Z I O N ' S T R U M P E T,

OR

Star of the Saints.

No. 1.] JANUARY, 1849. [VOL. I.

THE FORE - SOUND .

DEAR READERS,—As trumpeters, newly called to office at the beginning of the year, and having never before tried our breath in a TRUMPET, a new one at that, please allow us now to try our hand, so that you may judge what kind of sound we can produce. Perhaps the wise will think us mad for doing that; but we are certain that if we can make some sounds, we can say with Paul that "none of them is without signification." Though the Times are frightfully against us and the Stars within Gomer's atmosphere foretell strange things about us—the chief Revivalists of the age want to sing our elegy, and the Baptists are in a quandary about our burial in water—the Reverends of the earth say that we stink in their nostrils, and the doctors are ready to open us up to search for oil—the little children of the streets have almost worn out their tongues by shouting "Old Saints" after us, and devils, rascals, and theologians agree to persecute and malign us— despite it all, we are determined to find out what kind of strength is in our voice, and what effect we will have on the world. We do not expect our TRUMPET to be able to raise the dead, for it is not the "last" one; but perhaps it can be the means of awakening many who are dead in transgressions and sins and bring them to a new life. If we can do that, and keep them awake afterwards, we shall have fulfilled our intention, and our service will be worthwhile in the sight of God. Neither let anyone expect us, in an office such as this one, to stop to argue with everyone who meets us along the way; but if principles are brought before us, we shall trumpet our thoughts about them—if they are tales, we shall pass them by unnoticed, leaving our fellow-creatures to feed on them until they come to know the worth of something better.

Though our TRUMPET is but a small one, yet it is very responsible work to deal with it; for if we give "an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle" against the enemy when he attacks suddenly? And if we do not trumpet clearly, and use the different notes in their time, we shall be open to misinterpretation. For that reason, we wish the assistance of the prayers of the Saints, for we know that nothing can be of greater help than that. But, for our comfort, and that of our listeners, a dear brother who is about to sail to Zion promises that when he gets the better news there, he will supply us with splendid things to sound in the TRUMPET, things which will no doubt produce a much better sound on it than anything of our own. Thus we will

be like winged beings, able perhaps to snatch each month from Zion things to sound monthly also in Wales. At this time, we are confident that we shall satisfy the honest, and give fair warning to all; thus we shall be silent this first time, hoping to come to your hearing again.

FAREWELL GREETING TO THE SAINTS .

DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS,—Since we have come to know each other, the period now at the door is the most important and the most sorrowful and joyful which has happened to us, namely my departure from your midst to a far away country; and this consideration compels me to greet you once more this last time, and to draw your attention to the following things; for doubtless you know through the Spirit of truth, and through many examples and facts, that the true desire of my heart has been to benefit you and to make you happy, temporally and spiritually, in all I have done. The Heavens know, and my conscience knows that as well, and that is a sufficient number of witnesses regardless of whoever would contest it. To this end I have not ceased or tired of working, night and day, for four years; and until now the pleasure of my heart has been to serve you, and my joy in the Lord is that he gave me a part in the restorative dispensation of the fulness of times to you, and instructed me in those principles that will bring you joy and which, if you observe them, will lead you to a fullness of pure joy. Great and wondrous I consider the honor of being a tool for God to preach the word of life—the gospel of the power of God, and of having the right to administer the divine ordinances, of Heaven's acceptance, to my dear fellow nation; and great is your honor, yea, unspeakable is your own gift, dear Saints, in having been brought from the darkness of false traditions to the light of the gospel of the Son of God—in having grasped a religion with power in it and having become heirs of substance, that is, having received a promise of the inheritance above. Cling to this for your life—these things do continually; and thus I am assured that my labor will not be in vain in the Lord. I not only have served you through toil and fatigue, through trials and tribulations, in spite of the persecution of a harsh, opposing world, and every scowl and scorn during the time that has gone past, but also my desire and wish increase more and more to benefit you in the future; and despite how painful it is to my feelings to leave you like innocent lambs in the midst of vicious wolves—despite how difficult that is for me, I am sure beforehand, and you also will be certain to your total satisfaction, that my going away for a while is beneficial to you, for I go to prepare a place for you, so that where I am, you, every true heart that loves the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, may be also with me for a thousand years of joy in the "rest that remaineth to the people of God." Unless I go, the days of your oppression will not be diminished; and if I go, my soul will not be satisfied until I see all my brothers and sisters, who are now exiled and scattered through this part of Babylon, rejoicing in the salvation of God in Zion.

You have heard and read much about God's deliverance of his children in Zion, and doubtless your hearts are longing more and more to enjoy it, in contrast to the way in which the signs of the times, political troubles, wars, the tumult of nations, the overthrow of kingdoms, rebellion and persecution, and the hatred of the Babylonians wean your affections from her perishable baubles; and doubtless your longing for the deliverance of Zion will become much greater because of oppression and injustice, hunger and poverty in the coming years. But when God permits the doors of blight to open, the gates of hell to pour out their strongest armies to spill out their "vials" of destruction, such as plagues, illnesses, and scourges to empty the kingdoms of the wicked who refuse the gospel of his Son, and who hate and persecute his children; then shall be seen the wisdom and eternal love of your Father for his faithful children—at that time all will understand and confess the necessity for Zion as a place of deliverance for the Saints; at that time her enemies will grow pale, and they will begin to drink the dregs of the horrible cup which they filled for themselves; that is the time when the difference will be seen between those who serve God and obey the leadership of their pastors, and their enemies— between those who strive to build Zion, and the builders of Babylon; yea, at that time the children of Zion, singing, will sing in the high places of the cities of the living God, in peaceful dwelling places. Hail to the day! Therefore, when these things oppress you, do not lose heart, and do not give up, for they have shown that the time of your deliverance is nigh, yea, at the door.

Doubtless the blight will loose a herd of its zealous fools to persecute you, to malign you, and to scorn you after my departure; but remember that it is necessary that you receive a test of your faith, and it is needful for these wretches who were prepared ages ago to have the chance to fulfill the measure of their wickedness, to fill their terrible cup, before they are fit vessels for anger to show the righteous judgment of God on the enemies of truth: these considerations will enable you to suffer all things patiently and to look forward to receiving your recompense. Also it may be that even from your own midst there will be some selfish, jealous persons, who have lost the Spirit, who will rise up and try to lead unstable souls after them; but be particularly cautious and oppose those who oppose the authority that was placed according to the will of God to lead you and to nourish you, accounts of which you can see in the report of the most recent Conference. Not even diligence is a sufficient basis on which to oppose the priesthood; for many are as diligent in worshipping idols as others are in their own worshipping. Diligence alone is not your guide, although all must have a clear conscience before God and men. But the conscience must be brought to the standard rather than making the conscience the standard. Until I come back, keep reading, search the Scriptures, treasure the Book of Mormon in your memory, inscribe the "Doctrine and Covenants" on the slates of your hearts; keep yourselves spotless according to all that I published in your midst. Today I do not feel the least bit inclined to call back even one principle that I published or even one teaching I gave you; rather I urge you to search them in detail, as if for hidden treasures; and, when I am far from you, I am confident that I shall hear that all, under the blessing of Heaven, is profitable toward making you wise unto salvation. With this I am not claiming perfection for any of my writings, or for my most sacred things; but rather, my failings and my weaknesses, as compared to what I wish to be, form the subject of a constant prayer for strength from on high. I do not wish you to think that I am suggesting that the one or the other or all of the aforementioned books constitute a sufficient rule for the behavior of the Saints for the work of the ministry; rather it is "the letter which killeth, but the Spirit giveth life;" the Spirit is the PRIESTHOOD, which has the right and the wisdom to end every argument, and through which God works. Beware of those who refuse the courts of the priesthood, claiming that this book or the other writings support their opposing positions; that spirit is not of God; otherwise the priesthood is superfluous. I consider it impossible to publish any rules sufficient and just for all things that happen in the Church, because of the diversity of circumstances; but it is not impossible for God to endow the priesthood with wisdom for every circumstance, to give fair judgment. Therefore obey your pastors as you would the Lord—pray for them constantly—do what you can to supply their physical needs so that they may devote themselves more to your service in spiritual things. Let not the enemy deceive you into believing that God Almighty who established his kingdom this last time on the earth will allow all the priesthood in his kingdom or in Wales either to go astray so that there is no one to lead you in the paths of the Lord; and do not believe those who say that the priesthood or the kingdom of God will be overthrown and removed again from the face of the earth, for that will not be done in eternity; but "the kingdom and the majesty of the kingdom under all the heavens will be given to the Saints of the Most High" in due time. The hills may leap like lambs, and the wild hills of Wales may jump like rams, and after that the priesthood will still not be stirred from its place. It is true that the priesthood was snatched from the earth to heaven for a time several times before this; yet those who possessed it here and used it properly in their age did not lose their right to it in the places where they are now, nor will they in eternity; it is for them to restore it back and to defend it until it fulfills the intentions of God in such an age or country. The last ones after the apostles to possess the priesthood restored it to Joseph Smith, and it would not have been orderly for anyone else to have done that; and since he gave the priesthood to others before he went away, and these are faithful in their place, then his priesthood continues through them, and it will continue in every place and under every circumstance where it originated from the source through its earlier streams. Its original source is the "order of the Son of God," from before the foundation of the world; its origin has been through all his servants in all the dispensations since the beginning of time, and it was imparted in these last times to our dear aforementioned brother, by him to Brigham Young and the other faithful apostles who remain to this day in their callings, and through them and from them (thanks be to its divine Author) it has visited our dear nation, and the dawning of the great Jubilee has shone on the borders of our country;—its light reflects through every county, its evangelical banners are waving in nearly every clime and vale; and there are nearly four thousand of the children of Gomer rejoicing because of it already! and it intends to take in its bosom about three hundred of their brothers and sisters of the same blood as an "offering to the Lord," the firstfruits of the abundant harvest of those who will yet come to the mountain of the house of the God of Jacob, saviors on mount

Zion, and to beautify the place of his sanctuary—who will be on the ocean sailing toward that place, peradventure, when you read these lines of greeting. And we are certain that the priesthood will not be eradicated from the earth, until it fills the world with the light of knowledge of God, as the waters cover the sea—it will not be persecuted out of Wales until it has taken all the honest in heart to safety, and led them from the land of great affliction to enjoy the salvation of our God in Zion; therefore, for your benefit and the glory of that God who sent it to your midst, I beseech you as if God were beseeching you through me—as if it were my last wish to you—honor, obey and pray for the priesthood in everything they tell you. If you do so, I can assure you that yours will be the eternal dwelling places, the unfading crowns, and the endless ages to wear them in glory. If you do not do so, I have no good promise for you. In confidence that you will do so, I entrust you to the care of the priesthood, under the protection of the Spirit of the One who brought you from darkness to light through them. May everyone take care to fill his own sphere and not another's, lest he go to destruction. All as they were placed will be accountable for the sphere in which they were placed and will be rewarded according to that which remains of the fruit of their labor when the harvest is gathered into the barn. Now, dear brothers and sisters, I shall not say anything further except this, that is, the greatest commandment of all, the last and most urgent to which I shall call your attention, and it is not a new one either, rather it is to love one another, that the love of Christ may dwell in you. Shun every occasion for contention; pull out all roots of bitterness from your own breast, and perhaps you will completely eradicate these from among you, so that not a sound of discord may be heard in your midst, for the world and the devil hate you; therefore, let the world and the devil know that you are disciples of gentle Jesus by loving one another. Remember that you will have the privilege of reigning together for a thousand years in Zion; thus, learn to love one another by then. Be gracious, kind, gentle, and humble to one another as befitting the children of the same divine Father, as the same eternal Spirit prompts. Oh, how lovely is the coexistence of brothers and sisters together! Oh, how lovely it is to love and be loved, by one another! My rejoicing and the delight of my heart is that I know of no Saint, male or female, in Wales, or in the world, who bears any anger toward me; but on the other hand, I thankfully acknowledge that I have received and continue to receive, through your loving and brotherly behavior, a host of evidence to prove beyond doubt that I receive as much, if not more, a place in your affections as I have merited. May God strengthen me to assure a continuance of this to me, and that is enough. As I leave the shores of my country, where my loved ones dwell, it is more desirable to fill my breast with these feelings than for the heavens to fill the sails of my vessel with their loveliest breezes. May none of the Saints be without love, even for an hour, is my sincere prayer for you.

Brethren, remember which name you profess, that "Just" is the name of your Lord; therefore, mete out justice to all. Consider, before you can stand judgment in the face of those who refuse your mission, that you should have given them not only an important and sober testimony, but also good EXAMPLES, acceptable ATTITUDES worthy of the kind of treasure that you have, lest you turn away the lame. May your WALK preach to everyone that you are strangers and wanderers here, and may you prepare yourselves in everything for that day when your God will arrange your deliverance, which he will do without doubt according to your faithfulness.

Now, for the time being, I shall make an end, with every heartfelt gratitude to you for your matchless kindness and your faithfulness, trusting that I shall again have the opportunity to greet you from Zion and call your attention to many things which I would like, but which circumstances will not now permit.

Dear brethren in the Priesthood—farewell to you. Remember my counsels to you in the Conference, and always. In love, patience, and gentleness, feed the dear flock which I have entrusted to your care, as if it were my own; counsel, preach, instruct, and do everything you can, so that you can give your accounting cheerfully concerning your flock.

You, Fathers—farewell to you. Love your wives, and keep an altar to God in your families; stand in your own place, and watch over the families that God has given you. Prepare them here to be worthy of happiness and plenty with you in Zion, under the guidance of the patriarchal order.

You, dear Mothers—farewell to you. Obey your husbands as you obey the Lord; be patient, be gentle and godly, and instruct your children in the way of truth. May God Almighty keep you from the temptations that are in the world, and may he take you and yours all to Zion. You, the hopeful Youth—farewell to you. Carry out the teachings that you have received and will receive from the servants of God, and great will be your usefulness and your glory in the kingdom of God. This is a time of harvest; shrink from serving the flesh and its lusts, or the vanity of youth, instead of serving the Lord of this harvest. Great is your privilege in the flower of your youth to come to the vineyard of Jesus; stay in it forever in spite of every obstacle that comes to you.

And you, little Children—farewell to you. I expect you to obey your parents, and pray constantly for the Spirit of truth to lead you to usefulness.

The last farewell, dear Saints, to you all, is my desire for you to pray for me, and for those who will go with me to Zion, and all for each other. For me the faithful prayers of the Saints are better riches than the mines of the world, for God hears you; therefore, pray. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the blessed association of his Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you all forever. Amen.

Your servant in the gospel of Christ, and the kingdom of endurance,

D. JONES.

GLAMORGAN CONFERENCE .

THE above conference was held on the last day of the old year, and the first of the new year, as was announced previously. Since the Saints have increased so greatly, it was considered necessary to take a spacious hall in another part of Merthyr, in addition to the Cymreigyddion Hall, so that those who were unable to go to the latter place, because of lack of space, could go to the other hall, which is in Georgetown, where the Cymreigyddion Hall meetings were preached at a different time. We shall give an account only of that which transpired in the main meetings that were held in the last named place.

THE FIRST DAY.

On Sunday morning, at 11 o'clock, the first meeting of the Conference was opened with singing and a prayer by brother W. Howells from Aberdare. Then it was proposed by W. Phillips, and seconded by W. Howells, that Capt. D. Jones preside over the Conference, which was accepted unanimously. At that the President arose to explain the purpose for their gathering together, stating that he was sorry that brothers Orson Pratt and Orson Spencer had not come, as they had promised him; and he said that they must have met with some obstacles; otherwise, they would have been sure to be present. He exhorted everyone to take comfort, saying that no one was more disappointed than he; and if those two expected brethren were not there, there was one other present who was much greater than they, i.e., God through His Spirit. Then, after appointing three scribes, the President called for proof of faithfulness of the various presidents, beginning with the conference presidents. He asked if anyone had anything to say against them—that the opportunity to do so was then; but since no one brought an accusation against them, they were considered worthy to continue in their offices. Then the President proceeded to make the necessary changes in the branches, such as choosing presidents and organizing new branches, which are differentiated in the table with this mark (*). All the presidents were called to represent their branches, which was done as follows:—

Then the President called for a representation of the other Conferences, which were as follows:—

Conferences. Presidents Eld. Pri. Tea. Dea. Bap. Total.

Monmouthshire - - - - Wm. Phillips - -31 31 25 15 240 644

Hereford - - - - - - - - - W. Henshaw - -10 13 10 5 84 253

Pembrokeshire - - - - - John Morris - - -4 7 2 2 10 62

The North - - - - - - - - -Abel Evans - - -19 24 14 5 75 208

Glamorgan - - - - - - - - D. Jones - - - - -92 115 96 40 587 2436

Grand Total - - -156 190 147 67 996 3603

It is seen that the increase from January 1, 1848, to January 1, 1849, was 1670, not counting the Saints in Radnorshire who are not represented.

It is seen that the increase from January 1, 1848, to January 1, 1849, was 1670, not counting the Saints in Radnorshire who are not represented.

Then, after the President gave several valuable bits of counsel, the meeting was closed with prayer by Abel Evans.

At two, the meeting was opened by brother T. Jeremy from Llanybydder with a song and a prayer. After singing a second hymn, the President arose to address the Saints, and showed them, in his customary, skillful way, some very interesting things. He showed them the odiousness of the notion which is in our country, that God cares for the celestial beings, and neglects the bodies of the men on the earth; and also he set out the illogic of our Heavenly Father's preparing temporal deliverances for Noah, Lot, and others in connection with them, while not preparing anything for his children in this age, when there are scriptural proofs available that more temporal deliverances are necessary in this age than ever before, since the plagues and destructions are much greater in the last days than in the early days. He showed clearly that it is through listening to God that the Saints may expect temporal deliverance as well as spiritual; and that it is by going to the place that he reveals that the Saints may assure themselves of the promised land. All appeared to be enjoying themselves while the President portrayed the splendor pertaining to Zion; everyone, that is, except for the devils alone, who at the time, to draw the attention of the Saints from such valuable teaching, possessed two or three of the Saints, to the extent that they disturbed the entire meeting and kept the President from going forward. Two of these persons had been possessed by evil spirits many times before because of hiding their transgressions, and so it was this time as well. The spirits spoke through them, and did so in a supernatural voice, blaspheming and slandering the President and other officials, and challenging them to cast them out of their refuge. They said boldly that they could not be cast out—that they had a right to be in those two because of their transgressions; and we did not much doubt them, after hearing the whole story. After much prayer to rebuke them, but all in vain, the President was informed as to who the possessed persons were; and when he understood that they had transgressed after being pardoned so many times before, he decided to cut them off from the Church as the only way of silencing the spirits. For this purpose the elders were called together, and no sooner were hands laid on them to excommunicate the one and the other, than both of the two women returned to their normal comportment, and they began to tidy their hair and their clothes, as if nothing had happened. The spirits gave several proofs that they knew the thoughts of some of the officials who were present, and also that the devils had names for one another, because they called each other. The beneficial teachings about Zion were lost because of this confusion; and the meeting was closed with singing and a prayer by brother Carwel.

At six in the evening the public meeting was opened with singing and with a prayer by brother Alfred Clark. Then after the singers had sung an anthem, the President arose to address the hosts who were gathered together. He directed their attention to that which had taken place in the previous meeting, that is, the proof that was shown that supernatural powers possessed men who could not act and speak on their own as they had done. He showed that such excitements gave obvious proof of the power of the enemy, in opposition to the power of God, each acting in clear distinction of the other. He mentioned the peace that other sects have in their meetings, and that the devil opposes no one there, rather they are entirely free of the attacks of the enemy in the manner aforementioned. He proved that the attacks of the enemy in the meetings of the Saints show that the power of God is present, and that the purpose of the other power was to oppose it; for it "goes around looking for anyone who can swallow it;" and the duty of the Saints is to oppose it with all their might.

Then brother Howells, from Aberdare, arose to address the English- speaking group of the congregation. He reported on the enmity which the devil and his tools had shown in this neighborhood toward the Saints, and the happiness and the rejoicing they had in the face of it all. He showed also that it was logical and scriptural for all the Saints who were able, to give a tenth part of their possessions toward building a temple to their God.

After that, the President arose to go into more detail in the same language following brother Howells. He showed that there was no more deceit in building a temple to God, than there is in building chapels to God. He proved that this is the dispensation for gathering to Mount Zion, and for building a temple there to God; and he portrayed the illogic of the enemies of the Saints who wish to uproot them and drive them from the country, and at the same time wish to prevent them from emigrating to Zion.

After that, brother Thomas Pugh, from Llwyni showed the first principles to the cheerful listeners, and exhorted them to obey them with haste.

At the end of the meeting, the President arose again and pressed on the serious attention of the listeners all the things that had been treated, calling them sincerely to obey the truth, which was made so obvious in the faithfulness of the Saints, and their determination to hold to the work in the face of everything. Then the meeting was closed with prayer by brother W. Phillips.

THE SECOND DAY.

Monday, the meeting was begun, at half past ten, by brother Abel Evans with prayer and praise. After that the President arose to address his brethren and his friends with a Happy New Year, and much success. Then he went on to show the great responsibility that pertains to every official, and the necessity for each one to content himself with everything that is done for him. He showed that the higher the office a man receives, all the greater will be the fall if he falls away, and the harder for them to be restored again. He then said that he knew there was no one present toward whom he felt any animosity, and that he did not believe that any of them had any hatred toward him, in this, the last conference that he would have in their midst for a season, as he was about to leave the land of his birth. Then he showed the great work that had been under his care from the time that he came to preside over the Welsh, and the way that such an excess of labor had affected his constitution; and that he did not wish to put such a weight on the back of any other of his brethren, while the work is also constantly increasing. Then, for all who were under the various presidents he referred to the wisdom of listening to them, and being taught by them, instead of being desirous of opposing them with some profitless debates; and also not to consider the governing books of the Saints higher than the priesthood that pertains to the officials, for the latter associate with that which comes from above. Also, he showed the care that the presidents should have in order to weigh correctly, and to administer justice, considering that they themselves must be weighed also. He indicated also the justice that everyone gets, by being able to appeal to higher officials. Then, he explained how everyone should behave in those places where some strive to oppose the presidents,—no one should agree with such, for by so doing they make themselves as bad as they. Also, he showed the duty of the presidents to refrain from listening to the first accusation that comes to them before taking time and patience to look into the other side; for one party is not more important than the other to the president. He said that the Saints and the presidents should follow the example of Jesus Christ, by being ready to suffer all things, rather than causing obstacles on the way of the kingdom of God; and for them to refrain from taking so much care about their own characters. He showed an excellent way to put a stop to the rivalries within churches, through the presidents' teaching the teachers and others to consider a transgressor anyone who brings an accusation of his brother to someone else, before first speaking with the brother himself. Such unity, peace, and love would that bring about. He said that such a spirit of accusation is the trap that the devil has in the churches, and everyone should keep himself far from it. Then the President proceeded to call officials to the various following branches;—

Merthyr—Two elders, two priests, and two teachers. Pendaren— Two priests. Dowlais—One priest. Aberdare—One elder, three priests, and one teacher. Hirwaen—Two priests, and one teacher. Pontypridd—One elder, three priests, three teachers, and two deacons. Llwyni—One priest. Llanfabon—One elder, two priests. Cwmamman—Two elders, four priests, three teachers, and one deacon. Cwmbychan—One elder. Cardiff—Three elders, four priests, and one deacon. Pyle—One elder. Swansea—One priest, and one deacon. Llanelli—Two elders, and one priest. Carmarthen— One elder, and one teacher. Llanybydder—Two priests, and two teachers. Brechfa—Two priests, two teachers, and one deacon. Twynyrodyn—One priest, one teacher, and one deacon. Trecastle—Two priests. Wick—One elder, and two priests. Pembrokeshire— Two elders, three priests, and one teacher.

Then it was decided to organize Stepper's Side, in Pembrokeshire, and Gog, near Cardiff, as branches, and that Thomas Hughes was to preside over the former, and Abraham Rees over the latter.

Having completed the foregoing matters, the President brought before the Conference the decisions that were passed in Council the previous Saturday, with respect to making the various counties of Wales into Conferences, with a president and two counselors over each one, so that the work that was on the shoulders of one before that time would be divided among several from then on. The decisions are as follows:—

"1. That Carmarthenshire be made a Conference, with Howell Williams as President, and William Hughes and David Jeremy as Counselors.

"2. That Pembrokeshire be made a Conference, with John Morris as President, and John Evans and Daniel Williams as Counselors.

"3 . That Merionethshire be made a Conference, with Eleazer Edwards as President, and David Ains an elder to labor with Eleazer Edwards, and that he also, together with David Roberts, be Counselors.

"4. That Flintshire (including Cefnmawr, Llangollen, Rhosllanerchrugog, Flint, Bagillt, and Holywell) be made a Conference, with John Davies as President and John Jones as president of the Bagillt Branch, and he, together with Richard Griffiths, Rhos, as Counselors.

"5 . That Denbighshire (including Newmarket, etc.) be made a Conference, with John Parry, Jr., as President, and David Williams and Joseph Evans as Counselors.

"6. That Anglesey be made a Conference, with Abel Evans to oversee it, and choose officials to labor in it.

"7 . That Radnorshire be made a Conference, with John Carver as President.

"8. That Monmouthshire continue as a Conference, with Thomas Giles, Jr., as President, and John Jones, Abersychan, and David Jones, Penycae, as Counselors.

"9. That Glamorganshire be made a Conference, with William Phillips as President, and Thomas Pugh and David John as Counselors."

After these decisions received the unanimous approval of the Conference, brother Jones showed the Conference Presidents that they, each one of them, were equal to each other, and that their counselors were next to them in authority, and that each president had the right to give the final vote among his counselors. He exhorted all of them to unity and cooperation, and said for each one to be diligent in his own circle. Then the meeting was closed with prayer, by brother Henshaw.

At two thirty, the meeting was opened in English, by brother Morris from Pembrokeshire. Then the President arose to finish the matters that had been initiated in the morning, by showing the necessity that all the Saints cooperate in all things in their branches, and in their conferences. He assured them that after his departure, if the Saints behaved in that way, they all would continue in the unity of the faith, and they would be like living stones, ready to be placed in the building by the divine Architect, without anything like the sound of a hammer tiring anyone's ears. With respect to the various Conferences, he showed further that there was one gap that needed closing,—that is, having something to be a head over the various Conferences, to lead them in unity, without which the foregoing arrangements would only make things worse. Therefore, the President proposed the following, which was seconded and approved unanimously,—i.e.,

"That William Phillips, Abel Evans, and John Davis compose the First Council of Wales; and that Abel Evans preside over the Conferences of the North, and that John Davis print all things pertaining to the Saints. Also, that all the monetary collections of the Glamorgan Conference, and the other Conferences, toward the expenses of the Council, be paid to William Phillips, who is to keep an account of them, and give the fourth part of them to John Davis for being the Secretary, and the other fourth to Abel Evans, if he needs it."

As he dealt with the above decisions, the President showed the duty of the Saints to assist the First Council with their prayers, so that they might have strength to fulfill their work. He showed that no one was to appeal to this Council unless they had failed to be satisfied in the council of their Conference; and that no one was to appeal to the council of the Conference before appealing to the council of their Branch. All matters not resolved in the First Council will be transferred to the council under the presidency of O. Pratt, in Liverpool.

After that, brother Jones presented his presidency to the hands of William Phillips and his two counselors, Abel Evans and John Davis, asking that God bless them with his Spirit. After that, the President showed the duty that everyone has, who is able to do so, to strive to pay tithing toward the building of the temple in Zion; and also he warned the Saints who are emigrating to hasten to send the pound that is necessary to secure a place on the ship. Then, through prayer, the President closed the meeting, one which all who were present will remember. In the evening, at six, the public meeting was begun by brother Benjamin Jones from Carmarthen, by prayer, and with songs of sweetness by the singers.

Then Capt. Jones, i.e., the President in the previous meetings, arose to greet the meeting, at the bidding of the new President, i.e., brother Phillips, and showed that he was as ready to obey the appointed presidency, as if he had never presided himself; and by so doing he left an example to be followed by all the officials throughout Wales. After saying a few words, he sat down to allow time for others. Then an English-speaking brother by the name of Pickett was called to address the meeting, which he did briefly and succinctly, portraying the dispensation of the fulness of times.

He was followed by brother Eleazer Edwards, who testified strongly about the truth, showing his desire to work to save his fellow nation. He exhorted his fellow officials to come out to the abundant field that is in the North. His speech was sweet, interesting, convincing, and learned; the entire congregation appeared happy as they heard his preaching experiences.

Then Capt. Jones arose again, and referred to the time that he was first laboring in Wales, and the effort that he made to bring his fellow nation to the truth, rejoicing in the numbers that he had obtained from between the rocks and the mountains of Wales to go toward Zion with him. Upon finishing, the singers struck up an anthem of praise; and after finishing, brother Abel Evans was called on to stand up. He recommended the faithfulness of Eleazer Edwards, exhorting everyone to thrust his sickle in the work of reaping, instead of keeping it on his shoulder, while looking at others work. Brother Evans said that no one should be received in the South, when they are sent to the North, until after they have been released from there, since that would benefit indolent workers.

After we sang a second time, brother Howells, from Aberdare, arose to make the following proposals:—

"1. That the Welsh Saints wish to bear sincere witness to the faithful fulfillment of the stewardship of their dear brother, Capt. D. Jones, through his laboring day and night in their midst; and that they are unable to express in words the reverence they have toward him, and his priceless service in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ in Wales.

"2. That the Welsh Saints also, as a sign of love and respect, wish to present to President Brigham Young a suit of clothes, and to his dear wife a dress of Welsh flannel.

"3. Inasmuch as our dear brother, Capt. D. Jones has dedicated his time and diligent labor in Wales, without being a burden on any one of his brethren, that the Saints wish to present to him also a suit of clothes, and a dress of Welsh flannel to his dear wife.

"4. That all the branch presidents of Wales set the foregoing proposals before the Saints so that the brethren can contribute their mite toward the suits of clothes, and the sisters their mite toward the flannel dresses—the contributions to be at the Conference in Merthyr, on the 16th of January, 1849."

After this had been passed, brother Phillips arose to show the duty the Saints had to acknowledge President Young and his wife, and Capt. Jones and his wife; and he gave thanks to God for the privilege, or the gift, that he had received, wishing for a part in the prayers of all the Saints for him and his counselors.

Then brother Jones arose also to recognize the Saints for this demonstration of kindness toward him for his labor in their midst; and he said that he would keep the present until all the Saints came home, and that he would show it in public, letting everyone know for what he had received it. He showed also that several of his compatriots, after they became Saints, had paid debts to the world that most likely would never have been paid, had they not obeyed the truth; and he exhorted those, together with everyone else, to continue forward with gentle, honest, and kind comportment, toward each other, and toward everyone. After this he gave some valuable counsels to the young unmarried Saints, telling them of the duty that they have to consider the difference between the wedding garment in the wedding feast of the Lamb, and those garments that are to be had in the midst of the Babylonians. He showed that it is not customary for the wise men of the earth to marry while the harvest is incomplete, and they should not possess more wisdom than those who labor in the harvest of God. He did not give these things as commandments, rather as counsels, saying that all had their free agency in all things. Then he sat down after giving general satisfaction, and after spending much of his strength in the work of his Lord. After singing the closing hymn, this Conference was closed with prayer by brother William Phillips. May gracious God bless all to be to the glory of His name.

GOLD IN CALIFORNIA .

THE newspaper called " Bell's Life," for Dec. 3 1 , 1848, confirms the first news that was received about the discovery of an unusual abundance of gold ore in California, and clears away all doubt that was occasioned by false news after that, the purpose of which was to keep the people from going to get it, by saying that it was not gold, but rather some other worthless metal. The following is quoted from a letter received from New York:—

"It is not just a fairy tale that there is gold in California. Midas lives. The greatest donkey in the United States, if he leaves his thistles behind, can meet with nothing but gold. Much of it has already reached Washington, having been sent to the mint and has been determined to be unusually pure—too pure, in fact, for our standard. The abundance obtained is far more than at first thought. But several attempts were made purposely to mislead the public, to put a stop to the search, while others were of the opinion that about ten million pounds of it could be obtained before it came to an end. I am at a loss what to think about it. But just imagine if every foot of land in England contained gold—and it could be extracted in big chunks from every rock— what would you think about it? Now, as far as we have been able to determine, a territory bigger than England has been discovered in this condition. Would that not thoroughly change the complexion of things for you? And will it not do likewise for us? Some of the political economists are already beginning to speculate on the results. * * * Your learned readers, no doubt, remember reading about the Romans, who, having taken Jerusalem, got so much gold that its value in Syria was reduced by half. I have just seen a letter that came very recently from San Francisco. It fully confirms every previous story of this golden country. A common miner arrived here today, through the isthmus, with his pockets full of gold. His purpose here is to buy melting pots and tools to melt the gold into bars, with which he intends to return without delay." That is how gold is being talked about in California. Besides that, the aforementioned newspaper testifies that the American papers are presently filled with similar descriptions. The most detailed and correct account is taken from the letters of Colonel Mason, the authorized official in Monterey; but though we would really like to quote the long and interesting account he gives, our pages do not permit us to do so. He ends his description by recommending the establishment of a mint in a convenient place near the Bay of San Francisco; and he says, "If this is not done, gold, worth many millions of dollars, will go across yearly to other countries, to enrich their merchants."

Among the various kinds of ore that were sent to Philadelphia to be tested, there were some grams of metal thought to be platinum, the heaviest of all metals; and also a small bit of fine looking mercury, or quicksilver ore, very important. They are sent, along with the California gold, to the mint to be tested. Some think that the mercury mines in California could turn out to be as valuable as even the places that contain gold, since the mercury is so useful to work the gold mines. All things considered, it is seen that the country to which the Saints are emigrating is a splendid place, and it is no wonder that their enemies are complaining about it.

MISCELLANEOUS.

RECOGNIZING HATS.—The man who does not know his hat, but takes another one by mistake in its place, can never know himself. Just because a man sees himself in the mirror with a hat on his head, that is no proof that he owns it. If such a one knows not what mark to place on his hat, let him turn it inside out.

SINGING VS. PREACHING.—On the 1st of October, in Wern, near Ebenezer, Llangunnog, two Saints from Carmarthen, by the names of David Lewis and Isaac Jones, were preaching outside at about four o'clock and within a few feet of the road. The same Sunday afternoon, Mr. John Williams, son of Mr. Williams, Ebenezer, was preaching in a nearby farm, which is called Castellygarthen; and after finishing, a group of people started from there along toward Ebenezer, singing hymns, until they came to the meeting of the Saints when they lost the tune by being overly jealous of the Saints, one of whom was halfway through his sermon at the time. Those who were listening at the meeting of the Saints said that the expressions of those believers were very hateful as they passed, and that several of them accompanied their brethren past the Saints just to enjoy the disturbance and increase the insult, and they turned back to listen from afar. It is worthy of notice also that on one occasion the Saints obtained permission to preach by the end of a blacksmith's shop there, and the blacksmith was bothered so much by the Baptists that he finally agreed to deny them the place; after that the Saints moved the place of their meeting about three yards from the end of the smithy, where the land is of common ownership. After the Baptists had failed in that, they decided to try to forestall them by coming there to sing hymns!

GEMS.—To be in debt is the worst kind of poverty.—Face to face, and the truth will come out.—That which is gained through lying will be sure to burn your fingers.—Gratitude keeps old friends, and makes new friends.—Good deeds will never save you, but you cannot be saved without them.

Miracles

If all miracles have now ceased,

It is vain to live in hope;

For if Christ raised some from death,

The rest shall never rise from dust.

JOHN DAVIS , PRINTER , CARMARTHEN.