The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1902-09-19
SELF NAMED MESSIAH.
j. H. PIGGoTT PRoCLAIMs HIM
SELF THE MESSIAH.
Leader of a Set Called Agapemonists
Promises Everlasting Life to His
Followers-Noisy Demonstration at
Clapton, England - Kissed and
Threatened by a Large Crowd He
Was Protected by Police.

London, Sept. 16.-Amid scenes of
disorder, j. H. Piggott yesterday car
ried out his promise to proclaim him
self the Messiah at the Abode of Love,
which is the name for the Agapemon-
lists church at Clapton. Only 200 of
the waiting 5000 persons were able to
enter the building after about 300 of
the Agapemonists took their places in
the church. These strangers with the
outside crowd kept up a continuous din
throughout the service. Those who sue
ceeded in entering found themselves
with bruised limbs and torn coats.
In the chapel, which showed a beauti-
fully decorated interior, with allegorical
has reliefs on the walls, pews of carved
oak, and much carving in marble and
Algerian onyx, Piggott, without surplice
or robes, faced his congregation, star
ing intently and afterward assuming a
mystic, far-away look. A silent prayer
followed the singing of a hymn, which
was interrupted by blasphemous COM
ments from the non-members, three Of
whom were expelled.
Piggott read in a well modulated
voice the verse from the epistle to the
Corinthians:
Because the foolishness of God is
wiser than men, and the weakness of
God is stronger than men,"
He then proceeded to say that God
was about to manifest this in the time
that was beginning. He added: For
the second coming there was a man sent
from God whose name vas Brother
Prince (referring to the founder of the
sect). Those who received his mes
sage were very few. The churches re-
jected him as a ~blasphemer and a wick
IL $1,000 I,,4 D.. ,,,-l~, &C. .,-t.G@1
again, for those who received that mes
sage receive him now. 1t is not as a
rector of the church that | stand before
you, but as him who has come again
as the son of God, come in my own
body, come to please my people, to re-
ceive my people to myself, and to give
everlasting life to all flesh"
Immediately after the service was
over the crowd rushed pe1l nell to catch
a glimpse of Piggott, who emerged pale,
but smiling, and with vacant eyes. The
throng surrounded him, yelling. Kissing
and threatening him with uplifted
sticks. Piggott put his head out of
the window of the carriage which he
had entered. his black and gray hair
hanging over his face, and seemed to
invite martyrdom. The police prevent
ed him from being assaulted. 1t is un-
derstood that a man who was on the
box beside the driver was an eX-prize
fighter.
During the service a detachment from
the Salvation Army, of which Piggott
was formerly a member, marched past
the church singing I'VE Shall Know
When He Comes by the Nail Prints on
His Hands," The crowd backed the
Salvationists against the Agapemon-
lists. Some of them shouted to Piggott
Hold up your hands," Piggott did so,
showing both hands bound in white
cloth.
A feature of the noisy scenes was that
while men were jeering and joking the
women were passionately angry all the
time. Some of the members of the sect
who drove up in carriages regarded the
public with complete %unconcern.