No. 48, Vol. XXV.

Price One Penny.

MINUTES OF A

CONFERENCE

Conference was opened at 10.30 a.m. by singing. Prayer by Elder Sanders. After singing again, Elder Sanders rose and said-That with pleasure he met the Saints in the capacity of a Conference, and he believed that all present would have cause with him to rejoice in again having the privilege of hearing from Presidents Cannon and Bentley. He was glad of having a knowledge of the truth, and also a standing in the Church and kingdom of God, as this Gospel not only promised a future, but also gave a present salvation. He was proud to be connected with so good a people as he found in the Kent Conference, and ever had a pleasure in his labors amongst them. Since the Conference in April last, the Saints had increased in faith and in the knowledge of God. The Gospel they had embraced was a

and was calculated to impart peace, happiness and joy both in time and in eternity; and, under the influence of the oiy Spirit, they would be enabled to overcome all evil and lay aside everything that would lead astray, and would be prepared to meet those judgments that were coming upon the earth. He concluded by exhorting the Saints to concentrate their minds and thoughts, that in the worship of God throughout the day they might be benefited and blessed by the instructions which would be given, and that they would treasure them up in their hearts, that they might be able to put them into practice. He then called upon the Elders to represent their Branches and Districts.

Elder Court, representing the Faversham Branch, said he rejoiced in the Gospel of peace and salvation, and in the knowledge of God who had created all things. Hoped that all who had covenanted with God would live their religion, not only to-day, but every day. The Branch he represented as progressing and striving not to be

754

behind in the duties and requirements of the Church.

Elder Smithen felt a pleasure in representing the Dover Branch, and although few in number, the Saints were willing to do as they were told. The people around had been warned by out-door preaching, but were slow to believe the message delivered unto them. The members of the Branch were scattered, but most of them had been visited by him, they felt well, and he felt glad in his labors amongst them.

Elder Allsworth representing the Canterbury Branch, said he was glad to meet with the Saints, and rejoiced with them in that knowledge of God which they had obtained through obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Saints over whom he presided were a good people, willing to do what is required of them by the servants of God. Some out-door preaching had been done by them, and they were endeavoring to fulfil their duty in the rolling on of the Work of God.

Elder Barnes, in representing the Brede Branch, said it had increased, many who had formerly gone out of the Church having now come in again, and, as a Branch, the Saints were willing and desirous to lend a hand in the rolling on of the purposes of God.

Elder Goodsell, representing the Speldhurst Branch, said that although he had been absent from the Branch some time, yet he had not been alone, for the Spirit of God had been with him, and he had endeavored to spread the truth where he lived. He wanted to do right, that he might have the approbation of God and his brethren. Since he had been at Speldhurst a Branch had been organized there of seven members, and strangers constantly attended their meetings. No out-door preaching had been done by him, for doors were thrown open and he had preached in houses, the inmates of one of which had come into the Church. Although there were tracts freely circulated against the Saints, yet the Work had not been impeded there. God had promised his Work should roll on, and all the

efforts of the wicked and hell combined would not be able to stay it.

Elder Cooke, in representing the Chatham Branch, said it was in a scattered condition, the Saints living a distance off, and consequently could not attend the meetings as often as he or they wished. His desire was to be humble and teachable in all things, and that those over whom he was placed might be actuated by the same spirit.

Elder Simons was happy to represent the few Saints at Milton, and with them felt a pleasure in doing anything for the advancement of the purposes of God.

district, said his labors had not been Elder South, in representing his confined to his own district, as he had accompanied Elders Priday and Stocking through their districts on entering upon their fields of labor, and he had rejoiced in his visits among the Saints. They were a good people, and were increasing in a knowledge of the good and other places, he had lifted up his things of God. In Brighton, Milton voice and warned the people of the judgments of God coming upon the earth. The Gospel of Jesus opened up our minds, and by its spirit, light and intelligence beamed upon us. The knowledge and ability God gave us should be used in the building up of his kingdom.

Elder Priday, in representing the Sussex district, said he had not travelled long, yet he rejoiced in the position in which God had been pleased to place him, was proud of the Branches he represented, and happy in his labors amongst the Saints. Six months ago he did not think of being. a Travelling Elder-he was about to leave this land to go home to Zion; but the servants of God thought otherwise, and had called him to his present position. It behoved him and all the Saints to be watchful and prayerful, and obedient in all things.

Elder Stocking said the Saints comprising the Branches of his district were, with him, desirous of doing those things that were pleasing to the servants of God and to their heavenly Father. He rejoiced to go forth in his calling and preach the Gospel to the nations of the earth, and was

striving with the Saints to do all he could to forward the Work of God, and concluded by exhorting the Saints to so continue faithful until they had obtained a complete and full salvation.

President Cannon then arose and said,-Although a great advancement had been made manifest in the Saints generally, yet they must not come to the conclusion that there was no more improvement necessary. The best, happiest and the safest time for the Saints was when they had improved so much as to know that they knew but very little-they would then be in a position to realize the infinitude of knowledge that there was still to be attained; said a vast improvement in the Saints had taken place all throughout the Mission. The way for the Saints had been kept open, and although war and bloodshed was taking place in America, yet the emigration had passed safely through, and they might attribute it to the faith and prayers of the servants of God, both here and in Zion, and there was a possibility, that by continual faith and prayers, the way might be kept open for some time to come, for by a continuous exertion on our part in the right direction, we have a claim upon the blessings of God; and although all should strive to get away as soon as possible, the Lord has so overruled it that all did not get away at the same time, as it is necessary that some should stay that the Work might continue to roM on in these lands; therefore none should feel discouraged, for if they were not able to go one year, there was another year coming for them to get away, and by staying in these lands a little longer, it might be beneficial to some in giving them such a disgust of Babylon, that when they got out of it they would be glad to keep out, and not go astray as many had done who had left these lands and gone up to Zion. He concluded by showing how all the labors of the Saints in Zion, morally, physically, temporally and spiritually, had a tendency to the building up of the Zion of the last days, and in the establishment of the kingdom of God upon the earth.

After singing the meeting was ad

755

Dismissed with

journed till 2 p.m. prayer by Elder Bentley.

2 p.m. After the opening services, sacrament was administered, and Elder Sanders then read the Statistical and Financial Report for the half-year, and Elder Bently moved the acceptance of the same, which was unanimously carried.

He re

Elder Bentley then said-He was glad to meet with the Saints, and to be able with them to worship God in the most acceptable manner. joiced to hear the Elders bear a testimony to the truth of the Work in which they were engaged. It is not by our preaching alone that people would be convinced of the truthfulness of the Work of God, but it is necessary that we should practice those principles of righteousness that we teach, in order to give weight to the testimony we bear. Precept and example must go together, as only one act of sin and transgression, on the part of an Elder, might be the means of keeping honest souls out of the kingdom of God. He rejoiced in the plainness of the revelations of God in these days, as they perfectly agreed with the simplicity and plainness of the Gospel and with revelation of former days, so much so that the nations of the earth will have no right to say the Gospel is so hard that they cannot understand it, for it is so plain "that a wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein," and it is calculated to restore man from the low and degraded position into which he has fallen, to that position before God his Father which will enable him to obtain all the blessings which the Lord has promised, and which he has in store for his children. It was for the enjoyment of these blessings we have a being upon the earth, and as it was through disobedience that sin, death and all the evils incident to the children of men came upon the earth, it would be through the principle of obedience that joy, peace and happiness would be restored and enjoyed, while the earth would be brought back to its primeval beauty as it was in the beginning. The joys of the children of the world are transientmany plans and systems are devised

756

by them in seeking after true happiness which they desire to obtain, but cannot lay hold of, and they know not the peace and joy that those who, through practicing the revealed will of God, through his servants, have obtained. We are liable at times to forget what we are, and that God is our Father and that we are his children, and that he is striving to bring about those things which would bless us here and bring us back into his presence hereafter. We should, therefore, endeavor to understand all that He requires at our hands; and it is not sufficient to know that Jesus is the Savior, but we must do that which he commands, by obeying the laws of his Gospel. The earth has to be prepared for the kingdom of God, which must be built up by his people, and its blessings will accrue unto those who are faithful, when the usurper is hurled out and the legitimate heir claims possession of his kingdom. The Gospel of the kingdom has to be preached to every nation, tongue and people, and it is obligatory upon us to do the work, as the reward will be ours a great work has to be done, and it is necessary if we would have salvation we must be improving every moment. The things spoken of by the Prophets who have lived and are living, are coming to pass, and the nations and people who reject the message of salvation delivered to them through the servants of God, will have to drink of the cup of bitterness prepared for them. He was glad to see so many together, to see them renew their covenant by partaking of the sacrament, for in so doing they were greatly blessed; and if the blessings to be obtained thereby were really appreciated, we should let nothing obstruct us in obtaining them. There must be a continual striving with the Adversary of souls-we should not give way, for it is not to those who run well for a time, and then give way, but to those who endure to the end the prize will be given; and we should fight manfully to obtain it, for salvation must be received in the way the Lord has appointed, and the same plan will be necessary, and the same requirements will have to be obeyed by the human family while there is

one soul to be saved. Let us, therefore, all live and strive to obtain the salvation which the Lord offers, and in his own appointed way.

President Cannon then rose and said,-That although the principles of the Gospel were being constantly placed before the Saints, yet there was a continual freshness in them; and when spoken under the influence of the Holy Spirit, new ideas were revealed, in which new light was given unto the servants and Saints of God. It is because of mankind's ignorance of the designs of God in regard to themselves, that the Lord has called his servants and sent them forth to preach the simple principles of the Gospel, that through their obedience thereunto they might be led from step to step, until they came to a knowledge of God and have all their ignorance dissipated. Said how many there were who, after serving God to the best of their ability for a great number of years, have heard a servant of God preach with authority, and have yielded in obedience to the Gospel as he taught it unto them, (though he might be an illiterate man,) and received that satisfaction and knowledge of God to which before they had been strangers. He then showed the justice of God in rewarding his children, that all would be rewarded ac cording to their work, and that the effects of the truth was not equal upon all, beautifully illustrating the three glories, and showed the difference in the three classes of individuals that would attain to the same. It was not the revelation of truth alone that would bring down heaven upon the earth, but by the application of that truth and knowledge which are being revealed. The Gospel teaches us how to eat, drink, sleep and live, so as to be happy, and would enable us to live throughout eternity, when we should enjoy that society for which we are fitted, whether of God or of angels. He wanted to see us all in the presence of God, to get in the presence of and enjoy the society of the Patriarchs of old, of Jesus the Son of God, Joseph, Hyrum and all the good and great men who have ever lived. But to have this glory granted unto us, we must be obedient to every law and obey every

ordinance which they obeyed. Those who strive to do their best, and are continually endeavoring to save mankind, are and will be blessed by the Lord, while those who do not will pass away. There is a God who takes cognizance of all things; and although there may be some of the Saints whose worth may be unknown to the President of the Mission or the District President, and perhaps their faithful- | ness and all their good qualities may not be fully known by their Conference President, or the Travelling Elder, or even by their Branch President, yet the Lord knows how faithful they are, and how often they pray to him, and they are and will be noticed and blessed by him. The Work of God is a lovely and a perfect one, and though man may, and many have proved defective, yet the Work itself is perfectly adapted for the salvation of the children of men.

757

of Divinity which is possessed by men is wonderfully quickened in them, and they evince a wisdom, after they become obedient to the truth, which they never before possessed. The eternal principles of truth taught by the servants of God, and thus confirmed by the Spirit, will exalt and prepare the children of men for an inheritance in the kingdom of God. The world loves not the truth; and although they have had thirty years testimony in reference to this Work, yet they do not realize that God is guiding, planning and controlling the establishment and the rolling forth of this, his latter-day kingdom. There was a time when the people said, if they could but see the predictions of Joseph Smith fulfilled, they would then believe he was sent of God, and that this was the Work of God; and many of the Saints were sanguine enough to lend credence to such utterances, and they thought that the people would believe and obey the Gospel at some future time, when the prophecies were being fulfilled.

Pro

The evening meeting commenced by singing, and prayer by Elder Stocking. President Cannon then addressed the meeting,-He said he desired the united faith and prayers of the Saints. Although the testimony of a man who had a knowledge of the great Work of God filled the bosom of the Saints with joy, yet it was the revelations of the Spirit to themselves which convinced and gave that satisfaction and inward testimony which was not understood or realized by any other people. Sometimes statements were made and publications issued in opposition to this Work, and in a few cases it had been necessary for the Authorities of the Church to reply to them, and expose their fallacy to the Saints; but this course was generally unnecessary, for the Saints were enabled to judge of their truth or falsity by the revelations of the Spirit which they received. It is the Spirit of revelation that leads the Saints, and its operation upon those who freely receive it is surprising. That portion

abroad far and wide, and many of the predictions of the servants of God had already been fulfilled, but how had the people received them? Had the nations of the earth profited by them? No; with but few exceptions, they are still growing harder and harder. With the Saints the reverse is the case; they had heard the prophecies and believed them, and had seen the fulfilment of many things uttered by the servants of God through the Spirit of revelation; and in strictly following out the counsels given, they were prospered, although the obstacles in their path, to all human appearance, at many times, have been almost insurmountable. The principle of obedience has to be instilled into the minds of the people. One of the great sins of this, as well as of former generations, is disobedience; and the great exhibitions that have been given by the Lord unto the Latter-day Saints, in their many blessings and deliverances, should stimulate them to be, of all people, the most obedient. Jesus was the most obedient in all things, and he therefore stood so high with his Father that he was chosen to bring