Post Office Box 821413, Fort Worth, Texas 76182
USA
Lodge telephone number: 817.656.2311
Best time to contact the Lodge: Tuesday and Thursday evenings
between 6 PM and 9 PM
October, 1999
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Forget the hasty, unkind word:
Forget the slander you have heard;
Forget the quarrel and the cause;
Forget the whole affair, because,
Forgetting is the only way.
Forget the storm of yesterday;
Forget the knocker, and the squeak;
Forget the bad day of the week.
Forget you're not a millionaire;
Forget the gray streaks in your hair;
Forget to even get the blues --
But don't forget to Pay Your Dues!
(Courtesy of Ionic Lodge #31, Wilmington, Delaware)
I was unable to attend the Stated meeting in September. I had already planned to attend my son's choir concert when, the day before, my wife's mother suffered a heart attack. She is doing passably well and I appreciate the expressions of support and encouragement from my brothers.
Thanks and congratulations to Brothers Spraggins and Montoya on receiving their Endowed Membership. I encourage everyone to consider this program which will provide eternal return to the Lodge.
The Masonic Booth will be set up at the Shrine Circus from Thursday, November 11 through Saturday, November 20.
The other day, I had the opportunity to explain the fraternity to a person who had no concept of why anyone would join such an organization. I hope that I accounted myself well. The conversation allowed me to develop some thoughts that I'd like to share. Someone who seeks Masonry as an avenue for financial gain will be forever disappointed. Masonry promises no monetary reward and religiously keeps its promise. But those who knock at the door of Masonry seeking the path of self-improvement, and yearning for the association of kindred minds and hearts, should never be disappointed. The culmination of all Masonic teaching is Universal Brotherhood, and each lodge must justify its existence by presenting a pattern of Brotherhood. There is no half-way mark in Masonry! We must increase our privileges and our responsibilities, or else we are not progressive. Masonry that we derive from books and study is only of value in its relation to our association with our fellowmen. We are told many times today how close we are to all parts of the world. But Men are no closer to each other than their ideals, their hopes, their aspirations and their desires. Men thousands of miles apart may be closer than men who live in the same block. Transportation will never be stronger than the cable-tow that unites the hearts of men. We who are Masons, who are joined together by the lasting materials of which true Brotherhood is formed, should appreciate the privileges that our membership offers. Our Masonic teachings, our tenets and principles lead to the joy of Masonic association. All vestige of "stranger" has been removed. There is an unobstructed path from heart to heart. I have learned to love this.
My deepest thanks to everyone who keeps this Lodge alive. It has been a shelter to me in the midst of deep sorrow and profound loss. Thank you for your continuing prayers in my family's behalf.
David Terrell, W:M:
(Rickey was unable to provide an article.)
Rickey Levings, S:W:
Brethren,
I had the pleasure of attending the Masonic Service Bureau meeting at Hurst Lodge. There were 127 Masons in attendance. As usual, the food was great. Brothers Billy Campbell, John Townsend, Harold Webb and myself represented Smithfield Lodge. We expect to have a great time at the centennial celebration at the Masonic Home and School on 18 September. The Hesters are bring their chuck wagon and food will be for sale.
On Saturday, September 11, Brothers Al Hestilow, Gary Spraggins, R.T. Koonce, Harold Webb and myself attended Iredell Lodge's mountain top Master Mason's Degree which was conferred by the Criminal Justice Degree Team. A brisket dinner was served.
James Allen, J:W:
Brother Myers was unable to provide an article this month.
Brethren,
The hot days of summer have past. We have survived another Texas summer. Looking back on the days, we forget how the heat stifled us, we forget the sweat pouring down into our eyes as we mowed the lawn, and we forget the discomfort we felt as we got into the car. What we do remember is the coolness of the house as we came in from our chores, the first time we saw beautiful flowers from our spring labors, and the cool drink after our labor. Our minds seem to be programmed like that. Oh well, enough musing.
It will soon be time to send out the dues notices. I will try to stamp them with the words "dues notice only" so that you will know what they are. It seems that some have thought that the notices were actually the dues card. Look closely when you receive them. Endowed members will receive the actual dues card.
I have received a few phone calls this week from men wishing to join us at Smithfield. One call was from a man in Austin who is going to move into the area and is looking for a Lodge. He was told that Smithfield is alive, and active. That is good news. Another call was from a man whose two sons had asked him about Masonry. He was pleased to recommend us. That is good news again. This got me to thinking. Do you tell friends and acquaintances about your Lodge? Do you tell them of the good times you have at Lodge? Can you recommend your Lodge to someone who asks, or do you have to tell them that you just pay your dues, and are not active? We will make sure that you are equipped, if you come to floor school. We are getting several fellows ready to assume leadership roles at the present time. Now is a good time to re-learn those lessons you had to learn when you joined the Lodge. Come out on any Tuesday or Thursday night around 7:00 P.M. We quit about 9:00 P.M., and have a very good time.
Come see the Lodge room, meet the new members, attend floor school, and become active.
Fraternally yours,
Bill Campbell
Masonic Birthdays for October, 1999
The following brethren will observe their Masonic Birthdays in October. They were raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason during this month.
B.R. Achtten 10-22-91 B.R. Atwood PM 10-21-76 M.A. Box 10-27-88 A.B. Cole 10-27-80 R.D. Corley 10-19-95 R.W. Ernst 10-17-68 G.R. Foote 10-12-57 L.D. Foote 10-12-57 V.L. Gibson 10-18-62 R.S. Johnston 10-06-70 M.B. LeBarron 10-22-68 D.P. McKinley 10-09-67 C.G. Milner 10-28-47 L.H. Newman, Jr. 10-22-70 J.F. Plaster, Jr. PM 10-13-53 K.R. Rucker 10-05-71 J.G. Stegall, Jr. PM 10-16-80 B.F. Tapp 10-29-54 M.R. Trantham 10-01-91
Congratulations Brethren!
On Saturday, September 11, 1999, I had the pleasure of traveling with Brothers R. T. Koonce, A.M. Hestilow, Harold Webb, and Jim Allen to Iredell, Texas for the 32nd Annual Mountain Top Master Degree. Talk about a true refreshment. It was put on by the Iredell Masonic Lodge #405. There were Brethren from all over attending. We had an excellent Bar-B-Que. dinner and visitation among the visiting brethren. It was a real experience for myself as this was my first outing as a Master Mason to this type of event.
These are the type of things you are missing out on when you miss the Lodge meetings. We have also been having a good turn-out on Tuesday and Thursday for the floor school sessions. Please come on down and be a part of your Lodge.
We have been invited to attend Kopperal Lodge on Saturday morning the 25th of September for a Entered Apprentice Degree with breakfast before the Degree work. So plan on attending if you can. You need to be there by 8:00 A.M.. Brothers Koonce and Hestilow can give you directions if you need them.
Brother Gary L. Spraggins
Senior Steward
In my Lodge, "HUMANITAS" (French speaking) from the Grand Lodge of Turkey in Istanbul, operating on the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, at the closing of the Work the following charge is pronounced: "Mes Freres, nous nous sommes reunis et nous avons travaille. Maintenant nous allons nous disperser dans les tumultes de la vie profane. Que le Grand Architecte de l'Univers nous vienne en aide ainsi qu'a tous nos Freres. Que la paix regne partout." The Brethern answer: "Ainsi soit-il".
The English translation: "Brethren, we met and worked together. Now we will disperse to the tumultuous foreign world. Let the Great Architect of the Universe help and also all our Brethren in the world. Let peace exist everywhere." The Brethren answer: "Let it accomplish."
As I do not have with me the rituals I just quote by heart. There is a difference when this charge is pronounced at the Master's degree, then instead of "the GAU" we pronounce: "The All Mighty".
YASEF YOAF, PM
The crest and crowning of all good,
Life's final star, is Brotherhood;
For it will bring again to earth
Her long-lost Poesy and Mirth;
Will send new light on every face,
A kingly power upon the race.
And till it comes, we men are slaves,
And travel downward to the dust of graves.
Come, clear the way, then, clear the way:
Blind creeds and kings have had their day.
Break the dead branches from the path:
Our hope is in the aftermath-
Our hope is in heroic men,
Star-led to build the world again.
To this event the ages ran:
Make way for Brotherhood- make way for Man!
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Send your questions or comments to: David G. Terrell (smithfield455@fwst.net)