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
October, 2001
Brethren,
The summer of 2001 is coming to a close and Smithfield #455 has been busy throughout the summer with Tuesday and Thursday evenings well attended. Floor school was held nearly every Tuesday and Thursday, provided other events were not scheduled.
On August 15, Linda and I attended the 64th Masonic District Christmas Party Planning Meeting at the Masonic Home and School. A delicious dinner was served. The next Planning Meeting will be held Wednesday, October 3 at 6:30PM at the Home and School. Lodge Officers and their ladies are requested to attend. The party itself is schedule for the evening of December 5, 2001.
Our Family Watermelon Social on August 23 was a huge success. What a nice way to get the Brethren and their families together!
October is going to a busy month for #455. Mark your calendars now for two very special events and plan to attend. On October 2, we have a 50 Year Award, and on October 19, we will have the Wives and Widows Banquet.
As W.M. of Smithfield Lodge #455, I personally welcome and invite all Masons to attend our Lodge, especially when we are doing degree work. If you have a friend or relative receiving a degree, feel free to come and participate in the floor work. We at Smithfield are not isolationists! Therefore, we welcome your attendance, whether we are doing degree work or studying the degree work on Tuesday/Thursday evenings. Elsewhere in the Trestle Board you will find the degree work schedule for the month.
WHY MASONS QUIT - Taken from The Ohio Mason, August 10, 2001.
This is the eternal question in Masonry - the question that causes more despondency and heartache among the Officers of Lodges than, possibly, all others put together. A question that to us, however, is easily answerable and we cannot conceive why the answer does not suggest itself immediately to everyone, that is everyone who gives the matter serious thought.
In order to explain our meaning, please excuse us if for a moment we go off on a tangent, and make a paradoxical statement. The Mason who quits Masonry is not a Mason at all, and never has been one!
It is true he has been initiated, so has the proverbial horse been led to the stream, but if the noble quadruped does not drink, the thirst it had has not been assuaged and it is no better than before. There is not virtue in being led to the stream.
We can place into a suitable position a man to be made a Mason - that is, lead him to the altar of Masonry, where there are the refreshing waters, and if he does not partake, what reason have we for thinking he is one bit different than what he was before?
We might, with just as much reason, expect a cure to take place by showing the patient the lineament and rubbing the bottle!
In the Church - any and all Churches - a man is baptized, confirmed, received, or what not, but it all amounts to nothing, if the man himself is not changed.
We can initiate, pass and raise a man, give him grips, passwords regalia - even offices and honors galore, and what does it mean to him if his heart is not changed? Nothing!
We talk glibly about “making a Mason”. It is all nonsense! Such an operation is impossible! We can only put him in the way of becoming a Mason - he, himself, in his innermost heart and mind, has to do the rest!
If that change of heart and mind has not taken place, he is just nominally a member of the Order, and has not yet become a Mason. He is a sort of fly in the eye - a deduced uncomfortable position for him, and as big as nuisance to Masonry.
When a man is received into Masonry and goes digging into its mysteries - its beauties, studies, its aims, aspirations, ethics, traditions, legends and history and finds - as he must do - what Masonry really is, he becomes indeed and in truth a Mason.
Go over, Brother, the list of all the men you have ever known who leave Masonry, and satisfy yourself that we are right!
The reason men quit Masonry is that their hearts and souls not in it - if they were, it would require a miracle to get such men out.
Jim W. Allen, Worshipful Master
Brethren,
I am really glad to see the Brethren showing up for the degree work that we have had lately and would like to see more of you show up to help out in the Lodge in welcoming our newest Brethren to Smithfield Lodge. On Sept. 13th, we had a double EA Degree that went very well. It was nice to have visiting Brethren here and I would like to thank you for helping out.
I would like to remind every one to be sure and show up for our upcoming Golden Trowel Award for Bro. T.C. Powell PM and the 50 Year Award for Bro. Jack Gotcher and be sure and bring your appetites as there is always a very fine meal served before hand. So bring your family and help us celebrate these two wonderful Brothers, you won’t be disappointed.
Speaking of fine meals, I would like to personally thank our new Stewards, Bro. Tony McLendon SS and Don Hestilow JS for the great work and dinners they have been preparing in the kitchen. All of the Brethren have spoken very highly of you both. Keep up the good work.
Be sure to check out our Calendar of Events on page 4 and mark up your own calendars for other events happening in the near future. As you can see, we are and will continue to have a wonderful year here at Smithfield Lodge #455.
Morris Hestilow, Senior Warden
Brethren,
I would like to dedicate this article to those who lost their lives and were injured during the recent events of the Terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. As we all know, this was a totally disastrous event in all our lives. I praise those who put their own lives at risk to help out during the rescue and know that those who perished helping out were true and faithful Americans and other nationalities that believed in our cause for Freedom and the American Way of life.
We must not forget, that people from all walks of life, perished in this tragic disaster, and that people from all walks of life are lending a helping hand to assist in the cleaning up of this horrible aftermath.
We must also remember about hatred toward other individuals. Just because a person is of a different nationality and or a different color, and of a different religion, does not mean that they had anything to do with what happened. So many times now days (and in the past as well), someone has done something wrong to hurt us, that many people will blame that whole race. We must not do that, as this only causes more problems in the world. We all have to stand United as Divided we Fall. Lets not stoop to this level of thinking, but come together and help the authorities the best way we can to improve the world and try to achieve peace throughout.
This great Country was established on the principles of Masonry, and as Masons, we should stand strong and give our support to the best of our ability in any way we can. I speak on behalf of all Masons and more especially Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455 A.F & A.M. that our hearts and prayers go out to all the families who have suffered losses of Loved Ones during this tragedy. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!
Fraternally,
Gary L. Spraggins, Senior Warden
Brethren,
The attack upon democracy in the northeast this week has caused me to stop and reflect upon how we should respond as Masons to this act. The first thought I had was to go after those who attacked us, unfortunately, we do not know exactly who that is. Those authorities charged with that responsibility will have to do that for us. According to some HOTHEADS, anyone who looks the part, must be guilty. My thoughts to this attitude is to point out that we take all men, of any faith, into our fraternity. Therefore, we must not lump all people into one group. We have faithful Americans of all faiths in our organization. So we must guard against judging one group as being the “ENEMY”. We must remain steadfast to those tenants of Free Masonry that our Brethren have for through the ages. We would do them a disservice if we abandoned these tenants before we have all the facts in the case.
We must be slow to judge, get all the facts we can, and only then, can we make a determination of what our actions should be.
I am really looking forward to the several activities of the Lodge in the few months. We will Honor one of our own with the Golden Trowel Award, and Honor a City Council person with the Community Builders Award at the Wives and Widows Banquet. These are exciting times for our Lodge, attend, and show these deserving people how much they are appreciated.
We have set a date for the Annual Garage Sale for Friday and Saturday, September the 28-29 from 8:00AM-9:00PM.
Fraternally,
Billy R. Campbell, Secretary
September 22 -- Golden Trowel Award Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455 6:00PM, For Bro. T.C. Powell, PM
September 28-29 -- Annual Garage Sale Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455 8:00AM-5:00PM. Come on out and Support your Lodge by lending a helping hand
October 2 -- 50 Year Service Award Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455 6:30PM for Bro. E.L. “Jack” Gotcher
October 3 -- Meeting For MSH Xmas Party Masonic School and Home 6:30PM
October 4 -- Stated Meeting Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455 7:30PM. Pot Luck Dinner at 6:30PM
October 6 -- Fish Fry Crowley Lodge #1437 5:00-8:00 PM. $5.00 Donation Accepted
October 19 -- Wives and Widows Banquet Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455 6:30PM and Community Builders Award
October 22 -- M.W.S. Association Southside Lodge #1114 6:00PM
October 24 -- M.W.S. Association Masonic Home and School 6:00PM. Joint Meeting of the 14th and 64th Districts
December 5 -- Masonic Home and School Masonic Home and School To Be Announced. Annual Christmas Party
January 12 -- 50 Year Service Award Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455 6:30PM. For Bro. J.B. “Hutch” Hutcherson, PM
Please give these Brethren a call and or visit.
The following brethren will observe their Masonic Birthdays. They were raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason during this month.
S.I. Arnos 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!
THE PASSING OF SOMEONE ELSE
The Lodge was shocked this week to learn that one of our most faithful members, Someone Else, had passed away. This death creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Someone Else had been with us for many years. During all those years, he did far more than a normal person’s share of the work. Whenever something was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results.
Whenever there was a job to do—a ritual to teach or a meeting to attend—one name was on everyone’s list: “Let Someone Else do it.” Someone Else was also among the biggest givers in the Lodge’s history. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed that Someone Else would make up the difference. This beloved Lodge member was a wonderful person, sometimes appearing superhuman, but one person can only do so much. Everyone expected too much of Someone Else. Now Someone Else is gone.
Who will pitch in to do the things that Someone Else has always done? If you are asked to take a job in Lodge, we hope you won’t reply, “let Someone Else do it.” Now we need you to pick up where Someone Else left off.
Dear Brethren and Ladies,
I AM GETTING EXCITED!!! Christmas is upon us (my favorite time of year), and we as a Masonic Lodge have the wonderful privilege of taking part in a Christmas Party at the Masonic Home and School. What better way to share the teachings and beliefs of the Masons, than to help a child realize the true meaning of the holidays. Now, I have heard that each cottage at the Home is sponsored by a Lodge throughout the year. Isn’t it great that someone is watching over them and making their lives a little brighter? However, it is even greater, that we can participate, at least once a year, to show these children that the world is full of caring, sharing adults. Most of these children come from “dysfunctional” families. I personally hate the word “dysfunctional”, but if a child is in a family that cannot function as a family, does not have coping skills, or abuses the child, I’d have to say that family is “dysfunctional”. It does my heart good to be involved with an organization that reaches out to these children. I think it’s wonderful that we can show these youngsters that people DO CARE, don’t you?
The organizational planning meetings at the Home are still in progress. At the moment it looks like we will have the same cottage as last year. They have done some revamping and are now housing the children as a family. Still all girls or all boys. However, they believe that putting children of different ages together will give them more of a feeling of a home atmosphere. This will make shopping for gifts more interesting for us too!!
In addition to things that children request (through a wish list), I would like to get some additional goodies for the children. As soon as we know which cottage we have, and a count of the children in that cottage, we can start collecting the little things to add to their joy and excitement at the Christmas Party. In addition, I am suggesting that we obtain the birth dates of our cottage kids, and show them a little love and compassion through remembering their birthday.
Ask yourself how you would feel if you were a youngster living away from your family, and no one said HAPPY BIRTHDAY or MERRY CHRISTMAS to you.
Thank you, Linda Allen
Send your questions or comments to: Gary Spraggins (ggllss@msn.com)