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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
May, 2000
Dear Brethren,
We had a great April Stated Meeting. After opening the Lodge, I invited Brother Jim King, Past Potentate of Moslah Shrine, to speak to the Lodge.
He brought us a presentation about the current state of the Masonic Home and School. Brother King showed a new video about the Home and School and he told us of the recent dedication of the new playground facility and the addition of an agriculture and animal science program to the curriculum.
He also informed us that the School also has the fastest growing DeMolay Chapter in the State with many members from outside the School. The School has also started a Rainbow Girl Assembly. There are about 150 children living at the Home and School with a maximum capacity of about 250.
If you find a child, regardless of Masonic affiliation, who needs a safe place to live, don’t forget the Home and School. The Home and School also has a wish list of needed items so if you work for a company that has a philanthropic program, please make a contribution to the Home and School through your employer.
I had the chance to welcome Brother Seppo Arnos as a dual member of Smithfield Lodge.
We will be having a Wives’ and Widows’ banquet on May 20 at 6 pm. We will also be honoring the late Brother Lynn Gregory PM and remembering his life and contributions to Smithfield Lodge.
We will be having a Lodge Breakfast on Saturday, may 27 at 8 am.
We will be sending our Wardens to the Grand Lodge Warden’s Retreat on August 4-6 in Dallas.
Brother Don Hawkins and his wife have made application to move into the Masonic Retirement Center.
Ms. Wingate took digital pictures during brother Autry’s Golden Trowel presentation. She made a great photographic montage of them and Brother Hutcherson presented them to the lodge. Look for them on the wall.
Thanks to Brother A.J.N. Pierce for his donation to the Trestle Board Fund.
In the past, we served as Mall Greeters at North East Mall. It was fun and made the Lodge some money. The new construction prevented us from serving this past Christmas. Recently the Mall approached us about serving during the 4-5 days of their Grand Opening in May. The Lodge voted to work on this project. We will be looking for some help.
Last month, I presented Certificates of Ritual Proficiency to several brethren but, failed to congratulate them in the Trestle Board. Congratulations to Brothers Webb, Haygood, Spraggins, Musquiz, Allen and Autrey for earning a Certificate of Proficiency.
Brother Spraggins, I haven’t forgotten that I owe you a Grand Master’s coin.
David Terrell, W:M:
Brethren
There were many activities announced at the March Stated meeting. The Shrine sponsored a Masonic Open House on April 18. The Grand Master’s Conference and the Shrine’s major road-side fund collection effort will be on May 6. We will likely have a Master mason’s Degree on April 25.
We are planning a Wives’ and Widows’ banquet on May 27.
Elections are next month. The planned installation of Officers will be Saturday, June 24 at 6 PM. It will be a special night for myself and all the other Lodge officers.
Thanks to everyone who has donated to keep the Trestle Board going well.
Sincerely,
Rickey Levings, S:W:
Brethren,
Here we are, half way through the month of April, and it's time to send a message to you through the Trestle Board. I missed the opportunity to chat with you last month because my wife, Linda, and I took a vacation out West. The trip was great! We did find that gasoline prices are high all over the place as we paid as high at $2.09 per gallon in one place.
I have chosen to leave the reporting of lodge business to the other officers this month. Rather, I want to share a timely article regarding ways "To Stimulate Attendance", which appeared in the March 24, 2000 issue of THE OHIO MASON.
TO STIMULATE ATTENDANCE
Many plans have been devised to stimulate interest in lodge activities and particularly to promote attendance. Some of them have the merit of ingenuity. Others have proved unworkable and impracticable. However, discussion of the subject is always timely even if it has not found the ideal solution.
In local Masonic circles a novel suggestion has been advanced. It is this: Other bodies in which Masonic membership is a prerequisite should require their members to attend Blue Lodge at least once a year. Those who do not should be subject to a financial penalty, the proceeds to be donated to benevolences.
This is rather a radical plan. It would be difficult to execute and would meet with opposition in the bodies concerned. But, if widespread consideration arouses fresh interest in the problem, some logical solution may yet be evolved.
It should not be forgotten that the matter of supporting the Blue Lodge has received sympathetic attention in the national councils of these affiliated bodies. Imperial Potentates have frequently urged all Nobles to not only attend their lodges, but to actively participate.
The Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite has taken a similar position which the York Rite makes the same plea.
All these groups pay tribute to the sovereignty of the carious Grand Lodges and Symbolic Masonry in general. They know that only if the Blue Lodges proper and grow can they likewise increase.
As he advances through the lower places and stations to the exalted position of Worshipful Master, the lodge worker has a varied experience. He observes what his predecessors have accomplished and maps out his own program when he eventually reaches the highest station. He profits by the achievements of the past and formulates his plans for the welfare of his Lodge and the advancement of Masonry in general.
How to increase attendance has been a live problem for many years. One good method to stimulate interest is to distribute appointments and assignments of tasks to as many as possible. When a Mason has a job to do he is more likely to attend lodge and become enthusiastic in promoting Masonry.
This problem is open for discussion and serious consideration in a majority of lodges. It is of timely moment.
James Allen, J:W:
Brethren,
I was proud of the way you’ve responded to the needs of Sabreena Payne, daughter of Ron Askey. She needs a medical procedure which her parents were unable to provide. The appeal for fraternal assistance went out to our members, the financial needs were met, she had the procedure, and is now back in school. We will hear more from her later. As of this date we still need about $260.00 to completely cover the cost of the surgery. If you would like to give something, Just send it to the Lodge, receipts are being sent out upon receiving the donation.
I mentioned in the last newsletter that some of you had not taken care of the year 2000 dues. I sent letters encouraging those who still owed dues. You have not responded as I hoped you would. If you could have seen Brother Chancellor as his grandson received his Entered Apprentice Degree a few weeks ago, you would know immediately what your membership should mean to you. What a testament to MASONRY. Thanks, Bernard for bringing Chad our way. Congratulate him on his grandson’s preferment.
The Grand Master's regional conference will be held at the Masonic Temple on May 17, 2000. You are invited to attend this important meeting. We will register between 6:00 and 9:00 A.M.. The conference will last to about noon, each attendee will receive a coin from the Grand Master. I hope the W.M. will encourage us to car pool, attend the meeting, then return to the Lodge around noon.
Officer elections are just around the corner, be sure to thank David Terrell for his year, and encourage the elected, and appointed officers for next year.
Bill Campbell, Secy.
Grand Master’s Conference -- Saturday, May 6 , 2000 -- 8:00 AM
Wives’ and Widows’ Banquet -- Saturday, May 20 , 2000 -- 6:00 PM
Lodge Breakfast -- Saturday, May 27 , 2000 -- 8:00 AM
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.P Burgess 05-23-89
A.T. Cain 05-14-85
T.S. Carpenter 05-22-75
A.L. Choate 05-17-56
M.L. Harwell 05-17-49
R.E. Holder 05-19-53
R.R. Irwin 05-09-67
D.G. LaPlante 05-16-96
S.F. LeMaster 05-13-67
R.S. Lewis 05-13-50
J.C. Lorenzo 05-27-78
J.L. Lyons 05-12-82
F.M. Morrow Jr. 05-19-53
L.E. Morrow 05-31-66
J. Reynolds 05-21-59
W.A. Schopper 05-27-80
T.M. Shaw 05-03-61
B.E. Stark 05-05-47
T.C. Walker 05-12-66
D.V. Wiltze 05-18-95
Congratulations Brethren!
From the Internet
Again, in the lecture on the Second Tracing Board we are informed that the
winding staircase leading up to the middle chamber was divided into 3, 5 and 7
steps. The 7 steps symbolizing the 7 Liberal Arts and Sciences were disclosed as
Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music and Astronomy.
GRAMMAR
Teaches us the proper arrangement of words, according to the idiom or dialect of any particular Kingdom of people, and is that excellence of pronunciation by which we are taught to read or speak a language agreeable to reason, authority, and the strict rules of literature.
RHETORIC
Teaches us to speak copiously and fluently on any subject, not merely with propriety alone but with all the advantages of force and eloquence; wisely contriving to captivate the hearer by dint of argument and beauty of expression, whether it be to interest, exhort, admonish or applaud.
LOGIC
Teaches us to guide our reason with discretion in the general knowledge of things, and to direct our inquiries after truth, as well for our own instruction as the improvement of others, It consists of a regular train of argument, which we infer, deduce and conclude, according to certain premises, laid down admitted or granted. In it are employed the faculties of conceiving, reasoning, judging, and disposing, The whole of which are led on from one graduation to another, until the point in question is finally determined.
ARITHMETIC
Treats of the power and properties of numbers, which are variously affected by letters, figures, and instruments. By this science, reasons and demonstrations are given for finding out any number whose relation or affinity to another number is already known or discovered.
GEOMETRY
Treats of the powers and properties of magnitude in general where the length breadth and thickness are separately and collectively considered. By this science the Architect is enabled to form his plans. The General to arrange his soldiers. The Engineer to mark out the ground for encampment. The Geographer to give us the dimensions of the world, to delineate the extent of the seas, and specify the division of Kingdoms, Empires, and Provinces. By it also the Astronomer is enabled to make his observations, calculate and fix the duration of times, seasons, years, and cycles. In fine, Geometry is the foundation of Architecture, and the root of Mathematics.
MUSIC
Teaches the art of forming concords, so as to produce a delightful harmony of acute, grave and mixed sounds. This art, by a series of experiments, is reduced to a demonstrative science with respect to tones and the Intervals of sounds. It inquires into the nature of concords and discords, and enables us to find out a due proportion between them by numbers; and it never shines with greater luster than when employed in Singing the praises of the Grand Geometrician of the universe.
ASTRONOMY
Although the last, is not the least important science. It is that divine art by which we are taught to read the wisdom, power, and goodness of the Geometrician of the Universe, in whose sacred pages the celestial Hemisphere, assisted by Astronomy, we may observe the motions, measure the distances, comprehend the magnitude, and calculate the periods and eclipses of the heavenly bodies. By it also we learn the use of the globes, the system of the worlds, and the primary laws of nature; and while we are employed in the study of this delightful science, we may perceive unparalleled instances of wisdom and goodness, and on every hand trace the glorious Author by his works.
Ten Master Masons, happy, doing fine;
One listened to a rumor, then there were nine.
Nine Master Masons, faithful, never late;
One didn't like the "Master", then there were eight.
Eight Master Masons, on their way to heaven;
One joined to many clubs, then there were seven.
Seven Master Masons, life dealt some hard licks;
One grew discouraged, then there were six.
Six Master Masons, all very much alive;
One lost his interest, then there were five.
Five Master Masons, wishing there were more;
Got into a great dispute, then there were four.
Four Master Masons, busy as could be;
One didn't like the programs, then there were three.
Three Master Masons, was one of them you?
One grew tired of all the work, then there were two.
Two Master Masons with so much to be done;
One said "What's the use?", then there was one.
One Master Mason, found a brother true!
Brought him to Lodge, then there were two.
Two Master Masons didn't find work a bore;
Each brought another, then there were four.
Four Master Masons changed their Lodge’s fate
By showing others kindness, then there were eight.
Eight Master Masons, loving their Lodge’s bright sheen;
Talked so much about it, they soon counted sixteen.
Sixteen Master Masons, to their obligations true;
Were pleased when their number went to thirty-two.
So we can't put our troubles at the Lodge’s door;
It's our fault for harming the Lodge we adore.
Don't fuss about the programs or the "Master" in the East;
Keep your obligation by serving even the very least.
Erik J. Meyer, Constellation Lodge AF&AM (no, we don't have numbers) Dedham, MA
Send your questions or comments to: David G. Terrell (smithfield455@fwst.net)
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