The Pittsburgh American says, that Jos. Smith, cannot be denied the attribute of greatness. We have considered the said Jo Smith, High Priest of Mormonism; and self-styled Prophet, as the prince of Loafers. He is a man without education or genius. He has a little low cunning. His only greatness must consist in rascallity. He used to live near “these diggings,” and some of his “revelations” were very financierish.—Clev. Herald.

No man was ever a Prophet near the edge of his own diggins. Nevertheless friend Harris, you will not deny but that Jo Smith, loafer, financier, or rascal, if you choose, has built up a new sect, unaided and alone, and that too in the very heart of New-England, walled in as it is with school houses, colleges, and churches. We know nothing personally of Jo Smith, and very little of his doctrine It may be a humbug or fraud, or like some of the dogma’s of the schools, too profound for our comprehension. We know that principally from a country which boasts its superior intelligence; where ignorance is supposed to be banished, and every man and womon taught to read and write, he has built up a name, a and a , conquering all opposition, and this both vindictive and powerful, and so entirely unaided that he can exclaim like the proud and haughty Roman “alone I did it.”

If he is advancing the cause of truth, he certainly has claim to our sympathies and respect, as well for its discovery as the bold and determined manner in which he has maintained it. If it is a gross imposture as you assert, he must be both ingenious and cunning to gloss over its deformities, and make them so attractive. We have nothing to do with its doctrines—we only consider him the most remarkable man among the “diggins.”—Pittsburgh Sat. Eve. Visiter.

Conference met according to appointment, and organized by voting John Hughes president, and W. V. Hakes clerk. After singing a hymn, Bro. Hughes addressed the throne of grace; after which he proceeded to read the duty of the official characters, and members, from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. The different composing this conference were then represented.

Br. Hakes represented the branch at Grafton, 33 members, 1 , 3 , 1 , 2 , and 1 ; all in good standing.

Bro. Welden represented the branch at Brownhelen, consisting of 10 members, 1 priest and one deacon.

The branch at Brooklin and Parma, represented by Bro. Beal, 9 members, 1 priest and one deacon.

The branch at Littlefield, recently raised up by Bro’s. Gaylord and Hughes, represented by Bro. Morrison; 10 members, 1 priest, 1 teacher, and one deacon.

The branch at Homer, represented by Bro. Campbell; 10 members, 1 priest, 1 teacher and one deacon.

Conference then adjourned for one hour.

Conference met according to adjournment, and was opened by prayer by Br. Weeden. The following persons were then recommended to the conference, from the different branches, as proper persons to receive ; Bro’s. Teffany, Humphrey, and Beals to receive the office of elders; and Bro’s. Grennell, and Morrison, that of priests; they were then unanimously elected to those offices, and received their ordination.

Elijah Persons, priest of Brownhelm branch, had charges perfered against him, which were sustained, and he was cut off from the church, and his ordered to be taken from him.

Conference voted, that all elders going out to promulgate the gospel, within the bounds of this conference shall take a letter of commendation; it was also voted, that this conference shall hereafter be known, as the Lorain Conference.

Bro. Hughes resigned the office of President of the branch at Grafton, that he might go into the vineyard and fulfill some of the many calls that they had to preach in the surrounding towns.

Bro. Wetherby was unanimously chosen and ordained President of the Grafton branch.

Several discourses were delivered by the elders present, which were very interesting. Elder Hughes made some very appropriate remarks on the gifts of the gospel, followed by Weeden, Wetherby, Gaylord and others, to a very large congregation.

Conference then adjourned until the first Saturday in September next.

W. V. Hakes, Clerk [p. 829]