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The Trestle Board

Smithfield Lodge #455 A.F. & A.M.

8013 Main Street, North Richland Hills, Texas

P. O. Box 821413, Fort Worth, Texas 76182

Lodge telephone number:   817.656.2311

Contact the Lodge on  Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 7 PM and 9 PM

                                      WEB ADDRESS: http://www.smithfieldlodge.com

Come join us in honoring our Wives and Widows

Wives & Widows Banquet

Saturday  April 29th, 2006 at 6:00pm

Smithfield Lodge #455

 From the East       

Brethren,

Spring time is that time of the year when new growth comes forth and we look forward to enjoying the budding flowers, trees and 

scenery.  It's a good time of the year to fellowship and start new friendships.

Speaking of fellowship, there will be a Wives and Widows Banquet at Smithfield Lodge on April 29, 2006 at 6:00 P.M. honoring 

wives and widows.   There will be a dinner and good fellowship.  Come on down and have a good time!

Smithfield Lodge will have a Past Masters dinner on May 13, 2006 at 6:00 P.M. honoring the Past Masters of Smithfield Lodge.  

Many of the active members at Smithfield Lodge are Past Masters.  They provide great insights and wisdom into Masonry and are

a great inspiration to new Masons who seek knowledge and wisdom.  

Additionally, many of the Past Masters help with the everyday functions of the Lodge such as maintaining the buildings and grounds, 

floor school work, financial planning, secretarial duties and more.  Smithfield Lodge would not function properly or grow without a 

solid base of Past Masters.

Also, we are starting to collect items for the Smithfield Lodge garage sale on May 20, 2006.  If you have any large items that you 

would like to donate to the Lodge for the garage sale, please contact Herb Taylor or myself so that we can ensure that your 

donations are collected.

Brethren, there will be a special Smithfield Main Street event on April 8, 2006.  The historical aspects of Main Street will be 

celebrated.  Additionally, there will be information about community events, resources and services.  The Lodge will participate in 

the Main Street celebration. All of Main Street, where the Lodge is located, will be used for this event.  So come on out and enjoy the 

celebration!

Brethren, in times of trouble, the Lodge is here to help those who need our services and encouragement.  One of the greatest 

aspects to being a Mason is the kind, good-hearted charitable work each Mason strives to participate in.  There are many great 

Masons at Smithfield Lodge, and I am a witness to the truly awesome dedication and love the Masons of Smithfield Lodge have for 

their community, families, friends and each other.  It requires all of us to make a strong, healthy Lodge that gives to others and helps 

when needed.  As Worshipful Master of Smithfield Lodge, I would like to say a hearty thank you to all the brethren - here and afar - 

who so diligently donate and give their talents, love and affection to the Lodge, the community and the people around them.  It's truly 

great to belong to such a great body of friends and brothers who live their Masonry and give of themselves!

Fraternally,

Michael Haygood

Worshipful Master

From the West

Brethren,

Here is my attempt to paraphrase Ecclesiastes 12:1-7. The author of this scripture was King Solomon. Think of this the next time you hear it spoken at our lodge.

1. Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shall say, I have no pleasure in them; --- Keep God in mind now, while you are young, before you grow old and feeble.

2. While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: --- Refers to the gathering storm of old age and death.

3. In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out the windows be darkened, --- This refers to old age and in the same order; trembling hands, bent backs, missing teeth, dim and poor eye sight.

        4. And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low; --- Doors shut is a closed mouth attempting to hold food in will no teeth, the low sound of grinding is no teeth to crunch with, rise up at the voice of a bird is inability to sleep or rest, and the last is not being able to distinguish tones which comes with old age. All of these come with old age.

       5. Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: --- That which is high, the ascending of a hill. Fears in the way, falling down or being ran into by younger people. Almond tree blooms white and refers to white hair in old age. Grasshopper, refers to brittle bones and arthritis. Desire shall fail, refers to having no desires left of any kind. Long home and mourning, refers to death and funeral.

        6. Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the picture broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. --- The silver cord, refers to the ethereal line that connects the spirit to the body. Golden bowl and picture being broken, refers to the abruptness of death. The wheel broken, refers to the inability to support life.

        7. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return to God who gave it. --- The body reverts back to dust and the spirit returns to God.

This reveals some of the truth in these scriptures. I hope you enjoy it and put it to good use. 

Fraternally,

Herb Taylor

Senior Warden

From the South

Brethren,

First, let me start off with an apology.  The quarries have kept me so busy lately, that I haven’t been able to think about a decent article for this month.  I tried to look at various web sites in hope of getting some ideas, but they haven’t come.  You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to come up with something month after month.  “It’s only for one year”, you say?  But I am also the editor of this news letter, and I have to find filler articles, that I hope keeps you interested most months.  I don’t mean to be wining, just explaining.

That being said, please come to our Wives and Widows Banquet on  April 29th at 6:00pm.  This is always a very nice affair.  We are also having a Past Masters Dinner, May 13th at 6:00pm.

   We are also trying to plan another Lodge Garage Sale.  So, if you have any items you would like to donate, we would really appreciate it.  We could also use some help the day of the Garage Sale.

Our floor school is really coming along thanks to Bro. Les Egger.  We tend to cut up from time to time, much to the chagrin of  Bro. Les.  But all in all, we are doing real good, except on any given Tuesday or Thursday, there’s not more than about 5 or 6 that show up.  This is very disappointing since we have around 200 members!  I beg and plead with you, please come out and give us a hand!  It is  hard to put on a degree with only 5 trained brothers.

The Randall Briscoe Workshop is gearing up again, and if it’s anything like the ones in the past, it should something all Masons would enjoy.  Try to come at least to one, you won’t be sorry.  Dates and places for them are on our Event Calendar on the back page.

Again, I apologize for not having more for you.  Hopefully I won’t be so mentally strained next month.

Fraternally,

Rick Montey

Junior Warden/Editor

The Secretary’s Desk

Brethren, 

     At the last Masonic Service Bureau Brother McKay from Plano Lodge presented a very interesting report on some Masonic Lodges he had visited in Scotland. He showed the castle where the Devinci code had been filmed. this castle was built in the 14th century. Our recorded history dates to the early 1700's, however there were several Masonic references which had been carved in the stone used in the building. The presentation was made as he was dressed as a Scotsman, kilt and all. It was a very interesting presentation.
     The area workshops are in progress at this time. If you get an opportunity to visit one of these interesting presentations, take advantage of it. You will learn much about our Fraternity.
     Once again I have to send about 20 second notices to some who have not sent in their dues. Brethren they are due on, or before, December 31st. Please help your Lodge by being prompt.
       It is good to see young men seeking our Lodges again. I talked to the Grand Secretary who indicated that Masonry over the United States is once again becoming viable to our young people, Spread the word, we are ready to bring them to light.
   See you at the various Lodge functions, soon.

Fraternally Yours,

BR Campbell

Secretary

The Holy Saints John

Dedication of Lodges

Lodges were anciently dedicated to King Solomon because he is said to have been our first most excellent Grand Master, but in this country Masons dedicate their Lodges to Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist who are said to have been two eminent patrons of Masonry. There is represented in every regular and well-governed Lodge a certain point within a circle embroidered by two perpendicular parallel lines, representing St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist; and upon the top rests the Holy Scriptures.

History

Prior to Christianity, the celebration of the change of the seasons were marked with many pagan celebrations. For example, December 25 was already a major festival in the pagan Roman world. The Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, or "Birthday of the Unconquered Sun", falling within the week-long celebration of the Saturnalia, was a feast honoring the renewal of the sun at the winter solstice.  It included feasting, dancing, lighting bonfires, decorating homes with greens, and giving gifts. The early Church wanted these pagan festivals stopped but they were very popular with the people and they continued to celebrate them.  The solution to the problem was simple; substitute Christian meanings and Saints to these holidays and continue to celebrate them.  Therefore, the celebration of the summer solstice became the Festival of Saint John the Baptist and the celebration of the winter solstice became the Festival of Saint John the Evangelist.

But why did Freemasonry select the Holy Saints John as their patron saints rather than Saint Thomas, who is the eminent patron of architecture and building?  According to Albert Bede, (3-5-7 Minute Talks on Freemasonry, Macoy Publishing Co,), adoption of the saints by Freemasonry far antedates the first Grand Lodge of 1717.  Many of the Operative Lodges had been dedicated to the Baptist and a few to the Evangelist. The Baptist seems to have come into Freemasonry well in advance of the Evangelist.  It may be significant that the first Grand Lodge was formed at a meeting held on the Festival of Saint John the Baptist.  Thereafter London Lodges were dedicated to the two Saints John, and continued to be until the union of 1813, since when they have been dedicated to Solomon.  The festival of the English Lodges has since been changed to the Wednesday after St. George's Day.

American Lodges have continued the custom brought from England in colonial times, paying no attention to changes made by the English Lodges and continue to observe the festival of the two Saints John.

"History does not tell us why the Saints John were selected as the patron saints of Freemasonry. Whatever the facts may be, surely it is in accordance with the fitness of things that we honor these two names, John the Baptist, the stern prophet of righteousness, and John the Evangelist, the teacher of Love.

                       Excerpted from www.themasonictrowel.com

Remember the "Smithfield Masonic Lodge Permanent Endowment Fund"

Your support is a continuing need.  Any donation is welcome.  A donation of $100.00 or more puts your name, or the name of someone you wish to honor, on a plaque in the dining area of the Lodge.  Please send your donation to Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455, A.F. & A.M., P.O. Box 821413 , Fort Worth, Texas 76182

Thanks to our Trestle Board Sponsors

Masonic Birthdays for April, 2006

The following brethren will observe their Masonic Birthdays. They were raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason during this month.

Congratulations Brethren!

Calendar of Events