Funeral Oration for the Obsequies of Karl von Hund

He would have drawn his sword immediately, and a general bloodbath would likely have ensued, as most of the brothers abbreviated as Ebe. set over them were on Johnson's side themselves and were waiting for his wink at that moment. But Pastor Berthold, whom Johnson had made his Chancellor, stepped forward with a determination hardly worthy of him and told Johnson to his face that, with what Dr. Bachmann's spirit note: likely referring to the Duke's authority or a high-ranking official had just been pleased to say, he was convinced that Johnson was a fraud. And here, things were revealed that exceeded all expectations.
He removed a mask from before their eyes. But to describe this sight? Well, the devil must look like that when he is cast out of heaven.
This situation, which I do not know what to call, lasted a long time, until he recovered somewhat and promised with a calm tone to prove his authenticity.
Through this performance, he regained his lost reputation, and he kept his freedom. One demanded his legitimation and papers; he said he had them stored in Jena, and since it was becoming night following this appearance, he promised to have them fetched on the following day.
Yet, as he pretended he did not want to spend unnecessary money or cause himself other difficulties—he also had a great many other things together to keep the money flowing—but as long as he was present, they were not yet capable enough to declare themselves on the matter, otherwise one would have brought him to arrest immediately.
The night following this appearance was spent quite restlessly, and yet no one dared to go to bed; this continued without cessation until, through one of his followers the next day, a horse was brought a mile before the village, upon which he rode immediately to Jena. But hardly had one learned of this when the one from Bach-

tolsheim rode after him and caught up with him immediately at Jena. Johnson handed him a packet of scriptures right away, in which everything was supposed to be contained, but upon inspection of these papers, no legitimation was found. Now, however, Pastor Berthold had left his Jena, and Johnson said to his dear faithful that he was being delayed, and a horseman from the region was on horseback and rode out of the other gate.
The presence of so many brothers made it more necessary to speak with one another about whether and how the lodge abbreviated as Cl. should be continued, and for this, the Convent at Altenburg was held. Since one did not yet have enough courage to put everything on paper, most things were negotiated verbally, so that only a little of it can be in the archives of the VII Province.
The late one legitimized himself not only before the brothers present, but they also recognized him, as he had been placed at the head, as their true Master; the form was established, and those present received their stamps and collars, and so everyone parted content from this place and directed their lodge according to their destination. And so that the brothers could carry the one public lodge sign on them, through which they could recognize each other in the future, Dr. Bachmann's hand ordered the rings, which are still worn today among the brothers as signs of honor and distinction.
So, my brothers, ended that matter, which could easily have caused the collapse of the Order in Germany, and yet became an occasion through which it spread not only in this country but also in Denmark, Poland, and Livonia.
Only one more word about this infamous Johnson, and then we will deem him more worthy of remembrance. After a multitude of shames...