| 537 the least interfere with the high prerogative and presiding authority of the First Presidency, who by a single tap of the bell may call home one or all of the traveling high councilors at a word! The churches abroad should not wait for members of this council, when traveling, to insist upon a recognition of their rights; but should cheerfully tender a recognition from courtesy and respect for the office, if nothing more, in order that they may administer successfully and aid the work wherever they may be sent. Having been appointed by divine commandment and the common consent of the church to these positions, the keys of authority and the First Presidency are represented through them, more than any others, to all the world.
Why this was ever questioned and necessity laid upon us to defend our rights before antagonizing accusations, is passing strange; and it is only with a view that unity may be attained, and the best interest of the cause subserved that we dwell upon it now.
This quorum has been weakened in numbers by the death of Bro. Josiah Ells, and the withdrawal of Brn. J. W. Briggs and Z. H. Gurley. The withdrawal was for reasons assigned, which will appear in full in the minutes, with the answers made by the conference, which are able and to the point, and may be read with profit by the thoughtful. We sadly regret these losses to our number, for the work's sake, but do not feel like slackening our efforts and support to the work. At no time have we had pleasanter sessions or acted more in unity, than at the sessions just passed, the Spirit's presence encouraging us and giving evidence of God's approval. However well or poorly others succeeded, there was not so much as a ripple of bad feeling occurred among the members of the quorum at the recent conference; and we go out in amity and one accord to another year's labor, confident that God is yet at the helm. May grace and peace be with his Saints everywhere.
A large number of elders were called into the quorum of seventy at the past session of conference, which will augment the working force in the ministerial field. This is as it should be; but we must wait for further direction, perhaps another year, for instruction to go on with organization of quorums until complete. Though some may be anxious, we must wait God's time, which will be our opportunity, and not faint by the way. The appointment of these seventy, together with others, as they now go to their several fields of labor, suggests that there is work for all. They must preach, the church must meet some of the expense. We can not do better, perhaps, than to quote from Saints' Herald, May 13, 1883, page 209: "The question of tithing, in its practical sense, may be considered settled so far as applicable to the present condition. One impediment (perhaps the chief one) to the effectual execution of this law, is found in the want of that confidence that ought to exist among Saints. This is due to the fact that imposition has been, and still is in practice under the name and profession of Latter Day Saints; this being one of the iniquities comprised in the 'flood' against which the Spirit of the
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