Many sure signs show plainly much must change Within those souls who strive to follow close This guidance, in their daily life on earth; But little can be said which goes to prove That mystic ways can lead on to those ends Which bring strong powers into the souls of men. It seems to me that what our time requires Is leaders, who by using nature's powers Can join dexterity to genius, And working thus amidst the things of Earth Fulfil their purpose in the world of men. Such men do search for roots of spirit-work Deep in the mother-earth of truth itself, And thus are kept from idle wandering Along the path away from human health. Feeling myself possessed with this idea I recognize in doctor Strader's self The powers which for such guidance of the soul Are better suited than the mystics' are. How long hath man with sorrow had to feel That thro' the great inventions of technique Full many a fetter has been riveted On the free spirit-instinct in his soul. But now a hope doth rise within the breast Whereof none heretofore can e'er have dreamed. In Strader's workshops we can see, in small, The working of those wonders, which, in great Shall soon transform the meaning of technique And free its shoulders from that heavy load Which in our day doth weigh on many souls. STRADER: Indeed such words as these are full of hope About my seemingly successful work. 'Tis true there yet remains the bridge to pass Between experiment and actual use, But still the eye of science up till now Can only see that it is possible That in technique the proof of all things lies. The author of this work may be allowed To speak here freely of the hopes he hath As to the service it may render man. He begs to be forgiven any words That sound vainglorious to the general ear; They only shadow forth the feelings whence The strength for this work flows into his soul. We see how in man's daily life on earth The workings of emotion and the soul Disperse and lapse into a soulless state The more the spirit masters all the powers That it can find within the realm of sense. Each day the work grows more mechanical, Which makes for worth in life; and through such work Man's life itself becomes mechanical. Most likely much once held as burdensome May now be proved of service to mankind. So that the art and work of cold technique May no more lame the soul-life of mankind Nor prove a hindrance to true spirit-aims. But little was achieved through all this strife In which one question only seemed of weight, How man should act towards his fellow-men. I have myself spent many a solemn hour In thinking out this riddle of man's life. But ever did I find such thought produced No fruit of any value for real life.