cannot mean reaping knowledge from society life by only listening to what others have to say, expecting your fellow members to always do their best without your cooperation and assistance. It is up to you, to all of us!
Further, if you have been a member of a society for a few years, consider with me the friends you have made there. And where would be a better place to become acquainted with and make new friends? True friendship has common interests and one faith. Therefore if we are known and judged by the friends which we have made during society life, let us have societies of which we can be proud and realize the great opportunity of having Christian fellowship in the church.
Then we will have societies from which we can derive much benefit and be able to show others that society membership has been an important factor in our lives. We will speak well of our societies, we will be proud of them, we will encourage those planning to join. We will be thankful that we are privileged to belong to a real Society, and not have a desire for one necessitating membership in the body associated with the fashionable world or one having secret codes, passwords and the like: but let our light shine also as a result of our society life in order that others may see that we belong to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.