PART I
 

CHAPTER I
TRANS-ATLANTIC HISTORY

EARLY GUILDS AND BROTHERHOOD

HE SPIRIT of association has in all ages induced men to join
together for the pleasures of mutual enjoyment or for the attain¬
ment of some common purpose for which the support of numbers
was necessary. The idea has taken shape in various ways. The
formation of guilds was for the benefit of each one in his indi¬
vidual and social capacity, a voluntary association of those who
joined for a common purpose, paying contributions, meeting
together, or feasting together periodically, helping one another
in sickness and poverty, and frequently united for the pursuit
of a special object.

The influence of these guilds marks an important interest

in Europe from an early period; their most signal development

and  prosperity was in the Teutonic countries,  as  well  as  in

England during the middle ages; their spread, however, extended to the Romantic

nations.

Human nature is the same everywhere, and two motives induce mgfl to
join together—weakness, seeking the power of numbers for resisting oppression;
and, the affinity which those pursuing the same occupation and possessing the
same interests have for each other.

The meaning of the word guild or gild is closely connected with the origin
of the institution. Gild or geld was old English for a set payment or contribution,
from seldan or syldan, to pay; the primary meaning was payment, and the
company of those who paid became known by this chief title to membership.
The essential principle of the guild is the banding together for mutual help,
mutual enjoyment and mutual encouragement in good endeavor, and the spirit
which directed itself to the inner business and life of such society is what gave
character to such guild. There was a peace guild in the loth century, an
association based upon defense and mutual obligations. A great trading guild
in the 13th and 14th century, and social and religious guilds in the 15th century.
In Rome there were a large number of trade corporations, devoted to their
crafts; others united for good fellowship, religion, and many were specially
organized to provide for burial, and were known as burial guilds. While the
earlier organizations were made up principally of workmen, and those from the
humble walks of life, persons of the highest rank were ofttimes glad to belong
to them. The freedom of social intercourse being particularly appreciated among
the poorer organizations.    The initiative of these institutions cannot be ascribed

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