An Ageless Standard

By Howard Coop, 32°, KCCH

They long for the “good old days” of yore when life was simpler and moved at a slower pace. Have you noticed?

Day after day life moves at an incredibly rapid pace. In one way or another, all of us are caught up in a fast-paced culture. This is an obvious fact of everyday life that is readily observable by anyone. On a daily basis, many people talk about this fact and the need to deal with it.
You have heard it. I have heard it. At one time or another, all of us have heard it. Persons, tired of the drudgery of the daily affairs with which they are involved and weary of the intricate involvement in the ordinary routine of their lives, complain incessantly that life is too fast and too complicated for them. Therefore, they long for the “good old days” of yore when life was simpler and moved at a slower pace. In those good old days, almost everyone assumes, life was less complicated, and neighbor had time to relax and talk with neighbor.

If one keeps the proper focus, one can deal effectively with this fast-paced and intricately involved life in which everyone, in some way, is involved. There is an ageless standard which is practical and many centuries old. This standard, tested in the crucible of life, is capable of helping one cope with this and other difficult life situations that are encountered on a daily basis. One author, writing nearly two thousand years ago to a group of people who were feeling the pressures of the fast-paced culture surrounding them, put it in very simple and direct language that is understandable by anyone and applicable to any situation. In whatever situation you find yourself: “… do not forget to do good and to share with others” (Hebrews 13:16, NIV).

This ageless standard, followed in the normal course of daily life, brings amazing results. Masons are men who have found it true, for they are committed to and have a reputation for helping any brother or member of his family who is in need. As a result, a giant network of philanthropies has developed. Therefore, the Supreme Architect of the Universe is pleased, many who have needs are helped, and those applying this ageless standard find deep and abiding satisfaction.