July, 2000
Dear Brethren,
The cycle of time continues its revolution. The stars move about the sky. Now, it’s my turn to step aside for another to lead. I am reminded of the “Ghost of Christmas Present” who, as the clock tolls the midnight hour and with his last fading words, tells a fearful Ebenezer to “Go forth, and know him better, Man!” I thumb back through the pages of my journal and review the events of the past three years’ events. My years as Master and Warden were full. On every page are wonderful deeds, noble attempts, and sweet sorrows.
Let me see, my three years went something like this. Trying to incite interest in forming a bylaws committee. Wanting to establish a “phone tree” to get the word out quickly. Setting up a kitty to defray costs. “It you sign a petition, commit to be at the degrees.” “We got the best people you ever met in your life!” Missing Billie Montgomery. Presenting Chet Milner with his 50-Year award. Listening to Mike Haygood examine himself in the MM proficiency. Hosting the Richland Hills Lodge cornerstone laying ceremony. Hearing John Townsend do the extra closing at his last Stated Meeting as Master. Having our old photographs figure prominently in the NRH Historical Society exhibit, thanks to John Rumfield. Having several successful Garage Sales. Seeing Charlie Groves in a dress.
Being a Mall Greeter and teaching a young woman how it feels to commit an act of kindness. Presenting T.C.’s 25-Year award. Getting the patio cover built and the sprinkler system installed. Having the “Dog Dip” that died. Visiting Hawaiian Lodge and examining myself in the EA proficiency for them. Losing the MWS election to James Turner. Having James Turner become one of my dearest Brothers. Attending the Warden’s Retreats and finding out that I wasn’t alone. Presenting my first degree lecture. Ramrodding the Stock Show booth and knowing 21 petitions resulted. Meeting Dick Coates and recording the event in my journal with the note “What a great attitude!” The wonderful reaction we saw to the Masonic-brand biscuits at the Masonic Reunion. The Fish Fry. The Fish Fry. The Fish Fry. Missing Marvin Lowry. Mike Haygood’s discourses and my note proclaiming him to be Smithfield’s “Philosopher King.” Paradise Valley Lodge threatening to “withdraw fraternal recognition” if the Trestle Board was discontinued.
Missing Charlie Groves.
“If you knew, as I do, the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing some of it.” Seeing the Stewards chased off. Missing Ray Cobb. The road trip to Kopperl Lodge. Linda Allen’s Marzetta. Missing Mary Rumfield. Brother Drager’s efforts to fix Mrs. Groves’ light pole. Finding out that we were one of 4 (out of 32) lodges in the county performing our own funerals. Manning the Shrine Circus booth. Seeing Jack Jeter installed as the “Grand Water Boy.” Missing Bobby Holder. Hosting Brother Van Heerden when he visited from South Africa. Missing John Franks. Sitting in Brother Gower’s place at the North American Conference of GM’s. Having lunch with Brothers Gower, Dibrell, Burke, Regian, Dillard, Hillburn, Ward and Allen and being listened to.
Sitting in the east, hearing the train whistle in the distance and, once again, missing Charlie Groves
The wild game dinner at Paradise Valley Lodge. Making friends with Richard Musquiz. “To start off with, you’re giving this to the wrong person. She’s not here!” The Lodge Breakfasts. Missing Vince Chambers, R.S. Lewis, Brother Graves, Charlie Gosdin and Fred Stewart. Seeing Brother and Mrs. Coates arrive at my mother’s funeral, 250 miles away and in the middle of a tropical storm.
The pavement was checkered. I trod around the floor. All in all, I’ve enjoyed the journey.
David Terrell, W:M:
Brethren
We had a real good turnout for the election of new officers for the next Masonic year. Thank you, Brethren, for electing me to serve as W.M. for the 2000-2001 Masonic year. I will do my very best in serving in this office.
I'll try to make sure things get done. I'll work hard to take care of the duties and responsibilities of my new station. The Wardens' Retreat is just around the corner. It is held once a year for the Senior and Junior Wardens. This event helps the wardens get ready to serve in their stations. It helps them to think about the problems that may occur and helps them solve these problems.
Brethren, the Wardens' Retreat is worth every penny that we put into it. The Wardens meet many Brothers in the same position that they are and learn many things from them and the things their Lodges are doing. It's a special event that we need to have our Wardens attend every year.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rickey Levings, S:W:
Brethren,
Brethren,
The 1999-2000 Masonic year is coming to an end. This is my last report as your Junior Warden. My task is to call the craft from labor to refreshment, or refreshment to labor.
Our stewards have done an excellent job this year. A big thank you to Brother Gary Spraggins and Brother Josh Sowers. As for the labor, each and every Brother has participated in some manner to make Smithfield Lodge a success. Our labors have consisted of weekly floor school, the degree work conferred on candidates, the fish fry, the yard sales, building and grounds maintenance, and tasks performed by our secretary, Billy Campbell, and our treasurer, David Myers. A big thank you to all who participated on the many committees of the lodge.
FROM THE OHIO MASON JUNE 9, 2000 MASONRY TODAY
Whatever may have been the origin or purpose of Masonry matters but little at this time. Whether in its primitive form it merely fulfilled the purpose of a trade union, or rising to a higher plane it taught the workmen that the tools with which they were wrought were endowed with symbolic significance on the building of character is, after all, of but little importance. The momentous question is what is Freemasonry today? The prehistoric age lies far behind us, never to return. The present is ours. So let us of today live and act by the Masonic application of the tools of our art. By so doing we shall raise for ourselves an imperishable monument of virtue and morality. When this living present shall have become the dead and distant past, it is the desire of the true and loyal votaries of the Craft that the student of Masonic lore shall find in us an example worthy of imitation, and derive a new inspiration from the work we have done.
James Allen, J:W:
Brethren,
The new officers for the year will have been installed by the time you receive this article. We owe them our support. Get behind them and let's have a good year.
You will be interested to know that we are experiencing growth at the Lodge even though we've had to suspend some for Non-payment of Dues. Masonry still has a lot to offer those who seek more light. It is still our aim to take the good man and make him better. Please come and help.
I would like to appeal to each of you to send me a note containing your current telephone number. I have set up the computer to hold this information. From time to time, the officers or others need a printed list of the information. I try to keep the membership information as current as possible but you are a mobile lot and change is inevitable. Please help by sending me your phone number, address and email information and I'll update the list.
If you are receiving the "Texas Mason" magazine and it has the wrong address, you can send a change of address notice to either the Grand Lodge or to me. I will happily forward the changes to the Grand lodge. Address changes furnished by the US Postal Service when we mail the Trestle Board cost us 50 cents each. Help us keep the address list current. You should thank David Terrell for editing the news letter for the past year. He has done a good job of keeping us informed and providing thought-provoking articles for us to read. Also, congratulate him for his year as Master of the Lodge.
Bill Campbell, Secy.
Brethren,
I’m assuming the job of Trestle Board (TB) Editor and Webmaster beginning this issue. I’ll try to continue producing a quality product. I will try to make the TB informative and worth the Lodge’s investment.
The June Stated meeting was very eventful. The W:M: had the opportunity to present Brother Ed Stark APM with his Endowed Membership certificate. This event is particularly noteworthy as he is a 50-year Mason and therefore, not subject to paying dues in the first place. Thank you, Brother Stark!
We ate “high on the hog” at dinner. Gary Spraggins made stuffed crab better than the one’s you can buy at Joe’s Crab Shack. We had taco casserole, baked chicken, fried chicken, pies and German Chocolate Cake! You should have heard how quiet it was during the meal. Nothing but flappin’ jowls and satisfied grunts. They don’t call them “Sty-wards” for nothing.
We’re having a Yard Sale on September 23. Please bring your good, saleable items to the Lodge or call a Lodge officer.
David Terrell, Editor
C.W. Davison 07-15-1999 E.J. Gaston, Jr. 07-08-1965 E.L. Gotcher 07-17-1951 T.L. Hancock 07-15-1957 F.D. Levings 07-12-1979 L.C. Lowrie 07-20-1942 H.O. McRobie 07-17-1952 T.L. Pelham 07-23-1968 J.T. Small 07-09-1987 J.D. Smith 07-17-1973 C.R. Templin 07-13-1970 J.E. Thompson 07-15-1975 M.D. Thompson 07-09-1987 W.C. Wagner 07-10-1986 T.S. White 07-14-1983 L.W. Young 07-25-1991
Congratulations Brethren!
Excerpts from the 1966 Grand Lodge Communication
H.W. Fullingim, GM
“Let our lodges reflect the kind of Brotherhood that will cause good men to want to become Masons. If Brotherhood and goodwill are the guiding principles of our lives, we will have achieved the civilizing influences that make life noble. For, after this life, we will be remembered most for the kind of Brothers we have been to each other.” (H.W. Fullingim, GM)
“There is no law requiring Masons to vote, but we believe in a free country and free public schools. One of America's most popular sayings has been 'It's a free country.' To keep it that way, we must vote and encourage others to vote. When we vote, we must keep the tenants of Freemasonry in mind and vote for good, not evil; for love, not hate; for happiness, not misery.” (H.W. Fullingim, GM)
“It is a duty for us to look at ourselves realistically from time to time. We cannot write off our failures by hiding our heads in the sand, nor should we attempt to cover our mistakes with loud bragging. A little bragging can be forgiven a Texan, but we should not allow bragging to blind us to the things which need correction in our schools, our government and our Lodges. We can truly brag when we have achieved the love and Brotherhood which should prevail in our Lodges; when we have reactivated suspended Masons; when we demonstrate, by love and solicitude, that we have made every member feel the love and loyalty due him from every Brother Mason.” (H.W. Fullingim, GM)
“We uphold honor, duty and fraternal loyalty in our great Masonic family, and the love we have for humanity is showing. That love for our fellow man is written in brick and mortar, stone and steel; our love is written in edifices and human deeds done in them. We don't advertise these things, but the patients (in our hospitals) and residents (in our Home and School) do.” (H.W. Fullingim, GM)
“Charity is the outward expression of inward love, that motivating force, brethren, which causes us to act good, kind, compassionate toward out Brethren.” (S.B. Casey, GM of Arizona)
Send your questions or comments to: David G. Terrell (smithfield455@hiram.net)