The Builders
The Builders is a general survey of Masonic origins, history and philosophy. It was at one time given to every new Mason in Iowa, probably a better choice than Morals and Dogma, which is almost three times as long and much more difficult reading.
This is a scholarly but approachable treatment of Masonry and will be enlightening both to practicing Freemasons and a general audience.
Newton is a rationalist and deflates claims of an ancient origin for Masonry per se; rather he illuminates the historical precedents of the group. He starts with ancient Egypt, not because he believes that the Egyptians had functioning Masonic lodges, but because that is where monumental architecture began.
He covers the ancient mystery religions, and the true origin of Masonry in organizations of medieval stone-masons. After a period of decline, a London meeting held in 1717 at the Goose and Gridiron Alehouse united the remaining four Lodges of England, and started modern Freemasonry.
The two-tier organization proliferated into three, and then multiple degrees, during the 18th and 19th centuries, eventually resulting in modern Freemasonry.
Masonry, which had started as an underground association of building trade workers, evolved into a fraternal group which included both members of the English royal family and American revolutionaries.
Despite his rational stance, Newton is rhapsodic about the progressive influence of the Masonic movement and philosophy, both for individuals seeking ‘the lost word’, and for society as a whole.
Newton claims that the world has benefited greatly because of the Masonic ideals of liberty, fraternity and equality. The Builders tells the Masonic side of this story.
Article by: Joseph Fort Newton
Rev. Newton (1880–1950) , was an American Baptist minister, authored a number of masonic books, including his best-known works, The Builders, published in 1914, and The Men’s House, published in 1923.
He received the third degree of Freemasonry on May 28, 1902 in Friendship Lodge No. 7, Dixon, Illinois, later affiliating with Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 263, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
He also served as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Iowa from 1911 to 1913 and Grand Prelate of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar.
The Builders has been called "an outstanding classic in Masonic literature offering the early history of Freemasonry."
Builders: A Story and Study of Freemasonry
By: Joseph Fort Newton
An outstanding classic in Masonic literature offering the early history of Freemasonry and an exposition of the faith of Masonry.
 The Builders – 1 The Foundations 1. The Foundations Explore an outstanding classic in Masonic literature – an exposition of the early history and symbolism of Freemasonry – from the foundations upwards. |
 The Builders – 2 The Working Tools Chapter 3. The Working Tools – Explore an outstanding classic in Masonic literature – an exposition of the early history and symbolism of Freemasonry – from the foundations upwards. |
 The Builders – 3 The Drama of Faith Chapter 3. The Drama of Faith – Explore an outstanding classic in Masonic literature – an exposition of the early history and symbolism of Freemasonry – from the foundations upwards. |
 The Builders – 4 The Secret Doctrine Chapter 4. The Secret Doctrine – Explore an outstanding classic in Masonic literature – an exposition of the early history and symbolism of Freemasonry – from the foundations upwards. By Joseph Fort Newton |
 Chapter 5. The Collegia – If the laws of building were secrets known only to initiates, there must have been a secret Order of architects who built the temple of Solomon. Who were they? |
 The Builders – 6 The Free-Masons Chapter 6. the Free-Masons – an examination into the history of the medieval guilds, their charges and regulations that form the base for the allegories and symbols in our modern versions of masonic craft ritual. By Joseph Fort Newton |
 Chapter 7. the Fellowcrafts – an examination into the history of the medieval guilds, their charges and regulations that form the base for the allegories and symbols in our modern versions of masonic craft ritual. By Joseph Fort Newton |
 The Builders – 8 Accepted Masons Chapter 8. Accepted Masons – an examination into the history of accepted masons, and why did soldiers, scholars, antiquarians, clergymen, lawyers, and even the nobility ask to be accepted as members of the order of Free-masons? By Joseph Fort Newton |
 The Builders – 9 Grand Lodge of England Chapter 9. Grand Lodge of England – From every point of view, the organization of the Grand Lodge of England, in 1717, was a significant and far-reaching event. By Joseph Fort Newton |
 The Builders – 10 Universal Masonry Chapter 10. Universal Masonry – Henceforth, the Masons of England were no longer a society of handicraftsmen, but an association of men of all orders and every vocation, as also of almost every creed, |
 The Builders – 11 What is Masonry Chapter 11 “Masonry is the activity of closely united men who, employing symbolical forms borrowed principally from the mason’s trade and from architecture, work for the welfare of mankind, striving morally to ennoble themselves and others, and thereby to bring about a universal league of mankind, which they aspire to exhibit even now on a small scale.” |
 The Builders – 12 The Masonic Philosophy Chapter 12 When we look at Masonry in this large and mellow light, it is like a stately old cathedral, gray with age, rich in associations, its steps worn by innumerable feet of the living and the dead—not piteous, but strong and enduring. By Joseph Fort Newton |
 The Builders – 13 The Spirit of Masonry Chapter 13 Masonry is Friendship—friendship, first, with the great Companion, of whom our own hearts tell us, who is always nearer to us than we are to our-selves, and whose inspiration and help is the greatest fact of human experience. |
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