Judge Appleby called the meeting to order; I opened by prayer. President Taylor made a few remarks, after which there were songs, recitations, speeches, and amusements of various kinds, refreshments, etc., which lasted till eleven o'clock, after which I addressed them, bearing testimony of the restoration of the priesthood and gospel by Joseph Smith; was followed by Presidents Smith and Taylor. While in this party we received news of the safe landing of two hundred and twenty Saints from Europe on the "Columbia." My time was occupied in visiting the Saints, meeting in council with the brethren, writing, etc., until the 5th, when I met in the evening with Brothers Taylor, Smith, Snow and Appleby in council at Brother Taylor's residence. After opening by prayer I was chosen to preside, and Brother Appleby acted as clerk. Brother Snow made a statement in relation to the financial condition of the emigration under his agency. We agreed to make this a matter of prayer, and to solicit and influence means into that channel as far as possible. At 7 P.M. Brother Taylor having furnished an upper room in his residence, the before-named persons, five in number, met in a room for prayer, in which we humbled ourselves and called on the Lord for remission of our sins and the light of the Spirit of God to guide us in our several duties. We also asked for means, and for our way to be opened up to enable us in all things to magnify our callings; dedicating ourselves renewedly to the service of God. After this we continued in council until a late hour. _January 6th_. I visited Mr. George W. Pratt, No. 89 Gold Street, on the subject of genealogy--he being the son of Zadoc Pratt, ex-member of Congress, and descended from the same parentage as myself, our progenitors being among the early settlers of the New England Colonies. I conversed with him very agreeably for half an hour, and learned that he was in correspondence with Brother Orson, in Liverpool, on the subject of our ancestry in England. _January 7th_--I was in council all day at Brother Taylor's residence with the brethren of the Twelve. We resolved to concentrate our energies this year in forming settlements on or near the Platte River, on the route of our emigration, according to the instructions of President Young. We voted that _The Mormon_ be continued, and that it is not expedient for Brother Snow to resuscitate the _Luminary_ at present. Next day bid farewell to the brethren, and took the train for Trenton, N. J. Here I was kindly received by Brother Hurdley and family, where I remained for two days, the weather being very cold. _Saturday, 10th_.--Joseph Asay came with a carriage and conveyed me about four miles into the country to his house. This day I completed a communication for _The Mormon_ on spiritual communication in modern times.