Outpouring of the Spirit on the Authorities of the Durham Conference

On Monday, December 15, 1856, a council of the general authorities of the Pastorate was convened at 10:00 a.m. at the home of Brother and Sister Newton in Sunderland. During the gathering, Elder E. T. Benson provided extensive instructions aimed at ensuring the future prosperity of the work. As the council proceeded, the participants experienced a profound spiritual manifestation, with Elder Benson noting that the good Spirit rested upon the gathered brethren in great power, moving several of those present to speak in tongues and prophesy. During the same proceedings, the leadership formally called Elder Joseph Doxford to preach the Gospel within the Durham Conference. The meeting was concluded at 2:00 p.m., after which the brethren departed for their respective fields of labor. This event took place during a broader tour of the British Isles undertaken by Elder Benson and W. G. Young, following their successful meetings in Ireland and Scotland.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

On Monday, the 15th, at ten o'clock, we held a council of the general authorities of the Pastorate, at brother Newton's house, when I gave considerable instructions for the prosperity of the work, and the good Spirit rested down upon us in power; some of the brethren spoke in tongues and prophesied. We called out Elder Joseph Doxford to preach the Gospel in the Durham Conference. Council was dismissed at two o'clock, and the brethren departed for their respective fields of labour.