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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, 2001
Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons
125th Anniversary Celebration
We will celebrate this Historical Event on Sunday afternoon on June 10, 2001 from 2:30-5:00PM. We will have light refreshments and guest speakers. All members, their family and friends are invited to attend. We would like to also invite all of Smithfield Lodge Widows, family and friends as well. This is a very Special Historical Event, so let everyone know and plan on attending. You will not be disappointed.
Smithfield Lodge #455
Golden Trowel Recipients
Les Egger, PM, Life Member
A.M. “Bo” Hestilow, PM
David Myers, PM, Treasurer
R.T. “Bunk” Koonce, PM
Charlie R. Groves, PM
James B. Hutcherson, PM
Billy R. Campbell, PM, Secretary
Cantrell Autrey, PM, DDGM
Bob Holder, PM
Grand Master’s Conference, Saturday, May 26 , 2001, 8:00 AM
Brethren,
The May Stated Meeting went well, however, there was not very many Brethren attending . Brethren, the Lodge needs you here for support, if you are not busy and can attend, please try to attend at least the Stated Meetings. This means so much to your Lodge and especially to our newly raised Master Masons. Also, this will keep you informed as to any new events and what is going on at your Lodge. Please, do not let Smithfield Lodge dwindle down. Come on out and enjoy the brotherhood of Masonry.
Brethren I would like to thank Smithfield Lodge for giving Brother R.W. Wright a Special Farewell, Bro. Wright will always be remembered in all of our hearts, especially mine.
I would like to remind all Brethren, but more especially, our more recently Raised Master Masons, about becoming an Endowed Member of the Lodge. It is truly the best thing you can do as a member, and it helps to support the Lodge.
Ricky Levings, Worshipful Master
Brethren,
On June 10, 2001 Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas will celebrate its One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Anniversary. The present building (temple) was built by the Masons of Smithfield #455, through their own efforts and toil in 1981. Materials used came from the surrounding Smithfield area.
Following is an excerpt from The Bible in Masonry explaining how materials were acquired for King Solomon's Temple. Written by John W. Kelchner:
King David, one of the world’s greatest Generals and Statesmen, founded an imperial dominion which theretofore had not been realized, though it had been promised to Abraham. David became King on the scale of the great sovereigns, demanding and receiving tribute, and forming alliances which enabled him to control the great trade route of which Jerusalem was the center. Yet, during the turmoil, the struggles attending his rise to supremacy, he never ceased to make preparation for carrying out his one ambition, that of erecting a Temple to the worship of God. “Behold in my trouble I have prepared for the House of the Lord an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand talents of silver; and of brass without weight, for it is in abundance; timber and also stone have I prepared, declared David”. Again he repeats, “I have prepared with all my might for the House of my God and gold for things to made of gold; and the silver for things of silver; and brass for the things of brass; the iron for the things of iron; and wood for things of wood; onyx stones and stones to be set, glistening stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones and marble stones in abundance.” In addition to the sums he “prepared” he donated from his own private purse, “three thousand talents of gold, seven thousand talents of silver, “all of which he carefully tabulated and dedicated to the Lord, in the presence of the Fathers and Princes of the Tribes of Israel, who stood in awed silence before their venerable and God-fearing sovereign. Gen. 15; 18-21
In his final and supreme effort to arouse his hearers to respond with contributions of their own, David shouted: “Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?” Then the Chief of the Fathers and Princes of the Tribes of Israel, and the Captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the King’s work, offered willingly of gold, five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron. And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the House of the Lord.” 1 Chron. 29
Hiram, King of Tyre, the friend of David, gave Solomon cedar, algum and fir trees according to all Solomon’s needs, also great stones (granite), costly stones (marbles), and hewed stones, shaped for pillars and squared by stone squarer.
During the course of the construction of the Temple, King Hiram and King Solomon caused periodical trips to be made to Ophir for gold, algum trees, and precious stones to add to the apparently inexhaustible store.
“King David rejoiced with great joy,” “the people rejoiced for they offered willingly with a perfect heart.” Hiram, King of Tyre, “blessed the Lord God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the King a wise son, endowed with prudence and understanding, that build an house for the Lord.”
James W. Allen, Senior Warden
Brethren,
We are nearing the 125th Anniversary observance of the Lodge. What a fine heritage we enjoy. Our forming members are long since gone, but we still enjoy their sacrifices. They formed a Lodge hoping that it would endure time. What a joy it would be to see their happiness as we continue what they started. We hope that you intend to visit the Lodge during this observance.
I had the privilege of presenting an award from the Scottish Rite Masons to a young lady in the JROTC program at Birdville High School recently. What an honor to see these fine young people who have found the discipline that it takes to be a leader in this group. If these folks are an indication of their age group, we are indeed in fine shape in this country. They were bright, courteous, mannerly, and above all, well behaved during the program. Congratulations to their leaders, what a fine job they are doing.
We still have a few Brethren who have not sent in their dues. If there is any reason that the dues cannot be paid, please let someone at the Lodge know. This is not to embarrass anyone, just that we need to remit your dues at the June meeting, or you suspended for non-payment of dues. We can do this only if you let us know.
We will have several goodies at the Anniversary Observance, come on out and Brother David Myers handiwork, you will be impressed. Good job Bro. David.
The Grand Lodge has made some changes in the Golden Trowel Award. The Lodge can now only give one per year. More on this later.
Fraternally Yours, B. R. Campbell, Secretary
May 26 Grand Master’s Conference Fort Worth Masonic Temple 10:00AM
June 02 Breakfast and Meeting Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455 8:00AM
June 07 Stated Meeting & Dinner Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455 6:30PM with Election of Officers
June 10 125th Lodge Anniversary Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455 2:30PM
July 7 Installation of Officers Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455 6:30PM
Aug 10-12 2001 Warden’s Retreat & Trng Omni Hotel in Richardson All Day
- Brother Jack Jeter, who is recovering from heart surgery and is back at home.
- Brother T. C. Powell who is at home recovering from a stroke.
- Brother Frances Burton, who is recovering from a broken hip and is in Harris Therapy Center.
- Please give these Brethren a call and visit them when you can
The following brethren will observe their Masonic Birthdays. They were raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason during this month.
B.D. Bass DDGM 6-06-83
B.R. Campbell PM 6-20-63
Johnnie Cox 6-23-84
L.H. DeJournette 6-14-60
Ray D. Edwards 6-25-81
Roy D. Edwards 6-18-81
D.E. Fraley 6-27-91
D.H. Giles 6-25-78
G.M. Haygood 6-19-97
S.E. Lane 6-10-89
H.C. Martin 6-16-51
R.A. McJunkins PM 6-14-90
E.R. Musquiz 6-01-56
C.E. Settle 6-06-00
C.W. Smith 6-27-74
C.T. Stewart 6-19-58
J.C. Tarwater 6-06-70
A.L. Tollett 6-13-63
C.W. West 6-13-63
W.W. White 6-17-67
D.F. Wolfe 6-24-75
Congratulations Brethren!
Brethren,
What a pleasure it is to be a part of the Celebration of this Historical Event. A full 125 years right here in the heart of the old Smithfield community. I’m very proud to be a part of such a great Lodge and a Brother to all who have gone this way before me and to the ones who are just starting their journey. I hope and pray that this wonderful Lodge can make it another 125 years. And it will as long as we can keep Masonry alive hear at Smithfield. This is why it is so important to myself and the other Brethren that we are always asking for your attendance and support in teaching and helping out here at the Lodge. This is how we stay strong and supportive to new Brethren. Remember that Masonry is passed on from generation to generation thru you and I. Let’s not fail our Lodge and our Fellow Brethren.
Be sure to mark your calendars for this event and bring your family, friends, your neighbor, and pass the word along to your Brethren you know from the area’s surrounding Lodges and even Brethren you know from faraway. You won’t be sorry.
I would like to take this time to personally thank Brother James B. Hutcherson PM and Miss Carrie Wingate for their untiring labor and time that they put into updating the history of Smithfield Lodge. Their work is greatly appreciated by all. Thanks for a job well done. Bro. Hutcherson will also be receiving his 50 Year Award this Masonic year . Congratulations to you on this milestone in your Masonic Life. Your knowledge of Masonry and in particular, Smithfield Lodge that you have personally passed on to me is what will keep me active in Masonry for a long time. Thank you Bro. Hutch.
Have you been to Lodge lately? Why not? Do you have any idea what is happening or going on at your Lodge? If you haven’t been here, then you are missing out on a lot of activities and meeting our newest and youngest Brethren. We are planning a lot more activities for the Brethren and their families this coming Masonic year. So come back to Lodge and get involved, I guarantee you that you will enjoy every minute of it.
For those of you that know Brother T. J. Stevenson, a Smithfield member that now lives at the Masonic Retirement Center, his wife Patsy passed away on April 20, 2001. They are in our prayers.
Anyone wishing to be contacted or notified about a death and or funeral should contact one of the Lodge Officers, so we can put you on a special contact list that we are making up here at the Lodge.
Gary L. Spraggins, Senior Deacon, Newsletter Editor
Send your questions or comments to: Gary Spraggins (ggllss@msn.com)
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