1842 07 01 Times and Seasons Meeting of the New York General Conference

From the Times and Seasons 1 July 1842, pg 844

Meeting of the New York General Conference.

     A meeting of the New York General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was held puruant to previous notice, in the Hall, 245, Spring street, on Wednesday, the 18th of May. Present, seven high priests, eighteen elders, six priests, and four teachers.

     The meeting having been called to order, Elder L. R. Foster was elected president, and J. M. Bernhisel appointed Secretary.

     A fervent address to the throne of grace was offered by G. J. Adams.

     Delegates being called on to represent the different branches, Elder E. P. Maginn, of one of the quorums of seventy elders represented the following, viz:--The branch at Peterborough, N. H. to consist of seventy one members, including one priest and one teacher, all baptized by himself.

     The branch at Gilsum, N. H. to consist of from twenty to thirty members.

     The branch at New Salem, Mass. to consist of thirty six members, on the 1st of March last.

     The branch at Wendell; Mass. to consist of about thirty five members.

     The branch at Leverett, in the same state, to consist of twenty members, and stated that he had delivered a course of lectures in the city of Lowell, and had baptized ten.

     Priest Merrill represented the branch at Norwalk, Ct. to consist of thirty one members, all in good standing.

     C. H. Wandell, who is the presiding elder of the above branch, corroborated the preceding report, and stated that he had baptized ninteen since last conference.

     Elder Dougherty reported that he and Elder Lane had labored for several months in Orange county, N. Y., in Essex county, N. J., and in Pennsylvenia, and had baptized eleven.

     Elder Lane confirmed the report of his colleague, and added that they had held a discussion with Mr. Origen Bachelor, the result of which was the removal of much prejudice, and the conversion of many opponents into friends.

     Elder F. Nickerson stated that he had organized a branch of thirty members in Boston; had baptized eighteen since then, and that many were investigating. he also remarked that he had baptized seven at Cape Cod--that there were four members at Medfield, and five at New Bedford, Mass.

     Elder Dougherty reported that there were three members, including one priest, at Pompton, N. J.

     Elder Beebe represented five members, not organized, at Hicksville, L. I.

     Elder Leach represented the branch at Paterson N. J. to consist of ninteen members, two priests, one teacher, and one deacon.

     Elder J. G. Divine represented the branch at Granville, N. J. to consist of seventeen members, two elders and one priest, all in good standing. The branch at Shirk river, of eight members, 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 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.

     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 agreeably to adjournment, and was 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 or 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 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 benedictionwas pronounced by the President.

          L. R. FOSTER, President.

          J. M. BERNHISEL, Secretary.