Record: mixed sources The volume draws on more than one kind of record; its own notes say which a text is. Evidence: «Briefe, Rundbriefe, Dokumente und Vorträge … Nachschriften und Notizen von Vorträgen und Ansprachen» (Letters, circulars, documents and lectures … transcripts and notes of lectures and addresses)
The History of the Esoteric School 1904–1914, Volume One
GA 264 — 29 August 1904, Berlin
To Günther Wagner in Lugano
Berlin, August 29, 1904
Dear Mr. Wagner:
When Miss Scholl recently asked whether the two speeches by Annie Besant related to the Christian question should be translated, I was unable to advise. Please do not take this, dear Mr. Wagner, as if I were opposed to the translation. I would even be pleased to see another book by Annie Besant appear in German. But the occultist must strictly distinguish between direct advice and what I have just characterized. If I may express myself trivially, I would like to “abstain” from voting on this question. But in this case I would very much like my opinion to be completely disregarded.1
Do not misunderstand me, dear Mr. Wagner. I would like you to hear me judge; but I also always want to clearly indicate when my judgment should not be taken into account at all. Only when we, who are united in the esoteric school, face each other in this way is the full freedom that occultism demands guaranteed.
Next, I will send you the rules of the German E.S. There I will also write to you in more detail about the movement in favor of the Gospel of John.2
For the time being, I ask you to continue as before with your position in the E.S. for the next few weeks.
Your sister Amalie is an E.S. member. Your other sister will probably be one in a few days.
In No. 15 of “Lucifer-Gnosis” I present a detailed discussion of the “four great religions”.3 I hope that this book will go a long way. It is likely to win many hearts.
At the beginning of September, there will probably be an E.S. meeting here again. It will probably be about telling the E.S. members about the nature of the “Masters” and the help they give to the E.S. workers. On September 12th I shall then hold a T.S. meeting to prepare for Annie Besant's visit. And then we want to make our way through Germany with our Soul. I look forward to this with great satisfaction. On September 25th I shall then speak in Dresden on 'Theosophy and Modern Science'. — I know that this step will be much misunderstood. But I have no other option than to take it. It may be misunderstood, but it cannot have an unfavorable effect in the higher sense.4
I was very pleased that you, dear Mr. Wagner, were able to visit us in July. I hope you and your dear wife have arrived safely in Lugano. Please give her my warmest regards and receive
Most devotedly yours,
Rudolf Steiner
Berlin W, Motzstrasse 17
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As can be seen from two letters from Günther Wagner to Rudolf Steiner dated September 1 and 2, 1904, there were plans to translate the English brochure “Is Theosophy anti-Christian?” by Annie Besant into German and distribute it among the clergy in Germany. Evidently Rudolf Steiner was not comfortable with this intention. ↩
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A letter about this is not available. In July 1904, in lectures given at the Berlin branch – which Günther Wagner had listened to – Rudolf Steiner had indicated that “a movement” would be born out of the bosom of the Theosophical Society, which would bring “a true understanding of Christianity, not in the ordinary sense” (July 11, 1904). And on July 18, 1904, there was talk of a “John Society,” a “John Gospel Department,” whose task would be to make known to the widest circles the inexhaustible depths of the Gospel of John. Whoever knows what can be found and learned there may “join this Gospel of John department with all their heart.” ↩
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Four lectures by Annie Besant, delivered at the 21st annual meeting of the Theosophical Society in Adyar, translated into German by Günther Wagner, published by Max Altmann, Leipzig 1904. Rudolf Steiner's discussion can be found in GA No. 34, “Lucifer-Gnosis”. ↩
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On September 25, 1904, Rudolf Steiner spoke on this topic at the Third General Theosophical Congress in Dresden. This was organized by the Hartmann people who were not affiliated with Adyar. ↩