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l to stoop down and raise a fallen brother as we have all In Montana, one of the last items he receives is the
t been raised and endeavor to support him in the true Grand Masters Signet Ring, as a reminder to himself
and narrow path. As such an emblem and with such a of the commitment he has made as an individual to the
, lesson I present this ring to you, my successor." Craft, to Masonry and the G.A.O.T.U.
t
d In 1933, Past Grand Master Morris Rowland The Lion's Paw Ring made of gold taken from
n presented the ring to Grand Master E .L. Marvin this the sands of Alder Gulch to serve as a reminder of
n way: where Masonic light fi rst illuminated in the Territory
d "Most Worshipful Grand Master Samuel Word, of Montana, and to symbolize the nature of the
t pioneer of Montana, associated with the earliest covenant the new Grand Master had entered upon.
n struggles between law and lawlessness in the Territory That it should be a constant reminder to its wearer of
e of Montana, on becoming Grand Master of this Grand the never-ending duties devolving upon him, in the
n Lodge of Masons in Montana, appreciating the high execution of which he must rely on the Lion of the
s honor held by him, determined upon some visible token Tribe of Judah for guidance and direction. A prompt to
e to be transmitted to his, and in turn each succeeding him not exercise his duties and offi ce with forbearance
d successor in the offi ce of Grand Master. and moderation, fortitude and prudence, temperance
f Nothing more appropriate could have been selected and justice, to know his constitutional limitations. The
t by him than the valuable metal which fi rst attracted Lion's Paw Ring should remind the wearer to keep
g men to our boundaries; so from the gulches teeming his individual actions circumscribed by the tenets of
with golden grains he took tribute and had a cunning Freemasonry. The Grand Masters ring symbolizes the
e worker in metals transform it into a ring with the power entrusted to him, the presence of the ring on his
e symbol of the strength of the Lion of the tribe of Judah fi nger reminding him to regulate his conduct and every
m etched into it, and invested his successor as Grand time he looks at the Lion's Paw Ring to remember that
d Master with this symbolic token, with the admonition as Grand Master he is a servant-leader and accountable
d that when placed on the fi nger of his successor it would to the Craft.
r show no tarnish coming from the hands of the wearer."
, In reviewing the Proceedings from 1866 through the
o Initially and in the early years of our Grand Lodge mid-1930s, we see that a great deal of attention was
n history, there was a tremendous amount of value and given to the presentation of the Signet Ring and that it
r importance placed upon the passing of the Signet Ring. was perhaps the central point of the installation. The
u outgoing Grand Masters most who were in white collar
, During the installation when the Grand Master professions were quite eloquent in the presentation and
, gives his Oath of Offi ce he is giving a public promise attaching value and signifi cance to passing on the ring.
h "I ______, solemnly promise, in the presence of
Almighty God and of this Grand Lodge of Ancient Sadly, in later years the Proceedings reveal more of
Free and Accepted Masons of Montana, that I will, a casual approach and a minimal presentation of the
, to the best of my ability, faithfully and impartially, Lion's Paw Ring, the names of the past Grand Masters
e perform all of the duties incumbent upon my offi ce; no longer spoken and reduced to being printed in a
t that I will conform to the constitution, laws, rules, brochure that none reads. Many of the Grand Masters
n and regulations of this Grand Lodge; and that I will never wore the ring or did so on limited occasions. Like
d enforce a strict obedience to the same, from all subject many things over the last 50 or 60 years, things that
t to my authority. All this I do promise, God being my were once considered of great value and importance
c help." This is an expression of the new Grand Masters has been diminished. The focus now seems to center
y promise to the Craft made before the G.A.O.T.U. more on the elevation of the man over the Craft, rather
r than a celebration of a servant leader who would
The newly installed Grand Master is presented the exercise stewardship over the fraternity. And so it
apron of the Grand Master (although in Montana he goes, to rule well is still the fortune of but a few.
f actually receives a Past Grand Masters Apron) and the
d collar with the purple of the fraternity and jewel of the
s Grand Master of Montana. These are a visible sign to
r the Craft that he is the Grand Master. He also receives
m the Gavel, as an additional symbol of his rank and
a authority. And he is also presented with his hat, which
d is his alone to wear in Grand Lodge.
,
Volume 95 Number 1 Montana Freemason Page 23