The Rudolf Steiner Archive

I hereby request that you kindly attend a board meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 21 in Berlin Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17.

Agenda: preliminary discussion and preparation for the General Assembly.

Berlin Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17.
I. A.
Dr. Rudolf Steiner.
General Secretary of the German Section.

The Theosophical Society (Madras Headquarters) German Section.

Dear Friends,

I hereby invite you to accept the invitation to the

Ordinary General Assembly

of the German Section of the Theosophical Society. It will take place on Sunday, October 22, 1905, in Berlin, at 17 Motzstraße, Wilmersdorf.

Agenda.

I. General meeting of a business nature: Sunday, October 22, 10 a.m.

a) Report of the Secretary General, the Treasurer, the Secretary and the other officials.
b) Report of the auditors.
c) Election of all members of the board.
d) Possible proposals from the Executive Council.
e) A proposal from Mr. Bresch.
f) Other proposals.
g) Miscellaneous.

II. General meeting of a substantive nature: Sunday, October 22, 4 p.m. Presentations and discussions, with a program to be announced later.

Hoping to be able to greet as many of our dear members as possible on the day mentioned above in Berlin,

With theosophical greetings
I.
Dr. Rudolf Steiner
General Secretary of the German Section.

Read by Dr. Otto Schrader. Translated by Marie Steiner for the thirtieth Anniversary and Convention of the TS, 1905

To the President-Founder, TS: - With my fraternal and most cordial greeting I have pleasure in submitting to you the Annual Report of the German Section TS.

New Branches have been formed in Berlin (Besant Lodge), Karlsruhe, two new branches in Stuttgart (so that we have three branches in this town) and in Freiburg im Breisgau. Besides we have worked in St. Gallen, Zurich and Basel (Switzerland) and in Heidelberg, Frankfort on the Main, Bonn, Jena and a number of other towns. Although there are not yet branches in these places we have there friends who are interested and the formation of several new branches is expected.

The total number of branches in Germany and German Switzerland is now 18; 137 new members have joined during the year; three have died; seven have resigned, so that the net increase amounts to 127 members. The effective number of members is 377.

The review, Luzifer - Gnosis, that appears in Berlin under the editorship of Dr. Rudolf Steiner has now begun its third annual course; it tries to advance the interest in our movement by dealing in the most manifold way with all theosophical questions. Its influence is evidently increasing. The Vâhan can henceforth no more be regarded as a magazine representative of our Society, as its editor, Herr Richard Bresch, has left the TS. A new book of Dr. Steiner will appear in a short time under the title: «Introduction into the Secret Science.» — The following translations have been published : «The Path of Discipleship,» by A. Besant, and, «The Story of the Year,» by M. Collins. There has also appeared a work of Dr. Steiner dealing, from the theosophical point of view, with «Schiller and our Age.»

I have tried also during this year to work for the propagation of the theosophical movement, through a great number of lectures in many towns of Germany and Switzerland.

Despite all the difficulties existing in Germany we can hope, on the ground of the results obtained and the experiences made, for good results in the future. Our Annual Convention on the 22nd of October has shown that the theosophical thought is deeply rooted in the minds of our members. A numerically small opposition against some measures of the leaders of the TS has been energetically thrown back.

The General Secretary of the three years’ old Section, Dr. Rudolf Steiner, has been re-elected for three other years. As Assistant Secretary he will be helped as hitherto by Fräulein Marie von Sivers. As members of the Executive Committee there have been chosen besides, Herr G. Wagner, Herr B. Hubo, Herr L. Deinhard, Frau H. Lübke, Fräulein $. Stinde, Fräulein M. Scholl, Herr M. Bauer, Herr A. Kolbe, Herr F. Seiler, Herr H. Ahner, Herr F. Kiem.

We send our warmest greetings to all brothers in India and especially to our revered President.

Dr. Rudolf Steiner,
General Secretary.

Dear Friends,

The President-Founder of the Theosophical Society has sent the following executive note to me as the General Secretary of the German Section, asking me to communicate its contents to the members.

"Serious accusations made by the Executive Committee of the American Section of the Theosophical Society against Mr. C. Leadbeater have prompted the President-Founder to convene a meeting on May 16 in London, at which the entire Executive Committee of the British Section and delegates from the American and French Sections were present. It was to be discussed with the President what measures should be taken.

After careful consideration of the accusations, and after Mr. Leadbeater's verbal statement had been taken into account, the following resolution was adopted:

“Having considered the charges preferred against Mr. C.W. Leadbeater and having heard his defense, the Committee unanimously recommends to the President the acceptance of Leadbeater's resignation, which he had already tendered prior to any action of the Committee.”

Mr. Leadbeater's membership of the Theosophical Society thus ceases, as does his mandate as a presidential delegate.

H.S. Olcott President T.S.

Dear Friends!

The above document contains an important message for the members of the Theosophical Society, which is somewhat brief. Mr. Leadbeater is not only a member of the Society; he is one of the most outstanding propagators of the Theosophical worldview. His books have become a guide to Theosophy and a guide within it for many. He has numerous disciples who follow his direction. He has just completed a long lecture tour, during which he achieved significant things for the Theosophical movement in America and Australia. And now, immediately afterwards, “serious accusations” are being made by the American section, the section within which he had just been working so energetically.

In view of this situation, I must concede to the members of the German Section the right to demand an explanation from me as General Secretary regarding these facts. It is indeed repeatedly emphasized from many sides that the Theosophical Society in its aims and tasks should not be confused with the achievements of some of its members. On the other hand, however, it cannot be denied that the Society's overall activity is composed of the work of its individual members, and that it cannot be unimportant if trust in outstanding work must suffer a severe shock from facts of the kind communicated in the President's circular. For with this trust in the workers, surely that in their achievements also falls away. And these achievements form the true living content of the Society. They are the means by which the Society is to fulfill a great task, from which its members want to draw spiritual nourishment. The Society certainly cannot live on the ever-recurring enumeration of the “three basic goals” that are supposed to stand higher than any achievement of individuals.

But there are reasons for not talking in a circular about the things about which some of our American members have made serious accusations against Mr. Leadbeater, and because of which the members of the Executive Committee of the British Section and some delegates of the French and American Sections felt obliged to give their consent to the acceptance of Mr. Leadbeater's resignation.

I myself can now speak all the more impartially about this case of Leadbeater's, because from the point of view of occultism, which I have to represent, I have always had to reject the methods by which Mr. Leadbeater comes to his occult knowledge and which he also recommends as useful methods for others. I am not saying anything for or against the correctness of what Leadbeater presents as occult truths in his books. It is the case in occultism that someone can come to some correct insights, even though the methods he uses are dangerous and can easily lead astray. So I have to trace the Leadbeater case back to much deeper grounds. At the same time, however, I have to explain that there is almost no guarantee for anyone not to fall into a disastrous aberration if they apply the methods underlying Leadbeater's work. Therefore, because I take this point of view, the Leadbeater case was no surprise to me. But I do not think that anyone who agrees with the methodological basis of Leadbeater's occult research now has any reason to condemn him. Either the circular sent to the members should have clearly stated that the accusations concern matters that have nothing at all to do with occultism, or else Leadbeater's entire occult system falls with him. I am quite clear about the latter; that is why I have explained my point of view to the members of the German Section here instead of making an official statement that is not included in the executive note.

As for the assessment of Mr. Leadbeater as a person, which might be important to some, it may be stated that he has always emphasized the good intention he had in all of this, of which he is accused. And no one has any reasonable grounds for doubting this assertion by Leadbeater. It should also be considered in this matter that a large number of American members of the Theosophical Society have just sent out a circular letter in which they vigorously protest against the action taken against Mr. Leadbeater and in which they strongly demand his reinstatement in all his rights. From this, it could also be concluded that the allegations against Leadbeater can be viewed differently than the American Executive Committee views them, and differently than those who simply adopt the opinion of this committee as their own. ¹

I ask the esteemed members of the German Section not to be unsettled in their commitment to the Theosophical cause, regardless of the consequences of the Leadbeater case; and with that I send warm Theosophical greetings to all our friends.

Dr. Rudolf Steiner,
General Secretary of the German Section.

• 1. For further oral clarification of the matter, I am happy to be of service to any member should the opportunity arise.

Confidential
Berlin, October 17, 1906

To all those who have approached me seeking their esoteric training, I convey my best regards “in spirit and in truth” with the following information.

This message contains things that everyone who strives for esoteric development should make it their duty to observe. They do not belong to the actual meditation, but should be cultivated outside of it. The matter is to be understood in such a way that the esoteric training is only justified if these demands are made of the student at the same time. Only in this case can a good result be achieved.

At the same time it should be pointed out here that patience is necessary for esoteric training. No one should believe that his success will be greater if he impatiently longs for or demands new instructions. Everyone should energetically stick to the instructions given to him; repeat them over and over again until he receives new ones. No one who really needs something will be left unheeded in due time. Whether or not this patience is exercised depends on it.

The disciple should report to me immediately anything he notices or believes he notices in his mental and physical state as a result of the exercises. Likewise, he should seek advice or psychological support in any other way.

Further necessary transmissions will follow in due course. If everything is observed correctly, the masters of truth will guide the student's path.

In this sense
Dr. Rudolf Steiner
Berlin, Motzstraße 17

You will recall that at the last General Assembly, a decision was made to take over the “Theosophical Library”, formerly associated with the “German Theosophical Society”, for the Section.

When we were approached with this proposal by the previous owners, no further conditions were attached.

However, Mr. Paul Krojanker, representing Mr. Graf von Brockdorff, has now confidentially presented me with the following conditions. I would like to note in advance that Mr. Graf von Brockdorff is the representative of the previous owners.

The conditions are as follows:

1) The library shall become the property of the German Section of the Theosophical Society (Adyar), although Graf von Brockdorff, or his representative, shall remain co-owner in such a way that if the Section decides at any time and for any reason that it no longer wishes to maintain the library, ownership shall revert to the aforementioned.

2) The library's headquarters remain in Berlin.

3) The library should be as public as possible.

4) The library is managed by a library commission, which publishes an annual report. It is desirable that this commission include members from the external branches.

5) A capital of 1000 Marks is being handed over with the library, which is to be used only for the purposes of the library, but not for rent and salaries.

It is Count Brockdorff's wish that the writer of this (Mr. Krojanker) should be active in the library commission.

Now I would like to make a proposal to the esteemed board: we simply reject these conditions and declare that we are willing to take over the library and manage it if no further conditions are attached to the transfer, that is, if the board is left entirely to its own devices as to how the library is managed. Of course, the library's capital of 1000M is also part of the library.

Firstly, we did indeed make the decision at the general assembly under this condition. And secondly, we will not get out of the unclear ownership and even more unclear administrative situation if we agree to a half-measure, as proposed to us.

I request that you share your opinion on the matter with me so that I can continue the formal negotiations. Once the ownership structure has been organized, I will take the liberty of making further proposals regarding the establishment, administration, etc. of the library.

With theosophical greetings
signed Dr. Rudolf Steiner

The Theosophical Society (Madras Headquarters) German Section.

To the esteemed members of the German Section of the Theosophical Society.

Dear friends!

The undersigned takes the liberty of inviting you to the fifth general assembly, which will take place on October 21, 1906.

The following will take place:

1. The business part: Sunday, October 21 (Berlin Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17) 10 a.m.

Program.

I. Opening of the meeting and welcoming address by the Secretary General.

II. Reports of the General Secretary, the Treasurer, the Recording Clerk and the Auditors.

III. Discussion about next year's congress of the Federation of European Sections.

IV. Final settlement of the matter of the Library of the German Section of the Theosophical Society.

V. Plenary motions.

VI. Any other business. 2. The Theosophical Program: Sunday, October 21 (Berlin W[ilmersdorf], Motzstraße 17), at 4 p.m.

Program.

1. Free lectures and discussions by members.

2. Free, informal discussion.

Saturday, October 20, at 4 p.m., the regular board meeting will take place (Berlin Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17).

On Saturday, October 20, at 8 p.m., members are invited to Berlin Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17, for free, informal conversation.

The undersigned requests that motions for the General Assembly and registrations from individual members for speeches on Sunday afternoon be submitted by October 15.

With theosophical greetings
he General Secretary
Dr. Rudolf Steiner.

In the days before and after the General Assembly, Dr. Rudolf Steiner will give a series of lectures on important theosophical [topics]. The first is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 20, at 2 p.m. (Berlin Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17). The times of the following lectures will be announced in due course. On Monday, October 22, there will be a lecture by Dr. Steiner at 8 p.m. at the Besant branch in Berlin.

Read by Peter de Abrew, Esq. Translated by Marie Steiner for the thirty-first Anniversary and Convention of the T.S.

To the President-Founder, TS: - With my respectful and fraternal greeting I have pleasure in submitting to you the Annual Report of the German Section TS.

In the course of last year New Branches have been formed in Frankfurt on the Main, Bonn, Heidelberg, Bremen, St. Gallen and Basel (Switzerland); a second branch in Munich; centres in Regensburg, Elberfeld and Esslingen. The Berlin Branch has dissolved, so that the active work in Berlin is carried on by the large Besant Branch. A new lodge is in formation in Kassel.

The total number of Branches in Berlin is now 24, and 3 centres. 237 members have joined the Section during the year; 7 have died, 11 resigned or dropped and 5 passed over to other Sections. So that the net increase amounts to 214. The effective number of members at the last Convention was 591.

The lecture-work of Dr. Rudolf Steiner in Germany and Switzerland has been continued in the same intensive way as in the last year. Besides these have been introduced series of daily lectures held by Dr. Steiner in various towns that have proved very effective, because, apart from the stimulation given by single lectures, they make it possible to develop to a larger audience a total picture of theosophical philosophy. Such series of lectures have been developed thus far in Leipzig, Stuttgart and Munich. Great stress is put, in the German Section, upon the fact that the Society should not only grow through the increase of its members, but that the theosophical philosophy should spread though an intensive lecturing activity. This is the best way of doing propaganda here. And through this way of working, the movement advances here despite the difficulties.

The Review edited by Dr. Rudolf Steiner, Luzifer Gnosis, has continued its task. It has considerably gained in expansion.

A new Sectional organ has been founded under the title Mitteilungen; it is edited by Miss Scholl.

From outward literature there have been translated: Mrs. Besant’s «Study of Consciousness» by Mr. G. Wagner; «New Psychology» by Mrs. Leibke; Ed. [Schuré's] «Les Grands Initiés» by Fräulein von Sivers.

The number of steady workers has been increased through Mrs. E. Wolfram in Leipzig, who spreads the theosophical ideas in Leipzig through good lectures.

The Fourth Annual Convention was held in Berlin, on October 22nd and 23rd. For the Executive Committee, besides the members named in our last report, Mrs. E. Wolfram has been chosen.

We shall make ourselves ready for a worthy celebration of the Congress of the European Federation, which is to be held in Munich, at Whitsuntide, May 19th.

‘We send our warmest greetings to all brothers in India and especially to our revered President.

Dr. Rudolf Steiner,
General Secretary.

Dear Friends!

I request that you read the enclosed letter in the local lodge as soon as possible. I will soon initiate the election process in the statutory manner and in doing so, I will request the appropriate support of the branch council.

With theosophical greetings
Dr. Rudolf Steiner

We have heard Olcott's last earthly wish in a letter that he recently sent to the secretaries general of the sections. He has proposed our much-admired Mrs. Besant as his successor.

The General Secretary of the German Section will now take the necessary steps in accordance with the statutes in good time to ensure that the election process in our section proceeds in accordance with the regulations.

All members will receive the relevant documents.

With theosophical greetings
Dr. Rudolf Steiner