The Builders

Joseph Fort Newton’s book is a sympathetic and historically informed study of Freemasonry that traces its ideals from operative craft traditions to speculative Masonry. Published in the early 20th century, it helped present Masonry to a broader public as a moral and spiritual fellowship; inside are essays on symbolism, history, the lodge, and the ethical aims of the fraternity.

Joseph Fort Newton (1876–1950) was an American Episcopal priest, preacher, and writer whose works often addressed religion, symbolism, and spiritual life. He is especially known for writings on Freemasonry and for presenting religious ideas in a reflective, accessible style that appealed to esoterically minded readers.