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 Mathilde Scholl in Cologne
Berlin, August 29, 1904
Dearest Fräulein Scholl!
Your relationship with Annie Besant is absolutely the right one. All Theosophists should feel the same way about her. But we must remain calm even if we experience that others do not feel the same way about her. Maya is powerful, and many a person gets into a difficult situation precisely because they move from a sure feeling to an uncertain judgment. It is much less important that we resist what is wrong than that we ourselves serve what is right. I know that in the long run nothing can happen if we do the right thing in Annie Besant's name; but temporarily, many things may occur that may make the situation appear difficult. Annie Besant is the Messenger of the Masters.1 She does not necessarily have to engage in diplomatic moves, nor can a true occultist. Dear Miss Scholl, you can believe me when I say that wherever there is diplomatic interference, there is no connection with the masters. I know that it is in Annie Besant's interest if we behave quite naturally when Keightley comes, as if we accept his presence as something quite natural. And inwardly we must do that too. Your unease is also justified. But we must remain calm even in the face of such unease. There is so much in Germany that is outwardly against us; but let us not disturb our positive forces by being too considerate of such opposition.
It is a law of occultism that those who are accepted into the esoteric current may initially face strong resistance. It may be part of their testing to remain upright in the face of such opposition. Those who become occultists must soon absolve things that might otherwise have taken several lifetimes to encounter. If he follows his direct insight, he will also progress. He must only have all the courage for his insight. Such whole courage is a strong touchstone. He who, like you, is unshakably attached to a person like Annie Besant, has gained much. It is precisely through this relationship that you will make the most beautiful progress.
If there are people who do not stand by Annie Besant in this way, they will cause themselves the greatest harm. But many of those who err in this respect today will come to the right judgment again.
The occultist simply does not ask certain questions. For example, I do not even want to dwell on the fact that Keightley is coming to Germany. I heard from Miss v. Sivers that Annie Besant wrote the sentence: “I expect to meet Mr. Keightley in Hamburg”. And then Mrs. Lübke probably also wrote to Miss v. Sivers about it. Miss v. Sivers then also asked me how I felt about it. I told her: “not at all.”
If Annie Besant wants the translation of her lectures by Keightley, we will see. Personally, it would have seemed most appropriate to me if Frl. v. Sivers had translated everywhere.2
I am not yet able to send you the continuation of the last letter regarding “Light on the Path”. But I will certainly do so this week.3
Please give the Künstlers my warmest regards.
Yours,
Rudolf Steiner
Berlin W, Motzstrasse 17