| 668 to a committee of three on the part of the majority. This committee of which Dr. Durbin was chairman, on the last day of the session submitted a reply to the protest which was also entered on the journal.
The lines having been thus distinctly drawn between the parties, the next step taken was to rescind the resolution of 1840, declaring it inexpedient to permit colored persons to give testimony in a church trial, in all cases where such testimony is not allowed by the civil courts.-This resolution had been a source of trouble at the north, and it was repealed by a strong vote, without much discussion.
Thus defeated on every issue, the southern delegates united in a formal declaration that the farther jurisdiction of the general conference over the conferences at the south would be inconsistent with the success of the ministry in this part of the country. This declaration was referred to a committee of nine, who were instructed, in case they could not succeed in making an amicable adjustment of the difficulty, to devise, if possible, a plan for a constitutional division of the church. The committee made their report on Friday, the 7th inst. They proposed to submit a proposition to the annual conferences for such an alteration of the restrictive articles of the Discipline as would permit the next general conference, in case the South should find it necessary to withdraw and form a new ecclesiastical organization, to make an amicable division of all the church property.-This proposition was adopted by a nearly unanimous vote, and if sanctioned by the annual conferences, as it probably will be, the south will be free to secede from the church if she choose to do so. Whether she will do this or not, time only can determine."
-> This sudden ecclesiactical [ecclesiastical] opposition to slavery, bolstered up by national prejudice, will eventually be the overthrow of the methodist and American union, slavery and peace, unless each party gives up their rights.
AN EPISTLE OF THE TWELVE,
TO THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS:-Greeting;
Dear Brethren,
Having promised in our former epistles to address you from time to time, we now proceed to give you further information relative to the welfare of the church both temporally and spiritually; the building up of Nauvoo; the gathering of the saints; the building of the temple; the establishment of manufacturing, and various branches of industry; the support of the poor, and the preserving of peace, good order, union, love and truth: to the suppression of vice, and every kind of disorder, evil and immorality.
THE TEMPLE, as a great and glorious public work, immediately connected with the completion of our preparations, and ordinances, touching our salvation and exaltation, and that of our dead, necessarily claims our first, and most strict attention. And we rejoice to say for the encouragement of all that its walls are now ready to receive the capitols, and the arches of the upper story windows; and in fact, seven of the capitols are already reared. The timbers are also being framed, and reared on the inside. In short it is progressing with a rapidity which is truly astonishing.
Let the saints now send in their young men who are strong to labor, together with money, provisions, clothing, tools, teams, and every necessary means, such as they know they will want when they arrive, for the purpose of forwarding this work.
Brethren, bring all your tithings into the store house, and prove the Lord, and see if he will not pour out a blessing, that there will not be room enough to receive.
Yes, brethren, we verily know and bear testimony, that a cloud of blessing, and of endowment, and the keys of the fulness [fullness] of the priesthood, and of things pertaining to eternal life, is hanging over us, and ready to burst upon us; or upon as many as live worthy of it, so soon as there is a place found on earth to receive it. Therefore, let no cunningly devised fable, no false delusive spirit, or vision, no man or set of men who go out from us, but are not of us, have any influence on your minds for a moment, to draw your minds away from this all important work. But enter steadily and regularly upon a strict observance of the law of tithing, and of free-will offerings, till Jehovah shall say it is enough; your offerings are accepted: then come up to the house of the Lord, and be taught in his ways, and walk in his paths; yea, enter his sanctuary; and receive the oil of joy, for mourning, and the garment of praise, for the spirit of heaviness.
THE GATHERING, next claims our attention as a work of salvation, to be accomplished in wisdom and prudence. Your prophets and apostles, have often told you, that he [the] saints cannot gather together in large numbers, and be able to enjoy the comforts and necessaries of life, without the necessary calculations and preparations, for their employment and support. Not only must farms be cultivated, houses built, and mills to grind the corn, but there must be something produced by industry, to send off to market in exchange for cash, and
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