| 238 him, and wherever the gospel was preached and believed, that Holy Spirit bore witness, enlightened and comforted; and wherever the pure gospel of Jesus Christ is preached, by proper authority, and believed in and obeyed by the world, it will be productive of the same results.
If this was the kind of testimony that existed in those days, it is absolutely necessary that a principle of the same kind should now exist; that men should be endowed with the same power, possess the same priesthood, administer in the same ordinances, and preach the same things; then the spirit of God will bear testimony to the word preached; it will not come "in word only, but in power, in demonstration of the spirit; and in much assurance."
VINALHAVEN, WALDO Co.,}
MAINE, April 24, 1843.}
The members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in the counties of Lincoln and Waldo, met in conference on the 15th and 16th inst. Meeting was called to order on the 15th, at 1 o'clock, P. M., by C. C. Pendleton, when Elder Otis Shaw was called to preside, and C. C. Pendleton chosen clerk.
Singing, and prayer by the president.
The following branches, composing the conference, were then represented. President Shaw represented the Vinalhaven branch, consisting of fifty six members, including two elders, one priest, one teacher and one deacon.
Several have moved away since last conference, and three excluded, viz; Wm. Merchant, Polly Merchant, and Margaret Pease.
The St. George branch, including members in Cushing and Friendship, Long Island, were represented by President Shaw, numbering twenty seven members, including one priest, one teacher, and one deacon; seven added by baptism since the last conference. C. C. Pendleton then represented the East Thomaston branch, numbering twenty-five members, including one elder, one priest, one teacher, and one deacon; twelve of the above mentioned were recently baptised [baptized] by Elder Thomas Crockit, and the remainder were formerly members of the Vinalhaven branch. Abijah Pease, priest, represented the Waldo branch, numbering thirty-eight members, including one elder, two priests, and three teachers; a number have moved to Illinois since last conference, two excluded, viz: Wesley and Vincent Richards, and seven added by baptism. Several present bore testimony to the certainty of the renewal of the covenant.
Singing and prayer by Elder J. Pierce.
Adjourned till 6 o'clock.
Conference met pursuant to adjournment, but owing to the severity of the weather, but few assembled. C. C. Pendleton, opened the meeting by prayer, and after addressing the meeting upon the subject of salvation, the time was occupied in mutual prayer and singing.
Adjourned till to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.
Sunday morning, convened at the appointed hour. After singing, prayer by C. C. Pendleton, who proceeded to address the assembly upon the Millenium [Millennium], and the necessary preparation for that day. Additional remarks by Elder J. Pierce and President Shaw.
Adjourned for one hour and a half.
Afternoon, met according to adjournment.-Singing and prayer, by President Shaw. Scripture testimony in proof of the Book of Mormon, by C. C. Pendleton, who urged the necessity of a compliance with the precepts of that book.-Subject continued by Elder Pierce, after which Bread and Wine was administered by Elders Shaw and Pierce.
Adjourned till 7 o'clock.
Met pursuant to adjournment. Singing and prayer by the president. Time devoted to exhortation and prayer.
Resolved, That the minutes of this conference be forwarded to Nauvoo for publication, in the "Times and Seasons." Conference then adjourned, to meet in East Thomaston, on the first Saturday in July, at 10 o'clock, A.M.,
O. SHAW, Prest.
C. C. PENDLETON, Cl'k.
MESSRS. TAYLOR & WOODRUFF:-
Presuming that further information respecting the Lord's work, and other matters, in this region, would not be unwelcome to you, I have thought proper to fill the remainder of this sheet for your disposal, as may be deemed proper. For more than a year and a half, I have endeavored to preach the gospel of Christ, in Waldo and the adjoining counties, as my circumstances have admitted: sometimes blessed with the society of fellow laborers, but mostly alone, and notwithstanding there has not been (through the concerted efforts of the few in these parts,) a general turning unto the Lord, as in many parts of our land, yet the work of the Lord has been steadily onward in the midst of opposition, so that in several counties, there are some found rejoicing in the new and everlasting covenant.
There has been, and now is, a very great stir among the people, on the subject of religion, and it is said of the proceedings as was anciently said of Simon, the Samaritan: "The great power of God." But amongst the great confusion and party strife, the saints have mostly
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