A. B. Worthington.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11740, 18 September 1902, Page 7

A. B. Worthington.

A REMARKABL E CAREER. (Melbourne "Argus.") At tJbe Central Police Court, Sydney, on September 2nd, Arthur Bentley Worthington, described as a Unitarian minister, was charged by warrant norn Melbourne with having obtained from Miranda May de la Juveny, by means oi fu'sa pietenccs, a sum of £1096, between July aitfo, IbOO, and April Ist, 1902. Detective-Sergeant Maomanamny asked for a remand to Melbourne', Avnich was granted. Arthur Bentley Worthington. who is alleged to have at different periods of Ins career adopted a variety of names, has had a strange and eventful career. He was first heard of, as far as Melbourne jpeope were concerned, in connection with, his doings in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he preached as the Apostle of Truth, and attracted a large crowd of followers. The religion which he preached, contained elements of spiritualism, faith-healing, and Unitarianism, into which, was infused germs of the Pythagorean belief in the transmigration of souls. The mysterious elements in many religions were imported into this strange farrago which Worthington gave to his disciples; but it was not so much the nature of the doctrine as the actions of the man that aroused public interest when he made his appearance in Melbourne. It ,v;is known that he had practically been driven out of Christchuroh, and that his attempt* to live down the reputation which he had established there caused such resentment that on his last appearance he was stoned by the populace, who were only quietened when the Mayor appeared and read the Riot Act.. Simultaneously with his. departure from Christchurch, the "Students of Truth," as the society which he founded was termed, addressed' a strong letter to the religious denominations in Tasmania, charging Worthington -with Avife desertion, fraud and hypocrisy, which they were prepared to sustain with a mass of evidence. With this unenviable record Worthington came to Melbourne in 1899, after an unprofitable career in Tasmania, where llic' public proved either too shrewd or not sufficiently advanced in thought to accept the Worthingtonian doctrine. He opened at Buxton's Art Gallery, where he delivered addresses on Sundays, and gathered about him the nucleus of a congregation. Wealthy widoAVs had always a strong attraction for him. as Madame de la Juveny has discovered to her cost. She was early enrolled among his disciples, and in July, 1900, a few months after he started teaching, he told her that he was anxious to build a neAV temple in Flinders Street, on the site secured by him adjoining the Australian Church. He unfolded a comprehensive scheme, which included the establishment of a kindergarten and other institutions, on the lines Avhich he had followed in Ohristchurch. A large sum of money was required for such a purpose, but Worthington asserted that he had, been recently left a legacy amounting to £16,000 by a Avealthy aunt in America. He had purchased the site, but not having sufficient m|oney to 'complete the transaction the Bank of Victoria held the deeds of the land as security against an overdraft, and he could not receive any remittances until the balance of the purphase money was paid off. . In the meantime he desired to acquire a block of land near the Red Bluff, St Kilda, where he proposed to build a sanatorium, and^arru the theories of Christian science and laith-healinip' into practice. A plan of the land which he intended purchasing Avas submitted to Madame de la Juveny, who was, he told her, to_be the "rcvramid" of tihe cult in Melbourne, the highest honour which could be be.'.toAved on any woman.

Madame de la Juveny does not appear to have realised to the full the advantage which she possessed in being the recognised "pyramid" of the new faith, but when symbolisms stood for cash Mr Worthington was among the most solvent of men. He told the ".pyramid" that he had discovered recently that she was the reincarnation of tfhe ancient Egyptian goddess I&ds, and that he had an inward consciousness that he himself was none other than the great Osiris, who, as the saci'ed bull) of the Egyptians, had been carried in procession before the Pharaohs of old. On many occasions he pointed out in the street persons who, though 'apjparenibly quiet, everyday folk, he told the credulous Isis, were possessed of the souls .of scriptural and historical characters. It was rather startling to the widow at first, but she got used to the idea, and was not at all astonished one day Worthington showed her the photographs of five Hindoos, all- of whose afe, he said, bordered on 100, though they did not look more than a quarter of those years. These, he explained, were the presentments of Mahatmas, who lived in remote ages on the fringe of the lofty Himalayas, and who were ally powerful, all knowing, and were among the immortals. From her dreams of the '"sublimity of these pure souls the lady would be rudely brought to earth again by a gentle hint that a little money would be acceptable. , It was nearly always forthcoming, for Worthington seems to have had a persuasive manner, which would take no denial. iSihe states that sre first of all advanced him a sum of £200, and that she afterwards lent him sums of money rang- ! ing from £20 to £100, the total of the amounts being nearly £900. By this time sho had exhausted her ready money, and told him so. The haughty spirit of Osiris, which did not obtrude itself during the I settlement of these monetary transactions did not prevent Mr A. E. Worthington from making a final pressing^demand upon her purse. He toli her that he wanted ' £200, and that if the money was notforthcoming his plans would be all upset. Madams de la Juveny, though an enthusiast in Worthington's cause, had ypt a certain business instinct, and she began to feel that his demands were becoming excessive, and demurred against further loans. Her belief was put to the test by the receipt of a letter which Worthington handed to her one day in a sealed envelope. It prof essed to be a message from the five Mahatmas, each of whom advised her to assist Osiris in the project which he had on hand, otherwise the Nile would rise and overwhelm their work for 1500 years. ■ The message was too peremptory to be denied, and Madame de la Juveny, hastened to obey the order of the Mahatmas1, by raising £200 on promissory notes, which she handed to Worthington. Her business instincts, however, throughout the transaction caused her to obtain acknowledgements of all the sums that passed between them. The building of the churcß, kindergarten and sanitorium was never carried into effect. About 12 months ago Mr Worthington. whose reputation as a speaker and entertainer is beyond question, .received a "call" from the H-^de Park Unitarian Church, Sydney. Jffe gladly obeyed the call, and was accepted, in smte of the protests of the Unitarian body in Melbourne, which urfred that he was not a fit and proper person to nold this position. The church was in difficulties wken he took charge, but tho preacher rapidly became

/ popular, and at the time of his arrest had a large congregation. When it became evident that Worthington had no ■intention, of returning to Melbourne, or of repaying the sums which; he had borrowed, Madame de la Juveny wrote several letters to him, asking- for a repayment of the money, and failing to obtain any satisfaction she threatened to take legal proceedings. He replied, admitting his liability, but stating that he could not, and AVould not, pay her back at present, and if she chose to take action she might do her Avorst. "I atouM rather face any disgrace into which you may bring me," he wrote in one of his letters "than be in your position and suffer Avhat you Avill have to suffer at the hands of the Occult." Madame de la Juveny, however, had hua enough of the occult, and decided to risk the Avr'ath o c those unknown and terrible powers. She consulted a laAvyer, who placed the matter in thehands of the detectives, and Det«otive-S,ergeauiti M'Manamny was told off to inquire into the case. His work resulted in "a decision to take criminal proceedings against Worthington. A warrant was issued for his arres* on September Ist by Mr S. Goldsmith, P.M., and armed with this, M'Manamny left for Sydney that afternoon, and put the war-: rant into execution immediately on his arrival there.