1858-08-29-New York Herald-The Mormons

The Mormons

New York Herald, 29 August 1858, p. 3; col A

The Mormons

Mormon Conference at Philadelphia

Great Gathering of the Mormon Priesthood of the Middle States--Tall Preaching--A New Movement in the States--Addresses to the Elders, Etc.

On Saturday and Sunday last the Mormons in Philadelphia had an astonishing "big time" rejoicing in the faith of the Latter Day "apostles," and comforting and cheering each other in "the glorious hope" set before them in the rise of the Mormon kingdom. Brigham Young was unanimously sustained by the faithful in the plentitude of his power and influence as President, prophet, seer and revelator to the Church of the Saints "throughout the whole world." The meeting on Sunday afternoon and evening was held in Mitchell's public hall, corner of Fourth and Vine streets, where the disciples from different parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, assembled in considerable numbers. Among them on the occasion there were no less than two high priests, one seventy, fifty elders, ten priests, six teachers and four deacons. The "High Council," from what was said on Sunday, appears to have met on Saturday evening in private session, and transacted the business for the Saints in the city and for the churches of the Saints for some three or four hundred miles around. From the representation and allusions made to the Saturday evening meeting it was evident that the Mormons have a very expensive and thorough organization in the Middle States, whose centre and "power of strength" is in the quiet city of Brotherly Love.

FIRST SESSION.

The meeting on Sunday afternoon commenced at half past two o'clock. President Reinsimer called the meeting to order, and the congregation sung a Mormon hymn, of which the following are the first and last verses:--

The morning breaks, the shadows flee,

Lo! Zion's standard is unfurl'd!

The dawning of a brighter day

Majestic rises on the world.

• * * * * * *

Angels from heaven and truth from earth (*)

Have met, and both have record borne;

Thus Zion's light is bursting forth,

To bring her ransomed children home.

(*) The book of Mormon, of course.

These and the intervening verses sung, with considerable earnest enthusiasm, the Saints were invited to "engage in prayer," led on by Elder Lyon, President of the New York Conference, who invoked the Spirit to regulate their hearts and instruct them in their duties and obligations to those in authority in Zion (Utah) and elsewhere.

THE SACRAMENT.

After the prayer two elders advanced to the table on which was bread and wine--or water rather, as the Mormons are forbidden to use the fermented of Gentile fabrication. Having broken the bread during the singing of another hymn, they knelt and offered a prayer of consecration; that over, which was very short, the choir broke the solemn silence with the Wesleyan hymn,

Arise, my soul, arise,

Shake off thy guilty fears, &c.

During the passing of the bread and wine to the congregation the President of the Eastern Mission took the platform to address the congregation. He was much pleased, he said, to see the Saints in Pennsylvania, and those from the surrounding States, assembled in conference once more in Philadelphia. When last they had met in that hall dark clouds were hanging thick and heavy over Utah. None expected less than war for some years. Notwithstanding the disparity between the forces of the United States and their resources and those of our brethren, not a heart was apprehensive of danger to Utah. We all felt in the darkest hour that the Lord was with his people, and in spite of the worst feelings and wicked inventions of men to bring about the destruction of the Prophet, we were confident that, take place what might, nothing could succeed against either. The then future to them was unknown, but they were rich in confidence. No society in the world could have occupied the same trying position and presented the same unwavering confidence in the ultimate triumph of their cause. Never a word of doubt was lisped by the Saints, but a deep seated conviction that right would prevail. Such were the sentiments at the commencement of the troubles, and the facts of to-day establish the well grounded faith of the Saints. Peace was restored, and Utah affairs move along now as before. The hostile feeling that a twelve-month ago was very prevalent in the States had subsided, and, more or less, something of a reaction had taken place. The excitement was over, and in their soberness many were, no doubt, satisfied that it was well there was an overruling Providence who sometimes crossed the calculations of men, and hindered them from spreading the ruin and devastation that passing evil influences had planted in their hearts. The settlement of the Utah difficulty, and the recent intelligence from that Territory, together with instructions recently received, had led the speaker to call the Saints together. He wanted to see the men who governed the Saints in the East, and wanted to know them, and wanted every one of them to know him, and to live in his spirit and counsels, as he would endeavor to live in the spirit and counsels of President Brigham Young. It was President Young's place to know the mind and will of the Lord concerning the work of the Latter Days, and to give it that direction the Lord should indicate. It was the speaker's place to seek, after the mind and spirit of Brigham, for the direction of the work in the Eastern States, and that should be his guide. The presidents of conferences and districts and branches would seek after his mind and spirit, and by that govern the Saints committed to their charge, and with the help of the Lord the perfect bond of unity that distinguished the Saints from the Gentiles would be preserved and the interests of the kingdom be advanced. There were a number of presidents present, and he would introduce them to the Saints that they might express their feelings feely on passing events and the work of the Lord. He wished all to feel free and to speak about anything but "hell, fire and brimstone," and to keep from grumbling. He introduced--

President Reinsimer, of Philadelphia, as an American Mormon. He was indifferent to what the people might think of him on account of his profession of faith. He had at one time been connected with Methodism, but had always difficulty to get along with the confused notions which their ministers taught in the name of the Gospel. He praised the name of the Lord for the intelligence which he had acquired since he heard the Mormen elders. He terminated with representing the Saints in Philadelphia "in good standing," and was pleased at being able to say that they had discharged their duties.

President Sewell, the next speaker, was from the Schuylkill mountains. He regarded Brigham Young as the prophet of the Lord; was highly pleased with his course in Utah.