January/February 2026

Cover of the January/February 2026 Scottish Rite Journal. Celebrating the Semiquincentennial of the United States of America. A Visit to Philadelphia: City of Brotherly Love, Freedom, and Democracy. "We Hold These Truths ..." Image Caption: Within its walls, the Pennsylvania State House (right), now Independence Hall, witnessed the discussion, adoption, and signing of both the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the ratification and signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. (Above) A statue of Freemasons and Founding Fathers Benjamin Franklin and George Washington stands outside the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania (pp. 8–10).

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In this magazine:

Articles:

  • P. Shortt, “Why Scholarships Matter”
  • M. Edwards, “Illuminating Our History—The ‘La Candeur’ Lodge Minutes Book, Pt. 3: The Search for Founding Brother John Mitchell”
  • M. Wiggins, “‘Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness:’ The Declaration of Independence at 250”
  • D. Alban, “Flying the Flag, Honoring a Brother”
  • B. Williams, “A Lesson from Br. George Washington: Leadership Proceeds through Listening”
  • P. Leslie and J. Marples, “Enduring Edifices: Where Operative Meets Speculative”
  • P. Shortt, “Was It Worth It? Successful Organ Restoration Results in “Phantom Concert”
  • C.E.A. Lincoln IV and A. Antonescu, “Phantom of the Temple: Reflections on the Centennial Screening of the ‘Phantom of the Opera'”
  • J. Corbett, “‘Hobson’s Choice:’ Homage to a Masonic-themed Classic Film”
  • C.E.A. Lincoln IV, “‘Twin Peaks’ and Freemasonry: Parallel Journeys into Symbolism and Mystery”

Features:

  • J. Cole, Grand Commander’s Message “Pay Attention”
  • M. Dreisonstok, From the Pages of ‘Amicus Illuminismi,’ “Yggdrasil: Eternal Ash Tree of the Medieval North
  • M. Edwards, The Masonic Traveler, “Brotherhood in the City of Brotherly Love: The Masonic Travelers Go to Philadelphia”
  • T. Simpkins, M. Dreisonstok, and C. Dreisonstok, Chips from the Quarry, “Masonic Presidents throughout the Centuries”
  • Current Interest
  • P.J. Roup, Notes from the ‘Northern Light,’ “After the Thunder”
  • A. Pflüger and M. Dreisonstok, Cornerstones of the Craft, “A Masonic View of Hesse’s ‘Journey to the East'”
  • C. Dreisonstok, Masonic Puzzle, “Freemasonry & Popular Culture”
  • A. Zelmanovitz, Book Reviews, “Confronting Zealotry on ‘Heretic’s Row'”