| 302 On motion, resolved that elder Jacob Boyce receive a letter of commendation from the church, such as the secretary shall approve.-Signed by the president and secretary.
Motioned and seconded that brother William Legar be appointed clerk of this branch; carried.
On motion, resolved that elder E. P. Maginn be appointed to preach in the City Hall in the forenoon, and elder Cairns in the afternoon, that elder E. P. Maginn preach in the Universalist House in the evening.
On motion, resolved that the minutes of this conference be accepted, and transmitted to Nauvoo, with a request that they be published in the Times and Seasons. Carried.
During intermission on Sunday, elder E. P. Maginn baptised [baptized] three individuals.
JOHN P. GREEN. President.
E. P. MAGINN, Secretary.
DEAR BROTHER:-
It is one year and eight months since the sound of the fullness of the gospel was first heard in this place Up to this time, a deeprooted sectarian prejudice against us, remained upon the minds of the people: but through our faith and perseverance, and most of all, through the blessings of heaven, we were enabled to allay the prejudice against us, to a great extent, and to as we fondly hope, indellibly [indelibly] impress upon the minds of the honest-hearted, the sublime truths of the new covenant.
Elder E. W. Pell labored in company with me several days. Elder Quartus S. Sparks remained several weeks, and returned to Long Island. I continued my labors here during the Fall months. I preached in Norwalk, New Canaan, Ridgefield, Danbury, and several other townships. On the 17th of the following December, I baptised [baptized] one person; two days after this, I baptised [baptized] two. During the following month, nine were baptised [baptized]; and thus the work of the Lord increased, insomuch [inasmuch] that in the following April, when we were organized into a branch, we numbered twenty-seven members.
I will not detain you with a detailed account of the history of the branch; but suffice it to say, that the sick have been healed, and devils cast out in the name of the Lord Jesus. The Saints have been, and are rejoicing in the happy enjoyment of the gifts and blessing of the gospel of Christ. Many of our sectarian neighbors entertain towards us, feelings of the most hostile nature, while others certainly are our friends. Something about the time the branch was organized, I received a challenge to discuss the claims of the Book of Mormon to divine authenticity. We met pursuant to appointment, and discoursed one evening. We met the next evening; but alas, for the cause of the poor old Devil, (his cause could not stand.) My opponent's moderator, who by the bye, is a class leader, and member of the Legislature, did not appear. My opponent's friends persuaded him to abandon the contest; and we agreed, at their request, to adjourn until they could get La Roy Sunderland, or some other clergyman to take it up: and so their champion has not appeared yet. Of course the adjournment still continues, and no doubt will, until the resurrection of the unjust. Since then, I received a challenge from a certain doctor of the Methodist Episcopal church in order to discuss the merits of the articles of religion as contained in their discipline. We met in their synagogue, and took our position behind the shrine of their deity-and his half frantic votaries labored so hard to sustain the reputation of their own dear Baal, that they got such a fit of spiritual gout, that they have hardly got over it since.
The whole number of members that have been baptised [baptized] into this branch, is sixty-five-four have been added by letter, six are expelled, some have removed to Nauvoo, and some to other places. The brethren here are very anxious to emigrate to Illinois; so you may expect to see all of us in Zion this Fall, that can possibly get there. To give you an idea of the unity of our faith, and consequent enjoyment, I will just say, that there is not a member of this branch but what keeps the word of wisdom,
I am glad to find that the annual conference has sent several elders to Connecticut. The blue laws are no more in existence here; nevertheless, there are very many individuals who are blue enough, I can assure you. However, in my opinion, the honest people of this State are ripe for the gospel, although the gospel has been preached in this section of country for a year and a half: yet doors are opened on every side, and nearly all people are calling for preaching. Although at a the May Conference, held in New York city, four of our members were ordained to the office of elder, yet we cannot fill the openings that are made. May the Lord raise up laborers and send them forth, that the wheat may be speedily gathered into the Lord's garner, even Zion, that the chaff may be burned up by the brightness of his coming.
WESLEY WANDELL.
I enclose you $2,00 for one copy of the Times and Seasons. Direct it to Benjamin Benedict, New Canaan, Fairfield county, Connecticut. I hope to be able to send you more subscribers soon. I will use my best exertions to increase your subscription list. Yours in the new covenant.
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