The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

Chapter 7 - Rituals 625
fund plan, the broad and deep foundation upon which the structure
stands.
Our reserve fund is the leading feature of our Fraternity, which
protects us from the storms without, and brings confidence, peace and
Security to those within. 1566
In other words, the Security Benefit Association does not build a Masonic
"Temple of Humanity," but a fraternal temple of security by providing a reserve
fund plan, which guarantees security to those within the temple, that is, the ingroup.
The foundation stone laid by this association is financial, not ideological
or mystical, and the walls of the building are "ornamented by social features,"
that is by providing a safe future for its members. Another benefit association of
this kind with a much more esoteric ritual will be evaluated in the following
section.
7.3.3.1 Ritual of Modern Woodmen of
America 1567
The society of Modern Woodmen of America was founded in 1883 by Joseph
Cullen Root in Lyons, Iowa. The idea for the title was formed after a
Congregationalist Church sermon which the founder had heard, and in which the
minister had talked about "the work of pioneer woodmen clearing away the
forest," which occurred to Root a fitting metaphor for the task of "clearing away"
a man's financial burden in the case of death. 1568 Root envisioned a selfgoverning
fraternal benefit society, with a lodge system nurturing community
spirit and uniting families for recreational, as well as service activities.
In 1888, the unofficial women's auxiliary of Modern Woodmen of America,
called Royal Neighbors of America, was established. During the tuberculosis
epidemic of the early 1900's, a Modern Woodmen Sanatorium (cf. p. 44) outside
Colorado Springs in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains was opened, which
from 1909 until 1947 provided free treatment to over 12,000 members.
The Woodmen seem to have been very popular between 1890 and the early
1930's, with Rainbow parades marching their way into the Americans' hearts.
President Hoover honored the Foresters at the White House. Until the middle of
the 20 th century, Woodmen members wore their fraternal charms just like the
Masons, and they also had their secret ritual and By-Laws. They were famous for
their colorful uniforms, shiny axes, and meticulous drills. However, they have
1566
Ritual of the Security Benefit Association, Topeka, Kansas, no date given (presumably 1892), p.
29.
1567
If not otherwise noted, quotations for this section are taken from Official Ritual of Modern
Woodmen of America, 1945.
1568
Cf. the Modern Woodmen homepage and related links on that page at http://www.modernwoodmen.org/PubRel/AboutUs/AFewWordsOnHistory.htm