I am convinced that the worry over an ebb and flow of standards for entrance that preoccupies us is simply a matter of myopic vision. The impression of deteriorating character is often expressed by masons hoping sincerely to stop a trend which, in that opinion has the potential to shrink the order. In whispers they shudder at the unthinkable~could the order decline like Rome?
In Canada we have had the unthinkable happen all around us. In one generation, the Hudson's Bay Company is sold to foreign interests. Milk is not delivered to the door. Teachers are abused by children. Parents assault referees and abuse little atheletes as the Canadian game becomes bloated by money. Walls are being built around neighbourhoods in a misguided frenzy to create the illusion of safety because of the illusion of risk that is played on my insurance companies.
Illusion, impression or fact?
Nostalgia with our past, like those famous rose coloured glasses tints our thinking about the early generations. Of course there were a few leaders and even fewer brilliant minds who are remembered in the records left for us. But there were larger numbers of men who joined for all manner of reasons and who were a cause for the same concerns then as we have today.
We are not all brilliant scientists, renowed philosophers or royality. And it stretches credibility to think illiterate stone workers had access to mysteries of antient cultures and a philosphy of social reform.
It was like minded men, who were humble enough and intelligent enough to learn think critically and who recognized insight was vulnerable to political and religious agendae.
The leaders and risk takers, those who were aware and made a contribution have been treated well by history.
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