Thus, the Brothers of the A.'. A.'. announce themselves without miracle or mystery. It is easy for every charlatan to perform wonders, to bewilder and even to deceive not only fools but all persons, however shrewd, untrained in observation; nor does the trained observed always succeed instantly in detecting the fraud. Again, what the A.'. A.'. propose to do is to enable such men as are capable of advancement to a higher interpretation of manhood to do so; and the proof of their ability lies in their success, and not in any other irrelevant phenomenon. "The" "argument from miracles is a" non sequitur.
Nor is there anything mysterious in the A.'. A.'.; one must not confuse the mysterious with the unknown. Some of the contents of this REVIEW may be difficult or impossible to understand at first, but only in the sense that Homer is unintelligible to a person ignorant of Greek. {1}
But the Brothers of the A.'. A.'. make no mystery; They give you not only the Text, but the Comment; not only the Comment, but the Dictionary, the Grammar, and the Alphabet. It is necessary to be thoroughly grounded in the language before you can appreciate its masterpieces; and if while totally ignorant of the former you despise the latter, you will forgive the more frivolous onlookers if their amusement matches your indignation.
The Brothers of the A.'. A.'. have set their faces against all charlatanism, whether of miracle-mongering or obscurantism; and all those persons who have sought reputation or wealth by such means may expect ruthless exposure, whether of their vanity or their dishonesty; for by no gentler means can they be taught.
The Brothers of the A.'. A.'. will advise simple experiments, and will describe them, by the pens of their chosen delegates, in the simplest available language. If you fail to obtain good results, blame either yourself or Their method, as you will; if you succeed, thank either yourself or Them, as you will.
In this first number are published three little books; the first an account of Their character and purpose, restored from the writings of von Eckartshausen; the second an ethical essay restored from the Cipher MSS. of the G.'. D.'. (of which MSS. a complete account will later be given); these two books chiefly for the benefit of those who will understand wrongly or not at all the motto "THE METHOD OF SCIENCE --- THE AIM OF RELIGION," in which (if rightly interpreted) all is expressed; the third a series of scientific experiments, designed to instruct beginners in the groundwork of Scientific Illuminism, {2} and to prevent them from falling into the self-deception which pride always prepares for the unwary.
From time to time further knowledge will be published, as fast as the diligence of the persons employed to write it down will permit.
It is the intention of the Brothers of the A.'. A.'. to establish a laboratory in which students may be able to carry out such experiments as require too much time and toil to suit with their ordinary life; and Their further plans will be explained fully as opportunity permits.
Any person desirous of entering into the communication with the A.'. A.'. may do so by addressing a letter to the Chancellor of the Order, at the offices of this paper. {3}