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New Order of Builders

From Kook Science

New Order of Builders
Formation 29 Sept. 1879
Headquarters New York City, NY
Founder William H. Von Swartwout
Main organ The Hercules

The New Order of Builders, or Olombia 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,[1] 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."[2]

Selected Bibliography

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References

  1. Gould, S. C., ed. (November 1896), New Order of Builders, "Masonic and Arcane Societies in the U.S.", Miscellaneous Notes and Queries 14 (11): 280, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.32044092649565;view=1up;seq=294, retrieved 2016-10-17, "This Order was founded in New York City, September 29, 1879, by William H. Von Swartwout, its President. "By the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men" (Rom. v, 18). The Branches, or sub-orders, manage and operate sources of production, distribution, and supply. Each individual gravitating to the Order will incline as adaptability draws him. Six hours are a working-day; five days a week; twenty days a month; ten months a year; twenty-nine years is the Commonwealth working limit. The period of public service begins at 21 and ends with 49 — the 50th birth begins every person's Jubilee. This service bestows Olombia's citizenship. He then enjoys health, life, liberty, development, culture, and pleasure, "without price and without price." The President has lectured in nearly all the larger cities of this country, and also in England, developing the Order and detailing its ramifications in society. Several works have been published elaborating the New Order, the most prominent being "The New Political Economy." The President's address is Box 248, New York City." 
  2. Gould, S. C., ed. (May 1895), "Notes from Olombia.", Miscellaneous Notes and Queries 13 (5): 132, https://books.google.com/books?id=diwAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA132-IA4&lpg=PA132-IA4, "As Freemasonry has had it secrets so has The New Order of Builders its secrets, occult lore, or esoteric Truths which are held in reserve for the students of the higher degrees; which higher degrees of the Order deal with astronomical, spiritual, and metaphysical wisdom, and research into heights and depths of knowledge that only they may reach to whom alludes: "He that giveth his mind to the law of the Most High and is occupied in the meditation thereof, will seek out the wisdom of the ancients. * * * He will seek out the secret of grave sentences and be conversant in dark parables." — Ecclesiasticus xxxix, 1. "The first that thou hast written publish openly that the worthy and unworthy may read it. But keep the seventy last that thou mayest deliver them only to such as be wise among the people." — Esdras xiv, 45."