Resource Center OLLibrary
|
|
75 |
Omaha District.
T. C. CLENDENNING. P. E.
The location of a Methodist preacher at
Conference time is always a matter of some uncertainty, there
maybe circumstances in a given case which render this uncertainty
greater than usual. One such circumstance is when a minister has
received his appointment near the middle of a conference year.
When the final possible limitation of his stay in that charge
approaches, will the Bishop consider that part of year as a part,
a whole, or a fraction not taken into account in his arrangement
of the work for the year to come? As to what the Bishop may do
when such a man is in the pastorate the discipline speaks; as to
what he may do when he is in the Presiding Eldership, I refer you
to Bishop Walden. In view of the uncertainty growing out of this
fact, it has seemed to me proper to make this report a review, at
least in part, of the five years, five months, and six days, that
have passed since my appointment to the Omaha District. Five years
and five months ago the Missionary society was contributing $175
per year for the support of tbe Presiding Elder. At the first
Conference after our appointment. five years ago, that money
changed its course and was given to men in the district, instead
of to the man on the district.
Four years ago, one-fourth of the territory,
embracing seven charges, 536 members and probationers. also eleven
churches, valued at $23,000, were transferred to another district.
At the time of our appointment there were in the district,
twenty-five charges. Today there are twenty-eight. Add the seven
transferred and it makes an average increase of two charges for
each full year. The value of church property at that time, aside
from that since transferred, and correcting a mistake of $30,000
in the report of that year for South Omaha, was, church buildings
$130,350, parsonages $12,950. Last year's minutes report, churches
$285,400, parsonages $22,350, to which must be added for this year
at least $15,000 for Hanscom park*, $5,000 for
Wesley, $1,000 for Briggs, $200 for improvement of
parsonage property at Fremont, $500 for Valley and $200 for
barn at Schuyler, showing an increase of church property in
this part of the original territory of $186,350. We have averaged
a new church building or its equivalent, including those
____
*Town/church names highlighted for convenience of readers.
|
76 |
|
now in process of erectien (sic) for every four months of this
time, and one new parsonage for each year.
Within that part of the original territory now
constituting Omaha District, the total benevolence for the year
preceding our appointment were $1,781.90. Last year they were
$3,147. We have reasons to believe from reports made to us by
pastors that the total this year will not be less than $4,000. The
membership, including probationers, in the former year was 2,033:
last year it was 3,343. We believe the reports of this year will
show net increase of at least six hundred. At the former time we
had twenty-two Sunday Schools, 310 officers and teachers, scholars
of all ages 2,562. Last year we reported thirty-six schools, 453
officers and teachers, 3,643 scholars. If all our mission schools
are reported. a number of which have been organized this year,
these figures will be largely increased.
In the far off year of that farmer's Conference,
we had no Epworth Leagues, now we have one or more in almost every
charge, and of Juniors, fifteen. During this time the Omaha Home
Missionary and Church Extension Society has been organized. It has
received an endowment of $1000 and its influence is already being
felt in our city work. Very largely through the influence of
ministers and laymen, (many of the latter of whom are select names
of the churches) the Methodist Hospital has come into being. To
this department of "mercy and help" these friends have contributed
thousands of dollars, and thus have assisted in caring for the
nearly one thousand sufferers who have been received since its
doors were opened. The past year has been one of more general and
blessed revined than any of the preceding. Perhaps the most
remarkable of these have occurred at Richland, Schuyler,
Scribner, Hooper, Fremont, Albright, South Omaha, Castellar St.,
Hanscom Park, South West, South Tenth, First Church, Seward Street
and Monmouth Park. At several other places there have been
numbers of people saved of the Lord and added unto the church.
The Hanscom Park society generously gave its
former house of worship to Wesley, and as already indicated, has
moved into its new and beautiful temple, a $40,000 property. and
one of the most elegant church structures in the city of Omaha.
The society at Wesley having removed, repapered, repainted,
revarnished and renovated generally, the building gives it a
temple good enough for any people in which to worship. First
Church has not only met current expenses, but has looked up and
cleaned up the not quite innumerable old debts, fag ends and
doubtful sides of almost endless things and questions. All these
out of the way: no extensions of time received for the big debt:
with a net increase of one hundred in her membership, is now ready
to
|
|
77 |
carry forward, with more vigor than ever its real work, for
which the church exists. Early in the year Trinity said, we will
attack our mountain of debt and see what united effort and courage
and perseverence will do in the way of its reduction. She has kept
her word and promises have been made for the disappearance of
$7,500 of that mountain. $400 debt at Monmouth Park, and as much
more incurred by way of improvement at Albright were, but are not.
The people of Richland have paid a $250 or $300 debt on parsonage.
At South Omaha where the fire material kindled, where the the
spiritual was burning with unusual glow, and consumed our house
material, there is now arising and will soon be completed, a house
which shall far surpass the glory of the former one. The Board of
Church Extension has promised help by a donation of $250 and a
loan of like amount at Benson, and but for the financial crash we
should have had a church near completion at this time. As things
are we must wait awhile. Our year and years have been crowned with
divine goodness. This last year in the number of conversions and
additions to the church, in the building up home interests by the
payment of debts, and in the consecration of many to the cause of
God, as carried forward by the great connectional societies of the
church, it is safe to say this last year has been the most blessed
and prosperous in the history thus far of Omaha District.
Of the faithfulness and efficiency of the
ministers and laymen, who have labored in this field, the
foregoing facts speak more clearly and forcibly than could any
additional words of mine.
Norfolk District.
J. B. MAXFIELD. P. E.
DEAR FATHERS AND
BRETHREN:
There come times to men along the course of the
years that are crises in their lives. Events, that are the outcome
of the years that have swept by. Days, that are pivotal around
which swing the years that are to come. Experiences that bring a
halt to the events gone by that afford a breathing spell in the
midst of labors, a season of rest when for a brief hour the heart
is unburdened of its cares, and one feels that what is past has
gone beyond recall, that events are escaped from all control by
us, and knowing the weight of grave responsibilities and the
smallness of our power and greatness of our unwisdom; we only have
hope from the fact that in the Lord there is forgiveness and
peace. So do I from the standpoint of this day survey the
situation surrounding me. For six years I have wrought in my poor
way
|
78 |
|
on the Norfolk district and come to this occasion with mingled
feelings of joy and regret. Regret for the littleness of my
service and the poverty of my efforts, and that among those men in
whose midst I have been for six happy years, I am to stand no more
as their official chief and leader. Grateful to Almighty God that
he has given to me the privilege of knowing them in the
relationship, so strong and pure as that which has united us, and
that now must be sundered forever! Rejoicing in the constant gains
to the cause of Christ that have accrued in those years, the
unswerving fidelity of the brave and loyal men who have been
faithful in cultivating Emanuel's land in the boundaries of this
district.
Hastily scanning the work in detail, allow me to
mention the charges of this district in alphabetical order.
Allen comprises three appointments. It
was left to be supplied. I secured Rev. L. Belknap for its pastor.
Ill health followed him for a large part of the year. In summer I
secured the service of Brother Ernest Fowler, who has endeared
himself by faithful service to the people and strengthened the
church. Obviously the mantle of our departed brother, Josiah
Fowler has fallen upon this young man, his son.
Bancroft consists of two appointments. It
is beautiful for situation. It felicitates (sic) itself on the
many advantages it possesses; its picturesque situation, its
fertile country surrounding it, that its Methodist pastor is Rev.
J. H. Johnson, and above all that Mrs. Johnson has made the church
and pastor happy because she is his wife. Surely the lines of Bro.
Johnson have fallen to him in pleasant places, and happy are the
people who are in such a state.
Blair is happy in the possession of Rev.
G. H. Main as its pastor. Good repute as a christian and a man.
The church in a very satisfactory condition. The best parsonage by
far, on the district, is in course of completion and, all in all,
Blair is a very desirable appointment. The quarterly conference
unanimously asks for Bro. Main's return for another year.
Beemer has for its pastor, Rev. Wm.
Esplin. He has had a year of prosperity. There has been a fine
revival and the church has been greatly strengthened at all
points. It is a very desirable place and has in its Methodist
ranks as true, and loyal, and loving a band of christian believers
as can be found anywhere. Their memory is enshrined in the heart
of this preacher, as among the choicest recollections of my
life.
Rev. W. E. Northrup was appointed to
Coleridge. He made a most excellent impression. He was
loved and appreciated by them. The poor health of his wife, one of
the noble women of the church, com-
|
|
79 |
pelled him to resign in the middle of the year to the deep
regret of all. With Bishop Warren's sanction. and the consent of
Dr. Marquette. I placed Bro. J. H. Frazer in charge of the
circuit. To say that he has been acceptable and faithful and the
work has grown, is to describe justly the condition of things, and
is only to say over once more the things so often said before, of
the ministerial efficiency of J. H. Frazer. The coming year with
Bishop Walden's sanction Coleridge work will comprize, besides the
village of Coleridge, Laurel and Belden.
Craig is made up of two preaching places,
Alder Grove and Craig. It has the veteran and hero, Jabez
Charles, for its pastor and he has the elect lady, Sister Charles,
for his wife. Methodism is blest in having these two persons among
its people. God blesses them and His work through them. It has
been a good year for them and Craig.
Decatur is not a very attractive field.
It is supplied by Rev. H. F. Odell. He is a good preacher and
desires work for the coming year.
Dakota is preached to by the Rev. Dr.
Myers. To say anthing about the ability of Bro. Myers in the
pulpit would be simply to rehearse a matter well known to all, for
all of you have had the privilege of hearing him. Dakota consists
of two preaching places not too far apart, a people easy to serve
and taken altogether, one of our most desirable charges. The man
who goes to Dakota is a fortunate man.
Homer consists of three preaching places.
Has had three ministers this year and is in a fairly prosperous
condition. Rev. M. L. Cottrell is the present pastor. Concerning
him I entertain good hope of his future usefulness.
Humphrey is ten miles from Madison,
served this year by the veteran, Bro. St. Clair. He reports
progress on his work. He hopes and wishes and labors for the
development of Christ's kingdom at Humphrey.
Kennard is snug, faithful and prosperous.
The pastor and presiding elder are paid, and all benevolent
apportionments met in full. Unity and love reign. The pastor of
this favored place is Rev. C. B. Allen, and this fact accounts for
much of this blessed state of things. At this place love abounds,
harmony and peace prevail and prosperity is the order of the day.
Thanks be to God who givith us the victory.
Lyons for four years past has had the
Rev. J. B. Priest for its pastor. He has labored assiduously, and
yet is not tired of the place nor is the place tired of him. Lyons
numerically and financially, is one of the strongest charges. The
parsonage has been enlarged and improved during the year and is
one of the most commodious preachers houses. Our church at Lyons
is quite prosperous.
Leigh has been tried in the course of the
past two years, as no other church has been tried on the district.
Our sturdy church re-
|
80 |
|
fused either to die or be buried alive. The corpse being
lacking the funeral of Methodism in Leigh was indefinitely
postponed; and we live and thrive and build a new parsonage this
year, and have a blessed revival, and maintain crowded houses at
the present time. Query, how long will it be at this rate until we
are dead at Leigh? And all this under the leadership of Rev. G. W.
Norris, late of Missouri, now, and, henceforth of Nebraska.
Madison is thought highly of by Rev. J.
H. Brooks, and Bro. Brooks highly esteemed by them. It is one of
the strongest charges of the district, and he is one of the
strongest men on the district or in the conference. The parsonage
has been improved, enlarged. and made habitable. The town is in a
fine country, is thriving and our church has the right of way.
Madison has an alleged Normal school located there.
Magnet is a new work, its name, by vote
of the quarterly conference is to be changed to Wausau. It
is in a rapidly growing part of the country that is soon to be one
of the best districts in the northwest. Rev. J. R. Gearhart is the
accepted, beloved and successful pastor. The Lord has been with
him and his people in a wonderful manner. In their poverty they
have not denied the Lord his portion. Preacher and presiding elder
are paid in full, the latter was with them but once this year,
mnch (sic) to his regret. Yet are they faithful and so the Lord is
faithful. A happy community full of faith and good works.
Norfolk is an easy task to represent. You
are here and see and taste and enjoy the hospitality of these
royal Methodists and their friends. As is inscribed of Sir
Christopher Wren, "if you would see the monument of Methodism,
look about you!" Rev. J. W. Jennings has been a zealous and
successful pastor for four prosperous years. His official board
unanimously ask his return. The trustees of the Nebraska Weslyan
University have asked him to serve the University and Methodism in
a broader and more difficult field, as its Financial Agent.
Whoever succeeds him, or if he be his own successor, will find all
things at hand for the successful prosecution of the work of
saving souls. The vacant lots adjoining the church have been
bought and will be paid for without doubt as per contract, when we
shall be securely entrenched in Norfolk.
Oakland for a large part of the year, has
been destitute of a pastor. The Sabbath School is prosperous, the
town one of the best in the state, the Methodists few, and good as
beaten gold. We have a building here as neat and tidy as any one
can find on the district. Let this church be on the hearts, of all
Methodists.
Pender is the county seat of Thurston
county, Rev. J. W. Miller, pastor. Active, tireless, successful
are fitting words, concerning this
|
|
81 |
minister of Christ. A revival of great proportions, and signal
blessing, greatly strengthened the church. A new church at
Pleasant Valley at which worships a congregation of devout and
faithful believers, is one of the attractive features of the work.
The prosperity of Pender is not only prospectively grand but is
glorious now.
Ponca is under the pastoral care of Rev.
W. H. Linn, who is esteemed and loved by his people and by the
people of the place: He carries with him the air and demeanor of a
christian gentleman, and is very influential in his calling. Ponca
has suffered financial reverses of tihe severest nature in a
variety of ways, yet the banner of our church floats in the
breeze, and under its folds the people called Methodists are
marching on to victory.
Pilger is a new work not yet two years
old as a distinct work. It began with no members, no church. no
parsonage. It now has a good class, a new parsonage, and a
commodious church which our Congregational brethren built for us,
unintentionally of course. We bought it. We owe nothing on church
and parsonage save two hundred and fifty dollars borrowed of our
Church Extension Board. Dr. Kynett and the Board never made more
for Methodism with the same amount of money, than they did in the
case of Pilger. God bless the man and the Board. Rev. C. D. Day
was in charge for the first half of the year. His health failing,
he was transferred to the Colorado Conference. I procured Rev. E.
E. Wilson, a student from the theological Seminary at Evanston and
a graduate from Cornell at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, who shows the marked
ability of a trained mind in handling affairs and men, he has had
fine success.
Randolph, in the midst of a fertile
country at the junction of two railroads, is one of our most
thriving towns and our church is in a prosperous condition. The
year has been a very blessed one to the church and community. Over
one hundred additions to the church this year, nearly all by
conversion, finances all in hand, benevolences up, all attest the
fidelity of the pastor, Rev. D. W. McGregor. He has made a rare
record this year. May it ever be thus in the future with him.
St. James is the most northern charge on
this district. The hearts of the people there are as warm as those
farther south. and the hearts of their southern brethren are in
the right place. Bro. Gearhart was appointed to this charge and
served it in connection with that of Magnet the first part of the
year. when the two charges together being too large for one man. I
secured the service of Rev. E. E. Hunt for the part of the work
included in the boundaries of St. James. He has proved faithful,
efficient and successful. The parsonage at St. James has been
renovated and made neat and tidy by the toil and fidelity of the
elect ladies of the work, who have no superiors in the
|
82 |
|
great host of noble women belonging to the Methodist church.
South Sioux City has been attached through the year to
Dakota City. The place seems to have suffered by the
business collapse more than any place on the district. People have
moved away from the place by scores of families and the stern
logic of events has proved that they who first left were the most
lucky and the most wise. What disposition should be made of this
work is left to the wisdom of the Bishop and Cabinet.
Stanton: -- I have heretofore reported of
Stanton in very glowing terms. Have for four successive years
spoken its praise. Have exhausted the adjectives of the language
in my attempts to do justice to the church, the people, and the
pastor thereof. No resource of words is left me now, other than to
say that all the good described as belonging to the Stanton church
heretofore still remains, but stronger, better and more lovely
than before. Stanton always loved the pastor, Rev. D. C. Winship
and his wife and family. They love them more than ever, our church
is stronger than ever, and all the present is joy, and all the
future is heaven. Glory to God.
Tekamah is the county town of Burt
county. It is a fine place, and in it are to be found some of our
choicest Methodist people. Rev. G. A. Luce has been for the year
now closing its faithful and able pastor. Himself and faithful
wife are greatly beloved by all who know them. He ranks among the
talented and cultured ministers of the Conference. No one is
called to blush for Methodism in Tekamah, or anywhere, when we are
represented by cool. level-headed men such as he is. He does not
blow his own bugle nor inspire, by his own suggestion, some one
else to do so for him. Long may our church have her boast in such
men as he.
Vacoma and Herman have been served
through this year by Rev. A. L. Gray. This is his first circuit.
Some of the friends to encourage (?) this young man said that "the
presiding elder had sent him in order to pay off a grudge against
them!" But lo! the time has come when all alike are glad that he
was sent to them. It has been a good year to this charge whose
only trouble for years has been a lack of faith in God and in
themselves. None but those who have knowledge of the local history
of this charge, know how glad it makes my heart to say that the
work on this circuit is united and thriving and stronger than it
has been during my present term. Bro. Gray is a candidate for
admission on trial to our traveling connection.
I procured early in the year, as a supply for
Wakefield, Rev. G. P. Bennett, long tried and true. He has
taken care of the work with the fidelity and success that have
always characterized his labors elsewhere. Wakefield, compared
with its history in the past, is in a very fair condition.
© 1999, 2000 for NEGenWeb Project by Ted & Carole Miller