# The History of the Esoteric School 1904–1914, Volume One

## GA 264 — Berlin

### The “Leadbeater Affair” III

*that initiated the separation from the Esoteric School of Theosophy.*

To Annie Besant, ca. November 1, 1908[^1]

...[^2] It can be truly distressing that the matter of Mr. Leadbeater, who has rendered such outstanding service to the Society, has caused such strong feelings. This matter is like so much else in the world. It is basically simple at its root; but it has become complicated due to everything that has formed around it as it emerged and especially in the course of the last few years. For me, the matter was never unclear; and my point of view today is the same as when it first arose. My position regarding Mr. Leadbeater has not been shaken in the slightest by the whole affair. The case has been torn out of the sphere of occultism and placed in a field to which it does not belong in principle, in the field of T.S. measures. It is not acceptable to intervene in the sphere of responsibility of an occultist by exoteric means. One could come to disagree with his views and measures. But in the exoteric Society there is no forum that could be called upon to judge it. I myself, for example, would never have allowed a discussion of the matter itself at a general meeting of the German Section, and would have taken part in such a discussion myself only within a purely occult committee. But this is my individual opinion, which has never changed. From the very beginning, I have tried to clarify and calm the situation as much as I could. But I would like to express myself in my official position as Secretary General of the German Section with regard to the current state of the matter. The circumstances of our Section make it quite impossible, especially at this point in time, to follow the example of other sections and address to you, dear Mrs. Besant, as President, a request for the reinstatement of Mr. Leadbeater. When the committee was convened in London two years ago to deal with the matter, the German Section was completely ignored. Of course, I am not saying this because anyone in the German Section would have felt the slightest bit offended; but because the German Section was never in a position to give a judgment on the case. My aim was to prevent the waves that the case had caused from washing up on the German Section. This was completely successful. But now it is quite impossible to engage the German Section for the reinstatement, since it was in no way involved in the departure. Now, of course, there is something essential to be said against this argument, namely, that society is a whole, and that therefore such a matter concerns all members. This would also necessarily come into consideration if Mr. Leadbeater's re-entry depended on a general vote. But that is not the case. Mr. Leadbeater resigned voluntarily and can therefore be re-admitted to any section any day. Naturally the German Section will have no objection to such a readmission.

Since matters stand in our Section, you, dear Mrs. Besant, will appreciate that I had to refrain from discussing the matter at our last General Meeting.

In view of the development of this matter in the English section, the opinion of Mr. van Hook in America may be taken into consideration. May I mention in this regard that you can always count on my loyal support in this matter. Regarding the statement that these or those manifestations go back to spiritual sources, I will always emphasize that no one's right to invoke spiritual sources and to base his work on such sources must not be denied, even though, on the other hand, everyone is free to evaluate such an appeal as he sees fit. I would have to dispute my own right to do many things if, for example, I were to criticize Dr. W. van Hook now.[^3]...4span class="footnoteText">The end of the letter concerns the matter of Hugo Vollrath.

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[^1]: Text based on a handwritten draft, for translation into English by Marie von Sivers. Besant responded formally to this on November 23 from Adyar, without, however, addressing the content.

[^2]: The previous part reports on Theosophical activities in Germany.

[^3]: Dr. Weller van Hook, General Secretary for America, had sent an open letter in May 1908 in defense of Leadbeater, and in a private letter he had stated that the letter had been dictated to him verbatim by a master. Due to the indiscretion of the recipient, this became public knowledge. Outraged, the General Assembly of the English Section appealed to the president, the General Council and the members to end the scandal. A. Besant seized the opportunity and responded on September 7, 1908 with a “Letter to the members of the T.S.” (printed in England in November), in which the matter was turned around: Leadbeater had resigned in 1906 to spare the Society from conflict and to avoid damaging its reputation. Since both have failed and he is an honorable man, he must be asked to rejoin the Society. This is the only way to put an end to the disputes.