TO THE

STUDENTS OF DEEPER

CHEMISTRY.

original: "AD CHYMIÆ SECRETIORIS ALUMNOS." The author addresses the "alumni" or dedicated disciples of the chemical art.

Such an Art does not exist under heaven that more highly exalts divine honor, more greatly benefits the human race, or more deeply explores the most secret things of Nature, than does our never-sufficiently-praised true Chemistry Chemistry: In the 17th century, "Chymia" referred to a discipline that combined what we now call chemistry, metallurgy, and alchemy, often focused on the creation of medicines.. This is the art which demonstrates the Creator’s Mercy, Wisdom, and Omnipotence within His Creatures: it teaches not only regarding theory original: "speculationem," the philosophical or meditative aspect of the science., but also through practice and demonstration, the Beginning, the Progress, and the End of things. It is this which restores our bodies to their former health from countless diseases—both those that are unbearable and those commonly deemed incurable. Indeed, it leads our minds out from the cares and anxieties of the world (the thorns and briers of our souls) toward a tranquility of life; from pride to humility; from the desire and love for earthly wealth toward a contempt for it. And to say it in a Word: it lifts us from the earth to heaven, exalts us, and carries us forward. Yet, it can be said with equal Truth original: "Veritate" of her, that among all the arts which have provided some useful benefit to the world, there is none...