The History of the German Section
of the Theosophical Society
1902–1913
GA 250
30 October 1904, Berlin
Translated by Steiner Online Library
16. Annual Meeting of the Theosophical Society, October 29 and 30, 1904, Berlin
Report presumably by Rudolf Steiner in “Luzifer – Gnosis,” No. 19/1904
[ 1 ] The German Section of the “Theosophical Society” (headquarters in Adyar) held its annual meeting on October 29 and 30. The German branches were represented in part by personal delegates (Berlin, Charlottenburg, Cologne, Weimar, Leipzig, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart), and in part (Düsseldorf, Dresden, Hanover, Nuremberg) by appointed representatives. The following were newly elected to the Executive Committee: Miss Stinde (Munich), Mr. Arenson (Cannstatt), and Mr. Seiler (Berlin). Membership has risen from 130 to 261 since October 1, 1903. A particular item on the agenda was the Society’s stance toward the “theosophical” societies in Germany, which have not yet realized that it is impossible for divisions and antagonisms to prevail in a society founded on the principle of brotherhood. Since these societies were all established in accordance with the model of the main society founded in Adyar, they alone—and not the main society—are responsible for the divisions. It was now decided, in full accordance with the principle of brotherhood, to deal with these societies in a businesslike manner, but not to participate in any way in their organizations, whatever form they may take. The motion, which was adopted by the General Assembly, reads: “The General Assembly of the German Section of the Theosophical Society, held on October 30, 1904, resolves not to participate in any undertaking initiated by other so-called theosophical societies, and considers it the duty of each individual branch to act in the same manner. Any participation can therefore only be a private matter for individual members.”
[ 2 ] The Executive Committee of the German Section of the Theosophical Society currently consists of: Dr. Rudolf Steiner (General Secretary), Marie von Sivers (Berlin, Motzstr. 17, Secretary), Julius Engel (Charlottenburg), Richard Bresch (Leipzig), Bernhard Hubo (Hamburg), Helene Lübke (Weimar), Sophie Stinde (Munich), Ludwig Deinhard (Munich), Adolf Arenson (Cannstatt-Stuttgart), Mathilde Scholl (Cologne), Franz Seiler (Berlin), Günther Wagner (Lugano), Adolf Kolbe (Hamburg).
[ 3 ] On October 29, there was an open discussion among the members. On October 30, starting at 4:00 p.m., lectures were held: I. Mr. Richard Bresch (Leipzig) gave a thought-provoking talk on: “Should We Teach Theosophy to Young People?” II. Dr. Rudolf Steiner gave a lecture titled “On the Nature of Clairvoyance.”