History - Conferences, 1845 [H-3]

CONFERENCES.

The Manchester Conference having been called upon to assemble in the capacity of a special conference, for the purpose of transacting such business as was deemed necessary, I had the happy privilege, in company with elders Hedlock and Ward, of meeting them on Sunday, Feb. 16th, at Mr. Heyward's large and commodious room, in Bridge-street, Manchester. The day was exceedingly fine, which caused a vast number of Saints to come in from the various districts until the room was crowded to excess.

The house was called to order at half-past ten o'clock, A.M., there being present one of the Twelve, five high priests, thirty elders, thirty-one priests, twenty-two teachers, and four deacons.

Elder Woodruff was called to the chair, accompanied by his counsellors, elders Hedlock and Ward. Conference opened by singing and prayer.

The president informed the assembly, that the forepart of the day would be devoted to teaching and setting forth principles: the afternoon to business: and the evening to preaching, and then called upon elder Hedlock to address the meeting, and he did so, much to the edification of the Saints. He spoke of the death of the Prophet and Patriarch, and the additional responsibility and care that was now resting upon the presidency of the churches, in the enlargement and advancement of the church and kingdom of God. He spoke of the persecution and the order of the priesthood, and that the object of the Conference was to make some changes in the Manchester Conference for the advancement of the work in that region. He was followed by elder Ward, who spoke of the greatness and magnitude of the work, the purity of the principles, and he exhorted the officers and members to faithfulness. The President closed by bearing his testimony to the work, and gave such teaching and advice as was given by the Spirit of God, all of which was received by the Saints with a hearty Amen.

The Saints again assembled at two o'clock, P.M. Remarks were made by the President and his Counsellors, concerning the importance of the meeting, and the changes they would recommend in the Manchester Conference. It was then moved by elder Charles Miller, "that elder Milton Holmes be appointed presiding elder over the Manchester Conference; it was seconded and carried without a dissenting voice.

Elder M. Holmes then proposed elder Charles Miller, as his counsellor to assist him in the conference; it was also seconded and carried unanimously.

It was then moved, seconded, and carried unanimously, that elder James D. Ross, from Edinburgh, who was present, should be chosen to preside over the Manchester branch; there was not a dissenting voice in any resolution presented to the conference, but peace, union, and love apparently prevailed with every heart. At the close of the afternoon service, we had the privilege of communing, by partaking of the sacrament with that vast body of the Saints who have from the beginning manifested much of a Zion's spirit, and brought forth the fruits of the gospel.

The evening was occupied by elder Hedlock, about one hour, in treating upon those labours and duties which were necessary for the Saints to enter into for their temporal and spiritual salvation, which was listened to with great attention; but he and elder Ward were both called to leave, in the midst of the meeting, in time to take the train for Liverpool, as their duties called them home; but no sooner had they started to leave the room than there was a rush of Saints to take the parting hand with them, that it was with much difficulty they could get out of the house; the silent but hearty shake of the hand on that occasion spoke in language louder than words the sentiments of the heart. When the house came to order the meeting was addressed by the President for a season, and brought to a close; and for one, I must say, it was, indeed, good to be there; the time seemed too short while mingling our joys with such spirits in rejoicing in the principles of eternal truth.

I have every reason to believe that the Manchester Conference, under the superintendence of elder Holmes, assisted by elders Miller, Ross, and the many faithful elders in the various branches, will be much blessed, and bring forth much fruit, to the praise and glory of God.

I also attended the Bradford Quarterly Conference, in Yorkshire, on the 23rd February. It was held in the Philadelphia Chapel, North Wing. This is the conference in which, the worthy elder Lorenzo D. Barnes was presiding over when he died; it is now in the hands of our beloved brother Elijah F. Sheets, who, though young, is pursuing the same wise and prudent course that marked the life of elder Barnes.

I was much delighted in my visit to this conference, elder Sheets presided, good order generally prevailed, the chapel was filled through the day and evening with the Saints and citizens. The singers were favoured with a band of music through the conference, which added much interest to the singing. Many Saints were present from Idle and Leeds, and I was happy in beholding the unity, order and peace that bound the Saints together in the Bradford Conference.

The fore part of the day was taken up in representing the branches of the conference and teaching the principles; in the afternoon the sacrament was administered, four were confirmed, several children blessed, and the ordinances explained to the assembly.

In the evening I addressed a large audience on the origin, progress, and principles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also gave an account of the death of the prophet and patriarch, while the hearts of the Saints were made glad, their countenances beaming with joy: the whole audience listened with the most profound attention, and a good impression seemed to be made upon the people through the whole conference.

I also addressed the people on the Monday evening. I had the impression while there, that good will yet be done in that region. I held one meeting with the Saints in Idle, and visited the grave of elder Barnes, and spent my time while in Idle with elder Cordingly and his family, who had the charge of elder Barnes through his sickness and death; I spared no pains in making all diligent inquries concerning him during his labours, sickness, and death, in that place. I shall endeavour to communicate in some future number of the STAR what information I could obtain upon that subject; I consider it due the Zion Camp, his friends in America, the quorum to which he belongs, and the whole church in whose love he shared, that there should be a stone erected over his grave to say to all his friends that may chance to pass that way, that there sleeps in peace the worthy Lorenzo D. Barnes, the first member of Zion's Camp or gospel messenger from Nauvoo, who has found a grave in a foreign land.

And I here take the liberty to say to all the Saints or friends of Elder D. Barnes, throughout this realm, that inasmuch as they would esteem it a favour to donate anything for the purpose of erecting a stone over the grave of elder Lorenzo D. Barnes, that if they will forward it by the presiding elders of their conference, or some other person, to me, at the General Conference, on the 6th of April next, to be held in Manchester, I pledge myself that it shall be appropriated for that use.

WILFORD WOODRUFF.