THE NEW "RELIGIOUS" ORDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11825, 30 November 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE NEW "RELIGIOUS" ORDER.

THE MENTAL SCIENCE CASE.

THE EVIDENCE OF A NEOPHYTE. In our supplement of November 16 we gav< the first porti "*. of the evidence in this case which is exciting great attention in London. We now give a portion of the concluding ■evidence, prior to the adjournment of the case till November 7. The first and principal witness was Vera Crogsdale. At t*h&' conclusion of her evidence she Was shows a handbill relating to a, lecture to be given by " Horos, the leader of the Theocratic Unity and Purity League." at a music-hall, to which "Christians of all denominations are cordially invited. No collection." She found the bill, she said, on the table upon her return from a cycling tour. . . . _ - "The Male Prisoner: Didn't you leave in coldness because I chided you for breaking a principle of the Order in going on- on cy- ■ cling tours with different people ? (Laughtei.) I said bother the principle (more laughte..) Didn't yon attend a series of lectures by both of us when we lined to the audience each time everything connected with our work and mission and Theocratic Unity. And was there anything improper m our teaching? Witness: I fought on some points vou wore very strange. You.said marriage nowadays was a sin .and that it was only for the purpose of bringing little devil's images into the vror.d. Did wo state that our life was on the pattern of the Christ life, and that was the ™ we did not marry? You did not tell me that until we got to Gower-st.ee.. THE CASS OF OLGA SOWSOV. The next witness was Olga Bowson, aged 26 staving at Wellington-street, Camdentown. 'In July of this year she said she was in service in Bayswater, and while there she «aw an advertisement in ttie Peopie newspaper identical with one aheauy produced, as follows :— " Foreign gentleman, 35, educated, attractive, of independent means, desires to meet a lady of means, view matrimony " She answered the advertisement, and received a reply from 4, Duke-street, Strand, which she placed in her pocket-book, and subseouentlv missed. The purport of it was that Mr. Horos would be glad to see her. and asked that she would go and stay with him and his mother at Durrant Gardens for a few days. ,He also described himself as the only sou of his mother, and said ho had not married on account of the wishes of his mother, whom be was sure she would be pleased to meet, as she was very ' bright, handsome, brilliant, beautiful, and lovely (laughter). She kept the appointment' at Duke-street the following week, and at the interview that followed Mr. Horos remarked he thought that she was a very na-tural-looking girl, and. wiping her face with his handkerchief, said, "I see you don t use powder." He asked if she had parents, or brothers or sisters, and she replied in the negative. She was staving, she said, with friends. He asked if she would like to live with him as his wife, and added that if she married him they would travel the ■whole world. He also asked her if she had 1 ' ■ ever been engaged before, and she said she had when she was 17. She had not been engaged to another man, as she did not care much for men. He asked if she would object to his mother living with them, and she replied that as a rule she thought mo-thers-in-law always made it unpleasant -at home. He made "reply, "Oh, no; my mother would not do that; she would not interfere. She has her own r00m.3 and her own maid." At his request she explained the history of her family, and said she had rum away from an aunt "and stayed with friends -until they died. He asked if she had any pronertv," and she said she thought not, as father had died without a will. They bad tea at a restaurant in the Strand, and over the teacups the prisoner said that when ; married they would travel to Paris. >As they parted'he asked her to write to him, ', and they bade each other good-bye, and separated on very friendly terms. Two or i ' three days later he wrote to her, and she L , replied, and she then received another letter making an appointment at Duke-street, •which she kept. On that occasion he kissed ;•'■., and embraced her, and asked if she was going to stay with him. She said she would let him know. Later on she met him again at that address, and having inquired whether she bad to go back to her place that night he suggested going for a walk, and she agreed. When near Charing Cross lie asked if she would like to see their house, which - ' was now in Gower-street. She said she

would. His mother, he said, was staying at • .heir country house. He then asked if she had another name. She replied: "Yes; Rosaline," and inquired why he asked that. ; ' He said that probably he -was going to introduce her to Mrs. Durengis, and if she inquired what her name was she was to say "Rosaline," and tell her she had come on a, visit to the Swami. Up to the time nothing had been said about his religion. Upon .reaching Durrant Gardens the door was opened by Lily (Mrs. Bcwanquet). and they were ushered into a room which hod just been scrubbed, and was in disorder. While 5 there a small child entered the room and was turned out by Mr. Horcs. Mrs. Boisanquet 5 then entered" and Mr. Horos asked her to ' get some supper. When she had gone Mr. Horos locked the door and persuaded the C witness to take her hat off. She then went into another room, a kind of bedroom, and there, in spite of her remonstrances, he succeeded in /taking advantage of her. Afterwards he gave "her some "wine and water, and she became drowsy. She returned to the bed, and he again misconducted himself. She was at the house for five hours, and somehow or other she felt powerless in the pre- ; sence of the male prisoner. When left ;■'■ the house he accompanied her as far as Char- * ing Cross, and they'parted. She first saw the female prisoner at Gower-street, and was received by her in a most affectionate manner. Mrs. Horos tailed her '" Olga." and then "daughter/' and Mr. Horos called her his wife. She was instructed to call Mrs. Horos "mother. 'X ' The first day that, she went to Gower-street. before luncheon, madame asked her to what religion she belonged. She replied that she did not belong to any. but that her guardian had tried to bring*her up as a Catholic, though he' had not succeeded. - ' That is right," she said. Madame then explained that she was a teacher, and pointing to a picture on the wall of "Christ and Three • Wise Men " she said that was Christ, and that that was the trie religion. On August 12 she wrote from Kensington Gardens Terrace, Hyde Park, to the female prisoner, as follows":— Mother, •Just these few lines, hoping to find you quite well, as I am pleased to let you know I am feeling much better for my week's holiday, but I do feel so strange and miserable here; hut I suppose it is after resting so much. I feel as if I cannot settle to my work. 1 •old Mr. this morning I wished to leave, so he will take my notice from the 9th. I have been out for a walk in the park this afternoon. It did seem so nice, and the weather is much pieasanter and cooler. I hope, dear mother, Fairy is more sociable. ... I have been thinking lots of things over during the past two days, and I think if will be the best thing for me not ''!■'-. I.i go home, mother, until I have finished here, then I hope by that time Fairy will have gone to her own home. So now I will .close my short letter, thanking you all for the kindness shown to me during my visit ■with you. It seems to have put quite new life into me, and 1 tan honestly say I never felt so happy and comfortable in my life as I did during the past week. Give my <■,'. kindest regards to all, and accept all my V love and kisses, and believe me to remain ever your affectionate daughter, Olga." ' At a subsequent hearing Olga Rowson f-' . continued her evidence. When tin! prisoners - left Gower-street and went to reside in Park Road, on September 8, she never went back to Gower-street. It was while they were at Gower-street that the male prisoner asked her if she had any money. When she replied in the affirmative he inquired, "How much— £300, or £20?" She said she had £20. but declined to tell him how much more. He said, "Perhaps you will tell mc later." Subsequently the conversation was '.''■- renewed by the female prisoner, who asked ■ lier to lend her £60. Witness said she could not lend so much, whereupon prisoner said he wanted to buy a newspaper which would exist her £120. .and she was £60 short, addin" that her monev was not due until the Tuesday following. Witness then said she •- - could lend her £50, winch she had in the Post Office Savin Bank, on giving three days' notice. Mrs" Jackson suggested that she ' should accompany her that day .to see about

it. They all went to the Gower-street Post Office, and witness gave notice to withdraw the £50. They left together, and went to an afternoon performance at the theatre. On their return th& female prisoner told her to put on her chess, as they were going for a drive "about the paper." They drove to the house of a lady at St. Stephen's Mansions Westminster, in a hansom cab, and ' Mrs.' Jackson told the lady she would be back in two or three days with the cash. Subseauently, accompanied by the male prisoner/ witness went to the post office and drew the money, Jackson taking it up as it was paid over the counter. She never saw anything more of it. At that time she believed she was engaged to be married to the man, who had told her be and the Swami were very wealthy, and that soon the Swami would "come into £1000 extra." The same dav witness gave some rings, brooches, j pearls, cutlery, etc., to the male prisoner to I take care of. This came about in consequence of a vist to Kew on the previous | Saturday with the Jacksons. After supper, on their return from Kew. the female prisoner said (anent her going to her situation), " You do not need to pack up any of your ' clothes, as you will be coming brick to us. I will be answerable for them.'' Witness went upstairs, and the male prisoner, following her. said. " Give mo your jewellery, and j all the things you have which are of any J value, and I will take care of them, as it is not safe to leave anything about." The fe- j male prisoner then came into the room and i said. "Olga, you must leave all your clothes as they are. * Theo (the male prisoner), see that she gives you her jewel-case." Theo j replied, " That's "all right. I'll see to every-1 thing." Witness then gave the man her jewel-case and all that she had of value. She identified all tie articles now produced. j A box of cutlery was banded over to the prisoners a little later, when she was unpacking a trunk at Gower-street, the female prisoner remarking at the time that she would take care of it for her. She never saw that again, either. She would not have handed over the things had she known at the time that the male prisoner was married. j While still at Goiver-street they were on j the point of going to Brighton, and, seeing | ber with her purse containing gold in her band. Mrs. Jackson said. " You had better " give that to Theo." She did so, and never got it back. She believed the money was used to pay the prisoners' bills. She was constantly going to and from her place of service while visiting the prisoners at Gowerstreet. She left her situation on September 9, and went to the prisoners at 105, Park Road, where s?ie stayed nearly three weeks. Can you tell me more as to what was said to "you by the man when these familiarities took place? He said. "We are lecturers of the true faith. Hell upon earth is what we make it. If we think only of pure, good, and holy thoughts that is heaven .... you shall reach the divine sphere sooner and purer than any ordinary mortal." When did he first say that to you'.' At Durrant Gardens. On the first occasion that you went there'; Yes. You have spoken of both the man and woman having had considerable influence over you? Ye«. Did it last when you were away from them? Yes: it still seemed to continue. How did it affect vou when you were in their presence? I felt that whatever they told me to do I must do it. Did he pass his hands over your forehead more than on the two occasions mentioned? Yes. often. And that had an effect upon you, had it? Yes.

Did the woman ever place her hands upon you in any such way? No. Do you remember whilst on a visit to Gower-street the male prisoner coming to your room? Yes. Were his hands placed on your head? Yes. j " j And did an immoral act follow? Yes. At the last hearing the girl Olga Rowson was recalled, in order that she might tell the Court more about the conversation between Daisy Adams and her fellow-neophytes which led indirectly to the arrest of the Horoses.

Madame's reply to the question whether she wishel to further cross-examine Miss Ro-wson was a decided " Yes." The accused got the witness to admit that before she joined the Horos household she had run away from her uncle, and had stayed for some time in the house of a priest at St. Helens. The witness emphatically denied that there was anything wrong in this.

Mrs. Adams, the mother of the sixteen-year-old girl, was the next witness. She met the Horoses at Brighton in April of this year, she said. They were introduced to her by a Mr. Wood. Mr. Wood called them " Theo" and " Swami." She did not talk jo them about religion. In August, however, the Horoses came to Birkenhead to give one of their celebrated lectures. It was arranged that they should come and stay at Greenmead Road in Mrs. Adams' house. Mrs. Adams went to the lecture, in company with fifty other inquirers into Theocracy". The Horoses proposed to her that they should take Daisy and her brother Clifford"to London to continue the ; r education. Daisy was to learn music, painting, shorthand, and typewriting, and Clifford singing. With regard to religion, both the children were to be brought up in the fear of God. ' Madame's cross-examination of Mrs. Adams was productive of more religious revelations about a rival sect of mystics. What was Mr. Wood, who introduced us, known as? the " Swami" asked.

Mrs. Adarne: As King Solomon. Madame: What was the name of his house, where you stayed in Brighton. Mrs. Adams : Arregosobah Villa. The Magistrate: Spell it. please. (Madame spelled it.) Madame : Who lived at Arregosobah Villa besides King Solomon? Mrs. Adams: Mrs. Sandals, Mr. Threadgold, and Miss McKnight were some of the names. Madame: What was Mrs. Sandals known as ? Mi*. Adams: "As the universal empress.'' Madame: And Mr. Threadgold? Mrs. Adams: As King Beriacha.

Madame : And was not the kingly house of King Solomon the mortal enemies of Theocratic Unity? Mrs. Adams: I don't think Mrs. Wood would be the enemy of anyone. Laura Faulkner now came into the box. She proved to be a petite, bright-eyed, in-telligent-looking girl. The witness said she made Theodore's acquaintance through an advertisement signed '■ David Astor" in the People. She answered it and received the following letter : —

"My dear Miss Faulkner, Many thanks for your kind letter. Should be pleased to see you at one o'clock to-morrow at enclosed address, 4, Duke-street, Charing Cross. My mother is quite wealthy, very beautiful, and very brilliant. lam sure you will love her when you see her. I have never married because of the. desires of my mother. It yo do not care to drive to-morrow, or wish to drive' later, please telegraph to same address. —Your true friend, David Asxon."

1 went to 4, Duke-street (continuedthe witness), and the mule prisoner stepped from a. little room at the back. He said, "You are Miss Faulkner?" I said, "Mr. Astor, I believe?" He then stroked my face with the back of his fingers, and said, What a beautiful complexion you have." He said it put him in mind of strawberries and cream, lie asked me whether I would stop for a few minutes or go to the carriage. 1 said I would rather go to the carriage. We then walked up the street to the carriage, which was in the Strand. The female-prisoner was in the carriage. He introduced me, saying, "This is Miss Faulkner.'' I shook hands with her. and seated myself in the carriage. We then drove to Regent's Park, and through it. The male prisoner asked me whether I had any money? I replied, " Only what my father, who is a sanitary engineer, allowed me." I also told him there was money in the family. Witness went on to tell of an underground railway journey she subsequently took with " Theo"."

Theo pinched her neck. He made many | flattering remarks which she requested him to stop. He then said that he and madame ! were religious people, that their religion was ; above the world of religion, and that their I lives were after the pattern of Christ's. | Theo also said he would teach her religion. ' Madame had great power, and she could see things clairvoyantly. Their religion was an order by itself, and they would prophesy things which ordinary people could not. He asked me to come and stay with him {continued witness, who was giving her evi- j

dence with great determination). He told me that I should become his wife, and that mv day of bondage was over. He said he would love me as a father, brother, sister—all in one. He asked me whether I was of jealous disposition. I told him it all_ depended; jealousy was sometimes convenient. I lien he told me that if I saw him embracing other female members of the household I must not mind, because he had to associate with the female sex a good deal. He said, "I'm a very honourable man. I have never molested am- woman ia my life. I should call myself a" brute to do so. I'm a great admirer or women, youth, and beauty. ' _ A few days afterwards (so the witness said), the"prisoners came to call on her in their carriage "Theo" came in alone, and held out his aims to her. He asked her for the letter be had sent to her the day previous, so that her father, the sanitary engineer, could not see it. She said to him, " I suppose mv future is quite safe with you.' He replied ""Yes; cannot you trust me.'" He then kissed her. saying " Get your hat— and the letter." When she got into the carriage madame said, " Don't tell your father. And then both Horoses said, in one voice, "It is not advisable." When witness got our of the carriage, " Theo" gave her a shilling for 'bus fare home. On the Saturday following witness received a telegram, which said : " Come permanently.—Madame." Witness immediately left her home, putting up a few things in" a brown paper parcel, and went to No. 32, Gloucester Crescent. She waited for some time before the male prisoner drove up with another young lady, whom he left in "the carriage. He said that the <nrl ir the carriage had come in answer to an advertisement which madame.had put in the paper for someone to assist her in her religious teachings. The prisoner then got her to go into another room, whither he followed, locking the door. Mr. Curtis Bennett, who is going to take a fortnight's holiday, remanded the prisoners till November 7.