1870-02-12-Philadelphia Inquirer-The New Utah
The New Utah
Philadelphia Inquirer, 12 February 1870, p. 7 c. 2
The Mormon propogandists in our midst are still driving their work, and thus far with a degree of success that gives rise to painful apprehensions on the part of the “Gentile" world. Relative to the progress of the Mormon missionaries on Long Island we learn that General Burton has established a branch of the saints at Baldwinsville, near Rockville Centre, and despatched other laborers north and south throughout the island.
During his tour through the country, in the neighborhood of Hempstead, Baldwinsville, Rockville Centre, Patchogue and Freeport, where he was located, his work was confined to searching out those people or Mormon proclivities for the purpose of awakening them to action. His reasons for so doing have been variously expressed. Some have it that the prophets in the “valley of the Most High, warning them of coming trouble by fire and sword, wherefore they felt it their duty to call upon the preachers and elders of the people to go out among the scattered sheep, to arouse their slumbering faith, exhort them to active membership, and finally establish as many Mormon branches in our midst as they could.
This view of the mission is taken by most of the brethren in the Eastern States, consequently a grand rally around the banners of the Latter-day Saints may be expected. An elder of the flock in Williamsburg informs us that most of the Mormons located on Long Island are wealthy, and willing to co-operate in the work. Twenty of them have already rented a meeting house in Baldwinsville, where they hold forth three times a day. At Patchogue is located the nucleus of another branch, at Rockville another, and Freeport is at present the seat of grand effort to establish still another. Already we are informed that twelve persons have been converted and baptized there by General Burton and his colaborators, of whom he has eight or nine.
In Connecticut also are a number of missionaries, who, natives of that State, became Mormons some years ago, went out to Utah, and on the call for laborers in the Eastern States were chosen to come among their friends and preach to them. Boston, and many of the prinicipal towns in Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, have been set apart as district which are now being worked. Missionaries have been sent to Canada and England for the purpose of gathering all the members and as many proselytes as can be had to Utah, or if the movement is successful there, to the Eastern Utah, Long Island.
These statements may appear to be incredible, but they are borne out by those of leading Mormon Church dignitaries now in our midst. One of these in a conversation yesterday said:-“We do not seek a bloodshed nor war, but as the Master revealed to Joseph Smith that this great continent was to be the land from which the delegates of Christ were to be sent to all parts of the unbelieving world, and for this purpose in his own good time He will give it to our people, we are determined to abide the issue, be it what is may.”
During the coming week an additional force of elders and priest, headed by a Bishop, are expected to arrive in the city to reinforce those already here. Another mission has also been commenced out West, and no effort will be spared to awaken the Mormon element throughout the country. The Freeport branch is considered by the Saints as firmly established, and General Burton will return to that point to-day or to-morrow.——New York Times, February 4.
