History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

THE FIRST MIRACLE. 67
same day baptized in Seneca Lake several persons,
among whom were Hyrum and Katherine Page, some
of the Whitmers, and the Jolly family. The first
miracle likewise occurred during the same month,
Joseph Smith casting out a devil from Newel Knight,
son of Joseph Knight, who with his family had been
universalists. Newel had been a constant attendant
at the meetings, and was much interested; but when
he attempted to pray the devil prevented him, writhing
his limbs into divers distortions, and hurling him about
the room. "I know that you can deliver me from
this evil spirit," cried Newel. Whereupon Joseph
rebuked the devil in the name of Jesus Christ, and
the evil spirit departed from the young man. Seeing
this, others came forward and expressed their belief
in the new faith, and a church was established at Coles-
ville.
On the 1st of June the first conference as an organized
church was held, there being thirty members.
The meeting was opened by singing and prayer, after
which they partook of the sacrament, which was followed
by confirmations and further ordinations to the
several offices of the priesthood. The exercises were
attended by the outpouring of the holy ghost, and
many prophesied, to the infinite joy and gratification of
the elders. Some time after, on a Saturday previous
to an appointed sabbath on which baptism was to be
performed, the brethren constructed, across a stream of
water, a dam, which was torn away by a mob during
the night. The meeting was held, however, though
amid the sneers and insults of the rabble, Oliver preaching.
Present among others was Emily Coburn, Newel
Knight's wife's sister, formerly a presbyterian. Her
pastor, the Rev. Mr Shearer, arrived, and tried to
persuade her to return to her father. Failing in this,
he obtained from her father a power of attorney, and
bore her off by force; but Emily returned. The dam
was repaired, and baptism administered to some thirteen
persons the following morning; whereupon fifty