The History of the German Section
of the Theosophical Society
1902–1913
GA 250
2 June 1906, Paris
Translated by Steiner Online Library
26. On the Leadbeater Case
Oral address by Rudolf Steiner to the German-speaking participants at the Theosophical Congress
[ 1 ] On June 2, 1906, at half past ten, Dr. Steiner gathered the Germans who were present to make an official announcement.
[ 2 ] It was the devastating news that Leadbeater had been compelled to resign from the Society. Dr. Steiner did not want us to enter the Congress without being aware of this. What he was able to tell us about this sad incident was as follows. Serious accusations against Leadbeater had been received from America, prompting Olcott to convene a committee consisting of French and English members and Mr. Leadbeater. He was called upon to answer for himself before this forum. The conclusion was that he was asked to announce his resignation, which he did willingly. Since this is a very important matter for our Society, Dr. Steiner invited us on the 7th [of June] to discuss this matter once more after the Congress, which we then did at length. The first question that arose was: [If] Leadbeater has fallen from grace, what are we then to make of his writings, which have served as our guide until now? — Here we must first bear in mind that what is given to us in the writings of the occultists is not to be regarded as revelations or dogma, but as accounts of personal experiences.
[ 3 ] The question is not yet ripe for a definitive conclusion on this matter. In examining it, it is important to separate the work from the person and not to condemn both together.
[ 4 ] The fact of the expulsion is established. It took place on May 16, 1906, in London. Formally, according to the Society’s bylaws, no charges can be brought against Olcott.
[ 5 ] The society’s guiding principle is that an individual’s private life is none of the society’s business. The question, therefore, is whether his actions are related to his public activities, whether he has caused a public scandal. Through this matter, society has created a situation in which people can say: “You are advocating the teachings of someone you yourselves have excluded.”—There is nothing untrue in his books. Since this is the case, the question arises: What should be done now?
[ 6 ] This is a serious problem that society has brought upon itself.