General Conference at Manchester:-- Ordinations and Appointments:--Return to New York:--Meet with my Family:--Visit to the State of Maine:--A Dream and its Fulfilment:--Embark Again for England:--Consequence of Looking Back:--Safe Arrival in England:--Resume the Editorial Duties:-- Reflections. On the 6th of July, 1840, a general conference was convened at Manchester, in the "Carpenter's Hall," a building which would seat near five thousand people. There were present of the Twelve Apostles: Brigham Young, H. C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, Willard Richards, George A. Smith and myself. Of other officers: High Priests, 5; Elders, 19; Priests, 15; Teachers, 11; and Deacons, 3. At this conference Parley P. Pratt was unanimously chosen President; and William Clayton, Clerk. Two thousand seven hundred and sixty-seven members were represented, including 254 officers. The publishing committee had just completed the new hymn book, which was presented to the conference, and accepted by them by unanimous vote. Three persons were then ordained to the high priesthood, viz.: Thomas Kington, Alfred Cordon and Thomas Smith; also John Albertson, John Blezord, William Berry, John Sanders, John Parkinson, James Worsley, and John Allen were ordained elders; seven individuals were ordained to the lesser Priesthood. Many elders were also selected and appointed to labor in the ministry in various parts. There was a variety of business transacted, and much instruction given by Brigham Young and others, after which, conference was adjourned to the 6th of October, at the same place. During this conference I received a letter from my family in New York, informing me that they were dangerously ill of scarlet fever. I, therefore, by advice of the other members of the quorum, concluded to cross the ocean once more and bring them to England, where I was likely to remain for several years rather in a stationary position as an editor and publisher. I accordingly repaired immediately to Liverpool and embarked for New York. I was thirty-seven days confined on this dreary passage, without any friends or associates who cared for me or the cause of truth.