The Theoretical Brothers, or the Second Grade of the Rosicrucians

Danisch. I considered it necessary, Sire, to prefix some historical reports, in order to —

To instruct us? said the Sultan smiling — but just continue, dear Doctor —

Danisch. It is a misfortune of humanity that even the holiest things in the hands of men can never remain long in their original purity; so here, too, the virtuous intentions of the first founders were corrupted, and from the legislation of virtue arose despotism and superstition, and from skeptical natural philosophers The term "Naturforscher" refers to those who studied the physical world, often precursors to modern scientists, who were sometimes viewed with suspicion by the Church. and their conjectures, the most wretched fanaticisms. original: "Schwärmereyen." In the 18th century, this term was a strong pejorative used to describe irrational religious enthusiasm, zealotry, or "mystical nonsense" that lacked a basis in reason. Men gifted with a heated imagination, fanatics and deceivers, banded together and soon gained a following, because nothing is easier than selling nonsense as truth to gullible people, especially when one knows how to shroud this nonsense in a mysterious language —

I wish my Imam A leader of prayer in a mosque. Shah Gebal is making a satirical comparison between the "deceivers" Danisch describes and the religious authorities of his own court. were here — said Shah Gebal —