THE ABODE OF LOVE.

Otago Witness, Volume 23, Issue 2684, 23 August 1905, Page 23

THE ABODE OF LOVE.

LONDON, August 16.

The Spaxton " Abode of Love " affair has caused a tremendous sensation. The girl's name is Preece, not Greece, and her age is 24 years. She belongs to a family of gentlefolk in Clapton. She was a friend of the poor, and devoted years to nursing and visiting the sick and aged, and was a Wesleyan until she became infatuated with the Agapemonite services. Her relatives hope to rescue her from the clutches of the sect.

The "Rev." Smyth Piggott, the leader of the Agapemonites, first came into notoriety in Clapton, where he gave out that he was the Messiah. He then removed to Spaxton, in Somerset, where he and his followers live an Epicurean existence. The London press paid the sect some attention- last year, and, in spite of the stringent rules which had been made to keep all bui, the elect from "The Abode of Love," made some interesting discoveries. Piggott asserted his divine origin, and was openly worshipped by some of his followers. He t<k>k his meals by himself, the lady disciples competing with each other for the honour of waiting upon him. The men were reported to be filling up the time not occupied in eating, praying, and sleeping, in picking nosegays for the ladies, and doubtless they still follow that agreeable occupation. Everything about the " Abode of Love" is

of the best, and the motto of the sect fk? " Luxury and Enjoyment, and Peace- with Good Works." In yesterday's issue it was stated that the young woman concerned had described herself as a "nun." This was a misprint for "nurse.'