and I now take the liberty, through
the channel of the press, to invite all
in that region of country, and in all
other places, into whose hands these
lines may fall, that have not already
obeyed the fulness of the gospel of
Jesus Christ, to repent of all their
sins, and be baptized in water for the
remission of their sins, that they may
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
by the laying on of hands,--that they
may have upon them the wedding
garment, that their lamps may be
trimmed and burning, and be pre-
pared to go forth and meet the Bride-
groom, who is at the door--for the
day when the Lord Jesus shall cleanse
the earth, by the spirit of judgement
and the spirit of burning, from sin,
wickedness, and pollution, until it be-
comes a fit abode for the Saviour to
dwell upon, and reign one thousand
years with his saints.
W. WOODRUFF.
Manchester, July 9th 1840
MINUTES OF THE CONFERENCE
HELD AT THE
GADFIELD ELM CHAPEL, IN WORCESTERSHIRE, ENGLAND,
.
The Preachers and Members of the Bran Green and Gadfield Elm Branch
of the Froome Hill Circuit of the United Brethren met at the Gadfield Elm
Chapel, Worcestershire, June 14th, 1840, pursuant to previous notice, when
the meeting was called to order by Elder Thomas Kington. Elder Willard
Richards was chosen President, and Elder Daniel Browett, Clerk, for the
meeting. The meeting opened by prayer by Elder W. Woodruff. Remarks
were then made by the President, respecting the business of the day, and the
necessary changes which must take place.
It was moved by Elder T. Kington, seconded by Elder Daniel Browett,
that this meeting be hereafter known by the name of the "Bran Green and
Gadfield Elm Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints," organised and established by the will and commandment of God, in
the United States of America, on the 6th day of April A.D. 1830, this being
the eighth day of the third month of the eleventh year of the rise of the
Church. Carried unanimously.
Moved by Elder W. Woodruff, seconded by Elder T. Kington, that Wil-
liam Jenkins be ordained an Elder, and William Coleman, Joseph Finkins,
William Pitt, and Robert Harris, be ordained to the office of priest; and that
George Burton, James Palmer, and William Loveridge, be ordained Teachers.
Carried unanimously. Ordained under the hands of Elders Richards and
Woodruff.
Moved by Elder Kington, seconded by Elder Woodruff, that
Robert Clift, Priest, have care of the Church at Dymock.
James Palmer, Priest, [have the care of the Church at] Kilcott.
John Hill, Priest, [have the care of the Church at] Twigworth.
William Coleman, Priest, [have the care of the Church at] Bran Green.
Thomas Brooks, Priest, [have the care of the Church at] Ryton.
John Smith, Priest, [have the care of the Church at] Lime Street.
85
Charles Hayes, Priest, [have the care of the Church at] Deerhurst.
Thomas Smith, Priest, Assistant, [have the care of the Church at] [Deerhurst].
John Vernon, Priest, [have the care of the Church at] Apperly.
William Baylies, Priest, Assistant, [have the care of the Church at] [Apperly].
John Arlick, Priest, [have the care of the Church at] Norton.
John Spires, Priest, [have the care of the Church at] Leigh.
John Davis, Priest, Assistant, [have the care of the Church at] [Leigh].
Thomas Oakey, Priest, [have the care of the Church at] Gadfield Elm.
And that Elder Daniel Browett take charge of the Churches on the south side
of the river Severn, and Elder William Jenkins take charge of the Churches on
the north side of the river Severn. Carried unanimously.
Moved by Elder Woodruff, and seconded by Elder Richards, that Elder
Thomas Kington be the presiding Elder over all the Churches composing
this Conference. Carried.
Meeting adjourned to two o'clock.
Met at two o'clock, according to the adjournment, and administered the sacra-
ment to a large congregation of Saints, accompanied by many observations
on various subjects by the President. Ten Members were confirmed under
the hands of Elders Woodruff and Kington. Remarks were made by the
President respecting the blessing of children: seven children were then
blessed under the hands of Elders Woodruff and Kington.
Moved by Elder Kington, seconded by Elder Woodruff, that Elder Daniel
Browett represent this Conference to the General Conference, at Manchester,
on the 6th day of July next. Carried.
Moved and carried, that the Clerk present to the presiding Elder, T.
Kington, for safe keeping, a copy of the Minutes of this Conference, and
also to the General Conference. The above Minutes were then read and
adopted, article by article, when it was moved by the President, and seconded
by Elder Woodruff, that this Conference be adjourned to the 13th day of
September next, at this place. Carried unanimously. Conference closed
by prayer.
After which, the Elders and Officers present met in Council, and voted
unanimously to establish a weekly Council of the Officers of said Conference,
to be held alternately on the south and north sides of the river Severn, to
commence at Leigh on the 26th instant; and organised the same by appoint-
ing Elder Daniel Browett President, and John Hill, Priest, Standing Clerk,
on the south side of the river; and also, on the north side, by appointing
Elder William Jenkins President, and John Smith, Priest, Standing Clerk;
to assemble on the 3rd of July next, at Turkey Hall. After passing many
other votes of minor importance, accompanied by much instruction from
Elders Richards and Woodruff, touching the duties of the several officers in
their relations to each other and the Church, the Council adjourned; and it
is worthy of remark, that no dissenting vote or voice was seen or heard during
the day, either in Conference or Council.
WILLARD RICHARDs, President.
DANIEL BROWETT, Clerk.
86
MINUTES OF THE CONFERENCE
HELD AT STANLEY HILL, CASTLE FROOME, HEREFORDSHIRE
JUNE 21st, 1840.
The Preachers and Members of the Froome Hill Circuit of the United
Brethren met at the house of Elder John Cheese, on Stanley Hill, Hereford-
shire, England, June 21st, A.D. 1840, at ten a.m., according to previous
notice, when the meeting was called to order by Elder Thomas Kington, and
Elder Willford Woodruff was chosen President, and Elder John Benbow,
Clerk of the meeting. After prayer by Elder Richards, and remarks by the
President concerning the business of the day, it was
Moved by Elder T. Kington, and seconded by Elder J. Benbow, that this
meeting be hereafter known by the name of the "Froome's Hill Conference
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints," organised and esta-
blished by the will and commandment of God in the United States of
America, on the 6th day of April, A.D. 1830, this being the 15th day of the
third month of the eleventh year of the rise of the Church. Carried unani-
mously.
Moved by Elder Richards, and seconded by Elder Kington, that
Thomas Clark,
Charles Price,
James Hill, and
Samuel Jones, be ordained Elders;
Also that John James,
Joseph Shinn,
Henry Jones,
James Baldwin,
John Morgan,
Samuel Badham, and
John Dyer, be ordained Priests;
Also that Robert Hill,
George Brooks,
James Skinn, and
James Watkins, be ordained Teachers.
Carried unanimously; and ordained under the hands of Elders Woodruff
and Richards.
Moved by Elder Kington, and seconded by Elder Richards, that
John James, Priest, have the care of the Church at Froome's Hill.
John Morgan, [Priest], Assistant, [have the care of the Church at] [Froome's Hill].
John Parry, [Priest], [have the care of the Church at] Stanley Hill.
Joseph Pullen, [Priest], Assistant [have the care of the Church at] [Stanley Hill].
Robert Hill, Teacher, [have the care of the Church at] [Stanley Hill].
James Burns, [Priest], [have the care of the Church at] Ridgeway Cross.
Wm. Possons, [Priest], [have the care of the Church at] Moorend Cross.
Wm. Jenkings, [Priest], Assistant, [have the care of the Church at] [Moorend Cross].
Thos. Jenkings, Teacher, [have the care of the Church at] [Moorend Cross].
Jonathan Lucy, [Priest], [have the care of the Church at] Colwall.
Thomas Jones, [Priest], [have the care of the Church at] Pale House.
Wm. Williams, Teacher, [have the care of the Church at] [Pale House].
John Preece, [Priest], [have the care of the Church at] Ledbury.
Joseph Firkins, [Priest], Assistant, [have the care of the Church at] [Ledbury].
Samuel Warren, [Priest], [have the care of the Church at] Keysend Street.
Joseph Shinn, [Priest], Assistant, [have the care of the Church at] [Keysend Street].
87
James Shinn, Teacher, [have the care of the Church at], Keysend Street.
James Baldwin, [Priest], [have the care of the Church at], Wind Point.
John Allard, Teacher, [have the care of the Church at], [Wind Point].
George Allen, [Priest], [have the care of the Church at], Woferwood Common.
Rough Leasowe, Birchwood, Tunbridge, and Dunclose, will all be
united in one Branch, called Dunsclose.
Samuel Badham, Priest, to have the care of the Church at Dunsclose.
James Williams, [Priest], Assistant, [to have the care of the Church at], [Dunsclose].
Edward Phillips, [Priest], [to have the care of the Church at], Ashfield & Crowcutt.
George Brooks, Teacher, [to have the care of the Church at], [Crowcutt].
John Meeks, [Priest], [to have the care of the Church at], Old Starridge.
Henry Jones, [Priest], Assistant, [to have the care of the Church at], [Old Starridge].
John Gailey, [Priest], [to have the care of the Church at], Hope Rough.
Benj. Williams, [Priest], [to have the care of the Church at], Shucknell Hill.
Ishmael Phillips, [Priest], Assistant, [to have the care of the Church at], [Shucknell Hill].
John Powell, [Priest], [to have the care of the Church at], Lugwardine.
John White, [Priest], Assistant, [to have the care of the Church at], [Lugwardine].
John Dyer, [Priest], [to have the care of the Church at], Marden.
Francis Burnett, [Priest], Assistant, [to have the care of the Church at], [Marden].
James Watkins, Teacher, [to have the care of the Church at], [Marden].
William Evans, [Priest], [to have the care of the Church at], Stokes Lane.
William Davis, [Priest], Assistant, [to have the care of the Church at], [Stokes Lane].
John Sanders, [Priest], [Assistant], [to have the care of the Church at], [Stokes Lane].
Thomas Vernon, Teacher, [to have the care of the Church at], [Stokes Lane].
John Fidoe, [Priest], [to have the care of the Church at], Bishop Froome
Carried unanimously.
Moved by Elder Richards, and seconded by Elder Kington,
That Elder Thomas Clark have charge of the Churches at Dunsclose, Old
Starridge, Ashfield, and Crowcutt; that Elder Samuel Jones have charge
of the Churches at Keysend Street, Wind Point, Colwell, Pale House, and
Malvern Hill; that Elder Philip Green have charge of the Churches at
Shucknell Hill, Lugwardine, and Marden; that Elder John Cheese have
charge of the Churches at Stokes Lane, Woferwood Common, and Bishop
Froome; that Elder Charles Price have charge of the Churches at Led-
bury, Moorend Cross, and Ridgeway Cross; that Elder James Hill have
charge of the Churches at Hope Rough and Stanley Hill; that Elder John
Benbow have charge of the Church at Froome Hill. Carried una-
nimously.
Moved by the President, and seconded by Elder Richards, that Elder
Thomas Kington be the presiding Elder over all the Churches composing
this Conference. Carried unanimously.
After remarks by the President, the meeting adjourned till two o'clock P.M.
During the recess ten persons were baptised.
Assembled at two o'clock, according to adjournment, and administered the
sacrament to several hundred saints; after which twenty were confirmed, and
twenty children blessed under the hands of Elders Woodruff and Richards,
accompanied with observations by the President, explanatory of the ordinance.
88
Moved by Elder Richards, and seconded by the President, that Elder Thomas
Kington represent this Conference to the General Conference at Manches-
ter, on the 6th of July next—Carried unanimously.
Moved and carried, that the Clerk of the Conference present to the pre-
siding Elder, T. Kington, a copy of the minutes of this Conference for safe
keeping; also, a copy to present to the General Conference at Manchester.
These minutes were then read, article by article, and accepted by the Con-
ference.
The President, followed by Elder Richards, then proceeded to give such
instruction to the Saints concerning the order of the Church, and the several
duties of the members, as the Spirit directed; and bore testimony to the
multitude, of the truth of the work, followed by Elder Kington, when it was
Moved by Elder Richards, and seconded by the President, that this Con-
ference adjourn to the 21st of September next, ten o'clock, A.M., at this place.
—Carried unanimously.
After prayer and singing, the assembly dispersed, and the Elders and
Officers went into Council, when it was moved by Elder Richards, and se-
conded by Elder Kington, that we proceed to establish and organise monthly
Councils of the Officers of the Froome Hill Conference, to commence on
Friday, the 3d day of July next, at half-past seven o'clock, in the several
divisions respectively assigned to the different Elders, viz.—
Elder Thomas Clark, President, & James Meeks, Standing Clerk, Dunsclose.
[Elder] Samuel Jones, [President, &] William Williams, [Standing Clerk], Windpoint.
[Elder] Philip Green, [President, &] Francis Burnett, [Standing Clerk], Lugwardine.
[Elder] John Cheese, [President, &] George Allen, [Standing Clerk], Stokes Lane.
[Elder] Charles Price, [President, &] Thomas Jenkings, [Standing Clerk], MoorendCross.
[Elder] James Hill, [President, &] Joseph Pullen, [Standing Clerk], Stanley Hill.
[Elder] John Benbow, [President, &] John Morgan, [Standing Clerk], Froome Hill.
Carried.
Moved by Elder Richards and seconded by Elder Kington, that a
Monthly General Council of the Officers of this Conference, be holden at
Stanley Hill, to commence on Friday, the 17th of July next, at Half-past 7
o'clock, P. M. Elder Thomas Kington, President, and Elder John
Benbow, Standing Clerk—Carried unanimously.
The President then proceeded to explain the nature of the priesthood, and
the duties and privileges of the several offices—and gave such instruction as
their situation required; followed by Elder Richards, who explained many
important principles connected with the building up the of kingdom.
The Minutes of the Council were then read, item by item, and accepted,
when the Council adjourned; and after singing "the Spirit of God," &c. the
brethren separated, with feelings of gratitude and thanksgiving that God had
been with his people, and that the spirit of union and love had prevailed in all
the deliberations of the day.
WILLFORD WOODRUFF, President.
JOHN BENBOW, Clerk.
REMARKS—The different Branches in this region are so scattered, that it
has not been possible to ascertain the number of members connected with
89
each individual Church, but the whole number of the Churches connected
with the Bran Green and Gadfield Elm, and the Froome Hill Conferences,
together with a small Branch of 12 Members, 1 Priest, and 1 Teacher at
Little Garway, is 33 Churches; 534 Members; 75 Officers, viz.—10 Elders,
52 Priests, and 13 Teachers; and for the comforting of the Saints, and with
heartfelt gratitude to our Heavenly Father, we would say, that it is less than
four months since the fulness of the gospel was first preached in this region,
which is proof that God is beginning to make a short work in these last
days.
W. WOODRUFF
LATE FROM AMERICA.
Manchester, July 13, 1840.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.
Dear Brother,
Having just received a letter
from Mrs. Woodruff, I make a few
extracts, to be inserted in the Star, if
you think proper—W. WOODRUFF.
Montrose, Iowa Territory, North America,
May 4, 1840.
My dear Companion,
The Conference held in Com-
merce on the 6th of April, was at-
tended with much interest. More
than 70 were baptised, many elders
ordained, and much business trans-
acted. Elder O. Hyde and John E.
Page, started on their mission, soon
after the Conference, to visit the Jews.
They go first to the Jews in New
York, and then on to Palestine.
They will call upon you in England,
as it will be on the way.
The work is rolling on in this
country with a greater rapidity than
ever before since the foundation of
the Church. There was an Indian,
his wife, and daughter, baptised in
Commerce a few days since; they
came some hundreds of miles to be-
come acquainted with the work; they
believed and embraced it joyfully.
They said every word of the Book of
Mormon was true. He was an in-
terpreter to six tribes, and he said
every one of his brethren would re-
ceive it; he knew it would be so.
Two Elders, with their families, have
gone out among the Indians on a
mission. Doctor Galland has just
returned from his mission, (I think
he started just before you left Mont-
rose,) and has brought 60 families
with him, and expects, it is said, 200
families more soon.
Commerce is building up surpri-
singly; the emigration there is said to
be much greater than it ever was in
Caldwell County.
I trust that you obtain the "Times
and Seasons," as the Editors said
they were forwarding them to each of
the Travelling Council. From those
papers you will learn of our Brethren's
success in this country, and many
things more correctly than I can in-
form you by writing. There has
been much destruction of shipping in
this country during the past season.
Since the destruction of Natchez by
a whirlwind, news has reached us that
New Orleans was covered with ten
feet of water, and that it was still
rising. It is said that the Indians
have been into two counties in Mis-
souri, and demanded and obtained
money, as a kind of tax for the land;
and that there are many fears enter-
tained by the Missourians concerning
the Indians.
The Rev. Mr. Bogart, the Metho-
dist preacher, who was the leader of
the Missouri mob in the late perse-