‘Hudson Valley Masonicon coming in June’

    

The guys up in the Hudson Valley are doing it again. The 2024 Hudson Valley Masonicon is scheduled for Saturday, June 8 at Hoffman Lodge 412 in Middletown.

Joe Martinez, of The Masonic Roundtable podcast, will be the keynote speaker. (I read somewhere on the web that he is named after Martinez de Pasqually.)

I’m sure the rest of the roster will be engaging and entertaining. I’ll report those names when they are made available.

     

‘Fête Lafayette’

    

Chuck Schwam, Executive Director of The American Friends of Lafayette.

YouTube was abuzz last night with talk of Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. Bro. Lafayette, as you and I might know him.

First, on the American Revolution Institute’s channel, Mr. Chuck Schwam, Executive Director of The American Friends of Lafayette, discusses Lafayette’s farewell tour of America of 1824-25, and of the American Friends’ plans to celebrate the bicentenary nationwide with multiple events, including a banquet at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia. The partying will begin in August here in New York City. Click here.

“The Masons and the Society of the Cincinnati were important because they came out in droves when Lafayette came around,” he says. “In fact, I don’t know if Lafayette would have come to America if he wasn’t a Mason, so the Masons are very much involved with our bicentennial events.”

Eye-popping history from Bro. Ruli.

Also, Bro. Chris Ruli, author of the upcoming Brother Lafayette, due out in August, appeared on the Masonic Roundtable podcast to reveal some of the research that comprises his book, some of which will surprise you, such as Lafayette not being welcome to participate in Paris’ official mourning of George Washington’s death—plain political snubbing of the hero.

Budget a couple of hours to enjoy both videos.

     

‘Judaism and the lodge’

    

In previous editions of The Magpie Mason, I have explained why photos of the Arch of Titus, such as this one employed by the Masonic Roundtable brethren for promotional use, are best not used for a discussion of Judaism. (It’s okay if the topic is the Roman destruction of Jerusalem.) And I don’t know why someone’s face is superimposed on the figure second from left. Looks like Mel Brooks to me, but I don’t get it.

On the strength of his lecture last month at Masonic Con Kansas, W. Bro. Matthew Parker, Master of Nebraska Lodge 1 in Omaha, was the guest on yesterday’s Masonic Roundtable podcast to discuss “The Jewish Essentials of Freemasonry.”

For those keen on the meaning of Masonry, this is a must-see. If nothing else, take note of his explanation of why the degrees of the lodge are not necessarily based on the Hebrew Bible, but there is so much more to grok here. Enjoy.

     

‘Craft population drops below 900K’

   

For the first time since the nineteenth century, the number of regular Freemasons in the United States totals less than 900,000, according to the Masonic Service Association of North America’s 2020 data published this week.

The exact figure is said to be 898,433, albeit with several jurisdictions not reporting. In 1900, there were 851,970 Master Masons, according to the book Facts for Freemasons (1979) by Harold V.B. Voorhis of The American Lodge of Research.

Click here.

Bro. John Ruark, of The Masonic Roundtable, among other things, is a curious statistician when it comes to Masonic membership. This afternoon on Facebook, he shared that link to the MSANA’s new figures. The topic of discussion tonight on TMR will be membership retention.

But wait, there’s more!

The data come from the mainstream grand lodges, which vary in their counting methodologies. For example, Grand Lodge A might include Apprentices in its tabulation, while Grand Lodge B double counts dual memberships. And a Mason at labor in both of those grand jurisdictions is counted by both.

These new numbers do not include any Prince Hall Affiliation memberships. (In my experience, PHA Masons do not disclose such information.)

So, you can understand this 898K number probably is unduly high, being how it is not a snapshot of just individual Master Masons in good standing as of last year. Counts are missing from Alaska, Oklahoma, and South Carolina, but a look at their numbers from recent years strongly suggests their input for 2020 would not bolster the nationwide tally. Overall, the fraternity lost 61,417 since 2019.

I think you need to know this information. Too many of us pine for the four million myth that hasn’t been real since Eisenhower was president (if it was accurate then).

My lodge is doing well. Coming out of COVIDmania, we are poised to initiate a dozen petitioners in the coming weeks—all vetted, motivated, and ready to become real Freemasons. Statewide, the Grand Lodge of New York has thousands similarly in the queue. No gimmicks, no mass initiations, no tricks.

How’s by you?

     

‘The post-COVID Masonic fraternity?’

     
Here is your due and timely notice:

The next episode of The Masonic Roundtable podcast will be a special one. Don’t look for it on the usual Thursday night, because instead it will air on Monday. This will be the brethren’s 300th episode, and I advertise it here because they will discuss “What Does a Post-COVID Fraternity Look Like?”

That’s Monday—Memorial Day—at 9:30 p.m.

I’m finally doing a better job of keeping current with the many podcasts that serve Masonic audiences, and I find few that remain consistently excellent in the long term. This is one of them. Discussion topics often are surprising; the thoughtful opinions are on the level; and there is great chemistry among the hosts.
     

‘Diluvian Origins of Craft Masonry’

     

Maryland Masonic Research Society will meet again next month and hear a presentation by Jason Richards of The Masonic Roundtable. From the publicity:

Maryland Masonic

Research Society

Saturday, October 12 at noon

Birmingham Masonic Center

10800 Edmonston Road

Beltsville, Maryland

$20 for lunch. RSVP here.

Diluvian Origins:

The Influence of the Noahide

Flood Myth of Craft Masonry

Presented by Jason Richards, Past Master of Acacia Lodge 16 in Clifton, Virginia; member of The Colonial Lodge 1821 in Washington, DC; and co-host of The Masonic Roundtable podcast. Richards also is a writer, editor, and speaker on Masonic topics, having written for The Midnight Freemasons and The Voice of Freemasonry in the District of Columbia.

“Diluvian Origins” is a comparative study of worldwide flood myths that explores the similarities of various oral traditions and cultural memories of catastrophic flood events, and demonstrates the links between the Noahide flood myth and the York Craft Guild system, and examines historical records that imply the story of Noah was at one time a central theme in early 18th century Masonic Third Degree rituals.

Lunch at noon. Presentation at 1 p.m. When booking your seat, please mention if you require a vegan meal, and reserve no later than October 8.


Just a few thoughts: It is true that what is religion to one man may be mythology to another, but in Freemasonry we do not look at the Book of Genesis as myth, as this first book of the VSL particularly informs Craft ritual and symbol. And, in Freemasonry, we spell it “Noachide.” Noah and his sons was one of the first topics I addressed many years ago as Master of New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education 1786, so I remember the Graham Manuscript of 1726, which places Noah in the raising position we today know is held by our GMHA. I regret not being able to attend this event because I am curious to learn of the additional rituals or documents that explain. Of course there is Royal Ark Mariner, but that tells a different story. Highly recommended if you are able to attend. Enjoy.
     

‘Angel Millar speaking dates’

     

Angel Millar will be on the road this month. From the publicity:

I will be giving a couple of talks over the next couple of weekends. I believe both events are restricted to Freemasons only, but if you are a member, and you’re in the area, and interested to come along, it would be great to meet you.

The first of the two talks will be in Keyport, New Jersey, on Saturday, June 17. There, the Scottish Rite Knights of St. Andrew will be holding their statewide gathering. The subject of my talk will be “Freemasonry: Meeting the Challenges of the 21st Century.”

The following week, on Saturday, June 24, I will be speaking at the “300: Freemasonry’s Legacy, Freemasonry’s Future” event, hosted by The Masonic Roundtable podcast. The event will be held at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia. I will be talking about “Terrorism and Anti-Masonry” — and looking at some possibilities to overcome this, as well.

Other talks on the 24th will include “A Brief History of the UGLE” by Mike Hambrecht, “A Craftsman’s Journey” by Steven L. Harrison, and “Freemasonry’s Future” by Juan Sepúlveda. There will also be discussion group sessions and refreshments, among other things.

Personally, I’m looking forward to the events, especially meeting new friends, seeing some familiar faces, and getting to see a little of America that I may not have seen before, or, at least, much of before.
     

‘300: Freemasonry’s Legacy, Freemasonry’s Future’

     
Unless I’m particularly out of touch, which is not impossible, I’ve been missing announcements one might expect to see of Masonic celebrations of the tercentennial celebration of the London revival. June 24 is the date. It lands on a Saturday this year, so I’m thinking the timing is perfect for a weekend of commemoration—swinging from the reflective to the raucous.

But, again, I’m failing to see any announcement of a party, except of course for the United Grand Lodge of England’s widespread events...

And The Masonic Roundtable’s plans. From the publicity:

300: Freemasonry’s Legacy,

Freemasonry’s Future

June 23-24

Friday, June 23:
Early arrivals and registration ■ Masonic tours of DC and surrounding area (TBD)
7 p.m. dinner at local restaurant (TBD) ■ Agenda to be revealed as details emerge!

Saturday, June 24:
George Washington Masonic National Memorial

Notable Masonic speakers highlighting the past and future of Freemasonry! ■ Trivia games with Prizes, Prizes, Prizes! ■ Masonic vendors! ■ Fellowship! Much more coming soon!!!

Get your tickets here. Sales end June 1. Early Bird Ticket: $99.00 + $3.47 fee.


I congratulate these Freemasons for getting something going. Unless something materializes in New York, I think I’ll be there.
     

‘The buzz about The Beehive Club’

     
There is a Freemason named Burx, who recently relocated to Idaho from Virginia, bringing with him an idea for Craft Lodge education he calls The Beehive Club. On May 16, he discussed this practice on The Masonic Roundtable.

He describes it as a study group he had introduced at Herndon Lodge 264 in Virginia where the brethren would devote two hours per month to various topics. No membership dues, no meeting minutes, no fuss, no muss—just discussion to profit everyone in attendance. But no sideliners either. Eventually, all who attend participate in the talks to contribute to the common stock of knowledge. On occasion there even is room for Apprentices and Fellows to keep them engaged and on the path.

Click here to listen. The chat gets moving at the 15-minute mark.
     

‘Masonic Knowledge next March’

     
The Pennsylvania Academy of Masonic Knowledge has announced the program for its March 19, 2016 session at Elizabethtown. From the publicity:

Registration is required. Please see the Grand Lodge website for registration information.

The Masonic Roundtable

A weekly Hangout of Masons

from across the country.

Tuesdays at 10/9C.

The Masonic Roundtable is a weekly panel of Masons from around the United States who discuss the latest and greatest in Masonic news, events, scholarship, and happenings.

Jon T. Ruark
Bro. Jon Ruark is a Past Master of The Patriot Lodge No. 1957 in Fairfax, Virginia. His love of technology and gadgets led him to start The Masonic Roundtable as a Hangout on Air. His Masonic interests lean toward the esoteric and philosophical aspect. He lives in Virginia with his wife, three children, a dog named Copernicus, and two cats; Tesla and Edison.

Jason Richards
Bro. Jason Richards is an officer in Acacia Lodge No. 16 in Clifton, VA, where he was raised in 2012. A historian by trade, his favorite Masonic topics include the history of American Freemasonry, the socio-cultural impact of Freemasonry, and the evolution of Freemasonry since the early 1900s. He is the writer of the Masonic blog The 2-Foot Ruler: Masonry in Plain Language. He lives in Virginia with his wife, cats, and ever-expanding collection of bow ties.

Juan Sepúlveda
Bro. Juan ‘One’ Sepúlveda is a member of Eola Lodge No. 207 F. &AM in Orlando, Florida. He is a professional artist and shortly after becoming a Freemason, he decided to develop a collection of Masonic Art and Custom Masonic Aprons. It was a natural progression to his creative work, since he is passionate for history, Masonic education and allegorical teachings. Today, Juan’s artwork is part of private and corporate collections in the United States, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Australia. Juan Sepúlveda is the host of The Winding Stairs Freemasonry Podcast and is a public speaker who specializes in the topics of Art, Freemasonry, and the art of self-improvement.

Nick Johnson
Bro. Nick Johnson is best known as the lead blogger at the Millennial Freemason blog. A lover of codes, symbols, esoteric craziness, and “secret” stuff, he became interested in Freemasonry and its symbols as a young man. With the help of his grandfather, Bro. Nick joined Corinthian Lodge No. 67 in Farmington, Minnesota in the spring of 2006 and served as Master in 2010. He is also a Past High Priest of Corinthian Chapter No. 33, RAM; Deputy Master of Northfield Council No. 12, R&SM; and Generalissimo of Faribault Commandery No. 8. He’s also involved in AMD, Knight Masons, and the Sovereign College. He lives in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area with his wife and kids, and some cats.

Robert Johnson
Bro. Robert Johnson is a Freemason in the First North-East District of Illinois, and is the Senior Warden of Waukegan Lodge No. 78. He is also a member of the York Rite bodies Royal Arch, Cryptic Council, Knights Templar, AMD and the Scottish Rite (32º). Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts Whence Came You?, a weekly podcast (internet radio program) which focuses on Freemasonry. In addition, he produces video shorts focusing on the fraternity, and will write original Masonic papers from time to time. He is the managing editor of the Midnight Freemasons blog as well. He is a husband and father of three. He works full time in the safety industry and is also a photographer on the side as well as an avid home brewer. He is also working on three books, all of which are Masonic in nature. Also, he does not have any cats.