April, 2000
Dear Brethren,
It was an “exciting” month! We had some scares with the sudden illness of several of the Brethren. Brothers Coates, Campbell, Koonce, Bowman and myself all underwent surgery during the month. Everyone seems to be recovering well. Brother Bowman, however, will be out of work for some time. Let’s keep him in our prayers and don’t forget to pick up the phone from time to time and give him some cheer.
We had a great turnout for the Fish Fry. Unfortunately, Brother Harrison, who was flying up from San Antonio to be our speaker, was turned around by the thunderstorms. I had to improvise and spoke a short time on the subjects raised by the Grand Master at the Conference in Dallas.
We were honored by members of the DeMolay Chapter from the Home And School. We are hearing great things about these young men. I’ve invited them to come back to Smithfield and exemplify their degrees for us. I’ll let you know more as these plans develop.
We announced the decision of the Golden Trowel committee and presented the award to Brother Cantrell Autry on Saturday, March 11. Thank you, Brother Autrey, for the many years of dedicated service.
We co-hosted the Masonic Service Bureau meeting during the month. Thanks to Brothers Hestilow, Hutcherson, Spraggins, and Sowers for their help serving the food. Thanks to Brother Haygood for speaking to the assembled Brethren. You represented Smithfield well!
We had a nice EA degree during the month for one of our 50-year Mason’s grandson. It was Brother Gary Spraggins’ first time to confer a degree. When you congratulate him, he’ll tell you exactly how many mistakes he made but don’t listen to him. He did a great job!
Last, but by no means least, we have an opportunity to make a difference in the life of a young woman. Sabrenna Jo Payne is the step-daughter of Brother Ron Askey. She needs a surgical operation to improve her hearing and Brother Askey’s insurance will not cover the operation. It’s one of those “preexisting condition” situations. Sabreena isn’t a widow or an orphan so, this is not an appeal for “Masonic Charity” and will not be put before the Lodge. But if you would like to help make this surgery happen, The Askey family could use some help.
Brothers Campbell and Myers have agreed to coordinate the collection and disbursement of donations. They have already collected over one-half the necessary money. If you need additional information, contact myself or Brother Campbell. If you can help with a donation, please contact Brother Campbell.
David Terrell, W:M:
Brethren
The Past Master’s and Golden Trowel Award presentation turned out very well. It was so nice to see some Past Masters I hadn’t seen in a while. I enjoyed this special event and I was pleased that we could honor these Past Masters for their help and support of Smithfield Lodge through the years.
It was especially good to see Brother “Bunk” Koonce, back on his feet after surgery, and his dear wife. It was also nice to see Eileen Groves. I’m so glad she could come.
I tell you what, the food was EXCELLENT! Brother Bo, you did a great job cooking the meat! Brother Gary Spraggins’ potato salad was wonderful.
We awarded the Golden Trowel to a very special Brother. Brother Cantrell Autrey is a man I look up to as a Father. He showed me a lot of the things I needed to know about Masonry.
Brother Autrey, I’m very happy the Lodge elected to give you this award. You have done a great deal for our Lodge. You’ve always been a man we could depend on and you’ve been there when we’ve needed you. Congratulations, Brother Autrey!
Sincerely,
Rickey Levings, S:W:
Brethren,
Brother Allen is out of the state and was unable to provide an article for the Trestle Board. DGT
James Allen, J:W:
Brethren,
I am ready to kiss 2000 goodbye, if the rest of the year is like the first three months, I quit. Some of you know that I had a brother die, an angioplasty procedure, and then a brother-in-law die. If the rest of the year goes like this, you will be better off not knowing me. So much for philosophy.
We are having a good time at the Lodge, what with Degree presentations, affiliations, and good attendance, it is good to be in Lodge. Come on out and participate.
I mentioned in the last newsletter that some of you have not taken care of the year 2000 dues. I will be sending those letters of notification out before the end of the month. There are several good reasons for you to be current; not the least of these are the benefits of your family. Besides it is your obligation to be current.
We have had another grandfather/grandson combination come into our Lodge, if you see Bro. Bernard Chancellor, congratulate him on his grandson. Good show.
If you are interested the angioplasty/stint procedure went very well, once we got to it. I am now in good shape, and ready to go full blast. Thanks to some very competent Doctors.
If you would like to participate in the mailing cost of this newsletter, please send your contribution to the Lodge, marking it for the newsletter, this will be very much appreciated by the officers. Till next time,
Bill Campbell, Secy.
- Brother Billy Campbell, who is recovering from an illness.
- Brother R.T. Koonce, who is recovering from an illness.
- Brother Richard Coates, who is recovering from surgery.
R.D. Bates 04-14-1988 J.W. Beach 04-27-1992 L.W. Egger PM 04-16-1964 A.C. Evans 04-29-1976 S.T. Hayes 04-12-1994 T.L. Hester PM 04-20-1974 K.M. Jordan 04-27-1993 R.T. Koonce PM 04-20-1974 R.B. Lester PM 04-11-1957 H.E. McMurtrey 04-14-1949 J.A. Minshew 04-28-1969 D.O. Morris 04-10-1979 Walter Nelson 04-20-1953 S.D. Newell 04-30-1991 H.L. Patterson 04-16-1970 G.W. Powell 04-16-1992 W.W. Wilbur 04-06-1968 F.P. Sakert 04-22-1948 R.L. Sanders 04-10-1986 W.A. Schopper 04-10-1986 T.L. Taylor 04-12-1988 W.C. Wagner 04-01-1986 R.W. Wright 04-11-1950
Congratulations Brethren!
DO THE LITTLE THINGS
For many years I have observed the earnest and faithful efforts of the officers of lodges as they held meetings for the purpose of suggesting ways to improve attendance and maintain interest. In every instance some outstanding program has been launched, which if carried to completion, always bears fruit which is the result of honest planning. However, it is my conclusion that all we hope for, the molding of Masonic principles into a strong Masonry, must be the result of the doing of little things. Everything else, it seems, is subordinate to the idea of keeping fresh Masonic teachings through the medium of doing. Again and again we refer to the "Old Time Masonry." Yet we know full well that the principles of Masonry are the same today as they were centuries ago. What do we really mean? What is that spirit that we must recapture?
Get out the minutes of your lodge and review the history of "those old days." Strike deep into the heart of that history and then report truthfully. What do you find? A Masonic funeral was an occasion at which was reflected the obligation of the living to the dead. Masons left their work and devoted all the time necessary to pay due and proper respect to the departed and to the loved ones. Look at the record of your lodge as it reports visitations to the sick, acts of charity to the unfortunate, comfort to the heartbroken. Review the work of committees, the work of brothers who asked for no titles, no recognition, but only the opportunity to render service. Look over the names of those Masons, those working brothers, and see if they were not the same who were leaders in their communities. Also look at the heritage they left. It was not measured in dollars. It was character.
That which we seek is within us. "Old Time Masonry" is not a thing that belongs to the past. It is a Spirit that is the result of Doing Great Little Things.
THE WAGES OF A MASTER
There is a saying which you have heard in Masonry many times: "You get out of Masonry only what you put in it." There may be a great deal of truth in such a statement, but it is a rather conservative estimate.
You get far more out of Masonry than you ever can put into it. There is no work or study that pays greater spiritual dividends than the work of Masonry. There is no time better spent and which fields more happiness and satisfaction than time spent in the work of Masonry.
If one is looking for a purely material or financial reward, then his time in Masonry is only a waste of effort. From the time you evidenced a desire to become a Mason, it was made plain to you that Masonry offered an opportunity for spiritual and mental growth, and did not offer or promise the least financial reward. The Wages of a Master are in keeping with the thing sought through Mastership.
Then is this work of Masonry confined to the lodge room? No. It is important that every Mason attend as many meetings of his lodge as he possibly can, and it is important that the Mason participate in as many activities of the lodge as he possibly can, according to his talents, large or small. Yet, the work of Masonry calls for an examination of self to determine how our own lives reflect the teachings of Masonry. If we are honest in this, then other fields of work in the interest of humanity will be opened, and we will enter into them with joy and enthusiasm because we are Master Masons and cannot do otherwise.
Try it! You will find a harvest of happiness.
Send your questions or comments to: David G. Terrell (smithfield455@fwst.net)