Conference in Lexington, KY Sep. 19-20: "Exploring the Role of Masonic Research Lodges in the 21st Century"

by Christopher Hodapp

UPDATE: A previous version of this story mistakenly announced the wrong month! The conference is NEXT WEEKEND, September 19-20.

What is the modern day purpose of Masonic lodges of research, in an age of podcasts, YouTubes, e-books, video streaming on demand, and the onslaught of self-publishing that has diminished the role of editors and fact-checkers? 

Next Friday and Saturday, September 19th and 20th, 2025, Kentucky's William O. Ware Lodge of Research with their co-hosts, Lexington Lodge No. 1, The Rubicon Masonic Society, and The Philalethes Society will hold their 13th Annual Festive Board and Conference at historic Spindletop Hall in Lexington, Kentucky. This year's theme will be "Exploring the Role of Masonic Research Lodges in the 21st Century."

Friday's Festive Board will kick off the night before the Conference at Lexington's beautiful Spindletop Hall, with a Reception from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Call to Tables at 7:00 p.m., Introductions then dinner at 7:15 p.m. The evening will include the seven traditional toasts with songs throughout. The Keynote Speaker will be PGM John L. Cooper III (California) on the topic of Delivering the Message of Freemasonry. Following discussion, the evening will conclude with a Chain of Union and Closing Charge.

The Conference proper will open Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. at Spindletop Hall in the renowned Oak Room, with a welcome and introductions by W.B. John W. Bizzack, who will frame the program for the day and the issues faced by Research Lodges and Societies.

For more details, read on:

Hoosier Brother Speaking on Rubicon Podcast Tonight

by Christopher Hodapp

A young Indiana filmmaker joined the Masons at Broad Ripple Lodge 643 in Indianapolis, where he quickly became very active and was appointed to the Senior Steward's chair. Within a year of his degrees, he also signed on with Lodge Vitruvian 767, one of just a few 'Observant-Style' or 'Best Practices' Masonic lodges in Indiana. And he became Junior Steward at Indiana's Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research U.D. where he similarly jumped in and began giving Masonic talks. 

He visits far and wide – often, too – frequently attending lodges out of state, and always in search of as much Masonic education as he can manage to scare up. His activities and enthusiasm for the fraternity haven't gone unnoticed by the Grand Lodge and its officers. Last year he received the Grand Lodge of Indiana's Rookie Award, a program designed to help Indiana Lodges recognize new Master Masons who become actively involved in their symbolic Lodge, and Freemasonry in general, during their first year in our fraternity.

No, this is not some self-serving, back-patting, fulsome autobiography chock full o' myself, even though his Masonic trajectory has been remarkably parallel to my own back in the pre-smartphone days of 1998-99. 

I'm speaking of Brother Jeremiah Beaver. And I'm proud to say he'll be presenting a program tonight on the Rubicon Masonic Society webcast, 21st Century Conversations on Freemasonry. Jeremiah's topic will be 'Notes From the Beehive: Doing the Work in an Indiana Best Practice Lodge.' 

I can't praise the Kentucky brethren at Rubicon lavishly enough for their quality programming, their increasingly famous Festive Boards, and the seriousness with which they take their Freemasonry. Rubicon hosts virtual Masonic education programs on the 4th Monday of each month, starting at 7 pm Eastern. These programs are open to Masons of all degrees, as well as non-Masons.

For the complete archived lineup of the 63 previous Rubicon programs, CLICK HERE.

To RSVP for tonight's talk by Brother Beaver, CLICK HERE.

Missouri's 2024 Truman Lecture Features Oklahoma's Robert G. Davis, PGM in September

by Christopher Hodapp

Each year, the Missouri Lodge of Research hosts an important speaker for their Fall Truman Breakfast, named for PGM Harry S Truman of Missouri, who was instrumental in founding this educational special purpose lodge almost a century ago.

This year's speaker will be Oklahoma Past Grand Master, RW Robert G. Davis.

Robert G. Davis is a Past Master of three Masonic lodges in Oklahoma, a 33° Mason and recipient of the Grand Cross. He is a Past Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons, Past Grand Master of Cryptic Masons, Past Grand Commander of the Knights Templar in Oklahoma, and Past Sovereign Grand Master of the Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States. He served the Craft as Grand Master of the Oklahoma Grand Lodge, AF&AM in 2021. He currently serves as a Board member of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia.

He is the author of four books, including: The Mason’s Words, outlining the history and evolution of the American Masonic ritual; Understanding Manhood in America, focusing on the fraternal quest for the ideals of masculinity; The Journey of the Elu to Enlightenment, providing a contemporary interpretation of the degrees of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite; and In Search of Light, a course of hieroglyphic and symbolic moral instruction for the Symbolic Lodge.

The Fall Breakfast takes place during the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Missouri AF&AM, which moves around to a different part of the state every year. This event will take place September 17, 2024 at the Convention Center in St. Charles, Missouri. (St. Charles is on the far northwest side of St. Louis.) 

It's a 7:00AM breakfast before their grand lodge meets, so late risers need to adjust accordingly.

Important note: You MUST register and pay for tickets for the Fall 2024 Truman Series Lecture in advance, no later than July 31st, if you want to attend this event. 

Visit the following Eventbrite link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/202nd-annual-communication-grand-lodge-of-missouri-af-am-tickets-912266352217

Scottish Rite Research Society Symposium Tomorrow in Bloomington, Indiana: Agenda

by Christopher Hodapp

The 2023 Scottish Rite Research Society Symposium is being held on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington, Indiana tomorrow, Saturday, October 14. The event will be held at the new Center for Fraternal Collections & Research (CFCR) in the McCalla Building.

University Collections at McCalla

Indiana University

525 N. Indiana Ave.

Bloomington, IN 47408

Everyone is welcome to attend in person - not just Masons - or the presentations can be viewed via Zoom. CLICK TO REGISTER HERE

For those of us who will be there, lunch will happen at noon, and the speakers will begin at 1:00PM EDT.

The agenda for presenters has just been finalized:

Lunch & Social Hour 12:00 pm-1:00 pm

Welcome and Session 1 1:00 pm-1:30 pm

"Brother James Gardiner, Pioneer & Masonic Executive"

Speaker: Chris Ruli

Session 2 1:45 pm-2:15 pm

"The Franken Manuscript Revisited" 

Speaker: S. Brent Morris

Session 3 2:30 pm-3:00 pm

"Illuminism, Illuminatus, Illuminati: The Making of Modern Conspiracy"

Speaker: Erich Huhn

Session 4 3:15 pm-3:45 pm

"The Chaotic Westward Movement of Freemasonry in the US"

Speaker: James Graham

Session 5 4:00 pm-4:30 pm

"Creating the Center for Fraternal Collections and Research"

Speaker: Heather K. Calloway

Special Remarks 4:30 pm-5:00 pm

Gary E. Brinley, Grand Master of Masons in Indiana

The Indiana University Center for Fraternal Collections and Research is proud to host the 2023 Scottish Rite Research Society Symposium! Held at the historic McCalla Building on on the Indiana University Bloomington campus, the symposium features presentations exploring symbolism, philosophy, development and changes to ritual, and more.

Center for Fraternal Collections and Research

The Indiana University Center for Fraternal Collections & Research (CRCR) is devoted to the collecting, protecting, and sharing of fraternal collections for the sake of research and public engagement. CFCR improves scholarship and understanding of fraternal groups, explores their impact on American society, and elucidates their importance across time and to different social groups.

Scottish Rite Research Society

The Scottish Rite Research Society is one of the most dynamic forces in contemporary Masonic research, pursing a publication program that emphasizes quality-both in content and in physical form. The Society has grown to over 4,000 members worldwide since its inception. Its publications have redefined the standards of Masonic scholarship. The administrative offices of the SRRS are at the House of the Temple in Washington, D.C., under the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite. Activities and publications of the Society are governed by the Board of Directors, who are all Life Members of the Society, representing Scottish Rite valleys across the country.

For questions or concerns please contact: cfcrinfo@iu.edu.

For more information concerning this event go to

collections.iu.edu/fraternal-center/ scottish-rite-symposium.html

10/14: Scottish Rite Research Society Symposium at Indiana University/Bloomington

by Christopher Hodapp

The Indiana University Center for Fraternal Collections and Research will be hosting the 2023 Scottish Rite Research Society Symposium on October 14, 2023 between 1:00-5:00PM. Everyone is welcome to attend - Masons, non-Masons, and SRRS members. 

The event will be held in the historic McCalla Building on the beautiful Bloomington campus of Indiana University. Bloomington is located in south/central Indiana 50 miles south of Indianapolis, off of I-69.

The McCalla Building features a variety of exhibits that participants can explore before and after sessions. While here, be sure to see the new exhibit about fraternal organizations, "LinkedIn to the Lodge: The Original Social Network."

University Collections McCalla provides a wonderful location where Indiana University and the local community can exhibit art, cultural heritage, scientific treasures and more.

University Collections at McCalla

Indiana University

525 N. Indiana Ave.

Bloomington, IN 47408

The Scottish Rite Research Society is one of the most dynamic forces in contemporary Masonic research, making it a natural partner for IU's Fraternal Center. The schedule of speakers will be posted as presenters are confirmed.

CLICK TO REGISTER HERE

People are welcome to either attend the sessions in person, or to stream the sessions over the internet. When registering, please indicate if you will attend the symposium at IU or virtually.

CALL FOR PAPERS

The SRRS is interested in papers of interest to Society members, such as history of Freemasonry, the Scottish Rite, and other Masonic-related organizations; Masonic symbolism and philosophy; development and changes in ritual over time; and similar topics.

Download the Call for Papers document for details. Act fast! The deadline for submission of papers is October 1, 2023.

Indiana University Center for Fraternal Collections and Research

The newly opened Center for Fraternal Collections & Research (CFCR), headed by Dr. Heather Calloway, is devoted to the collecting, protecting, and sharing of fraternal collections for the sake of research and public engagement. CFCR improves scholarship and understanding of fraternal groups, explores their impact on American society, and elucidates their importance across time and to different social groups.

Whether you are interested in famous fraternal traditions such as Freemasonry, influential women's auxiliaries and orders, fraternal groups that served important roles in African American or other communities, or other orders that have served as cornerstones to American cities and towns, we hope that you will find the Center for Fraternal Collections and Research to be an exciting and welcoming place for your academic and personal inquiry.

What is the Scottish Rite Research Society?

The Scottish Rite Research Society is an offshoot of the AASR-Southern Jurisdiction, but do not let that dissuade you from becoming a member if you are outside of their territory. The articles in their hardbound annual collection, Heredom, tend to favor the AASR-SJ's evolution, history and symbolism, but not exclusively. Every volume always contains well-written and well-documented papers of wide interest to any Freemason.

The SRRS has an extremely aggressive publication strategy. In addition to Heredom, they also publish the quarterly Plumbline, which includes fascinating research articles. Membership includes an annual bonus book – generally a beautiful hardbound, annotated reprint of an historical volume from the House of the Temple's vast archive and library. You don't even need to be a Mason to join.

Annual SRRS membership is $55 and includes the annual Heredom, the quarterly Plumbline, a bonus book or other item every year (!), plus a discount on books and items from their shop at the House of the Temple (also available online). To join, CLICK HERE.

Kentucky's Rubicon Masonic Society 11th Annual Feast and Symposium

by Christopher Hodapp

I'm tardy in thanking the Brethren of Lexington Lodge 1 in Kentucky, the William O. Ware Lodge of Research, and the members of the Rubicon Masonic Society for hosting such a fantastic event last weekend. Friday night was the Society's 11th annual Festive Board at the beautiful Spindletop Mansion, and it was outstanding, as always. Brother Antonio Mantica from Lexington Lodge delivered the keynote address. There was a superb dinner, wonderful surroundings, warm friendships, and the quite unexpected surprise of making me an honorary member of their august group. 

No Rubicon Feast is complete without a group photo
on the grand staircase (like this one from 2017)

On Saturday, I was one of the presenters of papers celebrating four “CLASSIC MASONIC AUTHORS OF THE 20th CENTURY:

* ANDREW SOMMERVILLE MACBRIDE – presented by W.B. Andrew Hammer.

* JOSEPH FORT NEWTON – presented by W.B. Dan M. Kemble.

* DWIGHT L. SMITH, P.G.M. – presented by W.B. Christopher L. Hodapp.

* THOMAS W. JACKSON – presented by W.B. John W. Bizzack.

Brother Mantica introduced the speakers and was moderator for the Q&A session. The program will be made part of Rubicon’s ongoing educational video channel on YouTube.

During COVID summer Rubicon began taping Masonic education presentations and posting them on YouTube. These programs feature a wide variety of speakers, both seasoned veterans and many new faces. They’re currently up to 52 episodes, and they continue to create new ones. I highly recommend these programs — they’re suitable for listening to in the car, or for showing them as part of an ongoing education program for your lodge. 

https://www.youtube.com/@RubiconMasonicSociety/featured

If you’ve never had the experience of attending Rubicon’s annual feasts, or if you are considering hosting a traditional Masonic festive board for your own lodge, I highly recommend a video that was created by these Brothers last year, The Masonic Table. Rubicon is blessed to have the services of Brian T. Evans Jr., who is a professional videographer. As a result, The Masonic Table is a beautifully shot program that demonstrates Rubicon’s traditions and practices when gathered around the festive board. There are as many ways to hold a Masonic evening meal and celebration as there are lodges in the world, but Rubicon’s draws upon formal English Masonic ceremonial dinners for inspiration. 

My deepest appreciation goes to everyone at Rubicon, especially John Bizzack and Bryan Evans for their invitation, their enthusiasm, and their always-warm hospitality.

Unfortunately, the rest of my weekend wasn’t nearly as enjoyable, and is the reason for my delay in posting. I took a hard fall at home early Sunday morning and somehow managed to fracture the business end of my fibula where it connects to the ankle. It’s in a plaster splint, but I’ll find this week whether that means a walking boot, a full on cast, surgery, or if I’ll just be frozen in a clock of carbonite and handed over to Jabba the Hut.

I'm furious that I didn't even get a decent story out of my injury. (AW, yeah, it looks bad, but you should see the OTHER guy!) As you can see, even Sophie's already bored with the whole experience. 

Ric Berman To Speak at Georgia's Atlanta-Peachtree Lodge June 19th

by Christopher Hodapp

At 7:30pm on June 19th, 2023, Atlanta-Peachtree Lodge No. 59 will host Worshipful Brother Dr. Ric Berman at an open event at the Atlanta Masonic Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Berman will be giving his presentation  "1723: Inventing the Future," which commemorates the 300th anniversary of 1723's Constitutions of the Free-Masons written by James Anderson.

A version of this presentation was previously given to over 1,600 brethren at a special meeting of the United Grand Lodge of England in January of this year, which UGLE's Pro Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Jonathan Spence, described as "a truly wonderful and extraordinary event."

Dr. Berman is one of the most exciting Masonic historians of our time. He is a Past Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076 (the Premier Lodge of Masonic Research), and was named as the United Grand Lodge of England's Prestonian Lecturer in 2016. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He received his PhD in History from the University of Exeter, and has written numerous books on Masonic history, including Loyalists & Malcontents: Freemasonry and Revolution in South Carolina and Georgia, and The Foundations of Modern Freemasonry.  His most recent book is the basis of this particular presentation, 1723: Inventing the Future.

This meeting in Atlanta should be a truly fascinating evening of Masonic history. Atlanta-Peachtree Lodge meets in the Atlanta Masonic Center, located at 1690 Peachtree Street NW. While attendance for this presentation is free, a registration form should be completed at this link.

Rubicon Masonic Society's Ongoing Virtual Education Programs

by Christopher Hodapp

I've been woefully remiss in failing to promote the ongoing Masonic education video presentations posted by the fine brethren at Kentucky's Rubicon Masonic Society, in conjunction with Lexington Lodge 1 and the William O. Ware Lodge of Research. The May 22nd, 2023 program is "Operative Freemasonry: A Manual for Restoring Light and Vitality to the Fraternity" presented by Kirk White, the current Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Vermont. To RSVP and gain access to this episode, CLICK HERE.

Rubicon hosts their virtual Masonic education programs on the 4th Monday of each month, starting promptly at 7 pm Eastern. Education is open to Masons of all degrees as well as non-Masons. Their monthly online presentations started during the COVID shutdowns and have continued ever since. They're up to 47 episodes so far, and are still going strong. 

If you've never heard of it before, the Rubicon Masonic Society is an invitation-only private group of Master Mason Freemasons located in Lexington, Kentucky. Their purpose is to establish a deeper understanding and connection with Freemasonry, its traditions and practices, and to further cement the brotherhood of its members and guests through conviviality and unity outside of the lodge. Their annual Festive Boards, held at Lexington's magnificent Spindletop Hall, have become legendary (this year's will be August 18th, as part of a special conference about the 'Classic Masonic Authors of the 20th Century' – CLICK HERE for details), and I heartily recommend attending one, or at least catching the video they shot demonstrating their special ways of running these events (see The Masonic Table on Amazon Prime).

Congress on Fraternalism, Freemasonry, and History Opens Friday in Paris

by Christopher Hodapp

by Christopher Hodapp

The 8th Congress on Fraternalism, Freemasonry, and History opens this Friday in Paris at the Grand Orient de France and the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris.

This year's theme is "Are the Ancient Landmarks Ancient?."

Convened by the journal, Ritual, Secrecy, and Civil Society, in cooperation with the French national library, the Bibliothèque Nationale, and the Musée de la Franc-Maçonnerie (Museum of French Freemasonry), this event explores how associations and volunteerism have shaped democracy, politics, and history. The conference alternates each year between Paris and Washington, D.C.

This international event attracts the top scholars around the world in the field of not just Freemasonry, but of fraternalism of all kinds. It is a part of the Policy Studies Organization's support of research into associations, civility, and the role of non governmental organizations in democracy.

Presenters this year include: Paul Rich, Pierrre Mollier, Arturo De Hoyos, Joseph Wages, Andrew Prescott, Susan Mitchell, John Belton, Arved Hübler, Eric Saunier, Russ Charvonia, Stéphane Brunel, and many more. (See the complete program HERE.) Because presentations may be made in English or French, simultaneous translations from French-English, English-French are offered for most sessions.

These ongoing international conferences have been spearheaded and supported by Brother Paul Rich for over a decade now, and he has been a champion of promoting and pursuing Masonic scholarship on a worldwide basis. A shocking number of U.S. Masons are unaware of his role in this pursuit, as well as his own scholarship, and that is a downright shame. On top of his many accomplishments and honors in the academic world, he is the publisher of numerous books about Freemasonry (among others) through Westphalia Press. These conferences are organized, in part through his organization, the Policy Studies Organization.

In conjunction with Paul, Brother Pierre Mollier in France is one of the top Masonic historians in the world. Among his many accomplishments, he is the director of the Grand Orient de France's incredible Museum of Freemasonry in Paris (Musée dé Franc-Maçonnerie). If you don't know his name or reputation, you need to.

The World Conference on Fraternalism, Social Capital, and Civil Society explores how associations and volunteerism have shaped democracy, politics, and history. The conferences are held alternatively in Paris (2022, 2024) and in Washington (2023, 2025). The Washington conferences are held at the historic Quaker Meeting House.

Registration for this weekend's evet has been officially closed, as they have reached full capacity. However, videos from the conference will be made available online soon.

To see videos of previous Conferences and presentations, CLICK HERE.

Congress on Fraternalism, Freemasonry, and History in Paris: 6/9/2022

by Christopher Hodapp

The 8th Congress on Fraternalism, Freemasonry, and History will be held in Paris on June 9-11, 2022 at the Grand Orient de France and the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris. 

This year's theme is "Are the Ancient Landmarks Ancient?."

Convened by the journal, Ritual, Secrecy, and Civil Society, in cooperation with the French national library, the Bibliothèque Nationale, and the Musée de la Franc-Maçonnerie (Museum of French Freemasonry), this event explores how associations and volunteerism have shaped democracy, politics, and history. The conference alternates each year between Paris and Washington, D.C.

This international event attracts the top scholars around the world in the field of not just Freemasonry, but of fraternalism of all kinds. It is a part of the Policy Studies Organization's support of research into associations, civility, and the role of non governmental organizations in democracy.

Presenters thus year will include Paul Rich, Pierrre Mollier, Arturo De Hoyos, Joseph Wages, Andrew Prescott, Susan Mitchell, John Belton, Arved Hübler, Eric Saunier, Russ Charvonia, Stéphane Brunel, and many more. (See the complete program HERE.) Because presentations may be made in English or French, simultaneous translations from French-English, English-French are offered for most sessions.

These ongoing international conferences have been spearheaded and supported by Brother Paul Rich for over a decade now, and he has been a champion of promoting and pursuing Masonic scholarship on a worldwide basis. A shocking number of U.S. Masons are unaware of his role in this pursuit, as well as his own scholarship, and that is a downright shame. On top of his many accomplishments and honors in the academic world, he is the publisher of numerous books about Freemasonry (among others) through Westphalia Press. These conferences are organized, in part through his organization, the Policy Studies Organization.

In conjunction with Paul, Brother Pierre Mollier in France is one of the top Masonic historians in the world. Among his many accomplishments, he is the director of the Grand Orient de France's incredible Museum of Freemasonry in Paris (Musée dé Franc-Maçonnerie). If you don't know his name or reputation, you need to.

The World Conference on Fraternalism, Social Capital, and Civil Society, explores how associationalism and volunteerism have shaped democracy, politics, and history. The conferences are held alternatively in Paris (2022, 2024) and in Washington (2023, 2025). The Washington conferences are held at the historic Quaker Meeting House.

No charge is made for registration for the Conference, but registration is IMMEDIATELY requested to plan for catering, headsets, and other conference needs. For information and registration CLICK HERE, or contact PSO Executive Director, Daniel Gutierrez, at dgutierrezs@ipsonet.org

To see videos of previous Conferences and presentations, CLICK HERE.

News of The Masonic Society; TMS Journal Issue 56 On Its Way

by Christopher Hodapp

Issue 56 of the Journal of The Masonic Society is about to start hitting subscriber mailboxes. Our Editor Michael Poll, Art Director John Bridegroom, and the whole team continue to do amazing work highlighting Masonic education and research.

The cover features a stunning view of the ceiling in the main lodge room of the United Grand Lodge of England on Great Queen Street, London. 

Here is the line-up of the papers in this issue:

• Gratitude in Masonic Life by C.R. Dunning, Jr.

• Nine: Masonic Fan Fiction by M. Christopher Lee

• Masonic Education in the Time of Pandemic: The Rubicon Masonic Society’s Experience by Dan Kemble

• The Feast of the Paschal Lamb: A Memorial Service by Michael Moran, FMS and Samuel Kyburz

• Memorials of Tom Jackson and Ralph McNeal

• Highlights of this year's Masonic Week

While I'm on the subject, my belated public congratulations to WB Oscar Alleyne who was elected in February at Masonic Week 2022 as the new President of the Masonic Society. 

(The photo is admittedly a couple of years old, but it's one of my favorites taken of Oscar at the Grand Lodge of New York.)

The annual Masonic Week dinner meeting of the Masonic Society actually had record attendance this year. Some 112 Brethren assembled for food, fellowship, elections and an outstanding speaker. Chris Ruli, longtime Grand Historian and Librarian of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, presented “Masonic Myth of Our Nation’s Capital,” a discussion dispelling some of the more groundless (and frequently silly) stories told about the Masonic influences on the design and building of Washington, D.C. 

In addition to Oscar's election as President, Gregg Knott was elected as First Vice President, and Mark Robbins as Second Vice President. Newly elected Board members are Kevin Wardally, Grand Treasurer of the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York, and Mason Russell, Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

And a huge round of thanks to our outgoing President Jay Hochberg who served us during a couple of the most disruptive years in modern world history with leadership and distinction. If you have never discovered his 'Magpie Mason' blog (hard to believe, since he's been at this as long as I have), check it out here.

The Masonic Society was established in 2008 as a Masonic research organization and publishes its Journal quarterly. If you are a Master Mason and not a member or subscriber, you should be! 

"We are brothers who have a deep and abiding desire to seek knowledge, explore history, discover symbolism, debate philosophies, and in short, who are at the forefront of charting a path for the future of Freemasonry. The goal of The Masonic Society is not just to look backward at the history of Freemasonry, but to foster the intellectual, spiritual and social growth of the modern Masonic fraternity.

"To that end, The Masonic Society extends the hand of assistance and cooperation to individual research lodges throughout the Masonic world. It is the desire of The Masonic Society to cooperate with these lodges, to give their members the regular opportunity to publish their papers for an international audience, and to publicize their activities..."

Membership is US$45 per year for US addresses, US$49 per year for Canadian addresses, and US$67 per year outside of the U.S. & Canada. Non-Masons, libraries and others may subscribe to the magazine at the same rate.

Journal of the Masonic Society 50th Issue: Twelve Years and 24,000 Pages Ago

by Christopher Hodapp

It began in a bar, as only the finest, dazzlingly harebrained schemes should, over watery glasses of well-brand scotch. It was predictably frigid in Washington, D.C. that February on the Saturday night of Masonic Week, too cold to sit outside and smoke pipes and cigars while weaving plans within plans with fellow plotters and organizers of secret cabals. 

Masonic Week of 2008 was one of those moments you can look back on and say that right then was when things changed. There was everything that weekend; shake ups, controversies, new books, exciting speakers, fresh new faces and wise old ones with fresh new ideas, the realization that some of those ideas were bearing fruit around North American Freemasonry, and the sort of intense frustration with the status quo that such a toxic combination inevitably leads to. Devious plans are usually deserving of lowered voices in dimly lit, book-lined studies, with cut glass ashtrays shared by Unnamed Superiors. But the Hilton Mark Center’s 80’s-chic lobby bar would have to do...

This coming issue of the Journal of The Masonic Society will be #50 and will feature papers from a few of the Brethren who founded The Masonic Society. These papers will recount the early days and actions taken by a handful of Masons with the goal of doing something different, something better, and something very needed in U.S. Freemasonry. It is a success story of doing what so many said could not be done — and setting a new standard for all Masonic publications and societies.

TMS President Jay Höckberg, Past President Roger S. VanGorden, Secretary/Treasurer Nathan Brindle, Journal Editor Michael Poll, Art Director John Bridegroom, and myself will share thoughts, opinions, plans, and actions that ended up being the revolution in how to create a - The - Masonic Society.

From our very first conversation, the Masonic Society was conceived with a strong eye on the thousands of dedicated Masons who read and write about Masonic history, symbolism, philosophy and more, but are never heard from outside of their local area. We wanted our society's publications and programs to feature the best from the world’s numerous Masonic research lodges and groups that would otherwise vanish into obscurity after being read at one of their too infrequent meetings, or possibly printed in some collection of papers no one would ever open again. Too much great, interesting, insightful, inspirational work is done locally that deserves a bigger audience. And we wanted to create a magazine that had at least three articles or features in every issue that interested you or me, a Grand Master or a new Mason, and everybody in between.

With that mission in mind, our little group stayed up through the wee hours of the morning engaging in the sort of “We can put on a Big Show in the barn and you can make the costumes!” conversation usually reserved for business startups and Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland movies. Fifty issues and 2,400 jam-packed pages later, the Masonic Society has indeed put on quite the Big Show in that little barn, and it came out pretty darned good, I must say. As the founding editor of the Journal, I can say with great satisfaction that it accomplished what we all had hoped it would do from the start — a rising tide raises all boats. Numerous Masonic magazines and journals across the country have stepped up their game to improve their looks, quality and content, and increase their value to their readers after we set the bar higher. That’s been good for all of us. 

To this day, the Masonic Society still publishes the most valuable, useful and beautiful Masonic magazine of original research, artwork, photography and essays anywhere.

After I was compelled to bow out as Editor in our fifth year to deal with health issues, I was ably succeeded at the editor's desk by my friend Michael Halleran, and my fellow Indiana Mason John Bridegroom shouldered the huge job of Art Director. When Michael also withdrew after a few years, Mike Poll brought his many years of editorial experience as a Masonic book publisher to the Journal, and all of us have been the beneficiaries of John and Mike’s unbeatable combination of talents ever since. This milestone issue provides a good excuse to look back and survey the fruits of twelve years of labor and devotion.

To read past issues of the Journal online, CLICK HERE.*

In its first dozen years, the Masonic Society has served the entire fraternity worldwide by preserving vital Internet resources like Paul M. Bessel's indispensable research site; created media references about Masonry for the press during the height of Da Vinci Code/Lost Symbol/Dan Brown mania; hosted seminars and symposia all across the country and in the U.K., and much more.

Over the years TMS conferences and symposia have been outstanding experiences (see this report from the 2017 conference in Lexington, Kentucky). And we continue to hold our annual meeting with a speaker at Masonic Week each year, true to our origins.

The Masonic Society's Quarry Project Masonic Writer's Guide established widely-adopted writing style guidelines for Masonic authors, historians, researchers, libraries and museums to achieve some sense of uniformity to abbreviations and capitalization questions involving our peculiar and specialized nomenclature. If you aren't sure whether to type Masonry or masonry; Grand Lodge or  grand lodge; St. or Saint; thirty-second degree or 32°; fellow craft or fellowcraft; Brethren, bretheren, or botheren; whether or not to use lodge numbers and how; whether to use honorific titles (like Most or Right Worshipful, Illustrious, PGM, WB, KT, WM, etc.), or just how to structure a Masonic footnote or citation, check out the Quarry Project Masonic style guide.

Not a member of The Masonic Society, or has your membership lapsed? Annual dues are a paltry $45 and include four quarterly issues of the Journal, a dazzlingly splendiferous certificate of membership, dues card and pin. Institutions, non-Masons and non-qualifying members of unrecognized Masonic organizations may also subscribe to the Journal at the same rate. For membership requirements and applications, CLICK HERE.

*One caveat about these full issues of the Journal being available electronically at this time - you cannot download or print from them, they are read-only. TMS has a reprint policy, and physical copies of almost every issue from the last twelve years can be purchased from the website. That policy is for the protection of  our authors to prevent wholesale piracy of their hard work, which is, sadly, a very real concern in this electronic age.

Spring 2020 Missouri LOR Truman Lecture: Moises Gomez

by Christopher Hodapp

The COVID-19 Wuhan Virus shutdown continues to demand innovative solutions to physical gatherings. The Missouri Lodge of Research has just announced their Spring 2020 Truman Lecture will be an online presentation by Right Worshipful Brother Moises I. Gomez, Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. Brother Gomez will discuss Freemasonry and the Underground Railroad at noon on Saturday, May 16.

This presentation will be offered online via the Zoom platform. There is no charge for the lecture, but tickets are required. You may reserve your spot here: https://tinyurl.com/MOLOR-Spring-2020

 Freemasonry and the Underground Railroad

Once again, many Freemasons stepped in and gave of themselves with considerable risk and exposure for the sake of doing what was right. Not only did the Freemason stand up for those who could not stand up or defend themselves. Slavery has been and did play a significant part in American history, which led to the Civil War, turning brother against brother. Of course, it did not stop there but was a sounding board for what was to come leading to the end of slavery, voting rights, civil rights and the end of segregation in America.

This is a powerful lecture which deals in Toleration, Equality, Justice, Truth, Sacrifice, Acceptance and Respect for others. Regardless of one’s faith, someone believes in; the color of their skin, where they come from or from what culture or custom they were raised in, we stand for all and we are all one, we may not agree with each other or even like each other but we must respect each other. The greatest core value our fraternity has to offer and the most important one we have is that all men are created equal, that we all meet on the level and deserve to be treated as such. Because who we were is who we are, Freemasonry now and Freemasonry for everyone.

“The Time is Right to Always do What is Right”
-MLK

(Click to enlarge)

'Journal of the Masonic Society' Back Issues Now Online

by Christopher Hodapp

Great news for Freemasons in search of a new, untapped resource for quality, thoughtful and informative Masonic reading and research material. The Masonic Society has just made the first twenty issues of the Journal of the Masonic Society available online at no cost via the Issu website.* I understand more issues are coming as soon as their indefatigable Secretary and webmeister can organize and upload the pdfs of even more.

I'm especially proud of these particular issues, as I was the Editor of the Journal for the first four and a half years (through Issue 18), and only reluctantly gave it up as I dealt with some major health issues at the time. I was more than ably succeeded by Michael Halleran and then by Michael Poll, who has been at the helm for many years now. John Bridegroom took over the art direction and design of the magazine when I had to resign, and the Journal has continued to grow and improve year after year.

When we started TMS and first conceived the Journal a dozen years ago, it was our fervent hope that it would look, read and feel very different from any other Masonic magazine out there. The state of most Masonic magazines at the time was pretty lethargic and dull, and the greatest side effect of us hitting mailboxes was that it compelled other magazines about the fraternity to improve their look and appeal, too. Rising tides really do lift all boats, and the fraternity has benefitted by all of us trying to provide better quality publications. To this day, the Masonic Society still publishes the most valuable, useful and beautiful Masonic magazine of original research, artwork, photography and essays anywhere.

Central to the TMS Journal's philosophy all along has been that it strives to have such a wide variety of features, papers, stories, poems, photography and artwork that every Mason can find something of value in every issue. In it you will find articles from brethren you may never have heard of before, instead of the same names and faces year after year. We said from the start that we wanted to be partners with all Masonic research lodges and societies, everywhere. We wanted to give their members an internationally available journal in which to publish their work to a wider audience, instead of just delivering a detailed, killer Power Point presentation that took years of work to a room full of 25 guys at a meeting and having it disappear forever. That offer still stands today, and Michael Poll is always looking for new articles from new authors and researchers — maybe that's you.

Not a member of the Masonic Society, or were you once but are no longer? Membership in the Masonic Society is US$45 per year for US mailing addresses (including APO/FPO/DPO), US$49 per year for Canadian mailing addresses, and US$67 per year outside of the U.S. & Canada. 

You can sign up for full membership if you are a regular, recognized Freemason, or as a non-voting subscriber if you belong to unrecognized obediences, or are an institution like a library, museum or research organization.

TMS is not just a magazine with some spiffy membership certificates (some of the spiffiest, I might add). In its first dozen years now, the Masonic Society has served the entire fraternity worldwide by preserving vital Internet resources like Paul M. Bessel's indispensable research site; created media references about Masonry for the press during the height of Da Vinci Code/Lost Symbol/Dan Brown mania; hosted seminars and symposia all across the country and in the U.K., and much more.

The Masonic Society's Quarry Project Masonic Writer's Guide established widely-adopted writing style guidelines for Masonic authors, historians, researchers, libraries and museums to achieve some sense of uniformity to abbreviations and capitalization questions involving our peculiar and specialized nomenclature. If you aren't sure whether to type Masonry or masonry, Lodge or lodge, St. or Saint, thirty-second degree or 32°, Brethren, bretheren, or botheren, whether or not to use lodge numbers and how, whether to use honorific titles (like Most or Right Worshipful, Illustrious, PGM, WB, KT, WM, etc.), or just how to structure a footnote, check out the Quarry Project Masonic style guide.

For more about the Masonic Society, be sure to visit the website at www.themasonicsociety.com . And stay tuned for more back issues coming online soon.

One thing's for sure - the COVID -19 pandemic shutdown is a golden opportunity for Masons to catch up on their ritual work, maybe learn a new part, or polish up one gathering dust in the back of your brain. But it's also a boon to those who claim they're usually too busy to bother with 'Masonic education.' Even if you don't have a house full of unread Masonic books, there's no shortage of excellent material to be found online.

*One caveat about these full issues of the Journal being available electronically at this time - you cannot download or print from them, they are read-only. TMS has a reprint policy, and physical copies of almost every issue from the last twelve years can be purchased from the website. That policy is for the protection of authors to prevent wholesale piracy of their hard work, which is, sadly, a very real concern in this electronic age.