In the afternoon a charge of adultery was preferred against Lorenzo L. Lewis, on general report circulating among the brethren, to which he pleaded not guilty, and the charge was changed to "an illicit intercourse with a female." Lewis confessed that he had disgraced the girl, himself, and the Church, but [was] not guilty of the charge. After hearing the testimony of witnesses, Elders Marsh, M'Lellin, Patten and William Smith, and the pleadings, Elder Lewis confessed that he had done wickedly and had made all the reparation he could, in his confession in the early part of this trial and required his name to be taken off the Church records, or dispose of him according to the mind of the Spirit, and submitted to the decision of the Council. The Council decided that Brother Lorenzo L. Lewis be cut off from the Church, being satisfied that the charge preferred is substantiated by evidence, and the Spirit of the Lord; but if he repent, and humble himself to the satisfaction of the Church, he should be received into it again and receive his license. The Council adjourned till morning. [Sidenote: Trial of Elder Allen Avery.] {286} The High Council met on the 29th, and heard a charge against Elder Allen Avery, on an appeal case from an Elders' Court in Zion, which took away his license for rebelling against their decision. Brother Avery frankly and readily complied with the requisition of the Council, and the President decided that he be restored to fellowship, and receive his license. [Sidenote: The Prophet on the Part of the Accused.] In these cases I acted on the part of the defense for the accused, to plead for mercy. The Lord blessed my soul, and the Council was greatly blessed also, and much good will result from our labors. I was at home on the 30th, and was visited by many who came to inquire after the work of the Lord. [Sidenote: The Prophet Learns the Principles of Astronomy as Understood by Abraham.] _October 1_.--This afternoon I labored on the Egyptian alphabet, in company with Brothers Oliver Cowdery and W. W. Phelps, and during the research, the principles of astronomy as understood by Father Abraham and the ancients unfolded to our understanding, the particulars of which will appear hereafter. On the 2nd of October I wrote the following letter for publication in the _Messenger and Advocate_, (continued from the 1st of September.) [1] [Sidenote: Charges Against the Goulds.] _October 3_.--I attended the High Council to investigate charges preferred by Reynolds Cahoon against Elder John Gould "for making expressions calculated to injure the cause we have espoused, and manifesting a strong dissatisfaction with the teachings of the Presidency." Also against Dean Gould for speaking unadvisedly against Elder Rigdon and other Elders. In the case of John Gould, the accuser and defendant agreed the matter should be talked over, by which all difference of feeling was allayed. Gould confessed and was forgiven.