Free Thoughts on God, the Universe, Man, Freemasons, Rosicrucians, and the Philosopher's Stone

I am no journalist, no political pothouse politicianOriginal: Kannengießer. A derogatory term for someone who discusses politics without real knowledge, often associated with gossip-filled tavern talk., I belong to no club—those which now increase so frequently in number and would like to twist your simple, healthy common sense: I am an honest son of the earth, I adhere to no party, I prefer to see things with my own eyes, and I do not recite any catechismHere, the author uses "catechism" metaphorically to refer to a fixed set of political dogmas or party lines that one follows blindly. that does not convince me: I also do not allow myself to be hired for money to fawn upon the powerful, but rather I speak according to the customs and usage of my upright ancestors.

I shall never lose sight of my sincere respect for you; however, in those instances where I may err, or where we do not follow the same train of thought, I count upon your forbearance, and remain devoted to you from the heart,