1844 05 01 Times and Seasons Minutes of Conference

Latest revision as of 13:51, 2 September 2019

From the Times and Seasons 1 May 1844, pg 524-526

[edit] Minutes of Conference

of the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints held in the City of New York on the 3rd and 4th days of April, 1844.

The conference met at the Military Hall at half-past 10 o'clock A. M. and was organized by calling Elder Wm. Smith to the chair, and appointing Elder Wm. H Miles, Clerk, there were present 2 High Priests, 12 Elders, and 2 Priests.

The conference was opened by singing, and prayer by the President.

The President then addressed the conference upon the object, and purposes of their meeting. Elder Geo. T Leach was then called upon to represent the Branch in New York, but not having the records, was excused until afternoon.

Elder A Everitt then called for information concerning the alleged disorganization of the Branch at Satauket L. I. on motion,

Resolved, that Elder Hultz, make his statement of Elder's Bolton, and Raymond's proceedings in the Branch; which was done.

Elder Raymond then made his statement and presented Elder Page's letter written to him, which was read by the Clerk, and after a number of remarks by the Elders, the President said that in the disorganization of a Branch, the members were not cut off from the Church, and unless there was sufficient cause to justify them, Elder's Bolton and Raymond had no authority to disorganize the Branch, therefore,

Resolved that the Conference do not consider the branch at Satauket disorganized, on motion,

Resolved, that 3 Elders be authorizd to examine into, and settle the difficulties of the Church in that place, whereupon,

Elder's McClain, Geo. T. Leech, and Willey, were selected for that purpose, on motion, adjourned until half-past 2 o'clock P. M.

The conference convened, at half-past 2 o'clock, P. M. after singing, and prayer, the President made some cheering remarks on the prosperity of the cause.

Elder Willey declined acting with the committee appointed in the forenoon, to settle the difficulties in the Satauket Branch, whereupon,

Elder John Leach was chosen in his stead.

Elder Geo. T. Leach represented the Branch in N. York, numbering 152 members including 3 High Priests, 13 Elders, 3 Priests, 4 Teachers 1 Deacon, added since last conference 19, Deaths 2, Cut off 4, Moved 27.

Elder Merrill represented the branch at Norwalk, Connecticut: 38 members, including three elders, two priests, one teacher, one deacon: 23 removed to Zion, two to New York, and three added by baptism since last conference. Elder Merrill stated that the branch would nearly all remove to Zion this spring.

Elder Raymond represented the branch at Hemstead; 41 members, including one elder, one priest, one teacher, and three added by baptism since last conference; at Jerusalem, nine miles south, there were three members.

Elder Snyder represented the branch at Brooklyn, 15 members, including one priest, one teacher, and one deacon.

Elder John Leach, represented the branch at Mead's Basin, 12 members including one priest, one teacher one deacon; and also at Wynockie and Pompton, 10 members not organized. Elder Leach gave a very interesting account of his labors.

Brother K. Morris, represented the branch at Bridgeport, 10 members, including one elder, and one teacher, all in good standing.

Elder John Leach reported five members not organized, at Mechanicsville and New Germantown.

Elder McClain gave an account of his visits to Hudson, Albany, and Rochester. He also gave a favorable account of the prosperity of the cause in Boston, Lowell and Salem.

Elder Wm. H. Miles, representing the branch at Newark; 12 members, including one priest.

Elder Willey gave an account of his travels and ministry; he has been laboring in New Haven county, Connecticut, with elder Pell. He stated that there was about fifty believers in North Haven, and near one hundred in a neighboring village. Elder Davis was preaching in the Baptist church, in the town of Straitsville; the people were believing, and he was baptizing every Sunday. There were also many in the city of New Haven ready to obey the gospel.

Brother White represented the branch at Middletown, Connecticut; 17 members, including three elders, in good standing, nearly all going to Zion soon.

Elder Young represented the branch at Patterson; eight members, including one elder and one teacher.

Elder Merrill then gave an account of his labors, and the prosperity of the cause, in the region where he labored; after which,

President William Smith made some remarks upon the prosperity and future prospects of the church, which are calculated to encourage the breast of every true saint of God.

On motion of elder A. Everett, brother T. Dennis was chosen to be ordained to the office of an elder. Brother T. Dennis was then ordained under the hands of elders Smith, Geo. T. Leach and Everett.

On motion, adjourned till to-morrow at 1-2 past 10 o'clock. Closed by singing and benediction.

Met agreeable to adjournment, singing and prayer by elder Smith.

Elder Sandburn represented the branch at New Bedford; 60 members, two elders, three priests, four teachers, three deacons; and the branch at Newport, R. I., 21 members, one elder, one teacher, two deacons. He also gave an account of his labors, and the prosperity of the cause in the place where he had been laboring.

On motion, Resolved, That brothers Everett and Leech, be appointed to wait upon elder Hewitt, to know his reasons for not attending conference.

Elders Lane and Leech laid before the conference a statement concerning the condition of the Brooklyn branch, and the presiding elder's conduct.

On motion, Resolved, That two responsible elders be empowered by this conference to go to the branch at Brooklyn, to enuire into the affairs of the church, and if necessary to disorganize the branch and re-organize, and choose another presiding elder; whereupon,

Elders Everett and Holmes were appointed for that purpose.

On motion the following were nominated and chosen for the office of elders.

John Swackhammer, H. J. Doremus, David Fairbank, brother Wally.

Also the following as priests: A. Brockelbanks, K. Morris, James Thompson, S. Leaver.

James Miller was ordained teacher.

On motion, Resolved, That should elder Meynell go to Europe, he will have the approbation of this conference, therefore,

Resolved, That the clerk be instructed to give him a certificate to that effect.

On motion, Resolved, That the conference proceed to ordinations.

On motion adjourned till 1-2 past 2 o'clock, P. M.

Conference convened; after singing and prayer by elder Miles, brother Wm. Smith rose and addressed the saints at great length upon certain reports abroad among the saints.

The elders appointed to wait upon brother Hewitt reported.

The branch at New Rochelle was represented by elder Wolf; numbering 15 members, one elder, three priests, one teacher, in good standing.

Elder George T. Leach submitted to the conference a proposition for publishing a weekly paper for the disseminating of our principles, which was read by the clerk, after some discussion upon the wisdom of such a course. The President spoke at length in favor of the proposition.

On motion, Resolved, That the proposition be accepted, and a committeee of five be appointed to act upon it. Whereupon, elder Wright, George T. Leach, Brockelbanks, Miles, and John Leach, were appointed as a committee.

On motion, Resolved, That the minutes be accepted.

Resolved, That elder Wright, be appointed to co-operate with the clerk, to prepare the minutes for publication.

On motion, Resolved, That the thanks of this conference be tendered to the president for his able manner of presiding, and also to the clerk for his services.

On motion, Resolved, That this conference determine to uphold the authorities of the church.

Resolved, That this conference adjourn to meet the first Wednesday in September next, at 1-2 past 10 o'clock, A. M.

Closed by singing and benediction.

WM. SMITH, Chairman.

WM. H. MILES, Clerk.