| 845 seventeen members, two elders and one priest, all in good standing. The branch at Shirk river, of eight members, one teacher, and one deacon. The branch at Shrewsbury, of about eight members and one priest. The branch at Tom's River of about forty three members, two elders, one teacher, and one deacon; and stated that there were four members on Staten Island; and that he had baptized six at Long Branch.
Elder Adams represented the branch in the city of Brooklin [Brooklyn] to consist of sixteen members, exclusive of one elder, one priest, and one deacon; and then gave a brief but highly interesting account of his mission to England.
The branch at New Rochelle, N. Y. was represented by Elder John Wolf, to consist of twenty members, one elder, one priest, and one teacher.
The branch at Setauket, L. I. was represented by W. Carmichael, to consist of thirty members, one priest, one teacher, and one deacon.
Elder J. W. Latson preferred the following charge against Elder J. G. Divine, viz: writing a letter to president Sidney Rigdon, on or about the 30th of August last, traducing his character, and containing allegations which are not true, and then addressed the conference on the subject of his charge.
At this stage of the proceedings, a quarter before 7 o'clock, the conference took a recess for one hour.
EVENING SESSION.
The conference re-assembled, and after singing and prayer proceeded to business.
The president made some pertinent remarks on the subject matter of the controversy.
Elder Adams exhorted the brethren to settle the difficulty between themselves.
Elder Latson consented to drop it if Elder Divine would make acknowledgements [acknowledgments].
Elder D. having confessed and asked forgiveness, Elder L. expressed himself perfectly satisfied.
On motion of Elder Everett it was
Resolved, That the conference accept the confession made by Elder Divine, and of what has been said and done by Elder Latson, and consider that the matter has been settled according to the laws of the church.
Moved and seconded, That Charles E. Spencer, Jesse C. Braley, of N. Y. and Geo. T. Leech, of Norwalk, Ct. be ordained elders. Carried.
These persons were then ordained under the hands of Elders Foster, Nickerson, Adams, Maginn, Everett and Wandell.
Moved and seconded, That the president and secretary be authorized to furnish new licenses to those elders within the limits of this conference who are entitled to receive them.
The conference adjourned until 9 o'clock to-morrow morning.
Thursday morning, 9 o'clock the conference met agreeeably [agreeably] to adjournment, and are opened with singing and prayer.
The president represented the branch in the city of New York to consist of about 200 members, about twenty of whom have been received by baptism, and 5 to 10 by certificate, since last conference.
It having been reported by several elders that the branch at Hempstead, L. I was in a cold state, and that some unkind feelings existed in it, Elder Maginn was deputed to proceed to that branch and regulate it;* and Elder Beebee to visit the branch at Setauket, L. I.
The delegates generally gave very cheering accounts of the progress of the cause of truth, and stated that the calls for preaching were very numerous.
Elder Maginn addressed the audience at considerrble [considerable] length, giving an interesting narrative of his travels and labors, and some valuable instruction to those who have been called to the ministry.
On motion, it was
Resolved, That the next general conference be held in the city of New York on the third Wednesday in October, next
Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed to transmit a copy of the minutes to the editor of the "Times and Seasons," with a request that he would give them a place in his valuable paper.
The minutes of the conference were read and approved.
The Conference then adjourned sine die.
The benediction was pronounced by the President.
L. R. FOSTER, President.
J. M. Bernhisel, Secretary.
* Elder M. reported on his return that he found the branch in a better state than
(page 845) |
