1870-02-12-New York Herald-Mormonism on Long Island
Mormonism on Long Island
- New York Herald, 12 February 1870, p. 5
Mormonism on Long Island
The Utah Carpet-Baggers Stumping the Island—The Apostles and Saints of the New Creed Getting Their Backs Up.
For some weeks past the citizens of Freeport and vicinity have been considerably agitated by a series of lectures exposing Mormonism, delivered by the Rev. F. W. Ware, and also lectures vindicating their principles and practices, by elders Thomas Jackson and William W. Riter. Mr. Ware delivered a lecture Monday evening at Rockville Center, Tuesday evening at Baldwinsville, Wednesday evening at Freeport, and last evening at Baldwinsville. The last evening lecture was a repetition of the Freeport lecture and was repeated by special request. The lectures on both sides have called out the people in great numbers, those against Mormonism being held in the churches and the lecture in vindication of that peculiar institution in the dancing hall at the hotel in Freeport. Mr. Ware very ably reviewed the course of the Latter Day Saints from the first organization of that Church; exposed the criminality of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young; charged them with throwing aside the Bible and substituting the Book of Mormon; with believing that God is a man and the Holy Ghost a kind of electricity; with teaching that there is a female god and that women have no souls, but enter heaven as a companion of man; that there are two kinds of marriages, one for life only, which does not unite the persons in the other world, and the other for life and eternity, which is respected in heaven, and that Brigham Young's agent has power to make these eternal marriages.
Mr. Hyatt, a backsliding Mormon, at this lecture made some grave charges against the Utah saints in connection with Mountain Meadow massacre. During the entire lecture a Mormon delegation were present and were greatly excited at the charges and often interrupted the speakers, denying all the allegations, and offered to prove to the contrary.
On Thursday evening, at the Mormon gathering, the hall was filled with a large number of the new converts to Mormonism, and in addition many of the first citizens of Freeport. Elder Thomas Jackson, in vindicating polygamy, claimed that the present condition of society demanded that this doctrine should be practiced by a large number or else in a short time society would be entirely corrupt. He stated that in New York city there were thirty thousand more marriageable females than males; that in New England there were three ladies who have arrived at an age suitable for entering the married state, and yet, single, to one marriageable man. He claimed that in Salt Lake City with 20,000 inhabitants, there was not a single prostitute; that in New York city, where this peculiar institution was condemned, and within the hearing of 500 church bells, could be found 20,000 young women who lived by prostituting themselves.
The speaker said that the large preponderance of females in our country made a life of toil or of shame necessary for them, unless polygamy is practiced. This speaker was very violent against those who opposed Mormonism, and especially against Mr. Ware. W. W. Riter followed in a more liberal spirit, and evidently made a better effect on the audience. The Latter Day Saints are attempting to get the permanent possession of a hall near Hempstead village. During the coming week a number of meetings will be held in the county, and also in Suffolk county.
