The Rudolf Steiner Archive

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.

Read by W. D. Panday. Translated by Marie Steiner for the thirty-second Anniversary and Convention of the T.S., 1907

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

In the course of last year new Branches have been formed in Kassel, in Munich (a third one besides the two already existing), in Düsseldorf (a second one, Blavatsky Lodge, besides the one already existing); the Centres Elberfeld and Esslingen have constituted themselves as Branches.

The total number of Branches is now 28 and one Centre. 303 members have joined the Section during the year; 12 have resigned, 19 dropped out, 4 died, 2 passed over to other Sections. So that the net increase amounts to 266. The effective number of members at the last Convention was 872.

A principal part in the Section’s activity of this year belongs to the work for the Congress of the Federation of European Sections, that was held in Munich on May 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st.

The lecture-work of Dr. Rudolf Steiner has been continued in the same intensive way as in the last year. Besides single lectures given by him in many towns, this year whole series of daily lectures were organised; they prove very useful, because the members that attend them get a total and well-linked exposition of theosophical world-conception. Such series of lectures took place this year in Munich, Kassel and Hannover. Besides visiting various towns in Germany and Switzerland, Dr. Rudolf Steiner lectured in Vienna and Budapest. Lectures were also given by Michael Bauer, Mathilde Scholl, F. Schwab, and Elise Wolfram. An active worker who is particularly able in scientific explanation of Theosophy is developing in Dr. Carl Unger.

Particular stress is laid, in Dr. Rudolf Steiner’s lectures, upon the necessity of rigorously binding the occult side of Theosophy to the logical, scientific one, and he seeks to destroy the wide-spread prejudice that Theosophy is leading to vague psychism.

We had the joy of listening to a lecture of Mrs. Besant in Munich, on May 27th, «Exertion and Destiny.»

The review, Luzifer - Gnosis, edited by Dr. Rudolf Steiner, has been continued and gains in expansion.

The sectional organ, Mitteilungen, communicating to members business notices and the activities of the Lodges, has been carried on along its old lines.

There have been published in the course of the year: Blood is a particular fluid, an esoteric treatise; The Lord’s Prayer, an esoteric treatise by Dr. Rudolf Steiner. Then his Education of the Child from the standpoint of Spiritual Science, and Pictures of occult Seals and Columns (with an introduction by Dr. Rudolf Steiner). The latter is a reproduction of the occult decoration of the Congress-Hall in Munich.

The fifth annual Convention was held in Berlin on October 19th, 20th and 21st. Instead of Mr. Bernhard Hubo, who to our regret tended his resignation from the Executive Committee, Mr. Wilhelm Tessmar (Berlin) was chosen.

After the success which our work has had in this year, we may hope for further good progress.

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

Dr. Rudolf Steiner,
General Secretary.

Translated by Marie Steiner for the thirty-third Anniversary and Convention of the T.S., 1908

To the President, TS: - With the expression of heartiest respect and with fraternal greetings I have the honour to submit to you the Annual Report of the German Theosophical Society.

The theosophical cause in Germany has made in the course of the present year very satisfactory progress. The working field has been widened through the foundation of nine new lodges, and the work in the existent lodges has been deepened. The new lodges are those of Bern, Eisenach, Wiesbaden, Mannheim, Strassburg, Pforzheim, Zürich, Bielefeld, Malsch. Charlottenburg lodge, having been dormant for some years, has dissolved.

The total number of lodges is now 37, and one centre. 336 members have joined the Section during the year; 10 have died, 21 resigned, 4 passed over to other Sections and 23 dropped out. The net increase amounts to 278. The effective number of members at the last Convention was 1150.

The lecture work of Dr. Rudolf Steiner has been continued in the same intensive way, and the subjects concerning Theosophy and Occultism have been deepened more and more. At public lectures, questions of a more and more difficult character can now be treated. In many towns an increasing growth of interest for Theosophy can be observed also, from the side of those that for various reasons cannot enter the Society. The number also of those listeners is increasing steadily.

Of particular importance for the deepening of the work is the fact that Dr. Steiner, besides his single lectures, held a number of lecture-series, which were organised in Bâle, Cologne, Hamburg, Nurnberg, Stuttgart, and Leipzig, and were very well attended, in Stuttgart more than 300 members were assembled. We have also the pleasure of seeing amidst us members from other Sections.

Further progress is to be seen in the work which is done in Munich for the popularisation of the theosophical cause. The untiring activity of Frl. Stinde and Countess Kalckreuth brought into life a particular Institution for the popularisation of Theosophy. In the so-called «Rooms for art and music,» artistic productions and an elementary exposition of Theosophy are given to the lower classes of the population; these gatherings are very well attended. By these means an interest in spiritual life is awakened in the broad masses of the population. Dr. Peipers, Baroness Gumppenberg, and other members are helping to realise this aim in a very beneficent way through lectures, magic-lantern pictures, etc.

In another way also an effort has been made to build a bridge between Theosophy and the spiritual life of the time. During the lecture series such musical performances and recitations are given as organically fit into the frame of theosophical work. Frl. v. Sivers’ art in recitation was a beautiful contribution to these performances.

An important progress lies in the intensive way with which in some places special departments of Theosophy are carried on. Thus, Dr. Unger works untiringly in Stuttgart through lectures and otherwise in trying to establish the philosophical basis of Theosophy. Frl. Völker does the same for its mystical side. Frau Wolfram in Leipzig has chosen a special field in the interpretation of legends and myths. In Berlin, classes are held by Frau Wandrey, Mlle. Boesé, Herr Walther and Herr G. Wagner. Only the characteristic sides of our work can be mentioned here by some examples.

Dr. Steiners’ efforts tend towards putting Theosophy on the broadest basis possible. The philosophical, scientific and religious elements find full consideration, as well as the occult element standing in the centre; while it is pointed out that the one-sidedness of lower psychism is to be avoided.

The magazine, Luzifer - Gnosis, edited by Dr. Steiner and appearing at irregular intervals, gains in expansion. The Sectional organ, Mitteilungen, appears in the same way as before.

The Sixth Annual Convention was held in Berlin on October 25th and 26th. For the Executive Committee the following members were chosen: Dr. Rudolf Steiner (General Secretary), Herr Franz Seiler (Treasurer), Frl. v. Sivers (Sectional Secretary), Günther Wagner, Bernhard Hubo, Mathilde Scholl, Adolf Kolbe, Adolf Arenson, Sophie Stinde, Friedrich Kiem, Michael Bauer, Elise Wolfram, Dr. E. Grosheintz, Dr. Carl Unger, Friedrich Tessmar.

In this year too we may say that the progress made gives us the best hope for the future. We send our warmest greetings to all brothers in India.

Dr. Rudolf Steiner,
General Secretary.

Translated by Marie Steiner for the thirty-fourth Anniversary and Convention of the T.S., 1909

To the President, TS: - With the expression of heartiest respect and with fraternal greetings, I have the honour to submit to you the Annual Report of the Theosophical Society in Germany.

The Theosophical movement in Germany has made very satisfactory progress this year also. Seven new Branches have been founded, and in the old Branches the work has been continued, so that there is a progressive development and intensity in the domain of knowledge and Theosophical life, as well as an increase in the number of members and working capacities. Feeling the dignity of the Theosophical spirit in public work, we have laid stress principally upon quiet persistence, and this has succeeded in attracting an ever increasing number of hearers to our public lectures, although we severely refrain from anything which could have a likeness to objectionable advertisement. New Branches have been founded in Breslau, Mühlhausen, Essen, Koblenz, Dresden, Strassburg and Munich. The total number of Branches is now 44, and two Centres. 415 members have joined the Section during the year, 6 have died, 35 resigned or dropped and 29 passed over to other Sections. The net increase amounts to 350. The effective number of members at the last Convention of the Section was 1500. The lecture work of Dr. Rudolf Steiner has continued in the same intensive way as before, and particular stress has been laid on lifting Theosophical philosophy and questions of Occultism into the higher regions, in building up the fundamental principles of knowledge, which had been given out during the past years in the most various directions, and in infusing this knowledge into the manifold departments of practical life. Having organised, besides single lectures, an always growing number of lecture-series, it has been the more possible to deepen and widen the subjects. These lecture-series gain always much sympathy; in the course of this year we had five of them in Germany and Switzerland: in Düsseldorf, Kassel, Munich, Bâle and Berlin. The presence of many members from other countries gave us warm pleasure. In Munich the number of attendants was about 600. The value of these lecture-series is corroborated by the fact that Theosophical friends from abroad invited Dr. Rudolf Steiner to give them in their countries; they were held in Rome, Christiania and Budapest.

The representation of Edouard Schur@’s drama, The Children of Lucifer, which was given in connexion with the lecture-series of Munich, and only for the 600 friends of the Theosophical Society, was of particular importance. This performance may perhaps be considered as something deserving attention, because Dr. Rudolf Steiner wished to give in the scenical management an example of artistic performance according to the severest Theosophical principles. Only members of the Theosophical Society worked at the painting of decorations and scenic pictures. The actors too were all members of our Society. The principal parts were entrusted to Herr Doser, Frl. von Sivers and Dr. Peipers. Mr. Schuré gave us the great pleasure of his presence at the performance and also at the following lecture-series. The members of Munich, especially Countess Kalckreuth and Frl. Stinde, deserve our warmest thanks for the great amount of work which they have done in order to make possible this difficult representation.

We are also progressing in the popularisation of the Theosophical Spiritual movement through the so called «Rooms for Art and Music.» The room in Munich, mentioned in our last report, has continued its work under the guidance of Countess Kalckreuth and Frl. Stinde; a new one has been founded in Berlin under the care of Mr. Günther Wagner, and with the help of Frl. von Sivers, Frau von Sonklar, Baroness Lichtenberg, Frl. von Eckardstein, and many other Berlin members. Artistic and musical productions are offered to all classes of the population; myths and fairy-tales are treated from the Theosophical point of view, and popular Theosophy is explained.

It may be particularly noticed that the fruits of our Theosophical labor show themselves more and more in the special departments of science and life. Thus, Dr. C. Unger not only develops an intensive activity in the lecture-field, but builds up philosophy in a Theosophical spirit. Dr. Peipers displays a rich activity in making use of our Theosophical knowledge in the department of theoretical and practical medicine. The progress of our activity shows itself also in the increasing number of lecturers. Active in this respect have been Mrs. Wolfram, Mr. Michael Bauer, Mrs. Wandrey, Mrs. Reif-Busse, Mr. Walther, Mr. Schwab, Mr. Adolf Arenson, Miss Völker, and others who lectured in more intimate circles.

The magazine, Luzifer - Gnosis, continues and gains in expansion, although through the unceasing lecture-activity of Dr. Rudolf Steiner a great pause had unfortunately to be made in its appearance; but a second edition of the former numbers has been rapidly exhausted. The sectional-organ Mitteilungen appears in the same way as before.

The Seventh Annual Convention, hold in Berlin on October 23rd, 24th, and 25th, was numerously attended. Dr. Rudolf Steiner delivered on this occasion a series of lectures on «Anthroposophie.»

We look forward with the best hopes to the New Year. We send our warmest greetings to the revered President and to all brothers in India.

Dr. Rudolf Steiner,
General Secretary.

Translated by Marie Steiner for the thirty-fifth Anniversary and Convention of the T.S., 1910

To the President, TS: - With the expression of heartiest respect and with fraternal greetings, I have the honor to submit to you the Annual Report of the Theosophical Society in Germany. In the course of the present year the Theosophical cause in Germany has made again very satisfactory progress. 3 new Lodges have been founded, and the work in the old Lodges has been continued in such a way, that old members could penetrate more and more deeply into Theosophical Science and life, whilst younger members had the possibility of building up Theosophical knowledge and feeling from the bottom. The number of listeners at our public lectures has been increasing steadily, so that it may be said the Theosophical movement in Germany succeeds in producing a favourable impression upon the outer world and in awakening comprehension also in those who do not yet belong to the Society. New Lodges have been founded in Görlitz, Vienna, Klagenfurt. The total number of Lodges is now 47, and 3 Centres. 522 members have joined the Section during the year, 8 have died, 63 have dropped or resigned, 1 has passed to another Section. The net increase amounts to 450. The effective number of members at the last Convention of the Section (end of October) was 1950.

This year too, the lecture-work of Dr. Rudolf Steiner has been continued with activity. Higher problems indeed could be treated in the Lodges, thanks to the preparatory work of former years. The outlook of occult sciences in the most various directions has been widened. In Order to give the necessary solidity to the treatment of the subjects, not only single lectures were given, but, just as in former years, lecture-series. Such series of lectures have taken place this year in Vienna, Hamburg, Munich, and Berne. They were found so useful that Theosophical friends from abroad arranged them this year, as they did in previous years. They took place in Stockholm, Copenhagen, Christiania. It was possible for Dr. Steiner to lecture again during his short stay in Italy, in Milan, Rome and Palermo. The lecture-series which Dr. Steiner gave in Munich in August was preceded as last year by the performance of Ed. Schuré's drama, The Children of Lucifer. This year we could bring forth not only the repetition of this drama, but could risk the performance of Dr. Steiner’s Rosicrucian Mystery-Drama, The Portals of Initiation. Again the whole scenic work was done by members of our Society (painters, sculptors, etc.), and the acting itself was entrusted to members alone. The scenic management was directed again by Dr. Steiner himself. It would be impossible to mention the names of all those who worked with devotion at these performances, the preparation of which «behind the stage» took many weeks. Only the principal actors shall be mentioned: Frl. Waller, Frl. v. Sivers, Herr Doser, Dr. Peipers and Herr Seiling had the principal parts in Dr. Steiner’s drama. The painters, Herr Volckert, Herr Hass, Herr Linde, worked at the decorations, and Frl. v. Eckardstein’s genial artistic many-sidedness came to expression in scenic pictures, where particular stress was put upon plastic art and the effect of colors. Countess Kalckreuth and Frl. Stinde deserve special thanks, as their selflessly devoted activity alone makes such an enterprise possible. Particular thanks are deserved by Mr. Ad. Arenson, who made the profoundly impressive music for the mystery play.

The activity of members in lecturing and holding classes, progressed also in a healthy way. Lecture-work is done by Dr. Unger, whose philosophic thought-work is put in a self-dependent way into the Service and for the great benefit of the Theosophical movement; it was done by Frl. v. Sivers, Frau Wolfram, Frau Wandrey, Herr Walther, Herr G. Wagner, Frau v. Reden, Herr M. Bauer, Herr Adolf Arenson, Herr Schwab, Frl. Völker, Frau ReifBusse, Herr v. Rainer, Frl. Stinde, Frau v. Gumppenberg, Frau Peelen, Frl. Scholl and others.

The work in the «Rooms for Art and Music,» which was described in the last Report, has been continued, and in Stuttgart and Berlin new Rooms have been opened.

The Magazine, Luzifer - Gnosis, edited by Dr. Steiner, cannot be continued regularly by reason of the overburdening of the editor with work in the service of the Society, but it gains in expansion, because new editions of the old numbers are continually made. It is hoped that it will soon be possible to issue new numbers. The affairs of the Section are dealt with in the Mitteilungen, edited by Frl. Scholl.

The Convention of the Section was largely attended, and took place on the 29th, 30th, and 31st of October, in Berlin. It was followed by a series of lectures delivered by Dr. Rudolf Steiner, on «Psychosophy,» and attended by nearly all members who had come to the Convention. We therefore can look forward with good hopes to the New Year. We send the warmest greetings to our revered President and to the brothers in India.

Dr. Rudolf Steiner,
General Secretary.

Marie Steiner for the thirty-sixth Anniversary and Convention of the T.S, 1911.

To the President, TS: - With the expression of heartiest respect and with fraternal greetings, I have the honour to submit to you the Annual Report of the Theosophical Society in Germany. This year too the Section has progressed along those lines that have proved successful for the strengthening of Theosophical life. In the different Lodges, to which 5 new ones have been added this year, the work and the understanding of Theosophical thought and a corresponding attitude of mind have been deepened. At the public lectures also the number of the listeners and a deeper interest are continually growing. New Lodges have been founded in Linz, Graz, Tübingen, Heidenheim, Bochum.¹ The total number of Lodges is now 52 and there are 4 centres. 400 members have entered during the year, 14 have died, 49 dropped or resigned. The net increase amounts to 337. The effective number of members is now 2287.

This year too the lecture-work of Dr. Rudolf Steiner has been continued in the same way as in the preceding years. The Problems could be deepened and widened at the single lectures as well as at lectures-series. Such series took place in Stuttgart, Prague, Munich and Karlsruhe. Single lectures have been held nearly in all towns where the Section has Lodges, and also in some other towns, for instance in Trieste. During the Annual Convention of the Scandinavian Section, Dr. R. Steiner delivered 4 lectures in Copenhagen.

The activity of our other lecturing members becomes also wider. Dr. Carl Unger is building up a philosophical foundation of Theosophical thought and finds an always increasing number of auditors. Herr Adolf Arenson displays a beneficent activity in the spreading of our worldconception. From Stuttgart, where she is doing excellent work, Miss Völker is bringing spiritual food to other Lodges. In Munich the work of Miss Stinde and Baroness Gumppenberg increases with every year. In Nürnberg and in other Lodges activity is kept up by Michael Bauer. In Vienna and Linz work is done by Frau Reif-Busse, in Leipzig by Frau Wolfram. In Hamburg Frau Camilla Wandrey has been displaying a useful activity and has visited from there other places. It is impossible to designate in particular the work of other members. As lecturers may also be named, Herr Walther, Herr v. Rainer, Herr Uehli, Frl. Scholl, Frau v. Reden, Frau Peelen and others. There are many workers in the different Lodges who work actively for the expansion and deepening of Theosophical life. It seems particularly significant, that by applying the principles of Theosophy to healing, as Dr. Peipers is doing in Munich, our world-conception is penetrating into other departments of our civilised life.

Progress in our work can be also noticed by the fact, that the lecture-series, which Dr. Rudolf Steiner held in Munich in August, has been preceded this time not only by two but by three festival performances. Edouard Schuré's Sacred Drama of Eleusis, and Rudolf Steiner’s two works, Portal of Initiation and Probation of the Soul, have been performed. Just as in the preceding years, the acting and the preparation of the whole scenic management was done exclusively by our members under the direction of Dr. Steiner. We must think with gratitude of the devoted work of the dramatic members like Frl. v. Sivers, Frl. Waller, Herr Doser, Herr Seiling, Dr. Peipers, and many others, of the genial artistic achievements of Baroness Eckardtstein; of the musical work of Adolf Arenson; of the scenic decorations of Herr Volkert, Herr Hass, Herr Linde; of the organising work of Frl. Stinde and Countess Kalkreuth.

With profound satisfaction it must still be mentioned that the intense and comprehensive work of our members in Stuttgart has led to the result, that in this town the three Lodges will be able to display their activity in their own house. Through the munificence of one of the members and the sacrifices of others, we were able to lay this year in January the foundation stone of the Theosophical home of Stuttgart and on the 15th of October the inauguration took place in the presence of numerous German and foreign friends. The inner decoration of the house is strictly done according to occult principles; the house is built with deep Theosophical comprehension by our member, the architect Herr Schmid.

The Annual Convention of the Section will be held in Berlin between the 10th and 16th of December.

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

Dr. Rudolf Steiner,
General Secretary.

• 1. Besides the Lodge Neuchâtel, founded by us in Switzerland.

Translated by Marie Steiner for the thirty-seventh Anniversary and Convention of the T.S., 1912

To the President, TS: - The undersigned has the honour to present herewith the annual report of the Theosophical Society in Germany.

This year also our work has gone along the same lines and in the same manner, as since the foundation of the German Section. In the various Lodges, to which 3 new ones have been added, the work was done in such a way that knowledge, as well as the deepening and ennobling of life, have been aspired to. And one can distinctly see how the public lectures, as well as the other activities emanating from our Society, find an ever-growing wider comprehension in broader circles of the population. New Lodges have been founded in Augsburg, Erfurt and Hamburg. One Lodge dissolved. The total number of Lodges is now 55, and there are besides 4 (or 3) Centres. 293 members entered during the year; 14 died, 90 have resigned or dropped; 29 have gone over to other Sections; the net increase being thus 160.

The lecture-work of Dr. Rudolf Steiner went on this year as in former years. Lecture-series were held by him in Hannover, Helsingfors, Norrköping, Stockholm, Christiania, Munich and Bâle. Single lectures were given by him in most of the Lodges of our Section and were also held abroad. Dr. Carl Unger’s work for the building up of a philosophical foundation of the Theosophical work has been vigorously continued. His efforts too were directed in the same direction as before. Herr Adolf Arenson and Fräulein Toni Völker work with devotion in Stuttgart and its environment. So do Fräulein Stinde and Baroness Gumppenberg in Munich, Michael Bauer in Nürnberg, Frau Wolfram in Leipzig, Frl. Scholl in Cöln, Frau Wandrey in Hamburg. All these unwearingly affective members try to serve in the most intense manner the ideal of strengthening Theosophical knowledge and Theosophical life. At present the number of members that have entered into the ranks of those that have put their work into the Service of our cause by lectures, effective service of humanity and other different ways, is very large, and it is not possible even to name each single one in this report. Dr. Peiper’s activity as healer and lecturer in Munich, Frl. Stinde and Countess Kalckreuth’s unwearying activity for the spreading of spiritual life in the lower classes of the population, the activity in word and deed of Herr Walther, Frau v. Reden, Frl. Vreede, Herr v. Rainer, Frau ReifBusse and many others, have helped in the most different directions to deepen our thoughts, and to implant them in an effective way into the life of the soul and also into practical life.

The fertility of our work on the line of mystery-representations in Munich showed itself this year not only through the ever-increasing number of visitors, but also in that we were allowed to offer besides the repetition of the mysteries already performed, «The Holy Drama of Eleusis» by Eduard Schur&, «The Portals of Initiation» and «The Probation of the Soul» by Rudolf Steiner, a fourth performance of a similar kind, «The Guardian of the Threshold». Of those that are active in this work and have already been named formerly in his report, of Frl. v. Sivers, Frl. Waller, Herr Doser, Herr Seiling, Dr. Peipers and many others, of Baroness Eckhardstein as artistic moulder of the scenic pictures, of our painters Herr Hass, Herr Linde, Herr Volkert, as shapers of the decorative work, of them all I will only say, that with the increase of work, their devotion and self-surrender have increased.

On the whole it may be said, that our work progresses in the line designated by the fact, that within our field of activity a great number of persons have found in Theosophy the inmost impulse of their life.

We send our best greetings to the President and to the brothers in India.

Dr. Rudolf Steiner,
General Secretary.

To the branch:

Most honored Sir!

By the deed of foundation of July 22, 1902, President H.S. Olcott has approved the founding of a German section of the “Theosophical Society”. He also instructed me by a special letter (dated July 22) to take the initiative in founding this section.

It is understandable that I myself, at this moment of foundation, feel compelled to address a few words to the brothers in the branches. This is all the more understandable as I have every reason to say how aware I am that the prospect of the post of Secretary General has given me a very special trust. I am also aware of the great responsibility that this office places on me.

I had to do some serious soul-searching when I was asked to take up the post. Above all, I had to ask myself whether I was allowed to accept such an office, given my short affiliation with the Theosophical Society.

My reasons cannot be misunderstood by the Theosophists to whom I speak. The time when I joined the “Theosophical Society” was for me the end point of many years of inner development. I joined no earlier than when I knew that the spiritual forces I had to serve were present in the “Theosophical Society”. And from that moment on, it was completely clear to me that I should belong to the Theosophical Society. I did not need to say that if the members of the German branches of the “Theosophical Society” consider me worthy, I not only may, but must follow their call. To the Theosophists I say that my personality is no more decisive for my decision in this direction than it will ever be in the future in the conduct of my office. I want to “serve” in the sense that one of our best German Theosophists will express in a forthcoming writing.

For those who have only recently joined the “Theosophical Society”, especially for those who are still doubtful in themselves whether it is the right thing to join our Society, which H. $. Olcott founded in association with H. P. Blavatsky, and at the head of which the former still stands; or whether it is not better, or just as good, to join another so-called “Theosophical Society”; for them I remark the following. The proof that we as the German section of the “Theosophical Society” will achieve what every true Theosophist wants to achieve - more or less consciously - can only be provided by our future work. In this respect, joining us is certainly a matter of trust for many at present. I myself know that there are forces within the “Theosophical Society” to achieve what we are striving for. I have known this since I joined, and my presence at the last annual meeting (July 1902) in London, where I was able to approach the leading personalities, was a new affirmation for me.

Whether we will achieve what we are called to do within the German-speaking population will depend on the trust that will be placed in us, and no less on how our work is received. We ourselves will serve no one other than the spiritual powers that guide us. What we have to give in our “service” cannot be revealed by the day, but only by time.

Just one more word. If the German section of the “Theosophical Society” is to accomplish what it is called upon to do in view of the present spiritual conditions and the “signs of the times” in German-speaking regions, then it needs a Theosophical monthly. It will be my task to establish such a publication. I can only give the assurance here that I see the necessity of such a journal, and ask you all to accept this journal as the organ of the German section of the “Theosophical Society”.

With the highest esteem and fraternal greetings
Dr. Rudolf Steiner
Friedenau-Berlin, Kaiserallee 95

Dear Friends and Brothers!

I hereby take the liberty of informing you that the first statutory General Assembly of the German Section of the Theosophical Society will take place on October 18 and 19 of this year. I take the liberty of suggesting the program on the attached sheet.

Hoping to be able to greet you on this occasion,

with theosophical greetings,
yours,
Dr. Rudolf Steiner
General Secretary of the German Section of the Theosophical Society
currently Schlachtensee near Berlin, Seestraße 40.

Annual General Meeting of the German Section of the Theosophical Society.

Location: Berlin Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17. Garden house, 2 flights of stairs.

Sunday, 11 a.m.: preliminary discussion of the board.

In the evening at 7 p.m.: objective conference of the members present on pending theosophical questions (in this part, nothing business-related is to be discussed, but topics from the fields of theosophy and occultism are to be dealt with in a congress-like form. Everyone who wants to speak should be given the floor).

Monday, October 19, 10 a.m.: Annual General Meeting, business reports, proposals and communications.

At 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, before the conference begins, Dr. Rudolf Steiner will give a lecture on “Occult Historical Research with Special Regard to the Present.” Please send announcements of further lectures to the Secretary General, who will then communicate the relevant information in a further circular letter.

Dear friends and brothers!

I hereby take the liberty of extending to you the fraternal greetings of the German Section of the Theosophical Society. The General Assembly of the German Section, which met in Berlin on October 18 and 19, has authorized me to convey these greetings to you.

In brotherly faith, the General Secretary of the German Section, Berlin Wilmersdorf, Motzstraße 17.