SECRET RELIGIOUS SOCIETY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5584, 6 June 1896, Page 6

SECRET RELIGIOUS SOCIETY.

According to a correspondent of the London Times,a, secret society exists at Cambridge, having for its object the spread of High Church principles and practices, including the use of the confessional. It is estimated that the " Companions of St John," as they are called, now number over 1000. The society was founded about 1886, probably by its present head, the RevE. J. Heriz-Smith, Fellow of Pembroke College, one of the most popular of dons. He exercises a fascinating influence over the undergraduates. The ceremony of admission to .the society seems to be that the candidate has his hands tied, kneels at a table, has his eyes bandaged, and takes a vow to obey the head of the society in all things lawful and never to mention any matter relating to the society except ,to a member. After the vow is taken the rules of the society are communicated to the new member. One of these rules is that he is to implicitly obey his introducer .for sixty days, or until he introduces a new member, 'when such new member in his turn is bound to $>ey his introducer for the like period. A member of Jesus College gave a full account of his admission to the order. He took an oath to obey Mr Smith in all things. He was then shown the rules, and found that he was bound to his own brother, who introduced him, and who could punish him. "If I went to any religious meeting which he disapproved of," this member says, "he could fetch me out, and if I refused he could come up to my rooms the next day and tie me up to the tableleg." " One' of the Victims " writes to the Times saying that his experience confirms the account given of the society's methods. Up to 1892 the members of the order wore a badge with the letters L and D, signifying Love and Duty, but this has been discontinued. The insignia of the order is now worn concealed under the clothiDg, and its members are, in consequence, nicknamed "Belly-Banders." An initiated member of the society declares that it is thought by many of his fellow-members to be, "as asociety, more of a jest than anything else, while .membership means little more than friendship with Mr Smith, while, as for opinions, you may believe that the moon is made of green cheese if you like."- A harmful secret society could hai'dly flourish in the free air of England, and in all probability the one alluded to by the Times correspondent is a perfectly innocent organisation.