River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-01-05
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THE USE Of RINGS.
They Have Served as symbols for Man
Things in Human History.

Things In human History.
Once there was a peculiar signifi-
canoe attached TO rings. They were
regarded as a token of authority The
emperor's signet ring placed in the
hands of an official invested him for
the time with his masters power
Rings are first mentioned in the Bible
in Genesis xii, AZ: - nd Pharaoh took
his ring from his hand and put It on
Joseph's hand, and made him rule
over all Egypt" When the Israelites
conquered the Midianites they took
all their rings and bracelets and offered
them to the Lord. - Ahasuerus gave
the ring from his hand to the Jews
worst enemy. thus giving him unlimit-
ed control to do with them and their
property whatever he pleased The
father received his prodigal son joy
fully, and sealed his forgiveness by put
ting ring on his hand.
The Egyptians regarded their rings
both as business vouchers and rs orna-
ments. the signet rings being always
used for sealing documents. and how
ever used, their rings were always
buried with them, and in later years
are often found in their tombs. The
signet ring was usually of bronze or
silver, but among the rich gold rings
were used for ornaments. Ivory or
blue porcelain were worn by the poor
Plain gold rings. engraved with some
motto or the head of their deities, were
much priced, and three or four were
often worn on the fngerswnd also on
the thumbs. Among the Jews no one
was in full dress without the signet
ring, and ladies had their rings set pro-
fusely with costly gems-rubies, en-
eralds and chrysolites being the most
valuable.
Rings were much worn in Asia and
by the Hebrews long before they were
known in Greece, but once INTRODUCED
there their use spread with surprising
rapidity. In the DAYS of Scion every
freedman wore a signet ring of gold,
silver or bronze. But at length wear
ing jewelry became so extrsvagant that
the law-givers attempted go curtail its
use, but with little success for a long
time The Spartans, however. for years
sternly refused TO indulge In such ex-
travagance. wearing only iron siguet
rings as many others did.
AS other luxuries increased the iron
ring was quite discarded and Romans,
Greeks and Egyptians alike carried
their love of ornaments and iewelry To
the most absurd extent, often covering
each finger and thumbs of both hands
as high as the second ipint with aston
ishing additions of precious stones.
Some of the royal ladies are reported
to have worn rings costing what in our
money would be equal to two hundred
thousand dollars and three hundred
thousand dollars. The signet ring was
worn by the Jews ON the middle or
little finger of the right hand. The
early Christians used no rings until
about 500, when they adopted the
Egyptian custom of putting the most
significant ring on the second finger of
the left hand, and something en-
blematical of their faith and worship
palm leaf, a dove, an anchor, cross,
or picture of the Saviour or his apostles
was always engraved on these rings.
All the bishops wore a ring indicating
their peculiar office. When a pope is
consecrated a seal ring of steel is put
upon his hand, and afterward commit
ted in charge to some of his cardinals.
II pope dies this ring is broken and
new one made for his successor. Some
precious stones-a crystal. ruby, sap
phire or amethvst-are always set in
the episcopal ring. A cardinals ring
has sapphire set in it. An amethyst
is the symbol of Jewish rabbi Of the
highest standing, and to be worn with
his robes Of royal purple velvet. As
wedding gifts or betrothal pledges rings
were used at very early period. An
iron ring was the Romans token of be-
trothal, being thought significant of
the enduring character of the love and
engagement---Gode Ladies' Book.