The History of the German Section
of the Theosophical Society
1902–1913
GA 250
25 March 1907, Berlin
Translated by Steiner Online Library
33. On the Election of the New President of the Theosophical Society
[ 1 ] Dr. Steiner on the election:
[ 2 ] When members proceed to an election, they are bound solely by the bylaws. According to the bylaws, the president has the right to nominate his or her successor, and the members must confirm this through their vote.
[ 3 ] The bylaws are incomplete.
[ 4 ] The bylaws should be interpreted as I have explained to you. Others, however, are of the opinion that one should only [illegible]
[ 5 ] The president's proposal was accompanied by many key details.
[ 6 ] I therefore felt justified in, so to speak, confiscating everything that these [illegible] brought into the election matter.
[ 7 ] We are dealing with two distinct matters: What happens within the administration is our human activity. This has absolutely nothing to do with [illegible] higher individualities who stand behind the Theosophical Movement. The individualities we refer to as the Masters of Wisdom will not interfere in anything that happens on the physical plane. The Theosophical Movement is indeed under the guidance of such spiritual individualities. Therefore, a strict distinction must be made. One is not required to defend the truth before a physical forum. It would be nonsensical to apply democracy to the ancient teachings, just as it would be to apply it to mathematics. One is accountable to one’s spiritual guide for spiritual matters. In administrative matters, we cannot call upon the Masters.
[ 8 ] I'll tell you later about the manifestations. I can't do that yet.
[ 9 ] A member sent a letter to the individual lodges explaining that it was impossible to elect Mrs. Besant. This is followed by another item and a motion stating that everyone is equally [illegible] entitled.
[ 10 ] The discussion about the manifestations should be postponed until after the election. Various journals have reported that the President did not merely propose the election of Annie Besant based on his own personal opinion, but that the Masters had appeared at his sickbed and told him to nominate Mrs. Besant as his successor. This nomination has been strictly rejected by the German Section. Other sections have taken a similar stance. The German Section maintains the position that this cannot be a factor, but must be regarded as if Mr. Müller had offered advice.
[ 11 ] The Leadbeater Affair: Circulars have been issued from Adyar that cast the Leadbeater affair in a new light. The German Section has not, until now, held any position other than the one recently [illegible] from Adyar.
[ 12 ] The Dutch and Italian sections received letters dated January 21, in which they were asked to hold the election after Annie Besant had been nominated by Olcott.
[ 13 ] We will face fierce battles in the near future. Powerful forces have turned against the Theosophical Movement and are finding their tools even on the physical plane.