The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-06-18
CHURCH WOMEN
JOIN M0RMONS.
-
Two Resign From Port Morris
Congregational Church.
CAUSED A GREAT SENSATION,
Salt Lake Missionaries Who Tried 10 Et-
dress Meeting Of Society 0rdsre1
Out BY Pastor.
CAUSED A GREAT SENSATION.

New York. June ls.-The Rev Naude
NJ. Severance and the congregation OF
the Port Norris Congregational church.
at One Hundred and Thirty-ffth street
and Southern Boulevard. are greatly ex-
ercised over the resignation or Mrs.
Thomas ii. Blair and Miss Elizabeth
Dickinson as members OF the church.
They have long been prominent in
church work in Harlem
Mrs Blair is the president and Miss
Dickinson the secretary OF the Young
Peoples Christian Endeavor society The
designations were unexpected, and The
reasons given fell like bombshell into
the camp Of the good church folk.
Mrs. Blair and Miss Dickinson de-
clared that they had been converted to
the Mormon faith, and were going TO
join the Mormon church
They Will make a public profession of
their change OF faith on July 4. when
they will be baptised in the river at
Bayonne, n. j.
MORMON ELDERS AT WORK.
About six months ago James B. Bur-
rows. Samuel Ness and George A. Goff.
elders in the Church OF Latter Day
Saints in Salt Lake City, began mis-
sionary work in the Bronx.
They made their headquarters at No.
COS East One Hundred and Thirty-flfth
street and frequently attended meet
ings at the Port Morris CONGREGATIONAL
church. After getting acquainted with
the church members they issued invi-
tations for private meetings, and freely
circulated tracts setting forth the doc
trines OF the Mormon church.
Mrs. Blair was opposed to the work
of the Mormon missionaries and spoke
against their efforts TO gain converts
among her friends, but after listening
TO the persuasive arguments OF Elder
Ness for several months she was con-
xlnced that the Mormon faith was the
true religion, and so confessed TO the
Rev. Mr. Severance.
The astounded preacher pointed out
the fallacies in the Mormon doctrine TO
Mrs. Blair, and did everything In his
power TO induce her and Miss Dickinson.
who had also been convinced by the
elders, to abandon the new faith
Mrs. Blair declared that I'm her opin
ion the Mormon church is the true
church. She said that she did not be-
lieve in polygamy, which was only a
symbol OF the faith. and would continue
TO live with her husband. who is not a
believer In any particular creed or
church
ORDERED FROM THE CHURCH.
Last Thursday night Elders Hess and
Burrows tried TO address the Young Peo-
ple's Christian Endeavor society I'm the
Port Morris Congregational church.and
he Rev. Mr.. Severance stopped them at
once and ordered them to leave the
building.
The elders have been doing mission
iry work I'm the st. yames Methodist
church, at One Hundred and Twenty
sixth street and Madison avenue; the
Bethany Presbyterian church, at One
Hundred and Twenty street and
Willis avenue, and the Methodist Epis-
opal church. at One Hundred and
forty-hrst street and Willis avenue.
nut the united front of the members has
Sept them from making converts.
Miss Dickinson's mother said last night
hat her daughter was old enough 10
Inow her own mind. and could Join any
'hurch she liked. Elder Burrows said
hey were going TO carry the truth 10
he ends OF the earth and get all the
possible.