1908 Annual Report for the German Section of the Theosophical Society

Translated by Marie Steiner for the thirty-third Anniversary and Convention of the T.S., 1908

To the President, TS: - With the expression of heartiest respect and with fraternal greetings I have the honour to submit to you the Annual Report of the German Theosophical Society.

The theosophical cause in Germany has made in the course of the present year very satisfactory progress. The working field has been widened through the foundation of nine new lodges, and the work in the existent lodges has been deepened. The new lodges are those of Bern, Eisenach, Wiesbaden, Mannheim, Strassburg, Pforzheim, Zürich, Bielefeld, Malsch. Charlottenburg lodge, having been dormant for some years, has dissolved.

The total number of lodges is now 37, and one centre. 336 members have joined the Section during the year; 10 have died, 21 resigned, 4 passed over to other Sections and 23 dropped out. The net increase amounts to 278. The effective number of members at the last Convention was 1150.

The lecture work of Dr. Rudolf Steiner has been continued in the same intensive way, and the subjects concerning Theosophy and Occultism have been deepened more and more. At public lectures, questions of a more and more difficult character can now be treated. In many towns an increasing growth of interest for Theosophy can be observed also, from the side of those that for various reasons cannot enter the Society. The number also of those listeners is increasing steadily.

Of particular importance for the deepening of the work is the fact that Dr. Steiner, besides his single lectures, held a number of lecture-series, which were organised in Bâle, Cologne, Hamburg, Nurnberg, Stuttgart, and Leipzig, and were very well attended, in Stuttgart more than 300 members were assembled. We have also the pleasure of seeing amidst us members from other Sections.

Further progress is to be seen in the work which is done in Munich for the popularisation of the theosophical cause. The untiring activity of Frl. Stinde and Countess Kalckreuth brought into life a particular Institution for the popularisation of Theosophy. In the so-called «Rooms for art and music,» artistic productions and an elementary exposition of Theosophy are given to the lower classes of the population; these gatherings are very well attended. By these means an interest in spiritual life is awakened in the broad masses of the population. Dr. Peipers, Baroness Gumppenberg, and other members are helping to realise this aim in a very beneficent way through lectures, magic-lantern pictures, etc.

In another way also an effort has been made to build a bridge between Theosophy and the spiritual life of the time. During the lecture series such musical performances and recitations are given as organically fit into the frame of theosophical work. Frl. v. Sivers’ art in recitation was a beautiful contribution to these performances.

An important progress lies in the intensive way with which in some places special departments of Theosophy are carried on. Thus, Dr. Unger works untiringly in Stuttgart through lectures and otherwise in trying to establish the philosophical basis of Theosophy. Frl. Völker does the same for its mystical side. Frau Wolfram in Leipzig has chosen a special field in the interpretation of legends and myths. In Berlin, classes are held by Frau Wandrey, Mlle. Boesé, Herr Walther and Herr G. Wagner. Only the characteristic sides of our work can be mentioned here by some examples.

Dr. Steiners’ efforts tend towards putting Theosophy on the broadest basis possible. The philosophical, scientific and religious elements find full consideration, as well as the occult element standing in the centre; while it is pointed out that the one-sidedness of lower psychism is to be avoided.

The magazine, Luzifer - Gnosis, edited by Dr. Steiner and appearing at irregular intervals, gains in expansion. The Sectional organ, Mitteilungen, appears in the same way as before.

The Sixth Annual Convention was held in Berlin on October 25th and 26th. For the Executive Committee the following members were chosen: Dr. Rudolf Steiner (General Secretary), Herr Franz Seiler (Treasurer), Frl. v. Sivers (Sectional Secretary), Günther Wagner, Bernhard Hubo, Mathilde Scholl, Adolf Kolbe, Adolf Arenson, Sophie Stinde, Friedrich Kiem, Michael Bauer, Elise Wolfram, Dr. E. Grosheintz, Dr. Carl Unger, Friedrich Tessmar.

In this year too we may say that the progress made gives us the best hope for the future. We send our warmest greetings to all brothers in India.

Dr. Rudolf Steiner,
General Secretary.