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THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE - 167 forces, a most particular union of spiritual virtues, an indissoluble uniting of body and soul. It is the purest and noblest substance of an indestructible body, which cannot be destroyed nor harmed by the elements, and is produced by art." By its possession it was held that a man might “transmute into perfect gold and silver all the imperfect metals that are in the whole world, make precious stones and gems such as cannot be paralleled in Nature for goodness and greatness”, and prepare "a universal medicine”, or elixir, both for the curing of all diseases, the prolonging of life in perfect health, and even the restoration to youth of the aged and infirm.
A comprehensive and heedful study of Hermetic literature has confirmed many students in the belief that certain of the Hermetic philosophers who may be described as the great Masters of Alchemy did in truth actually attain to the discovery and perfection of the Philosopher's Stone. It was consequent on this discovery that the most famous treatises on the subject were written. Consumed with an ardent desire that others should share in their joy and benefit by their labours, those who possessed the Stone felt compelled to assist their fellows in their search and declared that the Creator of
