THE BIBLE BEES | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 20, 1859

THE BIBLE BEES.

Not a few facts have lately been published in our papers as to the ingenuity of our Christian cousins in England, dedicating fruits, chickens, birds, and other things, which would at first seem unlikely offerings, to the cause of Christ. We are disposed to write at present of a swarm of bees, which precisely half a century ago began to labor for the holy cause, and whose descendants are probably thus at work even now.

In the year 1809 a new Bible association was formed at Barton, in the fens of Lincolnshire. Among others who attended on the occasion were a Mr. and Mrs. W. The lady remarked on the way, that they must contribute a guinea to the object, or somewhat more than five dollars. The husband objected to the sum as too large, saying that not even the rich gave more, and that such an act would savor of ostentation. The lady replied,

“Still, if you will not give it, I will.”

“And where are you to get it?” inquired the husband.

Her reply was, “I have it by me. Do you not remember that you gave me a guinea with which to buy a hive of bees? I will give that guinea to the Bible Society.”

“Then,” replied her husband, “you will go without your bees.”

It was even so; but the lady loved the cause of the Bible more than the bees, and the guinea appeared among the most cheerful of the contributions.

In due time they returned to their pleasant cottage, and what was their surprise to find on their beech tree a swarm of bees settled. Of their origin no one seemed to know, and on the following day they were carefully deposited in a hive.

A few days afterward, Mr. W. suggested to his wife that the swarming of the bees under the circumstances was so remarkable that he thought they ought to dedicate their produce to the Bible cause; to this proposal the wife most joyfully acceded, and the result was two guineas the first year, and ten for the second; and for many following years these persons, and the family who succeeded them on the farm, very liberally contributed to the society from this source. It can scarcely be needful to say to the reader, “Contribute also as God hath prospered you.”—Watchman and Reflector.