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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
March, 2000
In Sacred Memory of
Brother Charlie Gosdin PM
“He was a true and faithful Brother among us.”
Dear Brethren,
For almost a month, I lost my notebook. Those who know me know, that if I don’t write it down, it didn’t happen. I WUZ LOST! Then, one day, after looking everywhere but out at the Navy Base, I opened the bottom drawer of my dresser. You know, the one where the old Boy Scout patches and tie clasps and such junk goes. Yep! There it was! Now, I’m transferring all of my separate notes into the notebook.
Congratulations to Brothers McMurtrey and Hampton on receiving their 50-year Service Awards. It was truly a thrill to be part of this occasion. Mike Haygood did a great job with the presentation.
The Wardens have done an admirable job discussing our Trestle Board woes. I will only add that we offered the major sponsors their money back, and none accepted! Thank You!
At the stated meeting, we draped the Charter in honor of Brother Graves. The Golden Trowel Committee reported its recommendation which was unanimously accepted. We will be planning a Past Master’s dinner to honor this deserving Brother. The Lodge Breakfast was canceled due to the winter storm that came through.
Smithfield manned the Stock Show Booth again for the Masters’, Wardens’ and Secretaries’ Association. Thanks to Brothers Campbell, Hutcherson, Townsend, Musquiz, and the Hesters. I was unable to attend and really appreciate Butch and Daryle stepping to help.
We received a petition and will be balloting on it soon.
Keller Lodge will be hosting the Masonic Service Bureau using our facilities on March 9. Y’all come out and visit.
On February 5, I went to Dallas to the Grand Master’s Conference. Unlike past years, there were no parade of speakers on different subjects. The GM, using only some note cards, spoke to us for several hours. He reported that the Home and School is up to 130 children, which is near capacity, and reports that ,if we intend to continue this enterprise, we will need to begin a program of improvements and expansion in the near future.
He intends to make us think, Brethren. Here is a short recitation of his ideas.
- Administratively divide the state into seven regions and rotate the appointments to GL committees among the regions to even the representation on appointive Grand Lodge committees between all parts of the state.
- Provide for multi-year terms for District Deputy GM’s.
- Revise the Masonic Discipline process to place the Grand Lodge Grievances and Appeals committees in the role of arbitrators before beginning a Masonic Trail.
- Change the way Grand Lodge votes to “one man, one vote” The WM and Wardens would cast votes separately and if they could not attend, would be represented by separate proxies.
- Change the Lodge year to a calendar year. Lodges would elect officers in October, install them in November and everyone would start the year together at the Grand Lodge communication.
- Only allow members of a Lodge being petitioned for membership to vote on that petition.
More after the fish fry.
David Terrell, W:M:
Brethren
The Trestle Board is one of the most important things we need to talk about. The funding for the Trestle Board might be in big jeopardy! Brethren, we have several things we can do: get donations from you; reduce the size of the Trestle Board to one page; or reduce the cost by folding the newsletter ourselves. Since the Lodge wishes that the Trestle Board support itself, we cannot spend more then we receive.
The only thing I can think of is for the Lodge to have a special fund-raising event, like the Garage Sales we have had in the past. I’d like to ask all of you to think about the Trestle Board and where we might find the money to continue it.
Changing the subject, we conferred the Master mason’s Degree on Brother Howard Oliphant. Brother Howard had the best Master’s Degree I have seen in a long time. The Brethren visiting from Bell Helicopter (where Brother Howard works) all complemented us on our ritual work. Brother Billy Ray Fischer, our District Instructor and a Bell Helicopter retiree, conferred the degree. He did an excellent job! Also, don’t forget the fish fry on March 3rd. Be sure to make this special event.
Sincerely,
Rickey Levings, S:W:
Brethren,
Another month has passed and soon it will be March, 2000. We had an active February. The stated meeting on Thursday, Feb. 3rd was attended by 29 Master Masons. On Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, thirty-eight Masons, families and friends attended the 50 year awards ceremony. Two Master Masons, H. E. McMurtrey and Harry Hampton received their 50 year pins. A light supper was served. The following Thursday, Feb. 10, the Master Mason degree was conferred on Howard Oliphant. Twenty-two sideliners were in attendance. The following week, Tuesday, Feb. 15 and Thursday, Feb. 17 we conducted floor school. Several of our new Master Masons took part in the stations and places of our officers. Our usual cadre of Past Masters acted as monitors as we progressed through the work
The annual fish fry will be held on Thursday, March 2, 2000. We always have a great turn-out at this annual event. Please mark your calendar now, and plan to attend.
Let me mention, once again, that your continued support of the Trestle Board is of utmost importance. I had said I would not mention it again and I apologize for breaking that promise. However, since last months` article, we received information through the Grand Secretary, R.W. James D. Ward, that we were in violation of a Grand Lodge law which states that we cannot solicit donations from businesses for the publication of the Trestle Board. Therefore, we had to cease and desist this practice. We can, however, still accept donations freely offered.
KEEP THIS IN MIND (Ohio Mason, Friday, January 28, 2000) Friendliness and brotherliness should be stressed to the limit in Freemasonry. The practice of these relationships generate more power in fraternal life than about all the other things combined. In fact, without a feeling of close kinship among Freemasons, little may be expected from other phases. Every Freemason is truly a brother to every other Freemason and it is well to keep this thought in mind.
James Allen, J:W:
Brethren,
Spring is in the air, as if it ever left North Texas. It is the time for our annual fish fry. We will observe Public School’s Week during this time, also. We are to have a special speaker at the fish fry. He will be W.Bro. Reese Harrison, a member of the Jurisprudence Committee. He should be able to answer those questions that you have always wanted to ask. He is a gracious man so don't overwhelm him with your questions. He is also, available for the Grand South this year, come and hear his talk.
What a good time we had at the presentation of two fifty year awards this month. Bro. Mike Haygood presented the awards to Bro’s Harry Hampton, and H.E.McMurtrey, who just returned to us as a member. Bro. Hampton is the grandfather of Mike, and had requested that Mike make the presentation if possible, and what a good job he did. Bro. Harry was with Mike when he petitioned Smithfield, we appreciate them both. Bro. McMutrey brought his own harem to the awards, what a lovely family.
I got a newsletter from Tabernacle Lodge this week, the secretary was making an appeal to his members, in arrears, to pay up. He uniquely listed so many beginning with the letter S, so many with B, and etc., his attempt not to embarrass anyone was great. We also have a few members in arrears, you know who you are, please check your dues card, pay up if you need to, and remember if you cannot pay, please contact the W.M., or myself, we can help you not to go suspended.
Bill Campbell, Secy.
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.
R.W. Adamson
03-23-68
O.B. Adwell
03-18-71
W.C. Autrey PM 03-23-67
D.R. Derrick
03-23-67
R.L. Drummond
03-17-92
R.M. Evans
03-24-83
D.L. Hester PM
03-17-94
J.L. Horn
03-21-91
J.H. Jeter APM
03-13-54
R.D. Levings SW 03-07-95
J.W. Luster
03-19-70
E.B. Marrs
03-12-81
H. McKeehan
03-18-65
W.R. Myers
03-22-68
R.D. Nelson PM
03-10-90
C.W. Palmer
03-20-58
A.J.N. Pierce PM 03-21-46
R.C. Reflogal
03-15-73
R.K. Rice
03-12-96
R.L. Shade
03-29-73
J.W. Townsend APM 03-25-44 (50 year Mason)
H.W. Webb PM
03-16-82
Congratulations Brethren!
"Rays of Masonry" by Dewey Wollstein -1953
A SYSTEM OF MORALITY
A lifeless code, a monotonous series of don'ts, will never elevate man. Man reaches a high moral condition through his ability to decide upon a course in life, when such decision is based on calm observation and reason. The choice is a personal one, accepted by one who has seen both sides, the moral and immoral. In any system that is honestly trying to teach morality, both good and evil must be fairly presented. The value of right must be enacted before his very eyes, and always in contrast to the strength of evil. Life must be presented as it is, not as we would like to reveal it.
Masonry is a system of morality in the sense that it offers the experience of a man in his centuries of effort to arrive at a decision. They live, and likewise every candidate must re-live them. We speak of "a new world" after the war. We do not really mean a new world in the realm of morality. We do not mean a change in fundamentals. We mean more honest presentation. Masonry is a progressive moral science. Because it is a system, so successful in its design for making possible those permanent decisions, based upon the reflection of life itself, Masonry will occupy an even more important part in world trends.
THE PRICE OF SECURITY
Security cannot be given. It must be earned. The breadwinner of the family is really learning the lesson of self-discipline in his struggle to gain financial security. The fear that he might not provide for his family is the dynamic force that is being used for self-improvement. It is the spotlight that focuses his responsibility. A destructive fear is that which has to do with circumstances and conditions that are entirely beyond man's domain. It is this destructive fear that leaders of government use today. There is an attempt to give a false security which requires nothing of the individual in return. A propaganda of destructive fear has paralyzed the minds of the masses. If you vote for this issue, your security will be enhanced; and if you vote for that issue, your security will be taken away. Men who aspire for high offices assume the role of fakirs who can ignore physical laws at their convenience.
The Ruler of the Universe has provided the opportunity for security to all men- the opportunity is open to all who think and act in accordance with Natural Laws of Right, and such a security follows the unchangeable Law of Compensation. It must be earned and there is nothing miserly about the compensation it brings; physical, mental, and spiritual contentment. The wisest officers in government are those who do not stand between God and man.
Send your questions or comments to: David G. Terrell (smithfield455@fwst.net)
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