Our Dead

GA 261 — 2 February 1913, Berlin

Eulogies Given at the 1913 General Meeting

What I would like is that at least in a single act, many a dark ray that could shine in later might not shine in; that is, in view of the difficulties of our negotiations, we should this time remember right at the beginning those who, since we last gathered here, when our dear Theosophical friends left the physical plane.

I need not, of course, after years of talking about the feelings and sensations in such cases, particularly emphasize today that for the truly sensitive Theosophist, a person's transition from one plan to another is just a change of form of existence, and that since we feel connected by bonds which are not bound to one plan, these bonds to our dear Theosophical friends will remain the same even if they are obliged to change one plan for another. Thus those who have passed away from us will have loving friends in us, and we will have loving friends in them, as we turn our thoughts wherever we can to those who were so often privileged to visit while they were still working with us on the physical plane.

First and foremost, I have to mention a member who worked with us theosophically for many years, so that her kind and loving heart brought her intimate friends from all over, Mrs. Mia Holm, who left us last summer after a painful illness. Those who have had the opportunity to be touched by the beautiful poetic talent of Mia Holm know very well how significant it was to have this personality in our midst, and how we have every reason to remember this personality forever and ever, as far as we feel connected to her. There are many among us who loved Mia Holm dearly, who also had a deep love for her poetic talent, for her entire lovable personality.

Secondly, allow me to mention not only a long-standing member of our Theosophical work, but also, so to speak, the oldest Theosophist we ever had, our dear Mrs. Bontemps in Leipzig. She belonged to our way of thinking and feeling so completely with all her heart that even the most ordinary things that came from her lips felt imbued with Theosophical sentiment and warmth when one spoke with her. And those who got to know Mrs. Bontemps well appreciate her good heart, her in so many ways great and comprehensive character, her theosophical attitude that so easily and justifiably wins people's hearts. It was deeply satisfying for me to be able to say many a word to her in the last days when she was still on the physical plane, when she could no longer leave her sickbed. And just as many a word that I was able to speak with her in her healthier days will remain unforgettable to me, so too will the conversations that I was allowed to have with her at her last sickbed.

I have to mention Miss Klara Brand, who ended her life on the physical plane this summer due to a regrettable accident. I emphasize expressly, because misunderstandings have spread in many ways, that in the case of Miss Brand it is a matter of a completely natural death, caused by a state of weakness that brought about the misfortune of her unfortunate fall; it is nothing other than a completely natural death. We remember her as she clung to the theosophical cause for many years in spite of many difficulties, and how this theosophical cause made that out of her soul which she wanted to be here.

I have many loyal and dear friends to remember, both those I gained just before her death and those who have been with us for many years. If I were to say everything that is on my mind here, it would be a very long speech out of what is only of value if we all start our thoughts about our departed friends with a loving sentiment.

Thus I have to commemorate a long-standing member, Mr. Leo Ellrich from the Leipzig Lodge.

Thus to commemorate a particularly poignant death, because we are not only painfully touched in this case by the fact that the deceased has left the physical plane, but has also left behind the deeply grieving husband, who is our dear member. When we consider the beautiful way in which Dr. Rösel, who belonged to the Bielefeld Lodge, found her way into the Theosophical movement, how she strove to enter it, when we remember that, then we most certainly empathize with our dear friend Dr. Rösel, who is such a loyal and beloved member.

I have to remember two friends from Basel who were very much appreciated and loved in their immediate circle, the two members Goz7lieb Hiltbold and Wilhelm Vockroth. They were loyal, loving, self-sacrificing Theosophical co-workers.

I also have to remember the man who passed away not only because of physical suffering, our friend Hugo Bolze in Eisenach. Most of our friends know Hugo Bolze; he really had a lot to suffer, and we were devoted to him in loyalty and love and will remain so. After seven years of very painful illness, this disease had to lead to death. We stand before him so that we will surely send him the best, most loving thoughts.

We also have to remember a dear friend, Mr. Hans Schellbach, who, after seeking healing in a southern Theosophical colony, could not be saved in the physical life. Suffice it to say that he remained true to his Theosophical beliefs until his last breath, just as he had always demonstrated them in life. That they were a healing medicine for him, that he was so attached to Theosophy that it gave him the strength to sustain him in the happiest as well as in the most sorrowful moments of life.

I must also mention a friend whose death, in a certain respect, had something extraordinarily tragic about it. He was a close friend of a man who was close to circles associated with Theosophy, Mr. Georg Banernfeind. It would be out of place here to speak about the details of our friend's life. It should only be said that 'Theosophy can lead us to understand every kind of seeking, every kind of spiritual experience, and that we will also understand this man's last death path.

Furthermore, I have to mention a man who had a great deal of theosophy in his attitude, but whom few got to know, Mr. Meakin, who left the physical plane in October last year after working with us more and more intensely for a long time.

Miss Erwin-Blöcker, Mrs. Major Herbst, Mrs. Marty, I also have to mention you. Even though you were less prominent in our movement, we are no less called upon to feel united with you beyond the grave. We know, my dear Theosophical friends, how indissoluble our bond remains with those who have left the physical plane through death, and we know that they have entered another sphere of life. So let this moment of union be the starting point for you to feel connected to these friends who have passed away in the sense just expressed, and that you will continue to feel connected to them in the future. Let us express these loving thoughts and feelings that we send to our deceased friends by rising from our seats.