The April conference for 1873 is past. Much business of importance to the church was transacted. A more peaceful and pleasant session the church has never hold.

The vote on the most of the questions presented was very unanimous, and the best of feeling prevailed during the discussion of those upon which there was any decided difference of opinion.

Seven were baptized during the session.

Brethren from nearly every quarter were present. Brn. John Gilbert and Francis Sheehy, of Massachusetts; Bro. Elisha Culver, of Vermont; Brn. Robert Davis, Joseph S. Snively, and Duncan Campbell, of Canada; Bro. Wm. H. Kelley, of Indiana; Brn. George Corless and George A. Blakeslee, of Michigan; Thomas W. Smith and George T. Chute, of Alabama; Daniel P. Young and George Adams, of California; Wm. H. Hazzledine, of Missouri; Brn. Frank Reynolds, John H. Lake, William Anderson, of Montrose, Calvin Beebe and Charles Jensen, of Council Bluffs, and a host of others of Iowa; Alexander H. Smith, Joseph R. Lambert, and Thomas Revel and others from Hancock County, Illinois; Thomas P. Green and George Hilliard, of Wayne County, Illinois, with numbers from the various districts of labor in the vineyard, whom we do not now call to mind....

A car-load of nearly fifty Saints, under the charge of Bro. Frank Reynolds, from Nauvoo, Montrose, Vincennes, Burlington, and other places, came in on Saturday, the 5th, and stayed during the session. These Saints held a social meeting after the adjournment of conference, and left on the morning train on Monday, the 14th, for home, rejoicing.

There was less sickness among the Saints during the session than any we have attended for some years.

The events of the late General Conference warrant the interchange of mutual congratulations among the Saints. I offer you mine upon the fact, that for the first time in the history of the Reorganization, the Quorum of the First Presidency of the church is filled; we need not say by good and faithful men; they are known to all Saints; how many of whom are their living epistles known and read of all men.

The Quorum of the Twelve, also, being more nearly filled than heretofore by the young and middle-aged, whose faith and zeal, with the vigor of manhood to sustain them in hardships, much labor accomplished and much fruit gathered may confidently be looked for at their hands.

The Seventy also received some additions of constant laborers In the extended vineyard of the Lord. These things, together with the good news from all parts where labor has been bestowed, ought to encourage us to renewed efforts in the great work before us. Twenty years have elapsed since the first steps were taken to reorganize the quorums, that had been shattered to fragments when the old ship, Zion, losing her chief officers, and the understanding of her chart and compass, struck a hidden rock and went to pieces on a foreign coast.

The first years of this period were spent in the humane and sacred duty toward the missing crew, afloat upon many waters, in frail human contrivances for present relief. Some, however, speedily made to themselves leaders and followed them-in their infatuation-right or wrong; while others still more numerous, tried either to forget, or stood aloof waiting. The only parallel to this sudden change in history, may be found in the case of Israel when deprived of the leader God had appointed them, for the space of only forty days, had made-not another Moses-but another God.

From the numerous organizations have the pure in heart come to identify themselves with the church, until those organizations have, one by one, passed away; and to-day virtually but one remains, with name and form to deceive and destroy, viz: the latter-day organized apostasy, with polygamy its specialty; while its elder sister, the former-day organized apostasy remains, with celibacy its specialty; the two forming (where unfortunately for mankind they have the dominion) the upper and nether millstones, between which they fain would grind to powder the messengers of truth, their natural enemy. But God holds the reins in his own hands.

But the time is past for the elders to seek exclusively after backsliding Israel. For, as in former times, after an exclusive mission to such, the world was declared their mission; so now is the mission of apostles and elders to all the world. Hence, missions stand first in the catalogue of things to be done. The true policy in subdividing the great mission into fields of labor, no doubt will be found to consist in "striking while the iron is hot;" or, in other words, to preach where there are ears to hear; where doors are open to enter in rather than seek to open new ones.

Brethren of the Seventy; you, as especial witnesses to all nations, whether the Twelve shall first lead, you are the essential strength of the church, exerted in missionary labor. Will you, with the elders, take it kindly, if we advise with you and suggest some thoughts upon several subjects?

Among the qualifications of an evangelist is, that he be "apt to teach;" to this we would add, be also apt to be taught.

Preach what you know and believe; but mainly what you believe. In private conversation avoid talking to people, but rather talk with them-do not dogmatize. In administering we suggest the formula, "We lay our hands upon thee," etc.; instead of "upon thy head;" and avoid using the words, "the holy priesthood;" but use the name of Jesus Christ alone. Lay down no new rules for the branches. While on your missions, if you need assistance in temporal things, apply to presidents of branches, and not to the members. Finally, as the exponents of the faith of the church, seek to make every act a fit precedent for others to follow.

April 13 I baptized the first fruit of my labor-one of my brothers and my sister's son, aged sixteen years. I need greatly some German tracts;

These suggestions are made for use, if found useful, and to advance a step toward unity.

The Elders' Quorums are expected to furnish a large volunteer force in every campaign against the common enemy, error. Truth [is] the weapon with which we will fight out-and on this line-the great battle of Gog and Magog. To you, the priests, teachers, and deacons, as local ministers, is confided the preservation of order, peace, and the ties of brotherhood; to give words of counsel and comfort for every day's use.

We welcome the high priests into the field for counsel and example.

The proceedings of the general and district conferences show that some diversity of views and opinions exists upon various questions of doctrine, discipline, government, etc. This should disquiet no one. It would be exceedingly strange if it were otherwise. Gathered from every faction of the latter-day apostasy, and every sect of the former-day apostasy, immediate unanimity, would be the most stupendous miracle ever wrought; besides, this would conflict with every idea of growth, which implies time, labor, patience, charity, etc.

Many difficulties located in the future, over which many a fierce conflict is waged, and much ill-feeling generated, are greatly lessened, or entirely disappear as we approach them. Among these questions are lineage and suffrage; which perhaps in their general bearing may be considered more important, and the diversity the most marked.

In reference to the first of them, though the Reorganization owes its existence to the application of the principle involved, and forming the central idea in the system of truth contemplated in the "setting in order the house of God," we speak advisedly here, and all agree in this, it is not the principle itself that separates any, but the diversity arises upon a proposition to limit its operation. Upon this question of limitation we may say, as Paul the aged said, "if the root be holy so are the branches." If the principle be true, so are the logical deductions therefrom equally true; truth tends to expansion; error to contraction. One of the grounds of complaint against ancient Israel was, that they presumed to limit the Holy One of Israel. But the truth upon this point will develop itself and can afford to wait; for "the eternal Years of God are hers;" while with error, it is now or never.

In reference to the suffrage question, we look to the establishing of all the quorums, and their conditions to act severally and as a whole, for its solution.

Here also the diversity arises, not from affirming or denying the principle of suffrage, but its limitation. Now when every quorum performs within itself its own specific duties, from the deacons to the First Presidency, and what devolves upon them as a whole, standing in the relation of "servants," what remains or can remain for the congregation or church, but to pass upon these servants? With her consent they act, without her consent they can not act. Here are the reserved rights in the congregation, and there the delegated rights in the elders (or quorum), and no conflict between them. Truth can not conflict with itself.

The question of tithing, in its practical sense, may be considered settled, so far as applicable to the present condition. One impediment (perhaps the chief one), to the effectual execution of this law, is found in the want of that confidence that ought to exist among Saints. This is due to the fact that imposition has been, and still is practiced under the name and profession of Latter Day Saints; this being one of the iniquities comprised in the "flood" against which the Spirit of the Lord raised a standard in the reorganization of his people.

Will the Saints withhold the sustaining of this standard because of former misrule, against which this is a standing rebuke? If too confiding then, shall we go to the other

many would read at home who do not come to hear me preach, and the work could and would spread more than through my tongue alone. It is hard to make people believe only with one testimony. I have three Voice of Warnings under my control, the old edition in the German language, they are continually out, and some would like to buy it. This would be the best book here-would do more good than many of the other tracts together. I have translated into the German language "Truth Made Manifest," and for the Brighamites here I have translated "The Bible versus Polygamy," and "Was Polygamy an Original Tenet of the Church," "Rejection of the Church," and "Brighamism, its Promises and its Failures;" but having only one of each, it will be a very slow progress letting the people read it. When I lose one I have to translate it over again, or write several copies of it, which will take much time. If it would be possible to have some of them printed, it would help the work greatly here and break down Brighamism.-The Saints' Herald, vol. 20, P. 391.

We notice a new feature in the church government in Utah. President Brigham Young has resigned several important positions of trust and emolument, which he has hitherto held; among them, are the presidency of the Deseret National Bank, the presidency of Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution and the office of trustee-in-trust for the whole church.

George A. Smith, one of the Twelve there, has been chosen, at President Young's suggestion, to be his successor as trustee, President Young, as stated by Mr. Cannon at the time of calling the vote, to retain a supervisory power. This successor is to have twelve assistants whose names are given. It was further ordered, by resolution, that George A. Smith, the incoming trustee, should give bonds to the amount of $25,000; and each of the twelve assistants is to give bonds in $10,000; thus securing from these thirteen men bonds for pecuniary good behavior to the tune of $145,000, still further saddled with a supervisory power vesting in President Young,

extreme now? To you, brethren, belongs a fall share of every legitimate burden, and also the full rewards of well-doing, the glory of success in every righteous enterprise.

The gathering is such an enterprise proposed to the Saints. The best preparation for it perhaps is to comprehend the law of tithing and consecration, and to secure on our part a willingness to abide it; hence, the gathering must be proportioned to the readiness on the part of those who would gather. Finally, brethren and sisters, you love the truth; let it make you free-free indeed-is the prayer of your fellow laborer.

Pray for us, and may the blessings of our heavenly Father abide with you all.

Yours In faith and hope,

JASON W. BRIGGS, one of the Twelve.

-The Saints' Herald, vol. 20, pp. 267-259.

Bro. T. W. Smith is at Millersburg and Buffalo Prairie. His health