The Fateful Year of 1923

GA 259 — 21 July 1923, Dornach

The International Delegates' Assembly

Mr. Albert Steffen welcomed Dr. Steiner and the members of the Anthroposophical Society present on behalf of the Congress Bureau. He first thanked Dr. Steiner for the cycle he had begun the previous evening on the topic “Three Perspectives of Anthroposophy,” which would give the soul to the events of these days. He thanked the delegates from the Anthroposophical Societies of America, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, England, Finland, France, Holland, Italy, Norway, Austria, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Czecho-Slovakia, etc. for attending. From the most diverse places on earth, people are thinking in a unified way of Dornach, the center of the Anthroposophical Society. Despite individual and national differences, people feel united in one spirit in this place. Here one feels like a citizen of the world. This fact alone is worthy of note in view of the fragmentation of humanity today.

International travel generally unites people across the face of the earth, but only on the outside. Technology can just as easily serve negative forces by being misused as a means of destruction. It must ruin civilization if it is not inspired.

What idea, what worldview, what aspiration is capable of inspiring it?

If we look towards the south, we find the Catholic Church. Its mighty will seeks to unite all mankind, but at the expense of the freedom of the individual. Dogmas forbid to explore the spiritual world from the point of view of the I. As a result, Catholicism remains at the level of the Middle Ages. It does not go along with the impulse of the consciousness soul.

This impulse is coming to fruition in the West. Shakespeare's dramas (the conflicts of Hamlet, Lear, etc.) are the expression of the modern soul. Slowly, the consciousness of the spiritual world fades. Humor and morality prevail in writers such as Swift, Dickens, Bernard Shaw. But their cultural criticism no longer has the power to stop the disintegration of intellectual life.

Decline is particularly evident in Central Europe today. Only the fulfillment of the Faustian striving to conquer the supernatural could prevent it. But the leading thinkers in Germany are surrendering to a skeptical way of thinking, like Spengler, to a depressive art, like Hauptmann, and the people are blindly following.

In the East, we see the spiritual breaking in overwhelmingly, but in an unhealthy way. The Russian who is touched by the supernatural wants to be overly good or overly evil. He acquires infantile or hysterical traits, as the novel characters of Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky show.

Thus, whether we look to the south, west, north or east, we find forces that are regressive, hardening, demoralizing and wounding, forces of crucifixion.

Today, only one spiritual current brings resurrection forces: anthroposophy. It counters dogmas with a religious renewal based on a philosophy of freedom.

It revives consciousness by expanding it through the spiritual world. The eurythmic revival of the spiritual content of Shakespeare's plays (e.g. A Midsummer Night's Dream, of which some scenes were performed that day) is the greatest thing that has been done for this English genius since Schlegel and Tieck.

It purifies the Faustian striving for a spiritual science that will heal not only the soul but also the body. One thinks here of the successes of the remedies that have emerged from our clinical-therapeutic institutes.

Finally, it is creating a new art. What powerful poetic impulses have emerged from it: Dr. Steiner's mystery plays, the architecture, sculpture and painting of the Goetheanum, among others.

Anthroposophy brings renewal to every field because it carries the forces that come from the spiritual realm, where developmental forces prevail. It is a being that is not subject to death. But it has no house in which it can fully express itself. After the old Goetheanum burnt down, we came together to discuss the construction of the new one. The old Goetheanum was built entirely from sacrificial donations. So far, we have little more than the insurance money to rebuild the new one. There is certainly no blessing in this. We have to create a counterweight to this money, which comes from reluctant taxpayers. We have to develop even more of a spirit of sacrifice and community than we did for the first building. We have to join together as a society in the strongest possible way. We have to stand up for the greatest thing in the world.

Dr. Guenther Wachsmuth reported on the results of the preliminary meeting of the country delegates the previous afternoon. He mentioned that at a general assembly of the Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland on June 10, 1923, the following resolution had been unanimously adopted:

"The Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland expresses the wish in today's meeting: Dr. Steiner may take the reconstruction of the Goetheanum in Dornach into his own hands. It grants him, as the leading artistic director, full authority to carry out the construction in every respect, both in terms of the use of the funds earmarked for this purpose and the selection of the personalities involved, at his own discretion and arrangement, without any interference on the part of the members.

A report of this decision, which had been sent to the foreign branches, had met with enthusiastic approval everywhere, and since the current conference had been suggested by English friends, the opportunity had now been given to discuss how to raise the funds. The most effective plan was probably Dr. Wegman's, that 1000 francs be contributed for each member over a period of 12-15 months. A weekly saving of 20 francs, for example, would yield such a sum over the course of a year. This was much more easily achieved than one might think. Usually only those who had not yet begun collecting were sceptical. Those who have already actively sought support for the rebuilding effort have often had surprisingly positive experiences. For example, out of 37 members visited in Dornach, 35 members each subscribed 1,000 francs, payable in 15 months, and mostly members who are not wealthy. Similar reports would be forthcoming from outside the area as soon as truly enthusiastic and committed activity was developed. A fine example was given by a lady, as Dr. Steiner said the day before, who explained that there were 25 members in her branch who were workers and therefore could not give a full 1000 francs each, but that she herself wanted to subscribe 1000 francs for each member of her branch, thus giving a total of 25,000 francs herself. Another suggestion from Mr. Pyle was that in each country there might be members who could give 15,000 francs, others 10,000 and 5,000 francs, so that in this way, through such gradations, 1,000 francs could be contributed to the new Goetheanum in each country.

A third proposal, which came from our English friends and was supported by Mr. Kaufmann, Miss Groves and Miss Melland, suggested the writing of a brochure in which everything that has been achieved from anthroposophical sources in art, science, therapy, education, etc. is compiled in a way that is suitable for the outside world.

Someone had asked whether the Society should approach individuals outside it in its efforts to promote the new Goetheanum. This question should be decided only on the basis of each individual's sense of tact. Dr. Wachsmuth referred to a novel that had made a strong impression on him in this regard. It describes two young people who know that there are countless associations of people with idealistic goals of various political and confessional colors, but not yet an association of all those people who seek nothing but a constant living relationship with the spiritual world and desire nothing more than to fight chivalrously for the realization of the laws of the spiritual world on the physical plane. In the light of this realization, these young people formed a league which they called the “Knights of the Spirit”. The federation was soon supported by people from all countries with means, warned of dangers and protected, provided with news, because an infinite number who did not yet want to join this federation publicly, nevertheless wished that these knights of the spirit would be enabled to realize on earth that which is to be realized out of the spiritual world. As an Anthroposophist, one has an opportunity, as nowhere else, to acquire such knowledge of human nature that, if one is a true knight of the spirit oneself, one will also recognize in the outside world those who are or will become knights of the spirit. One can approach such people and give them the opportunity to help rebuild the Goetheanum. For one does a person a kindness when one allows him to help establish a place of learning from which the constructive spiritual forces of humanity can flow.

It is self-evident that by the end of 1923 there should no longer be a single member of the Anthroposophical Society who had not done his or her part to rebuild it.

Dr. Wegman's plan to raise 1000 francs for each member has the advantage of appealing to each individual, so that everyone feels responsible and does not expect all success from others or even from an undefined outside world.

In the preliminary discussion, it was suggested that the various countries should set themselves the goal of raising the following contributions, taking into account their number of members, etc.:

England... ..... 300,000 Swiss francs

America. ....... 200,000

Honolulu....... 200,000

Switzerland... 400,000

Netherlands... 300,000

Italy. ............. 100,000

France...... 50,000

Austria...... 50,000

Czechoslovakia.. 100,000

Denmark...... 100,000

Scandinavia..... 100,000

Remaining countries....... 100,000 (Belgium, Poland, Finland, New Zealand, etc.)

Initially about 2,000,000 Swiss francs.

All these various proposals are now open for discussion. Dr. Wachsmuth asked the delegates to always keep two images in mind during their deliberations: the new Goetheanum should be built for all people of the earth who are knights of the spirit; and we should go out into the world and work for the decisive moment when Dr. Steiner will give the signal for the workers on the hill of Dornach to flock together to build the new structure.

Mr. George Kaufmann, London, then put forward the idea of producing a brochure that would present the essentials of the various anthroposophical fields of work in a concise and artistic way to facilitate the work in the outside world.

Baroness Rosenkrantz, London, suggested that for those members for whom financial assistance is difficult, a way should be created to use the work of their hands for the benefit of the Goetheanum, i.e. to make practical articles for daily use, which would still have to be determined, free of charge, the sale of which would then have to be organized jointly; and to contribute the net proceeds of this free work to the reconstruction fund. A small beginning in this regard has already been made by her.

Dr. Peipers, Stuttgart, recalled the great sacrifices made by German members in the early days to build the old Goetheanum. Despite the sad circumstances and almost insurmountable difficulties in Germany, it is the great longing of the German friends to contribute significantly to the reconstruction as well. Although the executive council of the Anthroposophical Society in Germany has deliberately not asked for donations to be collected, given the current situation, contributions, money and jewelry, have been sent to Stuttgart from all sides, testifying to a touching willingness to make sacrifices. — This report will also discuss how these contributions are used.

Dr. Praussnitz, Jena, supported Baroness Rosenkrantz's proposal to provide voluntary work, especially during the holiday season, and to use the proceeds for the benefit of the Goetheanum.

Dr. Steiner emphasized that we had to come to a concrete result during these important days. To discuss the writing of a brochure, for example, was too abstract and general. One had to be able to state exactly who would write it. Such a writing was something very personal, had to arise out of the artistic ability of a single individuality. So there was no point in discussing it in a meeting. Besides, there is already so much suitable material available to make a convincing impact on the outside world that members should first work more than before with what is already available. For example, we have the weekly journal 'Das Goetheanum'. It is edited by a personality who, as was said recently from another side, writes the best German, Albert Steffen. This journal reports constantly on significant world issues from an anthroposophical point of view, but it has more subscribers among outsiders than among members. This shows the old mistake of members always wanting to create something new, but not using what is already there productively. Dr. Steiner then corrected some false views regarding the use of German contributions. Everything collected in Germany must, of course, be consumed in Germany, in accordance with the laws there. He emphasized this expressly. Although the German friends would certainly also be willing to make great financial sacrifices, the current world situation does not allow it. The help from Germany must consist of a moral sacrifice.

On the other hand, our friends in other countries must not delay too long in securing the means for reconstruction. At the end of this meeting, we must at least know what sum can be initially counted on, so that we can begin reconstruction with this sum. For example, a building could be constructed, a kind of memorial to the former Goetheanum, with a sum of 1 to 2 million francs. This would then be something like a better barn in the carpentry workshop, only made of concrete. But one could also build something more beautiful, which would then perhaps require 4-5 million francs or more. The important thing is to determine the exact sum that one wants to secure for the reconstruction, so that one can plan accordingly.

Above all, however, we must not forget that the reconstruction will present the members with new and difficult tasks, and that new efforts will be needed to overcome resistance and to provide effective moral support for external anthroposophical work on the physical plane. A moral fund must be created. If it were only a matter of spreading the anthroposophical truths, the goodwill of the members to spread these truths through positive work would suffice. But since the anthroposophical movement has brought into being a whole series of practical enterprises that have to contend with the resistance of the outside world, e.g. schools, clinics, laboratories, economic enterprises, etc. run in the anthroposophical sense, so the anthroposophists need to be more vigilant in order to beat back the enormous amount of lies and slander that is being directed against us from the opposing side. Dr. Steiner compared our situation to that of people in a besieged fortress. Often the gates of the fortress are opened from within through the negligence of members in their thinking and actions. Only the utmost vigilance on the part of the members will help us through the difficult times that will come with the reconstruction of the Goetheanum.

Mr. Steffen reminded those present of the enormous amount of material available in the works of Dr. Steiner for the members to advance themselves daily and also to convince the whole world, but also to promote the reconstruction of the Goetheanum.

Mr. de Haan expressed confidence that the energetic among us will raise all the funds needed for the construction.

In the afternoon, a special meeting of the country delegates took place again.