THE AGAPEMONITES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11333, 16 August 1904, Page 4

THE AGAPEMONITES.

The Rev. Smyth Pigott, the self-styled "Messiah" of Clapton; and the leader of i a sect called the Agapemonites, is' again' receiving the attention of the London.' Press. It seems that the reverend gentleman; whose claims to divinity caiused a considerable stir some time ago, has left Clatpton and is residing with his followers at."The Abode of Love" in Spaxton, Somersetshire, where he and about a hundred followers daily perform their mystic rites. .He still claims divinity in blasphemous language. At a special gathering of his disciples on June 26 h6 again asserted his divine origin and dispensed blessings. , The gathering was only open to the elect, young' ladies being stationed at various points. to prevent the surreptitious entry of. unbelievers. The strange part of it is that further - "revelations'' and "miracles" are confidently awaited by tho congregation, whot still seem to have a perfect faith the man. Many of the Agapemonites openly worship' him. From observations made. Jby "an. ordinary, inquisitive man" who pentrated into this "Abode of Love," the J)aily_ Mail learns that Mr Pigott takes his meals "by himself, the lady . disciples practically drawing lots as to who shall have the honour of waiting upon him, a state of thing 3 which reminds one of the dinner scene in "The Admirable Crichton." Everything is of tho best, tho motto of the sect being "Luxury and Enjoyment, and Peace with Good Works." The Daily Mail reports that the men fill up the time that is not taken up with eating, praying, and sleeping, in picking nosegays for. the ladies." Evidently their creed has an epicurean touch about it: * On - June 29 the congregation .went for a picnic, '. and . a curious crowd found the members all setting gazing in ecstacy at trees and flowers, while Mr Pigott "peered intently into the depths of a buttercup." The newspaper somewhat naturally remarks that to an irreverent mind the scene suggested an open-air performance of "Patience." But the invasion of the crowd, changed the scene, the idyllic gathering "broke and Mr Pigott hurried away in a carriage, and, though pursued by men in • trapes, horsemen, and cyclists, found safety in fine Agapemonc. Is there no horse-pond at ' * Spaxton, or is the whole village more or less under the spell of the impostor?