| 125 Churches Represented by Members Elders Lesser Officers.
Boston T. Nickerson 114 3 4
Peterboro' N. H. E. P. Maginn 115 3 4
Gilsum do. do. 30 1 1
Lowell, Mass. do. 60 1 3
New Salem do. do. 45 4 4
Wendell do. do. 50 5 4
Northbridge do. do. 35 2 3
Leverett do. do. 35 2 3
Salem do. E. Snow 110 4 4
Georgetown do. do. 32 4 3
N. Bedford do. Hutchings. 96 3 8
Millbury do. Benson. 11
Cape Cod do. Nickerson 35 1 2
Not organized. 25________________________
793 33 43
It will be seen from the above, that in the short space of about fifteen months, a society that was only known among us by report, now actually numbers near one thousand in this immediate vicinity, and their preachers seem imbued with a spirit and determination to carry every thing before them; for, in fact, they all seem to have the Bible at the end of their tongue. After the representation of the Churches, they adjourned to two p. m. on Saturday. On Friday evening the congregation was addressed in a very able and lucid manner by Elder Maginn, on the subject of sins and wonders. On Saturday, agreeable to appointment, the Conference was opened by singing and prayer by E. Snow, after which a number of the faithful were called by the spirit of prophecy and revelation, to the different offices, such as elders, priests, teachers, and deacons. The officers were then addressed by the Prest., on the order of the church, and the object of God in establishing it by revelation in these last days; followed by Elder E. Snow on the same subject. Those that were called, were then ordained with great solemnity, under the hands of Elders Nickerson, Snow, and Adams-after which, on motion, resolved, that licenses be granted to said officers, signed by the Prest. and Secretary.-The Conference then adjourned, sine die. In the evening we had an able discourse on baptism for the dead, from E. Snow. On Sabbath morning, at nine o'clock, the ice was brushed away, and eight of our citizens were very decently buried in the river, after the ancient order, by Elder Adams, who seems a perfect water fowl. The great congregation was addressed in the morning by Elder Maginn, on the subject of the false spirits that was to come forth in the last days, for the overthrow of mystic Babylon; and he proved the impossibility of the religious world being able to discover between true miratles [miracles] and false ones-and that they were not given to make men believe, but to edify the Church. In the afternoon, five elders gave their testimony to an immensly [immensely] large crowd of people, who seemed much pleased; after which the ordinance of confirmation or the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, according to the scriptures was attended to in a very impressive and solemn manner, by elders Maginn, Adams and Snow. In the evening, Elder Snow gave us a rich treat, on the apostacy [apostasy] of the Church, and the establishing of the "the new and everlasting covenant in these last days," for the bringing in of everlasting righteousness, and the salvation of the world. I have given you a true sketch of the movements of this new and curious sect in this vicinity. My motto is, live and let live. If the Mormons can be put down by Scripture and reason, let them go; but let us never attempt to put them down by persecution and religious bigotry: let us prove "all things and hold fast that which is good,"-hear a matter first, and then judge.
To the Editor of the Weekly Bee:
Dear Sir,-I wish through the medium of your valuable paper, to make some remarks concerning the Latter day Saints or Mormons, as people in general appear to be entirely ignorant of their doctrine. I had been led, from out door and newspaper reports, to believe they were people of the worst character-a sect who denied the Bible and substituted another book in its stead; and in short, that they were every thing that was bad. Curiosity led me to their meeting at the Boylston Hall and I can truly say I was astonished and most agreeably disappointed. First a beautiful hymn was read and sung. Then a Prayer, apparently sincere, solemn and impressive, was offered up to that God whom Christians profess to worship-the blessing of Heaven was invoked upon all men, of every sect, creed and denomination; after which a text was chosen from the New Testament, from which the speaker descanted at considerable length; and I must say I never heard a more able sermon. His reasoning, was logical, philosophical, and easy to be understood. Passage after passage seemed to flow like a torrent to prove this position. He contended that the Priesthood which was lost when the Church went into the wilderness, has been restored by the ministering of Angels-and that this is Christ's Church re-organized; and having Apostles, Prophets, &c. and also the gifts and blessings, snch [such] as healing the sick, &c. &c. in ancient times-and that Joe Smith is a Prophet chosen of God to lay the foundation and be instrumental in carrying on the great work. That this Gospel must be preached unto all people
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