1887-11-27-Brooklyn Eagle-Mormons in Brooklyn
Mormons in Brooklyn
- Brooklyn Eagle, 27 November 1887, pg. 10
- Two men, Four Children and Twenty-two Women Compose a Congregation—A Talk with a Good Sister—Elders Burton and Soper Conduct the Services.
How many citizens of Brooklyn know that a society of Mormons is settled among them? Or, to narrow the question a little, how many people who have heard this fact stated know where this church of Latter Day Saints has been holding its meetings? Very few indeed. Some time ago I was told that the Church of God had services in this city. But no one seemed to know where or when. Either the Mormons aro very quiet in regard to their religion or their neighbors are very dull. After many fruitless inquiries of people whom one might suppose would know an appeal was made to the police. At the Sixteenth Precinct the officer in charge remembered that several years ago there were gatherings in Grand street, but whether there had been any of late was a difficult question to answer. It was finally ascertained that service was held in that street, in Americus Hall, the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
At the earliest opportunity, therefore, the seeker after truth ascended the stairs and knocked softly on a door, over which were the words: "Church of God." A young man of about 18 years answered the knock, assured the reportor that he had found the right place and invited him in. At that time the audience consisted of this young man and another of the same age, three young women, from 85 to 30 years old, and two small children. They were shortly reinforced by the arrival of Elder Soper, of Oceanville, who was to have charge of the meeting. One by one people dropped in. A good sister came forward and extended her hand to the reporter with the question: "When did you come over?" She thought he was a saint newly arrived from foreign shores. This church is really but a station on the way from Europe to "the valley among the mountains," as the Mormons poetically call Utah. The stranger explained to the good sister that he was not a saint, but was simply in search ot truth. She replied that they certainly had the truth, "which is not with the many, but with the few." They were scoffed at and persecuted by the world at large for opinion sake, she said, yet God was giving them strength to stand.
"There is only one doctrine of the church that has caused you any persecution, as you call it," the reporter answered, "and that is polygamy."
"Yes, but that came as a revelation from God. We are not responsible for it."
"Do you think it will always be a doctrine of the church?"
"I am not at liberty to say. I am only a female and have no right to express an opinion."
"If the members of the church wanted a change they could have it, could they not?"
"No; unless there was a revolation of God to the heads of the church."
"Don't you think the people are opposed to polygamy?"
"I would not like to say that. Polygamy is a doctrine of the church, and as such the people must be in sympathy with it and I think they are."
The sister evidently thought she had talked enough, for she changed the conversation by earnestly inviting the reportor to take a front seat where he could see and hear everything. Elder Soper opened the meeting with prayer. Then the sisters sang a hymn without instrumental accompaniment or any kind. At this point a good looking young man of 33 or 34 with two ladies entered the room. He was Elder Burton, of Utah, bound to Europe on a mission. After a warm greeting from Elder Soper communion service was held. It did not differ much from that of any other church, except that water was used in place of wine. Both elders took part, one blessing the bread the other the water.
Elder Burton began the regular services with Scripture reading and prayers. A hymn followed after which he made a short address. The essence of his talk was this: That the Church of Latter Day Saints had the truth of God and that God was always taking care of His own. How the saints were protected on their various missions was illustrated by the elder's account of his visit to Australia. He had some $600 saved up when the call came to go. All this he spent cheerfully. It was a common idea that the church paid its missionaries' expenses, but this was an erroneous one. They went forth on their journey with no thought of themselves, spending their own money and trusting in God. And their trust was nevor in vain. The elder's remarks wore made in very well chosen words, and his use of the English language showed him to be a person of good education.
After the address two more hymns were sung and Elder Soper spoke briefly. His remarks were simply evidence of the truth of the cause. When he had finished a hymn followed. Then several sisters arose and gave their "evidence." As each speaker closed there was a hearty "amen" from her hearers.
It may be asked why only two men, and they elders, took part in the service. The answer is easy. Because they were the only men present beside the reporter, and he, being a stranger, was not expected to speak. The remainder of the congregation was composed of twenty - two women and four children. Some of the women were very good looking, though not all of them were members of the church. Singing and waiting for the spirit to move took up a large part of the time. When it was found that no more sisters could be induced to speak the Doxology was sung and with the benediction the service ended. The meeting lasted nearly two hours. The impression a person gets from these people is a decidedly good one. They are, as a class, of the lower order of society. That is to say, their intelligence, seemingly, is below that of the average Protestant congregation. They are mostly foreigners of whom a large part show their English birth in face and speech. If those are fair samples of the whole body, they are certainly not poople to whom one would look for the horrors of a Mountain Meadow Massacre. They make a great point of their persecution by the world and liken themselves to the saints of old. No particular persecution was mentioned but presumably they had reference to the popular objection to polygamy.
"A few years ago," said one of the young men "there were 2,000 or 3,000 Mormons at a time in the city. This is a dull season of the year because few proselytes cross the ocean in the Fall and Winter. Most of the traveling is done in the Spring."
It seems to be the desire of all good Mormons to have their bodies laid at rest in Utah. Their bones in Utah and their souls in Zion they will have attained the object of their Christian endeavor. No one can see and hear them in their simple devotions without being impressed with their sincerity. They are evidently trying to lead honest, Christian lives. Not only are there Mormons in Brooklyn, but also at Oceanville, about a mile from Rockville Center, and here services are held at the houses of different members from week to week, and the people are trying to live up to the Bible. They believe in it just as it is from cover to cover. Among the leading spirits are Elder Soper and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Pettit, Mrs. Smith Soper and Joseph Bower. The elders often speak at other villages on the island, a fact which shows that people must be found to listen to them.
- W. A. H.
