Preface.

From all of this, however, it is now clear that in the use of these Theosophical Heart-Devotions, we have no intention of allowing ourselves to be hindered in the least by any artificial external form, liturgical constitution, ceremony, or religious opinion, through which the common mass of Christendom has unfortunately been divided and torn apart from one another for a long time in countless and wretched ways.

For because the people who are Christ’s own possession have been gathered from all tribes, heathens, and languages, and have this single necessary goal: that through Christ and in Christ they may return to their rest in GOD, from which we departed through the Falloriginal German: "Sünden-Fall." This refers to the biblical "Fall of Man," the transition of the first humans from a state of innocent obedience to God to a state of guilty disobedience.. Thus, such a people, stretching out toward GOD in true desire of faithoriginal German: "Glaubens-Begierde." A deep, active longing or spiritual hunger for God that characterizes the internal life of the believer., will not allow themselves to be taken captive by any external religious opinion or sectarian attachment. They know that in Christ only the new creatureoriginal German: "neue Creatur." A reference to Galatians 6:15, emphasizing that internal spiritual rebirth is more important than external rituals like circumcision. matters, and otherwise neither circumcision nor uncircumcision, nor any other religious concepts. The single sign by which they recognize themselves and distinguish themselves from others—and likewise through which they enter into a communionoriginal German: "Gemeinschafft." A fellowship or spiritual community of believers. together—is their love for one another. Outwardly, however, this true Christian people does not desire to distinguish itself further from other people in ceremonies and divine service, except only in two external, innocent church ordinances which their LORD Himself commanded them. For according to His command, when they have become believers, they are accustomed to be immersed in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and at their external gatherings, as fellow members of God’s household, they all eat of one bread and all drink of one wine and from one cup. Which they then do in remembrance of their Redeemer and His [work] for them and for the salvation of their souls—