The Rudolf Steiner Archive

[There are no minutes of this meeting, but there is the following report from a personal letter dated June 11 from Ernest Etienne of Chancy/Geneva; cf. also the report by Dr. Ernst Blümel at the Annual General Meeting on June 10, page 522.]

I was in Dornach for the group leaders' meeting and the meeting of the Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland. We had a meeting from three to five in the afternoon last Saturday, then eurythmy and a lecture, followed by a meeting from ten o'clock until one o'clock at night with the delegates, at which Dr. Steiner was present. A declaration was read in which Dr. Steiner was asked to take charge of the reconstruction of the Goetheanum and granted full freedom in the choice of those who should help him and also with regard to the finances necessary for the reconstruction. On condition that no one interferes with his arrangements, Dr. Steiner accepted, naturally also taking full responsibility for the construction and the finances. He has now requested a further three million to get started, in addition to the three million promised by the insurance company. He has stated that the insurance company has paid up and that the Canton of Solothurn wants the reconstruction and will provide the necessary funds. It would be made of concrete and would retain the character of the new organic forms typical of anthroposophy. The construction would be completed quickly, taking about 12 to 15 months. In view of the exchange rate fluctuations and the difficulties they cause, Dr. Steiner is opposed to taking out a loan and would prefer donations à fonds perdus.¹

Long discussions arose among the delegates to create an organization in Dornach to better inform the branches. This was a rather unpleasant matter that took up a lot of time. First, they demanded a great deal, and then they refused to give the necessary credit. The Bernese were quite bureaucratic and demanded a set of rules of procedure and an employment contract for the person who was to be entrusted with this matter. Another difficulty was the location, the furniture and finally the person himself. They were not satisfied with Storrer, who has taken everything upon himself. He was only provisionally confirmed, and Mr. Stokar was added to him, who is to receive 300 francs a month and can share the existing facilities.

I emphasized the necessity of guidance for the branches and for members who do not belong to any group. My proposal was accepted:

1. Minutes of the Dornach meetings should be taken.
2. More frequent meetings of the delegates.
3. Written communication of the issues discussed and those that need to be discussed.

It was decided that the branches in Bern, Zurich, Olten, St. Gallen and Basel should each have a delegate on the committee to oversee relations between the branches and the center and the use of funds. Mr. Steffen should have nothing to do with these financial matters. Stokar will take care of the communications and the minutes. The contributions of the branches were increased in that they will pay ten francs for each member for this organization instead of five as before, and the members who do not belong to a branch (and therefore have no expenses arising from branch membership) will pay 25 francs.²

• 1. This decision was read out and approved at the general assembly the following day.
• 2. Was confirmed by the General Assembly the following day.

Schreinereisaal in continuation of the meeting of April 22 Minutes by Helene Finckh

Albert Steffen: Dear friends, Today, too, I extend a warm welcome to those present at this continuation of the Annual General Meeting of April 22. In particular, I would like to thank Dr. Steiner for his presence and for the fact that he will give a series of lectures every evening this week that is of such great importance for our movement, namely on the history and conditions of the anthroposophical movement in relation to our society.

And I also extend a warm welcome to our members from abroad, who I am delighted to see here. I do not want to give the slightest impression that we Swiss want to discuss everything among ourselves. We Swiss would like to have a firm foundation in our society, but then we would like to look as far as possible. Society encompasses the whole earth. We would actually like to be what our country is already modelling: it has a granite foundation and very high mountains, which we have of course not achieved in any way as yet. Dr. Steiner once described Switzerland itself as something that could become the centre of a spiritual movement. Perhaps I may quote the passage he had me print in the 'Goetheanum' at the time [from the Dornach lecture, 14 October 1921, in CW 339]: '.... A state like Switzerland... is something very special. Firstly, as was already apparent during the war if one only wanted to see it, Switzerland is something of a center of gravity in the world. And it could use its lack of engagement in relation to the various world conditions to develop free judgment and free action in relation to its surroundings. The world is just waiting for the Swiss to realize in their heads what they realize in their pockets. In their pockets they notice that the franc is not really affected by the rise and fall of currencies, by the corruption of currencies. The Swiss do notice that the whole world revolves around the Swiss franc. That this is also the case in spiritual terms is something the Swiss do not notice. But just as they appreciate the immovable franc, which has become the regulator, as it were, of currencies throughout the world, so they should also understand their position, which is truly independent of world events and through which Switzerland could actually be a kind of pivot for world events – the Swiss should understand this...

Dear attendees, what this actually says is that our Swiss anthroposophical movement is not only based on spiritual foundations but also on natural ones, and that if we cannot found this society, we are not only doing something that is unspiritual but also something that is unnatural.

Now Switzerland has been chosen by fate – which is also a fact of nature in this case – to have the Goetheanum here. It is simply necessary, if we really want to fulfill our task, that the Goetheanum be rebuilt here. This fact was also expressed at the last General Assembly, but in a highly chaotic manner and without any real outcome. But in the end, the mood was unanimous: the Goetheanum must stand here again.

You are all aware of what was discussed at this meeting, partly because you were present and partly because the report was sent out all over the world. ^{1The report can be found on page 557.} This report, so kindly and well written by Mr. Heywood-Smith, was sent to America, England, California, Italy, France and so on, and it has met with an extraordinarily enthusiastic response. Enthusiastic letters came from everywhere, and there were also assurances of support for the organization with money. I would like to read some of these letters to you. First, the letter from Mrs. Greene from New York to our friend Mr. Heywood-Smith:

"You were kind enough to send us the reports of the events of the general assembly held in the carpentry workshop. I immediately called an extra meeting and the members of the St. Mark's Group decided to send the following cable to Dr. Steiner: “It is the wish of the members of the St. Mark's Group that the Goetheanum be rebuilt as soon as possible and that we will support the work morally and financially to the best of our ability.”

A similar letter came from Mme. Ferreri in Milan. Unfortunately, she has asked me not to read it in its entirety. I will just say that she has also sent or plans to send large sums of money and that she is strongly supported in this by her group. In general, this letter conveys such a strong sense of community with Dornach and the whole movement.

Then there is a letter from California from Mrs. Love, who gives the same assurance of spiritual and financial support.

And then, especially from England, the report from the General Assembly there. After the English work had been discussed at this General Assembly, and it had been made clear that very good work was being done there, Mr. Wheeler reported that since the fire at the Goetheanum it had been possible to send an average of 100 pounds per month to Dr. Steiner. Mr. Metaxa then says: [was not noted, see page 517]. And then a whole series of members of the local branches speak in this sense. Mr. Kaufmann, for example, also said that the primary concern was to establish the necessary spiritual foundation for the building, and that this must be the goal in a new solidarity and unity that exists in society. Mr. Dunlop then said that this was the right thing to do at the present moment. The Society should come to Dr. Steiner with a definite will and aim and should not leave everything to him; if we face the world squarely and show our will and determination to build, there will be no question of the authorities being able to prevent it, rather they would welcome it if they felt there was a living international movement behind it. Miss Schlesinger and Mr. Kaufmann then proposed that a committee be appointed to immediately take the necessary steps to rebuild the Goetheanum throughout the world through the will and efforts of the Anthroposophical Society. This motion was unanimously adopted.

Now the situation with the authorities is as follows. According to the information we have received from these authorities themselves in response to our enquiries, we will receive the insurance sum and the reconstruction will be allowed. It would take something quite unexpected for this not to be the case, but in our view that will not be the case. So there will be no obstacles from the authorities. The only thing missing to build the structure is the construction fund, the money. Dr. Steiner said that the construction would cost about double the sum insured.

We then immediately began to work on this matter. Dr. Wegman in particular set to work with great energy. She suggested that each member, if they were able, donate a thousand francs, and that would actually make it possible to start building, if it could be carried out. This plan was then immediately tackled, and in three days we raised 35,000 francs here in Dornach.

In St. Gallen, too, Mr. Knopfli immediately set to work and also raised a relatively large sum there. So there is something of an—in a good sense—epidemic of giving money. This is because a truly energetic and kind-hearted person has taken the initiative to do so, and precisely such a person, whose job it is to prevent epidemics in his daily work, has already succeeded in many respects. I do not wish to pre-empt the report of the laboratories here, but I would like to say that a meeting of doctors was recently held in Zurich which recommended the hay fever remedy, and that, as a result, I believe 200 doctors have turned to the laboratories to order this remedy. So you see, here everything comes from a willingness to make sacrifices. We know that Dr. Wegman is truly very willing to make sacrifices. She takes in many sick people to the clinic for free, and that should actually also prompt us to support her in this. I would ask you in general to really look at the inner being.

Nature is making leaps. So it will, because the Goetheanum is also to be built on a natural foundation, so to speak, it will also make leaps in that respect and lead people to us who really give donations. But it only makes leaps, nature - I mean in a spiritual way - when there is a spiritual foundation, that is, when people come together and have a heart, when they really have a willingness to make sacrifices. For nature certainly makes leaps in such a case, namely when one knows: Here spirit is present. Then nature will give. But if there is no spirit, then nature will not cause a person to give anything. For example, a person who is happy to give a thousand francs will perhaps quarrel over ten francs in another case. I would therefore like to ask Swiss society to come to a decision and pass a resolution urgently asking Dr. Steiner to take over the construction of the Goetheanum. This resolution was passed by the delegates yesterday, and I will read it out in general terms, as it has not yet been precisely formulated.

There is another important point, esteemed attendees, on this occasion. We have often experienced that Dr. Steiner's work is discredited by people who do not properly represent anthroposophy. At the very least, Dr. Steiner should be guaranteed complete freedom at the Goetheanum to rebuild it; that is, no one should interfere with him; that he should be able to choose the workers he wants to help rebuild the Goetheanum himself, and not have them imposed on him; that he should be able to carry out everything according to his own plans and so on. This is also expressed in the resolution. There are two versions, so perhaps I will read one first.

“Resolution. The Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland expresses the wish in today's general assembly that Dr. Steiner may take the reconstruction of the Goetheanum into his own hands. The Society grants Dr. Steiner full authority to carry out this reconstruction in every respect at his own discretion, without interference from the members.”

It is a bit bluntly put; perhaps it could be softened a bit. But I think we all agree with it, and I now ask you to take the floor on this matter. Before we move on to something else, we really want to come to a decision here. I believe that if we do this, we will really have a foundation on which society can grow and flourish again.

Harriet von Vacano: Asks everyone present to accept Mr. Steffen's proposal by acclamation and present the fact as a given. (It happens.)

Albert Steffen: The most pressing matter, of course, is how to get the building fund off the ground. Mr. Metaxa has already tackled this issue in England and will perhaps say a few words about it himself.

George Metaxa: Since Mr. Steffen has already read part of the minutes of the General Assembly that was recently held in London to you, perhaps I may just tell you now that the committee that was formed to discuss the matters of reconstruction was of the opinion that the reconstruction of the Goetheanum should be an international matter in the fullest sense. Members in all countries should really feel that they can participate in this reconstruction even if they are not able to come here themselves. And as you know, only very few are able to do so. Therefore, a proposal was made, approved by Dr. Steiner, and I am authorized to officially announce it to you. It is that we would like to call an international assembly of delegates here at the end of July, at which members from all countries would be represented. Then the matter of raising funds for the reconstruction could truly become an international affair, and all anthroposophical forces could be utilized for it. There could then perhaps also be other matters to discuss, so that the full strength of the anthroposophical movement could really be made available there too. If this proposal for an international assembly of delegates is officially accepted here by the Swiss Society, then the date could be announced. Details could perhaps be discussed with Mr. Steffen.

Albert Steffen: Such a proposal can of course only be most warmly welcomed by our Swiss Society.

Emanuel van Leer: My dear friends, at the last meeting I already had to talk about the financial situation at the Goetheanum. The intention was to start a major campaign immediately to raise the funds, 2 to 3 million francs. In the meantime, I have had the opportunity to get to know the strong initiative in Switzerland that Dr. Wegman had introduced. I have also been to England, and it seems to me that it is not possible to rush into something, but to do something very carefully. I do not want to use the general word “programme”, but I would like to say, as Mr. Metaxa suggested, that an international assembly of delegates should take place at the end of July. We can set it for July 22 or 29. The most important thing today and in the next few days is to communicate exactly what is being done and what is intended here, that certain plans be specified and that the various countries then discuss all the various issues in their own country and that the delegates who are really delegates come together, not that it works like in Stuttgart. You went there and perhaps first had to hear: What do the people in Stuttgart actually want? There was a chaotic mass of ideas and the delegates were often not authorized to say anything binding when it came to something. If we discussed it earlier, this and that could be done, then the delegates went to their countries, but the results were rather weak. We should now try the opposite. We should give people four weeks to think up their ideas, so that the countries come up with their various proposals. It is of course right for Switzerland to ask Dr. Steiner to build up. But as Mr. Metaxa said: It depends on the international. If we get the call from everywhere and the delegates come, we will be seen as one big body. Ideas are as cheap as blackberries. It is important to stick with them. For example, our British friends stand by their ideas. I must say that in some respects the British proposals seem more pleasant and more congenial to me than our Swiss ones, for the reason that up to now all the proposals have always come from Switzerland. In England, the attitude is: we want to do it together, but we also want to have a say in it. — The form in which this is done can still be discussed, but the important thing is to make it international. I am convinced that Mr. Steffen did not mean it to be Swiss. But so far everything has been done from Switzerland. The English believe that if they get behind the cause, it would be good. I would like to suggest that if these proposals seem acceptable, we will send out an appeal or a program or whatever you want to call such a paper in the next few days, stating that we will hold an international assembly and specifying exactly what is wanted here, so that the various groups in the different countries appoint their delegates, who also know what they want. It is not factual to say: those who are currently in Dornach are our delegates. If all countries send their delegates, I believe that only then will the results of today's meeting come out.

Albert Steffen: It is quite natural that the structure is an international affair. I just wanted to express what seems necessary to me in our Swiss Society, and we, the branches of the Swiss Society, the branch leaders have met and they have unanimously agreed to work towards raising a building fund. I think we can never do too much in this regard, if we make an effort, so to speak. This will in no way affect the international aspect, it can only inspire it. I think it should be the case that delegates from the various countries should now come together in the next few days, because they are here after all, and consult with each other, and that we might have the pleasure of having Dr. Steiner with us, who alone can give us the right advice. We don't want to interfere with his work in such matters. So my suggestion would be that we, the various friends from abroad who are here, gather separately – because such things cannot be discussed in sufficient detail in the plenary session – under the chairmanship of Dr. Steiner.

Wilhelm Nedella: Dear friends! I am allowed to say a few words, not only on behalf of those friends from America who cannot be with us today and whose names do not appear among those listed by Mr. Steffen, especially those of the St. Michael Group in Chicago. When the painful news of the destruction of the Goetheanum reached us and we had recovered somewhat from the heavy blow, the unanimous wish was: will we be able to have a Goetheanum again? Impossible without Goetheanum! This wish was intensified by the last general assembly. (A letter from the St. Michael Group to Dr. Steiner is read out.) ^{1This letter is not available.} These words apply from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast. There is a definite layer in America that is sincerely seeking a spirituality, that is listening to what is coming from Dornach, and there is not only pain over the loss, but also a strong will to be able to work on the new creation of the Goetheanum, a new creation in a different material. We see the destruction of the Goetheanum as a challenge to our best efforts, a test of how serious our will is and how great our devotion to the work is, and we hope that we will be equal to this test in every respect. What comes from Switzerland is always seen in America as an inspiration, an encouragement. This is on behalf of all absent friends in America who cannot be here today.

Albert Steffen thanks Mr. Nedella for his words.

George Kaufmann: Dear friends! Regarding the matter that has just been discussed by Mr. van Leer and answered by Mr. Steffen, I would like to say from the English side that what we have proposed is not intended to interfere with this Swiss assembly, so to speak, not at the beginning of this assembly, and also not, as was expressed in rather strong terms by Mr. van Leer, that the initiative for the reconstruction of the Goetheanum should be an international one — not that this could be understood in any immodest sense, because according to the external facts we in England have no reason at all to be immodest in this sense, but it is really practical, with a view to the best results for the future. And we are convinced that if the new initiative for the reconstruction comes entirely from the International Anthroposophical Society, also in formal terms, it will have the best results for the financing and for the ongoing support of the building work, which would also be necessary in the years to come. If, for example, it were to happen that now, since, as it happens, these or those representatives, these or those members should I say, are present from different countries, these are consulted for discussions and then let these discussions be the final ones and sent the members back to their countries, who then report what has been decided, that is not quite the same as when the members come as authorized delegates from their countries. They might not receive an explicit answer, but an implicit one: But who authorized you to decide something like that? — And so we think that a delegate assembly, a real delegate assembly, would be a good thing. But it can only be determined from this discussion whether or not this is a practical proposal. Perhaps, among the international members here, the right agenda for the delegates' meeting and a practical call from Switzerland to the various countries could be sent out, based on the discussions that Mr. Steffen proposed. This will only make practical sense if this meeting of the Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland now discusses further what Mr. Steffen has suggested. When the General Assembly was in England two weeks ago, the report from the last General Assembly was presented here, but not yet the knowledge of the very gratifying action initiated by Dr. Wegman. It would be very nice if the decision and the taking up of the work and also the bearing of responsibility on the part of the friends in the various countries really emerged and the societies in the various countries know that they have taken it upon themselves, that they then bear the responsibility through their own will. Letters should be sent to all branches; the feeling is that contact should be established in a modest but friendly way between anthroposophists in all countries, as it could perhaps come about in a practical way on this occasion of the reconstruction of the Goetheanum.

Albert Steffen replied to George Kaufmann's words that we are indeed dependent on the help of the foreign branches and societies and that such a meeting of delegates is therefore really the most necessary thing. As proposed by Kaufmann and van Leer, this meeting could take place on July 22.

There are other matters that need to be discussed, but I would like to ask Dr. Steiner to say a few words about the structure of the Goetheanum.

Dr. Steiner: I myself have nothing to add to what you have said. I would just like to say this: if this meeting of delegates from different countries comes about, I do not want to chair it, I just want to be there, but I want the chair to be taken by someone else.

Albert Steffen: I would like to suggest that the chair should be taken by Mr. van Leer or Mr. Metaxa or Mr. Kaufmann or whoever you decide on at the time. Does anyone else wish to speak on this matter?

Willy Storrer: Mr. Kaufmann said very nicely that the proposals of our foreign friends cannot prevent us from expressing our will and taking a stand on the reconstruction. In other countries, practical discussions have also taken place about the fact that there is no longer a Goetheanum and that a Goetheanum must be rebuilt. Anthroposophy contains world forces and not philistine forces. I think we can express our will today in general and in specific details. This has already been done to some extent by the resolution that Mr. Steffen read out, and then by the initiative of Dr. Wegman and various others, for example Dr. Wachsmuth and Mr. Pfeiffer in Dornach and Mr. Knopfli in St. Gallen, who are working in this field. I would like to make a motion that the Swiss Anthroposophical Society as a whole should try to pay a contribution of one thousand francs towards the reconstruction of the Goetheanum for each of its registered members within a year. This would make a contribution of 700,000 francs towards the reconstruction of the Goetheanum for the Swiss Anthroposophical Society.

Mr. Koller: What I wanted to say has now been partly said by Mr. Storrer. My suggestion would be that despite all that has been said, we can still declare our agreement, which is expressed in the resolution. Since we are all present, whether it is internal now or serves as a basis for inviting international delegates, we can now confirm by show of hands that we agree with what has been written in the resolution.

Mr. Steffen: Yes, is anyone not in agreement? Let them raise their hand. I believe we can consider this point settled for the time being. I would now like to give Dr. Blümel the floor to report on what we discussed yesterday at the delegates' meeting.

Dr. Ernst Blümel: He reported on the meeting that took place yesterday afternoon at 3:00 p.m., in which the question of rebuilding the Goetheanum was the first item on the agenda, and in which the resolution that was read was essentially formulated. Then the actual internal affairs of the Swiss Anthroposophical Society were discussed. Various voices were raised that the way the internal administration of the Society is organized, and indeed the whole internal structure of the Society, as it exists here at the moment, is not up to the demands that will increasingly arise. In particular, certain possibilities for reorganizing the office at the Goetheanum were considered, so that a clearer relationship with the branches and the council, which represents the Anthroposophical Society, must be tackled. Mr. Storrer then resigned as managing director at the Goetheanum. A provisional decision was taken to the effect that until this question of the office is definitively settled, the current officeholder will continue to be commissioned until this matter is resolved at the next conference of delegates. In connection with these questions, it was then natural that the financial side of anthroposophical affairs should also be addressed, since what is currently going on in this direction is quite unable to meet the demands. A proposal was then made as to how certain tasks could be set for the Society and how much the Society would need in order to fulfill those tasks, which are initially of a purely social nature. It turned out – and these proposals were then adopted in plenary – that it would be necessary to finance the purely administrative side in such a way that it could really count on a fixed subsidy in the appropriate manner, so that these difficulties would not arise again and again, and that something like a sum of 6,000 francs a year would be needed, partly for administrative purposes and partly for a certain contact between the office and the various branches. For library support, 2,000 francs; for the creation of something similar to a reserve fund for sick and disabled care – something similar would also be tackled – about 2,000 francs. And then perhaps, which could be one of the most pressing tasks, to actively promote the payment of contributions in Switzerland. Now it is 12,000 to 13,000 francs a year. On the other hand, the current membership fee that is paid in is actually only so much on average, so it is only 7,000 to 8,000 francs a year. The necessity for an increase in membership fees arises from this. It has become apparent that it was not possible to raise the actually necessary membership fee of CHF 20 per member, which is to be paid to the headquarters. One can only demand CHF 10 from the members. It would be good to also get the opinion of those gathered here. It has been suggested that a consortium or committee appointed by the association should maintain close contact with the headquarters here, which would manage this committee, so that it would take responsibility for the finances. So that what may be a small seed here will have the opportunity to become a strong plant. And if our society were to set a good example, perhaps the other societies would also make a certain contribution. Funds are needed for the reorganization as a foundation, but the most necessary funds are not available for this.

Edgar Dürler: Mr. Steffen has given me a suggestion, namely to report on my impressions as a Swiss in New Zealand. It is very remote from Europe, but there are good seeds for anthroposophy there. An anthroposophical group or section has been formed there that wants to join the general anthroposophical society. Mr. Crompton-Smith has led the work there, along with a few others. He has been in New Zealand for two years and in Paris for a year. He very much regrets not having known, for example, that Mr. Collison had traveled to New Zealand and given lectures there to a small group. They had had no support so far at the Swiss headquarters, which is why he had to miss the opportunity to hear Mr. Collison there. Mr. Dürler emphasizes the necessity of an international society, which is absolutely necessary, and says that it can only be welcomed when an international center of the Anthroposophical Society is created.

Albert Steffen: This is, of course, a point that must also be discussed, which has become urgently necessary in recent times; but now we must remain on the point at which we are, with the things that Dr. Blümel has suggested.

Willi Aeppli: Hopes that this financial matter will be settled very quickly: the contribution must be increased; it is impossible to finance anything with Fr. 3.50; it is easier to do something with Fr. 7. And if we have further plans, such as a library and financing of the school system, the contribution will later have to be 10 francs and possibly increased again. Perhaps some of you would like to comment on this?

Albert Steffen: I have just been asked to say that in this case a consortium would be formed, on the one hand, from the working committee at the Goetheanum and, on the other hand, from representatives of the branches in Bern, Basel, Zurich, St. Gallen and Olten. They would each have a representative in this consortium, so that the Society would really be represented peripherally and would take on a certain responsibility in the regulation of financial matters.

Willy Storrer: I would like the individual members to pay 20 francs instead of 15 francs a year, or to give 20-30 francs of it now and have the individual members pay 20 francs, so that the groups do not miss out.

A gentleman, not recorded by name, proposes that the groups should charge 25 francs.

Both proposals are accepted, both that for the branch members an increase of Fr. 5 to Fr. 10 occurs, and the second that for the individual members who are not connected to branches, a total of Fr. 25 is to be paid to the central location.

Albert Steffen: There is still a question to be answered as to how it should be in 1923, because neither the individual members nor the branches paid an amount.

Karl Keller: It is not possible to do it retroactively; it has to be determined from July 1.

Willy Storrer: With regard to the Basel branch, he proposes: retroactively to January 1.

Dr. Elisabeth Vreede: Supports the Keller proposal.

Albert Steffen: Is actually also in favor of the Storrer proposal... It seems to me that Mr. Storrer has won.

Dr. Blümel: If the branches do not receive this money from their members, then perhaps they could be introduced to receive the full amount. They simply received what was paid in, not what the members should contribute.

Willy Storrer: Is of the opinion that the representatives cannot decide practically on their own; they have to go back to their members and ask what can be guaranteed; whether they can pay for the contribution of all members. There is actually only one large branch in Switzerland: 650 branch and 50 individual members. He believes that if individual personalities are available to do so, they can make up the difference for the members who cannot pay [so this would be the best].

The assembly agrees with this proposal.

We are here as the General Assembly and have a quorum. We have voted on this and it has been adopted. It is simply a matter of courtesy that the money be received. How we deal with members who are unable to pay is our business, not that of the General Assembly.

Dr. Blümel: There must be contact with the head office. Perhaps voluntary donations and so on should also be obtained for the society. One can also look in other directions.

Dr. Steiner: I really do not have a say in these matters, but I would like to add a small comment. As I already had the opportunity to mention at the last general assembly here in April, the establishment of the individual national societies is currently underway. I said that this must be the goal. Isn't it true that the German Anthroposophical Society was established by carving itself out of the general world society? The Norwegian Anthroposophical Society was established during my last visit to Norway. The Swedish Anthroposophical Society has existed for as long as the Anthroposophical Society has existed. The Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland exists here. And so, with due regard to the fact that proper administration can be established in small areas, these national societies will form. But it will be a matter of course that once a sufficient number of these national societies have been formed, they will have to join together to form the unified, international society, with its center in Dornach. This has not yet happened, but it must grow, so to speak, with the idea of rebuilding the Goetheanum and the like.

So, we have to think today about the fact that in a relatively short time, the individual national societies will again merge into an international society based in Dornach, and that the international center in Dornach will also have very important work to do, namely, precisely such work that, for example, if someone is in New Zealand and wants to know whether someone can be met there and the like... [gap in the protocol].

And even if not in a detailed way, it will still be necessary for the individual national societies to make contributions – however modest – to the international center, so that it can function once it is in place. This is something that has to be deferred, but it has to be thought of, as do the other things. For it is connected with the living conditions that such an international Anthroposophical Society be created here in Dornach as soon as the individual national societies have been established in an appropriate way.

Albert Steffen: We are extremely grateful to Dr. Steiner for these remarks. They actually form the framework for our work so that we can really take up Dr. Steiner's work properly. Our idea — I think it is the idea of all of us who understand the work here correctly — is that we have to make something out of Dornach like a new Weimar. And we want the Anthroposophical Society to have the same kind of relationship with Dornach that Grand Duke Karl August had with Goethe. In other words, the Anthroposophical Society should enable Dr. Steiner to spread his impulses throughout the world. I would say that the Society is the only organization that has a real chance of lasting today. We see how today's communities are collapsing one after the other. We see it in socialism, in Bolshevism, how it really leads to murderous catastrophes. But on the other hand, we also see how religious communities take away people's freedom. Here in anthroposophy, there really is the possibility for everyone to be a person who can have an interest in society out of freedom. And if we really bring about such an organization, then we have actually achieved the ideal.

But now, I believe, there are still matters to be dealt with that concern us in Switzerland.

I would like to ask: Who would like to take the floor regarding what Dr. Blümel said? — namely, regarding the matters we discussed at the delegates' meeting yesterday and which Dr. Blümel read out in the summary?

If that is not the case, then we will have to postpone these matters for about four weeks, where they will be discussed again at a meeting of delegates. I believe that this is the will of the assembly.

Dr. Blümel asks whether this assembly is actually supposed to be the last one in these days.

Albert Steffen: If those gathered have something to report, then of course it is not the last. I hope it is the first of many. There are so many matters in the Society that really need to be discussed. I would like to say, for example, the matter of the enemies -- I have to run the “Goetheanum”, the magazine; but I stand there all alone. I really need to be supported by our friends so that I can write certain things; they should report to me about it. So far, this has been the case to a very small extent. The only ones who have kept me up to date have been Dr. Stein in Stuttgart and Dr. Hugentobler here in Switzerland. Through him, for example, I know exactly the hostile mood that prevails in certain editorial offices in Zurich. And through others, for example from Bern, I am also quite well informed about what is going on in the circles of pastors. For example, reports from pastors' meetings are brought to me, which I may not be able to use directly, but I still get an impression of what is going on in Switzerland. But this should be done from all sides. When meetings take place in Zurich, Bern or Geneva, some of our members should really go and write down what is going on there so that I can act on it. For example, there was a recent lecture in Zurich at a linguistic society about Professor Beckh's small brochure on speech sounds and so on. One of our members should have been there. It was a very important discussion among the linguists. Professor Beckh was presented as an important phenomenon, but he was also rejected. It would have been good to have a presentation here that had not been passed through the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” and that would have been more objective. But that is how many things are. I don't think any of you are really familiar with the excellent organization of the enemies. A year ago in Berlin, a conference of “non-anthroposophical experts on anthroposophy” was held, based on the work of our former member, if one can call it that, Dr. Goesch, and on the lectures of private lecturer Dr. Leisegang [see $. 795]. I cannot read this to you in full. But I would like to read to you what these people decided at the end about how to fight anthroposophy. ... [The protocol is very sketchy here, as a lot is quoted, not only about this Berlin conference, but also in relation to other cases.]

Dr. Steiner: Even at the risk of repeating myself, I would still like to say a few words. And I will now really have to touch on some things that I already said at the general assembly in April.

I would like to take up what our dear Mr. Steffen said about the association - because that is what it must be called - of non-anthroposophical connoisseurs of anthroposophy. What is behind it and how things are run was probably clear to you from Mr. Steffen's words. But I would like to tie in with the fact that these people are indeed able to work and organize themselves so well. And so the organization emerged from this society for lecturers, who are now sent around and who, at the individual locations that are considered appropriate, put forward the things with which they are appropriately equipped. A directory has been produced by this organization listing everything that the people concerned have to say in the individual places. And now, on a large scale, I might say, in all the areas to which these people have access, the program developed by this center is being put forward. I ask you to accept this as a fact for the time being and again as proof of how extraordinarily well our opponents understand organization.

Now, I have often emphasized this, especially at the last delegates' meeting ^{on April 22nd.}

Therefore, a clear distinction should be made – this is what I said at the last delegates' meeting – between the content of the opponents' objections, so to speak, and the content of our reply. In this respect, anthroposophy will go its way. This should be clearly distinguished from something else. You see, if opponents had emerged over the last two decades and only raised factual objections to anthroposophy, these opponents would have achieved nothing. They would have achieved nothing at all if they had only raised factual objections. But they know that and that is why they make factual objections, well, one or the other – depending on the case – more or less dishonestly. But that is not the point in the question of opponents; they invent untruths, they lie; and we must make a sharp distinction between what they object to, so to speak, factually, and what is simply a lie. We have often had occasion to become acquainted with the capital lies invented by our opponents. How often has the Frohnmeyersche lie not appeared, about Christ having ideal features above and animal features below, and the like. So these lies as big as your fist, they have to be faced, because it is through them that the opponents achieve something, and that is because people believe the matter. And as long as we do not have the courage to really face the mendacity of a very, very large and ever-increasing opposition, to face the mendacity, we will achieve nothing. And I would say that in many cases the courage to do so is lacking. People shrink from saying to this or that person who is in a certain position and is not really allowed to lie, but who does lie, “You lied, it is not true; you are just lying, you are not telling the truth.” As long as we do not face this, nothing will be achieved in the whole question of opponents. We must have the courage to face up to the eminently immoral behavior that has allowed the opponents to achieve their great successes.

But you see, I would also like to cite evidence for what I have just said. Summarizing what I have said, I would like to say: Anthroposophy has within itself the potential to spread and penetrate human hearts. What harms it are the lies of its opponents, not the refutations. And I would like to prove this to you, again with reference to that association of non-anthroposophical experts on anthroposophy. You see, they now have their speakers. One of them – I believe his name is Schweitzer – gave a lecture in Hamburg to a large audience, in which he listed all the untruths. Now, when you are listening to such a lecture, you have to distinguish between the two things I emphasized: the inner power of anthroposophy and the power that the opponents have because they lie.

Now, the proof of the inner strength of anthroposophy was the next consequence of the fact that this emissary of the non-anthroposophical experts on anthroposophy gave a lecture in Hamburg – the opponents did not come, because, as you know, they are not interested in talking back and forth, but in slandering; so the opponents did not come, of course — and it turned out that the lecture was a real success — not Mr. Werbeck's lecture, which was only a defensive lecture and was very good, and must be greeted with extraordinary gratitude, but Mr. Schweitzer's lecture, and that was insofar as 200 people have registered who now want to hear something directly about anthroposophy, because they want to hear the other side of something that is being attacked in such a cynical and frivolous way. And these 200 people who have come forward are serious people who will probably take it very seriously. So there you have the inner strength of anthroposophy. Schweitzer's lecture in Hamburg has made 200 people aware that it is actually time to hear something about anthroposophy. So we don't need to be concerned about the clout of anthroposophy, my dear friends. But we have to get beyond the fact that our water is being cut off every day by dishonesty, untruthfulness and slander. And this requires more courage than to present oneself and refute the opponents of anthroposophy, to say something of what one knows but which the other does not know because he does not understand it after all. But to prove to people that they are telling untruths is something that must first be learned in the Anthroposophical Society, because people shy away from it. They think: You can't! He is a pastor or a professor, after all; you can't tell such a person that he has lied, that's not done!

You see, we have to face this squarely and find ways of dealing with it. It is really the case that the empty principle of internationality must take hold there as well. You see, in Switzerland it is already possible, if you have the courage, to tell someone in a very tangible way that they have lied. But in England, for example, you could not say it in the same way, because there it is much more frowned upon to tell someone whom science believes cannot do it to say that he has told an untruth. We must learn to handle such matters everywhere. But it is absolutely necessary to draw attention to this again and again, otherwise you will experience that Anthroposophy will spread... [gap].

At the same meeting [of non-anthroposophical experts on anthroposophy in Berlin], Dr. Jeremias, who lectures at the university as a private lecturer, even made the comment: What we like about anthroposophy, what we find in it, what we can use, we want to take. But we want to wipe out Steiner and the Anthroposophical Society. That is more or less how it is stated in the report. This Dr. Jeremias is a special character, isn't he? He threw himself at the Anthroposophical Society and at me in a grotesque way, in a manner that one here in Central Europe calls “throwing oneself at someone”. He once got permission to attend a more intimate lecture. And when there was a eurythmy performance in Berlin, he came to me on stage, asked to be introduced to Dr. Steiner in the box as well, and so on. In short, he attached himself in an outrageous way in order to make the impression: You can have some of this. But afterwards he will spread it in a [different] institution. You see, there are people who would prefer me to be dead and the Anthroposophical Society to have scattered to the four winds long ago, so that they could take what they want from our books and put it into theirs. Because they are not interested in refuting the subject at all, only in what I have characterized for you.

If you, my dear friends, do not take this into account, if you continue to believe that opponents can be refuted anthroposophically, that mere anthroposophical refutations will suffice, then you are undermining the possibility of pursuing anthroposophy in a progressive way — so that not only the books are exploited —. Of course, you are also destroying the Anthroposophical Society.

You see, it is true: anthroposophy is very useful for opponents. When Mr. Werbeck, who is indeed writing a very witty book about the opponents, looked through the opponents' literature, he came across some strange things. Among all the rather stupid things that are said, he also found some very good counter-remarks, some very good objections to anthroposophy. But the style of these was somewhat different from those of those who always say that I have a bad style because they naturally want the good one. So they had a different style. He looked into the matter and now found that these objections had been copied from my own books. As you know, for years I have followed the practice of stating the possible objections myself at the relevant points. So it is easy for opponents to copy my own counter-remarks and counter-objections from my books if they want. Consider the logical implications of this: if they want to quote something they believe they can ridicule, then they quote “Occult Science”, page so-and-so-many, cycle so-and-so - because the cycles have long since been published by the opponents. But when they raise the objections that I put forward as an example, they do not quote me; they present them as their own views. Yes, that has become a method in a number of opponents' writings. What inner hypocrisy lies in the opponents' entire fight against anthroposophy! For us, it is important to be aware of this and to know how to behave in this world, to have the courage to act accordingly. I have to keep emphasizing this.

Please forgive me, I am terrible at this, always having to repeat myself. But I really want to emphasize this to you, because you always hear from some people, very good-naturedly, that they say: Yes, everyone can have their own opinion. Of course, but one's own opinion must not go so far as to lie, because that happens in a way that is very familiar to opponents.

So that is what confronts one, I would say, with primeval significance, that it is said in a good-natured way: Yes, the anthroposophists do not need to complain that other people have different opinions. Of course we must not give the impression that other people should not have different opinions; but we must insist with all our might that lies must not be told about us and that we wish to defend ourselves against them. That is what I would like to say again today, even though I have already said it many times.

Willi Aeppli: We are extremely grateful to Dr. Steiner and Mr. Steffen for enlightening us about this question of opponents. Because, to be honest, we are extremely harmless and naive! I believe that we have been convinced that we must be more attentive and work harder on this point, and above all, that we must actually support Mr. Steffen in this exhausting struggle. Mr. Steffen has already revealed the possibilities for us to inform him about the opponents' methods and, secondly, to work as hard as we can to familiarize ourselves with them. It seems to me that the opponents' method of fighting has changed somewhat. For example, Dr. Stein mentioned the Frohnmeyer pamphlet. This pamphlet was written with a sinfulness and carelessness, with a falsehood that, coming from a man who comes from the circles we know, is truly astonishing. But he has also made a fool of himself with this writing. His intellectual heirs are well aware of this. One might think that this would be the end of his pamphlet. One might think that one lesson could be learned from it and that one should hold back. But that is not the case. Frohnmeyer's pamphlet will be published again in the next few days: revised, expanded, supplemented. Prof. Heinzelmann in Basel, who was asked if he would do the reworking, declined after a moment's reflection; I don't think it was because he was put off by the untruthfulness, but because as an academic, as a university professor, he was afraid. So an Indian missionary, a pastor in Zurich [Alfred Blum-Ernst], took on the task. I must now note: Frohnmeyer has not read the writings of Dr. Steiner at all; the editor, he has read them, and indeed both the public ones: “Philosophy of Freedom”, “Riddle of Philosophy”, “Theosophy” as well as the cycles. This cycle question is a difficult question! He has read 32 cycles – not just 31, but 32 – and from these he has gained his knowledge of anthroposophy. From these public writings and these cycles, he has now formed a tool with which to give anthroposophy another push. The purpose of this book is to bring the circles of the Basel Mission, etc. to a final judgment of anthroposophy, to impose a judgment on it. So the fact is that a writing that has been presented as untrue by the anthroposophical side, that it has been reworked and is appearing a second time, and that the untruthfulness, the mendacity, is continuing. This is an example of the psychology of the opposition.

Miss Simons, Mulhouse in Alsace: In Berlin we were previously affiliated to an organization. Since the peace agreement, the matter has been left hanging in the air. I would now like to ask whether we should join together with France or whether we Alsatians – I can only speak for Mulhouse, not for all Alsatians – can join here in Dornach? It would be easier for us to hear Dr. Steiner here in Dornach than to have to wait a long time for Dr. Steiner to come to Paris. The beautiful work in Alsace is lying fallow. We can only harm the cause if we join in Paris; besides, nothing has happened in Paris yet. I would be very grateful if these matters could be discussed, since Miss Sauerwein is here.

Emanuel van Leer: Perhaps it would be possible to talk about the task that Miss Sauerwein has taken on, whether she feels supported by Kolmar, Strasbourg, Mulhouse? If you say: You want to hear Dr. Steiner here – so what? You can go to Dornach every week! – The things are in preparation. Dr. Steiner will be in England in August and was in Scandinavia last month. It will be carried out in such a way that there will be a French Society. So just support Miss Sauerwein in her efforts.

Miss Sauerwein wants to meet with the friends concerned to discuss the matter.

Albert Steffen: The question now is whether the meeting should continue this afternoon, because I fear that many people will no longer be here tomorrow. If there really are people here who want to continue talking, which I very much hope, then they should speak up. Or is there no one left who has anything to say? — As for myself, I would like to continue the meeting.

George Kaufmann: I am not quite sure whether this assembly of delegates, which we have requested, is accepted from here! The invitation would have to come from here and so on, all that would have to be determined. If it is the will of this assembly that this be done, for example, through the working committee here, before -

Interjection: It will happen!

Albert Steffen: In my opinion that has already been settled. I believe we have decided that after all? My view was that we might talk about it afterwards, but in principle the matter is self-evident.

The meeting is adjourned. It will be continued this afternoon at 2:30.

Afternoon, 2:30, continuation

Albert Steffen: Dear attendees, we don't have much longer to continue the discussion, because at 4 o'clock the hall has to be cleared for the eurythmy performance; so let's jump right into the matter at hand. Dr. Blümel would like to talk about school matters.

Dr. Blümel: Please report on the plans that are in place to ensure that the school movement in Switzerland can grow in size and understanding.

Albert Steffen: Dr. Schmiedel will perhaps say something about the clinic?

Dr. Oskar Schmiedel: I am not very good at talking about the clinic; maybe someone else wants to do it?

Albert Steffen: Miss Vreede has now come forward for the library report.

Dr. Elisabeth Vreede: Dear friends, I can only say a few words. The library came into being at the time when our old Goetheanum was being built, and was originally intended to bring together some reading material for the carpenters and workers on the building site. It was created from donations and was later systematically expanded, as far as limited funds allowed, by Miss Hanna Günther, who is unfortunately very ill. It contains works from the time of the idealists, especially Goetheanists, that she collected, and the very writings that Dr. Steiner referred to as significant in his lectures.

As for the library's external situation, once it had reached a certain size – it did not arise from external initiatives but from a private initiative – it was, in a sense, transferred to the Goetheanum Association by mutual agreement, with the branch at the Goetheanum being responsible for it. Since this situation has existed, since last October or November, the branch at the Goetheanum has contributed 50 francs a month to this library, which is a tiny sum for new acquisitions, because the other work has been done voluntarily. Hopefully, an opportunity will arise to develop this library on a larger scale. If the whole Anthroposophical Society were to take an interest in this library, it would be very good. But it could also be used in a much larger circle. And perhaps there will be an opportunity to take a look at it during the week. It would, of course, be very gratifying if the Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland were to help here. The branch at the Goetheanum has just taken on the obligation, but is happy to share it with the Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland.

Dr. Ita Wegman is asked if she would speak about the clinic. She says that she is not a speaker, but rather a woman of action.

Albert Steffen: An argument that cannot really be refuted. Will Dr. Schmiedel perhaps say something about it after all?

Dr. Oskar Schmiedel: I do not think I need say very much about the clinic, because everyone is aware of what Dr. Wegman did there. Many of you are already very grateful to her for your healing. I would like to give more information about the work in the laboratories. In general, not very much seems to be known about the laboratories. I do believe that it is very important for society to take more interest in these laboratories and the efforts associated with them. One of the laboratories' most important and central tasks is to make the impulses given by Dr. Steiner in the medical and therapeutic fields fruitful for a larger number of people, to make them more and more useful to the general public. If a pharmaceutical industry, laboratories, is to be brought into the world, one has to struggle with great obstacles in the external field. The pharmaceutical market is overcrowded. For us, the difficulty is even greater. Not only do we have to deal with this overabundance, but we also want to take a completely different path than conventional pharmaceutical science, namely to initiate a new therapy. On the other hand, there is the difficulty that all these endeavors are met with a certain animosity. So we are in a much more difficult position in the world than everyone else. It's all happening gradually.

But we can now look to the future with increasing hope and confidence if a number of doctors decide to use our preparations, which in and of themselves already do the advertising and speak for themselves. Recently, we have been trying to promote the hay fever remedy to doctors more actively. To this end, a special report on the cases collected to date was prepared with the assistance of Dr. Knauer. This article has been sent to a large number of Swiss doctors, and there is great interest. Usually, when such things go out, we get 2-3% inquiries; this time we had four times as many inquiries as usual. Requests for samples were made. We have already received a number of orders and messages about how well the remedy works. From a report on the cantonal doctors' meeting about hay fever... [space in the post script].

This is how we will be able to gain more and more ground. You also know the name. We called ourselves “Internationale Laboratorien A. G.”. The name was chosen with the following in mind: we would establish sister societies in all countries, which would in turn form 'national societies' that also have their own production facilities and work very closely with us, so that the individual national societies then supply and process the countries. This idea is based on roughly the same principle as the way in which the Anthroposophical Society is to be organized: that you have separate societies, so to speak, but which in turn form a unity. So far we have institutions in the following countries: 1. in France (St. Louis near Basel), 2. in the Netherlands and 3. recently in England (London). The latest, as far as we know, will also be possible in the near future: that we establish our own branch, company, in America. The matter is not yet completely settled, but it seems to be fairly certain. For the time being, it has not yet reached the stage where all the preparations are produced there ourselves, but it is still the case that we manufacture the things, send them in concentrated form, and then they are further processed and bottled there. As a result, the countries are already familiar with our products.

You also know that we owe a whole series of preparations to the suggestions and impulses of Dr. Steiner and that we deliberately do not yet bring all preparations into the larger trade. It goes without saying that we make the products available to all doctors who request them. A good number of doctors work with our products all the time and send us their reports regularly. The products are in their original packaging. But the more products we want to send out, the more money we need. Financially, we don't have as much support as we would like. We already have remedies for influenza, hay fever, chronic migraines - not to mention narcotics such as phenozin, aspirin and so on. A remedy for seasickness and motion sickness in trains will be coming out soon, along with a treatment for the early stages of sclerosis, which is already in the pipeline. You are also aware that we have brought cosmetic products such as tooth water, mouth wash, hair tonic and toothpaste onto the market.

I must touch on one point that has somewhat disappointed us. We thought that when we sent out these things, we would have an echo from all sides of the Anthroposophical Society, that in a very short time, when it became known that we were sending out such preparations under the impulses and suggestions of Dr. Steiner, which most of you need every day after all, we would not be able to meet the demand! They did not know where to get the things, they said. We have therefore sent out a list of all the depots. We have been disappointed because, unfortunately, the number of enquiries was not particularly high either. We could have easily met the demand. I would like to kindly ask you to make our endeavors yours as well. On the one hand, you will be doing yourself the best service by being able and having to convince yourself that what we publish is truly unrivaled and superior to all other means available in the trade. For the remedies are quite different products, from the source from which they flow, and will be useful in quite a different way. Therefore, one should not only use them oneself, as far as is necessary and appropriate, but also send or recommend them to one's acquaintances, doctors and friends. For example, the experiences with the hay fever remedy are already very encouraging; many doctors outside our movement are already using it. And the migraine remedy is also working excellently in England. The first settlement in May was already beyond all expectations. We cannot currently do such propaganda as in England in Switzerland to this extent. But if you all help personally, the newspaper propaganda will also increase. It is distressing when opponents arise from within, from people who are not on the outside. In our circles, some of you will know, I must say, the most untrue, the most dishonest things are being spread about the laboratories, and individual personalities are being attacked in the most insulting way. But I would ask you to inform yourself to the extent that you have the ability to judge. From the outset, the things are completely dishonest, and if there is any truth in them, the facts are so twisted. Some of these elaborations – we cannot, of course, get into all these things – but there must be a protest from some quarter about individual ones. In particular, a letter contains malicious accusations that are completely untrue and dishonest. You can truly have confidence that we work out of the best conviction and that if you support us and things can continue as they appear to now, we are heading for a very gratifying future in the laboratories. All the net profit that comes from the laboratories will be able to flow back to all the endeavors that are rooted in the Anthroposophical Society. All the financial complaints that money is missing here and there, for the school movement for example, will have to disappear sooner or later, given that we have so much capital from our industry that we are able to support spiritual movements such as the school movement.

We often hear complaints that our products are a little expensive or at least as expensive as the most expensive products from our competitors, and whether it would be possible to supply the usual toothpaste and so on at least at the same price? The entire processing method for mouthwash, toothpaste and so on is such that it cannot be done any differently. I would ask you to trust us and not think that we are making excessive profits from this.

Albert Steffen gives Dr. Usteri the floor.

Dr. Alfred Usteri: I would like to raise an issue here that seems to me to require a certain amount of negotiation. I have repeatedly spoken with the workers here. Time and again, I have heard complaints about the construction management. I am not here to play the accuser. The accusations may be unfounded, but it is important that the workers who have to work for us are satisfied in every way. However, I have also pointed out that it would be right to take these complaints, not to me, but to the appropriate authority. They said: We are just in a position and have to risk something happening to us, that we will be disciplined. — I would like the workers who are present here to be allowed to present their complaints, if they have any. They should be allowed to present their complaints. You can always hear: Yes, Dr. Steiner, we like him; but we want absolutely nothing to do with the Society as such. — The same motive was guiding: they don't want to say anything because it could happen to them that they would lose their jobs. If complaints are to be directed against me personally, I am prepared to give an account.

Albert Steffen: Who would like to speak about this statement? I have never personally heard such complaints; I can't really say anything about them. At most, I can imagine that individual members suffer from a certain inability to be polite, even to workers. But I would like to ask that the complaints be stated. Yes - perhaps some who get along well with the workers will speak on this topic.

Mrs. Bollig: Perhaps I can offer a small explanation that would not be in any way offensive to anyone in the group. But it is like this: the socialist spirit that fills these people has a certain antipathy towards us, so that they did not even want to speak to the ladies when they met them. So it is not a fault of the Society, but lies with the workers. The members could be twice as amiable in order to smooth things over.

Albert Steffen: I fear that the fault lies with our members; for when the workers say that they can't get along with Dr. Steiner, it cannot be because of the world view. I believe there can be socialism that is anthroposophical. But these are things that you also hear from non-workers: when a stranger comes to Dornach, he notices that he is not greeted. The second stage is that he hears moralizing.

Mr. Kaufmann Jr., Basel: He is just a simple proletarian and cannot express himself as he should. But there is something that makes workers feel deep inside that there is still something like a class difference here. I feel that too, he said, but I have risen above this attitude, I can overcome it. But other workers really have it much harder. In the tram, for example: workers who work at the Goetheanum have already complained – I have also heard complaints about the construction management, which people have exchanged among themselves and railed against. For example, I have heard the name Schleutermann and Aisenpreis. I met them often on the tram; they say: They can preach morals, but they do nothing in fact. — It is good to build a Goetheanum, but we did not eat with it — — The class difference is very strongly felt, so that it comes to the fore that one is just a despised proletarian. Especially those who have the money act very arrogantly, and that is felt. For example, the workers who live in Basel associate with many workers in Basel and bring these things to their colleagues. We have a tremendously difficult time with the socialist impulses in the “key points”; it is said: That is done with for us, they cannot bring us anything. — All sorts of complaints come through Schleutermann -

Albert Steffen: Does anyone wish to speak on this subject? You see, it would also have to be borne in mind that it is in the Swiss character to be coarse; but that when he is coarse, he does not mean everything so terribly seriously. I have heard a great deal of good about Mr. Aisenpreis, for example, here in the area, I must say, especially from the farmers. I have not heard anything bad about Mr. Schleutermann. But I would like to come back to one thing, namely the tram that goes from here to Basel. We have actually heard about conversations that take place in it. It may have been a year ago, there was a German in it, talking to a Swiss and saying: Yes, there is nothing here, it has to be organized quite differently in Switzerland! - and more of that kind of thing. And the people sitting in the tram naturally became angry. And when such angry people read the Kully paper, yes, then these statements, the lies of Kully, fall on fertile ground. That is quite natural, and it is then very difficult to eradicate. It might be wise not to speak in this way in the tram.

Mr. (name not noted): This topic, which has been touched on here, is an everyday one and seems to exist just as much here in Dornach among anthroposophists as on other construction sites. I myself am a construction expert and was in a leading position on construction sites for 35 years — you can never please everyone! I have had a lot of experience in this regard. You really have to be a very solid, I don't know how to put it, person to find your way around and to maneuver between the workers and the employers to do the right thing by both of these extremes. I have heard the name Aisenpreis; he is the foreman here at this construction site. You all know what it's like: the foreman is the first to be criticized. You have to take things as they are. People imagine that when they work here, they should be treated somewhat more socially than by other employers, who simply look at their profit. On the other hand, you also have to consider: the person who supervises the construction here also has a certain responsibility towards society. This must also be kept in mind. Society is always dependent on outside help; the members must constantly be begged, as we say in Switzerland, so that people are very much in demand to raise the funds to build again. We are also there to do our honest work, not only to get our wages, but also to do productive work. And if a superior should say something that hurts you, you have to remember: the man has a lot to live up to that other workers might not take on; he can't just stop working when the bell rings, that's when his work really begins. There should be mutual understanding on both sides and care should be taken to ensure that things are not needlessly made more expensive. But these are local matters; they should not really be discussed in a general assembly. Perhaps they could be discussed in a building meeting.

Albert Steffen: They are certainly local matters, but there is an important core to them, namely something that affects community life. If you have the right inner anthroposophical disposition, you will actually get along well with a worker, I think even better than with any other person.

(name not noted): I agree. In the Bern Lecture, given ^{on 36 April 1923, in CW 224.}, the doctor spoke a great deal about universal love; this should be seen in practice. It should be possible to achieve a better mutual understanding, and we should learn to understand each other better.

Dr. Steiner: I don't want to say much, but it seems to me that there is something underlying the matter. That seemed to me to emerge from various things. Anyone who is familiar with life knows that some of the things that have been criticized here do happen everywhere, and rightly so. But when we had the Annual General Meeting here in April, well, it seemed to us as if this Annual General Meeting had not been fully concluded. Mr. Steffen, in particular, felt that it had not been fully concluded, and he felt the need for a continuation. Not, he said to me at the time, but the continuation would then have to be combined with a lecture cycle. And then I thought about what topic it should be, and he said that perhaps a kind of anthroposophical etiquette for dealing with anthroposophists could be the topic. (Laughter) Well, that seemed to me to point to a certain feeling, and then, don't you think, all sorts of ideas come to mind. It's really true that if I were to present you with the voices that come to me from all the most diverse sides, one by one, you would be able to become a statistician, so many come from all sides. Well, they can be summarized because one remark is heard everywhere: Yes, anthroposophy, that would be quite nice, but we are not joining the Society. And when one then asks: Yes, why not? Then it is said: Well, this Society lacks philanthropy; and the people who are inside are so strangely arrogant.

Well, as you have seen, I changed the subject for the simple reason that I did not want to sin against what is expected of me with this topic. If one wanted to talk about an “anthroposophical etiquette”, one would immediately sin against it, because it is decidedly a kind of rudeness. But isn't it, from the outside it comes so often. I once heard the saying: “Politeness is an ornament, but you get further without it.” This is very often applied to anthroposophists. Recently, in a lecture ^{4Dornach, February 16, 1923, in GA 221.}, I spoke about various personalities and how they understood moral principles. I also mentioned a personality who included politeness among the virtues. I listed the virtues that this personality had mentioned, and that included politeness. And then it occurred to me that the audience found it so amusing that politeness should be a virtue. Of course nothing was said, but it was sensed; one knows how the audience feels. It was so striking for the audience: politeness should be a virtue. And, I certainly do not want to be impolite myself, but I would like to point out that this arises from all kinds of sectarian tendencies and from the fact that many members are only concerned with themselves, that there is little interest, natural interest in other people.

Of course, there are many theories of philanthropy and helpfulness, and in an emergency they are indeed there in reality. But on the one hand there is the general view of general philanthropy – and then: well, in an emergency it is there, this philanthropy, of course – but now something is in between. And unfortunately, everyday life also comes between us, and then human love is reduced to mutual accommodation. And there, there you sometimes see – when you pass by, how an anthroposophist encounters a non-anthroposophist - something that you then have to add to such an assertion, that people tell you: Yes, we cannot join when we look at the members. — And that happens in all sorts of ways. There is something inherent in the matter, which, if it were discussed now — I don't want to discuss it myself, but if people were to talk about it honestly, — much would come out, why the Anthroposophical Society remains so closed in many respects. The reasons for this seclusion lie in the fact that it is so difficult to find the generally human tone that lies beyond everything. Whether he is a grand duke or a laborer, he is a human being, and this universal humanity, this completely unbiased encounter, even without theory, is of course something that is not felt to any great extent.

So, there are real things underlying the complaints. And I don't think Mr. Steffen would have made this suggestion to me without a real underlying feeling: I am supposed to write an “anthroposophical etiquette guide” in front of you for eight days. Of course I will not do it out of a sense of etiquette. But I think it points to all sorts of things, and you can also recognize something symptomatic in it.

Albert Steffen: Does anyone else want to speak?

A lady: Since Mr. Steffen has already pointed out the need for politeness, I would like to say, since I am allowed to come here: You walk into the hall in the evening, happy and grateful to be here for once, and then there is a tumult and noise in the hall and a restlessness at the beginning and also at the end -- It seems like a discourtesy to Dr. Steiner.

Albert Steffen: I was instructed to say what the lady said in this meeting as well; but I thought someone might say it before me. I actually wanted to bring it up too. Anyway, when you go up to the Goetheanum, you should really know where you are going. I know that many of our friends almost always go up newborn. You know, they could not see everything they see, the flowers all around and the light and the trees, if they had not been deciphered for them. They have truly come to a new view, to a new view of nature. And that gives most of us, at least I think so, a solemn feeling when they come up there. And one should actually enter this hall with this feeling, and should have yet another feeling, namely that of experiencing history. Truly: here we experience history! What will be said about Dornach a hundred years from now? Looking back, Dornach will be recognized as the center of spiritual life! And everyone will say: if only we had lived at that time, if only we had stood face to face with this personality, even just once! To have heard him just once! — This feeling of joy, honored attendees, first of all, towards nature, which has been given to us anew through anthroposophy, and secondly, towards history, which we can experience here in its highest impulse, that is hardly ever encountered when one is here in the hall. There is a tumult and chatter, everyone is saying what they are going to cook for lunch tomorrow and so on, but it is terrible. Perhaps I am mistaken, in which case I would like to apologize.

Dear attendees, would anyone else like to take the floor?

Miss (name not recorded) from Strasbourg: Asks a question about the opponents, in particular the “non-anthroposophical experts on anthroposophy”. They actually want to be fully acquainted with the document in question.^{5See page 795 ff.}

Albert Steffen: It is terribly long and sometimes very boring. But perhaps I could read out the most symptomatic parts if anyone wishes.

Questioner: Too little is known about it. There was talk of a league against it; can't that be set up soon?

Albert Steffen: Yes, this “alliance” should be society itself.

Questioner: One should meet more often when one is in Dornach and talk about it; one would be more up to date and could also get advice; otherwise it just peters out.

Albert Steffen: It is a fact that various people are already working on it. Yesterday Dr. Stein wrote to me about a medical personality who will look at the Goesch case from the medical point of view, in relation to delusions and the like. And Leisegang is also being worked on. There is no lack of people who want to do this, but they also have to get material from the others, and above all they have to find interest in the others. You will recall that in Stuttgart they did not want to listen to the lecture about the opposition at first? ^{6At the Stuttgart delegates' meeting, see page 385 f.} I must say that I find this topic particularly interesting for the present time. You can learn so much about the decadence of our time. And we Anthroposophists should really be healing what is sick. And so we have to get to know it. Everyone must do their best.

Dr. Oskar Schmiedel: There is such a lack of correct information. Not everyone can go to Mr. Steffen. Could we not meet here once a month? We would be informed about the question of opponents or other vital questions.

Albert Steffen: Of course I am prepared to do so; but I myself would also have to be informed.

Dr. Steiner: Now the big difficulty arises, to draw attention to the fact that we have a eurythmy performance here in an hour, and because we don't have much time left, I don't want to waste many words. And when I say short words, it is particularly difficult to be polite, and I don't want to be impolite at this moment, do I? So I would like to ask you to kindly accept the invitation to enter the nature outside, and to do so as quickly as possible! (Laughter.)

End of meeting.

Dear Friends,

At the Annual General Meeting of the Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland, held in Dornach on June 10, it was unanimously decided to invite delegates from the Anthroposophical Societies of all countries to a meeting in Dornach at the end of July. This decision arose from a proposal that was already contained in the letter sent by the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain to the branches in all countries on June 8. We would like to refer to that letter here, assuming that it will already be in your hands.¹

The purpose of this delegates' meeting is, above all, to ensure that the reconstruction of the Goetheanum, which we all long for, and the necessary financial measures for this, arise from a joint decision of the Anthroposophical Society in all countries. We are now able to give you the final news that the insurance money has been paid out by the authorities. It will now be necessary to muster all our strength to ensure that the additional funds needed for the full reconstruction are secured from the insurance money that has been paid out. With this in mind, a major campaign has already been successfully launched among the members in Switzerland. It was suggested that each member of the Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland donate at least 1000 francs over a period of 12 to 15 months, a plan that was unanimously and enthusiastically embraced. However, the spirit of the Anthroposophical Society requires that the work of reconstruction be undertaken jointly by all countries. We warmly recommend this plan to all members in all countries.

Financing should emerge from the international assembly of delegates in July in a unified way. The Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland has passed the following resolution:

"The Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland expresses the wish in today's assembly: Dr. Steiner should take charge of the reconstruction of the Goetheanum in Dornach. It grants him, as the leading artistic director, full authority to carry out the construction in every respect, both in terms of the use of the funds earmarked for this purpose and the selection of the personalities to be involved, at his own discretion and arrangement, without any interference from the members.

The task of the Anthroposophical Society in all countries will now be to provide Dr. Steiner with the material means to carry out this great work, so that he can erect the new building as a symbol of the unity and energy of the Anthroposophical Society.

We therefore take the liberty of inviting you to send the authorized representatives of your country to Dornach on July 22.

We hope that many friends from various countries will also be present.

Dr. Steiner will give a cycle of three lectures on the theme: “Three Perspectives on Anthroposophy” on July 20, 21 and 22, 1923 [in GA 225].

• 1. See pages 509 / 510.

The meeting was opened by the chairman, Dr. Emil Grosheintz, with the following address:

Dear friends.

On behalf of ¹ the board of the Association of the Goetheanum, the School of Spiritual Science, I warmly welcome you to our tenth ordinary General Assembly today. We open this General Assembly in a spirit of mourning, because the last day of the year, which would have been reported here today, robbed us of the Goetheanum, the fruit of ten years of work. The first Goetheanum is no more. It is not only we who have lost it, but all of humanity, because it belonged to humanity. We did not build it for ourselves, but for humanity yearning for spiritual truth. The Goetheanum was a place for cultivating the new spiritual knowledge that Rudolf Steiner gave to the world through Anthroposophy, a place of truth. The Goetheanum was a unique and irreplaceable work of art. In the harmony of the spatial design and the harmony of forms and colors, a new realm of beauty revealed itself to the wondering soul. The Goetheanum was an act of universal humanity. People from many different nations built it at a time when the peoples of the world brought misery, death and bondage to each other. It was a work of human love in a world of hatred between nations.

The Goetheanum was a work of Rudolf Steiner. The Goetheanum now belongs to history.

The foundation stone of the Goetheanum was laid on September 20, 1913. Seven years later, in September 1920, the first event took place in it, the first anthroposophical university course.

It was introduced by a simple provisional opening. In his opening speech, Dr. Steiner pointed the way for the School of Spiritual Science by speaking of the synthesis of science and art and religion, how it once existed and how it is to be brought about again through spiritual science.

In addition to numerous events and courses that took place in the adjoining buildings, and many beautiful eurythmy performances, the following took place at the Goetheanum: a second college course; a summer course for English artists in 1921; a pedagogical course in the winter of 1921; the so-called French Week in the summer of 1922; and a science course at Christmas 1922, during which the great misfortune of the fire occurred.

The course and the events that were taking place at the time were not interrupted. The spiritual work continued. This made a certain impression on some people, including the local population. The day after the fire, a respected citizen of Dornach expressed his condolences for the loss of the Goetheanum and said: “No matter what one thinks of the Anthroposophical Society, the hard work and willingness to make sacrifices that the Goetheanum stands for must inspire admiration. But what I admire most,“ he said, ‘is that you have not interrupted your activities despite your great misfortune. And there,’ he said, ‘I had to think of Geibel's verses, which Felix Dahn put forward as a motto in his novel ’A Struggle for Rome'.” And he quoted these verses to me. They refer to those who were defeated in this struggle for Rome. They read: “If there is anything mightier than fate, it is the courage to bear it unwaveringly.”

But, my dear friends, we need more than this passive courage to bear a blow of fate. We must develop an active courage. The destruction of the Goetheanum is a call to action.

Just as the Anthroposophical Society has already done, the Association of the Goetheanum today also expresses its will to build a new Goetheanum and approaches Dr. Steiner with the request to give us and the world a new Goetheanum and to let us participate.

If this is your will, I ask you to rise from your seats.

(All those present rise from their seats.

And now I turn to all those in our movement and ask them to join the Goetheanum Association as members. The cause of our association is your cause. Those who are members of the Goetheanum Association are helping to build it.

On December 31, 1922, the association had 1059 members, compared to 1015 in the previous year. The increase in 1922 is 44 members. Of these 1059 members, 496 are extraordinary and 563 contributing members. Of these, 694 belong to Central Europe, which is weak in currency, and only 365 to Switzerland and the other countries.

Our first task will be to create the necessary building fund, which we are making available to Dr. Steiner. The sum paid to us by the insurance company, which amounts to three million one hundred and eighty-three thousand francs, is not enough for this purpose. Rather, as Dr. Steiner has already informed us, this sum will amount to about half of what is likely to be needed as a total sum for the completion of the work. We have gained experience and times have changed since the first Goetheanum was built. And so the money should be there before construction begins; at least a percentage of it should be there before construction begins.

The initiatives taken so far have also brought in some money, perhaps around 150,000 francs.

Now, at the suggestion of our English friends, an international assembly of delegates will meet here on July 22 and discuss the further financing of the construction. But without the significant efforts of each individual in our movement, the matter will not go forward.

My dear friends! To report to you on the construction work of the past year now that the building is no longer standing would be just as painful as it is fruitless. We will therefore refrain from doing so this year. Our gaze is fixed on the future, our will unswervingly forward.

Minutes of the last general assembly are available. I ask whether

you would like to have them read. If not, I would like to ask our business manager to present the cash report. Mr. Binder will briefly summarize the main expenditures and revenues in the past fiscal year and present the balance sheet that results after deducting the fire damage.

In 1922, the following expenses were incurred:

Construction costs for the Goetheanum, for the expansion of the paths, for loan and mortgage interest, exchange rate losses, depreciation Fr. 371,197.28
General expenses for security, lighting, heating of the building, including maintenance costs. Fr. 116,414.94
= Fr. 487,612.22

On the other hand, the following was received:

Donations......................................Fr. 239,929.34
Loans..............................................Fr. 35,000.--
Membership fees....................................Fr. 24,459.60
Interest income etc.................................Fr. 5,863.35
............................................... = Fr. 305,252.29

From bank reserves, Fr. 182,59,93

The Goetheanum was insured before the fire for...Fr. 5,657,101.39
The fire insurance sum is...........................Fr. 3,500,000.--
so that without taking into account the non-material
values, a fire loss of..............................Fr. 2,157,101.39

Of the fire insurance sum, CHF 3,183,000 is to be paid out, while the remainder of CHF 317,000 is considered to be the estimated value of the concrete base that is still standing.

After taking this depreciation into account, the following

balance sheet as of January 1, 1923:

Assets

Real estate......................Fr. 265,411.47
Goetheanum concrete base............Fr. 317,000.--
Goetheanum adjoining buildings......Fr. 275,469.92
Houses and properties...............Fr. 334,731.67
............................... = Fr. 1,192,613.06
Inventories and materials...........Fr. 145 754.--
Accounts receivable.................Fr. 128,739.85
Banks:
a) Current account...................Fr. 24,598.80
b) Sum insured....................Fr. 3,183,000.--
Cash..................................Fr. 4,656.70
............................... = Fr. 4,679,362.41

Liabilities

Foundation capital.............Fr. 5,471,952.50
(from fire damage)................Fr. 2,157,101.39
............................... = Fr. 3,314,851.11
Loans.............................Fr. 1,022,047.83
Liabilities..........................Fr. 78,463.47
Mortgages...........................Fr. 264 000.--
............................... = Fr. 4,679,362.41

The auditors confirmed that the books were properly kept and requested discharge of the accounts, which was then given by the meeting.

The auditors were reelected for the following year. There being no further business, Dr. Steiner spoke on the following subject: [See p. 146]

• 1. Protocol probably by Helene Finckh. The stenogram is not available.

The above letter of invitation came into our hands on June 25; we will distribute it as quickly as possible among all working groups of the Anthroposophical Society in Germany. We very much hope that quite a few of our members will find the opportunity to be present at this assembly of delegates. Since there is no longer time to convene a general assembly of the German Anthroposophical Society to discuss the issues to be addressed at the delegates' meeting in Dornach, we propose that those members of the Anthroposophical Society in Germany who are able to come to Dornach meet with the board of the Anthroposophical Society in Germany for a preliminary discussion on July 21 at the Glass Studio. ¹ This will give the Executive Council of the Anthroposophical Society in Germany an opportunity to hear the wishes and suggestions of the members before the delegates' meeting, to discuss them and thus to represent the Anthroposophical Society in Germany in a unified way.

With best regards,
The Board of the Anthroposophical Society in Germany
i. A.: Dr.-Ing. Carl Unger, Dr. Walter Johannes Stein

• 1. The meeting took place on the 22nd; cf. p. 584.

[Except for the abbreviated general report by Albert Steffen and Guenther Wachsmuth, there are no complete minutes of all the discussions that took place. The two general meetings with all the delegates and members of the Anthroposophical Society on July 21 and 22 were recorded in shorthand. However, the two stenographers, Helene Finckh and Walter Vegelahn, only transcribed Rudolf Steiner's comments from their shorthand into longhand. The special discussions that took place alongside these two general meetings were not recorded, or only partially in note form, again with the exception of Rudolf Steiner's comments during the discussion with the German friends in the early morning of July 22. Otherwise, there are a few private reports. The complete report by Steffen and Wachsmuth is followed by a chronological overview of the days of the meeting with the verbatim reproduction of Rudolf Steiner's votes as recorded by the stenographers.

Abbreviated report of the International Assembly of Delegates of the Anthroposophical Society in Dornach from July 20-23, 1923, as well as some preliminary remarks for the founding of the International Anthroposophical Society at Christmas 1923 in Dornach.

The loss of the Goetheanum through the fire on New Year's Eve 1923 was the most devastating event in the history of the anthroposophical movement and had to awaken the activity of the members more than ever. The year 1923 should show to what extent a new building can become reality from the united will of the society. During the months since the fire at the Goetheanum, the firm wish of so many people in all countries of the world to rebuild the Goetheanum had been conveyed in telegrams, letters and other messages. An international committee had therefore convened the present assembly of delegates in the shortest possible time in order to give representatives from the various countries the opportunity to consult with each other regarding the action needed to realize the construction.

At the preliminary meeting of the national delegates on Friday, July 20, the Congress Committee was elected: Mr. Albert Steffen as Chairman, Mr. George Kaufmann as Vice-Chairman, Dr. Guenther Wachsmuth and Mr. Heywood-Smith as Secretaries. This working committee was complemented by Dr. Ita Wegman, Mr. Scott Pyle, Mr. Leinhas, Mr. van Leer, Mr. de Haan.

Mr. Albert Steffen welcomed Dr. Steiner and the members of the Anthroposophical Society present on behalf of the Congress Bureau. He first thanked Dr. Steiner for the cycle he had begun the previous evening on the topic “Three Perspectives of Anthroposophy,” which would give the soul to the events of these days. He thanked the delegates from the Anthroposophical Societies of America, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, England, Finland, France, Holland, Italy, Norway, Austria, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Czecho-Slovakia, etc. for attending. From the most diverse places on earth, people are thinking in a unified way of Dornach, the center of the Anthroposophical Society. Despite individual and national differences, people feel united in one spirit in this place. Here one feels like a citizen of the world. This fact alone is worthy of note in view of the fragmentation of humanity today.

International travel generally unites people across the face of the earth, but only on the outside. Technology can just as easily serve negative forces by being misused as a means of destruction. It must ruin civilization if it is not inspired.

What idea, what worldview, what aspiration is capable of inspiring it?

If we look towards the south, we find the Catholic Church. Its mighty will seeks to unite all mankind, but at the expense of the freedom of the individual. Dogmas forbid to explore the spiritual world from the point of view of the I. As a result, Catholicism remains at the level of the Middle Ages. It does not go along with the impulse of the consciousness soul.

This impulse is coming to fruition in the West. Shakespeare's dramas (the conflicts of Hamlet, Lear, etc.) are the expression of the modern soul. Slowly, the consciousness of the spiritual world fades. Humor and morality prevail in writers such as Swift, Dickens, Bernard Shaw. But their cultural criticism no longer has the power to stop the disintegration of intellectual life.

Decline is particularly evident in Central Europe today. Only the fulfillment of the Faustian striving to conquer the supernatural could prevent it. But the leading thinkers in Germany are surrendering to a skeptical way of thinking, like Spengler, to a depressive art, like Hauptmann, and the people are blindly following.

In the East, we see the spiritual breaking in overwhelmingly, but in an unhealthy way. The Russian who is touched by the supernatural wants to be overly good or overly evil. He acquires infantile or hysterical traits, as the novel characters of Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky show.

Thus, whether we look to the south, west, north or east, we find forces that are regressive, hardening, demoralizing and wounding, forces of crucifixion.

Today, only one spiritual current brings resurrection forces: anthroposophy. It counters dogmas with a religious renewal based on a philosophy of freedom.

It revives consciousness by expanding it through the spiritual world. The eurythmic revival of the spiritual content of Shakespeare's plays (e.g. A Midsummer Night's Dream, of which some scenes were performed that day) is the greatest thing that has been done for this English genius since Schlegel and Tieck.

It purifies the Faustian striving for a spiritual science that will heal not only the soul but also the body. One thinks here of the successes of the remedies that have emerged from our clinical-therapeutic institutes.

Finally, it is creating a new art. What powerful poetic impulses have emerged from it: Dr. Steiner's mystery plays, the architecture, sculpture and painting of the Goetheanum, among others.

Anthroposophy brings renewal to every field because it carries the forces that come from the spiritual realm, where developmental forces prevail. It is a being that is not subject to death. But it has no house in which it can fully express itself. After the old Goetheanum burnt down, we came together to discuss the construction of the new one. The old Goetheanum was built entirely from sacrificial donations. So far, we have little more than the insurance money to rebuild the new one. There is certainly no blessing in this. We have to create a counterweight to this money, which comes from reluctant taxpayers. We have to develop even more of a spirit of sacrifice and community than we did for the first building. We have to join together as a society in the strongest possible way. We have to stand up for the greatest thing in the world.

Dr. Guenther Wachsmuth reported on the results of the preliminary meeting of the country delegates the previous afternoon. He mentioned that at a general assembly of the Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland on June 10, 1923, the following resolution had been unanimously adopted:

"The Anthroposophical Society in Switzerland expresses the wish in today's meeting: Dr. Steiner may take the reconstruction of the Goetheanum in Dornach into his own hands. It grants him, as the leading artistic director, full authority to carry out the construction in every respect, both in terms of the use of the funds earmarked for this purpose and the selection of the personalities involved, at his own discretion and arrangement, without any interference on the part of the members.

A report of this decision, which had been sent to the foreign branches, had met with enthusiastic approval everywhere, and since the current conference had been suggested by English friends, the opportunity had now been given to discuss how to raise the funds. The most effective plan was probably Dr. Wegman's, that 1000 francs be contributed for each member over a period of 12-15 months. A weekly saving of 20 francs, for example, would yield such a sum over the course of a year. This was much more easily achieved than one might think. Usually only those who had not yet begun collecting were sceptical. Those who have already actively sought support for the rebuilding effort have often had surprisingly positive experiences. For example, out of 37 members visited in Dornach, 35 members each subscribed 1,000 francs, payable in 15 months, and mostly members who are not wealthy. Similar reports would be forthcoming from outside the area as soon as truly enthusiastic and committed activity was developed. A fine example was given by a lady, as Dr. Steiner said the day before, who explained that there were 25 members in her branch who were workers and therefore could not give a full 1000 francs each, but that she herself wanted to subscribe 1000 francs for each member of her branch, thus giving a total of 25,000 francs herself. Another suggestion from Mr. Pyle was that in each country there might be members who could give 15,000 francs, others 10,000 and 5,000 francs, so that in this way, through such gradations, 1,000 francs could be contributed to the new Goetheanum in each country.

A third proposal, which came from our English friends and was supported by Mr. Kaufmann, Miss Groves and Miss Melland, suggested the writing of a brochure in which everything that has been achieved from anthroposophical sources in art, science, therapy, education, etc. is compiled in a way that is suitable for the outside world.

Someone had asked whether the Society should approach individuals outside it in its efforts to promote the new Goetheanum. This question should be decided only on the basis of each individual's sense of tact. Dr. Wachsmuth referred to a novel that had made a strong impression on him in this regard. It describes two young people who know that there are countless associations of people with idealistic goals of various political and confessional colors, but not yet an association of all those people who seek nothing but a constant living relationship with the spiritual world and desire nothing more than to fight chivalrously for the realization of the laws of the spiritual world on the physical plane. In the light of this realization, these young people formed a league which they called the “Knights of the Spirit”. The federation was soon supported by people from all countries with means, warned of dangers and protected, provided with news, because an infinite number who did not yet want to join this federation publicly, nevertheless wished that these knights of the spirit would be enabled to realize on earth that which is to be realized out of the spiritual world. As an Anthroposophist, one has an opportunity, as nowhere else, to acquire such knowledge of human nature that, if one is a true knight of the spirit oneself, one will also recognize in the outside world those who are or will become knights of the spirit. One can approach such people and give them the opportunity to help rebuild the Goetheanum. For one does a person a kindness when one allows him to help establish a place of learning from which the constructive spiritual forces of humanity can flow.

It is self-evident that by the end of 1923 there should no longer be a single member of the Anthroposophical Society who had not done his or her part to rebuild it.

Dr. Wegman's plan to raise 1000 francs for each member has the advantage of appealing to each individual, so that everyone feels responsible and does not expect all success from others or even from an undefined outside world.

In the preliminary discussion, it was suggested that the various countries should set themselves the goal of raising the following contributions, taking into account their number of members, etc.:

England... ..... 300,000 Swiss francs

America. ....... 200,000

Honolulu....... 200,000

Switzerland... 400,000

Netherlands... 300,000

Italy. ............. 100,000

France...... 50,000

Austria...... 50,000

Czechoslovakia.. 100,000

Denmark...... 100,000

Scandinavia..... 100,000

Remaining countries....... 100,000 (Belgium, Poland, Finland, New Zealand, etc.)

Initially about 2,000,000 Swiss francs.

All these various proposals are now open for discussion. Dr. Wachsmuth asked the delegates to always keep two images in mind during their deliberations: the new Goetheanum should be built for all people of the earth who are knights of the spirit; and we should go out into the world and work for the decisive moment when Dr. Steiner will give the signal for the workers on the hill of Dornach to flock together to build the new structure.

Mr. George Kaufmann, London, then put forward the idea of producing a brochure that would present the essentials of the various anthroposophical fields of work in a concise and artistic way to facilitate the work in the outside world.

Baroness Rosenkrantz, London, suggested that for those members for whom financial assistance is difficult, a way should be created to use the work of their hands for the benefit of the Goetheanum, i.e. to make practical articles for daily use, which would still have to be determined, free of charge, the sale of which would then have to be organized jointly; and to contribute the net proceeds of this free work to the reconstruction fund. A small beginning in this regard has already been made by her.

Dr. Peipers, Stuttgart, recalled the great sacrifices made by German members in the early days to build the old Goetheanum. Despite the sad circumstances and almost insurmountable difficulties in Germany, it is the great longing of the German friends to contribute significantly to the reconstruction as well. Although the executive council of the Anthroposophical Society in Germany has deliberately not asked for donations to be collected, given the current situation, contributions, money and jewelry, have been sent to Stuttgart from all sides, testifying to a touching willingness to make sacrifices. — This report will also discuss how these contributions are used.

Dr. Praussnitz, Jena, supported Baroness Rosenkrantz's proposal to provide voluntary work, especially during the holiday season, and to use the proceeds for the benefit of the Goetheanum.

Dr. Steiner emphasized that we had to come to a concrete result during these important days. To discuss the writing of a brochure, for example, was too abstract and general. One had to be able to state exactly who would write it. Such a writing was something very personal, had to arise out of the artistic ability of a single individuality. So there was no point in discussing it in a meeting. Besides, there is already so much suitable material available to make a convincing impact on the outside world that members should first work more than before with what is already available. For example, we have the weekly journal 'Das Goetheanum'. It is edited by a personality who, as was said recently from another side, writes the best German, Albert Steffen. This journal reports constantly on significant world issues from an anthroposophical point of view, but it has more subscribers among outsiders than among members. This shows the old mistake of members always wanting to create something new, but not using what is already there productively. Dr. Steiner then corrected some false views regarding the use of German contributions. Everything collected in Germany must, of course, be consumed in Germany, in accordance with the laws there. He emphasized this expressly. Although the German friends would certainly also be willing to make great financial sacrifices, the current world situation does not allow it. The help from Germany must consist of a moral sacrifice.

On the other hand, our friends in other countries must not delay too long in securing the means for reconstruction. At the end of this meeting, we must at least know what sum can be initially counted on, so that we can begin reconstruction with this sum. For example, a building could be constructed, a kind of memorial to the former Goetheanum, with a sum of 1 to 2 million francs. This would then be something like a better barn in the carpentry workshop, only made of concrete. But one could also build something more beautiful, which would then perhaps require 4-5 million francs or more. The important thing is to determine the exact sum that one wants to secure for the reconstruction, so that one can plan accordingly.

Above all, however, we must not forget that the reconstruction will present the members with new and difficult tasks, and that new efforts will be needed to overcome resistance and to provide effective moral support for external anthroposophical work on the physical plane. A moral fund must be created. If it were only a matter of spreading the anthroposophical truths, the goodwill of the members to spread these truths through positive work would suffice. But since the anthroposophical movement has brought into being a whole series of practical enterprises that have to contend with the resistance of the outside world, e.g. schools, clinics, laboratories, economic enterprises, etc. run in the anthroposophical sense, so the anthroposophists need to be more vigilant in order to beat back the enormous amount of lies and slander that is being directed against us from the opposing side. Dr. Steiner compared our situation to that of people in a besieged fortress. Often the gates of the fortress are opened from within through the negligence of members in their thinking and actions. Only the utmost vigilance on the part of the members will help us through the difficult times that will come with the reconstruction of the Goetheanum.

Mr. Steffen reminded those present of the enormous amount of material available in the works of Dr. Steiner for the members to advance themselves daily and also to convince the whole world, but also to promote the reconstruction of the Goetheanum.

Mr. de Haan expressed confidence that the energetic among us will raise all the funds needed for the construction.

In the afternoon, a special meeting of the country delegates took place again.

Mr. Albert Steffen opened the meeting and said that many people were probably rudely awakened by cannon shots this morning. This is because today, down in the village, there is a celebration of the anniversary of the Battle of Dornach, which took place in 1499 on the same hill where we are now gathered. This battle marked the culmination of the wars of independence that had begun when the three founders of the Swiss Confederation met to swear an oath on the Rütli. As can be read in Swiss history books, this confederation was the model for the United States of America, which in turn became the model for the republics and democracies of Europe. The hill of Dornach is therefore a crucially important point for the history of humanity. The anthroposophical movement, which now has its spiritual center here, is neither political nor national. During the last Goetheanum, people of all nationalities worked peacefully side by side on the hill of Dornach, even during the world war. It is of the greatest historical significance, said Mr. Steffen, that he can make the announcement today that the International Anthroposophical Society will be founded here in Dornach at Christmas this year. Mr. Steffen then gave some examples of the spiritually low-level spite and dishonesty with which the opposition to Anthroposophy and the Goetheanum works, so that the unanimous and tireless support of members in all countries is needed to establish and maintain the new Goetheanum.

Dr. Guenther Wachsmuth briefly reported on the results of the special meeting of the country delegates the previous afternoon. A significant step forward had been taken, both practically and morally. It had to be emphasized that it was not enough to indicate approximately how much funding might be collected over the course of a year; rather, Dr.

Steiner could only be asked to take the reconstruction into his own hands if a certain sum were guaranteed now. It was a great moral success that a few delegates had taken such a heavy responsibility upon their own shoulders. The following sums have been guaranteed in writing by individual delegates:

England... ..... 115,000 Swiss francs

Netherlands... 150,000

Switzerland... 200,000

Denmark... 100,000

Honolulu... 200,000

America... 30,000

Czechoslovakia. 30,000 (from German members there)

Italy. 20,000

Austria. 10,000

Sweden. 10,000

865,000 Swiss francs

As was expressly emphasized by all the delegates, this is only a first step, so that construction can begin immediately. It is hoped that in the coming months, through vigorous activity, significantly larger sums can be secured.

A second problem, which must now be discussed here and also after the delegates return to their countries, is the founding of the International Anthroposophical Society in Dornach at Christmas. In the course of this year, several national societies, e.g. in England, Holland, etc., will be founded on their own initiative, and it is to be hoped that several other countries will follow this example as soon as possible. The rebuilding of the movement in Dornach will result in a great deal of correspondence with all countries and branches, which is why the founding of national societies will greatly facilitate joint work, reporting, etc. Some grotesque examples were given to show why members who do not affiliate with other branches and country groups are unjustifiably dissatisfied when they are not notified of events in good time. It is hoped that this will be much easier and better in the future, thanks to the creation of country groups, which will simplify the exchange of information, and to the creation of a comprehensive address archive. (See below for more details.)

Between now and Christmas, we need two things more than ever: courage, so that we can secure all the physical foundations for the new structure by then; and love, so that the International Anthroposophical Society can be born at Christmas, an act that must mean something for the spiritual aura of the Earth.

Mr. Leinhas explained clearly and unambiguously that according to the existing laws it is absolutely necessary to leave the contributions collected in Germany, which are deposited with the trust company in Stuttgart, in Germany and to use them up there. He suggested, as one of several possibilities, that these funds be used for a study fund to make it easier for students to devote themselves intensively to the study of the various anthroposophical fields of teaching.

Mr. Heywood-Smith pointed out that today, July 22, was an important day in the history of Switzerland's wars of liberation. We are now facing another decisive historical moment, where another deed is to be accomplished that also demands trust in the ideal and the commitment of the whole being. We still need three million Swiss francs to rebuild the Goetheanum. The three confederates at Rütli had risked their lives for the cause of freedom. Are there three people in our Society who would be willing to guarantee the three million from their own means and thereby perform a deed of love for humanity? The members could then, in turn, perform a deed of love by ensuring that the guarantors do not suffer any loss once the contributions flow into the fund at the same rate as they are needed for the reconstruction.

Dr. Büchenbacher described the difficult moral tasks that have to be overcome by the friends in Germany; as Dr. Steiner showed us in his lectures, we have to help the genius of the time to overcome the demon of the time. Germany is a particularly difficult and important battleground for these forces at this time.

Mr. Scott Pyle, America, expressed in a heartfelt way how unfortunate it was that the German contributions could not directly benefit the Goetheanum this time and that it would be a beautiful act of international community spirit if the other countries, going beyond their own foundations, would also distribute the German contribution among themselves. He himself set a good example by donating a large sum.

Miss Woolley, England, added to it by donating jewelry to the German contribution.

Mr. Jan Stuten impressed upon the audience the necessity of the new Goetheanum, especially for a rebirth of artistic life. In the old Goetheanum, all forms were so harmonious and musical that they had a direct inspiring effect on the artist. A new music could have been born from the contemplation of the capitals, architraves and other living organic forms of the Goetheanum. He described the uninspired, uncreative decadence of modern compositions with examples to the contrary. The anthroposophical artists asked the Friends of the Arts to help them with the new Goetheanum, so that a place full of stimulation for the creative powers of artists on earth could be created again. Eurythmy also needs the Goetheanum as a setting of the same spirit. The performance that the delegates saw yesterday, for example of Shakespeare's “Midsummer Night's Dream”, would have been an event, a renaissance of Shakespeare's works in a new spirit. We felt deeply grateful to Dr. Steiner for this event. Mr. Stuten proposed that one or more of Dr. Steiner's mystery plays be performed during a festival week on large stages in Switzerland and abroad in the course of this year.

Ms. Henström, Sweden, reported on anthroposophical work in Sweden and guaranteed, at her own responsibility, a nice contribution from Sweden for the fund.

Miss Lina Schwarz, Italy, spoke about the wishes of her Italian friends and hoped that in the future it might be possible to send a newsletter from Dornach to all countries.

Count Polzer, Austria, said that in a properly conducted budget debate, spiritual human areas of interest should also be addressed; he welcomed the fact that in the last few days the budget negotiations here had been brought to such a level that at the same time, deep spiritual problems such as the consolidation of the Society in its connection with the reconstruction of the Goetheanum could be discussed. A center should be formed here in Dornach, in lively exchange with the life in the branches of all countries. He hoped that despite the growing difficulties, the delegates and members would meet quite often in Dornach and thus get to know each other more and more personally and warmly. Graf Polzer requested that the members of the other countries now also accept the resolution adopted by Switzerland.

Mr. Steffen asked those in favor of the resolution to rise. - (All the delegates remained silent for a few moments.) — The international assembly has thus unanimously endorsed this resolution.

The international assembly of delegates was closed by Dr. Steiner on the evening of July 22, at the end of the third of his lectures on “Three Perspectives of Anthroposophy”, with the following words:

This was an attempt to characterize the three perspectives that anthroposophy can open up: the physical, the soul and the spiritual perspective.

It will undoubtedly be a memorable meeting, my dear friends, if the building of a new Goetheanum can now emerge from it. And it would be wonderful if this new Goetheanum could become such that it could also radiate to us in its forms what is to be said through the word on the basis of anthroposophy to humanity. In this way, my dear friends, you will have done a great deal for anthroposophy.

I may speak impersonally in all these matters at this moment; it really does not depend on me. I also do not want to speak about the decision that has been made, the content of which is that it should be left to me to make the internal arrangements for the construction. For my request that I be allowed to carry out the building work under these conditions was made because I can only take responsibility for the building work under these conditions. And all this remains within the objective.

It is commendable that this request has been sympathetically received. The anthroposophical movement as such will benefit from the outcome. And so, as I bid farewell to our friends who have come here, I would just like to be the interpreter of the anthroposophical understanding, and the repercussions of this anthroposophical understanding will not fail to materialize for those who have this understanding. It can truly be seen from the spiritual realm what a difficult sacrifice our friends are making for the reconstruction of the Goetheanum. But the feeling has now entered our ranks that the will for what stands as an ideal before the soul's eye cannot be realized without such great sacrifices.

The Goetheanum will only be truly blessed if those who make the sacrifices truly want them and if the sacrifices come from a sacred will. But the beauty and beautiful sincerity of this will can already be expressed by the interpreter of anthroposophy as a warm farewell greeting. And I can assure you of this: now that the sacrifices have been made, the Goetheanum will be rebuilt to the best of our ability.

Building this second Goetheanum will require stronger, harder struggles than building the first, and a moral fund to supplement the physical one would be highly necessary. So, in the name of anthroposophy, I am deeply grateful to all those who have rushed here, and if it is the case that the right understanding will increasingly take hold, then in a sense the blessing cannot fail to come, and then one can also look forward calmly to the difficult struggles that this work in particular will entail.

Therefore, today, in a particularly serious and also in a particularly warm way, I would like to say goodbye to the friends.

Some preliminary remarks for the founding of the International Anthroposophical Society in Dornach, Christmas 1923.

A large number of the delegates who had been present at the conference from July 20 to 23 met again after the conference to determine the issues that require preliminary discussion in the various countries and groups during the next few months, so that the delegates can arrive at Christmas well informed about the views of their friends at home and armed with fruitful proposals for the development of the International Anthroposophical Society.

We therefore sincerely request that the following points be thoroughly discussed in the assemblies of the Anthroposophical branches and groups in the time between now and Christmas, so that harmony of opinion can be achieved all the more quickly in Dornach on the basis of the clarified views of friends from all countries:

1. There will be a discussion about the merger of the national societies that have already been founded or will be founded by Christmas to form an International Anthroposophical Society. Reports will be given on the different ways in which the individual national societies are organized.

2. Possible revision of statutes by the national societies, insofar as the current draft ¹ needed to be changed or added.

3. Those countries, such as Belgium, Poland, etc., that have expressed the wish to remain affiliated to the Swiss Anthroposophical Society for the time being, until their membership has grown stronger, are asked to send the Swiss Anthroposophical Society a precise list of the addresses of the members of their group, as well as to indicate which individuals are to be notified of any events, communications, etc. who are then responsible for passing this on to all members belonging to their group.

4. Proposals for the person of a General Secretary of the International Anthroposophical Society. The decision, of course, lies with Dr. Steiner.

5. Some delegates had proposed appointing so-called envoys in Dornach, i.e. prominent individuals from the various countries who already live in Dornach and could be consulted or called upon to assist in dealings with the individual countries. Opinions were divided on the expediency of such an organization. It would, of course, only be useful if it facilitated, rather than complicated, communication between Dornach and the national societies.

6. The amount and due date of the contribution to be paid to Dornach per member (upon admission and annually) to cover the expenses of the General Secretariat. (It should not be forgotten that the sending of such communications, the organization of meetings, the handling of the constantly increasing number of requests in Dornach, etc., which result from the international growth of the Society, require funds that cannot be covered permanently by the Swiss Society or from private funds, but must be borne jointly by all countries).

7. Regular additions to the address archive of members in Dornach (unless otherwise agreed). (It is proposed that contributions and lists of new members, resignations, changes of address, etc. be sent to Dornach on 7 January and 1 July respectively).

8. Determination of the responsibility of the general secretaries, boards of directors, etc. of the national associations and of the International General Secretary with regard to the admission of new members to the Society. — (For example, during discussions with Dutch friends, it was suggested that the admission card of a new member be signed by the general secretary of a country and countersigned by the International General Secretariat). 9. The question of publishing a journal can only be resolved by specific proposals regarding the person and the means.

10. Organization of a dignified and effective defense against opponents in all countries. The International Anthroposophical Society must take on this task to such an extent through increased collaboration across the whole earth that Dr. Steiner is not impeded in important work by the tiresome defense against opponents.

11. Members in all countries to work together to support the initiatives launched by the Anthroposophical Society in the fields of education, therapy (distribution of remedies, support for clinical-therapeutic institutes, etc.), scientific research, art, etc. It would be very nice if, in this respect, the delegates could come to Dornach at Christmas with concrete proposals and reports of their own activities in all countries after intensive discussions.

12. How much have the individual countries and groups been able to contribute to the reconstruction of the Goetheanum? (It would be helpful for the continuity of the work if a preliminary report on this could be given by October 15, 1923).

Please send the names of the delegates who are to represent their countries in Dornach at Christmas to Dornach by December 1, 1923. Similarly, information is needed about accommodation, etc. In addition to the responsible delegates, all members of the Society are of course most warmly and urgently invited to attend. The exact date of the Christmas meeting will be announced.

All correspondence should be addressed to “The Secretariat of the Anthroposophical Society”, Dornach near Basel, Switzerland, Haus Friedwart, 1st floor.

We repeat Dr. Steiner's closing words: “It would be wonderful if this new Goetheanum could become such that it could radiate to us in its forms what is to be said through the word on the basis of anthroposophy for humanity.

The building of the new Goetheanum and the carrying out of anthroposophical truths into the spiritual life of the whole earth will show that the signals of the Anthroposophical Society, which are to be born at Christmas, are a living and active being.

Please come, dear friends, to Dornach at Christmas, equipped for such tasks and with loving intentions.

Albert Steffen Dr.
Guenther Wachsmuth

Chronological overview of the days of the conference with a literal rendering of Rudolf Steiner's words

First day, Friday, July 20, 1923

11:30 a.m., Friedwart House: preliminary discussion of the Swiss delegates (without Rudolf Steiner). The official delegates are elected and the question is discussed of whether Switzerland can raise the planned 400,000 francs for the reconstruction.

4 p.m., Glass House: Preliminary discussion of the German delegates (without Rudolf Steiner). Carl Unger mentions three points for the conference: 1. Rebuilding the Goetheanum, 2. Appeal for donations, 3. Following the “resolution” of the Swiss. The composition of the German delegation is decided: Dr. Unger, Emil Leinhas, Wolfgang Wachsmuth, Hans Büchenbacher, Maria-Röschl, Felix Peipers, Graf Lerchenfeld, Kurt Walther, Frau Goyert, Oberstleutnant Seebohm (Johanna Mücke has resigned).

5 p.m., Glass House: preliminary discussion of all the delegates named by the various countries to determine the conference program and the chairmanship. Albert Steffen is elected chairman, George Kaufmann from London vice-chairman, and Guenther Wachsmuth secretary. The Swiss delegate E. Etienne from Geneva reports the following from this meeting in a private letter dated July 29, 1923:

"This first discussion was actually more of a get-together. The various country delegates had come here more or less informed, some hardly knew the purpose of the meeting; they had therefore not been given any powers of attorney and were more here to find out something that they could then inform their country and their branches about. Of course, this was a hindrance and an obstacle to the smooth running of the purely financial part of the work program.

It was interesting to see how the mentality of their people was reflected in the statements of the various delegates. Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany and Austria were the most willing to make sacrifices. The tragedy is that for the last two countries, the exchange rate situation is such that their enormous sacrifices appear so small when converted into francs. The Nordic countries, on the other hand, failed to contribute. Italy and France are willing but have few members and little money. England and America have disappointed... In contrast, the German group has been exemplary for Czechoslovakia. Of the 27 members, 150,000 Czech crowns (about 10,000 francs) have been delivered so far, and their delegate has personally committed to a further 20,000 francs. Will the three Czech groups be as loyal to the cause? They were not represented.

8 p.m., carpentry workshop: Rudolf Steiner's first lecture on “Three Perspectives on Anthroposophy” (in CW 225).

Second day, Saturday, July 21, 1923

10 a.m., carpentry hall: First general assembly of the delegates and members of the Anthroposophical Society. Welcome address by Albert Steffen and report by Dr. Guenther Wachsmuth on yesterday's preliminary negotiations. In the discussion that followed, various suggestions were made as to how the funds for the reconstruction could be raised. Cf. the report by Albert Steffen and Dr. Guenther Wachsmuth on page 557. At the end of the morning session, Rudolf Steiner took the floor:

See GA 252

George Kaufmann translates Rudolf Steiner's remarks into English. Then, until 1 p.m., the negotiations continue on the financing of the building and the proposed brochure.

3 p.m., Glass House: Special meeting of all delegates about the sums to be provided by the individual countries. (There are no minutes of this meeting.)

5 p.m., Carpentry: Eurythmy performance with introductory address by Rudolf Steiner (in CW 277).

8 p.m., carpentry workshop: Rudolf Steiner's second lecture on “Three Perspectives on Anthroposophy” (in CW 225).

10:30 p.m., glass house: assembly of delegates after Rudolf Steiner's lecture. There are no minutes available, but the Swiss delegate E. Etienne from Geneva reports in a private letter dated July 29 about this meeting, at which Rudolf Steiner was also present, as follows:

"It was sometimes exhausting to listen to the haggling and haggling. The committee, which was pushing for large sums to achieve something worthwhile, and the delegates, some of whom had no authority to make real commitments. It is therefore to be hoped that they will really do everything they can in their countries to increase the guaranteed minimum amounts, in line with the number of members and their actual financial possibilities.

After the minimum amounts had been agreed (which depended on whether or not the doctor considered the guarantee offered to be sufficient – he wanted to be absolutely sure and only took note of guaranteed amounts), it was concluded that at least 25% of the guaranteed amounts must be paid by 15 October of the following year. The original plan was to reconvene on this date. However, all the delegates were sufficiently empowered and well informed about the final amounts that their country would contribute to the reconstruction and in which installments.

Doctor Itten said that he would now immediately start planning the new Goetheanum for the funds that had now been made available (insurance and minimum amounts). If in October the delegates are able to guarantee larger sums than those currently foreseen, then these funds would be used for the extensions. This met with long faces, and the immediate objection was raised that nothing of this should be mentioned at tomorrow's general assembly (we delegates would keep silent about everything anyway), because everyone wants to give their money for the Goetheanum and not for extensions. The sense of sacrifice could wane if this became known. The doctor replied that if our old Goetheanum had not burnt down, we would have been forced to build extensions anyway, because the work that awaited us could not have been done in the old building; we felt that ourselves at the time. And we should not imagine that greater sacrifices are now being demanded of us than we would have had to make without the fire in the next three years (we would not have had three million to start with!). In short, Dr. Itten was keen to make it clear to us that the extensions were not only not a disaster, but something desirable, and he tried to encourage us. — Later, he came up again and said very kindly: Don't think I'm making a joke: you can very well proceed in such a way that I design a Goetheanum for the available money, right up to the roof, so for the time being without a roof. (Much laughter.) I suppose most anthroposophists would then still want the roof and raise the necessary money for it.

The suggestion was generally liked – but whether Doctor really proceeds in this way will probably depend on the degree of trust in our willingness to make sacrifices. Doctor just said clearly that he did not want to go through the misery of raising money a second time. He would only build with what was actually raised and would not rely on promises.

• 1. Refers to the “Draft Principles of an Anthroposophical Society” from 1912/13. See “Notes” below.

8 o'clock, Glass House: Meeting of the German friends in the presence of Rudolf Steiner. At the end of yesterday's general meeting, a German member asked when the German friends would meet to discuss their particular tasks. Dr. Carl Unger replied that the next day, from 8 o'clock in the morning, there would be a report for all friends who had come over from Germany.

This early Sunday morning meeting of the German friends was introduced by Dr. Carl Unger, who set out the three points to be discussed: 1. the appeal for funds, 2. the Swiss resolution, 3. the moral fund.

Steiner then took the floor. (Stenographic notes by Hedda Hummel.)

Dornach, July 22, 1923, 8 o'clock in the morning.

I will not be speaking for too long, as I want to leave the details to you. I would just like to say a few words: I would like to take this opportunity, when only German representatives are here, as it seems to me, to say something that should perhaps be known, or known about, only among the German representatives. For of course, the times are such today that the things that should actually be known are misunderstood in the most diverse ways. I would like to say the following, but I expressly note that, of course, there is not the slightest bit of national or similar opinion behind it, but only facts.

The Anthroposophical Society is only justified if it takes into account what can arise from anthroposophical knowledge from time to time, and, I would say, in relation to direct life. You will see what I mean from the following suggestions.

You see, it was of course a kind of naivety to believe that the weak forces of Central Europe could physically hold out against the whole world. I look back on the past times. It was naive to believe that when the coalition of the whole world outside Central Europe came into being. And it was clear from the beginning, since 1914, that it would be naive to believe that there could be any talk of an external victory for Central Europe. Central Europe has not really abandoned this belief until now. It always falls back on certain areas and will not be deterred from extending this belief, at least in the economic sphere, as long as the same is not experienced in the economic sphere as in the political sphere.

It is, therefore, naive to believe that somehow, let us say, within the realm of the physical plan of Central Europe, the means of power of the whole world will be opposed. On the other hand, it must be realized that what the Central European, especially the German spirit has to say to the world has not yet been said and done, that Central Europe still has an enormous amount to accomplish for the world in spiritual terms, and that Central Europe should finally acquire an eye for the fact that in the, if I may put it this way, in the Maja, things sometimes even appear contrary to reality. So that what is currently happening in the world, both in the political and state and in the economic sphere, is actually the opposite of what is happening in the spiritual sphere. It is the true opposite. Because in reality the victories that are being won – and the economic victories will be too – are actually defeats; defeats in the face of evolving humanity. And it will be experienced that in spite of all striving for political and economic preponderance, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of all this, in spite of The spiritual must be taken from Central Europe! And there will arise in the world a longing to take the spirit from the place where one is actually enslaved in an outward way. And this will be intimately connected with the future shaping of the world.

But I do not want it to be forgotten that such things are in many ways connected with human freedom in our present cultural epoch; that it is therefore simply not possible to miss the right moment; that in view of this, vigilance is necessary. And the Anthroposophical Society, above all, would have the task of being alert to what is happening in the immediate present. It would be very easy to miss the moment, which, one might say, is predetermined in history, when the view emerges from numerous centers in the periphery surrounding Central Europe: Yes, we have indeed achieved tremendous external power over Central Europe; but if we do not want to perish spiritually on earth, we must regard Central Europe as the source of spiritual life.

Just imagine the unimaginable possibility that these judgments, more or less emotional judgments, would flare up in the various centers of the world and in Germany all the people would stand around selling their mouths and would not understand what is happening and what actually needs to be done.

These things are the real basis for the formation of thoughts that underlie what is called, so to speak, exoterically — if I may put it that way — “the moral demand”. In our Anthroposophical Society, things must not remain empty words — of course, every idealistic phrase-maker also speaks of moral demands — but for us they must be supported by spiritual reality.

Therefore, to give direction and strength to the spiritual muscles, I wanted to preface these few words.

[The following discussion was about the organization of work in German society, the possibilities of contributing to the financing of construction, and the question of opponents. The continuation was postponed until 3 p.m. It was about the Lempp case, see page 596 for more information.]

10 a.m., carpentry workshop: Second General Assembly of the delegates and members of the Anthroposophical Society. (See the abbreviated general report by Albert Steffen and Dr. Guenther Wachsmuth.)

According to the shorthand notes, the speakers were Albert Steffen, Herbert]. Heywood-Smith, Emil Leinhas, Dr. Wachsmuth, William Scott Pyle, George Kaufmann, Lieutenant-Colonel Seebohm, Jan Stuten, Miss Henström from Stockholm, Miss Woolley from London, Baron Walleen from Denmark, Miss Henström, Lina Schwarz from Milan about a circular letter to the Italian members about the work in Dornach and asks Rudolf Steiner for a meditation to be done together. Dr. Steiner's reply: I can only discuss things of this kind in lectures, not in meetings that actually have a different character. Things of this kind belong in lectures. Then Margarita Woloschin speaks for the Russian friends, Ludwig Polzer-Hoditz, Albert Steffen, Dr. Blümel.

George Kaufmann provides a summary in English.

Rudolf Steiner: It seems to me as if we are now at the end of the conference and I would like to say what I still have to say at the end of the lecture (his evening lecture).

Albert Steffen now closes the meeting, pointing out that there are still many unresolved questions in the air, “for example, the most important one, that of a journal that would have to be formed for the exchange between the periphery and the center. But we have already discussed this question, and there are really major difficulties here that I alone cannot possibly resolve here... And so, as far as I am concerned, I would like to close the meeting today if no one else speaks,

Rudolf Steiner: Regarding the newsletter — I do not consider the conference to be closed, so I do not want to say any kind of closing words, so to speak — but regarding the newsletter, which is often discussed, I would like to make the following comment. It is one thing to do many things; but it is quite another to recognize the necessity for something in a certain abstractness or to really get things going. We had to start somewhere and we really started with good reasons to found the magazine 'Das Goetheanum' here.

Yes, dear friends, but for such a thing one needs the interest of the membership first. The “Goetheanum” is still an “inactive” magazine, as they say, which means that it has to be paid for. And it can be said that this is certainly connected with the lack of interest that has already been discussed. We here are always faced with the question: we have to start somewhere, at the beginning. But often the demand is then made to start at the end. That just can't be done.

We have tried to give a picture of the ruined Goetheanum in the Goetheanum itself. Yesterday, Mr. Leinhas rightly emphasized: nothing has been done — the essays were, I believe, also printed in Anthroposophie in Germany — nothing has been done to make these things known. Apart from everything else that has to be considered when publishing a brochure, where is the prospect of such a brochure being received with any great enthusiasm and being supported in any way, other than what we have just described as the beginning? I believe that just as the Goetheanum magazine has a difficult existence here, so too does anthroposophy have a difficult existence out there in Germany. And a brochure that would be written in such a way that it would emerge from the heart of the matter — because, of course, you can't just fabricate an advertising brochure for anthroposophy —, well, that which would arise from the heart of anthroposophy would today again weigh heavily without there being any interest in it.

Now, a newsletter requires a tremendous amount. It is easy to say that such a newsletter should be made; the reasons are, of course, hundreds that can be put forward for it. But what is needed above all is a revival of interest in the things that are being done. And it is not responsible to continue doing things when the old things are always left lying around. True, a brochure has been produced in Italy, but it has remained, I would say, in a small group of people in the Anthroposophical Society.

We really need more support from our members for these things, because it is truly not an encouraging business to always have to talk about this. But it is all too often made necessary by the fact that things are talked about that really cannot be carried out in the way one imagines them, before one sees how taking by the hand develops for the beginning.

Of course, one could even greet it as a good fact if every lecture given here were to multiply itself and then be carried everywhere by pigeon post. Of course it would be a very good thing. But in thought things cannot be carried out in this way; what would be necessary first is to go into the way in which the attempt to spread the things is made out of the matter itself.

Just think about it: Mr. Steffen actually undertook to report much of what is going on here to the outside world – you can't speak of an attempt in this case, because what is complete in itself can also be considered an independent literary achievement –. Yes, of course, an educational course has been printed. But there was no response to these things from the membership, as there should have been; and there is no possibility of moving on to something more esoteric if we do not start by stimulating more interest among the membership in what is actually being done. It is the lack of interest in things that ultimately underlies the fact that everyone feels more or less unsatisfied with what is being done. But actually, perhaps one could, from the fact, for example, that within society there is someone like Mr. Steffen, who was rightly said at the last Swiss meeting here to be roughly the person who writes the best German style today; it is something that should at least be included as a positive thing.

But really, this fact, for example, which means a great deal for the whole anthroposophical movement, that the anthroposophical movement includes the best German stylist in Mr. Steffen, should be an occasion for the journal “Das Goetheanum”, of which Mr. Steffen has given the Anthroposophical Society the gift of being editor, to would be received in a completely different way than it actually is. I notice so little response from the Society to what is actually in the Goetheanum. I could, when, I think it was a fortnight ago, an attempt was made to see if an echo could be evoked by challenging people to solve the riddles; you could see that at least people wanted to find out what was meant by these riddles.¹ But otherwise far too little of what is in this 'Goetheanum' lives in society. Far too little lives in it. And really, do you believe that it is really extraordinarily difficult for Mr. Steffen or possibly for myself to stand up and say what the 'Goetheanum' actually is for a magazine. You can already... [space in the shorthand].

But you see, I have often heard the judgment: Yes, the “Goetheanum” is just not enough for us. But to this day I have [doubts] whether the journal “Das Goetheanum” means anything to the anthroposophical movement according to the Anthroposophical Society. For us here today, there is still the possibility that the magazine “Goetheanum” is seen as something highly unnecessary by the membership. This possibility still exists, after all. There is no real participation in such a thing, in which something of the best forces is actually put in here every week. Yes, it is not an invective that I would like to deliver here; but it is something to which I would like to draw attention when it is said: We cannot have enough of the “Goetheanum”, that is exoteric, people in the outside world can read that too, we need something much more esoteric. — Yes, just wait and see what fruits come when you first tend to the roots. But the roots must first be cultivated. That is already the case.

We still have the whole afternoon ahead of us, and I will say what I want to say in conclusion in my lecture at the end of the conference.

Emil Leinhas returns to the question of how to distribute the transcripts of Rudolf Steiner's lectures and says that it should also be considered “that Dr. Steiner repeatedly expressed his displeasure at the transcripts and also at their indiscriminate distribution, that it is not at all to his taste. One can well understand the desire for the transcripts, but one should also take into account Dr. Steiner's wish that the transcripts not be distributed in this way.

Albert Steffen: So before I adjourn the meeting until 3:00 this afternoon, Rudolf Steiner: It would be very difficult to meet here in this hall this afternoon.

Albert Steffen: We can immediately feel the difficulties that exist as long as there is no Goetheanum. The Germans wanted to meet in the Glass House, as far as I know, at three o'clock. This hall can only be used until four o'clock at the latest, because there is to be eurythmy at five o'clock.

Rudolf Steiner: I did not want to schedule anything earlier, but just wanted to say: According to the program, the events at five and eight o'clock are also still part of the conference. Therefore, I did not want to say any closing words before the conference ended.

Albert Steffen: I just have to thank Dr. Steiner for what he said about me as a writer. I must say that I see myself as a complete beginner in this respect, so that if I practise with words, I may perhaps achieve something to some extent. In any case, I am only just beginning. And I would at least like to thank the person who addressed me for the remark, who has the best command of the word in the present and in the past, for that person's trust.

3 p.m., Glass House: Continuation of the morning assembly of the Germans (no minutes).

One participant, Hans Büchenbacher, reported on this in “Mitteilungen, herausgegeben vom Vorstand der Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft in Deutschland” No. 7, Stuttgart, September 1923, as follows:

At the meetings of the approximately eighty Germans present in Dornach, the friends from the Rhineland were in the foreground. They were convinced that they had significant contributions to make to the Society and that something important for the course of the entire conference had to come from them. At the same time, however, they were in a certain combative mood and particularly in an oppositional attitude towards the leadership of the Anthroposophical Society in Germany. But the following arose from this. At the beginning of the plenary assembly of the Germans on Sunday morning in the glass house, Dr. Steiner spoke in a deeply moving way about the spiritual task of the German people in particular. [Page 585] The fact that Dr. Steiner's words could not be discussed in the following debate was not so much due to the chairmanship of the meeting as to the attitude of the Rhenish friends, as characterized above. The whole discussion took on a chaotic course as a result, and Dr. Büchenbacher was forced to compare the situation with that at the Stuttgart delegates' conference in February. They did not even want to discuss the draft of a statement for Dr. Steiner, which Dr. Unger presented on the occasion of the Lempp affair.²

It was decided to hold another meeting in the afternoon to hear only the Rhenish friends at length, as they requested. They demanded that a Rhinelander should also preside over the meeting. The executive committee did not agree to this, which was entirely justified, and Mr. Leinhas, as chairman of the afternoon meeting, gave the Rhinelanders ample opportunity to say everything they had to say. The fact that the result that emerged was very modest would not have been a problem in itself. But, one may ask, was it necessary to talk to and fro fruitlessly for hours, sometimes in a rather testy manner, so that no time was left for Dr. Steiner's words, for the manifestation for him? Would that the discussions in September, which are so important for the Society, might not be conducted with an attitude that, as the Stuttgart delegates' conference has already shown, seriously endangers the existence of the Society, despite all the emphasis on one's own point of view. So much of the time available for discussion had passed before Mr. Leinhas was able to give the German friends an account of the Lempp affair. Dr. Steiner intervened with great sharpness and certainty, for which we can only be grateful to him, and presented this matter in its fundamental significance. The result was an understandable agitation of the assembly. Now people were urging a show of support for Dr. Steiner. He had already left, as the eurythmy performance was about to begin. There was no longer time for an orderly discussion...

5 p.m., Carpentry Shop: Eurythmy performance with introductory address by Rudolf Steiner (in CW 277).

8 p.m., carpentry workshop: 3rd lecture by Rudolf Steiner on “Three Perspectives on Anthroposophy” (in CW 225) with the announced farewell words to the conference participants:

• 1. Article by Rudolf Steiner: The Philosopher as Forger of Riddles. In: “Das Goetheanum”, 2nd year, no. 48, July 8, 1923, now in GA 36. This article presents four riddles taken from the booklet “Aenigmatias. Neue Rätsel” by Franz Brentano, 2nd edition, Munich 1909.
• 2. For more information, see page 596.

Dear anthroposophical friends in Germany!

On New Year's Eve 1922/23, a tremendous fire lit up the world as a harrowing symbol of a world-historical moment. The Goetheanum, the School of Spiritual Science in Dornach, burned down to its foundations that night. An unknown person had insidiously placed the igniting spark in the sanctuary of thousands of human hearts.

This event could evoke the memory of another crime recorded in human history. On February 6, 356 BC, Herostratus hurled a torch into the sanctuary of Diana of Ephesus. He wanted to achieve immortality for himself through this act. Treasures of ancient wisdom sank into oblivion; the name Herostratus was engraved on the memory of posterity.

If the burning of Ephesus is a symbol in world history that ancient and holy wisdom had to perish so that the human personality could unfold, then the burning of the Goetheanum, which wanted to be a place of love that now wants to come to the peoples of the earth in a new form, can be a sign of how this coming of love in our time is opposed by criminal forces.

In the spirit of love, while the world war raged and the flames of ethnic hatred were raging all around, anthroposophists from 17 nationalities built the Goetheanum under the leadership of their teacher. The work of ten years of dedicated work and sacrificial love was destroyed by a senseless crime in a few fateful hours.

Immediately after the disaster, donations were also made in Germany for the reconstruction of the Goetheanum to the collection point that had been set up in Stuttgart at the time as the “Dr. Rudolf Steiner Disposition Account”. In the meantime, our friends abroad have taken steps to secure the financial means for the reconstruction. The necessary guarantees were provided by the International Assembly of Delegates in Dornach, which met from July 20 to 22 this year. Once again, people from all over the world will work together to rebuild the Goetheanum. We German Anthroposophists initially found ourselves unable to provide financial assistance. Not because we are poor; anyone who loves something as we love this building – which does not belong to us Anthroposophists, but is intended to serve all of humanity – has something to give, no matter how poor they are. But we had to be clear about the fact that money and monetary value must not cross our national border. That, dear friends, was our great sorrow: to experience that the sacrifice we wanted to make for our beloved cause was to be made impossible by fate.

But the moral power that lives in anthroposophy has shown us the way in which our sacrifice can still be effective. All the material gifts we were able to contribute out of love and a spirit of sacrifice to the construction of the first Goetheanum were destroyed by the crime of New Year's Eve. The new Goetheanum will largely have to be built from the insurance money, which will not be offered by generous friends. And we German anthroposophists had to see ourselves excluded from the material sacrifices that our friends made for the reconstruction. But the spirit of sacrifice was aroused among our friends. Therefore, we decided that all donations from Germany for the Goetheanum should be combined into a “German Goetheanum Fund”. This fund is to be used within German borders for purposes that are in line with the Goetheanum's endeavors. For example, it is planned to use this fund to support German intellectual workers within the borders of our country in their spiritual scientific work and research in the spirit of the School of Spiritual Science. Dr. Rudolf Steiner himself will have the exclusive and sole right of disposal over the funds of this foundation.

In this way, we could hope that our sacrifice, which could not be used for the reconstruction of the Goetheanum itself in material form, would nevertheless have an effect beyond the borders of our country through its inherent moral power. What we were denied by fate in the material realm should be compensated for by the spirit in which we wanted to make our sacrifice.

We presented our intention to our foreign friends at the international delegates' meeting in Dornach. Our friends have honored the spirit of our Goetheanum offering in the most beautiful way. Their delegates declared that they were determined to add to what they were already willing to do for the reconstruction of the Goetheanum, however much the amount collected in Germany for the German Goetheanum Fund and remaining there would account for. And they would do this from funds that would never have flowed into Germany. This makes it possible for our gift to remain within Germany and for its equivalent value to be used for the reconstruction of the Goetheanum.

Each of us wants to make a sacrifice for the Goetheanum. A sacrifice that he is able to make only for this purpose, out of a clear insight into the world-historical necessity of this building. This sacrifice should have an inherent moral power, as a counterweight to the tragic facts that will affect the emerging Goetheanum.

This sacrifice should be a one-time sacrifice, so that such undertakings in our own country, such as the Waldorf School, for example, should not be deprived of the regular support that is so indispensable for these undertakings at this time.

It is with this in mind that we are turning to our German anthroposophical friends today with a request for donations to the German Goetheanum Fund. This fund will serve the reconstruction of the Goetheanum without depriving our people of anything. Just as during the world war the nations that were at war with each other worked together in Dornach to rebuild the Goetheanum, so now, while Germany is economically collapsing, anthroposophists from other nations are economically supporting us in the reconstruction process.

This fact proves that, beyond the hatred of nations, anthroposophy is able to pave the way to humanity. Because this is so, we are allowed to build again. Let us build, friends, the strength of morality, the strength of love, into this building, so that the strong building may have a strong society behind it!

May the behavior of anthroposophical friends in countries outside of Germany towards German anthroposophists set an example for nations! Then the new building in Dornach could mark the beginning of an era of understanding between peoples. In this sense, may the rebuilding of the Goetheanum be embraced by the whole world!

Stuttgart, August 1923.

The Executive Council of the Anthroposophical Society in Germany:

Jürgen von Grone, Dr. Eugen Kolisko, Emil Leinhas, Johanna Mücke, Dr. Otto Palmer, Dr. Friedrich Rittelmeyer, Dr. Walter Johannes Stein, Dr. Carl Unger, Wolfgang Wachsmuth, Louis Werbeck.

The committee of the Free Anthroposophical Society in Germany:

Moritz Bartsch, Dr. Hans Büchenbacher, Jürgen von Grone, Dr. Ernst Lehrs, Ren& Maikowski, Wilhelm Rath, Dr. Maria Röschl, J. G. W. Schröder.

The German members of the Executive Council of the Association of the Goetheanum, the School of Spiritual Science: Graf Otto Lerchenfeld, Gräfin Pauline Kalckreuth, Dr. Felix Peipers.

All donations are to be made out to the Treuhandgesellschaft des Goetheanum in Stuttgart, in favor of the “Verfügungskonto Dr. Rudolf Steiner” and sent to Bankhaus Hans Stammer & Co., Stuttgart, Rotestr. 4.