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1861
23 May (Groveland) "Elder Peter Long & Bro Emory Brooks take down the fence
around the meeting ground and remove the stone to the cellar of the
new dwelling house. Thus is removed the first enclosure & sacred stone
pf the several that were formed at much expense of time and money some
years since for the purpose of designating and preserving meeting grounds."
28 May Ministry returned to WV.
29 May "Truly we must say, by conditions we realize in our own bishopric and
those we are in visit of by letter from other societies, that Zion is
wading thru deep waters of sufferings & tribulation, much apostasy,
much weakness, darkness & loss. It requires exceedingly vigilant watch-
fulness and care on the part of Bidders -to save & protect any of the
young. The elements that seem rending asunder the kingdoms of the
world also seem to be surging in among Believers, almost all outward
conditions seem to favor & foster a worldly carnal sense & feeling, and
the very sbbsixi^iiiHSatmosphere seems replete with spiritual weakness &
death, especially in some particular families."
5 June The Ministry, accompanied by all the SF ministry, go to the SF outfarms.
"One, called the west farm, is where Abial Hathaway lived. One called the Rotter-
dam farm is located on the banks of the Mohawk River, west of Schenectady
about 2 miles, & contains about 50 acre , belongs to them and 60 acres
which they rent to r_aise broom corn; also one called the north farm
located in Niskayuna. This appears to be a^good farm for grain, hay &
grazing, beautifully adapted to sheep husbandry.
11 June Ministry returned to Lebanon. Took with them Ann Magee, 3 years old,
whose mother has lived at WF for 2 years.
19 June (NL) Draw water & clean up building at "Holy Mount" (desecrated) and
Elder Daniel & Giles "subsequently bury the monument stone containing
the inscription erected there in 1842 July. "Thus in 19 years is
there such a change in the feelings of society as would not & could not
have been believed at the time of the erection of this sacred tablet.
There is, it is true, a spaced regard for all of the institutions rela-
tive to the meeting on the mount, but experience hasjshown that it is
unprofitable to society, there being so many chances for disorder
between members of different families. Should this monumental relic
bearing record of this eventful consecration of a meeting place on the
top of the mountain remain there some hundreds or thousands of years
and ts^hen be exhumed, to be wondered at by a people ignorant of the
characters bearing the inscription, how wonderful and awful bhe thought."
15 Aug Back at WV, returning from trip to eastern societies.
16 Aug Attend a picnic in the woods with the elders, some of the sisters, &
school girls & their instructors.
17 Aug Meet with WF elders.Have troubles financially with a man in New York
named Thompson who has formerly sold large quantities of their sweet
corn, etc; about the Vedder farm in Niskayuna which they have recently
been purchasing; about hens stolen; about seceders hanging around, etc.
20 Aaug Giles & sisters go to WF & find very much that needs attention there,
both spiritually & temporally.

21 Aug Giles goes to NF inquiring into the condition of their financial
business, particularly.