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208 HISTORY OF THE ROSICRUCIANS.
matter of the magnum opus is both within and about us,
and " the intelligent will, which assimilates light, directs
the operations of substantial form, and only employs
instrument." l
chemistry as a very secondary
At the same time the Eosicrucians claimed to be in pos-
session of u great treasures of gold," and of the purse of
Fortunatus. There seems no special reason to doubt that
they intended this to be literally construed, and the " Fama "
definitely states that it was a project of their founder, C. R.,
to institute a society in Europe " which might have gold,
silver, and precious stones sufficient for to bestow them on
kings."
VI. Closely connected with the secret of metallic trans-
mutation is " the supreme medicine of the world," the life-
elixir, which, according to Bernard-le-Trevisan (fifteenth
century), is the reduction of the Philosophical
Stone into
mercurial water. It cures all diseases, and prolongs life
beyond the normal limits. Without claiming to be actually
in possession of this
" Wonderful Catholicon,
Of very subtle and magical powers,"
the Rosicrucians come before us as essentially, or at least pri-
"
Their agreement was this
marily, a healing 'fraternity. .
.... That none' of them should profess any other thing
than to cure the sick, and that gratis." 2 Professor Buhle,
in his notice of the Rosicrucians and Freemasons, says that
the evils of Germany at this period were immense, that the
land was overswept by a " great storm of wretchedness and
confusion." The science of medicine was still in its infancy,
the Lutheran Reformation, by spoliating monasteries, had
1 " Mysteries of Magic," p. 204.
2 "Fama Fraternitatis," p. 73.