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

Chapter 9 - Masonic and Anti-Masonic Literature 759
a sharp instrument pressing his naked left breast." This instrument is the
compass. In the satire, the new railroad man is received upon the "sharp gaze of
the train-master." Thus, one key phrase ("to be received on something sharp")
from the original ritual is used to build up a new context. In like manner, the
body language used when approaching the Masonic altar in order to be obligated
is satirized by the worldly image of being seated upon a brake-wheel before a
train-box. Thus, signs and symbols that are sacred to Freemasonry are ridiculed.
Likewise, instead of being invested with a Masonic white lambskin apron as the
sign of innocence, the candidate is invested with a "Bowie Coupling Knife." The
Masonic habit of making a member of the First Degree wear his apron with its
flap turned up has transmuted to a knife with its blade turned up.
The source where this satire stems from lists another story written in the
same style but exchanging the railroad man for a drummer. At the time when this
book was published, at the beginning of the 20 th century, many Americans were
"joiners" for social reasons and belonged to several fraternal orders. Thus, it was
easy for them to answer in a ritualistic or mock ritualistic fashion when asked
some strange questions. This is an evidence of the great popularity of fraternal
orders and the spreading of their pompous and strange language. The writer of
these satires states that "[o]ne thing I like about these 'Knights of the Road' is,
that they are great fellows for secret societies. Most of the drummers belong to
everything that is going, from the Grand Knights of the Diamond Garter down to
the Sons of Temperance." 1886
This book offers a third version of this theme, this time with a political
background. The examinee is a "Populist," and when asked where he was first
prepared to be a Populist he answers: "In the Republican party." While in
Masonry, the candidate is introduced as a "poor blind candidate searching for
more light in Masonry," in this text the neophyte is a "poor, drouth-stricken [sic]
farmer who desires more time on his obligations." 1887 Similar to Masonry, where
the candidate is demanded to give a password, which he has not, but his
conductor has it for him, in this satire the neophyte is demanded cash, and he has
none, but "the other fellow had my notes and was ready to foreclose." 1888 The
social criticism becomes evident when - in true Masonic fashion - the examiner
asks "how were you prepared," to which the Populist answers:
[b]y being robbed regularly every year for ten years in the interest of
railroads, corporations, trusts, loan companies, and thieving public
officials, until I was divested of all material substance, neither clothed
nor fed, sheltered or shod, whereupon I was summoned to appear at the
door of a certain lawyer's office and give a distinct knock. 1889
1886 Pettibone, p. 162.
1887 Ibid, p. 168.
1888 Ibid.
1889 Ibid, p. 167. According to Pettibone, this satire was written by an observing reportorial editor of a
Middle West daily, who must have had fraternal experience of some sort.