| 111 From the 10th to the 13th of August there was a public discussion held at Rockcreek, Hancock County, Illinois, between Elder M. H. Forscutt and a Universalist preacher by the name of J. L. Shinn. A stenographic report of this debate was made by Elder D. F. Lambert, and was published in pamphlet form by the church.
August 24,1875, Elder H. N. Hansen wrote from Copenhagen, Denmark. From his letter it seems that the prospects were not very flattering. After a few efforts they had given up their meetings in the hall and Elder Fyrando had again departed for Sweden.
August 26, 1875, Elder J. T. Davies arrived at Plano on his way home from Europe. He left Elder Robert Evans in charge in Wales, until otherwise provided for.
August 26 C. A. Davis wrote from Lambton, Australia, giving an account of a discussion between Elder Glaud Rodger and a Reverend Mr. Bull, which resulted well for the cause represented by Elder Rodger.
September 1, 1875, George A. Smith, first counselor to Brigham Young, President of Utah church, died at Salt Lake City, Utah, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. He was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1838 and subsequently went with the Utah faction.
The semiannual conference convened near Council Bluffs, Iowa, September 8, 1875, and adjourned the 12th. President Joseph Smith and W. W. Blair presided. Elder H. A. Stebbins was chosen secretary, with Elders T. W. Smith and Duncan Campbell assistants.
Encouraging reports were made from many places. That of Elder J. W. Briggs, of the Utah Mission, will be of special interest. It is as follows:
I have been for the most of my ten months' absence in Utah, engaged in Salt Lake City, preaching nearly every Sabbath there, besides my other business for the church. There are many evils existing in Utah not to be found anywhere else. One reason is that there is the least liberty of speech there in talking of religion and approaching men upon that subject of any place anywhere. The "iron heel," as it is called, of despotism in Europe, compared with its power and exercise in Utah, is as the size of the finger of a man compared to his thigh. Strong, full-grown men say they would be pleased to come to meeting, but circumstances
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