His work spanned numerous progressive movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where he played a significant role in promoting ideas of compassion, spiritualism, and communal living, making him a key figure in the development of humanitarian and anarchist thought in the Netherlands.

He soon left the Dutch Reformed Church and immersed himself in promoting Christian anarchism, editing the publication Vrede, which became an important platform for advocating nonviolence, simplicity, and ethical living.

[1] In 1900, Ortt co-founded a Christian anarchist commune near Blaricum, attempting to create a community based on the teachings of Jesus, with an emphasis on nonviolence, vegetarianism, and simplicity.

Despite this setback, Ortt documented the experience in his novel series Felicia and continued his activism by writing and editing publications that disseminated his ideas on humanitarianism, ethics, and social justice.

Despite facing criticism from more conservative members, he remained committed to advocating for a lifestyle aligned with spiritual and ethical ideals, contributing significantly to the intellectual and moral discussions of his time.