CHRISTCHURCH STUDENTS OP TRUTH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9763, 13 June 1893, Page 2 (Supplement)

CHRISTCHURCH STUDENTS OP TRUTH.

STARTLING REVELATIONS. Cheistchuhch, June 4. A considerable amount of sensation has bean caused here during the last few days by references in the papers to A. B. Worfchington, founder of the religions sect j known as the Students of Truth, and said to be about 2000 strong. Last week Truth, one of the evening papers, reprinted from a New York journal aa article purporting to be an account of Worthingfcon's American career, and detailing seme remarkable matrimonial experiences. On Friday night a letter appeared in the Star directly charging Mr Worthington with having " deceived, swindled, and deserted seven women in various parts of America, and with having lived en his present wife's money since they went through the form of marriage about four years ago, and now that the money is exhausted forcing her to leave him, and compelling her to relinquish all part in the work of the temple in which she had been a fellow teacher with Worthington.

On Saturday night both evening papers published interviews with Mrs Worthington, ia which she affirmed tha truth of the charges made by the correspondent of the Star. Worthington declined to be interviewed, but placed himself in the hands of the trustees of the temple, who supplied a written statement to the papers. This statement was to the effect that a conflict of authority had arisen; that Mr 3 Worthington claimed to be head of the order and sole judge of what she should teach; that she had founded an organisation which had created a great deal of unpleasantness among the students, as the peculiar doctrines taught by her had nothing whatever to do with the teaching of the Students of Truth; though this order was disbanded she did not recognise Worthington's authority to do so; Worthington then announced to the trustees that he could not continue to work with such a conflict of authority, and that he would surrender it to his wife; the trustees thereupon gave Mrs Worthingfcon notice that they would not permit her to nse or occupy the Temple when she abandoned her j claim to be sole head of the work, bnt claimed to be co-founder and co-equal in it; she still maintained her right to teach what she thought proper, but as a result of tho negotiations which followed she consented to retire from all active association with the work in Chri3tchurcb, and arrangements were made with regard to maintenance by two gentlemen appointed by her and two appointed by Worthington. These arrangements she accepted without demur. Jane 5.

The Worthington affair continues to excite a' good deal of interest. There were very largß attendances at the Temple oE Truth yesterday, but no reference was made there to the situation. In the evening Mrs Worthington, who has now assumed .the name of " Bister Magdala," pet the trustees, and in answer to them said that she had no complaint to make in reference to what had taken place, or in regard to their published statement.

This evening she addressed a meeting in the Tuam street Hall, about 700 or 800 persons being present. Her address in ths main was an appeal that the truth might outweigh Worthiogton's pride and self-will, and that he would confess the truth and carry on the work. She declared him to be the most remarkable instrument in the hands of the Almighty on the face of tho earth to-day.

"A Student" writes in the Christchurch Press: —" The question of what has led to the division between the two heads of the Students of Truth has caussd a great deal of interest and excitement, and everyone is asking what has led up to it. I will endeavour without bias or attempt to take any Bide in the mattsr to narrate what I believe to be the reason of the division which has taken place. Sister Magdala (Mrs Worthing ton) took a very active part in the formation and organisation of the Order of the Temple. B3r Worthington states that he for some time held out against thi3 being formed, and that it was a matter of serious argument between them, lasting for some three weeks. Then, yielding to Sister Hagdala's repeated statements that the work was one which should be taken in hand, he gave way and took part in the formation by writing the pamphlet 'Talk to Hen,' and in other ways. The principle of the order beinj; complete and entire celibacy, not only on the part of the unmarried, but -also of those who were married, elicited considerable opposition from the majority of the Students. Several married women left their husbands, and this, with the adoption of a distinctive dress by those belonging to the order, which came to be regarded as indicative of it though denied by them, caused the formation of two parties, one in favour of the order and the other against it. Mr Worthington took a part in the deliberations of the order, and also was a member. The matter went on for some time, there being every now and then dissatisfaction expressed by the Students themselves, and reprobation of the celibate principle of the order by outsiders. Mr Worthington left for Auckland to establish a branch there, and on the Thursday evening, there being a mixed audience in the Temple of young people of both sexes, and several not belonging to the Students, Sister Magdala delivered an address on sexology, which was exceedingly distasteful from its peculiar character to all who heard it. On the return of Mr Worthington from Auckland he heard of this, and required Sister Magdala not take any such course in future without his authority as head of the work. Sister Magdala denied this authority, and claimed the right to teach the peculiar doctrine with regard to sexology if she thought fit. Mr Worthington then summoned a special meeting of the order, and declared it must be disbanded, as the teaching of Sister Magdala on this point was not in consonance with the principles of the teaching of the Students of Truth. This was acquiesced in by Sister Magdala "and also by a very large majority of the members, and it was publicly announced through the pages of "The Comforter" that the order had been abolished. Subsequently Mr Worthington found that, notwithstanding this abandonment, Sister Magdala still claimed the right of teaching the peculiar doctrine referred to. A further remonstrance was made, and was met by a refusal on the part of Sister Magdala to submit to any dictation whatever. Mr Worthington then approached the trustees with a view to being relieved of his lease, and of leaving the work, feeling that he could not go on working with anyone that refused to accept his decision as to the particular teaching to be given. Negotiations extending over a very long period were entered into, the relations between the parties having become strained and a great deal of the negotiations being conducted by correspondence. Sister Magdala claimed for herself the right as co-founder and co-worker to teach whatever she thought fit, and to speak on the subject of sexology from the platform whenever she felt so inclined. This being in direct opposition to the wishes of a great majority of the Students, the trustees gave her notice that if Mr Worthington surrendered his lease and left the work, they could not allow her to remain as head of the work and teach, for the reason that she held that her mission was to preach the doctrine of entire celibacy for all, married as well as single. Further negotiations ensued, and ultimately when the relations between the two heads were of such a character as to entirely prevent any hope of reconciliation the idea of arbitration as to Sister Magdala's future position was mooted and agreed upon by her. The fuller arrangements it is not necessary now to enter into, they having already been detailed at length.