"ABODE OF LOVE."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13905, 12 November 1908, Page 5

"ABODE OF LOVE."

THE PIGOTT SCANDALS. ' TAR and FEATHERS. By Telegraph.l'ress Association.Copyright. • London, November 10. As a result of statements made as to his conduct toward female members of his church, three men motored out from 1 London to Spaxton, and raided the headquarters of Mr. J. H. Smyth-Piggott, the self-styled " Messiah" of the Abode of Love. They were not able to find Pigott, but seized his secretary, Read, and one of the three, Buxton, placed oil his head a helmet full of tar and feathers. They were subsequently arrested,, and Buxton was sentenced to a month's imprisonment with hard labour, the others being fined.

Pigott used to have a church in London, and while there declared that he was Christ conio to earth again. Riotous scenes followed this announcement, and Pigott and his following retired to Spaxton, where for the last few years they -have been living in a secluded retreat. The Abode of Love" is rigorously closet! to outsider*, and for the good of his health Pigott does not venture out much. It is said that Pigott and the deluded women who worship him as divine live in luxury, the followers giving all their belongings to a common fund. Only twice, apparently, has an outsider been admitted to the sacred abode, and in each case he has been the registrar of births. The ceremonies attending the christening of the children born there have been of an elaborate description.