New Order of Builders

The New Order of Builders was an American esoteric order, organised by William H. Von Swartwout at New York City on 29 September 1879, dedicated to the establishment of what was called the Olombia Commonwealth, which was to be a money-less society based around organised labour. The system of the Builders was likened to Freemasonry, the order possessing "its secrets, occult lore, or esoteric Truths" to be "held in reserve for the students of the higher degrees," those degrees dealing "with astronomical, spiritual, and metaphysical wisdom."