Knoxville, Ray Co., Mo., August 21st, 1874.
Editors Herald: — On the 15th and 16th days of the present month, I met the brethren in Conference capacity on Turkey Creek, Carroll County, Missouri. Except preaching in the evening, Saturday was devoted to business. Considerable business was done, but it might have been done in less time than it was; I hope the brethren in the Northwest Missouri District, as elsewhere, are beginning to realize that we meet in Conference to deliberate for the forwarding of the cause, rather than cavilling on subjects wherein there is no profit, or striving to create or strengthen party feelings. The Master taught, "A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand."
We held two preaching meetings on Sunday, in a grove belonging to Father Traughber, who has traveled three score and six years upon the earth, many years a member of other religious bodies, but who, with his worthy wife, and son, John, a young man of promise, a few months ago embraced the faith of the Saints, and seem happy therein. They extended their hospitalities to a large number of Saints during the Conference. Both the preaching meetings on Sunday were well attended and very orderly, more orderly out-door meetings could not be desired. But we cannot speak so well of the evening meeting, which was a prayer-meeting in a common sized school-house, closely packed, and many round the door and windows, who could not gain admittance. Quite a number of young Missourians were on hand, who seemed bent on doing something to disturb the peace of the Saints; nor were they altogether unsuccessful. One of these young gentlemen threw a good sized chip through the door towards the other end of the room, where stood a table, on which stood a lamp filled with coal oil; we suppose his object was to burst the lamp, but in this he failed. We might have expostulated with these young gentlemen, but our room was crowded; many sisters and some children; and then, we remembered that we were in Missouri, and what had happened years ago; so when they got too boisterous we quietly adjourned. Upon the whole we had a good Conference.
Since Conference, in company with Br. Cravin, I have been to Willow Creek, held four preaching meetings, attendance not large; stopped at Richmond, had an interview of two hours with Mr. David Whitmer, one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon; he gave me a kind reception. We talked but little on the Reorganization; he is not a violent opposer, nor does he endorse us. Before I bade him good-by, I said to him, "Can I, Father Whitmer, say, I this day have seen a living witness to the Book of Mormon;" whereupon he raised his eyes heavenward, and said, "As my testimony stands, so it is: I have not, nor will I deny it."
To-morrow we go to Far West to preach...
Yours, as ever, JAMES CAFFALL.