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o'er the grave of buried friendship, place springs of the faith is the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood
evergreen, moistened with tears. of Man. Again thanking you ladies for your beautiful
testimonials, be assured that the Masons of Helena will
Th e banners were presented to the standard bearers
designated, and on behalf of the lodges thus handsomely ever remember with gratitude the generous donors while
favored, Sol Star, W.M. King Solomon Lodge No. 9, made their hearts are alive to good impulses and memory stands
the following a willing servitor to strike the chimes of aff ection's sweetest
symphonies.
RESPONSE "In life's labors, each of us have our duties and mission,
and when our labors here are ended and we are called by
Mrs. Pinney, and Ladies of Helena:
the Great Master of that Lodge which shall be opened in the
"Upon me devolves the pleasant duty of sincerely Councils of Eternity, if we come duly and truly prepared,
thanking you on behalf of the Masonic Fraternity of Helena we shall meet and be welcomed where Peace and Good
for the beautiful banners you have presented us, and the Will reign supreme, and "the banner over us is Love."
kind words spoken in due season, with which they were
accompanied. While the banners shall grace our lodge Th e presentation scene was one of the happiest it has
room and be treasured as mementos of this occasion, the been our pleasure to witness. Although a strong breeze was
words shall ever be treasured as carefully in our memories. blowing, rendering enunciation extremely diffi cult, the
Not only does the color of these silken banners represent address of Mrs. Pinney was heard by the entire Order. With
those cardinal tenets of your Order, Truth, Friendship the venerable Knight by her side; the trio of ladies Mrs. J.
and Fidelity, but its empyreal hue, born in heaven and G. Sanders, Mrs. Wm. Mather and Mrs. James McPherson,
mirrored in the boundless sea, is the emblem of Fidelity, in the background, holding the banners, that as the elegant
ever reminding us that when life's tempest has passed we presentation was made, fl uttered with vigorous eagerness
will fi nd sure anchorage in the haven above. Th ey are not to be placed in the hands of the deputation; the dense
blazoned with the devices of war, nor do they tell of tented assemblage pressing up to hear the speakers; the white-
fi elds and sanguinary strife. Peace hath her victories, aproned and gloved Masters; the superbly dressed Chapter
nobler far, and the gentle winds may caress these tinted and Council, and the gallant looking Knights Templar,
folds as they would toy with the lily by yonder river's formed in the cordon about the Deputy Grand Master and
marge, or salute the delicate daisy on the mountainside. the Great Light of Masonry, we are assured in asserting
You have well and fi tly expressed some of the purposes of it a bright, beautiful and attractive picture, although in
Masonry, and though many are beyond the portals of our miniature. Th e Response was fi nely delivered, and if the
Order, none are beyond its infl uences. speaker erred, it was not expressing fully enough the
"In other ages and beyond the seas, was reared a temple by gratitude felt by every Mason to the ladies who placed them
skillful artisans. Its pieces were fashioned in the forest and under such a weighty obligation.
quarry; its great columns were raised, and as its majestic
proportions grew into beauty and symmetry, the sound of Th e Procession moved over nearly the entire route
the gavel was not heard therein; yet its colossal grandeur designated, Brays Band discoursing fi ne music and the
and ornate beauty was the pride and glory of the earth, town turning out to witness the sight. A shower somewhat
and as centuries rolled over it, its architects and builders abbreviated the march and facilitated the ingress to the
received from succeeding generations the award of merit. Church. Here the Helena Glee Club, sung an anthem as
So labor Masons; not with loud declaim in public places, the Craft entered, and aft er prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. A.
but laying the plummet and level to their actions, prepare M. Hough, the Orator of the Day, D.G.M John Potter was
in the heart good deeds that shall fi t into the great moral introduced and delivered the Address. No better evidence
temple. You, who are not conversant with the mysteries of of its merit is needed than that the audience, fi lling the
the craft , have this day evinced that you discern the good Church to its utmost capacity, listened with rapt attention,
results. To those who give it but a passing thought, Masonry and in silence, that the slightest footfall would have rudely
may appear exclusive, selfi sh and of contracted infl uences. disturbed, for one hour and twenty minutes. It was replete
It is not our province to laud its praises or proclaim its with the most interesting Masonic history and incidents,
virtues, yet the generous confi dence you have this day and was distinctly heard by all. We are pleased to note that
evinced by word and deed, would suggest the expression its publication in pamphlet form will enable it to be placed
that man in all ages and circumstances, has demanded by in the hands of every Mason in Montana. On the motion of
divine authority, ere another shall be taken to his heart, his D. I. G. M. Lane, a unanimous vote of thanks was returned
confi dence, his family fi re-side or altar - he be proven and to the ladies of Helena for the banners, and to Mrs. Geo. M.
found worthy. Th is Masonry asks and no more. He may Pinney for the manner of their presentation. Owing to the
come in the garment of Princes or in the rags of poverty, unpropitious indications of the weather, quite a number
clothed in authority or a hewer of wood and a bearer of who would otherwise have been in the lines, were absent,
burdens, and knock with desire upon our gates. Th ere is but, as it was, the Fraternity was well represented, and
but one qualifi cation demanded ere they are opened unto from Entered Apprentices in untucked Aprons to Knights
him, but that is essential - a prepared heart. Templar on prancing chargers, we apprehend none will
"In conclusion, permit me to say that we accept these remember St. John's Day, '68, in Helena, without a thrill of
pleasure.
banners as the standards of a Fraternity whose essential
Montana Freemason Page 31 Jan/Feb 2021 Volume 97 No. 1