The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-05-16
MoRMoNs IN VERMONT
Headquarters for Sect Established
At Burlington.

Mormon headquarters for Vermont
conference, which also includes the
Province of Quebec, have been
established in Burlington and the
propaganda of the Church of Latter
Day Saints is being spread as rapid
ly as ten elders can do 1t, in quiet
house to house canvass and by pub
lie open air meetings held in towns
large enough to secure falr-sized au-
diences.
The work in the Vermont confer
ence is in charge of Elder w. w.
Austin, of Salt Lake City, Elder John
Harvey of Alberta, Canada, and Frank
Brown of Salt Lake City. All Of these
young men are sons of Mormon par
ents and were brought up and educat-
ed in the Mormon faith.
Headquarters have been opened at
92 Main street, corner of Main and
Pine streets. There are no signs
to indicate the fact. however, and
when one calls at the door for Elder
Austin, he is ushered into a large
room on the first floor Of the house,
wherein Mr.. Austin is found writ
ing at table. Books, pamphlets and
papers are scattered about and a
sheaf of newspaper clippings rest on
the table--clippings containing ar
tlcles upon the Norman church, most
ly critical
Mr.. Austin is-a surprise. He is
not the sort of man one conjures up
in imagination for a Mormon elder
He wears no long beard neither is
he old or patriarchal in appearance.
Instead one sees q well-set up young
man, with clear eyes that look out
earnestly. Modestly and unassuming-
ly he talks of the plans OF the
church with regard to Vermont and
expresses conviction that the Nor
mon faith is the real thing. StilHhe
has no war with other churches,
nor with other faiths, and express
ly states that the Mormon mission
aries do not rant or abuse or con-
denim.
There are about a hundred con-
verts to the faith in Vermont" Mr.,
Austin said, in response to a ques-
ton of a Daily News reporter to-
day, of which number possibly a
dozen or fifteen are in Burlington.
This means converts, who have be-
come affiliated with the church.
I'VE hold open air meetings and cot
tage meetings where opportunity
comes and distribute literature from
house to house freely. Other church
Literature may be purchased.
I'VE began holding open air meet
Iings in Burlington, last Saturday eve
ming, Mr.. Austin continued, "and in
tend holding them every Saturday
evening during the summer. We
usually take a stand near Bailey's
music rooms on College street and
hold half hours service, telling
something of Mormon faith and doc
trine and distributing and selling
Bibles and other literature
1--WE are seldom molested and are
usually given quiet and orderly
hearing. The authorities all over Vel
mont have been particularly kind tc
us in allowing us to speak and nc
trouble has been experienced here
this year, Mayor Roberts and the po
lice granting us every privilege. WI
had some difficulty last year, however
Mayor Burke not allowing us to con
duct open air meetings in the city.
THE winter work is confined to The
larger towns and cities and in thu
summer the rural communities arr
reached"
There are twelve conferences in tn,
. Eastern states with 200 missionarie
employed. Headquarters for the dis
trict is at New York city with Eide
Ben. E. Rich in charge
There are $500 Mormon missionar
les employed in all parts of the world
The Vermont conference was organic
ed in 1909 since when a more or les
active propaganda has been carrie'
on. Headquarters were at first il
, Montpelier.
The church owns farm of 80
? acres in Sharon, on the line of Soutl
| Royalton upon which is erected
! handsome monument of Barre grant
, to Joseph Smit the founder of tn
church who was born on the site @
, the granite shaft.-Burlington News