M.W. John Henry Smith 1955
John Henry Smith
Born April 30 1889-Passed to the Great Beyond May 5, 1971
As Grand Master of Masons in Connecticut in 1955, his Masonic and personal history have been spread before the world on many occasions, and will not be repeated here. Those parts of the world unfortunate enough to have no interest in Masonry know him for his extensive work with and for youth, his wide knowledge of the American Indians in Connecticut, or from his career as an engineer.
John Smith was the very epitome of the man described as "His Word Is His Bond"; he could have been the man who originated the eternal argument for truth, so familiar to Knights Templar. His penchant for honest dealings and above-the-board transactions gained him a reputation as a man to reckon with during his career with the Connecticut Highway Department, and all the years he was so actively interested in the affairs of his home town. No person who had to look to him for advice or for counsel, let alone for permission, ever dared hint or suggest in the most subtle way at taking the easy route if that route was anything less than absolutely true and square.
Masonic rituals, landmarks and tradition carried full weight and meaning for John Smith. When he constituted a new Lodge "In Conformity to the Rites of Freemasonry and the Charges of our Ancient and Honorable Fraternity" and Installed the officers . . . . in due and Ancient form". Those weren't the words of a polite secretary thrown like a protective mantle over our usual imperfections in ritual. They were an accurate description of how that Grand Master operated.
His regard for Masonry is easily understood in one sentence from his address to the Grand Lodge, "Ours is the Responsibility of Conferring the Degrees in such a manner as to impress those postulants with their dignity, their beauty, their philosophy and their power. to enrich the lives of Men". If further insight as to his deep beliefs in Masonry is needed, and thus in the need of all of us to live a good life. Take a moment to peruse his comprehensive, searching proposals on a guide for investigating committees to be found in the same address.
John Smith's life was so full that a book-length biography would be necessary simply to detail the aspects interesting to all. He was many things to many people: friend, brother, benefactor, husband, legislator, citizen, historian; all that was good to anyone at sometime, he was to everyone at anytime.
"Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it". Eccles. 12:6,7,8
We are secure in the belief that we shall meet again!
