| 136 The following items are from the Herald for May 1, 1876:
Bro. J. H. Lee writes from Myrtle Creek, Oregon, March 29, that Bro. J. C. Clapp had preached there and baptized three. There were many calls to preach in that region.
Bro. J. H. Hansen writes from Milton, Florida, April 15, that the cause in that country is in a good condition; that he is as busy as he can be, preaching constantly. His health is excellent, considering the amount of work he does.
Bro. J. Goodale writes from Barry, Pike County, Illinois, April 23, 1876, that he has since conference baptized four at Pittsfield, two of them sons of Bro. C. Mills, all heads of families and esteemed as the best of citizens.
The Welsh annual conference was held at Aberaman, Wales, May 14, 1876, Robert Evans, presiding; E. Morgan, secretary. The authorities of the church throughout the world were sustained, including Joseph Smith, president of the church; Thomas Taylor, in charge
funds in their hands, be subject to the ministry as their right, be they whomsoever they may be; and we believe that this rule should be observed more than it has been.
We believe that it is intended that each quorum, in its place, should see that the powers of the church, both spiritual and temporal, are properly administered, and not wrested on the one hand into empty theories, false doctrines, or for personal power, nor on the other for selfish aggrandizement or individual ends, yet that all this is to be done in a proper manner, and without infringing upon the lawful privileges or jurisdiction of any quorum or body.
It is evident to us that the words "so obtained," as found in the word of 1861, clearly marks that "executing the law of tithing," only means obtaining funds for the church; that is teaching its propriety, necessity, and legality, and not that "executing" means also controlling or disbursing the funds, neither having the power to do so at their will, or on their demand.
The words that follow show that "seeing" to its use is an after consideration, and this the Twelve properly have a right to counsel about, because of their supervising connection with the prospects and prosperity of the spiritual affairs of the church, according as they are able to legislate in the conferences (58:12), or beforehand to counsel and advise with other authorities; for we do not believe that "seeing" to it necessarily includes either handling the money, or the right, as their right, to call it out of the hands of either the Bishop or his agents, as we have heard it expressed.
We believe that the first paramount duty in relation to this matter is the systematic teaching of the will of God, known as the law of tithing, whenever the quorums of the church, each in their place, shall become sufficiently enlightened and agreed upon it, and so obedient to the letter and spirit of it, as to present it in a unity of doctrine and precept, of order and practice, of humility and righteousness, and not as a matter of coercion, of force nor of fear, but as one of conscience, even of conscience regulated by the word of God; as a necessary doctrine, and one which the people of God who receive and obey it will obtain the blessings promised for so doing.
And we believe that the Twelve are charged, in the revelation of 1861, with teaching this law to the church, as their part of the work of executing and accomplishing it; and the teaching it in connection with the Bishop is properly a part of their mission as ministers of the gospel, and of the law and order of the church throughout the world; also, that they exercise special watchcare over the temporal affairs of the church only as their
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