June, 2000
Dear Brethren,
This has been a very, very bittersweet month. Brother Fred Stewart, of (Smithfield Lodge West) Paradise Valley Silver Trowel Lodge #29, passed away. Brother Fred was a dear friend of Masonry but of Smithfield Lodge in particular. On our last visit to Phoenix, I had a great time talking to Brother Fred about some of the books we’d read. He asked me if I had read Allen Roberts’ The Craft and It’s Symbols. When I said I hadn’t, he walked to a shelf, pulled off a book, inscribed a note inside the front cover, handed it to me and said, “Here you go. Enjoy it!” I pray God’s choicest blessings on his family and Brethren.
During the stated meeting, we welcomed Brother Chad Duncan to his first stated meeting. Brother Duncan is Brother Chancellor’s grandson and a Special Education Teacher. He was initiated on March 14 and demonstrated exceptional proficiency in the questions and answers for the three degrees. We also elected a man to receive the degrees and will have an initiation in the next month. North Hills mall has decided to delay their official grand opening until September. They said that they would be happy to have us function as greeters. Now it’ll be a bit cooler when that comes along.
Brother Harold Webb, PM was elected to a three-year term as Trustee of the Lodge Endowment Fund.
Several of us attended the Grand Master’s Conference on May 6. The GM spoke at some length on issues of interest to all members of the Craft and presented his proposals for the future. I mentioned some of his topics in an earlier Trestle Board, but will present his ideas again.
· Divide the state into seven geographic regions and allocate places on the permanent Grand Lodge committees to the regions. After some years, the entire state would be uniformly represented on each committee.
· Make two of the Committees on Grievances into permanent committees and divide the state between them. Give them responsibility for arbitrating disputes between Masons in an effort to avoid a divisive Masonic trial.
· Change the representation at Grand Lodge. Currently a PM who is a proxy has four votes and a WM has three votes. The GM would have voting at Grand Lodge become “one man, one vote”. A Lodge would have three representatives or three proxies. A PM, acting as a representative, would not cast a second vote.
· Change the Lodge’s Masonic Year to more closely coincide with the calendar year.
· Only allow members of a Lodge to ballot on the petition of a man for the mysteries.
· Create a coalition of fraternal and philanthropic organizations and try one more time to pass a statue exempting us from property taxes.
· Allow Lodges to meet in Shrine buildings. These buildings are currently prohibited as alcoholic beverages are served at Shrine events.
Not too many years ago a compelling power entered into my life. I was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason and inducted into the many treasures of Masonic lore. I became a Mason in my heart. I was made a Mason by initiation and have been happy and, I trust, useful ever since.
Lately, I was outside sitting on the tailgate of my truck, watching the sunset and thinking how we Masons fall easily into the habit of accepting all that there is of ritual, symbolism and ceremony in the repertoire of Masonry, as the pinnacle of excellence. To those who earn Certificates of Ritual Proficiency or become extra-proficient, compelling themselves to commit the ritual to memory, it seems a little less than inspired. To those who sit around the Lodge room and participate only occasionally in minor parts of the work, but who hear the rhythmic language with regularity, it comes to be regarded as literature of high order. Even those who attend Lodge irregularly and, therefore, lose much of the impact of Masonry, swing into line with the opinion of the faithful Brethren and come to esteem the ritual as of more than ordinary merit.
As I sat there pondering, it occurred to me that Men come at last to Masonry and find in the ritual what they do not find elsewhere -- dignity bordering on sublimity and lucidity, as in the waters of an Ozark stream. I pray we always keep the ritual dignified and free of unseemly humor and horseplay. The ethics of Masonry are valueless except as applied, and every Brother is expected to make a practical application of Masonic ethics in his daily life, and during the exemplification of the ritual.
David Terrell, W:M:
Brethren
The May stated meeting was very good in attendance. It’s getting better and I appreciate everyone coming to the meeting.
There are many reasons why Masonry is important. For example, Masonry makes us better people as we learn to deal with other people’s actions; it gives us a chance to help a Brother who needs it, and a chance to help the children of today and see that they are taken care of.
It is so nice to come to the Lodge and see what is going on and understand what we as Masons need to do to help and support the Lodge.
As time goes on, the older Master Masons and Past Masters will need the younger Brethren to keep the Lodge strong. I hope that, in a few years, our younger Members will choose to be active and work in the Craft and support Smithfield Lodge #455 for a very long time.
Sincerely,
Rickey Levings, S:W:
Brethren,
Spring has sprung! And with it the added duties of lawn care. Thanks to Brother Gary Spraggins, we have a lush, green lawn. The grounds and the buildings are in great shape! Thanks to all who, through their labor of love, keep things in "tip-top" condition.
The month of May has been great so far. The lodge has had several members entering the fraternity with others on the way. The election and installation of officers takes place in June. Installation is scheduled for June 24, 2000.
Brethren, our present lodge Master is in need of our prayers. David and his family have endured a great deal of illness over the last year. Please remember them in your daily prayers.
As you have noted of late, I am including a little something for your reading pleasure. These articles are from the Ohio Mason. As our dear departed brother, Charlie Groves, would tell you, “I am from Ohio, and proud of it!” So for your entertainment, enlightenment, intellect, I shall continue sending you these articles. This is from the Friday, December 10, 1999 edition of the Ohio Mason:
ALPHA, OMEGA OF FREEMASONRY
The greatest service which our fraternity can render to humanity is to aid in the great work of the moral reconstruction of the world. The service of humanity has never been an idle dream, and it is clearer now than ever before that we Masons must render that disinterested and diligent service which our obligations demand of us.
The ideas of virtue, native land of love, tolerance, relief, fraternity, benevolence, charity, have one objective; peace of mind. The good man works for the good, and the good in peace. He may have ambitions, glories, dreams, moments of pride, passing weaknesses, fleeting passions; but if his line of conduct is well traced and the objective of his life shines at the horizon like a guiding pharos, he will surely arrive and receive the crown of moral victory. The Masonic institution is founded on faith in all that is good, hope in justice, and trust in righteousness. To do good brings lasting peace to the mind. To sow love causes the harvest of spiritual happiness to spring up in our hearts. There is nothing like a good conscience, and a good conscience is the result of duty well done. This is the alpha and the omega of Freemasonry.
James Allen, J:W:
Brethren,
I realized, while watching an Entered Apprentice Degree last Tuesday night, that the character of our Lodge is changing. Those working in the Degree were all young men. It is just that we old heads step aside, and let youth be served. These young men have studied, and have proven proficient. They have the vigor of youth, and show leadership. We promised to give them all the light that this Lodge can bestow, now it is time to let them fly. Get behind them and help the Lodge grow. Don't you love it when I wax Philosophical?
The election of officers will be held on June 1,2000, despite what the Worshipful Master advertised in the last Trestle Board, the by-laws set the date. We hope David is not just trying to get out early. Get behind the new line of officers, offer your help, and make this year a huge success.
We cannot do as good with out your participation.
There are still some who have not taken care of their 2000 dues. The members of the laggards committee are contacting the last of these brethren to see if there are extenuating circumstances. Remember we can help if there are reasons beyond one’s control. You worked hard at becoming a Master Mason, don't throw it away thru pride. There are ways and means to keep you current, but we must know of your need. They are not taken care of automatically. Help us keep suspensions out of the Grand Lodge report.
Bill Campbell, Secy.
- Brother Chris Bowman, who is recovering from surgery.
B.D. Bass 6-06-83 B.R. Campbell 6-20-63 Johnnie Cox 6-23-84 L.H. DeJournette 6-04-60 Ray D. Edwards 6-25-81 Roy D. Edwards 6-18-81 D.E. Fraley 6-27-91 D.H. Giles 6-25-78 G.M. Haygood 6-19-97 S.E. Lane 6-10-89 H.C. Martin 6-16-51 R.A. McJunkins 6-14-90 E.R. Musquiz 6-01-56 C.W. Smith 6-27-74 C.T. Stewart 6-19-58 J.C. Tarwater 6-06-70 A.L. Tollett 6-13-63 C.W. West 6-13-63 W.W. White 6-17-67 D.F. Wolfe 6-24-75
Congratulations Brethren!
What Does Poor and Destitute Mean in the Year 2000
I'd like to share a story with you.
I once belonged, as you may have heard, to an unrecognized jurisdiction in New York (this one preceded the Hiram GL).
One Saturday afternoon, while standing in discussion with a group of Past Masters in the foyer of our Temple, I observed a derelict walking into the Temple. He was very dirty; very smelly. He smelled of alcohol, and other things which I won't mention here.
He was asking whether the dinners were being sold that day. As it happened, the Sisters of a particular Chapter OES sold dinners every Saturday afternoon, usually a choice of fried chicken or fish, two vegetables, and rice, with something to drink and cake or pie. The dinners cost about $4.50. The Sisters were there that day.
The Past Masters began to tell the man that he couldn't stay in the Temple, that this was a private place. They didn't know that he wasn't begging, and they were a little irritated with him, a street beggar, coming into the Temple with his foul-smelling clothes to beg and annoy the people there.
I interrupted, and asked the man if he'd like a plate, and he said yes. I asked whether he preferred chicken or fish, and he said chicken. I basically took his order, and went to the back to get his plate after telling him loudly enough for the PMs to hear, “WAIT FOR ME - I'LL SOON RETURN.”
I set his napkin, utensils, and cup on a table in the banquet room, and made his place for his dinner. He came over, and had his meal, thanked, me and left. I was ashamed that he had been nearly thrown out before he could offer his own money for a dinner -- who knows that he didn't have it? He never got the chance to say, but I did note that he asked if dinners were being sold, not if they were being given away.
In the face of the fear that his dirtiness might have stayed behind at the table after he was gone, there was disinfectant. If his odor had lingered, that's why they make air freshener. Maybe that's the human services worker in me speaking, but maybe it's Matthew 25: 44, 45 too. I don't happen to be Christian, but Muslim, and the words of Jesus (peace be upon him) mean a lot to me. Most of you are more familiar with his words than am I, so I've chosen his to make the point more salient.
We often take things on face value, forgetting to go from surface to center. I didn't say anything to the PMs; they understood my tacit point. I didn't do anything that afternoon that was great or profound; I did what my faith, my Craft, but mostly my heart, told me was right.
I remembered having once been called on to answer a need, a long time ago when I, in halcyon days, was but a youth; and in my search to aid another that day, having discovered only my own need. I remembered once having been told, in my own mother's home (and on my birthday, no less), that should I ever meet a member of the human family in a like destitute situation, that it would be my duty to contribute to his relief as liberally as his necessities might require and my ability permit.
All I did was to remember and apply what I learned from my father that long ago day. If you knew my mother or father, that would seem as natural an instruction from them as looking both ways before crossing the street. If I, or any Mason, would (and ought to) do likewise for *any* person, how much more should we be able to go before we reach the end of our rope for a Brother?
Rashied K. Sharrieff Al Bey, PM, MPS, New York
"If you want Square Work, you don't cut corners..."
Send your questions or comments to: David G. Terrell (smithfield455@hiram.net)