Autobiography 1883 Tullidge's Quarterly Magazine
On the , the
Bran Green and Gadfield Elm con-
ference again assembled, when the meet-
ing was called to order by Elder Wood-
ruff.
There were present one of the quorum
of the Twelve Apostles, 1 high priest; 10
elders 21 priests 6 teachers and 1
Deacon, besides the congregation of the
Saints. There were represented nineteen
churches; 367 members, 8 elders, 33
priests, 11 teachers, 1 deacon, removed
41, died 1, expelled 2.
WILFORD WOODRUFF, President.
JOHN HILL, Clerk.
We had a very interesting time at the
conference and a large assembly of the
Saints. It was the last time that I should
attend in that part of my old and beloved
field of labor, during my present mission
to England, and whether or not I should
ever meet here in a conference assembly
of Saints again was one of the secrets of
my future life for time to reveal. We
had held our meeting without disturbance
from the mob who were present, for
they were kept quiet by the police in at-
tendance who were in disguise.
No sooner had the meeting closed than
multitudes of the Saints crowded around
me and hands were presented me on
every side, to bid me farewell. Many
called for me to bless them before I de-
parted. Others cried out, "Lay hands
upon me and heal me before you go."
One came with, "Brother Woodruff, I am
turned out of doors for my religion;
what shall I do?'' Another with, "I am
ready to go to Zion, but my wife won't go
with me; shall I leave her to gather with
the Saints?" A wife in turn says, "My
husband beat me and turned me out of
doors because I have been baptized. I
have money enough to carry me and the
children to Zion; will you let me go with-
out him?" "Brother Woodruff, my
mother is over 80 years of age and has
willed me 60 pounds at her death, but
will not emigrate with me; must I stay
for her to die or leave her now to go with
the Saints?" One said, "I have sold
my little place and shall have 30 pounds
to-morrow, but must go out into the
street. I have not enough to carry my
family to America; can you help me to a
few pounds or tell me what to do?" And
an Elder cried out, "How much longer
must I preach in England before you will
let me go to America?" "Brother Wood-
ruff, would you come and preach in Chel-
tenham?" "My head is in great pain,
would you heal me? " "I want you to
consecrate this bottle of oil before you
go?" "Will you write to me?" "I
have been waiting a long time to get a
chance to speak to you; good by, remem-
ber me to Mrs. Woodruff, good by! God
bless you!''
Thus was I for more than an hour after
the close of the meeting assailed with
the affectionate outbursts and adieus and
a host of perplexities of these Saints who
crowded around me as children to their
father.
Many of the Saints parted from me
in tears and many followed me to
Turkey Hill where I spent the night and
they filled the house until a late hour,
begging counsel and instruction of me.
One of these was a Baptist minister who
had just been baptized into the Church.
On the morrow, in company with El-
der Needham, I walked to Keysend
Street, where I preached to a crowded
congregation of Saints. On the follow-
ing day I walked to Wind Point, where
I visited the Saints, and thence con-
tinued to Colwall. Here I met with a
large congregation of Saints and
preached to them upon the gathering.
Next day, with Elder Levi Richards, I
walked over Malvern Hill and called
upon Elder Samuel Jones; thence
