Approaching the West — Page 17
A pproaching the West—17 Abode. Once, the mob mistook one male member for Smyth- Pigott and he was brutally beaten up and tortured to death. Smyth-Pigott’s notoriety was widely publicized by the press and thus he was put to shame in the eyes of the entire world in the lifetime of the Promised Messiah, Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad (peace be on him). Later, his health and prosperity also began to dwindle and eventually ‘the immortal God’ died in March 1927. His death further reduced the numbers of Agapemonites. By 1929, only thirty women and three men were left, two of them were gardeners. Later, the house was changed into a nursing home for elderly women. The last known member of the sect, Miss Ruth Ranken, died in 1956 at the age of sixty. The building was sold in 1962. Now, in the town where the Abode of Love was situated, hardly anyone knows who Smyth-Pigott was! Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad (peace be on him) was fully appreciative of all the scientific advancements made by the Western nations. He praised their inventions acknowledging them to be helpful in the process of globalization–especially in the fields of transportation and communication. He utilized all modern means to spread his message to the farthest corners of the earth. He remained ever thankful to God for enjoying freedom of religion and expression under the civilized and fair justice system of the British Empire. He was also aware of the political and economical weak condition of the Muslims, but did not believe that their progress lay in merely copying the West. He believed in the power of prayer and seeking help and guidance from All ā h the Exalted and treading the path of righteousness. He remained critical of the Western philosophies that led mankind towards atheism