The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-03
new SECT in ENGLAND
STAID BRITONs SHOCKED BY CLAIMS
OF THE AGAPEMoNITEs.
Something About Their Leader, Who
Claims to He the Christ-Charac-
teristics OF Their Belief.
London Leader.


in the church at Clapton known as the Ark
OF the Covenant. in which, on Sunday even
ing, man got up and declared that he was
Jesus Christ, his claim being testified to by
many of those present
This man, we are now able 10 state. is the
Rev. j. H. Smyth Piggott. a pastor since
1887 of the sect known the Agapemon-
ties. which has its headquarters at Bridge
water, in Somersetshire. 1t has attracted
to its circle many well-to-do people, and
some of them have moved in good social
circles.
Mr.. Piggott is a man with remarkable
past, but, remarkable as it is, and remark
able as was his conduct in the ark in the
midst of his followers on Sunday night the
underlying story of his action is still more
so. 1t is, in fact, almost incredible, but
strictly true nevertheless.
In early life 1t is believed that Mr.. Pig
gott took to the sea as profession. How
ever this be, it is certain that while quite
young man he took orders in the Church OF
England and was for time a curate at st.
Jude's, Mildmay Park.
Leaving the Church of England he be-
came an active member of the Salvation
Army. This was in 1884 In 1895 he left the
Salvation Army and rejoined the Church of
England, going over to Ireland and doing
lot of good work in connection with the
Irish Church Missions.
Whilst working in Ireland Mr.. Piggott
came across a work called THE Council of
God in Judgment" written by Brother
Prince. the virtual founder of the Agape-
monites. This book took such hold on his
imagination that heN determined to once
more relinquish his office and join the sect
upholding his doctrines. Up to this time he
had not seen Brother Prince. who, however
mistaken, was a man of great gentleneSs,
piety and philanthropy. He died in 1899,
foretelling the imminent second coming OF
the Savior Some time before his death the
sect held its meetings in London at Beulah
Hall, Lavender road, close to where STANDS
the present beautiful edifice of the Agape-
monites, which, at a cost of over e16,OO0
was built and opened in 1896 by Brother
Prince from subscriptions made by the
Agapemonites.
The Agapemonites are very proud of their
church, as well they may be- with its cary
ings i'm Algerian onyx and stained glass
windows designed by Walter Crane.
Since 1899 the sect has been more or less
in a state of unrest; it's brothers and
sisters have been anxiously awaiting the
fulfillment Of their dead leaders prophecy.
Meanwhile the pastorate has been carried
on by Mr.. Piggott. How he came to believe.
to make himself believe as he undoubtedly
does believe, that he is divine is best told
in the words of one of the lady members of
the sect. She yesterday was good enough
to give the details to the Morning Leader
representative, who, on Sunday, was wit
ness of the scene in the Ark of the Cove
nant.
The details were given under pledge
that her name should not be revealed, but
1t may be said that the lady in question
was the wife of member of Parliament
and has given up all for the sake of the
church of which she is now member.
Some time ago." she said. Il was stay
ing with some relations in Sussex, and
coming back to town in october last L
noticed change in our preacher (Mr. Pig
gtt)-not, understand me, in his presence
his attire. but he seemed to me like a
man in whom, in the old flesh and in the
old likeness. new inhabitant had come to
Il was not the only one who saw this.
Many others of the congregation did. He
very quiet feS ,h about it. He bi hmSsf aP
tended with considerable physical suffer-
ing. Nothing was spoken of it to the outer
world. The church was shut. Then our
pastor began making what | would call
yelled illusions to something which was
going to happen, and finally he spoke of
himself as the one who was to come. AT
this time we used to hold our services not
i'm the church. but in the cellar, a commodi-
Gus room beneath which contained little
raised floor with a chair upon which our
pastor used to sit With his wife , on the one
Sometimes he would go away suddenly
and sometimes sit down for a minute or
| two while We were singing hymns
81 had a few minutes interview with
| him about this time. and he spoke to me in
| words which recognized were like to those
used by Christ, and then again he said
| Last Tuesday / was called, and am going
| to summon the church together in London.
THAT meeting of the church took place
| on Sunday week, when the pastor formally
| and with the utmost plainness declared his
identity and that he had come to commence
| his miilennal reign. The church. instead OF
| being startled, was relieved. Everyone felt
| that he was expressing only what we al
felt to be true and were glad to hear.
| cannot tell you how glad: l can hardly
speak of it,
| For a moment or two the lady ceased tc
| speak her face frightened and her eyes
| filled with tears The sight indeed was tc
one who is no sentimentalist quite pathetic
| for, however mistaken the speaker was, hel
sincerity was beyond doubt.
| After he had told us that" she con
| tinued, The declared his intention of tellns
the outer world, and so the church wa:
| open to the public"
your pastors future intentions?' asked the
| Leader representative.
| "Ah! of that 1 am ignorant, but 1 am no.
| unhappy The church is expecting to b,
| looking to this And last night, do you no
| remember his words. Il am come to my
own fiesh?' This take It to refer to tina
| passage in the Bible which says that tn,
church is the body and Christ. who is come
the head
| And the doctrines of your sect madame
what are they? Do you preach the gospe
which is called that of Free Lover"
| I'VE live as brothers and sisters Nor II
| there giving and taking i'm marriage. Ou
| young people do not marry, and IL they d,
| they relinquish the church. for maria g
| is a bond, tie, and those who have await
ed the coming of the Lord must know n,
| tie Yet it is pure and 1t is lasting. l hav
| not known it broken. L have not known i
| fail.
Marriage is the necessity of self-con
| seriousness. that hydra headed monster sci
| -self-dependence, self-righteousness. self
| justification, self-deception, self-sufficiency
| self-seeking. self-pleasing self-love self
will and self-esteem. This consciousness o
self is the cause of all SIM
May / ask something about the practic
| of your church,"
Its characteristic is, as you have noticed
| it's stiffness and quietness. We have a festi
val at Whitsuntide at which members ar
| anointed. The table OF onyx is spread witt
flowers, with wine and bread. with spices
| honey and milk, all of which symbolises tn
supper. So we sing and speak as the hear
| is full On the head of the member (as yo
| call it,, new old. is dropped little Of
| That is all our ceremony is. have told yo
| all. You can come and see But the world
| noi