The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-23
Growth of Mormonism,

ls polygamous Mormonism growing
\ stronger numerically?
| Is Mormonism growing stronger pollti-
| cally outside OF the state OF Utah?
4 writer I'm the Brooklyn Eagle has
! been discussing these questions. He says
the Mormon church authorities have ng-
| ures which show that the Latter Day
| Saints are steadily increasing I'm numbers.
not largely. but so manifestly as to give
10 them great announcement. II is con-
ceded by most Of the anti-Mormon mis-
sionaries tnat the Mormons are making
new converts yearly, and many OF these
accessions 10 the ranks OF Joseph Smiths 8
followers are from states east OF the
Rocky Mountains. a fair proportion of
them coming from Down East" For
instance. here is an extract from the coll
umns cf the Deseret News of this yenr.
showing how the Mormon missionaries
are prosperine I'm Boston:
From letter signed by Elders Daniel
Rasmussen, NJ. Lenzi McAllister and Jo-
seph -. Cox we make these extracts:
We have recently made tour OF the New
England conferences. Our trip was fraught
with success; and we feel very much en-
couraged with conditions in general We
have elders located I'm Boston. Maiden
Dorchester and Worcester Mass, Provi-
dence. r. J.. Manchester, N. H., and
Portland. Me. They are systematically
tracting these cities and holding meet
ings, mostly cottage. whatever opportu-
nifty affords There are sixteen elders in
the conference besides the presidency,
and they are an earnest set of men.
Through the blessings OF the Lord we
have one 90 three places in each OF these
cities. with the exception or Dorchester.
where we can hold meetings On our re-
cent visit we held meetings I'm all the
cities named and were impressed with
the Increase Of the spirit OF the gospel
a. Manchester we were invited by the
Rev. Eugene a. Bartlett pastor OF the
First Unlversalist church. 10 speak 10
his class OF men. forty I'm number We
gladly accepted the invitation. and were
listened attcntively to nv all present
have IN
members In the conference besides the
elders. and quite a number OF children
under 5 years old. The nine elders and
ton meet In Arcade hall. Park square,
every SUNDAY at ] y. m, for Sunday
school. and 2.2o y. m. for services. on
organization was effected with Elder #.
A. Thurman. OF Provo. Utah. as superin-
tendent and Elder r. A. Tibbetts and
Brother George ID. Mcdonald as assist
Eve have n theological class with an
attendance or about fifteen; n primary
class with an attendance OF about ten.
with good prospects for an Increase Both
classes have good. competent teachers TO
instruct them on the 27th the elders. |
saints and friends 90 the number OF |
sixty-hve gathered az the hall and had n |
very enjoyable time during the evening"
With from 1900 20 1000 missionaries at |
work outside of t'tah many OF them
meeting with success In Massachusetts. |
Maine. New HamnShire, Rhode Island |
and New York. not 20 mention Southern |
states. II would not seem that Mormon
SIN IS In any Immediate danger or ex- |
tinction on the contrary. the heads OF |
the Mormon church profess confidence |
that the time Will come when the Church |
n Jesus Christ Latter Dav Saints. will I,
dominate the United states Their chil.
iren are taught that the temple which /
Ioseph Smith intepded should be built In !
will yet hsbniit AZ y Sunday /
lisht meeting held IN salt Lake city |
which the writer attended. the prediction /
vas made bv the principai speaker that /
he temple would be built In tho East. 10 |
2 fact unpalatable az ~ may be 90 /
'ther religionists. that the Mormons have \
made greater gains IN the United States
Within the last three years than during /
he ten wears Immediately preceding /
hem. This is rrobabiv due 10 persist
NJ and systematic missionary work IN
which the polveamous and other gener-
'lly. obieotionabls beliefs are not brpaght
. the notice Of converts.