--- ga: 264 title: "To Mathilde Scholl in Cologne" date: 1904-07-14 words: 827 --- # The History of the Esoteric School 1904–1914, Volume One ## GA 264 — 14 July 1904, Berlin ### To Mathilde Scholl in Cologne *On July 13, 1904, Mathilde Scholl wrote to Rudolf Steiner*: > Mrs. Lübke has just written to me that she has signed the “pledge” in England and draws my attention to the fact that I should ask you to have me sign the “pledge” as well, if you are not yet able to send me the other papers. She writes that some changes have been made at the school, but she cannot give me any details about them until I have signed the pledge. > I have not said anything about not having signed yet or not having received any papers because I did not think it was that important. However, since Mrs. Lübke seems to be concerned about this, I am letting you know. Since you and Mrs. Besant have taken me in, I consider this alone to be important. You know my attitude completely, regardless of whether I make a special promise orally or in writing. You know that I am basically willing to do > whatever might be demanded of me. > I do not understand how external changes in the school can influence the degree of development of the human being. > However, there must be something serious and important in this, since Mrs. Lübke, whose right hand is unusable and under medical treatment, wrote to me with great difficulty with her left hand. I am certainly grateful to her for it, but I believe she is worrying in vain. You will see what you want to do... *Rudolf Steiner replied as follows*: Dear Miss Scholl! I am sending you the pledge in the attachment. Please copy it out and send me your copy with your signature to pass on to Mrs. Besant.[^1] The pledge contains what unites the members of the E.S. Of course, all the obligations that the Shrâvaka has already taken on continue to apply. As soon as you have sent me the signed pledge, I will also send you some provisional papers. Nothing else can be provided at the moment, but soon. Please do not worry about possible changes at the school. Such things never affect the inner development of the individual members, but rather the school's work on the physical plane, as it extends from the higher to the physical plane in the world. Of course, one must always consider what is good for the world. You, who are a loyal and devoted student of E.S., and who are definitely on the right path, will not be significantly affected by the changes.[^2] The individual points of the pledge must be kept if we want to make progress on the occult path. But there is no need to be pedantic about everything. It depends solely on the attitude. How one can support the Theosophical movement is entirely up to one's own decision. It may be necessary, due to one's position or circumstances, not to say to the world that one is a Theosophist. But if one works seriously, however quietly, one has kept one's word. It is important to watch one's speech so that one offends fewer and fewer others by it. This leads to the opening of the gate that the masters close. The weaknesses of others should never find our censure – at least not in our hearts – but we should try to understand them in every way. Every E.S. disciple takes on the study as a duty. You will soon receive the interpretation of “L.a.d. W.” [“Licht auf den Weg” – “Light on the Path”].[^3] I will answer everything else this week as well. Best Wishes, Dr. Rudolf Steiner Berlin W, Motzstrasse 17 --- [^1]: Sent on July 15 with the following cover letter: "I am sending you the ‘pledge’ enclosed. I give it gladly and wholeheartedly in every respect. I hope to fulfill it as faithfully as possible. Thank you very much for your kind words. I always draw a great deal of strength, courage and peace of mind from what you tell me, and also from what you say in your writings, such as the last issue of “Lucifer”. Much as I rejoice in every line from you and much as I shall enjoy the continuation of the exegesis of “Licht auf den Weg zu bekommen,” I beg you to write it only when you can find time, without taking anything from the time that is absolutely necessary for your rest. Above all, your strength must be preserved for us. Therefore, you should not overwork yourself physically either. We are all concerned about this. But I trust that you also see it as necessary to maintain yourself for the world and for us. We all want to and need to hear and learn so much from you. [^2]: Further details not known. [^3]: See letter dated 9 August 1904