The Saint Paul globe., 1903-03-17
MORMONS SPLIT
NEW YORK CHURCH
They Sow DiscOrd Among
Members by Proselyting
Methods.

NEW YORK, March 16-The charge
is made that Mormon elders, in re-
venge, broke up and scattered the con-
gregation of the Port Morris Congrega-
tional church in the borough of Bronx
Former members of the church make
the charge The church is closed and
Will probably be sold to satisfy a mort
gage held by the Church Extension So
Ciety.
The little church was organized about
four years ago, and the Rev. Mr.. Stokes
was the first pastor. After one year he
was compelled to resign on account of
Ill health. The church was then placed
in the hands of the Rev. Claude Melton
Severance, a missionary. He was sue
cesSful in his work, and in 1901 had
about thirty families in his congrega-
ton. At that time a little band of Nor
mon elders established headquarters in
the Bronx and began to scatter litera-
ture through the Port Morris section.
As is usual the elders had uphill work
in the beginning. Finally they spotted
the Port Morris Congregational church
as good field for the extension of op-
erations. Two of them began to attend
the meetings.
Nothing was said by them of their
business, and in time they became ac-
quainted with all the members of the
congregation. With the acquaintance
established they began to take part in
the services, and at last the Rev. Mr.
Severance woke up to the startling fact
that the elders were discoursing on re-
Hgion and cunntngly forwarding Nor
monism in his own church.
OF course, he barred the elders after
that, but the seed had been planted.
The MormonS had transferred their
field of work from the church to the
homes OF the women of the congrega-
ton, visiting them while the men were
away. In a short time il was announc-
ed that Miss Elizabeth Dickinson and
Mrs. Thomas Blair, two officers of the
Christian Endeavor society of the
church, had become converted to Nor
monism.
Miss Dickinson was publicly bap-
uzed. Mrs. Blair was prevented from
being baptized by her husband, who
knew nothing of her change of reli-
gtous belief until she announced it TO
the public. The loss of the two women
was sad blow to the little congrega-
ton, and Mr.. Severance set to work to
minimize its effect. He managed to
get Miss Dickinson to renounce Nor
monlsm, but his victory did him little
good, because the girl was forced to
move out of the neighborhood and hide
herself, the Mormon elders pursuing
her so persistently. The elders con-
unued their work with such members
OF the congregation as remained. and
while they made no converts they sue
ceeded In driving family after family
out OF Bronx borough.
know. several families that had
10 move because of the Mormon
elders, said Mrs. George F. Turner. of
NO. 14O East One Hundred and Fortv-
first street. "A Mrs. BartelI, who lived
In St. AIMS avenue, near One Hundred
and Thfrty-fifth street, was so annoy
ed that she had to leave.
The industry of the elders was re-
markabIe. Nothing appeared to feaze
them. They were proof against insult
and not until three months ago did
they give up their labors among the
people OF the poor little church. Thav
were driven out by the onIv method
that appears to be successful in treat
Ing with them, the administration of
PhyslcaI chastisement. Mrs. Jennie
Mensell, a former member of the con-
gregation, was so annoyed by Elder
Elkes, Mormon missionary. that sba
complained to her husband. Mr. Nep
sell remained at home one day and
when the missionary came around gave
MIN an awful beating. Since then the
elders dropped out Of sight, but thev
church"
The Rev. Severance is now without =
regular charge, and is living in Ror-
ough Park, Brooklyn, with the family
or mis- WIFE. The Mormon elders. whiIs
they have discontinued their work
among the former members of the CON
sTeSatlon OF The Port Morris church.
are still al work in the borough of
Bronx and the upper end of the bor-
ough Of Manhattan, and it Is said that
they are making converts In their
missionary work they eliminate tbe
poiygamy feature of the Mormon faith.