Sister Magdala's Action.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4662, 5 June 1893, Page 3

Sister Magdala's Action.

Yesterday evening a message was brought to our office that Mrs Worthington had invited the trustee* of the Students of Truth to an interview after the close of the evening service at the Temple, and that the attendance of a representative of this journal wae deßired. Accordingly a member of our staff went to the private apartments adjoining the Temple. There he saw some of the Students, among them one of the trustees, Mr Duggan, who remarked, "I am not going to have anything to say to the reporters." Another gentleman present requested our representative to wait, saying that Sister Magdala had sent for him. The reporter was then shown to the apartments occupied by Mrs Worthington, where other trustees expressed themselves in terms similar to those employed by Mr Duggan, stating that they were perfectly willing to meet Sister Magdala, but did not wish the reporters to be present, as they (the trustees) had said all they wished to say to the Press. Our representative waß then requested by Sister Franc Gertrude to wait, as Sister Magdala would see him after the interview. While he was waiting the trustees met, and unanimously decided that while they were perfectly willing to meet Sister Magdala in a friendly way, they would not have the reporters present. The interview accordingly took place in private. \ After a little while Mrs Worthington, oV. as she will henceforth be known, Sister Magdala, with Sister Frano Gertrude, enter'egthe room where the representatives of the Fresa were waiting. She was perfectly Belf-possesßed and even cheerful, though her face showed that Bhe had passed through a severe mental struggle* She said :— "The trustees did not want you to be present; I suppose because they did not know what I wanted them for. It was really only a very simple proceeding. I wished my children to Bign, in their presence, a renunciation of the name of Worthington. The children have signed this, which I shall be very thankful if you will put in your paper." Sister Magdala then handed our representative the following document:— "June 4, 1893. "We, who have been known by the names of Pearl and Paul Worthington, do, in this presence, with our own free will and consent, renounce the name of • Worthington/ as our dear mamma has done, and ask that we be known henceforth ac (Signed) Sister Pearl. " I would like to be simply Paul." "I shall be much obliged," said Sister Magdala, "if you will publish this also," and she read the following : — " I have never yet learned a language strong enough to adequately express my deep sense of gratitude : first, to all the noble-hearted brothers and sisters who are my associates in the work of the Students of Truth; second, to the Press, whose patient, fair-minded, unbiassed judgment and dealing with me have been unprecedented; and third, to a public whose generosity would be unaccountable but for the fact that they carry in their breasts the hearts of Englishmen. Each have aided in a kindnees they cannot now appreciate in being used as instruments in the hands of- Almighty God to bring about the crucifixion of Mrs Plunkett-Worthing-ton and thereby the resurrection of "SiBTBB Magdala. 1 * "I intend," said she, "to give an address in the Tuam street hall to-morrow night. This afternoon, after Sunday school, a Committee of gentlemen waited on me, and advised me to take this course, and offered their assistance. I recognised this offer as the voice of justice, and determined to accept it. Henceforth my way iB clear. To-night Sister Franc and I leave this place for Coker's Hotel." " Are you leaving the children here ?" '• Yea, I am leaving them here, because I wish them to receive the teaching." " Will you see them ?" "Yes, unleeo I leave New Zealand." "Is any attempt being made to part them from you by force ?" "No," was the reply, "I am acting quite voluntarily. They feel kindly towards Mr Worthington, as he does towards them. One of them was asked, 'Whom do you side with?' and replied, 'With both/ I have carefully taught them to act thus. Ido not bear any illwill towards Mr Worthington. I cannot, consistently with my teaching and belief, bear ill will towards anyone." " Have you definitely decided your plan of action ? " " No, not yet. I shall remain in Christ church for some time. The trustees ar< very Kind, and are not insisting on mj immediate departure. 'In two or three weeks ' was, I think, the expression the] used in speaking of it. I consider thai the world is my field of work, and rejoici that I can see my way out o£ the difficultiei which have surrounded me. Last night 1 felt overwhelmed with grief, but now thank God, I have got over that." Later in the evening Sisters Magdali and Frano Gertrude left the apartments a the Temple of Truth and took up thei quarters at Coker's Hotel.