CHRISTCHURCH STUDENTS OF TRUTH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2051, 15 June 1893, Page 17

CHRISTCHURCH STUDENTS OF TRUTH.

CHiasTCiiURCH, June 13.

The Worthington affair has reached another stage. "Sister Magdak" (Mrs Worthington) published in this evening's Star a long statement purporting to be an account of her own career *nd that of Worthington. She says that 24 years ago she was married to John J. Plunkett, in the State of Maine, US.A. For many years afterwards she engaged in teaching and charitable and philanthropic work, but in 1884 she joined the Christian Scientists. In the summer of 1886 she founded a school in Chicago known as tbe Hopkin's College of Christian Science, and in November 1887 started a magazine called "Truth." This was published monthly till July 1838, when its name was changed to the " InternatioEalMagazine of Coristian Science." Meanwhile Mrs Plunkett had removed her headquarters to New York City, where she formed a new publishing company, known as the Unity Publishing Compafcy. She held large monthly classes at her spacious quarters, and a regular training class every Wednesday I evening, and Sanday aftevrtoou service. There were healu'3, teachers, and assistants

at the New York office, numbering nearly a dczeD, all working happily together, besides branch schools in Philadelphia, St. Louie, San Francisco, St. Paul, Louisville, Williamsport, Dayton, Pittsburg, Milwaukee, and Germantown. Mrs Plunkett had lectured in all these cities, founded these gchoole, andleft them in care of competent instructors. Most of them are in existence to-day. Tho magazine had over 3000 subscribers. She continues: — "It was upon this happy, useful band of workers that a man calling himself A.. Bentley Worthington fell like a thunderbolt from a clear sky on the evening of February 7, 1889." She describes their acquaintance and the arrangement by which Plunkett and she agreed to a separation so that she might marry Woithington. She called together all her office helpers, and told them that she had arranged to become Worthington's wife as soon as she could see what could be done concerning a divoice, because she believed that with Worthington's aid she could accomplish a larger share of work in five years than she alone could do in 50. During the few weeks that followed one after another left her tili but one remained, and that was a young lady who finally came to Christchurch with her. As there was no real cause for divorce, >he and Plunkett, after talking over the matter thoroughly, decided to divorce themselves as far as lay in their power by drawing up an agreement to that effect and signing it. This they did in the month of April, and immediately published it. Soon after she and Worthington were married, and at the end of the week every newspaper in the country had told the story in every conceivable light. She says : — " I was brave through all this, because I felt the mighty demand for higher legislation upon the laws governing marriage and divorce, and was willing and glad to be tbe instrument through which so much interest was awakened." During the first two weeks she saw him his actions were such that was easy for her to believe that he had plenty of money, and when the time came for him to enter her office she unreservedly turned over to him her bank account and cheque book. He talked about a very valuable lot of land he owned in San Francisco, but she ascertained that tho story was a fabrication. He was lavish with her money, but- not dishonest. She goes on to say :— " By this time the newspapers were all aflame with the most remarkable headlines, and it took me but a short time to discover that I had not only ' taken a very radical step in a direction which I hoped would do good by calling attention to the faulty legislation concerning marriage and divoice, but I had joined my life and all its interests to one who had used and abused in a manner almost unprecedented the very laws I sought to purify. I learned through tbe press that he was not only the husband of many women and the father of several children, but that he had many times gained money under false pretences. A private detective from Boston was writicg letters making inquiries trying to identify Mr Worthington as the man • Major Wood,' on whose trail he had been for several years." At her request Worthington went to Montreal, and she sent notice to the New York papers agreeing to cancel all his obligations as soon as possible. Immediately incriminatory letters from creditors began to come in. She published some of these as specimens : M. A. Dana claims 4000dol; Mrs M. J. M'Coy 774d01, money paid for a lot sold to her by Worthington, but for whioh she could get no deed, as he had previously sold the land to other persons. W. E. Searcy wrote stating that in 1887 "Major Wood" proposed to get up a National Bank at Griffin, Georgia. Searcy was to be vice-president and paid " Wood " 2000dol for stock. Wood converted the money to his own use and left for parts unknown. He also procured 2000dol from D. D. Peder, and sent a paper to Searcy with a request that fie should sign as vice president. Searcy did so, and had to pay that amount also. The matron of the North-western Hospital, Minneapolis, wrote stating that a woman whom Wortbington had married under the name of Wnrd was in tbat institution destitute and on the eve of confinement. She had also learned that many years previously under the name of "Walton" he had married a girl in Ohio and left her on the eve of her confinement, after forging her father's name for many thousand dollars. The loss of property bankrupted her father, and the disgrace sent himto^his grave. Mrs Ward subsequently wrote that she had two children, and that " Ward " had swindled her mother of 1450d01. Mrs Worthington says Worthington's grief and repentance seemed so real that she forgave him, and the decided to fly to some far-off country and there give him an opportunity to begin life anew. Accordingly he sailed in September ISS9 for London, and she followed as soon as business matters in connection with her magazine were settled. Oa arrival in London they decided that there was little chance of doing anything there withe ut credentials, and they came out to New Zealand by the Rimutaka, arriving in Christchurch on January 16, 1890. The statement contains a full account of the founding of the Order of Students of Truth, and declares that Worthington has now taken the position of absolute dictator. In conclusion, she announces her intention not to leave the city or work " until the- Temple of Truth has been cleansed and the money changers driven out."

The Wellington City Council have decided to open the public library on Sunday afternoons and evenings; also to appoint a librarian at a salary of L3OO pet annum, and invite applications for the position throughout New Zealand.

It is stated the Union Company have sold the steamer Kanieri, of 220 tons, formerly in the Wellington - Blenheim trade, to the Northern Steamship Company, of Auckland. The price is not stated, but it is understood the company take possession next month.

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