[Symbol: sulfur and fire [Symbol: fire]; only, however, where it is permitted by the context.] The Rectification of the subject (man) taken up by the Art, is achieved through the purification of the earthly elements according to the indication of the alchemists who call the beginning of the work “Vitriol,” and form an acrostic from the initial letters of this word: “Visita Interiora Terrae, Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem” [= Visit the interior of the earth; by purifying you will find the hidden stone]. Half way up there floats the [Symbol: mercury] that has the value of a “union symbol” in the brotherhoods (as such, a symbol of fellowship) and left and right of it is found the moon and sun or the flaming star. Above is placed a triangle, in which is a phoenix rising from the flames; and on the triangle stands the crowned Saturn or Hermes (in masonry Hiram). On the left and right of this kingly form, on whose breast and stomach are placed planet symbols, we notice water in the shape of drops (tears) and flames that signify suffering and resurrection. “When we notice that not only the principles of the old ‘amateurs of the art’ correspond with those of the ‘royal art’ [freemasonry], but that the symbolism also is the same in all parts, we recognize that the later masonic societies are only a modern reshaping of the societies which dropped the depreciated names of the alchemists in order to appear in a new dress” (l. c., p. 175). That the assertion of the complete similarity of the symbolism is not mere fancy, the following considerations (and not those only in this section), will satisfactorily demonstrate. In the following examples the words showing it most clearly are italicized. Alchemy was regarded by its disciples as a _royal art_. Old sources show that the art of making gold was revealed in Egypt only to the crown princes. Generally only the kings’ sons were informed by the priests concerning the magic sciences. The hermetics derived their art expressly from kings, Hermes, Geber, and the patriarchs of alchemy were represented as kings. According to Khunrath (Amphitheatrum) prayer, work and perseverance lead to eternal wisdom by the mystical ladder of the _seven_ theosophical _steps_. Perfect wisdom consists in the knowledge of God and his Son, in the understanding of the holy scriptures, in self knowledge and in knowledge of the great world and its Son, the Magnesia of the philosophers or the Philosopher’s Stone. The mystical steps in general contain _three_ activities, hearing (audire), persevering (perseverare), knowing (nosse et scire), that applies to _five_ objects, so that we can distinguish _seven_ steps in all. Only the pure may enter the temple of wisdom, only the _worthy_ are intrusted with the secrets, the _profane_, however, must stay away.