MASONIC PHILOSOPHY
Dr Joseph Fort Newton was a clergyman and Masonic author. He lived from
1880 until 1950. Bro. Newton was raised in Friendship Lodge #7, Dixon, Illinois
later affiliating with Mt. Hermon Lodge #263, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He is the
author of one of Freemasonry 's classics, The Builders from which this STB was
taken. A list of Joseph Fort Newton's books still in print and available for
purchase is on pages 7-8. This STB is dedicated to the memory of Joseph Fort
Newton, one of Freemasonry's greatest philosophers. --Editor
Because the human soul is akin to God, and is endowed with powers to which no
one may set a limit, it is and of right ought to be free. Thus, by the logic of
its philosophy, not less than the inspiration of its faith, Masonry has been
impelled to make its historic demand for liberty of conscience, for the freedom
of the intellect, and for the right of all men to stand erect, unfettered, and
unafraid, equal before God and the law, each respecting the rights of his
fellows.
What we have to remember is, that before this truth was advocated by any
order, or embodied in any political constitution, it was embedded in the will of
God and the constitution of the human soul. Nor will Masonry ever swerve one jot
or title from its ancient and eloquent demand till all men, everywhere, are free
in body, mind, and soul.
Some day, when the cloud of prejudice has been dispelled by the searchlight
of truth, the world will honor Masonry for its service to freedom of thought and
the liberty of faith. No part of its history has been more noble, no principle
of its teaching has been more precious than its age-long demand for the right
and duty of every soul to seek that light by which no man was ever injured, and
that truth which makes man free.
Down through the centuries--often in times when the highest crime was not
murder, but thinking, and the human conscience was a captive dragged at the
wheel of the ecclesiastical chariot--always and everywhere Masonry has stood for
the right of the soul to know the truth, and to look up unhindered from the lap
of earth into the face of God. Not freedom from faith, but freedom of faith, has
been its watchword, on the ground that as despotism is the mother of anarchy, so
bigoted dogmatism is the prolific source of skepticism.
Not only does Masonry plead for that liberty of faith which permits a man to
hold what seems to him true, but also, and with equal emphasis, for the liberty
which faith gives to the soul, emancipating it from the despotism of doubt and
the fetters of fear.
Therefore, by every art of spiritual culture, it seeks to keep alive in the
hearts of men a great and simple trust in the goodness of God, in the worth of
life, and the divinity of the soul--a trust so apt to be crushed by the tramp of
heavy years. Help a man to a firm faith in an Infinite Pity at the heart of this
dark world, and from how many fears is he free!
Once a temple of terror, haunted by shadows, his heart becomes "a cathedral
of serenity and gladness," and his life is enlarged and unfolded into richness
of character and service. Nor is there any tyranny like the tyranny of time.
Give a man a day to live, and he is like a bird in a cage beating against its
bars. Give him a year in which to move to and fro with his thoughts and plans,
his purposes and hopes, and you have liberated him from the despotism of a day.
Enlarge the scope of his life to fifty years, and he has a moral dignity of
attitude and a sweep of power impossible hitherto. But give him a sense of
Eternity; let him know that he plans and works in an ageless time; that above
his blunders and sins there hovers and waits the infinite--then he is free!
Nevertheless, if life on earth be worthless, so is immortality. The real
question, after all, is not as to the quantity of life, but its quality--its
depth, its purity, its fortitude, its fineness of spirit and gesture of soul.
Hence the insistent emphasis of Masonry upon the building of character and the
practice of righteousness; upon that moral culture without which man is
rudimentary, and that spiritual vision without which intellect is the slave of
greed or passion. What makes a man great and free of soul, here or anywhere, is
loyalty to the laws of right, of truth, of purity, of love, and the lofty will
of God.
How to live is the one matter; and the oldest man in his ripe age has yet to
seek a wiser way than to build, year by year, upon a foundation of faith in God,
using the Square of justice, the Plumb-line of rectitude, the Compass to
restrain the passions, and the Rule by which to divide our time into labor,
rest, and service to our fellows.
Let us begin now and seek wisdom in the beauty of virtue and live in the
light of it, rejoicing; so in this world shall we have a foregleam of the world
to come--bringing down to the Gate in the Mist something that ought not to die,
assured that, though hearts are dust, as God lives what is excellent is
enduring!
Joseph Fort Newton (1880-1950) Clergyman and Masonic author. b. July 21 1880
in Decatur, Texas. Graduate of Coe Coll. (Ia.) in 1912; Tufts Coll. in 1918; and
Temple U. in 1929. Ordained to Baptist ministry in 1893. Pastor in Paris, Texas,
and St Louis, Mo. Founder and pastor of People's Church, Dixon, ILL., 1901-08;
pastor of Liberal Christian Church, Cedar Rapids Iowa, 1908-16; The City Temple,
London England, 1916-19; Church of the Divine Paternity, N.Y.C., 1919-25;
Memoria Church of St. Paul, Philadelphia, 1925-30 St. James Church,
Philadelphia, 1930-35; St. Luke and Epiphany, Philadelphia from 1938 He was
raised in Friendship Lodge No. 7 Dixon, Ill., May 28, 1902, and later affiliated
with Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 263, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was grand chaplain of the
Grand Lodge of Iowa from 1911-13. In 1944 he dimitted to Lodge No. 51,
Philadelphia Received 32ø AASR (SJ) in Iowa Consistory, Cedar Rapids, Iowa in
Oct. 1909, and 33ø, honorary, Oct. 20, 1933 Grand prelate of Grand Encampment,
K.T U.S.A. in 1929. His Masonic book, The Builders, stands as the most notable
writing of the century. He also wrote A Story and Study of Masonry (1914); The
Religion of Masonry (1926); his autobiography River of Years (1944) contains
many Masonic references. He produced a score of other non Masonic books. d. Jan.
24, 1950.
(From: Denslow'.s 10,000 Famous Freemasons)
SHORT TALKS ON MASONRY by Joseph Fort Newton
Whether one is seeking information, or inspiration, or material for a series
of talks before Masonic audiences, the topics covered in this book will prove
valuable. It has relevance in the world today because of the universal ideals so
beautifully explained by the author. Here you will find many references to the
Holy Bible, great Masons, a lucid description of Masonic emblems, and much light
on the symbolism, history, and philosophy of Freemasonry.
Softcover, 255 pages. ISBN-0-88053-036-7
M085 $10.00 (Less 25% on 5 or more, plus postage)
THE MEN'S HOUSE by Joseph Fort Newton
To the Freemason, be he only beginning his work in the quarries of the Craft,
or a laborer of many years standing, these inspiring writings and addresses from
one of the Craft's most eloquent authors, will bring joy and meaning. Their
patriotic and spiritual appeal will be welcomed by the non-Mason as well and
bring a new understanding and help in meeting the everyday problems facing human
society yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Perhaps most quoted of all Dr. Newton's messages is "When is a man a Mason?"
contained in the third chapter. In these 38 lines, Dr. Newton gives thought for
a lifetime of study.
Hard cover with jacket, 253 pages. ISBN-0-88053-037-5
M086 $12.95 (Less 25% on 5 or more, plus postage)
THE BUILDERS: A Story and Study of Freemasonry by Joseph Fort Newton
The outstanding classic in Masonic literature of all times. Many Grand Lodges
present a copy to each newly raised Mason.
The first part covers the early history of Freemasonry: Its tradition,
mythology and symbolism. The second is the story of the Order of builders
through the centuries from the building of King Solomon's Temple. The final part
is a statement and exposition of the faith of masonry.
Cloth with jacket. 345 pages. Bibliography, Index, Illustrated.
ISBN-0-88053-045-6
M301 $19.50 (Less 25% on 5 or more, plus postage)
Available from: Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Co., Inc. 3011 Old
Dumbarton Road Richmond, VA 23228
The preceding book descriptions were taken from the catalog of Macoy
Publishing and Masonic Supply Co., Inc.
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