| 13 Joseph Knight. He and I had many and serious conversations on the important subject of man's eternal salvation: we had got into the habit of praying much at our meetings and Newel had said that he would try and take up his cross, and pray vocally during meeting; but when we again met together he rather excused himself; I tried to prevail upon him making use of the figure, supposing that he should get into a mudhole would he not try to help himself out? and that we were willing now to help him out of the mudhole, he replied that provided he had got into a mudhole through carelessness, he would rather wait and get out himself, than have others to help him, and so he would wait until he should get into the woods by himself, and there he would pray. Accordingly he retired into the woods; where (according to his own account afterwards) he made several attempts to pray but could scarcely do so, feeling that he had not done his duty, but that he should have prayed in the presence of others. He began to feel uneasy, and continued to feel worse both in mind and body, until upon reaching his own house, his appearance was such as to alarm his wife very much. He requested her to go and bring me to him. I went and found him suffering very much in his mind, and his body acted upon in a very strange manner. His visage and limbs distorted and twisted in every shape and appearance possible to imagine; and finally he was caught up off the floor of the apartment and tossed about most fearfully. His situation was soon made known to his neighbors and relatives, and in a short time as many as eight or nine grown persons had got together to witness the scene. After he had thus suffered for a time, I succeeded in getting hold of him by the hand, when almost immediately he spoke to me, and with great earnestness requested of me, that I should cast the devil out of him, saying that he knew he was in him, and that he also knew that I could cast him out., I replied "if you know that I can it shall be done," and then almost unconsciously I rebuked the devil; and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from him; when immediately Newel spoke out and said that he saw the devil leave him and vanish from his sight.
This was the first miracle which was done in this church or by any member of it, and it was done not by man nor by the power of man, but it was done by God, and by the power of godliness: therefore let the honor and the praise, the dominion and the glory be ascribed to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for ever and ever Amen.
CONFERENCE MINUTES
Minutes of a conference held at Mead's Basin, Passaic co., N. J., Sept. 4, 1842.
Pursuant to previous appointment, a conference met as above, to organize a branch of the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" for Little Falls and Mead's Basin.
Present-one high priest, two elders, one teacher and one deacon.
At 1 o'clock P. M. the meeting was called to order by Elder John Leach, (who has been instrumental in building up this branch,) whereupon Elder A. Everett was unanimously chosen president and Br. A. E. Wright, clerk.
Elder A. Everett made some remarks on the order of the Church of Christ; its officers, and their duties.
After which the following officers were proposed and unanimously chosen.
Br. C. E. Bolton to be ordained elder. A. E. Wright of Philadelphia branch elder.
James Wheat priest. Br. Joseph Fairbank teacher.
Samuel Ely teacher. J Brewer jr. deacon.
The officers chosen as above were then ordained by the laying on of hands, by Elder A Everett and Elder John Leach.
After which several members were confirmed having been previously baptized.
The sacrament was then administered by Elders Everett and Leach.
The remainder of the time allotted for the occupancy of the room, was taken up in the bearing of testimony of the power of the everlasting gospel.
Resolved, that the minutes of this conference be sent, with a request to have them published in the Times and Seasons.
Closed with prayer by Elder Everett. ADDISON EVERETT, Pres't. A. E. Wright, clerk.
Dayton, Ohio, October 8th 1842.
A conference was held at the house of Br. John Waterman, agreeable to previous appointment, Elder Lyman Wight was called to the chair; Elders Joel Judd, and Alexander Badlam, appointed clerks. Opened by singing;-prayer by Elder Joel Judd. Elder Lyman Wight arose and addressed the conference on the subject of calling conferences; he remarked that the manner in which we were convened, was very unlike that of many at the present day;-but ours was to know who in this conference are now willing to engage in putting down error, and of preaching the gospel in its simplicity. He observed that it was high time
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