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     The Nebraska Annual Conference met in the Methodist Episcopal church at Lincoln, Nebraska, on Wednesday the 5th day of September, 1883, for its twenty-third session, at 9 A.M.
      Bishop Wiley, D.D., LL.D., read a portion of the fourth and fifth chapters of Second Corinthians, beginning with the fifteenth verse of the fourth chapter, and announced the 770th hymn. W. G. Miller, D.D., led in prayer.
      John Gallagher, the secretary of the last session, called the roll of the conference, and the following responded to their names:

     CONTINUED ON TRIAL.--Geo. W. Hawley, Geo. M. Jones, Amos M. Ogburn, Elias J. Randall, Harvey F. Tyler, Henry W. Warner, Edwin L. Wells.

      ADMITTED ON TRIAL--Francis A. Campbell, Horace M. Campbell, Truman A. Hull, Chesman B. Lenfest, Wm. F. Maltbie, Andrew J. Marsh

      The conference decided to elect the secretary by ballot. A. C. Crosthwaite, John Gallagher, and E. Thomson, were nominated. E. Thomson declined. John Gallagher was elected to act as temporary secretary.

      Bishop announced as tellers--H. Burch and A. L. Folden.

      While the tellers were counting the vote the nominations for standing committees were read.

      The nominations were approved. (See list.)

      Bishop Wiley announced the vote for secretary as follows:
      John Gallagher, 26; A. C. Crosthwaite, 17.
      John Gallagher was declared elected.

      The Secretary was granted permission to nominate his own assistants, and the following were appointed:
      1st Asst. A. C. Crosthwaite.
      2d  "  G. H. Wehn.
      3d  "  Horace A. Ewell.
      Recording Secretary, Wm. Peck.
      Statistical Secretary, R. Pearson.

      The Bishop announced a draft of $30.00 on the Chartered Fund, and $107.00 from the Book Concern dividends.

      E. J. Willis was appointed to take charge of the New York Book Accounts.

      The Bishop presented a paper on the CENTENARY OF METHODISM, which, on motion, was referred to the Committee on Education. Also papers on the Episcopal Fund and General Conference expenses, which were referred to the Presiding Elders for distribution.

      The following brethren transferred to this Conference were introduced:
      R. N. McKaig from the North Indiana, Enoch Holland from the Upper Iowa, and Manliff C. Smith from Blue Ridge Conferences. Rev. Mr. Rippetoe of the Southern Illinois Conference, A. L. Beggs of the Protestant Methodist Church, Rev. Mr. Unland of the German M. E. Church of this city, and Rev. Mr. Ingram of the Christian Church of this city were introduced.

      The Bishop called upon Dr. Fowler, Missionary Secretary, who addressed the conference.

      On motion of J. G. Miller, it was ordered to publish a detailed report of the Missionary contributions next year.

      The hours of the session were fixed from 8:30 A.M. to 12 M., the first half hour to be devoted to religious services.

      The line of transept of the Church was fixed as the bar.

      The Twentieth Question.--Was the character of each preacher

examined?--was taken up, and the list of effective elders was called by districts.

      Nebraska City District. The name of L. F. Britt, P. E., was called, his character passed, and he reported his district as follows:

      DEAR FATHERS AND BRETHREN:--It is with a feeling of devout thankfulness to the Great Head of the Church that we are able to report progress on the Nebraska City District both financially and spiritually. It has been a year of exceedingly hard work--the hardest in our ministry, and yet a year full of comfort in working with our brethren in the ministry and churches.
      Nebraska City, W. K. Beans, Pastor. This charge has had a year of steady prosperity. The pastor's salary was increased one hundred dollars over last year, and is all paid up. A good revival in the church during the winter resulted in great good to the membership of the church. During the year the church has been repaired and renovated inside and out at a cost of $900, and they now have the church of the Conference. Benevolent collections during the year aggregate $287. Brother Beans closes his second year in this charge.
      Peru is one of our good stations. The State Normal School is located here, and very many of the students attend our services. Rev. J. A. Chapin closes his second year with this people. He has made a good record. In this charge he has been called upon to suffer the greatest affliction of his life, in the death of his wife. Sister Chapin, during the last year of her life, was a great but patient sufferer. She passed away peacefully in her home while Brother Chapin was on his way home from the session of Conference. He having been re-appointed to Peru--she being called to the mansion and home on the other side. Much good has been done in this charge during the year under the labors of Brother Chapin, and he leaves the church strong in good works.
      Brownville has been served for the last two years by F. M. Esterbrook. Last winter a good revival was the result of the untiring and persistent work of the pastor; about forty were added to the church, most of whom will be saved to Methodism. About $75 has been expended in church improvement, and all debts have been paid, and the record is clear. This field has many discouragements, because of many going away, and the church has felt the loss severely, but under all the discouragements Brother Esterbrook closes up his two years' service with a good healthy increase in the membership.
      Auburn is one of our strong circuits. J. W. Swan closes up two years of hard work. A good degree of success has attended his labors. The church during the year has been moved to a much better location to accommodate the people. It has been refitted, and a bell purchased, and the outlook is very encouraging for next year. Brother Swan has worked very hard in revivals, and exposed himself too much, and as a result broke down in health and will have to rest a year. He leaves his people having made a good record. We dedicated a new church for him at Glen Rock, free of debt, the building costing about about (sic) $1600. This work will be divided next year.
      Brook is one of our large circuits, A. L. Folden, pastor. A new church has been built during the year at Brock, costing about $3,000, and is now waiting to be dedicated. Another church has been built on Lower Spring Creek, costing $1600, and

will soon be ready for dedication. Brother Folden has been very abundant in labors, having preached during part of the year four times each Sabbath. Two new works will be formed out of this charge as it now exists, and we may expect a rich harvest from this field next year.
      Stella is a circuit situated on the M. P. R. R., a new and growing work. G. W. Southwell has supplied this charge during the past year. At Stella a new church has been built costing $2,000, and we dedicated it last Sunday, and all the debts were provided for. This will very soon be one of our strongest appointments.
      Rulo is situated in the extreme south-eastern part of the state, is an old river town, and has been for years on the "stand still." Recently the B. & M. R. R. have put in a transfer there, and since that time Rulo has taken a new lease of life, and has been growing quite rapidly. We have a comfortable frame church, in a good locality, and free from debt. There are three appointments connected with it--Preston, a small town on the railroad, and two appointments in the country. Brother J. A. Nichols has labored with the people the past year. Some revival influence has prevailed. Souls have been converted, and the charge is much stronger in many respects than one year ago.
      Falls City is one of our strong stations. It is situated on or near the Nemaha river. Here we have two railroads--the B. & M., and the M. P. The town is growing steadily all the time, and the church is endeavoring to keep pace with the material prosperity of the people. Brother J. Gallagher closes up his second year with this church. During the year they talked of building a new church; finally it was decided to repair and reconstruct the old one, which has been done at a cost of $2,000. It is now or will be ready to occupy immediately after Conference, and is now one of our most desirable churches. This has been accomplished largely through the untiring work and energy of the pastor.
      Humboldt has been served through the past year by Brother J. C. H. Hobbs, a transfer from the Illinois Conference. It has been to him and the church a year of hard work, but grand success. In the early part of the year the old parsonage was exchanged for a neat and comfortable residence near the church, for which the church agreed to pay $200 difference between the two houses. One hundred dollars of that has been paid. A good revival occurred during the winter, and the church was greatly strengthened. The church building has been repaird (sic) at a cost of $100, and is paid for. Doctor Hobbs has made a good record, and leaves Humboldt one of our strong stations.
      Table Rock is another of our strong appointments. Two railroads come in or centre here: the Wymore Branch of the B. & M., which is now the main line from Denver to Kansas City, and the A. & N., now owned and controlled by the B. & M. This line runs from Lincoln to Atchison. Brother E. J. Randall closes up his second year on this charge. A large, beautiful frame church has been built during the year at Table Rock, costing $3,000, which we dedicated last Sunday eve--free of debt; two hundred and forty-three dollars were raised for a new bell. The old church was converted into a parsonage, making a large and convenient house. The parsonage was sold and converted into more paying interests. Here is where we hold our District Camp Meeting. Thirty souls were converted at our last camp, and we look forward to next year for even greater results.
      Tecumseh, a station on the A. & N., has a beautiful church building, costing near $5,000. Brother L. Laverty has been the pastor for two years. During last year a

church debt of over $400 has been paid; this is a great relief, as it has been a great hurt to the church, but Brother Laverty kept at it persistently until finally every cent was paid and the note lifted. They need a new parsonage, and will probably build in another year. Considerable revival influence has prevailed during the year, and we have a good outlook for Tecumseh.
      Sterling is a live, growing town, has a good church and a small parsonage. They are all out of debt, and in good trim for next year. The work will be divided and Sterling and Rockford will support a man. Rockford is building a new church, to cost about $1,600. This will be a very strong country appointment next year. Brother H. Presson, one of our veterans and hard workers, closes up the year with this people, leaving the work in good shape for the next preacher.
      Adams, another town on the A. & N. Reverend J. W. Taylor, one of our veteran ministers, was appointed to this charge. He filled out the year under many trying circumstances. A new church has been built and dedicated at Adams during the year. Church cost $1,600, debt all provided for. Near the close of the year Brother and Sister Taylor were taken suddenly ill, and came down near the gates of death, but have been almost restored again to health, and Brother Taylor wants another charge, and hopes to be able to die in the harness.
      Palmyra, a circuit lying east of Lincoln twenty miles, on the old Midland Pacific railroad-now the B. & M.--J. W. Dobbs, pastor. Here they need a new church very much, and there can be but little growth until they determine to build. Brother Dobbs has labored hard all the year, and some success has attended his labors. Here they have a very good parsonage, and with consecrated wealth and talent, Palmyra would soon be a strong work.
      Syracuse, a growing town situated on the railroad. Here we have a good frame church, which has been very much improved inside and out during the year. The parsonage is small but in a good location to the church. Reverend G. S. Alexander has served this charge during the year. Brother Alexander has done a good work in paying off church debts and improving property. He is one of our goad preachers, and a fine lecturer.
      Churches have been built at the following places: Adams, Table Rock, Glen Rock, Stella, Brock, and Lower Spring Creek. All these churches have been built according to church extension plans, and have been dedicated free from debt. total money expended for church building in the District, $12,800.
      The year has closed up, and we are thankful to the Great Head of the Church for health and strength. We have averaged about five sermons a week, beside other work, and yet much has been left undone. Mistakes have been made, but under God we have done the best we could, and are willing to leave the results with God.
      Respectfully Submitted,

L. F. BRITT,     
Presiding Elder.

     The names of W. K. Beans, J. A. Chapin, F. M. Esterbrook, J. Gallagher, J. C. H. Hobbs, and G. S. Alexander were called, their characters were passed, and those present reported their collections.

      Lincoln District was taken up.

W. R. Jones, P. E., was called, his character was passed, and he represented his district as follows:

      The geographical boundaries of Lincoln district are the same as last year. Since Conference I divided Lincoln Circuit, and placed Roca by itself. I employed Rev. James Hope as pastor, who did a good work. I expect another circuit formed by the Bishop, taking in Willow Creek, Cedar Bluffs, and other points.
      Lincoln Station has prospered greatly this year. Bro. McKaig was transferred from Indiana, and proved to be the "right man in the right place" and I welcome him among us. The Church has increased by a continual revival and accessions by letters. The society has commenced the erection of a church edifice, which will cost between twenty and thirty thousand dollars.
      Lincoln Circuit is in a fair condition, only rather weak." Bro. P. S. Mather has done a good work there; the new church was dedicated this year, and is out of debt.
      Bennett is under the pastoral care of Bro. Hull, who is a young man of much promise. He entered upon the work under rather embarrassing circumstances; still he did good work. He had an extensive revival, and the church at Panama was dedicated, and all the indebtedness was provided for.
      Elmwood is a large circuit in a rural district. We have no church edifice on the work. The report has been for over a year that a railroad will run through the community, and the people are waiting to find the most suitable location for a church building. Bro. Walker is finishing his second year on this work, and has done good service.
      Weeping Water is in a prosperous condition. Bro. Wehn has done all he could with his feeble health, and is finishing his second year.
      Bro. Cooley is closing his third year on the Mount Pleasant charge. All the crops on this work were destroyed completely by the hail storm last summer. The destruction made it very bard for the pastor and people on that work.
      Waverly is rather a new circuit, but is doing well under the supervision of Bro. Madole. They are building a new church in Waverly which will cost about $1500. It will be ready for dedication in a few weeks, and I have no doubt but it will be without debt.
      Greenwood is a flourishing town on the B. & M. railroad. Bro. Holland is pastor, who was transferred from Upper Iowa Conference last year. He is a safe man, and a good accession to our Conference. Under his supervision the new church at Greenwood was finished, dedicated, and the debt of $900 was provided, and in. thirty days more than half of it was paid. Brothers Mather and Wilson assisted in the dedication.
      Ashland is well supplied by Bro. Hackney, who is a superannuated minister of the West Wisconsin Conference. Ashland is in a good condition numerically, but weak financially.
      Plattsmouth is about the same as it has been. Bro. Wilson left the work about the middle of July. He was transferred to Oregon, and the people desired to be left without a pastor for the balance of the year, though they had some one to preach for them almost all the time. The church block is taken care of by a judicious board of trustees.

     Union is one of the oldest works in the conference. Many of the old settlers have died, and others have moved away. Bro. Loofbourrow is pastor, and has done a good work. The people in the vicinity of the brick school house were going to build a church, but they were struck by the hail storm, and had to postpone it until next year.
      Rock Creek was left to be supplied. I employed Bro. Shuman, and he has done a good work. We have a new church at Pleasant Hill, which will cost about $1,500. It is to be dedicated the first Sunday after Conference, and out of debt.
      Valparaiso is supplied by Bro. Ware, who is a strong preacher. The church is in a good condition.
      Mead is a large circuit. Bro. Bird is closing up his third year, and has done good service. The church at Clear Creek, on this charge, was dedicated out of debt, and there are two more churches being built.
      Wahoo is under the charge of Bro. White. The people are somewhat embarrassed on account of church debt. Still I think they will come out all right.
      Louisville is a young circuit, yet there is material in it to make a strong one. It is supplied by Bro. Robinson, a local deacon.
      The health of the brethren on the whole has been good, with the exception of Bro. Wehn. For a time it was feared that be would not recover. While his health is somewhat precarious now, yet he was able to do pastoral work the latter part of the year.
      Bro. Cannon, a superannuated minister of our conference, at his home, near Mount Pleasant, died during the year.
      The brethren have done all that could reasonably be expected to hold revival meetings during the winter season, but owing to the severity of the weather the people could not attend, and consequently we cannot report as many conversions as we did last year.
      All the collections have been attended to, and all that could have been done by the pastors. The missionary collections will go above the apportionment for this district, still it may not reach as high as it was last year. The Lincoln church will pay its apportionment, but may not go as high as last year, owing to the fact that they are building a new church.
      During the year we had an interesting district association, and a glorious district camp meeting.
      As for myself, I can say through the providence of God I attended all my appointments promptly on time. I have held all the quarterly conferences of the first and last quarters. The second and the third the brethern kindly helped me.
      I have endeavored to do all in my power to promote the cause of God through the Methodist Episcopal Church, which is the only field in which a true Methodist Episcopal minister can do effective work. And, notwithstanding the embarrassing circumstances under which I took the district four years ago, and the misgivings I had, I feel the church has advanced. I became very much attached to my co-laborers in the ministry, and the people whom I served; and I give up the district having reasons to believe that I have laid a good foundation for future prosperity, and I pray God to bless my successor and all the Lincoln District.

W. R. JONES.

     R. N. McKaig, P. S. Mather, G. H. Wehn, R. Cooley, E. Holland, S. P. Wilson, E. J. Bird, A. G. White, and T. H. Worley were called, their characters passed, and those present reported their collections.

      Beatrice District was taken-up.

      D. F. Rodabaugh, P. E., was called, his character passed, and he represented his district. He made a verbal report, which is all the conference requires.

      H. T. Davis, H. Burch, R. Pearson, P. Van Fleet, W. J. Barger, A. C. Crosthwaite, J. S. Orr, J. M. Zielie, and R. G. Adams were called, their characters passed, and those present reported their collections.

      York District was taken up.

      W. G. Miller, P. E., was called, his character passed, and he represented his district, as follows:

      York district has had another prosperous year. The church at Shelby, the eighth built last year, was dedicated early in the fall. The present year we are also building eight churches, and have four others in contemplation, with well advanced plans and subscriptions.
      The Aurora charge, Rev. W. H. Tibbets, pastor, has built a church 32x60 feet in size, with tower and spire. She has also built a new parsonage, the two enterprises costing not less than four thousand dollars.
      Waco charge, Rev. H. H. Chapin, pastor, has built a church at Pleasant Valley, and also planted a society at that point of sixty members, where we had none at the beginning of the year. She is now building a fine church in Waco, and has taken the subscription for another at Keckley. Her revivals have given an accession of eighty-five members.
      Utica charge, Rev. A. J. Marsh; pastor, has built a church at Tamora, a new town on the B. & M. railroad, between Utica and Seward.
      Milford charge, Rev. G. M. Couffer, pastor, has erected a church at Pleasant Dale, a railroad station ten miles west of Lincoln.
      Hampton, a growing town on the B. & M. railroad, east of Aurora, was erected into a new charge early in the year, and Rev. W. H. Babcock was appointed pastor. Two societies have been organized, and a fine church is being built in the town.
      Bradshaw charge, Rev. H. F. Tyler, pastor, has built a church at Dorsey appointment, and has also built a new parsonage.
      Stromsburg charge, Rev. D. Y. Black, pastor, is building a good brick church at Stromsburg.
      York charge, Rev. G. A. Smith, pastor, has had a large accession of members, and has built a very fine parsonage.
      Seward charge, Rev. G. W. Selby, pastor, has added three additional lots to her church property, has paid all indebtedness on her parsonage, and has had a good

revival, adding one hundred to her membership, an increase of more than one hundred per cent.
      David City charge, Rev. S. D. Roberts, pastor, has had another prosperous year, utilizing and developing her large accessions of last year.
      The other charges of the district--Osceola, Rev. E. G. Willis, pastor; Shelby, Rev. E. L. Wells, pastor; Bellwood, Rev. L. C. Lemon, pastor; Ulysses, Rev. C. L. Smith, pastor; Malcolm, Rev. J. A. Badcon, pastor; Rising City, Rev. A. M. Ogburn, pastor; West Blue, Rev. D. S. Davis, pastor; and St Joe, Rev. James Redkey, pastor, all of which built churches last year except the first and last two named, are in a healthy and growing condition.
      The pastors' salaries, benevolent collections, Sunday Schools, and all other departments of the work I trust will show a healthy progress.
      The Nebraska Conference Seminary, located at York, has enjoyed a year of marked success. Doctor Thompson, Professor Peck and Agent Blackburn deserve special credit for their efficiency in the management of its affairs.

W. G. MILLER.

     G. A. Smith, C. L. Smith, S. D. Roberts, W. H. Tibbets, E. Thomson, W. S. Blackburn, and Wm. Peck were called, their characters passed, and those in charge reported their collections.

      On motion, a session was called for 4 P.M., to collect Statistical Reports and Collections.

      The Bishop named J. G. Miller to preside at the afternoon session.

      A. G. White was elected Conference Treasurer.

      H. W. Warner was substituted for J. G. Miller on Committee on Periodicals.

      Announcements were made. T. B. Lemon was appointed to conduct devotional exercises tomorrow morning.

      Adjourned with benediction by Rev. Dr. Fowler.

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     After the preaching of the missionary sermon by Dr. Thomson, the Conference was called to order by J. G. Miller at 4 P.M.

     The roll was called, and reports and moneys received.

     On motion, adjourned. Benediction by Wm. Peck.

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     Conference met at 9 A.M. Bishop Wiley in the chair. T. B. Lemon conducted the devotional exercises.

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