| 681 unanimously resolved that Brother Hewett be excommunicated.
Elder Brannan spoke at length in favor of sustaining the Twelve. Brother Adams said he had been slandered for the same, and made some very pertinent remarks; after which, adjourned until 7 1-2 o'clock, P. M.
Met at half past seven o'clock in the evening. Elder Smith arose and said there was many things which grieved him,-he said it appeared that he was unfortunate in most things since he had been in the city-thought it strange that elders should give credence to such stories-had last winter proved them false by the very individuals who originated the stories against him before the church in conference; he had told openly all the mysteries to-day that he had ever made known to any of them-not one could say aught [ought] against him in this city. he therefore had nothing to repent of Brother Braidwood bore testimony to the christian-like conduct of President Smith at the very places where the stories originated; Brother Adams said it was hard enough for a man in the prime of life to suffer, while he might be engaged at a large salary without being slandered-Adjourned until 10 o'clock, A. M. next day.
Met again, according to adjournment, at 10 1-2 o'clock, A. M., and after singing and prayer, Brother Smith gave a very able discourse on Jer. xvi. he spoke of the many elders who made no effort to get out into the world to publish the fulness [fullness] of the gospel, where they might exercise their talents in the work of God. and be the means of doing much good,-that they could not expect to be blessed with those who had waded through troubles and difficulties to publish to the world the gospel. He dwelt at some length on the hunters and fishers of men that the text spoke of being in the last days-that the young elders should be among them. If the ancients had not gone forward, the scriptures could not have been fulfiled [fulfilled]; we have all got to bear our part in the work, if we expect to be blessed and inherit the glories of the faithful; suppose Peter, John, Paul, and the rest should have made the same excuse that many of you do now, do you think it would have been well for them? I answer no, it would not, they went forward and proved themselves men of God.-He (Elder Smith,) had gone forward when a mere boy, with no advantage of education from house to house, traveling from place to place, and had been obliged to ask for something to eat; hungry and faint, travelling [traveling] with blistered feet-spoke at great length on the privations which the first elders of the church had to endure for their sake; he painted the situation of the church of Christ fourteen years ago, with but six members, and against whom all the combined powers of superstition, bigotry, and tradition, were levelled [leveled], and its steady progress in the face of all opposition. His remarks occupied near two hours, and were consoling to those who are faithful, and stimulating to those who had become luke-warm in the cause of God.
Adjourned till three o'clock P. M.
Met at three o'clock, P. M. The President called upon the elders for a representation of their different branches, which were as follows;
New York, G. T. Leach, Presiding Elder, two high priests, six elders, seven priests, one deacon, two teachers, and one hundred and ninety four members.
Granville, Monmouth county, N. J., seventeen members; three elders, all in good standing, excepting two. Warren Wallace, P. E.
Whynoque, N. J., baptised [baptized] by Elder John Leach, sixteen members, one priest, and one teacher.
Hempstead, L. I., forty-four members, one elder, one priest, two teachers. All in good standing since the last conference. Two cut off, three added by certificate, one by baptism. S. J. Raymond, P. E.
Brooklyn, L. I., twenty-eight members, one high priest, three elders, one priest, one teacher, one deacon, one cut off, and seven baptized since last conference. All in good standing; best of prospects given by Brother Miles, P. E. Brother Miles feels in high spirits in anticipation of the future.
Sataucket, L. I., branch, seventeen members, two elders, one priest, two teachers, one deacon, all in good standing, Lewis Hulse, P. Elder.
Newark, fourteen members. Elder Ross wants an elder to be sent there.
White House, Mechanicsville, not organised [organized], wants some one to go there, &c. N. Germantown, N. J, Few members in both places.
On motion of Elder Wright, it was resolved, that all the elders use their influence to collect monies [moneys], to assist in the building of the Temple of the Lord; and that wherever they go, they will impress upon the saints the necessity of tithing themselves according to the commandments.
On motion of Elder Braidwood, resolved, that we approve of the course pursued by the publishers of the "Prophet," and that we will use every means in our power to increase its circulation.
Resolved, that we sustain all the authorities of the church of God.
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