Our Dead

GA 261 — 7 May 1912, Cologne

Eulogy for Mr. Terwiel and Baron Oskar von Hoffmann

Before we come to the matters of our deliberations today, let me recall a fact that must touch us particularly in this place, where, in addition to our German members, dear friends from abroad, especially from Holland, are also coming together. Among our friends from Holland, who have often been here in this area and especially in Cologne for such occasions, was a person who, after a long theosophical life, felt more and more deeply connected in recent years to that which, within our theosophical, spiritual current, blesses and warms us. Our dear friend Terwiel was often with us here in Cologne. His karma has willed that he had to leave the physical plane in the last few months. In the way we think of that change of life that takes place when a person leaves the physical plane, we remember our dear friend, so that we may keep that love for him, which we felt while we were allowed to see him here often, shake his hand and talk to him, this love for him also where he is now united with us in a different form. And the union that theosophical personalities have entered into truly does not change.

By translating many of our writings, our dear friend has rendered great and extensive services to the dissemination of our theosophical impulses in neighboring Holland. We remember him with love and loyalty, with the brotherhood inspired by our spiritual life, and our thoughts go out to him in love and loyalty, knowing that we will remain united with him for all time, now that we have gained the opportunity to join him. It is a deep need for me to remember in this hour the love and loyalty with which we remain united to our friend Terwiel.

And let me mention another similar fact. Among those who have left the physical plane in recent times is also a personality whom perhaps the numerous members who have not been connected with the Theosophical movement in Germany for long know only a little, but who have come to love and respect those who had to take care of the German movement in every way. The translator of a work into German – a work that has become extremely valuable for many Theosophists – our friend Baron von Floffmann has passed away at a ripe old age. He rendered great service to the German Theosophical movement with his beautiful, poetic translation of “Light on the Path”. We must remember with gratitude the man who translated this writing with such wonderful, poetic magic. Baron von Hoffmann left the physical plane in the last few days. We will also preserve love and loyalty for him in the spiritual world. With inwardness and solemnity, we remember these two personalities, and we want to rise from our seats as an expression of our loyal devotion.

*Script by Mabel Collins