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
July, 2001
In Sacred Memory of
Brother F.W. Burton
And
Brother J.D. Stapleton
“they were true and faithful Brother’s among us.”
Brethren,
It has been an honor to me in serving as Worshipful Master of Smithfield Lodge during the 2000-2001 Masonic Year. The real honor was to be present for the Lodge 125th Anniversary. I was very proud to be a part of this Historical Event. It was one that I will never forget. The event was held on Sunday afternoon on June 10th. This event was so special to Smithfield Lodge and to the Smithfield Community of North Richland Hills, because the people who were born and lived in Smithfield have seen so many changes through the years that occurred during the time that Smithfield Lodge has been in existence .
I would like to take this time to thank all the Past Master’s and the Brethren of Smithfield Lodge, and all of my Officers, for the help and support that they gave me during this Masonic Year. I have learned more about Masonry then you’ll ever know.
The one who I thank the most is my Dad, Brother Frank Levings, if it wasn't for him, I probably would not even be a Mason and especially would not have become a Past Master today. Thanks Dad.
I would also like to thank the Brethren who spent their time and effort in getting the building and grounds in such good shape for the celebration. And I thank those who put in the new sidewalk as well. A job well done Brethren.
Worshipful Master, Ricky Levings
Brethren,
BEHOLD! At the June 5th Stated Meeting, election of officers took place for the 2001-2002 Masonic Year. At the July 7th Installation of Officers, James W. Allen will move to the East, Morris W. Hestilow moves to the West, and Gary L. Spraggins moves to the South. David W. Myers, Billy R. Campbell, and Claude W. Davidson will continue in their present positions as Treasurer, Secretary, and Chaplin respectively. John D. Frakes will assume the position of Senior Deacon, Carl E. Settle will assume the position of Junior Deacon, while Tony A. McLendon and Donnie W. Hestilow will become the Senior and Junior Stewards respectively.
A list of Lodge activities will be found elsewhere in the Trestle Board.
Solomon, King of Israel
From “The Bible in Masonry”
Masonic Edition
A.J. Holman Co. 1940 Philadelphia Pa.
Solomon was the son of Bath-Sheba, a direct descent of Ishmael, whom Hagar bore unto Abraham. David, through the house of Judah, was a direct descent of Isaac. Thus, the two great families founded by Abraham were united in Solomon. He was about 14 years old when he was anointed King of Israel in Gihon, and about 21 at the death of David, so that when he was fully established on the throne, he was familiar with the elaborate designs and abundant preparations of his father for the building of the Temple. Solomon, having been carefully nurtured by his God-fearing Queen Mother, had grown into a young man of great mental vigor. Having been schooled under the greatest masters of times, reared in one of the richest and most brilliant courts of the then known world, he was preeminently gifted for the stupendous task before him, and undertook with enthusiasm to carry it on.
The secret of Solomon’s success is faithfully portrayed in his request at the time the Lord appeared to him in a dream and asked what he (the Lord) should give him. Solomon’s request was “for an understanding heart” that he might “discern between good and evil,” that he might know how to walk before his people. This submission to God, the desire to have God make manifest through him the righteousness of God, was the first indication of his future greatness. He gathered about him the wonders of Nature, both of animal and vegetable life, drew from them the secrets of their existence, and learned that God was made manifest in the Heavens above and in the Earth beneath, and that God was all and in all.
He soon set about to fulfill the wishes of his father and to glorify the God of his dream by creating a Temple, monumental in design, exceedingly magnificent, and peculiarly fitted to amplify the mysteries of Godliness. He took counsel with his wise men, held conference with his allies, and sought out master builders from all great nations. Thus equipped, he laid the foundation and carried to completion the Temple, not only as a place of worship, but as a structure of dazzling architectural glory
Senior Warden, Jim Allen
Brethren,
This month, I would like to share with you something I discovered while studying for an exam I am going to take soon. I have always felt a close relation to my profession (Land Surveying) and Masonry, but underestimated how important and entangled Masonry is in most of everything we do. Masonry seems to be everywhere. The following is a translation of a portion of Spanish Law, Las Siete Partidas, that once governed Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and finally, the State of Texas. Before these Laws there was very little consistency in the rules and laws that governed the territory.
The surrender of Sevilla to Fernando III in 1248 left the Spanish Christian kingdoms to consider the internal affairs of his dominions and among other evils which confronted him were the diversity and confusion of the laws. To remedy these he conceived a comprehensive scheme of codification, which was actually initiated by commencing with preparation of a new work entitled the Setenario. But before this or any other part of his plan could be carried into effect, he died.
The son and successor of Fernando was Alfonso I, commonly know as “el sabio,” because of his attainments in science and letters. Almost immediately upon his accession he took up his father’s legal project and his reign was marked by a succession of works culminating in the Partidas. The work is supposed to have been completed in 1263-”seven books in seven years” and , upon completion, it came to be known as Las Seitas Partidas. These Laws were the beginning of the widest territorial force ever enjoyed by any law book and are the common basic laws of what was once Spanish America and now the State of Texas. These Laws remained in force in Texas until 1840 and are frequently cited in the early Supreme Court reports of Texas. There were only seven Laws and all seem to be for the purpose of judging a man’s morals and character. One of these Laws really struck a Masonic nerve, Part II, Title XXI, Law IV, which reads in part as follows:
Part II, Title XXI, Law IV: Knights should Possess Four Chief Virtues. Excellent qualities which men naturally possess are called good habits, and are styled virtues in Latin, and are, namely, Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice. Although every man should desire to be good, and endeavor to acquire these virtues, not only the preachers whom we have mentioned, but others as well, whose duty is to maintain the country by means of their labors and exertions; among them, there are none, to whom this is more becoming than to the defenders, for the reason that it is their duty to protect the Church, the Monarchs, and all others. Temperance will induce him to perform his duties as he should, and not be guilty of excess; Fortitude will render him steadfast in the midst of dangers which may come upon him and cause him to be firm and not irresolute in what he does; Prudence will enable him to do this to advantage, and without injury; and Justice will enable him to act according to the moral right.
As I grow older in Masonry, I find myself maturing in moral character as our ancestors had planned. They believed in what they taught, and for a good reason. This is one of many examples of how Masonry has played an important role in the foundation of mankind and humanity. This foundation is what our great Country has relied upon for centuries and will continue to rely upon in the future. The gap between Operative and Speculative Masonry has begun to fuse together and I now have a better understanding of the importance of the principles of Masonry and the effects it has had on us and those who have passed this way before us.
Your Treasurer, David W. Myers
Brethren,
This is the time of year that I most dread. There are still several Brethren who have not paid their dues. I fear that people being what they are, some might not be able to pay their dues, and too proud to admit to their Brethren that they are unable to do so. I have mentioned several times that if this be the case, we at the Lodge need to know this. We can only help if we know. You might think that not paying is the easy way out, but let me tell you of a man, to proud to let his Brethren help, decided that he would go suspended. Less than a year later he died suddenly. Can you guess how sad I was when his widow called wanting us to perform the last rites for this suspended Brother? She wanted to know if she could pay his dues so that he might have his Brethren do this last act of kindness. It broke my heart to have to tell her that we could do nothing after his death.
Another time a Brother, who had gone suspended found out that he could not recommend his own son for the Degrees, simply because he had let his dues go unpaid.
In both theses cases the folks found out that their loved one chose to go suspended, and later found out that things could have been different. It is a sad duty for a Secretary to have to send out that notice of suspension.
On a happier note, what a good time we had at the 125th Anniversary Meeting. A great big thanks to those who made it a special day. Brother A.J.N. Pierce, Brother Jim Ward, Grand Secretary, Councilwoman Johnson, Brother Harold Webb made us proud to be in the business of taking good men, and making them better. Thanks to Brothers David Myers, J.B. Hutcherson, Gary Spraggins, and Miss Carrie Wingate foe their invaluable help with arrangements and refreshments, good job!!!
Thanks to Brother Ricky Levings for a good year, and congratulations to the elected and appointed Officers for the new year. We pledge our support to you.
Fraternally, B.R. Campbell, Secretary
July 5 Stated Meeting Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455 7:30PM - Pot Luck Dinner at 6:30PM
July 7 Installation of Officers Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455 6:30PM - With Dinner Before The Installation - This Is A Family Event
Aug 10-12 2001 Warden’s Retreat & Trng Omni Hotel in Richardson All Day - See Your Secretary For Info
The following brethren will observe their Masonic Birthdays. They were raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason during this month.
C.W. Davison 07-15-1999
E.J. Gaston, Jr., PM 07-08-1965
E.L. Gotcher PM 07-17-1951
T.L. Hancock 07-15-1957
F.D. Levings, PM 07-12-1979
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
P.S. Wallace 07-01-1986
T.S. White 07-14-1983
L.W. Young 07-25-1991
Congratulations Brethren!
Brethren,
On June 10, 2001, Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455, A.F. & A.M, Celebrated its 125th Year Anniversary. It was a Historical Milestone for this Lodge and the Community of North Richland Hills. Brother A.J.N. Pierce, PM gave the welcoming, Councilwoman Joann Johnson presented the Proclamation and Historical talk, Right Worshipful James D. Ward, Grand Secretary of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas was the Guest Speaker, and Brother Harold Webb, PM did the closing remarks. Oscar Trevino, and Russell Mitchell, City Council Members, and Larry Cunningham, City Manager, of North Richland Hills, were in attendance. Also in attendance were a small amount of Smithfield Lodge Brethren and their families along with a few visiting Brethren from other Tarrant County Lodges.
It was a wonderful celebration with refreshments being served afterwards. We also had a good visitation of friends and family as well. For those of you who could not attend, you missed out on a fantastic afternoon. It was an event that I will never forget.
I thank all of those who helped out in getting the building and grounds, the refreshments, and everything else that needed to be done in order that we could spend such a wonderful time together for this great event. I would also like to thank the members and their families for the help in cleaning up afterwards.
Also for those Brethren who were unable to attend, be sure the next time that you attend Lodge, to pick up your newly revised copy of The History of Smithfield Lodge (revised and updated by Bro. J.B. Hutcherson, PM and Miss Carrie Wingate — job well done), and the new Smithfield Masonic 125 Year Pin. Both of these items are Historical keepsakes.
All Brethren and their family members are invited to attend the Installation of Officers and Dinner at 6:30PM on July 7, 2001 (Saturday evening) here at the Lodge. Be sure to attend as it will be a wonderful event. Hope to see you here.
I would like to thank the Lodge Brethren for electing me to the Office of Junior Warden for the Masonic Year 2001-2002. I pledge my support to the new Worship Master, and will do my best to the best of my ability to fill this Station in the manner of which it should be filled. Even though I have only been a Master Mason for about 3 years, I have acquired an enormous amount of knowledge of Masonry and about Smithfield Lodge. I also realize that I have a lot more knowledge to learn from the Brethren and hope that I will please all. Once again, thank you.
This year at Smithfield Lodge promises to be exciting with lots of activities for the member and their families.
So come on out and show your support for your Lodge and Brethren.
Gary L. Spraggins, Senior Deacon, Editor
Send your questions or comments to: Gary Spraggins (ggllss@msn.com)