Post Office Box 821413, Fort Worth, Texas 76182 USA
October, 1998
We're having a Lodge Yard Sale on Friday, October 9 from 8a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, October 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please donate your good items. You can bring them to the Lodge on a Tuesday or Thursday night or call Bunk Koonce or Bo Hestilow and arrange to have them picked up. We'll need help setting up on Friday and tearing down on Saturday. Y'all come and buy something!
Dear Brethren,
I would first like to express my deepest sympathies to Brother David Terrell and his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the untimely loss of your mother. These tragedies certainly give us all reason to cherish our many blessings.
Our lodge had another prosperous month. The stated meeting was very successful as we honored one of our members, Brother M.L. Harwell, with a fifty year pin. This event was certainly inspiring to me as a younger brother who hopes to devote many more years to our fraternity!
I would like to thank all the brethren of Smithfield Lodge for everything they contribute to our lodge from turning off a light switch to working in our Masonic degrees! Everyone is important to our lodge, let's keep up the great work!
Brethren, we had an incredible time at the Masonic Reunion! The weekend started Friday night with a Masonic steak and potato dinner cooked Cowboy Style! Yes, Cowboy Style!! We used Brother T.L. Hester's chuck wagon for our campsite and prepared all the food served that night right out of the wagon. We also had a surprise guest to share in our Masonic feast, who was none other than the Grand Master himself, Most Worshipful Brother Cunningham! To explain why I am referring to the steaks as "Masonic Steaks", while we were cooking them we used a branding iron to burn the square and compasses into the meat!
We also enjoyed the company of the Grand Master and his wife for breakfast at the wagon on Saturday morning. Brother J.B. Hutcherson's East Texas style coffee was a big hit along with Brother T. L. Hester's Masonic biscuits, which were also branded with the Masonic emblem! Brother A. M. Hestilow was our barbecue cook, and as always he outdid himself. Brother Gary Spragins, one of our newest Masons was in charge of the orders and taking money. We also had plenty of advertisement thanks to Brother Steve Bachman who hand painted a sign with our lodge's logo. Brother R. T. Koonce also gave the lodge a banner which expressed the lodge's name and number. A special thanks to everyone who helped make our fund raiser a success!
Brethren, we still have many things going on at Smithfield. I would like to encourage everyone to come and participate with us in the degrees and other functions. We can surely find a place for you! I'll take this opportunity to invite you all to our next stated meeting where I will announce some very important dates.
Daryle Hester
Brethren,
I wrote this article the night before I learned that my mother had fallen and broken her hip. During the surgery to repair it, she suffered a stroke and never regained consciousness. The loss was particularly hard as it followed on the sudden loss of my father eighteen months ago. I sincerely and humbly thank the Lodge for sending the beautiful flowers and Brother and Mrs. Coates for driving to Conroe (250 miles through Tropical Storm Frances) to attend the funeral.
Let me ask you a question. Does anyone else feel like time is just flying by? We've already put three months of this Masonic year away! It's a quarter over! Tarnation!! The September stated meeting was very busy. We had the honor of having Brother M.L. Harwell and his family present. Brother Harwell has been a member of Smithfield Lodge for over 50 years. I enjoyed visiting with Brother Harwell and his family. Once again, we had great food. During the past month, the Lodge conducted two EA degrees and two FC degrees. We read another petition at this stated meeting. please come be a part of the work that's proceeding. November is bring the Shrine Circus back to town. As in the past, the Shrine has graciously agreed to furnish free tickets to deserving families with children who otherwise could not go. The only qualification is your recommendation. Contact Brother Campbell for details. Thanks to Brother Haygood for a comment provoking talk about the medieval Knights Templars. He discussed events after the order's suppression in the 14th century that may relate to Freemasonry
The Masonic Family Reunion was great fun under the pecan trees at the retirement center in Arlington. My kids had a wonderful time and the feeling of being with over a thousand people you could trust to watch out for your children gave me a sense of peace I haven't felt in years. I hope we do it again. Special thanks to the Brothers Hester for bring the chuck wagon to the reunion and selling cooked foods to benefit the Lodge. Their rustic camp contrasted markedly with the folding metal chairs and 3-by-5 foot tables just about everyone else had set up. Thanks to Brother Bachman for painting a wonderful wooden sign that matched the rest of the camp. I also appreciate Brother Jeter finding us a larger site to put the camp.
Finally, thanks to Brother Pierre Semrani M.D. who made a sizable donation to the Lodge Endowment Fund
David Terrell
Dear Brethren,
I would like to say something about the Grand Lodge Endowed Membership. Although a Lodge may receive the fee for an endowed membership from a petitioner for the degrees, for advancement, for reinstatement or for affiliation, the money shall not be transmitted to the Grand Secretary until a favorable ballot has been had on the petition, and in the case of the petition for the degrees, not until the conferral of the Master Mason's degree and proficiency in all degrees has been approved by vote of the Lodge. The $500.00 fee collected for an endowed membership shall be transmitted to the Grand Secretary before the next succeeding June 23 in order to qualify the Lodge for a distribution of funds.
Funds received by a Lodge for the purchase of endowed memberships after June 23 of each year may be placed in an insured interest bearing account in a reputable financial institution and except as provided in Grand Lodge Law shall be transmitted to the Grand Secretary before the next June 23.
Rickey Levings
Brethren,
If you read the Trestleboard last month, you must have found several articles enjoyable and informative. However, the Trestleboard is for more than just our members. Granted, we read it not only to find out what is going on in our Lodge, but also to hear what others see in the work we do. Whether you agree or disagree with the topics, it spurs thought and discussion, or we hope it does. But lets not stop there. Encourage your family and friends to read your Trestleboard. You will be surprised at the interest and questions it will generate. Curious discussion is good. Even though we have been taught that reading is a great tool for learning, discussion is as important and who better to discuss it with than with your family and friends.
There are many things in Masonry that people who are not associated with such may find curious or confusing. Be proud of your Masonry and talk to others who may be curious or confused. This does not mean that you must discuss to a point that it will bring you into argument or discord. On a similar note, come to lodge or write us and let us know what you think about the things you have read, whether you agree or disagree with the topic. This kind of energy is fuel for the fire.
New ideas are always encouraged and necessary for the growth of any organization or fraternity. Without it, we may find ourselves like so many other lodges. In a rut. Financially insecure, lacking interest and, above all, unable to provide the charity and support to the community that Masonry was so crucially involved in during the development of this great Country.
For the past two hundred years, the Pioneers and Forefathers of our Country were Masons. They knew the importance of the foundation, strength and support Masonry lends a growing Community. This knowledge and concern for the well being of the Community was not only vital, it was expected, and yet, today we find ourselves struggling to educate and remind our neighborhoods that we are there to help. Our friends and neighbors no longer realize we exist. One of the best ways I see to educate ignorance or disharmony is to simply open the door and communicate with others. You will find that most problems can be softened, if not completely resolved, by just talking about it.
Well, I think you get the picture. Use your imagination, get involved and find your own special way of helping Masonry spread that “cement”. Everyone has a place in Masonry and without you, Smithfield Lodge and Masonry, as a whole, is missing out on your special talents.
Be proud of your Masonry and hold your head high as you walk in the path of those who have walked this way before you. It is because of them that this wonderful opportunity exists for you.
David W. Myers, Treasurer
Brethren,
This has been an interesting time in our Lodge. We have had the Masonic round-up at the retirement center. Thanks to Butch Hester, Bo Hestilow, Daryle Hester, and others. The Masonic biscuits were the hit of the weekend. The parade, booths, and general make-up of the crowd shows that Masonry is alive, and well, in Tarrant County.
I was so pleased to hear from Brother Jack Melin of "Smithfield West" as he encouraged us in our feeble efforts in this newsletter and in attempting to further Masonry through such unique programs as that proffered by the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master Mike Gower. It reminded me that we need to encourage each other in all that we do in the name of our gentle fraternity. As we see such efforts as Brother Mike Haygood's talks, Brother David Myers' "Treasurer's Chest" and Brother David Terrell's great job on the Trestle Board, do we stop to thank those who make us proud to be a part of this effort? Doing so can make those who contribute so much to the daily "spreading of the cement of Brotherly Love" want to do even more. Be an encourager! The world needs more of them.
We will soon be sending out dues notices. They will be for $50.00 and are due by December 31, 1998. If you want to send them in early, just not on the check that is for "1999 dues" and it will save the Lodge the cost of a stamp. "That's not much!" you say, but it costs the Lodge about $70.00 to send out notices each year. Every little bit helps.
Floor school still meets on Tuesday and Thursday nights. If you want to learn some part of the ritual, meet with us on floor school nights and become part of a group that has a lot of fun with the ritual work.
Last, but not least, the Lodge will be doing some fund raising this year. If you can spare a couple of hours, we have a place for you. The Holiday Greeters at the Mall will be needing men during the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It will be a lot of fun. So volunteer a day to help Masonry and your Lodge. More on this later.
Thanks to those who are available to confer the Degrees in our Lodge. You are appreciated by the WIMP. and those who receive the degrees. The work that you do makes our Lodge the good example that it is. Thanks and thanks again!
BAR. Campbell, Secretary
October 1 -- Stated Meeting 7:30 PM
October 7 -- Masonic Service Bureau
October 9 -- Yard Sale
October 10 -- Yard Sale
The following brethren will observe their Masonic Birthdays in October. They were raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason during this month.
BAR. Acton 10-22-91 BAR. Atwood PM 10-21-76 M.A. Box 10-27-88 ALB. Cole 10-27-80 R.D. Corley 10-19-95 RAW. Ernst 10-17-68 GER.. Foote 10-12-57 LED. Foote 10-12-57 VAL. Gibson 10-18-62 JAN. Girder 10-17-74 MRS.. Johnston 10-06-70 MR.. Labarum 10-22-68 DIP. McKinley 10-09-67 ILL.. Newman, Jr. 10-22-70 JEFF. Plaster, Jr. PM 10-13-53 KERR. Rucker 10-05-71 JIG. Steal, Jr. PM 10-16-80 B.F. Tap 10-29-54 MR.. Grantham 10-01-91 Congratulations Brethren!
In the Farmers Almanac for 1823 published at Andover, Mass., the following was printed under the heading, "Character of a Freemason": The real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of mankind by the uniform unrestrained rectitude of his conduct. Other men are honest in fear of punishment which the law might inflect; they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the devil, in the next world. A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by the finger of his creator. In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the same. He kneels before the universal throne of God in gratitude for the blessings he has received and humble solicitation for his future protection. He venerates the good men of all religions. He disturbs not the religion of others. He restrains his passions, because they cannot be indulged without injuring his neighbor or himself. He gives no offense, because he does not choose to be offended. He contracts no debts which he is certain he cannot discharge, because he is honest upon principal.
Send your questions or comments to: David G. Terrell (smithfield455@fastened)