| 558 defendants liable for each separate act of unlawful cohabitation.
In consequence of severe drought in Texas, the previous season, many of the Saints in Texas were in a suffering condition, and made an appeal to the church and in general for help. This appeal was indorsed [endorsed] by Bishop Blakeslee, and their wants were in a measure relieved by donations from different parts of the church.
On February 13, 1887, Willow Valley Branch in the Little Sioux District, was organized by Elder Charles Derry. J. H. Hunt, president; J. F. Harper, priest; F. Harper, teacher; A. H. Hunt, deacon; Henry Purcell, clerk.
On February 20 the Logan Branch in the same district was organized by Elder Charles Derry, with fifty-two members. Phineas Cadwell, president; J. C. Johnson, priest; W. R. Davison, teacher; Charles S. Kennedy, deacon; Adelia Card, clerk.
These two branches were composed of members formerly belonging to the Magnolia Branch.
February 20 the Saints' chapel in Oakland, California, was dedicated. Elders H. P. Brown, G. S. Lincoln, John Parsons, C. A. Parkin, D. J. Philips, and J. W. Vernon participated.
About this time Elder J. H. Peters had an edition of the Voice of Warning printed at his own expense, and circulated copies freely through elders and Saints in different parts of the country, and good results were reported from many places.
In the early part of this year a pamphlet written by Elder David Whitmer, entitled "An Address to all Believers in Christ, by a Witness to the Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon," was circulated throughout the church. In this address Elder Whitmer reaffirms in the most positive language, his testimony published in connection with the Book of Mormon, and claims that in 1838 the church went into transgression and lost the Spirit of God; and that he at that time withdrew from the church, and had remained comparatively inactive until
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