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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
June, 1998
Forget the hasty, unkind word:
Forget the slander you have heard;
Forget the quarrel and the cause;
Forget the whole affair, because,
Forgetting is the only way.
Forget the storm of yesterday;
Forget the knocker, and the squeak;
Forget the bad day of the week.
Forget you're not a millionaire;
Forget the gray streaks in your hair;
Forget to even get the blues --
But don't forget to Pay Your Dues!
(Courtesy of Ionic Lodge #31, Wilmington, Delaware)
Dear Brethren,
Another Month has just passed in record speed. And as we look toward the Grandstand, we see the lap counter holding the white flag indicating one lap remaining. Now if the tires hold up and we don't run out of gas, we will finish this race and come out well in front. This year in some ways has been similar to a race and of course we have been racing against time. The one lap left is like the one month remaining before the election of officers. Which will be held in June at our regular stated meeting.
I urge you to come and be part of this process. I would also remind the Sponsors of the Trestle Board who wish to continue their sponsorship to make their contributions very soon, as funds for this project are about to expire. Thank you Brother Hampton for your kind donation for the Fellowcraft carpet. Thanks to everyone who is involved in the new Sprinkler system we are about to install at the Lodge.
STEVE BACHMAN
Brethren,
Spring is in the air, and I would like to see the lodge "spring" into action! I hope to see everyone at the June stated meeting as we will be voting for officers.
Once again I would like to recognize Brother David Myers as our last Golden Trowel Award recipient. His leadership and willingness to help whenever he is needed are examples of his devotion to our lodge. No lodge can function without an outstanding Treasurer, and Smithfield is proud to have the best. Brother Myers is indeed a hero at Smithfield. Brethren, let's use the fine men in our lodge as examples of the Masons we can become.
Daryle Hester
Dear Brethren,
The food at the May Stated Meeting was greatly enhanced by Linda Allen's Marzetta. Thanks, Linda! And Jim, I must reluctantly agree with Brother Jeter, there are "prettier legs on a Kildee!" Thanks to Brother Jack Jeter for becoming a sponsor of the Trestle Board.
The Lodge's Endowment Fund was in the spotlight as the Trustees made their annual report. The fund is doing well. Special mention was made of Brother Hester's contribution in memory of his Father and of the many contributions made in memory of Brother Charlie Groves. The fund will continue to grow only with our continued support. Additionally, Brother Butch Hester was elected to a three-year term as an Endowment Fund Trustee and Brother Koonce was released from this committee. Shortly after this, and in recognition of his tireless efforts on behalf of the Lodge, Brother Koonce was made an Emeritus Endowment Fund Trustee for the next year.
A motion was approved to install an in-ground sprinkler system on the lodge grounds. A special fund was established to receive money to defray the cost. Brother Myers reported that his efforts to obtain refunds of sales taxes had been fruitful to the tune of over $500! Thanks, David! He also reported that he had prepared a preliminary budget for the use of the next Worshipful Master. The Lodge voted to send young Sarah Pacholick to summer camp again this year. She is the young, wheelchair-bound woman who visited the Lodge during the 1997 Fish Fry. The Lodge voted to support the Masters', Wardens' and Secretaries' Association Stock Show Booth next year. Brother Haygood spoke on the mystery of Freemasonry and the value of fables. The effort to get a Fellowcraft Carpet from the Grand Lodge was fruitless. As, the Lodge had already voted to procure one, we have ordered one from a commercial source. Brother Hampton graciously offered to pay for the carpet. The Lodge accepted his kind offer. We are all in his debt!
Approximately thirty members have not paid their dues or made arrangements with the Lodge for their remission. Please, don't become a suspended Mason!
David Terrell
Brethren,
It has been 15 years since I have been made a Mason and in so short of time, I have been affiliated with two lodges and visited many. Recently, I reflected on that time and realized that these lodges have a common problem. They all seem to just get by. Practicing Masonry, charity and brotherly love has become a struggle due to the lack of new members, non-active existing members, and the rising cost of running a lodge, and yet, one lodge stands out amongst the rest. I am proud to say that Smithfield Lodge has stepped forward realizing the problem, setting goals, testing new ideas and ultimately achieving those goals to improve Masonry in our lodge. It is a wonderful time to be part of such a lodge where the spirit is thick and our hearts are strong. The energy flowing from the efforts of many has built a fire that, with a little control, will burn warm and bright for generations to come. Most of you know my son, Ryan, who has already acknowledged world-wide that Smithfield Lodge is his lodge, too. It will be an emotional day when I raise him, again.
In short, I am so proud to be a Mason, and even more so, proud of this lodge for its efforts and the fruition it will bestow for those who may pass this way in the future. I pledge my support to the new officers for the next year and encourage each and every one of you to do the same.
David W. Myers, Treasurer
Brethren,
"How good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity." This quote from the Holy Scriptures is a constant reminder to Masons that petty arguments have no place in our dealings with one another. This was brought home to me recently. The other evening, Brother Hutch and some other Brethren were practicing, with some prospective officers, the ritual of opening and closing the Lodge. I disagreed with one small phrase used by the Secretary and Treasurer. Even though we had heard and used this phrase for years, we disagreed on a minor part. Instead of arguing to the point of discomfort, we agreed to find out the right. After we had left the Lodge, Brother Hutch called and agreed that the way I had the phrasing was correct. It was most important that we not let this matter get in the way of our feeling toward one another. Thank you, Brother Hutch, for the call.
Not long ago, a Mason who was suspended for Non-payment of Dues visited with me and expressed a wish to be reinstated. As we talked, I found out that his son had joined the Fraternity. As a suspended Mason, he could not attend his Initiation. He vowed that he would not miss his son's other degrees. I relate this only to point up the importance of paying dues promptly. If you have not paid your dues, for whatever reason, let this story remind you of their importance. What if a relative or friend wanted to join the Fraternity and you could not recommend him or attend his degrees? This is just another good reason to keep this obligation up to date.
My thanks to you, and the Worshipful Master, for allowing me to present the Lamar Award of Excellence and a $500.00 scholarship to a student of Richland High School. This is always an honor to the Lodge, but it points out that our future leaders are in this group. It appears that our future is bright. What a smart group they are!
B.R. Campbell, Secretary
June 4 -- Stated Meeting 7:30 PM
June 10 -- Masonic Service Bureau
June 24 -- Saint John's Day
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.
Brian D. Bass APM 06-06-1983
Billy R. Campbell PM 06-20-1963
Johnnie Cox 06-23-1984
L.H. DeJournette 06-14-1960
Ray D. Edwards 06-25-1981
Roy D. Edwards 06-18-1981
Dale E. Fraley 06-27-1991
Donald H. Giles 06-25-1978
Gerald M. Haygood 06-19-1997
Steven E. Lane 06-10-1989
Harold C. Martin PM 06-15-1961
Richard A. McJunkins PM 06-14-1990
Charles W. Smith 06-27-1974
Charles T. Stewart 06-19-1958
J.C. Tarwater Sr. 06-13-1946
J.C. Tarwater Jr. 06-06-1970
Arlan L. Tollett 06-13-1963
Otis L. Waldrop 06-19-1958
Carroll W. West 06-13-1963
W.W. White Jr. 06-17-1967
Donald F. Wolfe 06-24-1975
Congratulations Brethren!
To the Young Men in the Masonic Fraternity
You have not been made Masons because you were overly serious, for that is often the cover to genteel stupidity or respectable dullness. Being a comedian added nothing to your chances. In spite of your flaws, you have been admitted, for beneath them, principles of integrity are often found. If the committees have done their duty, you have been found to be men, believers in God, of upright and moral character, and of good sound mind; you have been found fit material for some place in the Masonic edifice. This is no small complement to you. But bear in mind that this does not prove you perfect. You may be found, upon inspection, unfit for the building, and you may be refused further progress, or be tolerated as a choice of evils.
If you follow Masonic teachings, you will learn to subdue your passions. Gain complete mastery over yourself -- such mastery that your passions may be at your command for good uses, and be submissive and obedient to your reason and good will. Let them have no dominion over you -- in solitude, among people, or under surprise -- but keep constant control over them.
You are also to improve yourself in Masonry. The meaning of this is both practical and symbolical. Practically, that you are to be so skilled in its arts and mysteries as to make yourself known as a Mason. The Mason who has carefully observed our ceremonies, and studied Masonic principles, is much better qualified to preside over public assemblies, or to rule bodies of men, than another of equal natural ability who has enjoined no such advantages.
There are certain things in politics and religion in "which all good men agree." As a Mason, and therefore, a good man, you are to use reasonable moderation in promoting your beliefs which Masonry does not prevent. But it forbids the use of violent, corrupt, or unlawful means or measures; for these or any of them prove your cause to be weak, unworthy or wicked. Keep your garments unsoiled. The time will come when such a noble reputation will speak volumes in your favor. Conduct your business honestly and honorably in all things, in prosperity and adversity, and endure to the end. At the end of every election, and every contest, let Masons be able to take each other by the hand and say, "In all my beliefs, in all my business, in every battle of life, I have said no word and done no thing dishonorable or dishonest." Perfection is no man's lot. The principle of every invention is perfect; but no man ever promulgated an invention so perfect as to be incapable of improvement. You may err sometimes. Stand on no assumed dignity in case of error or wrong; you weaken yourself and your cause by so doing. Repair whatever error you may commit or wrong you may do, to the extent of your power. While you may suffer in your own self-respect, you will at least maintain your character for sincerity and honor, which is better than gold. And let all this be done manfully and above-board, and not abjectly or stealthily. But better that all this, let their be no occasion for it.
Bear in mind, young Brethren, that you are soon to be the rulers and governors of our noble Craft; also, that you are to be the citizens and rulers of this mighty Nation and at this point you reach the Symbolical uses of Masonry. Study them in your Masonic bodies; study them from our written and oral teachings; study them from the great Book of Inspiration; study them from the volumes of nature; and from the good and bad lives of your fellow men. Respect and revere the religious teacher and religious teachings, but follow your own honest, well-matured convictions. Tolerate every man in his opinions, but resolutely maintain your own. Let every man worship in his own way, as he pleases; but agreeably to your professions, do you worship God, and Him only. Trust Him, rely on His promises, and keep His commandments, and you will not only be a just and upright Mason, but it will be well with you in the end.
(Adapted from a publication of the Committee on Education and Service of the Grand Lodge of Texas written around 1925)
Send your questions or comments to: David G. Terrell (smithfield455@fwst.net)
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