The Christmas Conference
GA 260
Part II. The Proceedings of the Conference
29 December 1923 10:00 a.m., Dornach
XII. Continuation of the Foundation Meeting
DR STEINER:
My dear friends!
Today our agenda begins by giving us the pleasure of the lecture by Herr Werbeck.
Louis Werbeck gives his lecture on ‘The Opposition to Anthroposophy’.
DR STEINER: Dear friends, let us have a fifteen-minute break before continuing with yesterday's meeting of members.
DR STEINER: My dear friends! Let us hear again today the words which are to resound in our soul both here and later, when we depart and carry out with us what is intended here:
Soul of Man!
Thou livest in the limbs
Which bear thee through the world of space
In the spirit's ocean-being.
Practise spirit-recalling
In depths of soul,
Where in the wielding will
Of world-creating
Thine own
I Comes to being
Within God's I.
And thou wilt truly live
In the World-Being of Man.For the Father-Spirit of the heights holds sway
In depths of worlds begetting being.
Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones!
Let there ring out from the heights
What in the depths is echoed
Speaking:
Ex Deo nascimur.Soul of Man!
Thou livest in the beat of heart and lung
Which leads thee through the rhythm of time
Into the realm of thine own soul's feeling.
Practise spirit-awareness
In balance of the soul,
Where the surging deeds
Of the world's becoming
Thine own I
Unite
With the World-I.
And thou wilt truly feel
In the Soul-Weaving of Man.For the Christ-Will in the encircling round holds sway
In the rhythms of the worlds, bestowing grace on the soul.
Kyriotetes, Dynamis, Exusiai !
Let there be fired from the East
What through the West is formed
Speaking:
In Christo morimur.Soul of Man!
Thou livest in the resting head
Which from the grounds of eternity
Opens to thee the world-thoughts.
Practise spirit-beholding
In stillness of thought,
Where the eternal aims of Gods
World-Being's Light
On thine own I
Bestow
For thy free willing.
And thou wilt truly think
In the Spirit-Foundations of Man.For the world-thoughts of the Spirit hold sway
In the being of worlds, craving for light,
Archai, Archangeloi, Angeloi !
Let there be prayed from the depths
What in the heights will be granted
Speaking:
Per Spiritum Sanctum reviviscimus.
Let us once again take hold of these words in meaningful sections. Here we have:
[Rudolf Steiner writes on the blackboard as he speaks. See Facsimile 4, Page XV bottom.]
Practise spirit-recalling
What takes place in the soul of man is related to all being in the cosmos of spirit, soul and body. Thus this ‘Practise spirit-recalling’ especially points to what is heard in the call to the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones when the manner in which they work in the universe is characterized:
Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones!
Let there ring out from the heights
What in the depths is echoed.
We have the right cosmic concept when we picture in our soul how the voices of Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones resound in the universal word and are heard because they find an echo in the depths of the grounds of world existence, and how what is inspired from above and what resounds from below, the universal word, emanates from Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones.
In the second verse we have:
Practise spirit-awareness
This is related to the second hierarchy: Kyriotetes, Dynamis, Exusiai. To characterize them we imagine their voices in the universal word working as expressed in the words:
Kyriotetes, Dynamis, Exusiai!
Let there be fired from, the East
What through the West is formed.
The third member of man's existence is:
Practise spirit-beholding
To this we add the indication of how the third hierarchy enters with its work into the universal word:
Archai, Archangeloi, Angeloi!
Let there be prayed from the depths
What in the heights will be granted.
[As shown on the blackboard]
Practise spirit-recalling
S. Ch. T.
Let there ring out from the heights
What in the depths is echoed.
Practise spirit-awareness
K. D. Ex.
Let there be fired from the East
What through the West is formed.
Practise spirit-beholding
A. AA. Ang.
Let there be prayed from the depths
What in the heights will be granted.
Here we have the opposite of the first hierarchy in whose case the voices resound downwards while their echo comes up from below. And we have here the voices heard coming from beings who pray for something from below and whose prayer is answered from the heights downwards into the depths. From above downwards: from the heights towards the depths; from the encircling round: East and West; from below upwards: from the depths into the heights.
My dear friends! Something left over from earlier is a letter to the Vorstand of the Anthroposophical Society in Dornach from the Polish Anthroposophical Society which has not been represented here: ‘The working groups in Poland—Cracow, Lemberg, Warsaw—have resolved to found the Polish Anthroposophical Society. The Society shall serve the ideas of Anthroposophy by revealing the treasures of its spiritual teachings to the widest circles and by working among the Polish people in a time of destiny, helping them to recognize their mission. For the celebration of the laying of the Foundation Stone, the newly-founded Anthroposophical Society in Poland sends to the leader and founder of the international Anthroposophical Movement, Dr Steiner, this expression of their highest respect. The Polish Anthroposophical Society urgently requests that he may concern himself with it and not deny it his protection and guidance. For its part, it commits itself ... (the final words were obscured by noise).
For the Warsaw circle:
For the Lemberg circle:
For the remaining circles:
Luna Drechsler as their representative.’
Furthermore from Cologne on the Rhine: ‘For the celebration of the laying of the Foundation Stone in 1923 I wish you and ... (unclear) that the significance of this laying of the Foundation Stone may be revealed to all the world. With cordial greetings, Gottfried Husemann.’
My dear friends, I now consider that for the moment the Vorstand has put before you the main concerns that had to be brought to you. In the next few days there will still be the matter of a draft of some By-Laws or rules of practice to be attached to the Statutes. But now our main concern, before any other discussions, is that our dear friends should have a chance to express what they wanted to say. Here is a list of those who wish to speak or report, and I think it would be best, in order to save time, not to proceed along given lines—for if you do this you waste time—but to bring to completion what our respected, dear friends have to say. So I would like to ask whether you agree that those friends who have already asked to speak should now have their say.
They are Herr Leinhas, Dr Kolisko, Dr Stein, Dr Palmer, Herr Werbeck, Dr Lehrs, Miss Cross, Mademoiselle Rihouët, Mr Collison, Frau Hart-Nibbrig, Herr de Haan, Herr Stibbe, Herr Zagzwijn, Frau Ljungquist.
Dr Wachsmuth points out that these requests to speak were made at the beginning and referred to general matters, not specific themes.
DR STEINER: Then let me ask for the names of those friends who now wish to say something. It is naturally necessary, for the further progress of the meeting, that those friends or delegates who are concerned about something should express this. So now in a comprehensive, general discussion let me ask all those who wish to do so to speak about what concerns them with regard to the Anthroposophical Society which has been founded here.
MR COLLISON: Later on could we please speak about education.
DR STEINER: Would anyone like to speak about something entirely general? If this is not the case, dear friends, then let us proceed to the discussion of more specific aspects. According to the programme we have a discussion on the affairs of the Society and on educational questions. Perhaps someone first has something to say with reference to Herr Werbeck's lecture and so on?
Herr Hohlenberg wishes to speak.
DR STEINER: Herr Hohlenberg will speak on the subject of the antagonism we face.
Herr Hohlenberg does this.
DR STEINER: The best thing will be if I leave what I have to say on this subject till the conclusion of the discussion. A good deal will still be brought forward over the next few days.
The next person who wishes to speak about the affairs of the Society, and also the Youth Movement, is Dr Lehrs. May I invite Dr Lehrs to speak.
Dr Lehrs speaks about the Free Anthroposophical Society.
DR STEINER: My dear friends! I do not want a misunderstanding to arise in respect of what I said here a few days ago. Dr Lehrs has understood me entirely correctly, and any other interpretation would not be correct. I did not mean that what was suggested then no longer applies today. I said that I had naturally felt it to be tragic that I had to make the suggestion of creating a division between the Anthroposophical Society in Germany and the Free Anthroposophical Society. But this suggestion was necessary; it was the consequence of the situation as it was then. And now it is equally necessary that this Free Anthroposophical Society should continue to exist and work in the manner described by our young friend from various angles. So please consider Dr Lehrs' interpretation of what I said a few days ago to be entirely correct.
I assume that Herr Hans Ludwig Pusch wishes to speak to what Dr Lehrs has said, so may I ask Herr Hans Ludwig Pusch to speak now.
Herr Hans Ludwig Pusch speaks about the aims and endeavours of German young people in Hamburg.
DR STEINER: Could I ask you to continue with your report at this point tomorrow. We have to keep to the times on the programme.
We shall continue this meeting tomorrow after Dr Schubert's lecture on ‘Anthroposophy, a Leader towards Christ’. May I now ask those friends who wish to speak, or who feel they must speak for definite reasons, to let me know this evening after the lecture so that I can gain an impression of the number of speakers and make room in the agenda. Please bear in mind that we must make the most fruitful use of the days at our disposal. Apart from what has already been announced in connection with my three last lectures, it will also be necessary to have some smaller, specialist meetings with the doctors present here. Other smaller meetings will also have to be planned.
Now let me announce the next part of the agenda: This afternoon at 4.30 the Nativity Play; in the evening at 8.30 my lecture. Tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock the lecture by Dr Schubert on ‘Anthroposophy, a Leader to Christ’. This will be followed by the continuation of today's meeting which we have had to interrupt in the middle of a speech. Unfortunately we shall probably have to do this again to enable us to carry out the proceedings in a rational manner. The meeting is now adjourned till tomorrow.
I still have a few announcements to make and would ask you to remain in your seats. First of all, please do all you can to avoid crowding at the entrance. I have been told that older people who are more frail than the young have been put in danger, so please avoid this and give consideration to others.
Secondly, Dr Im Obersteg, Centralbahn Platz 9, Basel, who has frequently arranged rail and sea travel for us, has offered to make the necessary arrangements for those who need them for their return journey. In our experience Dr Im Obersteg's service is exceptionally reliable. Chiefly it will be a matter of taking over ship and rail tickets for the western countries such as Norway, Sweden, England, Holland, France, Spain, Italy and so on. You can either go direct or arrange it through us. Will those who have wishes in this respect please approach Dr Wachsmuth.
Fortsetzung der Gründungsversammlung
Dr. Steiner:
Meine lieben Freunde!
Wir werden die Tagesordnung damit beginnen, daß wir uns den Vortrag anhören, mit welchem Herr Werbeck uns heute zu erfreuen gedenkt.
Louis Werbeck hält sein Referat: «Zur Gegnerschaft der Anthroposophie.»
Dr. Steiner: Wir dürfen, meine lieben Freunde, nun etwa 15 Minuten Pause machen und dann mit der gestern abgebrochenen Mitgliederversammlung fortsetzen.
Dr. Steiner: Meine lieben Freunde! Lassen Sie uns auch heute wiederum die Worte hören, die uns in der Seele wiederklingen sollen hier und dann, wenn wir hinausgehen, um das hier Beabsichtigte hinauszutragen:
Menschenseele!
Du lebest in den Gliedern,
Die dich durch die Raumeswelt
Im Geistesmeereswesen tragen:
Übe Geist-Erinnern
In Seelentiefen,
Wo in waltendem
Weltenschöpfer-Sein
Das eigne Ich
Im Gottes-Ich
Erweset;
Und du wirst wahrhaft leben
Im Menschen-Welten-Wesen.Denn es waltet der Vater-Geist der Höhen
Menschenseele!
In den Weltentiefen Sein-erzeugend.
Seraphim, Cherubim, Throne,
Lasset aus den Höhen erklingen,
Was in den Tiefen das Echo findet
Und was im Echo der Tiefen
Das Geheimnis der Höhen
Wiederklingen läßt;
Das spricht:
Ex Deo nascimur.
Du lebest in dem Herzens-Lungen-Schlage,
Der dich durch den Zeitenrhythmus
Ins eigne Seelenwesensfühlen leitet:
Übe Geist-Besinnen
Im Seelengleichgewichte,
Wo die wogenden
Welten-Werde-Taten
Das eigne Ich
Dem Welten-Ich
Vereinen;
Und du wirst wahrhaft fühlen
Im Menschen-Seelen-Wirken.Denn es waltet der Christus-Wille im Umkreis
In den Weltenrhythmen Seelen-begnadend.
Durch die Geister Kyriotetes, Dynamis, Exusiai,
Lasset, ihr Geister, vom Osten befeuern,
Was durch den Westen sich gestaltet,
Und das Feuer des Ostens,
Das aus dem Westen seine Gestaltung empfängt,
Es spricht:
In Christo morimur.Menschenseele!
Du lebest im ruhenden Haupte,
Das dir aus Ewigkeitsgründen
Die Weltgedanken erschließet:
Übe Geist-Erschauen
In Gedanken-Ruhe,
Wo die ew’gen Götterziele
Welten-Wesens-Licht
Dem eignen Ich
Zu freiem Wollen
Schenken;
Und du wirst wahrhaft denken
In Menschen-Geistes-Gründen.Denn es walten des Geistes Weltgedanken
Im Weltenwesen Licht-erflehend.
Archai, Archangeloi, Angeloi,
Lasset aus den Tiefen erbitten,
Was in den Höhen erhöret wird,
Dieses spricht:
Per spiritum sacntum reviviscimus
Halten wir wiederum den inneren Rhythmus dieser Worte fest in wesenhaften Teilen. Wir haben hier:
[Es wird gesprochen und an die Tafel geschrieben. Faksimile siehe Beilage 4, Tafel IV]
Übe Geist-Erinnern
Dasjenige, was in der Menschenseele stattfindet, es hat seine Beziehungen zu allem Wesenhaften im Geiist-, Seelen- und Leibes-Kosmos. Deshalb weist gerade dieses «Übe Geist-Erinnern» hin auf dasjenige, was dann klingt bei der Anrufung der Seraphim, Cherubim und Throne zur Charakteristik der Art und Weise, wie sie im Weltenall wirken:
Seraphim, Cherubim, Throne,
Lasset aus den Höhen erklingen,
Was in den Tiefen das Echo findet.
Und man hat eigentlich die richtige kosmische Vorstellung, wenn man das Bild sich vor die Seele stellt, daß aus den Höhen die Stimmen der Seraphim, Cherubim, Throne im Weltenworte erklingen und gehört werden, indem sie in den Tiefen der Untergründe des Weltenseins ihr Echo finden und das aus den Höhen Angeregte, von unten auf erklingend, das Weltenwort, ausgeht von Seraphim, Cherubim und Thronen.
Den zweiten Spruch haben wir:
Übe Geist-Besinnen
Es hat seine Beziehung zu der zweiten Hierarchie: Kyriotetes, Dynamis, Exusiai. Sie sind charakterisiert, wenn man ihre Stimmen vorstellt im Weltenworte im Sinne der Worte;
Kyriotes, Dynamis, Exusiai,
Lasset vom Osten befeuern,
Was durch den Westen sich gestaltet.
Das dritte Glied im Menschensein ist:
Übe Geist-Erschauen.
Dabei der Hinweis auf die Art, wie die dritte Hierarchie sich einschaltet in das Weltenwort:
Archai, Archangeloi, Angeloi,
Lasset aus den Tiefen erbitten,
Was in den Höhen erhöret wird.
[Tafelanschrift]
Übe Geist-Erinnern
S. Ch. T.
Lasset aus den Höhen erklingen,
Was in den Tiefen das Echo findet.Übe Geist-Besinnen
K. D. Ex.
Lasset vom Osten befenern,
Was durch den Westen sich gestaltet.Übe Geist-Erschauen
A. AA. Ang.
Lasset aus den Tiefen erbitten,
Was in den Höhen erhöret wird.
Wir haben das Gegenteil der ersten Hierarchie, bei der wir die Stimmen nach unten gelegen, von unten im Echo nach aufwärts kommend haben. Wir haben hier die Stimmen, die aufgenommen werden aus den Wesen, die von unten her etwas zu erbitten haben, das nun von oben nach unten hin erhört wird. Von oben nach unten: von den Höhen nach den Tiefen; von dem Umkreis: Osten und Westen; von unten nach oben: von den Tiefen in die Höhen.
Meine lieben Freunde! Ich habe noch nachtragend mitzuteilen, daß für die polnische Anthroposophische Gesellschaft, die hier nicht vertreten war, das Folgende vorzubringen ist, eine Zuschrift an den Vorstand der Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft in Dornach: «Die Arbeitsgruppen in Polen - Krakau, Lemberg, Warschau - haben beschlossen, die polnische Anthroposophische Gesellschaft zu gründen. Die Gesellschaft soll den anthroposophischen Ideen dienen, indem sie den breitesten Kreisen die Schätze der Geisteslehre klarlegt und im polnischen Volke in einer verhängnisvollen Zeit als Selbsterkenntnis seiner Mission wirkt. Die neugegründete Anthroposophische Gesellschaft in Polen schickt zum Fest der Grundsteinlegung dem Führer und Gründer der internationalen anthroposophischen Bewegung, Herrn Dr. Steiner, ihren Ausdruck höchster Ergebenheit. Die polnische Anthroposophische Gesellschaft ersucht dringend, er möge sich ihrer annehmen, seinen Schutz und Leitung nicht versagen und verpflichtet sich ihrerseits ... (der Schluß wurde durch Geräusche nicht gehört).
Für den Warschauer Kreis:
Für den Lemberger Kreis:
Für die übrigen Kreise:
Luna Drechsler als Bevollmächtigte.»
Dann von Köln am Rhein: «Zur Grundsteinlegung der Internationalen Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft Weihnachten 1923 wünsche ich Ihnen und allen dort versammelten Freunden aus innigstem Herzen alles Gute. Ich wünsche, daß immer mehr vor aller Welt offenbar werden möge, was mit dieser Grundsteinlegung gemeint ist. Mit herzlichem Gruß Gottfried Husemann.»
Meine lieben Freunde, ich denke, daß vorläufig von seiten des Vorstandes dasjenige vorgebracht worden ist, was dieser Vorstand im großen vorzubringen hatte. Es wird sich darum handeln, daß in den nächsten Tagen noch der Entwurf zu einer Art Geschäftsordnung oder Ausführungsbestimmungen zu den Statuten vorgelegt werde. Es wird aber wünschenswert sein, daß vor allen übrigen Verhandlungen nunmehr dasjenige zum Ausdrucke kommt, was einzelne unserer lieben Freunde zu sagen haben. Es ist ja hier ein Verzeichnis vorhanden von Wortmeldungen der Delegierten, die Referate halten wollen, und ich denke, es ist das beste, wenn wir auch hier nicht schematisch vorgehen, um dadurch Zeit zu verlieren — das tut man Ja, wenn man schematisch vorgeht -, sondern es wird das beste sein, wenn wir dasjenige, was die verehrten, lieben Freunde zu sagen haben, jetzt in entsprechender Weise absolvieren. Ich möchte daher fragen, ob es Ihnen recht ist, wenn ich jetzt diejenigen Freunde aufrufe zum Worte, die sich schon vorher hier angemeldet haben zum Sprechen. - Es sind dies die Herren Leinhas, Dr. Kolisko, Dr. Stein, Dr. Palmer, Herr Werbeck, Dr. Lehrs, Miss Cross, Mademoiselle Rihouet, Mr. Collison, Frau Hart-Nibbrig, Herr de Haan, Herr Stibbe, Herr Zagwijn, Frau Ljungquist.
Dr. Wachsmuth teilt mit, daß diese Namenmeldungen schon zu Anfang gemacht wurden, nicht zu einem Spezialthema, sondern nur allgemein.
Dr. Steiner: Dann werde ich also bitten um die Namen derjenigen Freunde, die nun irgend etwas vorzubringen haben. Es ist natürlich notwendig, daß, um die Versammlung weiter fortzusetzen, aus der Mitte der Freunde dasjenige vorgebracht wird, was die Freunde oder die Delegierten, die hierher gekommen sind, auf dem Herzen haben. Ich werde also um Wortmeldungen bitten in dem jetzigen Augenblikke, wo man sozusagen in einer ganz umfassenden Generaldebatte über dasjenige sprechen kann, was man auf dem Herzen hat in bezug auf die Anthroposophische Gesellschaft, die hier begründet worden ist.
Mr. Collison: Nachher bitte über Erziehung.
Dr. Steiner: Wird das Wort über irgend etwas gewünscht, das ganz im Allgemeinen liegt? Wenn das nicht der Fall ist, meine lieben Freunde, so werden wir zur Besprechung einzelner Gebiete schreiten. Es sind ja heute in Aussicht genommen Diskussionen über die Probleme der Gesellschaft und über Probleme der Pädagogik. Vielleicht hat auch noch der eine oder der andere der Freunde etwas zu sagen in Anknüpfung an den Vortrag von Herrn Werbeck und so weiter. Wünscht dazu jemand das Wort?
Herr Hohlenberg meldet sich zum Wort.
Dr. Steiner: Herr Hohlenberg wird in bezug auf die Gegnerschaft sprechen.
Herr Hohlenberg tut es.
Dr. Steiner: Es wird sich wohl am besten machen, wenn dasjenige, was ich nach dieser Richtung selber zu sagen habe, dann zusammenfassend nach der Aussprache der Freunde gesagt wird. Es wird ja noch so manches vorzubringen sein im Laufe der nächsten Tage.
Als nächster Redner über Gesellschafts-Angelegenheiten, auch über die Jugendbewegung, ist Dr. Lehrs gemeldet. Ich darf vielleicht Dr. Lehrs bitten, das Wort zu nehmen.
Dr. Lehrs spricht über die Freie Anthroposophische Gesellschaft.
Dr. Steiner: Meine lieben Freunde! Ich möchte nicht, daß ein Mißverständnis entsteht in bezug auf meine vor einigen Tagen hier geäußerten Worte. Herr Dr. Lehrs hat ganz richtig interpretiert, und jede andere Interpretation würde eigentlich meine Worte nicht treffen. Ich meinte nicht etwa, daß das dazumal Vorgeschlagene heute an Bedeutung verloren habe, sondern ich sagte: Es war mir ja natürlich etwas, was ich eigentlich als tragisch empfand, daß dieser Vorschlag gemacht werden mußte zur Trennung der Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft in Deutschland und der Freien Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft. Aber er mußte eben gemacht werden, der Vorschlag; er ergab sich dazumal aus den Tatsachen heraus. Und ebenso ist es durchaus notwendig, daß diese Freie Anthroposophische Gesellschaft weiter bestehe und weiter arbeite in dem Sinne, wie ja das von unserem jungen Freunde skizziert worden ist von verschiedenen Seiten her. Also ich möchte nur sagen, daß ich Sie bitte, durchaus die Interpretation Dr. Lehrs’ für meine vor einigen Tagen gesprochenen Worte als zutreffend anzusehen.
Ich nehme nun an, daß Herr Hans Ludwig Pusch sich zu der Rede von Dr. Lehrs melden will. Ich bitte also, Herrn Hans Ludwig Pusch vielleicht sogleich das Wort zu nehmen.
Hans Ludwig Pusch, Hamburg, spricht über Ziele und Bestrebungen der deutschen Jugend in Hamburg.
Dr. Steiner: Darf ich dann bitten, Ihre Rede morgen hier an diesem Punkt fortzusetzen. Wir müssen die Zeitenfolge einhalten.
Dr. Steiner: Wir werden die Tagung morgen nach dem Vortrage von Dr. Schubert, der handeln wird über «Anthroposophie, ein Führer zu Christus», fortsetzen. — Ich würde nun bitten, daß diejenigen Freunde, welche des Willens sind, oder es aus sachlichen Gründen heraus für notwendig halten, uns Referate zu geben, mir heute abend nach dem Vortrag das melden, so daß ich also eine Übersicht haben kann über die zu haltenden Referate, die dann eingefügt werden müssen in die Tagesordnungen. Ich bitte zu berücksichtigen, daß wir ja die Tage so fruchtbar als möglich werden anwenden müssen. Es wird noch notwendig sein, daß außer dem Angekündigten im Zusammenhange mit meinen drei letzten Vorträgen im Speziellen kleine Zusammenkünfte mit den hier versammelten Ärzten stattfinden. Auch andere kleine Zusammenkünfte werden noch vorzusehen sein.
Ich bitte jetzt den nächsten Teil der Tagesordnung mitteilen zu dürfen: Heute nachmittag 4 Uhr 30 das Christgeburtspiel; abends 8 Uhr 30 mein Vortrag. Morgens 10 Uhr Vortrag von Dr. Schubert «Anthroposophie, ein Führer zu Christus». Dann in Fortsetzung dazu die Fortführung der heutigen Versammlung, die wir ja mitten in einer Rede abbrechen mußten; allein, wir werden das in der Zukunft auch tun müssen, da wir nur dadurch in die Möglichkeit kommen, die Verhandlungen rationell durchzuführen. Damit ist die Versammlung bis morgen vertagt.
Ich habe nur noch ein paar Mitteilungen zu machen, für die ich Sie bitte, sich auf Ihren Sitzen zu halten. Das erste ist: tunlichst zu vermeiden, daß beim Hereingehen ein Gedränge entsteht. Ich höre, daß für die älteren Leute, die mehr gebrechlich sind als die Jugend, da eine Gefahr entsteht, und ich bitte, dies durch Vorsorglichkeit für seine Mitmenschen zu vermeiden.
Ferner ist mitzuteilen, daß Herr Dr. Im Obersteg, CentralbahnPlatz 9 in Basel, der schon häufig für uns Fahrbillette und auch Schiffsbillette besorgt hat, bereit ist, für solche, die für die Heimfahrt dergleichen brauchen, die Besorgung zu übernehmen. Wir haben die Erfahrung, daß gerade dort dergleichen mit einer außerordentlichen Exaktheit gemacht wird. Es handelt sich hauptsächlich um die Übernahme von Schiffs- und Eisenbahnbilletten für die westlichen Länder, Norwegen, Schweden, England, Holland, Frankreich, Spanien, Italien und so weiter. Es kann entweder persönlich oder durch uns gemacht werden. Diejenigen verehrten Freunde, die nach dieser Richtung hin Wünsche haben, werden so gut sein, sich bei Dr. Wachsmuth zu melden.
Continuation of the founding meeting
Dr. Steiner:
My dear friends!
We will begin the agenda by listening to the lecture with which Mr. Werbeck intends to delight us today.
Louis Werbeck gives his presentation: “On the Opposition to Anthroposophy.”
Dr. Steiner: My dear friends, we may now take a break of about 15 minutes and then continue with the general meeting that was interrupted yesterday.
Dr. Steiner: My dear friends! Let us hear again today the words that should resonate in our souls here and then, when we go out to carry out what we intend to do here:
Human soul!
For the Father-Spirit of the heights reigns
You live in the limbs,
Which carry you through the world of space
In the sea of spirit:
Practice spirit-remembrance
In the depths of the soul,
Where in the ruling
Being of the Creator of worlds
Your own I
Becomes one
With the I of God;
And you will truly live
In the human-world-being.
In the depths of the world, creating being.
Seraphim, cherubim, thrones,
Let resound from the heights
What finds its echo in the depths
And what in the echo of the depths
The secret of the heights
Resounds again;
That speaks:
Ex Deo nascimur. Human soul!
You live in the heartbeat and breath,
Which through the rhythm of time
Into your own soul-being:
Practice spiritual reflection
In soul equilibrium,
Where the surging
World-becoming deeds
Your own self
With the world-self
Unite;
And you will truly feel
In the workings of the human soul.For the will of Christ reigns in the sphere
In the rhythms of the worlds, blessing souls.
Through the spirits Kyriotetes, Dynamis, Exusiai,
Let yourselves, spirits, be fired from the East,
What is formed through the West,
And the fire of the East,
Which receives its form from the West,
It speaks:
In Christo morimur.Human soul!
You live in the resting head,
Which, from the grounds of eternity,
Opens up the thoughts of the world to you:
Practice spiritual vision
In thought-rest,
Where the eternal goals of the gods
Light of world-being
To the own I
For free will
Give;
And you will truly think
In human-spirit foundations.For the world thoughts of the spirit reign
In the light-seeking being of the world.
Archai, Archangeloi, Angeloi,
Let them ask from the depths,
What is heard in the heights,
This speaks:
Per spiritum sacntum reviviscimus
Let us again hold fast to the inner rhythm of these words in their essential parts. Here we have:
[It is spoken and written on the board. See facsimile in Appendix 4, Plate IV]
Practice spirit remembrance
What takes place in the human soul has its connections to everything essential in the cosmos of spirit, soul, and body. That is why this “Practice spirit-remembering” points to what then sounds in the invocation of the seraphim, cherubim, and thrones as characteristic of the way they work in the universe:
Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones,
Let resound from the heights,
What finds its echo in the depths.
And one actually has the correct cosmic idea when one imagines the image before one's soul that the voices of the Seraphim, cherubim, and thrones resound in the world word and are heard, finding their echo in the depths of the foundations of world existence, and that which is inspired from the heights, resounding from below, the world word, emanates from seraphim, cherubim, and thrones.
We have the second saying:
Practice spiritual reflection
It has its relationship to the second hierarchy: Kyriotetes, Dynamis, Exusiai. They are characterized when one imagines their voices in the world word in the sense of the words;
Kyriotes, Dynamis, Exusiai,
Let the east be set ablaze,
What is formed by the west.
The third link in human existence is:
Practice spiritual vision.
Here is a reference to the way in which the third hierarchy intervenes in the world word:
Archai, Archangeloi, Angeloi,
Let us ask from the depths,
What is heard in the heights.
[Inscription on the tablet]
Practice spirit-remembering
S. Ch. T.
Let it resound from the heights,
What finds its echo in the depths.Practice spirit-remembrance
K. D. Ex.
Let the east be illuminated
By what is formed in the west.Practice spirit-vision
A. AA. Ang.
Let us ask from the depths
What is heard in the heights.
We have the opposite of the first hierarchy, in which we have the voices coming from below, echoing upwards. Here we have the voices that are received from the beings who have something to ask for from below, which is now heard from above to below. From above to below: from the heights to the depths; from the circumference: east and west; from below to above: from the depths to the heights.
My dear friends! I still have to add that the following has been submitted to the Executive Council of the Anthroposophical Society in Dornach on behalf of the Polish Anthroposophical Society, which was not represented here: "The working groups in Poland — Krakow, Lviv, Warsaw — have decided to found the Polish Anthroposophical Society. The Society shall serve anthroposophical ideas by explaining the treasures of spiritual teaching to the broadest circles and, in a fateful time, acting as self-knowledge of its mission among the Polish people. The newly founded Anthroposophical Society in Poland sends its expression of highest devotion to the leader and founder of the international anthroposophical movement, Dr. Steiner, on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone. The Polish Anthroposophical Society urgently requests that he take it under his wing, not withhold his protection and guidance, and for its part undertakes ... (the end was not heard due to noise).
For the Warsaw Circle:
For the Lviv Circle:
For the other circles:
Luna Drechsler as representative."
Then from Cologne on the Rhine: “On the laying of the foundation stone of the International Anthroposophical Society at Christmas 1923, I wish you and all your friends gathered there all the best from the bottom of my heart. I hope that the meaning of this foundation stone will become increasingly clear to the whole world. With warm regards, Gottfried Husemann.”
My dear friends, I think that for the time being, the Executive Council has presented what it had to present in broad terms. In the next few days, a draft of a kind of rules of procedure or implementing provisions for the statutes will be presented. However, it would be desirable for the comments of some of our dear friends to be expressed before any further discussions take place. We have a list of delegates who wish to speak, and I think it would be best if we did not proceed in a schematic manner, as this would cause us to lose time—which is what happens when one proceeds schematically—but rather if we now proceed in an appropriate manner with what our esteemed friends have to say. I would therefore like to ask whether it is acceptable to you if I now call on those friends who have already registered here to speak. These are Mr. Leinhas, Dr. Kolisko, Dr. Stein, Dr. Palmer, Mr. Werbeck, Dr. Lehrs, Miss Cross, Mademoiselle Rihouet, Mr. Collison, Mrs. Hart-Nibbrig, Mr. de Haan, Mr. Stibbe, Mr. Zagwijn, and Mrs. Ljungquist.
Dr. Wachsmuth informs us that these names were already given at the beginning, not for a specific topic, but only in general.
Dr. Steiner: Then I will ask for the names of those friends who now have something to say. It is, of course, necessary for the meeting to continue that those friends or delegates who have come here should express what is on their minds. I will therefore ask for comments at this moment, when we can, so to speak, engage in a comprehensive general debate on what is on our minds with regard to the Anthroposophical Society that has been founded here.
Mr. Collison: Afterwards, please, on education.
Dr. Steiner: Would anyone like to speak about something of a general nature? If that is not the case, my dear friends, we will proceed to discuss individual areas. Today we have planned discussions on the problems of society and on problems of education. Perhaps one or two of our friends would also like to say something in connection with Mr. Werbeck's lecture and so on. Would anyone like to speak on this?
Mr. Hohlenberg asks to speak.
Dr. Steiner: Mr. Hohlenberg will speak on the subject of opposition.
Mr. Hohlenberg does so.
Dr. Steiner: It would probably be best if what I myself have to say on this subject were summarized after the friends have spoken. There will be much more to say over the next few days.
The next speaker on social matters, including the youth movement, is Dr. Lehrs. May I ask Dr. Lehrs to take the floor?Dr. Lehrs speaks about the Free Anthroposophical Society.
Dr. Steiner: My dear friends! I do not want there to be any misunderstanding regarding the words I spoke here a few days ago. Dr. Lehrs has interpreted them quite correctly, and any other interpretation would not actually reflect my words. I did not mean that what was proposed at that time has lost its significance today, but I said: It was, of course, something that I actually found tragic that this proposal had to be made to separate the Anthroposophical Society in Germany and the Free Anthroposophical Society. But the proposal had to be made; it arose from the facts at that time. And it is also absolutely necessary that this Free Anthroposophical Society continue to exist and continue to work in the sense that our young friend has outlined from various angles. So I would just like to say that I ask you to regard Dr. Lehr's interpretation of the words I spoke a few days ago as accurate.
I now assume that Mr. Hans Ludwig Pusch would like to respond to Dr. Lehrs' speech. I therefore ask Mr. Hans Ludwig Pusch to take the floor immediately.
Hans Ludwig Pusch, Hamburg, speaks about the goals and aspirations of German youth in Hamburg.
Dr. Steiner: May I then ask you to continue your speech here tomorrow at this point. We must keep to the schedule.
Dr. Steiner: We will continue the conference tomorrow after Dr. Schubert's lecture, which will be on “Anthroposophy, a Guide to Christ.” — I would now ask those friends who are willing, or who consider it necessary for practical reasons, to give us presentations to let me know this evening after the lecture, so that I can have an overview of the presentations to be given, which will then have to be included in the agenda. Please bear in mind that we must make the most of these days. In addition to what has been announced, it will be necessary to hold small meetings with the doctors gathered here in connection with my last three lectures in particular. Other small meetings will also have to be arranged.
I would now like to announce the next part of the agenda: This afternoon at 4:30 p.m., the Christmas play; in the evening at 8:30 p.m., my lecture. At 10 a.m., a lecture by Dr. Schubert, “Anthroposophy, a Guide to Christ.” Then, in continuation of today's meeting, which we had to interrupt in the middle of a speech; however, we will have to do this in the future as well, as this is the only way we will be able to conduct the proceedings efficiently. The meeting is therefore adjourned until tomorrow.
I have just a few announcements to make, for which I ask you to remain in your seats. The first is: please avoid crowding when entering the room. I hear that this poses a danger to older people, who are more frail than young people, and I ask you to avoid this out of consideration for your fellow human beings.
Furthermore, I would like to inform you that Dr. Im Obersteg, Centralbahnplatz 9 in Basel, who has often procured train and ship tickets for us, is willing to take care of this for those who need such tickets for their journey home. We have found that he does this with extraordinary precision. This mainly concerns the procurement of boat and train tickets for Western countries, Norway, Sweden, England, Holland, France, Spain, Italy, and so on. This can be done either in person or through us. Those esteemed friends who have requests in this regard are kindly requested to contact Dr. Wachsmuth.
