Modern Woodmen of America
Junior Ritual


1952?


The purpose of a Junior Club of Modern Woodmen of America is to learn: Learn to play, learn to obey, learn to be honest, learn to be kind, learn to be saving, learn to be friendly, learn to have courage, learn to know and like other people; in short, to become good men and women, useful and patriotic citizens, and adult members of our Society.
This Ritual is to be used in conducting the meetings of Junior Clubs of Modern Woodmen of America. Copies will be furnished free to any duly organized Junior Club.

 

Opening Ceremony

Junior Director should see that all Officers are at their proper stations at the opening of the meeting. If any Officer is absent the Junior Director or Consul should appoint one of the members to act as a substitute.
CONSUL:
Junior Officers, you will please assume your proper stations.
The Junior Consul will give one rap with the Beetle, the Junior Adviser one rap with the Axe, and the Junior Banker one rap with the Wedge. In copy following *, one rap of beetle or gavel demands order or seats the assembly; **, two raps, tell Officers to stand; ***, three raps, tell assembly to stand.
CONSUL:
Flag Bearer, you will present the flag of our country. ***.
All Juniors stand at their places and give the Citizen’s Salute (palm of right hand over the heart) as the flag is presented. Flag Bearer enters hall and marches to a point directly in front of the Adviser’s station and marches in a straight line to the side of the Altar nearest the Consul. As Flag Bearer approaches the Altar, Past Consul and Banker walk to the side of Altar nearest their stations. At the Altar, Past Consul and Banker take positions on either side of Flag Bearer and act as a color guard as the flag approaches the Consul’s station. When the flag has been placed in stand to the right of Consul’s station, Flag Bearer, Past Consul, and Banker assume their stations, the latter two Officers retracing their steps. *.
CONSUL:
Junior Escort, you will please see that all boys and girls are members of Modern Woodmen of America. The Junior Chaplain will assist you.
The Junior Escort and Junior Chaplain whisper the Password to the Junior Consul. The Junior Escort passes around the hall to the left and the Junior Chap.. lain to the right, making sure that all boys and girls have the Junior Password. Then, return to the rear of the Altar, face the Consul, and report. If a member does not have the Password, he should ask the Junior Consul for it. Visiting members may be vouched for by a Neighbor of Modern Woodmen of America.
ESCORT:
Junior Consul, all boys and girls present are members of Modern Woodmen of America.
Junior Escort and Junior Chaplain return to their stations.
CONSUL:
Officers and members, we gather here not only to enjoy ourselves, but to learn about the good and beautiful things in life; to develop qualities suited to our generation of young Americans; to be loving, kind, and generous to all with whom we come in contact.
ADVISER:
Junior Consul, the Club will follow your advice. We will strive to become good citizens and friendly neighbors.
BANKER:
The Officers are at their stations and ready to begin this meeting.
CONSUL:
Chaplain, please approach the Altar and lead us in prayer.
Junior Chaplain takes a place at the Altar on the side nearest the Adviser. All Junior members bow their heads and clasp hands.
CHAPLAIN:
Let us pray. Dear Father in Heaven, we bow our heads in gratitude for all the blessings which are ours. We lift our hearts in thanksgiving for the eternal beauty we find all around us—in nature, in the great works of man, and in the hearts of our friends. As we meet in this Junior Club, help us to learn the important lessons of life: Obedience, service, honesty, thrift, industry, kindness, faithfulness, character, and patriotism. Bless us with Thy love so that we may reflect that love in our associations with others. Amen.
Junior Chaplain returns to his station.
CONSUL:
Officers, I ask you to join me in forming a wedge around the Altar. **.
Will the members please rise? Let us all join in singing the Star-Spangled Banner, after which we will repeat the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Star-Spangled Banner
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming;
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming;
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say, does the star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Oh, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation;
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the power that bath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!
 

Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
JUNIOR DIRECTOR:
Members be seated. Let us listen attentively to the lessons of life which we must learn in order to become fine men and women. When we were born we had to learn everything about life. This knowledge did not come to us naturally. We had to be taught. We had to learn how to take our allotted place in our homes, at school, and in our circle of friends. No matter how old we grow we can continue to learn to appreciate the glory of nature, the helpful teachings of books, the beauty of personal appearance when adorned with cleanliness and neatness, the fineness of good behavior, the contentment of happy thoughts.
Officers, what are the lessons we must learn?
CONSUL:
Obedience is a necessary virtue, for through obedience to our parents, teachers, the laws of our country and our God, we become right-minded citizens. As we learn to be obedient to the leadership of those whom we love and those who love us, we grow in wisdom.
BANKER:
The continuous practice of thrift helps us to prepare for any unforeseen crisis, and in Modern
Woodmen of America we learn how to save and plan for the future through life insurance.
ESCORT:
Kindness is a simple thing, but it is the stepping-stone to a greater enjoyment of life. For each courteous and friendly act we do, we are repaid a thousand times by the respect we receive for knowing how to be kind.
ADVISER:
We must live to serve others if we are to gain the real reward of life. Through service we become more like the great men and women of the world who have given, and are giving, their lives for their fellow men.
WATCHMAN:
Loyalty should be a governing rule in all our lives. Our families, our teachers, and our friends deserve our loyalty and good faith in return for their interest in us. We must be trustworthy in all our thoughts and deeds.
CHAPLAIN:
Character is what we really are. What we do, what we think, what we say—these things become our character, and a good character is one of man’s greatest possessions.
PAST CONSUL:
We have been taught that "Honesty is the best policy." When we are honest we never stoop to tell a lie; we do not mar our characters by stealing. We try always to be fair to the other fellow though the advantage may be on our side. Truthfulness is the foundation of all fair play.
SECRETARY:
Play belongs especially to childhood, but as we grow up we need also to learn the lesson of industry. We look forward to that time when we can take our place in the working world; and so we try to do our present small tasks willingly and well. The promise of independence and influence is ours if we learn to be industrious.
FLAG BEARER:
Patriotism is the highest challenge to good citizenship. The inspiration we get from our flag should remind us each time we see it of the great democracy in which we live, of the loyalty we owe our government, and of the heritage we claim as freedom-loving Americans.
JUNIOR DIRECTOR:
Life is a school in which we must all strive to learn the great lessons it teaches. It is hoped by our Society that in this Junior Club we shall all have a good time and learn better the great lessons of life which help to make life richer, better, and more beautiful. As we meet together to play and sing and learn, may we find our meetings so helpful that we shall want our membership to be lasting, and shall do our part to secure other Junior members.
Junior Officers, you may return to your stations.
Officers reverse manner in which they approached Altar for the wedge formation.
CONSUL:
Junior Club No. is now open and ready for business. *.
 

Explanatory Notes

In preparing the hall for a Junior meeting, it is suggested that a gold or white cloth be draped over the Altar and a three-branched candlestick with three candles, one red, one white (center), and one blue, be placed on the Altar. Candles are lighted only for obligation of new members or in the Ceremony of Adoption.
It is suggested that Officers be costumed in some manner. Girls can wear white blouses or sweaters with blue skirts and boys white shirts and blue trousers. A touch of color, red or blue, can be added in caps, ties, ribbons, or such.
Note No. 1. The Secretary calls the roll of Officers. The Escort stands and responds "Present" or "Absent" for each one whose name is called, and the Secretary will make a record of the attendance. Officers stand as their names are called and remain standing until roll call is completed. The following Officers should be included on the roll call: Junior Consul, Junior Banker, Junior Adviser, Junior Past Consul, Junior Secretary, Junior Escort, Junior Chaplain, Junior Watchman, Junior Flag Bearer, and Junior Pianist. In this roll call, the official title and name should be used, viz: Junior Consul Brown, Junior Banker Jones, etc.
Note No. 2. The minutes and record of each meeting can be written by either the Secretary or Junior Director. Minutes may be read by either one at the next meeting.
Note No. 3. Every Junior who is ill and confined to the house should be reported at the meeting. It should be arranged for the Club to send cards or other expressions of sympathy to the sick member. A fund for this purpose may be raised by a penny collection or by any other method desired. Attention to the sick should be made a matter of importance to each Club.
Note No. 4. Under the head of General Business it is proper to discuss and act on any matter which is not otherwise provided for in the regular order of business.
Note No. 5. New members should be obligated or given the full initiatory degree as they attend their first meeting. The obligation is found on page 20, paragraph 1. Full ceremony can be given obligated members in class adoptions. Candidates can be seated in the hall from the beginning of the meeting. However, they must retire from the meeting before the Ceremony of Adoption begins.
Note No. 6. At each meeting the report of the Banker should show the amounts received and paid out since the last report, also the balance on hand.
Note No. 7. At each meeting the Escort will count the Juniors present and arise at the proper time to report this number to the Club, saying: "Junior Consul, I find we have Juniors and adults present at this meeting." The Secretary will enter the report on the records.
Note No. 8. Under Social Entertainment, a Junior Program committee or the Junior Director should supervise a program of games, songs, drills, etc. This should be made as interesting as possible.
 

Ceremony of Adoption

CONSUL:
Junior Escort, have we any candidates waiting to receive the Ceremony of Adoption?
ESCORT:
Junior Consul, I find in waiting … reads list of names.
CONSUL:
Junior Director, are you satisfied that the candidates are qualified to receive this ceremony under the laws of our Society?
JUNIOR DIRECTOR:
Junior Consul, I am.
CONSUL:
Junior Escort, you will have the candidates retire and then prepare the hall for the Ceremony of Adoption.
The Junior Escort will place two 12-inch candles on three sides of the Altar and three candles on the side nearest the Consul’s station. Also, he will light the three center candles and see that hall lights are dimmed.
ESCORT:
Junior Consul, I have performed my duty.
CONSUL:
The Junior Officers will retire, prepare, and return to assist in the teachings of our Junior Club.
Junior Director takes place in front of the Consul’s station. Officers escort candidates around the hall as assembly sings "I Would Be True" Candidates are arranged in a circle around the Altar and Officers form an outer circle around them.

I Would Be True
I would be true, for there are those who trust me.
I would be pure, for there are those who care.
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer.
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.
I would be friend of all, the foe, the friendless.
I would be giving and forget the gift.
I would be humble for I know my weakness.
I would look up and laugh, and love and lift.
JUNIOR DIRECTOR:
Love is the greatest thing in the world. It is the motive for our best actions and feelings. The works of love form our character. Let us listen to our Officers while they tell us how love prompts our conduct.
As the following parts are given, Officers come to the Altar, take a candle from the side nearest them, light it from the center candle of Love, and return to their places in the outer circle. They give their lines as they light their candles.
ESCORT:
"Love suffereth long, and is kind."
BANKER:
"Love envieth not."
ADVISER:
"Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.
WATCHMAN:
"Doth not behave itself unseemly."
PAST CONSUL:
"Seeketh not her own."
CHAPLAIN:
"Is not easily provoked."
SECRETARY:
"Thinketh no evil."
FLAG BEARER:
"Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth."
CONSUL:
"Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
Junior Director takes one step forward.
JUNIOR DIRECTOR:
When you entered this room you found it dark except for the lighted candles of Faith, Hope, and Love which burned in the center of the room. In the spirit of Love, the Officers led you close to the light. Centuries ago men worshiped light and fire because of their life-giving powers and because they were a protection against the known and unknown perils of the world. In this room you were brought close to the lights of Faith, Hope, and Love. Though faith and hope brightened the shadows and lightened the way before you, the influence of love was even greater. It surrounded you in an unending circle, another symbol of the everlasting quality of love.
Junior Officers, can you tell these candidates how love can fill our lives?
CHAPLAIN:
The Bible tells us that "God is Love." He is over all and in all. By loving God we can understand and appreciate the other loves of the world.
FLAG BEARER:
Love of country is second only to the love of God. We pledge allegiance to the flag and our government at every meeting of this Club for we want everyone to know we proudly await the time when we may claim our rights as citizens of this great country.
BANKER:
In the love of nature we have a lasting source of enjoyment. There is beauty in the heavens by day and night; in lakes, mountains, plains, trees, flowers, and grass. The rain and the sunshine together form the rainbow which is, like love, a bridge from earth to heaven, and a sign of God’s promise to all living creatures.
SECRETARY:
We need to love beauty in personal appearance; in dress and face; in feet on which we stand erect and run and dance; in hands with which we work and touch and point and write and applaud and vote and command. For in this way we learn to have pride in our bodies and so keep them strong, healthy, neat, and clean.
ADVISER:
The love of beautiful thoughts will reflect a beautiful life within. We should always have thoughts that are pure, honest, and truthful. We live with our thoughts and they may drag us down or urge us onward.
ESCORT:
We should love good books because in them we find the most beautiful thoughts of the wisest men and women since the world began. There are many wonderful books whose stories tell us of the lives of great men, the pleasures of little children, and the simple truths of life.
WATCHMAN:
All the world loves music, for music is the voice of the soul. The great symphonies, stirring marches, weird chants, homey folk songs, and melodic ballads express the joys, sorrows, and dreams of the people. In song we "praise God from whom all blessings flow."
PAST CONSUL:
We may learn to love many things in life—nature, music, and books, but the greatest happiness in life is when we learn to love other people; to love our neighbors as ourselves; to do unto others as we want them to do to us. By giving love we get love—the "greatest thing in the world."
CONSUL:
Candidates, you have heard how all Modern Woodmen Juniors try to make the principles of love fit into their lives. Now in accepting you into our membership, it is necessary that you repeat after me this promise:
Obligation for new members. May be used as substitute initiation when full Ceremony of Adoption is not feasible.
JUNIOR DIRECTOR:
Will the new members … give names rise? Escort, please present them at the Altar station.
When new members are in place at side of Altar station nearest the Adviser, Junior Director continues:
At each meeting of this Junior Club, you will find three candles on this Altar station. They are red, white and blue, our Junior Woodmen colors and a constant reminder of our country’s flag. They are never lighted except when a new Junior is taking the obligation of Junior Woodcraft. Because you are doing that now, I shall light the candles. Speaks as candles are lighted. The red candle is the candle of faith; the blue candle is the candle of hope, and the center white candle is the candle of love, and around these principles we try to shape our lives. Place your hand over your heart in the Citizen’s Salute and repeat after me the following:
Escort repeats promise with the candidates.

I faithfully promise—that I will—be a loyal member of this Club—that I will learn the lessons of life—and practice the principles of love—so that my every day life—may be more useful and beautiful.—I understand that—the lessons I have just heard—are the lessons which all Junior members—of Modern Woodmen of America—strive to learn and practice.
One of the important signals of our Society is known as the Woodmen Honors. This signal is made by … give instructions. Our secret Password is … whisper to new member.
In accepting you into active membership in this Junior Club, we wish to present you with this Modern Woodmen Creed card. We ask you to hang it in a prominent place in your room and memorize it so that you may repeat it with us at Junior Club meetings.
JUNIOR DIRECTOR:
Officers, you will please seat the candidates and return to your stations.
Officers seat candidates and return to stations in directed march.

Candidates, on behalf of Modern Woodmen of America, I welcome you as Junior members of our Society. I trust this meeting will be remembered always as one of the happiest events of your lives. It is our hope that this Junior Club will assist parents and teachers in training you to become good men and women.
"And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
 
 
Closing Ceremony

CONSUL:
Officers and Juniors, do you know of any work left unfinished at this meeting?
CONSUL:
Let us close this meeting by singing America. ***.
My country, ‘tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the Pilgrim’s pride,
From ev’ry mountain side
Let freedom ring.
Our father’s God to thee,
Author of liberty,
To thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright
With freedom’s holy light;
Protect us by thy might,
Great God, our King.
CONSUL:
Juniors, join with me in the Woodmen’s Honors.
Let us repeat in unison our Society’s Creed:
"There is a destiny that makes us brothers;
None goes his way alone;
All that we send into the lives of others
Comes back into our own.
CONSUL:
Now, by your authority, I declare this … Junior Club No. …, Modern Woodmen of America, duly closed, until we meet again. *.


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