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What Is The Masonic Society™?

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“The ultimate success of Masonry depends on the intelligence of her disciples.” – Albert Mackey

A significant group of passionate Masons have joined together to create what is now the fastest growing research society in Freemasonry. Called simply The Masonic Society, 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.

As a student of Freemasonry, you are invited to join with us in this exciting organization.

Our name, The Masonic Society, intentionally alludes to the Royal Society, the innovative organization of visionary men who were at the forefront of the Age of Enlightenment, many of whom were present at the formation of what became modern Freemasonry. Likewise, our Society is at the forefront of a new age of Freemasonry, and we are a vibrant, active community within the fraternity, with members in 17 countries around the world.

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.

The Masonic Society has also forged a special relationship with those bodies that meet annually during Masonic Week, as well as with the Masonic Service Association, the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the US, and the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association. While not designed as a York Rite-specific research group, The Masonic Society especially encourages examination of this branch of Freemasonry.

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. Benefits include:

Commemorative pin, patent of membership, and dues card.

• Four issues per year of the quarterly Journal of The Masonic Society. The Journal presents articles that enlighten our past, and explore solutions to the challenges facing Freemasonry today and tomorrow. Each Journal features articles by the best-known authors in Freemasonry, as well as the brethren from the lodges in your neighborhood. There are also articles from the non-Masonic academic world that is looking with greater interest than ever at our fraternity and its place in society. We bring you timely Masonic news, photos, and commentary from around the globe, in full color. The Journal also features advertising from a select group of publishers, regalia manufacturers, and fraternal supply companies which specialize in products specific to Freemasons – the only Masonic magazine of its kind to do so in America and Canada.

• Members-only access to the Masonic Society online Internet forum.

Annual First Circle gatherings – Each year, The Masonic Society is an active participant in the Allied Masonic Degrees “Masonic Week,” held in February in Alexandria, Virginia, which includes our annual First Circle gathering. An additional semi-annual symposium is held elsewhere once a year. These events are educational, informative, but most of all, fun and memorable to attend.

Second Circles – Masonic Society members are automatically members of state-wide or regional groups called Second Circles. These groups organize more localized seminars, speeches, dinners and other gathering, and members are encouraged to meet and work with brethren in their areas.

• Programs are negotiated with publishers and other businesses for members-only discounts on books, clothing, jewelry, regalia, and other items.

Fellows of The Masonic Society are named each year, in recognition of their contribution to the body of knowledge of the fraternity, through their writing, their Internet work, their service to the Society, or other labors for Freemasonry.

A full membership in The Masonic Society requires the following:

  1. You must be a Master Mason, and currently a member in good standing of a Lodge
  2. Your Lodge must be chartered by a recognized Grand Lodge
  3. Your Grand Lodge must be either:
    1. A member of the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America (CGMMNA); or
    2. Recognized by at least three CGMMNA member grand lodges.

(For more information regarding specific requirements, please see our Membership Information and Requirements page.)

Starting October 1, 2016, membership rates are:

  • US Membership (US mailing addresses): US$45.00/yr
  • Canadian Membership (Canadian mailing addresses): US$49.00/yr
  • Overseas Membership (non-US/Canada): US$67.00/yr

Non-Masons, libraries, lodges, and members of other obediences may also subscribe to the Journal at the same annual rate.

Starting October 1, 2016, Journal Subscription rates are:

  • US Subscription (US mailing addresses): US$45.00/yr
  • Canadian Subscription (Canadian mailing addresses): US$49.00/yr
  • Overseas Subscription (non-US/Canada): US$67.00/yr
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