| 558 "'Dear Brethren in the Lord:-At a council of the pastors of our church, held March 28, 1835, upon the propriety of the Rev. John Hewitt visiting you, it was resolved and approved that as he had an anxious desire to go to America to see the things that are spoken of in one of your papers brought here by a merchant from New York, he should have, as he desired, the sanction of the council, and if it pleased the Lord, his approval. The Lord hath seen our joy and gladness to hear that he was raising up a people for himself in that part of the New World, as well as here. O, may our faith increase that he may have evangelists, apostles, and prophets, filled with the power of the Spirit, and performing his will in destroying the works of darkness.
"'The Rev. Mr. Hewitt was Professor of Mathematics in Rotherham Independent Seminary, and four years pastor of Barnsley Independent Church. He commenced preaching the doctrines we taught about two years since, and was excommunicated. Many of his flock followed him, so that he was eventually installed in the same church, and the Lord's work prospered. As he is a living epistle, you will have, if all be well, a full explanation. Many will follow, should he approve of the country, etc., who will help the cause, because the Lord hath favored them with this world's goods. We had an utterance during our meeting, which
Behold, here is wisdom, yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet; having all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of the church.
43. And it is according to the vision, showing the order of the seventy that they should have seven presidents to preside over them, chosen out of the number of the seventy, and the seventh president of these presidents is to preside over the six; and these seven presidents are to choose other seventy besides the first seventy, to whom they belong, and are to preside over them; and also other seventy until seven times seventy, if the labor in the vineyard of necessity requires it. And these seventy are to be traveling ministers unto the Gentiles, first, and also unto the Jews whereas other officers of the church, who belong not unto the twelve neither to the seventy, are not under the responsibility to travel among all nations, but are to travel as their circumstances shall allow, notwithstanding they may hold as high and responsible offices in the church.
44. Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved, shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen.
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