Jas A. Smith Lodge August 2019 Bulletin

James A. Smith

Masonic Lodge No. 395

August, 2019

Chartered June 6th 1874

Volume 4, Issue No 7

Art and Freemasonry

Message from the East

Art and Freemasonry

Considering the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Guest Speaker PM Burell Poston, Hon 33°

Diarrhea of the Fingers A Successful Pancake Breakfast and Ritual

Workshop at the Lodge Lodge Calendar

This Bulletin is published monthly by James A. Smith Masonic Lodge No. 395. It is produced solely, for and by the members As a member, if there is something you wish to see covered, discussed or announced, you need only let us know. The articles, views and opinions of the authors of this publication do not reflect the official views of James A. Smith Masonic Lodge.

From the East Brethren of James A. Smith Lodge and friends who are visiting with us, thank you for taking the time.

Time is a commodity of yours that is fought hard for by so many other competing intrest. In a world of steadily decreasing values and fast fading traditions, we need to dig down deep in order to hold the line. Let us show the world there are still men of high integrity. Let us start by showing our community our charactor of instilling sound and trustworty values in it’s men. Values that here in 2019 are under constant assault.

Let us show our community there is a trusted sancutary, a Men’s House, that gentlmen can meet and become even better gentlemen simply by developing each other as Masons have done since time immamorial.

Chivalry is not yet extinct in the souls of all men. The “Upright” man wants more from life, he wants to achieve something bigger than himself or his paycheck.

Make plans to visit with us here at our Monday practice nights, our Stated Communications and other posted events.

With your intrest, we can certainly develope these concepts into fruition, this year.

Gone are the old and boring time killers of arguing about the budget, dues, and what is not being done by someone, giving us more time to devote to our community, our Brothers Widows and our own souls. Until we meet again.

Sincerely and Fraternally Roger B. Landry 214 226-6007

What is the Association of Masonic Arts?

Freemasonry’s roots lie in Operative Masonry: architecture, music, and the fine arts. The great civilizations of Antiquity—Egypt, the Greco-Roman World of the Mediterranean cultures, Persia, Ancient India, and China— left us not only ruins of beautiful temples but a record of the Flame and Spirit of the Creator, who is creating Order out of Chaos always and everywhere. The works of the ancient Master Masons—artists, builders, architects, musicians, and writers—are the crystal mirrors of the Supreme Conciseness.

In their masterpieces, our Brothers have given shape to ancient Wisdom and knowledge whose depths are beyond the limits of the ordinary world. It is to their memory that the Association of Masonic Arts is dedicated.

Founded in 2013, the mission of the AMA is to serve to the Masonic communities in the USA and around the world; to popularize Masonic art history and to preserve the artifacts of the Masonic arts; to support Masonic authors in their work and to organize exhibitions, theatrical presentations, concerts, charity events and conferences; and, lastly, to provide education about the Masonic Arts and Architecture and their history and significance.

This is not a purely academic exercise. History is clear that the fine arts—and sharing the best of our cultures—can be a very useful and virtuous means of overcoming differences among peoples and of cultivating the best of human nature. In relation to Freemasonry, however, this potential has been seriously under-appreciated by the Masonic community. Our museums are full of beautiful works of art from the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, but there is little support for Masonic artists working today.

Thus the AMA seeks to provide a space for dialogue, for exhibitions, and for concerts, etc., to bring Masonic artists, Brethren, and public together. One way we can do this is through our annual Apollo Festival. During 2018, it was held

in the George Washington Masonic Memorial. The weekend-long event featured an exhibition of Masonic artists—including Ryan Flynn and Ferenc Sebok—lectures, music performances, and a performance by Bulgarian folk-dance ensemble Zharava.

painting by American Artist Ryan Flynn

Many of the other participants traveled from other countries, and the spirit was one of sharing and celebrating culture.

The ideals embraced by the Directors and members of the AMA are simply those of Freemasonry—fraternity, human respect for liberty, equality, and fellowship. In this era of an emerging new global society, we are working to bring more light and attention to the treasures of Freemasonry, especially to the work of contemporary Masonic fine artists, musicians, writers, and other creatives.

Although you probably know of many Masonic organizations, perhaps you have not heard of the AMA or of the work we do. Although it is probably one of the leastknown Masonic organizations, the AMA has members from 74 regular Grand Lodges, and is represented in 33 nations on six continents by its Grand Ambassadors and Ambassadors.

The AMA is actively involved in laying the groundwork for a greater appreciation of the Masonic arts and the material culture of the Craft. It is about the Masonic arts that we create today and bequeath to future generations. We encourage our Brothers who appreciate our magnificent buildings, our museums, and our Masonic arts, to do more than study our history. We encourage you to be a part of history in the making. Join us in supporting and enjoying the living Masonic arts and artists that are shaping our culture for tomorrow’s generations of Masons. Find out more about us at http://masonicarts.net, and get in touch via the contact page.

Dimitar Mavrov, Executive Sec. of the Association of Masonic Arts.

When studying the origin and evolution of Freemasonry there can be little doubt that the edifice was formulated by some of the great scientific minds of the era. However, there can also be little doubt that its evolution was greatly enhanced through the contributions of the artisans. Hence, the scientific mind provided the structure to the life of our craft while the artists provided the luster to the meaning of that life.

A charge in our ritual states that a Freemason should be “a lover of the arts and sciences and take every effort to improve himself therein.� Indeed, Freemasonry without the arts would be like an ocean without water, an empty shell, a great hole without substance. It is, therefore, the responsibility of every Freemason to instill within himself an appreciation and love of the arts and stimulate the brothers of his lodge to do likewise.

Thomas W. Jackson, Chairman of theAssociation of Masonic Arts.

Considering the Scottish Rite

The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite is an appendant body of Freemasonry and is considered entirely optional for Masons to join. The Scottish Rite is technically a concordant body because some of its degrees continue the story of the building of Solomon’s Temple that’s started in the first three lodge degrees.

The Scottish Rite regularly confers degrees 4 through 32 on its candidates. Additionally, the Rite also bestows the 33rd degree on certain members. The 33rd degree is an honorary degree for special service.

After working at the Dallas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children for 43 years, this months guest speaker is Past Master Burrell Poston, 33° Dallas Scottish Rite Mason. He will be speaking to us about the Scottish Rite and some of what they do for our community and for the world.

Take note of the Dallas Scottish Rite photo on display at the Lodge room foryer at the sign in desk.

Diarrhea of the Fingers

Most of us were told by our parents or guardians to “Watch what you say”. Whether their guidance was based on their own practical experience, or perhaps from lessons taught to them, such as “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3), the message was clear - words, once spoken, are impossible to fully retract. These may be words said in times of sorrow, frustration, or anger, but also applies to the risk of unintentionally speaking that which was not meant to be known by others.

Every one of us has thoughts we know better than to speak. Today when someone blurts something out we might simply say that they forgot to engage their filter. I contest that this is a real thing - that the literal process of verbalizing words allows us an opportunity to judge if what we are about to speak

is something we truly mean.

But here is the rub: Few of us speak out loud while typing.

We get on Facebook and other similar mediums and we allow our thoughts to flow directly through our fingers and out to the universe, to live on perpetual record, never having engaged the filter of if these words were something we would truly say. And, what is worse, is that this disease, this diarrhea of the fingers, can quickly spread to others who read our words.

I encourage each of you, Brethren, along with myself, to take a moment to proofread anything you post to Social Media.

If you do not have the time to proofread, then you ought not make the post. Read your words aloud to yourself, which will let you engage your filter, which is that very first Cardinal Virtue, Temperance, and enact those first Liberal Arts & Sciences of the Trivium: Grammar, Logic, & Rhetoric, and thereby keep your own Book of Constitutions guarded by the Tiler’s sword.

“Thus you will render yourself deserving of the honor which we have conferred and merit the confidence that we have reposed.”

Jared Stanley, Grand Secretary The Grand Lodge of Mississippi, F. & A. M.

A Successful Pancake Breakfast and Ritual Workshop at the Lodge

We had terrific support at our recent Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser at thye Lodge Saturday morning July 20th and thank everyone who stopped out. We had some great fun, met some new folks and ate a lot of pancakes and sausage. Thank you very much for the generous contributions from all.

A special thanks to the Brethren of Carrollton Lodge No. 1400, Metropolitan Lodge No. 1182, and folks from Mike H. Thomas Lodge No. 1314 for supporting us. Thank you and we hope you visit us again soon.

We are working to have another way for individuals to donate directly to the Lodge for this and other Fundraising efforts On-Line. Our Facebook page and website will hopefully have links that tell our story and show the important mission we do and how others can help. Many individuals want to help with our cause and donate, but are simply unable to stop out or giveforth the time needed for travel. jas395.org

Lodge Calendar James. A. Smith Masonic Lodge Stated meeting - 2nd Thursday of the month. Open to all Masons; 7:30 pm. Fellowship and meal at 6:30pm. Degree and floorwork practice is every Monday. 7:00 pm.

O.E.S. Farmers Branch Chapter No. 687 meets here the first Thursday of the month. Dinner at 6:30 pm.

The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, (IORG) Farmers Branch Assembly No. 368 meets here every month on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 7:00pm.

August 3rd, Saturday morning Forum and Exam at Tannehill Masonic Lodge No. 52.

August 6th at Carrollton Lodge No. 1400, there will be a graded Master Masons Degree. Meal at 6:30.

August 10th, Saturday morning Forum and Exam at Duck Creek Masonic Lodge No. 1419 August 28th we will be hosting the 14th District’s Master’s, Warden’s and Secretary’s Association here at the Lodge as they conduct their traveling monthly meeting along with their incredible education series they are delivering to those that attend.

Remember, this is an open meeting and it would be very nice to have a good showing by all of us that are able to attend this important monthly event.

Masonic Education comes in all forms and who says it can’t be fun? Here is some light entertainment.

Officers of James A. Smith Masonic Lodge No. 395 Elective Roger B. Landry Benjamin P. Morgan James J. Dowdy Rabih N. Asmar, PM Ruston D. Bjorkman, PM

Appointive

Worshipful Master Senior Warden Junior Warden Treasurer Secretary

George W. Mills, PM Edward A. Morzak Kevin K. Morton, PM D. Neal Kelly, PM J. Ross Hurt Frank J. Mages IV Byron W. Collins Thomas VanHoose, PM Earl L. Stanton, PM

Chaplain Senior Deacon Junior Deacon Senior Steward Junior Steward Marshal Mast. of Cer. Musician Tiler

Official Publication of James A. Smith Masonic Lodge No. 395 Editor: Roger B. Landry

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This Bulletin is published monthly by James A. Smith Masonic Lodge No. 395 A.F & A.M. Opinions of the individual writers do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of James A. Smith Masonic Lodge.

Subscriptions: Members of this lodge can receive this publication free by e-mail each month. If you have no access to e-mail and wish to receive a mailed paper copy, please send request to James A. Smith Masonic Lodge No. 395. 12823 Demetra Dr, Farmers Branch, TX 75234 Contributions: Material and photographs cannot be returned.

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James A. Smith Masonic Lodge No. 395 12823 Demetra Dr, Farmers Branch, TX 75234