il., I, 3, p. 15.)

For the practice of alchemy a moral behavior is required, which is hardly
necessary as a precondition of merely chemical work. The disciple of the
art is to free his character, according to the directions of the masters
from all bad habits, especially to abjure pride, is diligently to devote
himself to prayer, perform works of love, etc.; no one is to direct his
senses to this study if he has not previously purified his heart,
renounced the love of worldly things, and surrendered himself completely
to God. (Hoehler, Herm. Phil., pp. 62 ff.)

The sloppers, who strive to make gold in a chemical laboratory often waste
in it their entire estate. The adepts, however, assure us that even a poor
man can obtain the stone; many, indeed, say the poor have a better materia
than the rich. Rom. II, 11: "For there is no respect of persons with God."
Matth. XIX, 24: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a
needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." The
alchemist Khunrath says somewhere, the cost of making gold amounts to
thirty dollars; we understand this when we remember that Jesus was sold
for thirty pence.

Ruland (Lex., p. 26) defines alchemy very finely: [In reference to Tab.
Smar., 9] "Alchemy is the separation of the impure from a purer
substance." This is quite as true of the chemical as of the spiritual
alchemy.

Why the hermetic philosophers write not literally but in figures may be
accounted for in several ways. We should first of all remember that
because of their free doctrine, which was indeed not at variance with true
Christianity but with the narrow-minded church, they had to fear the
persecution of the latter, and that for this reason they veiled their
teachings. Hitchcock notices also a further point. The alchemists often
declare that the knowledge of their secret is dangerous (for the
generality of people). It appears that they did not deem that the time was
ripe for a religion that was based more on ideal requirements, on moral
freedom, than on fear of hell fire, expectation of rewards and on
externally visible marks and pledges. Besides we shall see later that a
really clear language is in the nature of things neither possible nor from
an educational point of view to be recommended.

Still the mystical purpose of the authors of those times when the
precautionary measures were not necessary appears clearer under the
alchemistic clothing, although no general ru