Luxemburger gazette. [volume] (Dubuque, Iowa) 1871-1918, 1895-12-31
Modern Woodmen.
MADISON, Mimi, Dec. %. '95.

Dear Sir:-Numerous have been
the letters / received regarding my
statement that the Modern Wood
men of America r a society of
religious character and most of the
writer's denied this, claiming that
there is no religious feature in the
exercises precribed by Ritual.
To obviate similar questions in
the future l quote from Ritual is=
sued by the "Head-C Camp" and
dated: Fulton, Ill.,, April 1894.
This Ritual does not prescribe THAT
the Bible should be placed on the
Urn and opened at a certain place"
as | stated some time ago, but the
Modern Woodmen are still a society
coming under the ban of the Church
- even for the religious feature
thereof:
On page 9 we read: Opening Ode No. l
again with welcome greeting
Kind neighbOr now we come;
To watch and guard the future
For those we love at home.
Each thankful to the Gyer
OF every earthly claim
We now ascribe the honor
Due TO His holy Name"
"The officer in station
The campfire all ablaze
And every wandering stranger
On it with Joy may gaze.
The working tools are ready -
The beetle, axe and wedge
The perfume, fruit and water
We to the stranger pledge"
Or the Ode No. ii. on the same page:
"Neighbors, Woodmen let us render
Unto God our Father dear,
Grateful praise and love so tender
For the JOY OF meeting here.
From all cares and sorrow free
Here we meet fraternally -
Round Our camp-fires ruddy glow
Let our hearts no discOrd KNOW"
On page 16 the Escort says to candidate;
81 assure you however that nothing will be
done to violate your political or religious
obligation or hurt your selfrespect but a
valuable lesson will be taught you by the
ceremonies peculiar to our fraternity"
On page 10 We read:
"Chief Forester: Stranger, raise your
right hand and repeat after me the follow
ing obligation: l NJ. N -. upon my most
sacred honor promise that / will not in any
manner reveal or communicate to mortal
ear, sigt or sense any of the secrets of the
Modern Oodmen Of America, which l have
already seen or heard, or which l hereafter
see, hear, or experience, unless it be a
Neighbor whom l know to be a member of
sad Fraternity and be authorized to know
and receive the same. To all this l, with
out mental reservation, most sOlemnly and
sincerity PROMISE"
On page "a.
"The bankers etc. put on long robes so as
to represent Forest Patriarchs and then it
is said:" ....l see the banner and upon it
is inscribed: Peace, Light and Safety"
The candidate takes the fruit offered him
and the Foresters repeat in concert the
following taken from Canticle of
Canticles):
"As the apple tree among the trees Of the
wood, so Is my beloved among the sons.
l sat down under his shadow with great
deligt and his fruit was sweet to my TASTE"
Awake, o northwind, and come thou
south, blow upon my garden that the spice
es thereof may flow out. Let my beloved
come unto his garden and eat his pleasant
fruit"
1.-THE mandrakes give a smell and at our
gates are all manners of pleasant fruits,
new aid old, which l have laid up for thee,
U my beloved"
On page % Forest Patriarch offers water
to candidate which he drinks and then all
say: ''rhine W friend and thy fathers
friend forsake not; neither go into thy broth
ers house In the day of thy calamity, for
better is a neighbour that Is near Thar q
brother far off,"
"Loye worketh no i'll to his neighbor.
therefor love Is the fullfllment of the
Law"
"Let every one of us please his neigh
bors for his good to OBLIGATION" (Taken
from the Old and New Testament)
On page % we read the song "Rock of
Ages.