THE BUILDERS
A STORY AND STUDY OF MASONRY
BY
JOSEPH FORT NEWTON, LITT. D.
GRAND LODGE OF IOWA
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When I was a King and a Mason--
A
master Proved and skilled,
I cleared me ground for a
palace
Such as a King should build.
I decreed and cut
down to my levels,
Presently, under the silt,
I came on
the wreck of a Palace
Such as a King had
built!
--KIPLING |
CEDAR RAPIDS IOWA
THE TORCH PRESS
NINETEEN FIFTEEN
[c. 1914]
COPYRIGHT, 1914
First Printing, December, 1914
To
The Memory of
THEODORE SUTTON PARVIN
Founder of the Library of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, with
Reverence and Gratitude; to
LOUIS BLOCK
Past Grand Master of Masons in Iowa, dear Friend
and Fellow-worker, who initiated and inspired
this study, with Love and Goodwill; and
to the
YOUNG MASONS
Our Hope and Pride, for whom
this book was written
With
Fraternal Greeting
This 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.
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