| 78 Palle House, Call Wali, Ledbury, Shaken Hill, Lugwardine, Marden, Bush Bank, Leominster, Ball Gate, Cooms Move, Stoke's Lane, Froome's Hill, Stanley Hill, East Hampton, and Worcester Broad Heath.
Edinburgh Conference-Represented by G. D. Watt, consists of 271 members, 13 elders, 19 priests, 7 teachers, 3 deacons, and includes the branches of Edinburgh, Wemyss, and Stirling.
Glasgow conference-Represented by John McAuley, consists of 564 members, 23 elders, 30 priests, 26 teachers, 15 deacons, and includes the branches of Glasgow, Thorny Bank, Shaw, Towcross, Aardrill, Renfrew, Paisley, Johnston, Bridge of Weir, Kilbirney, Bouchill, Greenock, Brechenny, Nelson, Campsie, and Ayr.
Brampton Conference-Represented by Richard Benson, consists of 171 members, 6 elders, 11 priests, 7 teachers, 2 deacons, and includes the branches of Carlisle, Brampton, Alston, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Ireland Conference-Represented by David Wilkie, consists of 71 members, 1 elder, 1 priest, 2 teachers, 1 deacon, and includes the branches of Hillsborough, & Crawfoot's Burn.
Bradford and York-Represented by Henry Cuerdon, consists of 54 members, 1 elder, 4 priests, 2 teachers, 1 deacon, and includes the branches of Bradford and York.
Total connected with the church, at the present time, in England, Ireland, and Scotland:
Members 7514
Elders 220
Priests 421
Teachers 110
From the reports made by the deputies from the different conferences, we are happy to state that the work of the Lord is very prosperous, and that a very general desire is prevalent amongst the Saints to gather to Zion; while the whisperings of the spirit among the priesthood have been, "save yourselves from this nntoward [untoward] generation."
Elder Pratt having made some observations on the necessity of revelation being connected with the kingdom of God; and that in accordance with the revelations now given, it was our first duty to gather together to build up Zion and the Temple of the Lord, in order that we might receive the fulness [fullness] of the power of the priesthood, that we might go forth for the last time, and command the attention of the nations, and the chiefs and kings of the earth.
The meeting was then dismissed by singing and prayer.
Afternoon.-Service was opened by singing "Great is the Lord, 'tis good to praise," &c.
Elder Albiston, the patriarch, then rose to bear testimony to the truth of the work of the Lord, and contrasted the fulness [fullness] of the gospel with what he had previously known of religion through a long series of years. He had been in possession of some light, and the body of people (the Methodists) with whom he had been connected in earley [early] life, he was convinced were once a good people; but he now greatly rejoiced in being permitted to see the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, compared with which, all the systems of men were but as a taper to the sun.
Elder Snow then asked a blessing on the wine.
Elder Greenhow, of Liverpool, then addressed the meeting, and gave a statement of his former experience in connexion [connection] with the Methodists, afterwards with Mr. Aitkin and Mr. Matthews, by whom he was ordained an elder in that society. While in connexion [connection] with that people, there was a general consciousness prevailing that something was wanting-that the same results did not follow believing and obeying the word as in the primitive churches; this feeling was confirmed by his receiving a letter from the Rev. Mr. M., advising him, in connexion [connection] with others, to rise at four o'clock on certain morning to pray that they might receive the gift of the Holy Ghost; but all was in vain, for they were not in possession of the authority of the holy priesthood to administer those ordinances through which the blessings flowed.
Elders James, Riley, Crook, Reid, and priest Milnes then addressed the meeting, and bore testimony to the work of God.
The meeting was then closed by singing and prayer.
Evening.-Service was opened by singing, "What are these arrayed in white," &c.
Elder Greenhow engaged in prayer.
Elder Pratt then addressed the meeting on the duties of the Saints to the public, to God, and to themselves. It is our duty to proclaim the gospel of truth in all places, where it is not known, to the utmost of our power; then, after this, God requires of them that they take measures to make the truth theirs, by ministering to the wants of his servants, and by opening places for the ministration of the word; and if they will not do this, we are clear of their blood; we have done our duty, and the Lord will not require more at our hands. Many of our brethren, by their zeal, have been led beyond what God has required of them. It is not the duty of
(page 78) |
