The Magpie Mason

The Magpie Mason is an obscure journalist in the Craft who writes, with occasional flashes of superficial cleverness, about Freemasonry’s current events and history; literature and art; philosophy and pipe smoking. He is a Past Master of both The American Lodge of Research in New York City and of New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education 1786; and also is at labor in Virginia’s Civil War Lodge of Research 1865. He is a past president of the lamented Masonic Society as well.

Sunday, February 22, 2026

‘Can you name ten most essential Masonic books?’

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     SCRL Can you name ten most essential Masonic books? I no longer can. It’s been too long, have read too many, respected too many, and ha...
Thursday, February 19, 2026

‘Nepotism, patronage, and a Grand Master’

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     QCCC Magpie coverage of the 250th anniversary celebration of American Union Lodge is forthcoming but, first, something in the mail. Vo...
Wednesday, February 18, 2026

‘Freemasonry “in” the Epstein Files’

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     The breathtaking lunacy of much anti-Masonry in social media generally should be avoided for the sake of one’s health, but the typical ...
Sunday, February 15, 2026

‘Tabbert tapped for MSA’

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     Somehow I knew Mark wouldn’t stay retired. Congratulations to Mark Tabbert on being named the new Administrator of the Masonic Service ...
Thursday, February 12, 2026

‘Academy to host Ric Berman in Philly’

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     Pennsylvania Academy of Masonic Knowledge will bring Ric Berman to the lectern in April for a discussion of our fraternity and the fou...
Thursday, February 5, 2026

‘Oscar nights: looking at early U.S. Masonic history’

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     Looks like Oscar’ll be busy on Thursdays. In two weeks, Bro. Oscar Alleyne will attend Quatuor Coronati 2076 in London, where he is a l...
Sunday, February 1, 2026

‘Chris Ruli returns to New York’

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     Click to enlarge. There is still time to buy your tickets to this event. Follow the instructions in the graphic above. You don’t want t...
Monday, January 26, 2026

‘The ALR on the road to Saugerties’

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     UPDATE: Due to snow in the forecast, our meeting is postponed to Saturday, May 9 . Ulster 193 is located at 19 Russell Street in Sauge...
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Sunday, January 25, 2026

‘Lost & Found: Robert Burns portrait’

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     The Scotsman Dr. William Zachs, Director of Blackie House Library and Museum in Edinburgh, photographed with re-discovered portrait of ...
Saturday, January 24, 2026

‘How many Apprentices can dance on the head of a pin?’

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     Honestly, some guys look to be confounded. This question was posed on Faceypage several weeks ago: A good friend recently asked me the ...
Wednesday, January 21, 2026

‘Read Square Thoughts by Bro. Rob’

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     In addition to Cameron Bailey of Emeth and several others, I enjoy a Substack written by another Freemason who goes by Bro. Rob. Squar...
Sunday, January 18, 2026

‘Texas says the apron is a place of the skull’

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     Marcus Delzell Honorem Memento Mori by Marcus Delzell. The Grand Lodge of Texas hosted its Grand Annual Communication this weekend at W...
Wednesday, January 14, 2026

‘Celebrate World Logic Day!’

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     CIPSH Logic teaches us to guide our reason discretionally in the general knowledge of things, and to direct our inquiries after truth, ...
Tuesday, January 13, 2026

'Maritime Festive Board and Beefsteak Banquet’

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     Magpie file photo At the 2020 Beefsteak Banquet. It’s been a year since Mariners 67 hosted one of its world famous Beefsteak Banquets,...
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