9Q 



1895.] -^^ [Saclise. 



sopbical enthusiasts or mystics was organized in Germany. Their pm"- 

 pose was to escape the religious and secular proscription under 

 which they suffered, by emigation. They naturally cast longing eyes 

 tav>^ards Pennsylvania, where liberty of conscience was assured. 



These enthusiasts had all received a liberal education, six of the 

 number being clergymen. All were members of the theosophical 

 brotherhood known as " Rosicrucians," and were under the leader- 

 ship of Magister Johann Jacob Zimrnermann, who, as you will see 

 by reference to the reports of the Royal Society, was one of the 

 most noted astronomers of the time in Europe. It is to the posses- 

 sion of this philosopher that this instrument has been traced, prior 

 to his leaving Nuremberg. When finally the *' Chapter of Perfec- 

 tion," consisting of the mystic number of fortv, was completed, 

 the start was made from the two rallying points, Halberstadt and 

 Magdeburg, for Rotterdam, whence they were to embark for the 

 New World. 



Upon the very eve of embarkation, Magister Zimrnermann died. 

 The vessel, containing his effects, sailed for America, and Johann 

 Kelpius was elected Magister in his stead ; under his guidance, the 

 party of mystic philosophers came to these shores, and upon the 

 romantic banks of the Wissaliickon erected a tabernacle in the 

 forest, suited to their occult studies and researches. The structure 

 was surmounted by a "Lantern or Observatory" {Ster/nvaric), in 

 which a nightly watch was kept for celestial phenomena. This was 

 the first regular observatory established in North America. 



It is a noteworthy fact in connection with this community, that 

 here in the wilds of the New World were practiced the various mys- 

 teries and rites of occult philosophy and esoteric theosophy. 



Here the crucible of the alchemist frequently fumed until long 

 after midnight, while the alembic of the Magister was distilling 

 juices of herbs gathered at the dark of the moon, in the hope of 

 discovering the "Philosopher's Stone " or the " Elixir of Life," — 

 in contrast, as it were, to the lonely watch maintained in the 

 " Sternwarte " on the lookout for the harbinger of the Bridegroom, 

 who was to appear in silky holiness. 



Some of the horoscopes that were calculated and cast by these 

 Hermetic philosophers, on the Wissahickon, aye still treasured as 

 precious heirlooms among some of the leading families of this State. 



To return to ovcc Horologium. It is known that after the death of 

 Kelpius, in 1708, and the virtual disbanding of the Community, 



