Just tidying up some blasts from the past (including some very ancient ones), largely for the benefit of anyone searching the site for information.
“Woodmen of the World” was a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society with pseudo-masonic claptrap and rituals. It still exists today as “Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society”. Joseph Cullen Root founded the “Modern Woodmen of America” in Lyons, Iowa in 1883 after hearing a sermon about “pioneer woodsmen clearing away the forest to provide for their families”. Disagreements within the organisation resulted in Root being ejected from it and he started again in Omaha, Nebraska in 1890 with “Modern Woodmen of the World” as a society that would “clear away problems of financial security for its members”. He dropped the word “Modern” soon afterwards.
The “Coin Test” was a symbolic part of their initiation rites to introduce new members and admit visiting members from other regions of the country. This is from their “Ceremony of Introduction in the Protection Degree, Promulgated by the Ritual Committee of the Sovereign Camp, 1903”:
After taking the obligation at the stump [a tree stump serving as an ‘altar’ for each lodge, in a hierarchy known as ‘‘Forests” and “Camps” of the society], you gave the Consul Commander this coin. I will now return it to you with the coin test, which I will explain.
We received this coin from your hands as a token of consideration. Every legal contract must have a value of exchange to complete and make a valid obligation. You have been admitted within this Forest by certain ceremonies and obligations, and for the consideration of this coin you are now entitled to be instructed in the secret work, which I will communicate to you.
To enter the Forest, at the outside door give one rap or ring the bell, give the Sentry the first word of the semi-annual words, and if visiting a Camp other than your own, give him the name, number and location of your Camp. He may demand other tests, for the Sentry must be satisfied that you are a member in good standing. Being admitted, after placing upon your left breast the badge of the Order, if any have been provided by the Camp, advance to the inner door and give two raps, which will be responded to by two raps by the Watchman, and to him give your name, the name and number of your Camp, if visiting another Camp, and the last word of the semi-annual words. The Watchman will report your name to the Adviser Lieutenant and, if in good standing, he will order you admitted. You will then proceed to the stump and salute the flag; then, about face and give the working sign to the Adviser Lieutenant, who will answer by the same sign, and you may be seated. Wishing to retire or change your position in the Forest, you will make request of the Adviser Lieutenant under the working sign and receive his permission. Wishing to take the floor, you will rise under the working sign and address the Consul Commander before making a motion or speaking to the Camp.
Later, these 'tokens' served as advertising/promotional/pocket pieces without any particular ritual use.
