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intrinsic worth or value, but to become “the precious Our M.W.P.G.M. Alexander D. McDonald presented
nucleus of hallowed associations.” How prophetic the ring to M.W. Grand Master Kenyon this way:
were his words! One by one those who have worn it "This ring “is made, as I am informed, of pure gold
are passing into the Great Beyond. Worthy it has been taken from the sands of Alder Gulch-that locality
worn by my predecessors, and I trust that I transfer which fi rst saw the dawn of Masonic light in the
it to you this day untarnished. In delivering it to you Territory of Montana. The perfect circle of its form,
r my Brother, I do so in full confi dence that you will surmounted as it is by a plate bearing the Lion’s Paw,
g not exercise your prerogative autocratically; that should remind the wearer that so long as he keeps
forbearance and moderation, fortitude and prudence, his actions circumscribed by the tenets of a Mason’s
temperance and justice, will be your constitutional profession he may reasonably look for the support
limitations, and that you will transmit it to your of which the surrounding emblem is our pledge. The
n successor with added symbolic luster. hand by which this ring was fi rst presented is now
r moldering into dust, while the eloquent tongue of the
In 1905, Past Grand Mater Callaway presented the giver is silent forever; but the emblem itself, in the
r ring to the new Grand Master, Henry L. Frank and increased symbolic luster lent it by the many virtues
d said: of its hereditary possessors, speaks no less eloquently
r “Most Worshipful Brother, it is now my pleasant of the precious memories which now surround it. It
privilege to present to you the Signet Ring of the came to me one year ago, having been worthily worn,
d Grand Master. It comes to you rich with the “precious and I trust I transmit it to you with luster undimmed by
f nucleus of hallowed association and memories.” It has any act of mine. It is now, my Brother, yours to wear
u been worthily worn by a long and distinguished line, during your term of offi ce. It is an emblem you cannot
n Most Worshipful Sir, are you to follow? The Indians fail to wear with the utmost pleasure and humility, and
y have a legend that the courage of the vanquished I now charge you by remembrance of your most sacred

enters into the spirit of the victor and makes him that vows, to wear it with honor to the fraternity.
much stronger. I trust that the good qualities of your
d predecessors have endowed this ring with talismanic In turn, Past Grand Master Kenyon in 1907 presented
d power and that when possessed by you and your the Lion's Paw Ring this way:

successors it may encourage and uphold you through "I felt greatly honored by the privilege of wearing
d every trial, and imbue you with a sustained and this emblem which symbolizes the power entrusted to
determined purpose to ever preserve unsullied the fair me one year ago. Its presence on my fi nger has been
t name and fame of the great fraternity whose purple a constant reminder to me of my duty to the Craft
l you wear. At a time, now unhappily long since past, I as Grand Master, and I have endeavored to wear it
talked with Brother Word concerning this signet ring. worthily that you might receive it from my hand as
I He told me he had it made of gold from Alder Gulch pure and untarnished as when I received it. It has been
because in that famous spot the fl ame of Masonry in worn by our Past Grand Masters. It is pure gold, dug
a Montana fi rst began to blaze; and that it was his wish from the mines of Montana. Accept it, M.W. Brother,
g that at each succeeding Communication the name of and wear it with pleasure to yourself and honor to the
h every Grand Master who had worn it worthily should fraternity."
r be pronounced when it should be passed from the
f Grand Master to his successor, and, he exclaimed, Also in 1907, is recorded the fi rst instance of a verbal
d grasping the Senior Deacons rod, “I hope that the time acceptance of the Signet Ring and was accepted by
will come when the printed line of the Grand Masters MW. Bro Noland with these words:
d who have worn that ring will be longer than this pole! "I remember the occasion very well when the fi rst
r This ring typifi es the good Mason; it is of purest gold, presentation of this ring was made by Brother Word,
with but enough alloy to give it stability. The refi ning and his eloquent words are still ringing in my ears
fi res which purifi ed it are in their action akin to the as to the purpose and motives that impelled him to
infl uence of Masonry upon its votaries. I have worn initiate this new proceeding in the history of the Grand
it with joy and gratitude, more deeply appreciative Lodge of this State. It has been my happy privilege
of the honor than any words can tell. It came to me to reside in the State of Montana since the time this
bright with the luster bestowed upon it by the virtue of ring was fi rst presented by Brother Word, and it
my many predecessors. I trust I transmitted it to you has been my privilege and honor to have a personal
y untarnished and undimmed. Take it, Most Worshipful acquaintanceship with all of the distinguished men into
n Brother, and wear it only for the honor and glory of whose possession this ring has passed. I can readily
Masonry. appreciate the distinguished character and service of
those men, all of them, to the cause of Masonry. A

Volume 95 Number 1 Montana Freemason Page 21