REBUILDING THE ANTIENT CONTRACT

Rebuilding masonry, in the style of a variety of influences remains one of the mysteries of life. Would it challenge us to build our lodges according to particular philosophers aims? It is fascinating to consider groups of men were able to do just that, hundreds of years ago and yet we are just discoverying their cleverness. Some might shy away from an attempt to translate ideas into something we could share.  When I think of the stunning rooms and buildings dedicated to masonry it makes the tensions and pettiness of life vanish. It takes little to inspire men inclined to contemplative life. They are always open to fresh thinking. With the privacy of their thoughts, they can examine and select what defines them. An answer worth mentioning is philosopher Jean Jacque Rouseau noticing how often the value we have of ourselves comes from the opinion of others. Maybe there is an anecdote to modern day pessimism. Maybe it will be found in places we have not yet considered or valued. If any of it is to be believed, masonry creates atmospheres conducive to reason and imagination. We don't find truth at the end of a gun. The similarities are reconstructions. They are a continuation of the relevance of those ideas. Freemasonry has not stopped evolving. It's popularity changes, following patterns of unique cultures, history and the times. Can we upsell insight? Can we impose tranquility on others?  We like to think we cannot compel but we can introduce with respect ideas that have been transformative. Each day is different. Do we find masonry engaging enough to comitt to the way of life?  That is mans choice to make, and ours to respect.  Is this living withour value judgements? Isn't judgement the means to civility? Are you suggesting mankind is capable of arriving at his own sense of truth?