In The Memory of Brother Marvin Edward Lowry
Post Office Box 821413, Fort Worth, Texas 76182 USA
March, 1998
Dear Brethren,
This month is the shortest, but there is so much to pack into 28 days. It started with the Masonic Booth at the Southwest Exhibition and Rodeo, or as we all know it, The Stock Show, that went very well. Thanks to the efforts of our own David Terrell (Junior Warden) who was in charge of the committee which arranged all the details and made the booth a great success. I am told that well over 250 Brethren signed the log book, and some 20 petitions are in the works. Not every Mason who went by the booth signed in. If that was the case, the number of visitors would have been in the thousands!
I was fortunate to have worked the Rodeo Coliseum Security again this year. It gave me an unique opportunity to see and visit with the many Brethren who manned the booth, when I was on break. The Square and Compasses were everywhere. I saw them on hats, caps, rings, stickers, ties, pins, and even on a pair of boots! At one point, I spoke with a young E.A. from west Texas who was about to mount a saddle bronc horse for his 8 second ride. A horse which, I can assure you, did not like the idea of having a Mason on his back. Well, eight seconds later, the score was Masons (1) -- Horse (0)! You get the picture. Another Brother, from Pennsylvania, was almost in shock after learning of the Masonic Booth ("Your Grand Lodge allows you to do this?") and with a Texas grin ("YUP!").
Our D.D.G.M. made his official visit on February 5th. We heard his message from the Grand Master and a song which was composed by the Grand Tiler .
Don't forget the fish fry Brothers! First Thursday as always. It is also Public Schools Week . Be there early (like 5:00 P.M.) as we will have many visitors. Remember to bring yourselves and any prospective Masons. Welcome to Brother Scott Giles, who affiliated with Smithfield this month. Happy Valentine's to all the Wives and Widows of our Beloved Brethren. Give 'em a big hug, guys! Oh! Thanks for the many kind words from Paradise Valley #61 (SMITHFIELD WEST!) It sounds like they enjoy our newsletter. Thank you for your support and contribution to Texas Masonry. But maybe it should be called "Texazonimasonography". I'm sure Brother Stegall will have no trouble deciphering my meaning.
See you at Lodge!
STEVE BACHMAN.............W.M.
Brethren,
Everything is moving rapidly, as usual! I hope everything is going well. We are hoping that all the Brothers will join us for the Fish Fry. My main concern is for the declining attendance at Lodge functions. Please try to come and see us. We need all the fellowship possible!! Brethren, let's join together within the Lodge and in the community to make our country better.
Sincerely,
Daryle Hester
Dear Brethren,
I went straight to the stated meeting after a very long day at work. I was tired and worn out and completely famished. The wonderful food was so very welcome. Thanks to the Brethren and their kind wives for providing the dinner items. It was great to see so many Brethren but I really missed seeing Brother Groves. He's fighting a serious illness and I commend him to you. Please keep him and Eileen constantly in your prayers. We were happy to hear that Brother Coates had successful surgery and that he will be recovering well. Also, Brother Lyons was back, looking great, after his surgery. Welcome to Brother Donald S. Giles, who affiliated with Smithfield Lodge as a dual member.
This was the first official visit of R:W: Joe Brown, our DDGM to Smithfield Lodge. He presented Brother Glen A. Eads of Floral City Lodge #133 (Florida) with a Grand Lodge of Florida 40-year award. Many happy returns to Brother Eads! R:W: Brother Brown brought the message from our Grand Master to "Motivate in '98: Live and Talk Masonry!" He also said that "you can't ask a man to be a Mason, but you can tell him why he should be one." He described the new condo-style living quarters at the Retirement Center and exhorted the Lodge to work at getting members to Lodge. He recommended the use of phone committees and encouraged us to honor our older Brethren. He also described the August "Family Reunion" to be located on the Retirement Center grounds. They're expecting Brother Roy Clark and LeAnn Rimes for the entertainment. It should be a great time under the pecan trees. The Grand Master's official visit will be at the temple, downtown, on the 24th of March. Tickets are ten dollars.
The District Education officer, Brother Campbell, discussed the annual Warden's Retreat, in August, and the District Workshop, in April. He also described the new "Additional Lodge Light" workbook, the completion of which is now required as part of the Master Mason proficiency.
We balloted favorably on a petition and will soon be initiating a new Mason. Come and enjoy the experience with him. Brother Mike Haygood spoke on the overarching scope of Freemasonry. He expounded on some of it's symbols and encouraged us to use the working tools in our everyday lives. He brought the Lodge to its feet in applause and appreciation. He tried to wave everyone down but it didn't work. Brother Mike, you did good! Real Good!
The young woman recommended by Lodge members to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is beginning to receive treatment for her curved spine. The Stock Show Booth was a success! We had almost 300 people sign the guestbook, twenty-one requests for petitions, and six (so far) referrals to the Hospital! Thanks to Brothers Hestilow and Koonce for the work on the fence and to Brother Webb for the two new trees. The Lodge grounds are a beautiful and glorious!
Oh! The Masonic Education Institute got a little misdirected. I was prepared to give a talk, but I got four of the Past Masters into a open discussion of Lodge leadership and management before starting. I didn't want to stop them once they got rolling. I seized the opportunity and kept them going with plenty of questions. It wasn't what I had planned, but it was a great educational opportunity! We'll try again this time around.
Don't forget that the Fish Fry and Public Schools Week are next month!
David Terrell
Brethren,
We are heading into the last part of the Masonic year, the fish fry, Public Schools Week, and the last of the DDGM's first official visits. It is not too early to tell the Worshipful Master congratulations on a good year.
In the last issue of this periodical, we asked you to give us some feedback on the make-up of the paper. We thank you for the encouraging words that you have given. Some of you even included a substantial endorsement (money). We will put it to good use. As of this writing, we will continue to publish your news letter.
In looking forward to the years ahead, we have our greatest challenge in sight. The DDGM, R:W: Brother Joe Brown, pointed out to us that less than one hundred of our 141,000 members in the state are younger than twenty-four years of age. Frankly, we are not getting the message across to the young men of our time. We are failing our forefathers. The tenants of Freemasonry are needed at this time more than ever before. We need only to read the daily news to see that morality has slipped past our leaders. We must voice our position to this appalling state of affairs. We must hold our leadership, and ourselves, to a higher standard.
Enough of this, though: let me address another need -- leadership in the Lodge. Election of officers is near and leadership positions are open. I like to tell any candidate that I prepare for the Master Mason's degree that we do not raise a man who is not able to be Master of his Lodge. With some work on his part, he can assume the role of leader. now is the time to step forward and let it be known that you are available to fill a spot in the line. Yes, it takes some dedication and work on your part, but the rewards far exceed the effort you put out. STEP UP, WE NEED YOU!
Fraternally yours,
B.R. Campbell, Secretary
March 5 -- Fish Fry 6:30 PM, Stated Meeting 7:30 PM
March 11 -- Masonic Service Bureau at River Oaks Lodge
March 19 -- Grand Master visiting Cooke-Peavy Lodge
March 23 -- Masters', Wardens' and Sec'y Assoc. at Ridglea Lodge
March 31 -- Smithfield Masonic Education Institute at 7 PM
Your support is a continuing need. $100.00 or more puts your name, or the name of someone you wish to honor, on a plaque in the lobby of the Lodge. Please send your donation to Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455, A.F.&A.M., P.O. Box 821413 , Fort Worth, Texas 76182
Many of the important happenings of life are accomplished with the aid of, or are accompanied by, solemn ceremonies. Few of these are single entities; usually they consist of several ceremonies, connected but distinct, together forming a more impressively complete whole when they are connected parts. Church services differ, but many if not most have a certain essentials in common: prayer; a sermon; music; an offering-separate parts of a worship which, together form the whole. Graduation from school or college is a solemn ceremony, made up of several parts: an assembly of graduates-to-be before their fellows, their relatives and friends; an address by the President; a valedictory by a member of the class; the presentation of diplomas; a prayer. These are part which, together, make up a complete whole. A formal wedding in church, a burial, the consecration of a bishop, the inauguration of a president, all are examples of complete ceremonies made up of several parts.
The ceremonies of Freemasonry are usually thought of but as "the three degrees," but each--Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason -is a complete ceremony made up of several parts. So, also, are the public ceremonies of Freemasonry-corner-stone layings and funerals, as well as those observances which are not concerned with making a Mason - installation, reception, Grand Visitation, etc. The separate ceremonies of the three degrees of Freemasonry are not for individuals only; in general they are so arranged that many take part. They are not mere recitations to which a candidate or a brother listens, inactive, but formalities of dignity and importance which gain in both by the active participation of candidate and brethren.
The two most important events of a man's life occur without his volition of consent; he is born, eventually he dies, and he has nothing to do with either (unless he commits suicide). But all else of importance that occurs to him during his life time (acts of God excluded) are to some extent a matter of his choice. He goes to school, takes a job, gets married, has children, engages in politics or the reverse, becomes active in the affairs of his city, state, nation, all of some extent at least of his own desire, intention and action. It is the same in the lodge. What happens to him there, what he there accomplishes, is because of intention and desire. The ceremonies of Freemasonry emphasize that fact by including him in active participation, whether he comes fresh as an initiate or is already a member. [From The "Short Talk Bulletin" (May, 1948)]
Brother Charlie Groves, who is fighting a very serious illness.
Brother Dick Coates, who is recovering well from surgery.
The following brethren will observe their Masonic Birthdays in March. They were raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason during this month.
R.W. Adamson 03-23-68
O.B. Adwell 03-18-71
W.C. Autrey PM 03-23-67
D.R. Derrick 03-23-67
R.L. Drummond 03-17-92
R.M. Evans 03-24-83
P.A. Goldring 03-30-50
D.L. Hester 03-17-94
J.L. Horn 03-21-91
J.H. Jeter APM 03-13-54
R.D. Levings 03-07-95
J.W. Luster 03-19-70
E.B. Marrs 03-12-81
H. McKeehan 03-18-65
W.R. Myers 03-22-68
R.D. Nelson PM 03-10-90
C.W. Palmer 03-20-58
A.J.N. Pierce PM 03-21-46
R.C. Reflogal 03-15-73
R.K. Rice 03-12-96
R.L. Shade 03-29-73
J.W. Townsend APM 03-25-44
H.W. Webb PM 03-16-82
Congratulations Brethren!
Send your questions or comments to: David G. Terrell (smithfield455@fwst.net)