"Son of Man"

Religious fervor, say psychologists, bears close relation to sex. What form the relation takes depends, add these gentlemen, on one's power of transmutation. A good transformer develops at least good works, the more imaginative ones ecstasy, adoration, even exalted martyrdom. But some people are no metaphysicians at all. Then there is trouble. Some 20 years ago, one Benjamin Purnell purported to have received a vision. It informed him of a soul-stirring thing not hitherto suspected--no less than that he was the Messiah himself, "Son of Man," with power to grant immortality to those who should believe on him. As is the way with visions, details were hazy--but was not that a challenge to initiative? The test of greatness is capacity to lead--and who should question the very Messiah? King Benjamin worked out details. These followed not the peripatetic mission of Christ, but rather the monasticism of the Middle Ages, only without separation of the sexes. How could the latter be otherwise, when with the King ruled his wife, "Queen Mary"? Together they founded, at Benton Harbor, Mich., a communal colony, "The House of David." Here all should give up, on entrance, all worldly goods of which they stood possessed--but give them to the King, for the common weal.

There was no question the colony prospered, partly on farming, partly by active financial operations in Benton Harbor, where Davidites came to own the street railways. It set up within its bounds a secret, complete government of its own, including an elementary school, "The Ark", fo there was marriage and giving in marriage, and children came.

Then, four years ago, scandal reared her noxious head. Two young married women, Ruth Bamford Reed and her sister, Glady Bamford Rubel, left the House of David, and instituted statutory charges against King Benjamin, in whom they had come not to believe. Suit was later brought by a third young woman, Mrs. Bessie Woodworth. All three charged attacks (called "Purification of Blood") made upon their honor when they were aged variously from ten to fifteen.

King Benjamin disappeared; could not be found. Nearly four years passed. Last November, the law discovered him, scantily clad in a chamber of one of the buildings of his "House," back in Benton Harbor. Notwithstanding illness (nature unspecified), he wa indicted, released on $125,000 bail and appeared (on a stretcher) las week in court for trial.

Young Mrs. Woodworth, young Mrs. Reed, young Mrs. Rubel reiterated their stories, despite attempted intimidation by "Queen Mary," who, faithful court supporter of her royal spouse, declared: "I'm aching to take the stand and tell what I know abou the way we brought up these girls and how ridiculous and untruthful their statements are. Isn't it terrible, the things they have said?"

But she was not allowed to be heard. At the conclusion of the third complainant's testimony, "continuance" was taken until Jan. 12, when various questions of lost evidence and jurisdiction of the local court may have been settled.

King Benjamin, amiable on his cot, raised his cap at photographers' requests so that his face would be visible in pictures, on record for posterity.