SCENE 1

A hall with a ground tone of indigo blue. The antechamber to the rooms in which a Mystic League carries on its work. In the centre a large door with curtain. On each side of the door two pictures which represent, beginning from the right of the stage, the Prophet Elijah, John the Baptist, Raphael, the poet Novalis. There are present, in a lively conversation twelve Persons, who in one way or another take an interest in the activities of the League. Beside them: Felix Balde and Doctor Strader.

FOX:

A most unusual summons 'tis indeed, That draws us here together at this time. It comes from men, who ever hold that they, From all Earth's other children separate, Are honoured with a special spirit-aim. Their spirit-eyes shall now, however, see That in the world's plan they must be bound close With men whose spirit is unconsecrate; Who face life's fight in their own strength alone. I ne'er felt drawn towards such spirit-ways As find their chief resource in secrecy, And only care to hold fast to sound thought, And to the commonsense of human minds. This Spirit-League by which we now are called Means not through this same call that we should be Initiated in its higher aims. It will thro' mystic dim word-portraiture Keep us but in the Temple's outer courts; And use our powers but as the people's voice-- A cunning plan to strengthen its own will. So shall we merely be the helpers blind Of men who from the spirit heights above, Look down to lead us on with beckoning hand. They do not hold that we are ready yet Even to take one step that might lead on Toward their holy Temple's treasure-house, Or to the spirit-light in which they dwell. When I observe the true state of this league It seems I see but pride and self-deceit Clothed in a prophet's robe and humble dress. And so 'twere surely best to shun each thing That here is offered us in wisdom's garb; That we at any rate may not appear To strive without due proof against the work Which is so highly prized by many men; So would I counsel you at first to hear What aim this wisdom-teacher hath in view And then to follow simple commonsense. Who takes such sense as guide within himself Will not be led astray by tempting lures Which from the Mystic Temple issue forth.

MICHAEL NOBLEMAN:

I do not know, I cannot even guess With what strange spirit-gift these men are dowered Who now desire to find a bridge to us. But still I know well several honest men Within the ranks of this same Spirit-League. Strictly they guard the secret of the fount Whence this their knowledge is supposed to come; But that the fountain whence they drink is good, Their life and deeds make manifest to all. And all that from their circle issues forth Bears on its face the mark of truest love. So may we well believe the aim is good Which leads them in this special way to men, To whom the mystic path is strange and new, But in whose souls the instinct for the truth And honest goals of spirit-life find place.

BERNARD STRAIGHT:

Caution would seem to me our duty now. I think the mystics find the time draws nigh Which brings an ending to their sovereign power. Reason will scarcely ask in future times What dreams of truth these holy temples had. If this league tells of goals of such a kind As have seemed wise to mankind's general thought Then it were good to join our lot to theirs. Yet he had better shun the mystic's robe Who only seeks to pass the portal by, Which, like some barrier of heavenly light, Shuts out his present life from other worlds. For in that world 'twill be of small account What value each shall put upon himself. No higher value shall each one receive Than universal judgment granteth him.

FRANCESCA HUMBLE:

So much that here I needs must listen to Sounds like the words of those poor blinded men Who cannot see the noble spirit-light Which streams from every consecrated shrine In rays of wisdom to the outer world To comfort and to heal the souls of men. He only in whose heart this light doth shine, And pierce with warming glow his inmost soul Can recognize the true worth of this hour, Which opens up the mystic's solemn realm Even to those who feel themselves too weak To reach, through deep soul struggle, to the high And consecrate abodes of spirit-light.

MARY STEADFAST:

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. I felt myself draw near the bitter thought That cosmic fate hath foreordained the lot That victory in this material realm Must ever be to spirit-paths a foe. Release from this bewilderment of thought Was brought me by a seeming accident. It was my lot to make experiments In matters from such questions far removed; When suddenly there flashed across my mind A thought which showed me where the right path lay. Test followed close on test, until at last Such powers were gathered there in front of me, As in their full expression shall some day Through pure technique that freedom bring to man, In which his soul may find development. No more shall men be forced to dream away Their whole existence plant-like, fashioning In narrow factory rooms unlovely things. The powers of technique will be so unveiled That every man shall have what he may need To keep him in his work, in his own home Arranged by him, as he may think it best. I thought it well to speak first of this hope So that it may not seem quite out of place To say, what I must say, about this call Which now the Rosicrucian Brotherhood Issues to men who stand outside their league. 'Tis only when a human soul unfolds And finds its own true being in itself That those fine instincts, which from endless time Draw spirits each to each, can have full scope. And therefore, only he will think aright Who recognizes that this call conforms To signs, which we have learned to know full well. The brotherhood in future will bestow Its highest treasures freely on mankind Because all men must learn to long for them.

FELIX BALDE:

The words just spoken have been wrung from out A soul, which hath been given to our times To grace the realms of sense with life's true worth. And in this field I doubt if any one With doctor Strader could compete today. But I myself trod very different paths To find out what is needful for the soul. So I, too, beg your leave to speak a word. Fate hath made clear to me that I must search Among those treasures, which disclose themselves To every man within his inmost soul. Therein I seemed to find true wisdom's light Which can full well illuminate life's worth. The mystic pupilship was given me In solitude and contemplation deep. And thus I learned that all that makes man lord Of this strong realm of sense, doth only serve To blind his being, and condemn mankind To search in darkness for the way of life. Aye, e'en those gems of knowledge which the use Of reason and of sense hath found on earth, Are but faint gropings in a darkened realm. I know it is the mystic way alone That can direct our steps to life's true light. Myself I stood upon that path of truth As one who strives without a helping hand; But all men cannot struggle thus alone. The knowledge gained by sense and intellect Seems like a body left without a soul When it doth set itself defiantly Against the light that since Earth's dawn hath streamed From sacred temples of true mystery. Ye therefore ought in gratitude to grasp The hand that beckons from the Temple now Upon whose threshold roses full of light Girdle significant the sign of death.

LOUISA FEAR-GOD:

A man who feels the worth of his own soul Can but rely upon his own ideas, If he desire to know the spirit-worlds And find himself therein in very truth. Whoe'er can give himself, with blindfold faith, To outside guidance, first must lose himself. Aye, e'en that light, which deep within himself A man may feel as highest wisdom's power Claims spirit-recognition only when Its truth admits of proof within itself. This light may be a danger to a man If he draws near thereto without such proof. For often on this path the soul appears But as some picture, drawn from cosmic depths, Springing from out its own unconscious wish.

FREDERICK CLEAR-MIND:

Fully to understand the mystic way Each man must trace its impulse in himself. Who, ere he enters on the search, doth form In his own soul a picture of the goal, Whereto that search must lead, is sure to find Instead of truth, delusion's fantasy. For, we may say, that each true mystic should Thus hold himself toward the goal of truth As one who from a mountain-top would gaze Upon the beauty of a distant view. He waits till he has gained the utmost height Before he tries to picture all the scene Whereto his pilgrimage hath guided him.

FOX:

At such a time as this we should not ask How men should hold themselves toward the truth. The brethren of the league will not require To hear about such things from men like us. It hath indeed already reached mine ears That an occurrence of a special sort Hath forced the league to turn and think of us. Thomasius, who came some years ago Beneath the influence of a spirit-stream, Which set itself to follow mystic aims, Hath learned just how to use such forms of thought As in our time compel men's confidence, And hang them, as a mantle, round that lore Which should be sacred to initiates. In this way he was able to succeed, And gain approval from both far and near For writings which had borrowed logic's garb But which, in fact, contained but mystic dreams. Even inquirers of acknowledged worth Are with the message of the man inspired And so lend colour to his present fame, Which grows, I fear, in dangerous degree. Initiates did dread this line of thought Since it must needs destroy their fixed idea That wisdom is their sole prerogative. And so they try to shelter 'neath their wing That which Thomasius is giving forth. Indeed, they wish it to appear as if They knew already in the years gone by That such a message would just now be sent To serve in building up their own great work. If they succeed now at this present time In drawing us with craft into their net, They will make clear unto the world at large That powers of destiny did wisely send Thomasius with his message at this time So that belief in their significance Might with the commonsense of man combine.

GASPER HOTSPUR:

This Mystic League is bold to make the claim That it alone must ever guide mankind: It proves thereby what small account it takes Of all that can be won for man's true weal Just by sound commonsense, for we may say That 'tis now proved that nature and the soul Can be explained as things mechanical. And 'tis indeed a check to all free thought That doctor Strader with so clear a brain, Should countenance this mystic fallacy. Who thus doth master powers mechanical Should not indeed lack insight, and we know That ere we gain true knowledge of the soul All mystic leanings needs must be destroyed. Yet this false science, which Thomasius Is giving forth today to all the world, Enables e'en extreme sagacity To reconcile itself with wildest dreams, When once it falls a victim to that snare. If through strict training in the way of thought, Most natural to man, Thomasius Had for this work of his prepared himself, Instead of studying the mystic art, He might have plucked full many a noble fruit From wisdom's tree through his own inborn gifts. Instead of which upon the way he chose Naught but disastrous error could occur. No doubt the brotherhood may like to think Such error can be turned to their account. It finds acceptance, since it seeks to show That science now hath giv'n souls strong proof Of knowledge only found in dreams before.

GEORGE CANDID:

That it is possible to speak such words As we have just been forced with pain to hear, Shows clearly how that insight which flows forth From spirit-life hath scarce indeed begun To grow at all 'midst all our modern thoughts. Turn your eyes backward o'er the flight of time And see what things lived in the souls of men Before the science which is now in flower Was even able to reveal its seed. Then you will find that this same Mystic League Doth but today fulfil a work which then Was traced beforehand in the cosmic scheme. We had to wait until Thomasius Had finished this great work he had in hand. The way is new by which the spirit-light Illuminates through him the souls of men. And yet this light did ever work in all That men have dared to make upon the Earth. But where, then, was the source of all this light Which, tho' souls knew it not, could shine so clear? We find all signs point to the mystic art, Which dwelt in secret consecrated shrines, Before mankind let reason be its guide. The Spirit League which now hath called us here Will gladly let the mystic light stream forth On that bold work, which out of human thought Strives to perfection in the spirit-world. And we, who, in this hour so big with fate, May stay awhile on consecrated ground, Shall be the first who, uninitiate, Shall see the torch of God from spirit-heights Leap down into the depths of human souls.

MARY DAUNTLESS:

Thomasius, indeed, needs not the shield, The Rose-Cross Brothers have in mind for him, If in an earnest scientific way He can portray the pathway of the soul Through many earthly lives and spirit-realms. This work hath now revealed the light on high, To which they say the mystic temples lead, E'en unto men who erstwhile had to shun The very threshold of such sacred shrines. Such recognition doth he well deserve As he already hath so richly found Because he gave that freedom unto thought, Which was denied it by the mystic schools.

ERMINIA STAY-AT-HOME:

The Rose-Cross Brothers can in future live But in the recollection of mankind. That which they call for, at this very time Will soon gain consciousness of its own power And undermine the Temple's fundaments. They boldly wish to join in future days Reason and science to their sacred shrine. Thomasius, therefore, whom so willingly They now admit into their Temple's midst Will count hereafter as their conqueror.

STRADER:

I have been sorely blamed because I think That he acts well, who holds himself prepared To further, in close union with the league, The work which through Thomasius is fulfilled. One speaker took objection to my views And held I ought to know how dangerous The mystic's true soul-searching may become. I often felt I best could understand The spirit-way when I gave up myself Completely to the influence binding me To mechanisms which I made myself. The way in which I stood toward my works Hath shown the meaning of the sacred shrine. And while I was at work, I often thought: 'How do I seem to one who only tries To understand the working of those powers Which I put into things mechanical? And yet what might I be unto a soul To whom I might reveal myself in love?' I have to thank such thoughts as these that now The learning which from mystic circles springs Reveals itself to me in its true light. And so, though not initiate, I know That souls of gods can in the sacred shrine Reveal themselves in love to human souls.

KATHARINE COUNSEL:

The noble words which doctor Strader speaks About the sacred shrines must surely find An echo in those souls which stand without The gates through which initiates may pass, But yet are counted worthy to receive The lore initiates do strive to teach: It is not difficult to understand Why our forefathers held to the belief That mystics were the enemies of light. It even was denied their souls to guess What hidden secrets lay within the shrine. All this is changed today. The Mystic Light Is not entirely hid, but tells the world As much as uninitiate folk may know. And many souls, who have received this light And been revived thereby, have felt forthwith A rousing up of soul-powers, which before Worked in them, as in sleep, unconsciously.

(Three knocks are heard.)

FELIX BALDE:

The owners of this place will soon approach And ye will hear what they desire to say. But if ye wish to understand their words And to receive through them the light yourselves Ye must not by pre-judgment blind yourselves. The power of the initiates will now Prove itself mighty, wheresoe'er it finds Good hearts and wills prepared to offer up Erroneous fancies to the light of truth; But where the will hath grown through error hard And thus hath slain the sense of truth itself, This power will there be proved of none effect.

FOX:

Such words as these might be of use to one Who through self-contemplation did desire To find himself within his inmost soul. But at the first appearance of this league 'Twere better to hold fast to those reports About this kind of spirit-brotherhood, Which may be credited historically. From them we see that very many men Have been enticed into the holy shrine By secret words, which led them to believe That in these temples, step by step, the soul Could from the lowliest grades of wisdom rise Up to the heights where spirit-sight is gained. Who followed such inducement soon perceived That in the lower grades he could see signs Whose purport offered him much food for thought. He dared to hope that in the higher grades The meaning of these signs would be disclosed, And wisdom be revealed: but when he reached Those higher grades himself, he found instead That masters knew but little of those signs And did but speak about the world and life-- Nothing but meaningless and barren words. If he was not deceived by these same words Nor yet was tricked by their futility, He turned himself away from such pursuits. And so at this time 'tis perhaps of use To listen to the judgment of the past As well as unto edifying speech.

(Again three knocks are heard.)

(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:

Our brother's words have made it clear to you, That we have been induced by solemn signs To call you to the Threshold of our Shrine. The Master soon will speak to you and show The deeper reasons for thus calling you. But first I must, so far as may be meet, Tell you of this great man, whose work hath made Our present union possible today. Thomasius gave himself to painting's art Until he felt an inward spirit-call To take up science as his work in life. His gifts which were so great and so unique Within the region of the painter's art, Were first developed when he passed within The spheres devoted to true mystic lore, These led him to the Master, and, through him, He learnt the first steps in that world of truth Where wisdom teaches spiritual sight. Upborne to spirit-heights and thus infilled With great creative power, he painted then Pictures, which seem indeed like living men. That which would soon have driven other men To strive amain toward the highest goal Upon the beaten track of art--all this Was but a fresh incentive to his brain To use hard-won success in such a way As might prove best for welfare of mankind. He saw full well that spirit-science must First find a firm foundation, and for this The sense for science and strict reasoning Must be released from mania for set form Through contact with an artist mind, and gain The inward strength to realize the truth Of world-relationship in life and deed. And so Thomasius hath offered up, A willing off'ring to humanity, The artist-power, he might have used himself. O friends, read ye aright this man's true soul And understand the call which now we give And hesitate no more to follow it.

HILARY TRUE-TO-GOD:

In that same Spirit's Name, which is revealed To souls within our sacred shrine, we come To men who until now might never hear The word which here doth secretly sound forth. Those Powers which guide the purpose of our Earth Could not in its beginning be revealed To all humanity in their full light. As in the body of a child, the powers Through which it learns to act and use its mind, Must gradually ripen, and grow strong; So must humanity unfold itself As one great whole throughout its earthly course. The impulse in the soul which later on Might worthy prove to gaze on spirit-light In higher worlds, first lived in atrophy. Yet in the Earth's beginning there were sent From out the higher kingdoms of real life Exalted spirit-beings, who might act As wise instructors of humanity. In mystic holy shrines did they employ Those mighty spirit powers, which were poured forth In secret into souls which could know nought Of their exalted leaders or their work. Then later from the ranks of men themselves These masters wise could choose for pupils those Who by well-tested lives of self-denial Had proved that they were ripe to be ordained Into the mystic aims and wisdom's lore. And when the pupils of those early seers Could guard in worthy way the good and true, Then those sublime instructors turned their steps Back to their own especial realms of life. These pupils of the gods then chose out men Who might succeed them in the guardianship Of spirit-treasures; and in such a way The treasures were passed on from age to age. Until the present time all mystic schools, If they are such in truth, have really sprung From that which first was founded from on high. Humbly we cherish in this very place That which our fathers handed down to us. We do not ever speak about the dues, Which through our office we inherited, But only of the favour shown to us By those great spirit-powers, who chose weak men As mediators, and entrusted them With treasures which bring forth the spirit-light In souls of men: and 'tis our lot, dear friends, To open to you now this treasured store. For signs which in the plan of all the worlds Can clearly be discerned by spirit-eyes Show most propitious at this very time.

FOX:

From distant worlds, it seems, the reasons come Which should convince us that 'twere meet that we Should join ourselves to you, and in this way Should be the first to give the impetus To this great work Thomasius gives the world. However grand what thou hast spoken sounds, It cannot drown in hearts of homely men The thought that such a work will take effect Through its own power, if it should prove to hold Within itself what souls of men require. If this work prove important, it will be, Not through the things the mystics offer us, But since true science comes to the support Of spirit-knowledge, and doth prove it true. If this be really so, what use is there, If mystic approbation paves the way, And not th' intrinsic merit of the work?

ALBERTUS TORQUATUS:

The science which is opening on the world From such foundations as Thomasius laid Will neither gain nor lose through such applause As we or ye may choose to render it. And yet thereby a way can now be found By which mankind may study mystic lore. It would accomplish only half its work If it should show the goal, but not the road. And now it rests with you to understand That now at last the moment hath arrived For reason and the mystic path to join; And to the spirit-life of this our world To give thereby the power which can but work When it reveals itself in season due.

Curtain