| 23 The present time looks gloomy. In the first time there were private houses opened unto me to preach, and many delighted in it a little while, and then left it again. Now for quite a time I could not get a single house to preach in, those who would be willing have no houses of their own and are not allowed.-The Saints' Herald, vol. 20, pp. 769, 770.
These items were published September 1, 1873:
Bro. John R. Evans writes that seven more were baptized at St. Davids, near Canton, Illinois.
Brn. John S. Patterson, T. E. Jenkins, - Morgan, and others, are laboring in England and Wales, with varying success.
Bro. Jonas W. Chatburn is also fighting the good fight about Accrington, England. He met some of the Salt Lake people there; but they would give him no opportunity to talk with them.
Bro. E. C. Briggs has returned to his home at Plano, with the intention of attending the conference at Council Bluffs, Iowa. He reports Brn. Duncan Campbell and Wm. H. Kelley as laboring successfully in Michigan and Indiana.-The Saints' Herald, vol. 20, p. 548.
The semiannual conference convened at Park's Mill, near Council Bluffs, Iowa, September 3, 1873. Joseph Smith, W. W. Blair, and D. H. Smith presidents; H. A. Stebbins secretary, W. H. Kelley and E. C. Brand clerks. The first two days were occupied in hearing reports. On the 5th,
The conference took up the subject of ordinations, as per appointment, and resolution of April conference.
Bro. James Caffall, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was asked if he would accept the appointment, made at the April conference.
Bro. Caffall responded, and said that he would like to be able to express his feelings, but could not. He had never sought place nor power; and never desired it, only in accordance with the will of God. If the conference ratified his appointment, he would do the best that lay in his power to magnify the calling wherever he was called. . . .
Bro. E. C. Brand, upon request, stated that if his appointment had come through the President, he should have declined; had it come from the body, he should have hesitated; but coming as it had, he did not feel at liberty to do otherwise than to accept it and strive to do the will of God, as ability should be given him. . . .
Bro. James Caffall was then set apart, by prayer and the laying on of hands, to the office designated; Brn. J. Smith, J. W. Briggs, and Wm. W. Blair, engaging m the ordinance, Bro. Wm. W. Blair being spokesman.
Bro. E. C. Brand was then set apart to the office of a seventy, under the hands of the same brethren; Elder J. Smith, spokesman.
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