Faithful Brethren

Arabic alchemy was unknown in the west until the eleventh century when the first translations from Arabic into Latin were made. Two Arab alchemists were especially well known and widely read Jabir ibn Hayyan, known to Europeans as Geber, and Abu Bakr ibn Zakariyya al-Razi, known as Rhazes. Of more than 2,000 pieces of writing attributed to Jabir, most were compiled by a Muslim religious sect called the Faithful Brethren or Brethren of Purity after he died. The works are written in different styles, which would indicate that they were penned by different authors. The compilation was completed around the year 1000, more than a hundred years after Jabir died. However, it has been established that the work translated into Latin under the title Summa Perfectionis was based on translations of Jabir s writing. Thus, although little is known about his life, we know something about the role Jabir played in the evolution of alchemical theory. 

As an Arab alchemist Jabir believed in the value of experimentation, but he could not completely avoid the mystical influences prevalent in his day. The Jabir Corpus, originally credited to Jabir, is written in a heavily mystical style, but the standard methods of crystallization, calcination, solution, sublimation, and reduction are clearly discussed, as well as such diverse processes as the preparation of steel and hair dye. Although Jabir probably produced some of the writings, all the works ascribed to him could not have done by one person, and these were probably really the collected works of a secret society called the Faithful Brethren or Brethren of Purity. In addition the work appears to have been completed around 1000, while the person identified as Jabir died in the 800s different parts of the work are also written in different styles, as would occur with different authors. Some later Latin books were credited to Geber, a latinized form of Jabir, but they do not have an Arabic counterpart, and these were probably written after 1100. 

I destroyed my boy because I trusted a man I had no reason not to trust a sworn knight, an honorable ruler, the most faithful brother of our late King. 

Bacon. They are just such mixtures of general information about chemical substances and chemical philosophy as are found in the writings of the Faithful Brothers.42 References to some of their works will be met in the consideration of the thirteenth century encyclopedists. 

Chemistry in the tenth century writings of the Ichwan el safd—the Lautem Brueder or Faithful Brothers. ... 

The hooks of the Faithful Brothers contain much in the way of chemical facts that shows a knowledge based upon, practical experience in chemical operations. Thus operations of distillation are spoken of in the preparation of waters of roses and violets, and of sharp vinegar, though there is no indication that the methods or apparatus were other than those given for instance by Zosimos in the Greek manuscript of St. Mark. In discussing the metals, many properties are described ... 

This description of the nature of the metals gives evidence of familiarity with some properties of the metals, and their behavior. In general it differs but little except in minor details from the account of the origin of metals and their properties in the Arabian writings of the Faithful Brothers of the tenth century.2 Particular facts as to metals recorded in this treatise were, however, known to the ancients. 

The notion of the origin of the metals from quicksilver and sulphur was also in the writings of the Faithful Brothers supplemented by the theory of the origin of quicksilver from water and earth, and of sulphur from aerial or oily elements with earth. Vincent quotes from the De Aluminibus et Salibus attributed to Rhazes with respect to this theory.30... 

I know it, I say, and though it is six years since Antony was killed, I must swallow hard to keep my tears in check, for the love I bore my brother is very like to that which such close comrades in arms bear each other, and to hear de Bretaylles speak of his awakes my own. There were times when it seemed that Antony was more faithful in my service and constant in his love for me than was Edward or any other man, even as I was in my love and care for him. This man before me must have tasted some of that same constancy in the face of the world s battles. 

Faithful even unto death. And you, his brother, come to me now and, knowing all, dare to hold out to me the hope of forgiveness and of peace and the man stared incredulously into the kind, pitying eyes bent upon him. 

In the name of the crucified Son, I swear to break all the bonds of nation which unite me to father, mother, brother, sister, wife, relation, friend, mistress, king, benefactor, and to any being whatsoever to whom I have promised faith, obedience, gratitude or service. 

However, over time, the chronic cycles of relapse and recovery that characterize most drug careers chipped away at the hope for a relationship unfettered by the baggage of the drug problem. The hope that, this time, their son or daughter, sister of brother would become free of drugs was harder to maintain after numerous episodes in treatment and subsequent relapse. Over time it appeared to become harder to hold onto this memory of what their child or sibling had been and sadly, too, there appeared to be a leaking away of faith that this return journey could be made ... 

Another famous literary representation of St George killing the dragon is Edmund Spencer s Faerie Queen Here the lovely woman Una brings her Knight of the Red Cross to the House of Holiness in which he finds Faith, Hope and Charity. Charity is the principal nature of the House. It is brotherly love, the Charity of God or manna The name Una means oneness and, co-incidentally, the three principles or neters are important clues in the rituals in the House of the Pharaoh Unas, described in Chapter 16. 

Special thanks are also due to beloved family my parents and my brothers for their love and faith in me. This monograph is dedicated to you. 

I visited two Mormon family homes and was privileged to read the wives Journals at both, and on occasion visited most of his brothers homes in the Salt Lake City area. One or another brother would house us and we could count on a passionate evening encompassed by a liberal education in Mormon discipline, theology, and faith. 

Well, then, my brothers, I should conclude this debate at some point. If the just are to be named in this way (being called just by certain human standards, because they live irreproachable lives among other people) then there are many such in Rome and God spared the city for their sake. Many escaped but God also in fact spared those who are dead. Look, if the dead lived good lives that were truly just and faithful, then aren t they now free from human uncertainty and misery Haven t they reached their God-given place of refreshment ... 

---