1905 Annual Report for the German Section of the Theosophical Society
Read by Dr. Otto Schrader. Translated by Marie Steiner for the thirtieth Anniversary and Convention of the TS, 1905
To the President-Founder, TS: - With my fraternal and most cordial greeting I have pleasure in submitting to you the Annual Report of the German Section TS.
New Branches have been formed in Berlin (Besant Lodge), Karlsruhe, two new branches in Stuttgart (so that we have three branches in this town) and in Freiburg im Breisgau. Besides we have worked in St. Gallen, Zurich and Basel (Switzerland) and in Heidelberg, Frankfort on the Main, Bonn, Jena and a number of other towns. Although there are not yet branches in these places we have there friends who are interested and the formation of several new branches is expected.
The total number of branches in Germany and German Switzerland is now 18; 137 new members have joined during the year; three have died; seven have resigned, so that the net increase amounts to 127 members. The effective number of members is 377.
The review, Luzifer - Gnosis, that appears in Berlin under the editorship of Dr. Rudolf Steiner has now begun its third annual course; it tries to advance the interest in our movement by dealing in the most manifold way with all theosophical questions. Its influence is evidently increasing. The Vâhan can henceforth no more be regarded as a magazine representative of our Society, as its editor, Herr Richard Bresch, has left the TS. A new book of Dr. Steiner will appear in a short time under the title: «Introduction into the Secret Science.» — The following translations have been published : «The Path of Discipleship,» by A. Besant, and, «The Story of the Year,» by M. Collins. There has also appeared a work of Dr. Steiner dealing, from the theosophical point of view, with «Schiller and our Age.»
I have tried also during this year to work for the propagation of the theosophical movement, through a great number of lectures in many towns of Germany and Switzerland.
Despite all the difficulties existing in Germany we can hope, on the ground of the results obtained and the experiences made, for good results in the future. Our Annual Convention on the 22nd of October has shown that the theosophical thought is deeply rooted in the minds of our members. A numerically small opposition against some measures of the leaders of the TS has been energetically thrown back.
The General Secretary of the three years’ old Section, Dr. Rudolf Steiner, has been re-elected for three other years. As Assistant Secretary he will be helped as hitherto by Fräulein Marie von Sivers. As members of the Executive Committee there have been chosen besides, Herr G. Wagner, Herr B. Hubo, Herr L. Deinhard, Frau H. Lübke, Fräulein $. Stinde, Fräulein M. Scholl, Herr M. Bauer, Herr A. Kolbe, Herr F. Seiler, Herr H. Ahner, Herr F. Kiem.
We send our warmest greetings to all brothers in India and especially to our revered President.
Dr. Rudolf Steiner,
General Secretary.