1843 04 15 Times and Seasons-Conference Minutes
From the Times and Seasons 15 April 1843, pg 174-175
CONFERENCE MINUTES.
Extract from the minutes of a conference held in the city of New York, October 19th, 1842.
The conference was organized by electing elder Moses Marrin, chairman, and L. R. Foster, clerk; and after prayer by elder Wandell, reports from the different branches were heard.
The branch in New York was represented by elder Foster. The whole number of persons who have been admitted into this branch, both by baptism and by certificate from other branches, is three hundred and forty-seven.--Many of these have removed, so that the number at present residing in the city is about one hundred and sixty. There are five high priests, nine elders, two priests, and two teachers.--Eighteen have been added since the conference in May last.
The branch at Hempstead, Long Island, represented by elder Samuel J. Raymond, consists of forty-one members, including one elder, one priest, and one teacher, nearly all in good standing.
The branch at Norwalk, Connecticu, represented by elder Wandell, consists of forty-one members, including two elders, and two priests, all in good standing. Nineteen have been added since last conference by baptism, and two by letter. Eight have removed to Nauvoo, two to other places, and one has been expelled.
Then branch at Paterson, New Jersey, represented by priest E. R. Young, numbers ten, including one priest, one teacher, and one deacon.
The branch at Lodi Print Works, New Jersey, represented by elder Windley, consists of eight members; one elder, one priest, and one teacher.
The branch at Seatauket, Long Island, represented by elder R. P. Wilson, numbers thirty-one members, including one elder, two priests, one teacher, and one deacon. Eight have been baptized since last conference.
The branch at new Rochelle, New York, represented by elder Wolf, numbers twenty-six, including one high priest, three elders, two priests, one teacher, and one deacon. Five have been baptized since last conference.
The branch at Wacake, New Jersey, represented by elder M'Clain, numbers eighteen, including two elders, and one priest.
The branch at Newark, New Jersey, also represented by elder M'Clain, consists of six members, including one elder and one priest.
The branch at Mead's Basin, New Jersey, represented by elder John Leach, numbers ten, including one priest, two teachers, and one deacon.
Elder E. Ward Pell, stated that he, with others, had been preaching in New Haven, Connecticut, where there were twelve unorganized.
Elder Quarius S. Sparks, stated that in the counties of Warren, Sussex, and Morris, New Jersey, where he has been laboring lately, there were about twenty members unorganized.
Elder Jesse C. Braley stated that he had lately baptized one man at the village of Fordham, and there were two members at West Farms, New York.
Elder Martin, the chairman, said that at Windham, Green county, New York, there were eight or ten members, and one elder. He had breached there some time last summer, and on his return to this city had been sent to Hudson by elder Richards, one of the Twelve.
Priest George Clare stated that in Hudson, there were eight members, including two priests, all in good standing.
A letter from Jacob Boice, of Utica, stated the number there, to be thirty-one, including two priests, two teachers and one deacon.
Almost all the members in the above branches were said to be in good standing, and the work advaincing in each place.
Elder Martin preferred the following charges against Elder Stephen W. Crandall, of Hudson, viz: "with slandering elders of the church in good standing, and with finding fault with the heads of the church, and with offeriing to give up his license." Whereupon, after discussion, it was, with one or two dissenting votes,
Resolved, That the hand of christian fellowship be withdrawn from Elder Stephen W. Crandall, until he makes satisfaction, and that the clerk be directed to furnish him with a copy of the minutes in relation to this matter.
In the evening, Elder Charles Thomson of Batavia, delivered a discourse from the 21st verse of the prophecy of Obadiah, "And saviors shall come up on Mount Zion to judge the Mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord's."
Much instruction was given, and the conference continued in session until a late hour.--The conference assembled at an early hour next morning, and after the discussion of various matters the following resolutions were passed:
Resolved, That all the elders in this region of country, who are not within the jurisdiction of the Philadelphia, Boston, or Utica conferences, and that their names be enrolled, and they be instructed to make report of their doings to this, the New York conference.
Resolved, that in the judgement of this conference, the publication of a paper called the 'Mormon Expositor,' published at Baltimore, by elder Samuel C. Brown, is detrimental to the cause of the church of Christ, and that the clerk be instructed to transmit to the quorum of the Twelve, at Nauvoo, stating our disapprobation with the reason, and a file of the paper.
Resolved, That the clerk of this conference be authorized to call a special conference at any time previous to the next regular session, upon the requisition of six elders in good standing.
Resolved, That any elder belonging to this conference, intending to remove beyond the jurisdiction of this conference, shall give notice of his intention to the clerk.
Resolved, That a petition be sent to the quorum of the Twelve, requesting them to send elder Martin to labor in this region as soon after his return to Nauvoo as may be convenient.
Resolved, That our next conference be held in this city on the third Tuesday of May next, at 10 o'clock, A. M.
The following persons signified their readiness to go out into the world to preach the gospel, viz: Elder John Leach, J. C. Braley, C. W. Wandell, Quartus S. Sparks, Edward M'Clain, and E. Ward Pell. Priests Albert Merrill and Francis Hewitt.
Ebenezar R. Young was ordained an elder to preside over the church at Patterson, he being recommended by the church and Joseph Bouton of Norwalk, Connecticut, was ordained a priest.
The names of the members of the conference are as follows:
High Priests--L. R. Foster, Addison Everett, John M. Bernhisel, Richard Bindge and William Acker.
Quorum of the Seventy--Moses Martin and Charles Thompson.
Elders--James Canney, Joseph Beebee, Edward M'Clain, J. c. Braley, A. E. Wright, John Leach, C. W. Wandell, Quartus S. Sparks, E. Ward Pell, John Wolf, Robert Windley, R. P. Wilson, Samuel J. Raymond, Stephe F. Qua, George F. Leach, and J. B. Weydell.
Priests--Albert Merrill, Francis Hewett, E. R. Young, James Wheat, Robert Moncur, Geo. Glass, Geo. Clare, and W. Ross.
Teachers--S. H. Wadsworth, George Norvell, and Michael Bostwick.
Deacon--Alexander S. Roeland--all the foregoing were present.
The following are considered as being within the jurisdiction of this conference, but were not present, viz: Curtis E. Bolton, John Kip, Charles Polin, Richard Polin, John W. Latson, N. T. James, Peter Snyder, J. G. Divine, Edward Dougherty, Selah Lane, George Dexter, Berehart Smith, Aaron Blake, E. R. Swackhamer, John M. Baker, Jacob W.Jenks, Enoch P. Rollins, George J. Adams,David Rogers, Carl W. Breden, Alexander Clough, Elijah Fuller, Francis Benedict, Joshua Benedict, Stephen W. Crandall.
The utmost unanimity of feeling pervaded the conference the whole time, and much instruction was gained upon many points from the remarks made by the chairman and others; and a strong desire was manifested by all the members to do what they could to help forward the cause in which they are engaged.
It was clearly evident that there was a growing desire in all parts of the country, where elders had been, to hear the everlasting gospel, as proclaimed by the Latter Day Saints, and that doors would be opened in many places where it has heretofore been difficult to obtain a hearing, and on the whole, there was much to encourage elders to persevere.
After passing a vote of thanks to the chairman, and to brother and sister M'Clain, for the use of the room, the conference adjourned, to meet again according to the resolution, on the third Tuesday of May next, at 10 o'clock, A.M.
- MOSES MARTIN, Chr'mn.
- L. R. FOSTER, Cl'k.
