(The curtain is drawn back, and there enter the Grand Master of the Mystic League, Hilary True-to-God; after him, Magnus Bellicosus, the Second Preceptor; Albertus Torquatus, the First Master of the Ceremonies; and Frederick Trustworthy, the Second Master of the Ceremonies. The persons who were before assembled group themselves on each side of the hall.) FREDERICK TRUSTWORTHY: Dear friends, this moment, when we join us first At this our temple's ancient holy gates Is most significant for you and us. The call which we have given to you now Was strongly laid upon us by the signs Which our Grand Master could discern full well In the wise plan of earth's development. There it is very plainly shadowed forth That at this time the service wise and true Of this our sacred Temple must unite With universal commonsense of man, Which seeks for truth far off from mystic paths. Yet in the plan were also signs to show That ere this consummation could be reached, A man must first arise who understood How to bring knowledge, built on commonsense And reason only, into such a form As truly to comprise the spirit-world; This now hath happened. To Thomasius The lot has fallen to produce a work Based on that very science, which today All men demand. This work in their own tongue Doth bring full proof of spirit-worth, which men Could only find in mystic paths before, And in the temples of initiates. This work will now become the fetter firm That you with us unites in spirit-life; Through it will ye be able to discern How firm the base on which our teaching rests. And through it, too, ye will receive the power To take from us that knowledge with free will Which is confined to mystic paths alone And so, in living fruitfulness, that Life Can now unfold itself, which doth unite The universal commonsense of man With all the customs of the sacred shrine. MAGNUS BELLICOSUS: