The laying of the Foundation Stone, lectures and addresses, discussion of the Statutes, Dornach, Dec. 24, 1923 - Jan. 1, 1924 (CW 260)

"This anthroposophic movement is not an earthly service. This anthroposophic movement in its entirety, in all its details, is a service of the gods, a divine service." --Rudolf Steiner

During Christmastime 1923, one year after the fiery destruction of the first Goetheanum, in a wooden carpentry shop overlooking the charred ruins Rudolf Steiner established the General Anthroposophical Society, to which he joined his destiny. This volume documents that occasion. Readers will find the complete proceedings of the conference, as well as Steiner's in-depth description of the structure and organization of the new Society. Discussions of the statutes are also recorded in detail.

The laying of the Foundation Stone into the hearts of the members is at the center of this book. The foundation Stone Verse (or mantra) is reproduced in the different forms in which Steiner gave it each day of the conference along with his commentary on its different rhythms.

Also included is Rudolf Steiner's lecture on plans for the second Goetheanum, illuminating the spiritual significance of its architecture, as well as his talk on the burning of the temple at Ephesus. This edition features a foreword and conclusion by Marie Steiner. The text is complemented by a list and biographical data of the members mentioned and reproductions of handwritten notes and blackboard sketches.

C O N T E N T S

The Program of the Christmas Foundation
Conference
Introduction by Virginia Sease
Preface to the 1985 German Edition

PART ONE: INTRODUCTORY

The Close of the Year and Turn of the Year 1923/24
Foreword by Marie Steiner to the First German Edition in 1944
Introduction to the Eurythmy Performance by Rudolf Steiner

PART TWO: THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONFERENCE

The Opening of the Christmas Foundation Conference (Rudolf Steiner)
Rudolf Steiner's Opening Lecture and Reading of the Statutes
The Laying of the Foundation Stone of the General Anthroposophical Society
The Foundation Meeting of the General Anthroposophical Society
Meeting of the Vorstand and the General Secretaries of the National Societies
Continuation of the Foundation Meeting
Rudolf Steiner's Contribution during the Meeting of the Swiss School Association
Continuation of the Foundation Meeting
The Idea of the Future Building in Dornach (Rudolf Steiner)
Open Discussion of Swiss Delegates under the Chairmanship of Rudolf Steiner
The Envy of the Gods--the Envy of Human Beings (Rudolf Steiner)
Continuation of the Foundation Meeting
The Rebuilding of the Goetheanum
On the Right Entry into the Spiritual World (Rudolf Steiner)
On Behalf of the Members

PART THREE: CONCLUSION & APPENDICES

Conclusion by Marie Steiner
Rudolf Steiner's Words of Welcome at the Social Gathering
Notes on the Verses
The Printed Versions of the Verses in German
Three English Translations of the Verses
Notes
List of Names with Biographical Notes

This volume is a translation from German of Die Weihnachtstagung zur Begrundung der Allgemeinen Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft (GA 260).