The Structures Of Life

Paper 12/2007 Title The Structures of Life Author Bro Robert Steel – United States of America I heard a quote from Justice Cardossa, New York St ate Supreme Court. Unable to write it down at the time, I will paraphrase it, “there are three great mysteries in life itself, Birth, Death and our Life in- between”.
Birth, by whatever manner it arrives is the “ Beginning of something ”, an existence that had not been, virgin thought or a newborn life: A process we have each experienced. Death, by whatever means it arrives, is the “Ending of something, as we know it”. Life, the period in-between, is the “Mystery” faced by each, every second of Life! Like a buffet, it has numerous choices that satisfy. Do you make random selections? With food it is reasonably easy. Your senses take charge, you sele ct your favorites and sometimes experiment with a strange dish.
With LIFE, selections may enhance, degrade or end it . Without experimentation or investigation you will not gain knowledge. Every decis ion you make contributes to forming your structure, the design of which is ultimately yours! Consider the “Working Tools” of Masonry: The Twenty-Four Inch Guage, is an instrument used to layout and measures our work: How (?) by managing our time . Thus permitting a multiple approach to life , an approach that includes choice! You are taught that there is time for service to God and a distress ed worthy Brother, our usual avocation, refreshment and sleep. Imbedded in these are plans to accomplish them . Those plans may be simple or complicated, much the same as are necessary when erecting structures, material or spiritual; which in fact you are in the process of accomplishing at this moment! As we dig, pry, hammer and manipulat e, we must keep our structure Plum b; Level and Square or it will collapse upon itself. Tools such as; shovel, crow, pick; gavel, maul, chis el; plumb-line, level, square and trowel are each necessary to the erection of an edifice. The lessons they teach are to be found and experienced as you explore the avenues of our fraternity. The Mortar of our life is the Mystical Tie; an unseen Spiritual Staff of Life that supports and binds us as one. Do not fail, in the planning of your Structure, to beautify and adorn it with LOVE!
Life or a structure never turns out exactly as planned . To prevent its ruin you must adapt, rearrange and modify your plans! One of the beauties of the mind is the ability to adjust, rebuild or redesign your life; God has given us this marvellous ability! Develop and use it!
Become a positive force for the betterment of man and yourself by circumscribing your actions and keeping within Gods’ and Mans’ due bounds.
The tools and Great Lights of Masonry serve a greater purpose than mere symbols ; they are the sure guides to becoming successful as a human being! We can always improve ourselves, in Masonry and Life; Start now, it is never too late!