p. 115The Modern Woodmen of America

This society is oath-bound, secret, of a religious character and this is Masonic in its teaching and ceremonial. The proofs of it are found in Woodman’s Handbook and in the Ritual, both published in 1894, by order of the Head Camp. The order is an Illinois corporation, working under a charter granted May 5, 1884. It was founded at Lyons, Iowa, in 1883, by Joseph C. Root, a prominent Freemason, an Odd-Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, member of the American Legion of Honor and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. That Masonic teaching was adopted is clear, from the following, which is found on page XLIV of the “Selected Literature” part of the Handbook. There we read: … “The fellowships of religion are the strongest and deepest, the sweetest and most satisfying of all the unions and fraternities of man. But for some reason or other the churches have not attracted to their fellowship the toiling masses; the strong and big-hearted men of our day are not always found in the pews. Where is the fault? Is the church’s light too pale, or her heart throbs too faint, her blood too thin and cold, her sympathy too perfunctory and heartless? And why does she not draw within her walls the brawn and muscles of our land? Why are not the rugged, sturdy toilers attracted to her shrine for the sympathy and fellowship their hearts crave? Why are not young men warming their neglected and shivering hearts at her sacred altar? Because the church has not used her opportunity, nor been the place and home it should be to satisfy the cravings and restless throbs of humanity’s great and famished heart. Fraternities like the Modern Woodmen of America respond to the need of the human heart; strong, toiling men binding themselves together to bear each other’s sorrows, and contribute to each other’s joys. In their humanity, their warmth, their thoughtful consideration for the emergencies and necessities of this world they stand in striking contrast to that religion whose only thought and investment is in the next world. …”

According to this the Church has outlived her usefulness and the Lodges or Camps are to take her place.

On page 179 of the Handbook we read: “Through our lodge system and the obligations and teachings of our rituals we bind our organizations closely together in bonds of fraternal support, aid and sympathy.”

The framer of the ritual has this to say on page 265 of the Handbook: … “Having determined upon creating the fabric, the next question was, what shall be its form, shape and name? Various conceptions of a form of ceremonies came to mind, but every one lacked newness or originality. In one, Odd-Fellowship suggested the idea, in another Masonry had already conceived the form, the test, the ceremony. In that treasury of ancient mystery, the magic numbers and mystic symbols of Pythagoras, the rose cross of Rosenkreutz, the grand Eleusyan rites, the exoteric and esoteric doctrines of Greece, and the Dyonysian ceremonies had been studied by generations of master minds, to add to the knowledge of the ancient craft the wisdom and the inventions of hundreds of years’ experience in secret work designed to impress men by the grandeur of its exemplification of noble truths by symbolic ceremonials and dramatic spectacles, requiring a keen mind, a bright intellect, and a manly courage to enter and remain within its inner vale. The lessons of that immortal drama of Damon and Pythias were recalled, with its God-like lessons of friendship, self-devotion, and self-sacrifice, but another pretentious order had already made use of that. Thus it became to the willing mind, ready to devise a ritual, a confusion of scenes, teachings and ideas that were needed to formulate his conception of that which was necessary for an order which he hoped and believed, if properly prepared and panoplied, would commend itself to the judgment of practical men, when their attention should be called to it.”

Page 269: “The author, in his ritual, has two or three ideas that he wished to permeate it. One was that the objection that was raised against some secret societies of being a semi-religious body should not be pertinent to the Modern Woodmen of America. The belief of an applicant in matters of Deity or religion has no bearing upon the object of Woodcraft, as defined in the ritual. The fact that he is a moral man, of temperate habits and good physical and mental condition, are all the prerequisites of a useful member. The fraternity should not arrogate to itself to select the Christian and reject the unbeliever, or to favor the Republican and frown upon the Democrat. If a man has no regard for the Bible, he should not be required to insult its sacredness in the eyes of his venerating neighbor by refusing to be obligated upon it. So it were better to dispense with such a requirement. … The doors are then left open to the Jew and Gentile, the Catholic and Protestant. …”

On page 16 of the ritual we read: Escort (to candidate): “Before you become one with us it will be necessary for you to be regularly adopted as a Son and Neighbor. I will assure you, however, that nothing will violate your political or religious obligations, or hurt your self-respect, but a valuable lesson will be taught you by the ceremonies peculiar to our Fraternity.”

The man did not know what he was saying when he wrote the above, or he wilfully and knowingly told a flagrant falsehood. Extracts from the Bible are used, religious hymns are said or sung. Does such not interfere with the applicant’s religion if he is a Catholic? Most assuredly it does. And how is it consistent with “self-respect” to be dressed as a mendicant, hurled around the hall on the goat; and all the bobby-hobby as prescribed by the ritual? Is it consistent with an American citizen’s self-respect to blindly obey?

Among the heathens it was a custom to mark their slaves by branding their seals or escutcheons on their forehead, so that they might remain constantly in the service of their master, and in case they ran away that it might easily be known to what master they belonged.

The Modern Woodmen brand, or pretend to brand their members. And as to the oath; it is not less than a curse which can never be pronounced under grievous sin. But let me quote at length from the ritual. On page 25ff. the following is found:

Forest Patriarch (Advisor): “Whither do you journey?”

Escort: “We are seeking the Camp of the Modern Woodmen, that we may possess the Arcana.”

Forest Patriarch: “Strangers, your ambition is a laudable one, but know you not that the way is one of secrecy?”

Escort: “We come before you willing to do as others have done before us.”

Forest Patriarch: “You are strangers, without friends, in a strange land; you have many weary miles to travel before you can reach the summit of your ambition; you will be hungry and thirsty, and you may be beset by great dangers. I know of the Order you seek; even now from their battlements, on yonder mountain I see their banner, and upon it is inscribed the words: ‘Peace, Light and Safety.’ Before you resume your journey, I will ask you to partake with me of this fruit. (Offers him fruit. Stranger eats. Watchman and assistants pass fruit to all present. During this ceremony all the Foresters repeat in concert the following:)”

(Taken from the Bible.)

“As the apple tree among the trees of wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.”

“Awake, O, north wind, and come thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come unto his garden and eat his pleasant fruits.”

“The mandrake gives a sweet smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O, my beloved.”

Soon thereafter the Forest Patriarch offers water and the candidate and Escort drink the water offered them whilst the Foresters say in concert:

“Thine own friend and thy father’s friend forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity; for better is a neighbor that is near than a brother that is far off.”

“Love worketh no ill to his neighbor, therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

“Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.”

“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

“Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, nor rob him.”

And again, page 31: “Who is my neighbor? It is he that succored the wounded man after the Priest and Levite had passed him to the other side. He that showed mercy to him. Go and do likewise.”

Ceremony of Adoption

Fraternal Degree of M. W. of A

Part I

[The hall should be prepared as during meetings. The Saw, Saw-buck, Stick of Wood, Camp Goat, Ladle and Quicksilver, the Branding Iron and the false wine or beer glasses should all be in readiness, but out of sight of candidate. The Consul remains robed as Venerable Father.]

(Escort and candidate wear their regular clothing; advance to the door, give three raps, and Watchman repeats three raps.)

Watchman (opens door): “Why would you enter here?”

Escort: “That we may receive farther instructions in Woodcraft.”

Watchman: “Then advance seriously to yonder station, and receive your final obligation.”

(The Foresters have already ranged themselves in open ranks with presented axes at the outer door, and as the Escort and candidate march through the ranks the Foresters march with them around the hall and again open ranks in front of the Adviser’s station, and the Escort and stranger march through the ranks and stand in front of the Adviser.)

Escort: “Worthy Advisor, having made our vows twice, we now come before you to receive our third and final obligation.”

Adviser: “Then take this fragile vessel in your right hand. Obey my commands, and you shall receive the Arcana of our Camp.”

(Hand fragile vessel that may be easily broken to stranger, who shall take it in his right hand; place table, chair or bucket, so that he can readily break it at the proper time. An egg shell, after the contents have been removed, or an old lamp chimney, make the best fragile vessels. Consul gives three raps.)

“I, (your name), in the presence of our Venerable Consul and these witnesses, on my sacred honor as a man, promise and declare that I will not wrong or defraud the fraternity in its treasury, nor a member in his purse; that I will promptly pay all dues and death assessments, and thus do my duty to the widow, the fatherless, and the orphan; that I will not propose for membership any person whom I know to be of unsound health, of bad repute, or irregular habits; that I will not reveal any transactions of the Camp, or the signs, ciphers, words, symbols, grip or written work of the fraternity to any person not lawfully entitled to the same. And that, under no circumstances and conditions in which I may be placed, will I, though threatened with dire calamity, or tempted with great reward, ever reveal the pass-words of the Fraternity, except to those who are entitled to receive the same in a regularly constituted Camp of Modern Woodmen, or when I may be acting as Venerable Consul of the Camp, Deputy Head Consul, or Head Consul. May I be dashed to pieces as I now dash this fragile vessel into fragments, if I promise not the truth.”

(Stranger casts vessel into receptacle provided. Which being done):

“To all this I sincerely and in honor promise.”

Adviser: “Livy informs us that the sanctity of an obligation had more influence with the ancient Romans than the fears of laws and punishments. A true Woodman will never disregard his obligations. Escort, you will now conduct the candidate to the Venerable Consul’s station.”

(Consul gives one rap. Escort, candidate and Foresters march around the hall and then to the Consul’s station; the Foresters standing in two ranks facing each other, with axes presented.)

Escort: “Venerable Consul, this candidate has received the final obligation, and comes before you for further direction.”

Consul: “My Son, before you can receive the full mysteries of Woodcraft, you must undergo a test of your physical ability to do the practical work of a Woodman. I now place you in the hands of these Merry Foresters. Go with them, obey them, and fear not.”

(The candidate is hoodwinked, placed upon the Camp Goat, and rode rapidly around the Camp hall three or four times, care being taken not to be too rough, while all the neighbors sing the “Banner of Woodcraft.”)

(After this the candidate is taken from his “fiery steed,” and the hoodwink removed. He is then placed over the saw-buck and a stick of wood, with a saw in his hand.)

Chief Forester: “We will now test your ability by giving you two minutes in which to saw in two this stick of wood. Go to work.”

(The Chief Forester takes out his watch and times the candidate, whilst the Foresters sing a song. The stick of wood should be a very tough one, and if the saw is dull the task is more difficult.)

(Whilst the candidate is sawing the wood one of the Foresters is pretending to be heating the ladle over the fire; the bottom of the ladle is painted red, to make it look as though it is red-hot, and it contains quicksilver, which resembles melted lead. As the stick is sawed through, the Chief Forester says:)

Chief Forester: “Well done, noble Woodman; we will now try your courage.”

(Foresters bring the test.)

(The Foresters then form a circle around their chief and the candidate, while one of the Foresters brings the ladle and presents it to candidate.)

Chief Forester: “Woodman, if you are a brave man, you will place your fingers in this melted lead, and thus show to these Foresters that you are worthy of the companionship of brave men; and that you are obedient to the command of your Chief.”

(If the candidate refuses, the Chief Forester will say: “I will give you until I count three to obey me.” If candidate still refuses the Foresters shall all say: “Noble Chief, forbare the test.” If candidate complies with the request, the Chief Forester shall grasp him by the hand and say: “Thou are truly a brave man and well worthy.”)

Chief Forester: “My Son, you must now receive the brand of Woodcraft, for all true Woodmen must be so marked that they may be known among men. This not only enables you to be identified when you need help, but it protects the order against fraudulent death claims. In every case of death the body can be identified.”

Escort: “Worthy Chief, we have with us a Woodman who has already been adopted, but, owing to sickness, could not be branded at the last meeting. Shall he be branded now?”

Chief Forester: “Bring him forth.”

(Escort brings forward a Woodman, whose coat and vest are taken off, his shirt opened, displaying his naked back; when in position.)

Chief Forester: “Forester, bring forth the branding iron.”

(A Forester brings forward the branding iron, which is painted and made to look like red-hot iron, and so that the smoke is forced out when it touches the back.)

Chief Forester: “Woodman, art thou prepared to undergo this test, in order to become one of us, and that you may be known among woodmen?”

Woodman: “I am.”

Chief Forester: “Foresters, do your duty.”

(While the two Foresters hold the Woodman, the Forester strikes the back with the branding iron, making the letters ‘M. W. A.’ The supposed victim yells with pain, and the smoke arises from the back.)

Chief Forester (turning to candidate): “You will now prepare for this test.”

(If candidate refuses, one of the Foresters suggests that he be permitted to be branded at another meeting, when he has recovered from the effects of the present scene. Which, of course, is granted. If he consents, he is stripped to the bare back, and the Forester ordered to use the branding iron; if the candidate does not flinch, the Chief Forester shall say: “O, twice brave man, and twice welcome to our Camp.” Before the Chief Forester says this, however, he says: “Forester, strike the brand deep into the flesh,” and the Forester strikes the back with a piece of ice, which gives a burning sensation.)

Chief Forester: “Foresters, we will now conduct the stranger to the Venerable Consul.”

(Escort and candidate, with the Foresters, march and countermarch around the hall to the Consul’s station.)

Chief Forester: “Venerable Consul, we present you this candidate, who has undergone successfully all physical tests.”

Consul: “My son, I congratulate you upon your courage and endurance. You have earned the right to work in the forest.”

(The Escort pretends to pour colored liquid into two glasses, the glasses being so made as to look as though they contained the liquid, but really when held to the lips nothing flows from them. The Escort hands the glass to Consul.)

Consul: “My Son, I now ask you to drink with me to your health and future success.” (Handing glass to candidate, and pretends to drink himself.)

(If candidate attempts to drink, of course he fails, and the Venerable Consul says):

Consul: “My Son, this incident is to teach you the deceptiveness of the wine-cup. Let it be a lesson to you in sobriety. I will now read to you a portion of our Fundamental Laws, which should be a guide to you in your future conduct. (He reads from Section ‘B’ of Division ‘O,’ Fundamental Laws), as follows: ‘If complaint is made to the Head Consul that a Neighbor is notoriously intemperate or immoral, or has engaged in a business or occupation on the prohibited list, except as provided in Division ‘I,’ Section ‘B,’ he may require the Camp to proceed to investigate the matter, in accordance with Division ‘E,’ Standard Local Camp By-Laws. Should the Camp fail to expel him, the Head Consul shall investigate the matter, and if he finds that the Neighbor is guilty as charged, he may suspend said Camp and all its members until said Camp shall expel said accused.’”

(If the stranger refuses to drink, the Venerable Consul says):

Consul: “My Son, by this act you have given us great evidence of your sobriety. May your conduct continue in the line of virtue and temperance.” (Here the Consul reads from Section ‘B,’ Division ‘O,’ as above.)

Consul: “Escort, you will now conduct the stranger to the ante-room, and afterwards attend him in his further steps in Woodcraft.”

(Escort and stranger march and countermarch with the Foresters to the ante-room.)

Part II

(Escort and candidate are now clothed in the uniform of the Foresters. The Escort, advancing to the inner door, gives three raps; the Watchman repeats three raps, and opens door.)

Watchman: “What means this intrusion?”

Escort: “We are seeking further instruction in Woodcraft.”

Watchman: “Advance to the station of the Venerable Consul, and be careful that you heed his admonition.”

(The Foresters meet the Escort and candidate at the inner door, and march with them to the Consul’s station.)

Escort: “This candidate comes before you, Venerable Consul, for further instruction.”

Consul: “My Son, I will now give you the secrets of Woodcraft, that you may possess more of the Arcana, and be in full fellowship with these Foresters.”

(Takes with his right hand the right hand of candidate, and teaches him the grip.)

This being done and explanations made about the signs and countersigns, the Consul says:

“The Tracians, every evening before they slept were accustomed to cast into an urn a white pebble if the day had been passed pleasantly, but if not, a black one. At their death, by counting the pebbles, their lives were judged to have been happy or otherwise.”

“The Modern Woodmen are expected at each meeting of the Camp to deposit a pebble. If they have been happy and comfortable during the time intervening since the last meeting, a white pebble will be deposited; if otherwise, a black one. At the proper time each evening the pebbles will be counted and discussed. After depositing the pebble you will be at liberty to take a seat with your Neighbors of the Camp.”

“The working tools of this Camp are the Beetle, Axe and Wedge. By practical artisans these tools have been used to clear the forests and let civilization, commerce and arts occupy the ground. They fitly symbolize industry, power and progress. Drones can see no poetry in the homely appliances of labor, but the philosopher sees in them subjects for thought and practical demonstration. The branches of palm, the five stars and shield are also emblems of our Fraternity. The palm signifies peace, the five stars light and the shield safety. …”

(A recess is now taken for about five minutes, and the Venerable Consul calls the Camp to order), and says:

“My Son, you will please take your position at the altar. (Candidate is placed in position by the Escort.) Are you now a Woodman and ready to assume a Woodman’s duties?”

Candidate: “I am.”

Consul: “My Son, you are now to be tried by a more severe test than any yet given you. You must act with fortitude and moral courage, and all will be well. You will be conducted by the Escort and these Foresters to the camp-fire, and you will obey the instruction of the Chief Forester.”

(The candidate is now hoodwinked and marched around the hall with the Foresters to the camp-fire, which has been prepared while the candidate is hoodwinked. Lights are turned down in the hall and the camp-fire is lighted. The sawmill is placed in position a little way from the camp-fire. The brush and stake at which the Escort is to be burned is concealed in readiness. The Foresters form a circle, with the Chief, Escort and stranger in the center. The hoodwink is then taken from the stranger.)

Chief Forester: “Woodman, we are now getting into the forest of Brotherly Love, for our daily work, and you and your friendly Escort are to remain here to watch the camp-fire and protect the same. In this forest is a band of outlaws, they prey on their fellow men. They have long desired the secrets of Woodcraft, that they might pass unmolested through the different parts of the forest. You must always be on your guard, never to divulge to them the secrets of Woodcraft. Will you be true to your obligation?”

Candidate: “I will.”

Chief Forester: “We will now leave you and go to our work.”

(The Foresters now form and march out, singing one verse of the “Woodman’s Jubilee Song” and chorus. The Escort and stranger seat themselves by the camp-fire.)

Escort: “Stranger, in the dark recess of this forest, where we have pitched this Camp, the solitude is to me awe-inspiring. I dread the approach of the outlaws, who have sworn to obtain the secrets of Woodcraft, even by murder, if necessary. Hark; I hear footsteps and voices.”

(With wild yells, the outlaws enter the camp, and bind the stranger and the Escort. These outlaws may be from four to six, according to the size of the Camp, and if the Camp is very small, some of those who acted as Foresters can disguise themselves and re-appear as outlaws. The outlaws should wear black masks, and assume the disguise fitted to the part.)

Chief Outlaw: “We demand the secrets of Woodcraft. Be quick; we have no time to parley.”

Escort: “We will not give them to you.”

Chief Outlaw: “Bring this man to the stake, and we will see if his spirit is stronger than his flesh.”

(The Escort is bound to the stake, and some brush piled around him, and the candidate is now hoodwinked.)

Chief Outlaw: “Men, apply the torch.”

(A light is then made, by burning a newspaper in a tin bucket of some sort, or by red fire, and the Escort cries in a loud voice, I-H-L-T-B-C, Help! Help! Help! Or I die.)

Chief Outlaw: “You shall die and no one can help you.”

(The Escort is now unbound from the stake and laid upon the floor and covered with a sheet. Instead of the brush formerly used around the stake, it is replaced by half-burned brush, which has been prepared beforehand. The hoodwink is taken from the candidate.)

Chief Outlaw: “Behold the funeral pyre of your dead comrade. (Pointing to the stake.) There lies his dead body. (Pointing to the sheet.) Now will you give me the secrets of Woodcraft?”

Candidate: (Makes his own answer, or, perhaps, refuses to answer.)

Chief Outlaw: “Think not you will escape so easily as with even the horrible death of your companion. We know how to torture, and we must have the secrets of Woodcraft. Men, prepare the rack.”

(The candidate is again hoodwinked, and bound to the carriage, and the saw is started in motion, and the candidate slowly approaches the saw, the hoodwink being removed.)

Chief Outlaw: (The Chief Forester’s whistle is heard in the distance.) “Men, the Woodmen are coming. (Leaning over the Woodman on the carriage.) Give me the word, and I will release you; if you do not, I will leave you here to die this horrible death before the Foresters can return.”

(If the candidate still refuses, one of the outlaws whispers to the Chief Outlaw, so that he can be overheard by the candidate: “Are you sure the machine is all right?” The other whispers: “I suppose so.” The outlaws then withdraw. All is perfectly still, and the carriage slowly moves the candidate closer to the revolving saw. Just as the body of the candidate is about to touch the saw the Foresters return. The saw is stopped in the motion, and the candidate unbound and released.)

Chief Forester: “You have proven a worthy Neighbor, and that you would give your life rather than betray the secrets of Woodcraft.”

(The candidate is now conducted to the position in front of the Venerable Consul. The lights are turned up, and the Camp hall put in order.)

Chief Forester: “Venerable Consul, we return this man with our approbation. He has worthily undergone the great test.”

Consul: “My Son, you are now at the end of your journey. (Dips his hand in perfume, and showers it gently over the candidate.) By the token of this fragrant perfume, I welcome you at our camp-fire. May the happiness of you and yours be augmented by this act. May your life as a Woodman be worthy of the confidence we bestow upon you as our Neighbor; and, like sweet incense and the odor of this perfume, may your influence be pleasant to all about you, and honorable to the Fraternity to which you now belong.”

The founder of the Modern Woodmen, J. C. Root, in June, 1890, at Omaha, Neb., founded the “Woodmen of the World.” But there is no relation between the two orders, except that the same man founded both, that they employ similar emblems, and based on the same Masonic spirit.

Royal Neighbors of America is the Woman Branch of the Woodmen’s Fraternity.

Surely, Catholics reading carefully what I say about this Order understand readily how much they have been deceived when they join the Order and how they should lose no time in severing their connection therewith.

Owls of Woodcraft

About the Owls of Woodcraft, the following explains itself:

“From the correspondence that has come to my desk and applications for copies of the ritual, I am satisfied the membership of the Modern Woodmen want the boys’ auxiliary, the Patriotic Owls of Woodcraft. There was some delay in printing the rituals, owing to some minor changes I deemed it advisable to make. The Fraternity is founded upon principles of patriotism and honor, and seeks to inculcate these principles, while at the same time it contains dramatic and military incidents which are intended to attract and hold the youth. I want the ritual carefully examined, and am willing to trust any Woodman to have access to it. Hence, any Woodman who sends me one dollar, together with a certificate from his Camp Clerk, will receive a copy. The receipt for this one dollar will be received in part payment for a charter, the price of which, with supplies, is fifteen dollars.”

“I have yet to hear other than words of praise for the proposition, and I have faith to believe it will prove a potent factor in the advancement of Woodcraft. Address all communications to

C. E. Whelan,
Madison, Wisconsin.”