October, 2000
Dear Brethren,
the Stated Meeting went very well. Some topics came up and were discussed: the Masonic Service Bureau meeting; Brother Reese Harrison is to be a guest speaker at Polytechnic Lodge No. 925 on September 13; the one-day Garage Sale that was coming up. I invited everyone to help provide saleable thins for the Garage Sale.
The Masonic Family Reunion is on the last day of September. I hope everyone can attend.
We will be awarding a Golden Trowel Award very soon to a very special man, Brother Bob Holder. This award is a honor for any man to receive as we do not give it away, it is earned.
Brethren, come to Smithfield Lodge and enjoy the upcoming activities.
Thank you,
Rickey Levings, W:M:
I traveled to the state of Ohio, from whence I came, most of the past month and I missed out on the activities of the Lodge. A Master Mason’s Degree was conferred on August 31 that I missed. Congratulations to all the Brethren who conferred this degree as I have learned that it was done in a most exemplary manner to one of North Richland Hills firefighters.
W.M. Rickey Levings and I attended the Masonic Service Bureau meeting along with other Smithfield Lodge No. 455 members last Wednesday, September 12, 2000. The Right Worshipful Reese Harrison was the speaker. There were 97 attendees.
Our Lodge email address has been changed to smithfield455@hiram.net.
The Garage Sale is scheduled for Saturday, September 23, 2000. Results will be forthcoming.
Brethren, come to the Lodge on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to keep abreast of monthly happenings, enjoy floor school or enjoy a game of dominoes.
Hopeful Signs
There are many hopeful signs which would indicate an upward sweep in an important and essential part of Masonry. What we have reference to is of far greater importance than numerical gains. It has to do with the increased interest in Masonic Education.
More Masons are eager to learn about the history, the philosophy, and the teachings of Freemasonry.
There is also an increased interest in Masonic literature. Many brothers are seeking the deeper meanings of masonry by reading the thoughts of those who have devoted years of study and research to Masonry.
There is reason to be hopeful. There is also the fact that much remains to be done. There must not be a transitory surge of interest which only occupies our attention for only a moment. It must be a continuing, enduring and increasing force.
Masonry is a “teaching institution”. It always has been, and its strength is in the well-informed Mason. The Lodge which uses every available opportunity to teach Masonry will reap the fruits of its efforts now and in the years to come.
Jim Allen
Brethren,
It's been said that Masonry takes good men and makes them better. How does this transformation take place? Is it by receiving the three degrees in Masonry? No - there are plenty of men who have received the degrees but their lives did not improve. Was it by paying their dues and attending lodge once a month? Not necessarily - the truths of Freemasonry cannot be bought nor can they be found by simply showing up for a meeting. So how does a man become better through Freemasonry? Part of the answer to this question lies in how a man seeks the truth - for he would not seek the truth had he found the truth. Masonry is, in truth, that long lost thing which all people have sought in all ages. It is the common denominator as well as the common divisor of human aspiration.
A man becomes a Mason not by passing through degrees, but by understanding and applying the mystic meaning concealed within the degrees. A true Mason does not see Masonry as a social order. A Mason is not appointed; he is evolved, and he must realize that the position he holds in his lodge means nothing compared to his position in the spiritual lodge of life. He must forever discard the idea that being a member of an organization improves him in any way. The Mason realizes that his duty is to build and evolve the teachings of Freemasonry within his own being, and that his Masonic rites must eternally be speculative until he makes them operative by living the life of the mystic Mason.
Brethren, I encourage all of you to continually seek for the true meaning of Masonry. This is how we become better men - we seek, find and apply the truths of Freemasonry. The degrees are but "veils" to the higher truths, and when we discover and apply those higher truths, we become better men.
Michael Haygood
From the Secretary
Brethren,
I was pleased to attend the Masonic Service Bureau meeting at Poly Lodge the second Wednesday of the month, by the way if you would like to attend one of these meetings with me please call, where Bro. Reese Harrison, a Jurisprudence committee member of the Grand Lodge, gave us a run down on the proposed resolutions to be dealt with at the Grand Lodge meeting in December. There will be several items that will be considered that will effect each of us. The proposed resolutions, and Grand Master's recommendations, will be sent to each Lodge about the middle of October. If you would like to have a copy of the items to be considered please call me at home, or better still come out to the Lodge where they will be freely discussed. The Worshipful Master will be interested in how you would like to have him vote on each of the proposals. See you at an early discussion.
We will have a chuck wagon at the homecoming, to be held at the retirement center in Arlington. Bro.s Hester will furnish the wagon, and cook food, if you are interested in attending please let the W.M. know. The date will be the 30th of September, come and visit. We will have a good time. Food, drink, and blue grass music will be the order of the day. Bring your family, and have some fun...
Thanks for your support of this newsletter, we will not turn any donation towards this periodical down. If you enjoy the letter generously donate. We do not fund this thru the Lodge, but rely on your generosity. Thanks for the help.
We will be sending out the dues notices soon. They will have a note on them indicating that Lodge dues are not tax deductible. This has been ordered by the Grand Lodge and was prompted by the IRS. So you have been notified here, and will be reminded on the dues notices.
Once again, if you would like to donate an article to this publication, please contact Bro. Terrell, or myself. More next time.
Fraternally,
B. R.Campbell, Sec.
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 10-22-70 J.F. Plaster PM 10-13-53 K.R. Rucker 10-05-71 J.G. Stegall PM 10-16-80 B.F. Tapp 10-29-54 M.R. Trantham 10-01-91
Congratulations Brethren!
Link to next month
Send your questions or comments to: David G. Terrell (smithfield455@hiram.net)