MORMONS IN LONDON.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1553, 24 September 1912, Page 5

MORMONS IN LONDON.

»— VIOLENT SCENE AT MEETING. Mormon missionaries have started a campaign in Stockwell and Brixton. The efforts of these "Latter-day Saints" to Kain disciples among ignorant girls and women haw raised so much indignation that the Kev. N. Hook Longsdon, vionr of St. Luke's, has organised the members of the Church of England Men's Society into a peaceful picketing party. "The.-? so-called 'saints' do not come round to the front doors of the houses in a straightforward way," said Mr. Longsdon. "They sneak round to t,he servants' charters, and leave this sort of stun"'—indicating some typical "Latterday" leaflets. "They make their appeal -mostly' to ignorant young women, and. if what I hear is correct, their Sunday congregations at Stockwell llall are mostly composed of small groups oil' giggling girls. In view of their activities at the hall I i'olt. as I announced in my church, that we should have to stop these 'saints,' as the people in the North of England have done, by means of a system of 'peaceful picketing.' " Neavlv .'IOO men assembled in the road oulsido'the Ktoekwel! Hall. The three Mormon "elders," young men of about twenty-five, protested angrily against this interruption, but girls who came in their best clothes found brothers or sweethearts blocking their way, and in many eases went home at once, shamefaced. Bolder girls were questioned, and warned gently but firmly of the danger they were running, and this again turned many nwny. Peaceful picketing of this persuasive kind was followed up when necessary by die simple method of standing shoulder to shoulder, so that only very active or zealous girls got, through the barrier at all. Inside, their welcome was cordial, Blushing, giggling, very coy and self-conscious, thcy'wero met by the three "elders," who shook hands with each in turn. After conversation, prayer, and hymns, a large, middle-aged "sister" in glasses, gavo n fervid description of pious, chaste, and virtuous 11 tali, where she had lived for twenty years. "I believe in rind!" she cried. "And I believe, in Joseph Smith, a prophet of God!" Her husband followed with a violent denial that plural marriages wero now part of the Mormon faith. He was met by interruptions. Questions, shouts, and hurried movements fjom the young men in the corner ended in a wild scene of uproar. Benches were overturned. Women, huddled together in the centre of Iho room. The Mormons loft their platform, and nHor a short scrimmage (he interrupters were induced to leave the room. ."Not till my wife comes," said one man. The Mormons refused any explanations. When the meeting was quiet a woman present wished to know if she mioht nsk one question, and was promptly refused. "Pleased as Punch" would exactly describe that person's feelings who was so fortunate a-; to be invited to go for aride in a "Ilrodbuiy" Side-ear. Th« "Ul-adbiii-v" Motor (.'vole is the ideal machine fin- Side-ear work. It luis a big engine thai will Like you anywhere, and is thoroughly reliable. Vou can see this line machine r.l- E. Kevnolds • and Co., Ltd., Victoria Strcel.-Advt. "Dumley o'scrts that he has found a cure for lyre trouble." "Eh! What's that?"- -"Ho 1 * boucbt«, motor boat,"-. ■