This evening a Council of High Priests assembled at the house of President Joseph Smith, Jun., to reconsider the case of brother George F. James. President Joseph Smith, Jun., presiding. Brother George said that he had often promised to take up his cross and magnify his calling, but had failed, and ought to have written to the President ere this time and given him the information that this pecuniary affairs called his attention at home, which prevented his fulfilling the promise he made to President Joseph Smith, in going out to proclaim the Gospel; and he sincerely asked pardon of the Lord, and of his brethren, and particularly of Brother Joseph. He also said he was willing to ask the forgiveness of this Church. He said relative to certain charges, which were, that he "had not attended meetings, and had treated lightly some of the weak," etc.; that he had attended meetings generally; and as far as speaking or treating lightly any brother because of his weakness, that was foreign from his mind, and was that which he had never done, nor could he ever and such principles in his bosom. President Joseph Smith said he had no hardness; he only wished Brother George to consider this as a chastisement, and that the Council were bound to take notice of his conduct heretofore; but now, if Brother George was willing to walk according to the new covenant, he should have his hand of fellowship. The Council then expressed their satisfaction at Brother George's confession. (Signed) Oliver Cowdery, Clerk. _April 5--_I went to Chardon as a witness for Father Johnson, and returned in the evening. Mr. Russell, the state's attorney for Portage county, called on me. He approached me in a gentlemanly manner, and treated me with great respect. [Sidenote: Special Prayer.] _April 7_.-Bishop Whitney, Elder Frederick G. Williams, Oliver Cowdrey, Heber C. Kimball, and myself, met in the council room, and bowed down before the Lord, and prayed that He would furnish the means to deliver the Firm from debt, that they might be set at liberty; also, that I might prevail {48} against that wicked man Hurlburt, and that he might be put to shame. The Presidency wrote Elder Orson Hyde, who yet remained in the state of New York, as follows: Kirtland, April 7, 1834.