Resource Center OLLibrary
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We recognize in the Missionary Society of the
M. E. church an evangelical agency that is world-wide in its
influence. Its field is the world. Besides sustaining our
missionaries in foreign lands it helps to support three thousand
preachers in our own country, many of whom could not stay on their
charges without the help of this society. In the foreign field it
aims to accomplish the same work done in our own country, by the
combined agency of all our connectional societies.
We rejoice for the success achieved by the
Missionary Society the present year, notwithstanding the financial
panic, in keeping our missionaries in the field and in the large
collections thus far received. It gives us great delight that in
our own conference, smitten by the terrible drouth, our pastors
and people have been loyal to this cause, and that we are able to
report a total increase of $135 in our collections over last year.
We recognize that however depressing the financial conditions we
must not fail in our collections for this great representative
society, and we hereby pledge to it our unfaltering support.
We recommend and urge the following ways and
means by which the missionary spirit may be kept alive among our
people and the collections increased:
1st. Let there be observed according to the
suggestion of our missionnary secretary, Dr. Leonard, a monthly
concert of prayer, in which there shall be earnest supplication
for the blessing of our Heavenly Father and the power of the Holy
Ghost upon all our missionaries and mission fields.
2d. Let our Sunday Schools not only be organized
into missionary Societies, but let special effort be made to
interest and educate our Sunday School scholars in the cause of
missions.
3d. Let there be earnest co-operation this fall
with the plan inaugurated by Mr. Willis Cooper, by which $400,000
may be given as a special Thanksgiving offering to our Missionary
society, thereby relieving it of all indebtedness.
4th. Let a whole Sunday be given as Missionary
Day, upon which day the interests of this cause shall be
faithfully presented and the people encouraged to make a liberal
offering to the Missionary society.
We recognize that in the death of Dr. J. O. Peck
the church and Missionary society have sustained an unspeakable
loss. We shall miss his earnest and enthusiastic appeals for
missions. But we are encouraged by the fact that while God buries
His workmen He carries on their work.
H.
C. Myers, G. H. MacAdam, G. H. Main, E. R. Adriance.
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WHEREAS, the Methodist
Hospital and Deaconness Home at Omaha is a greatly needed
institution in our midst, and
WHEREAS, The report shows
that 208 of the 408 patients of the past year have been from the
North Nebraska Conference;
ResoIved, That we the pastors of this conference
will faithfully present this cause to our respective
congregations;
Resolved that we will welcome representatives of
the Home to our charges to present their work;
Resolved, That the pastors assist the
deaconnesses in distributing The Deaconness Visitor in their
congregations, that the people. may keep informed in regard to the
Hospital work.
We recommend the election of the following
persons to serve on the conference board the coming year: Bishop
J. P. Newman, W. P. Murray, W. H. H. Pillsbury, John Dale, L. H.
Rogers, Mrs. David Cole, A. T. Rector, Mrs. Curtis, Mrs. Frank
Cotton.
J.
T. Crooks, T. P. Donnelly, C. N. Dawson.
Womans Home and Foreign Missionary Society
Believing that broad declaration of St. Paul,
"Ye are all one in Christ Jesus," one in hope, one in purpose, and
one in effort," we as a Conference gratefully recognize the work
of the W. H. & F. Missionary Societies, endorsing their
methods, and rejoicing in their success. We review with gratitude
the good already accomplished, both in the home and foreign field,
and stand ready to assist them in all ways compatible with the
rules and usages of our church, welcoming their organizing agents
to our charges and praying for the institutions they support.
R.
C. McReynolds, E. W. Erickson, J. Crews, F. Charles.
Periodicals.
WHEREAS, We recognize
in the press one of the best instrumentalities for the diffusion
of religious knowledge and the advancement of our work and the
development of the Redeemer's Kingdom; and,
WHEREAS, our church
periodicals are the best assistants of our ministers;
Resolved, That we record our appreciation of,
and loyalty to, all our official papers, and we pledge ourselves
to endeavor to increase their circulation by placing one of them
at least in every one of our families.
We reaffirm our loyalty, as a conference to our
own Omaha Christian Advocate and earnestly urge our brethren to
press its claims as the best publication for the interests of
North Nebraska Methodism within our reach. We note with pleasure
the steady improvement in the Quarterly Review, and urge on all
our ministers the importance of
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becoming subscribers for, and earnest students of the contents
of, this strong and able representative of the higher literature
of our nation.
We recommend that all our young people be urged
to become readers, of the Epworth Herald, which we recognize as at
the head of all the papers published for young people in this
country.
W.
H. H. Pillsbury, D. C. Winship.
Sabbath Observance.
The institution of the Sabbath being one of
the chief blessings given by God to men, as respects both his
physical and spiritual welfare; therefore, be it
Resolved, First, That we urge its observance,
both by precept and by practice, upon all classes of mankind;
Second. That we regard the growing encroachment
upon the sacredness of the Lord's Day as a serious menace (sic) to
our Christian civilization, and would urge all Christians to give
their earnest support to men and measures looking to the
suppression of lawlessness and vice upon that day.
Third, The running of Sunday trains being in
direct violation of the Fourth Commandment, and, therefore a sin,
that as ministers and Christians we scrupulously avoid all
sanction or patronage of the same, except in case of extreme
necessity.
Fourth, As the Sabbath as a holiday is Satan's
great instrament in the bands of the lawless for the degradation
of the people, especially our youth, we recommend that frequent
sermons and exhortations be given from our pulpits to warn young
and old against its desecration, and to encourage them to preserve
its sanctity.
Signed:
W. H. Linn, T. W. Mathews, Henry Trezona.
State of the Church.
The committee on the state of the Church
looks over the wide field of church activity, and rejoices because
of the prosperity of Christ's Kingdom. In the midst of times of
financial pressure drouht (sic) disaster and limited material
resources, the church lifts up her voice with the shout: ",The
Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."
He who spoke from the burning bush marched with
our fathers in pillars of cloud and fire, moved in the midst of
the wheels of Ezekiel's vision, and created Pentecost, is now
gloriously present with the hosts of the kingdom of God.
It is with a degree of satisfaction that we
recount the victories of the pust (sic) and view the prospects of
the ultimate triumph of Christ's hosts in the earth. The church is
pledged to continue the battle until the "kingdoms of this world
shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ."
J.
W. Robinson, John P. Roe, Wm. M. Worley, J. H. Brooks.
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We your committee recognize the importance of
Sunday-Schools as a factor in the work of the church. We note with
pleasure the growth of the past year both in the number of schools
and of scholars.
We earnestly recommend that all our pastors use
zealous care in securing the use of our own excellent literature
in every Methodist Episcopal Sunday School. We condemn that spirit
of false economy that would buy the literature of so-called union
publishing houses because of its cheapness.
We urge our pastors further that they endeavor
to secure good libraries in our Sunday-Schools and to patronize
our Book Concern in furnishing the same.
We would caution all pastors against the danger
of forgetting, or neglecting the collection for Sunday Schools in
favor of the larger collections.
C.
O. Larrison, B. B. Keister, W. H. Linn.
Stewards.
DEAR
FATHERS AND
BRETHREN: -- Your Board of Stewards has
carefully considered the cases of claimants which have come before
them. and beg leave to report as follows, viz;
The following claimants need the amount of money
set opposite their names in the first column, which amounts to
$2,100. But as we have, all told, only $1,043, we have been able
to recommend that each claimant receive only the amount set
opposite his name in the second column, as follows, Viz; --
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CLAIMANT. |
NEEDED. |
APPORTIONED. |
CUSTODIAN |
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D. T. Olcott |
$ 180 |
$ 93 |
F. W. Bross |
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Sister Adair |
280 |
130 |
J. B. Maxfield |
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Sister Fleharty |
280 |
130 |
J. Q. A. Fleharty |
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Sister Lemon |
200 |
100 |
C. N. Dawson, |
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Sister Fowler |
150 |
75 |
H. W. Conley |
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Sister Rhone |
280 |
135 |
D. C. Winship. |
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Sister Gortner |
190 |
100 |
J. X. Gortner |
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Sister Guthrie |
200 |
100 |
D. C. Winship |
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Sister Thompson |
130 |
75 |
W. M. Worley |
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D C. Worts |
75 |
40 |
Himself |
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W. H. Carter |
40 |
40 |
Himself |
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William Stanner |
50 |
25 |
Himself |
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Total needed, |
$2,100. |
||
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Total apportioned., |
$1,043. |
The above sum as apportioned is from the following
receipts:
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From chartered fund |
25 |
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From Book Concern dividend |
598 |
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From Conference collections |
420 |
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Total |
$1,043. |
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We also call attention to items of interest
as follows:
1st. Our list of conference claimants is
steadily increasing, so that this year the eyes of twenty-seven
people are turned toward this conference for a part at least, of
their annual support. And, in view, of the very limited resources
of the conference to supply these demands, we respectfully inquire
whether it is a mark, either of good policy for the conference, or
in the interest of those who in the nature of the case must soon
cease the active labors of the ministry, for so large a number of
brethren who have spent nearly all their years in other and
stronger conferences to transfer here and so soon become claimants
on our scanty resources. We believe it to bean injustice both to
this conference and the aged heroes who came, for them to
relinquish their claims, often on wealthy conferences, to take
what they can get here after a year or two's work. Our western
work needs young men Who can probably wait for the resources to
grow.
2nd. During the next two years we recommend that
every charge be requested to raise at least double apportionment
of the past year to partially meet the pressing needs. We also
trust that the General Conference at its next session will
establish a connectional society in these interests and in
accordance with the suggestions of Dr. J. Benson Hamilton in the
accompanying circular we recommend the appointment of William
Esplin, J. B. Priest, J. W. Robinson, William Worley and John
Crews as our committee to whom shall be referred all papers
pertaining to this subject and who shall carry out so, far as they
may be able the work suggested in said circular.
G.
A. Luce, Wm. Gorst, J. B. Priest, J. W. Miller.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE VETERAN MINISTERS'
RELIEF ASSOCIATION.
TO THE
PRESIDING BISHOP AND
THE MEMBERS OF THE
NORTH NEBRASKA
ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
-- Dear Fathers and Brethren: For over three years we have been
urging the Annual Conferences, to unify their method of collecting
and distributing the funds for the support of Conference
Claimants. A large number of the Annual Conferences have adopted
the annuity principle which has been thoroughly tested by the
Wesleyan Methodist Church, in England, Canada and Australia. Her
experience proves that this principle furnishes a complete
solution for this vexing problem. It was hoped that by concerted
action throughout our denomination we might be able to work out
the ideal plan adapted to our special needs and conditions.
We submit a connectional annuity plan for the
sustentation of superannuates. It has been prepared under the
supervision and in accordance with the recommendations of hundreds
of the most eminent ministers, and the most influential laymen in
every section of the church. The local provisions of this
connectional plan, which have been,
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adopted by the various Annual Conferences with slight
modifications, consist of that portion of paragraph 301 within the
brackets and the whole of paragraph 302.
We respectfully request the appointment of a
special committee to which this proposed connectional plan may be
referred. We desire to secure the consensus of the whole
denomination concerning this plan as an aid in the preparation of
a plan to be submitted to the next General Conference.
The failure of the numerous efforts to provide a
competent support for conference claimants has resulted from the
impossibility of preparing a satisfactory plan amidst the hurry
and pressure of General Conference business.
All annual conferences are solicited to appoint
strong, experienced and sympathetic committees who will co-operate
in drafting a practical connectional plan. The General Conference
then will, have before it a carefully prepared and thoroughly
digested scheme which can be made the starting point of its own
work. This will insure the adoption of a plan for the sustentation
of conference claimants worthy of the church they have served so
faithfully and heroically. Will you not at your present session
aid in this preliminary work?
Yours
faithfully, Jay Benson Hamilton.
Tracts.
We learn that our Conference contributed to
the tract cause the present year seventy-six dollars, and that the
apportionment for the coming year is two hundred and two
dollars.
WHEREAS, The founder of
our church established the fact that the press is a great power
for spreading the gospel among the masses; and,
WHEREAS, We have an
excellent tract publishing house which sends forth a great variety
of tract literature which is at the disposal of our pastors to
assist them in their work; therefore be it
Resolved, That we will use this means provided
for us and will give our greatest effort to raise the
apportionment for our Conference.
E.
R. Adriance, H. C. Myers, J. Q. A. Fleharty.
Temperance.
WHEREAS, We are
confronted at every turn in life with the liquor traffic, which
has proved itself an enemy to the home, municipality, state and
nation, an enemy that owns no allegiance to any sect or party, an
enemy that respects no man's business or hopes, his earthly
possessions or his family, an enemy that uses any form of crime as
an ally in its efforts to escape the law and shield itself in its
work of death, an enemy that disregards all the tears and
pleadings of mothers, wives and children, an enemy of the home,
school house and church, an enemy to
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humanity, a monster that has grown with our growth and
strengthened with our strength as a people, until many good men
and women are perplexed to know how and when to unite in one
supreme effort for its overthrow and extirpation; therefore be
it
Resolved, First, That in our judgment there is
but one remedy for the evil and that is state and national
constitutional prohibition.
Resolved, Second, That as our highest
representative body of the Methodist Episcopal Church has declared
that license is sin, we declare that to vote for that man or party
which, if elected, will license, collect fines, or in any other
way protect and encourage the liquor business is sin.
Resolved, Third, That, considering the
temperance question, all subterfuges for old party friends and
measures are out of date and unbecoming the highest intelligence
of our great Christian church.
Resolved, Fourth, That we are in favor of giving
the franchise to women that they may have the privilege of more
effectually assisting in the overthrow of this great evil.
Resolved, Fifth, That we appreciate the exalted
position the ministry holds in framing the thoughts and actions of
the voters of the land. We therefore pledge our hearty
co-operation with all churches in waging an unceasing warfare
against our common foe.
Resolved, Sixth, That we recommend the adoption
of Dr. Kynett's plan for league organization.
Resolved, Seventh, That we have faith in the
final triumph of the right, which means deliverance from the rum
oligarchy.
F.
M. Sisson, R. J. Millard, H. W. Conley, C. F. Heywood.
Financial Need.
Your committee beg leave to report that
throughout a large portion of the territory comprising the North
Nebraska Conference, owing to frost, hot winds and the
unprecedented drouth that there is such an utter failure of all
crops; viz: grass, corn and small grain as was never known in the
memory of man. That large numbers of stock cattle and hogs, have
been and are now being sold at one dollar per hundred pounds and
shipped out of the country, and that even horses have been sold at
from one fourth to one tenth of their usual value. That in many
portions of the Conference grain to seed the land will have to be
shipped into the country; and that it is our judgment that in the
Neligh and Grand Island districts the best charges will find it
difficult to pay the pastor a sufficient amount to supply him with
the necessities of life, and many charges, are not able to pay
anything.
Therefore we urge and earnestly solicit help
from our people, and all friends of Methodism who are more
fortunate than we have been, to help as best they can the loyal
faithful Methodist preachers and people within the bounds of this
Conference by any methods they may elect;
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we further recommend that each Pastor at an early date report
to his Presiding Elder such cases as are believed need such help
as is contemplated in this report; and we further recommend a
commission of nine, one at large and two from each Presiding
Elder's district who shall draft an appeal addressed to the
public; said appeal to be published in our church papers.
Respectfully submitted,
D.
Marquette, Wm. M. Worley, J. W. Robinson,
J.
R. Gearhart, J. B. Leedom, Committee.
Baltimore Conference Proposition.
WHEREAS, The General
Conference of 1892, directed the submission to the Annual
Conferences in the Autumn of 1895, and the Spring of 1896, of
certain resolutions, which provide in part, as follows:
"(1st.) That we submit to the Annual Conferences
the proposition to amend the Second Restrictive Rule by, adding
the words, 'And such delegates must be male members,' after the
words 'Two lay delegates for an Annual Conference,' so that it
will read, 'Nor of more than two lay delegates for an Annual
Conference, and said delegates must be male members.'
"(5th.) That if the amendment so submitted
does not receive the votes, of three-fourths of the members of the
Annual Conferences, and two-thirds of the General Conference, the
Second Restrictive Rule shall be so construed that the words 'Lay
Delegates' may include men and women, and thus be in harmony with
the legislation of previous General Conferences;" and,
WHEREAS, This action
involves a principle, the application of which is claimed to be
without precedent, and without constitutional authority; and,
WHEREAS, The fifth
section of said resolutions requires, "The votes of three-fourths
of the members of the Annual Conferences" to enact said proposed
amendment; while the discipline requires, so far as relates to the
Annual Conferences, only "the concurrent recommendation of
three-fourths of all the members of the several Annual Conferences
who shall be present and vote on such recommendation;" therefore
be it
Resolved, 1st. That, waiving all question of the
expediency of the admission of women to the General Conference, we
declare our judgment that such admission should not be secured or
sanctioned by any method that wears the suspicion of irregularity
or inadequacy.
2nd. That we deem it unwise to vote upon the
proposition to amend the Second Restrictive Rule in the manner
proposed by the aforesaid action of the General Conference of
1892.
3rd. That we propose the following amendment to
the Second Restrictive Rule to add the words, "And said delegates
may be men or women," after the words, "Two lay delegates for an
Annual Confer-
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ence," so that the entire clause will read, "Nor of more than
two lay delegates for an Annual Conference, and said delegates may
be men or women."
4th. That we hereby record our purpose to vote
on this proposed amendment at the session of this Conference in
the year 1895.
5th. That the secretary of this Conference is
hereby instructed to forward to each of the Bishops, and to the
secretaries of the various Annual Conferences a certified copy of
this paper; and that the Bishops are hereby requested to submit
this proposed amendment to the Second Restrictive Rule to all the
Annual Conferences, meeting in the year 1895, and to report the
vote on the same to the General Conference of 1896.
Signed by the Committee; John
F. Goucher, C. Herbert Richard, J. Lanahan, A. M. Courtenay, W. S.
Edwards, D. H. Carroll, J. St. Clair Neal, J. B. Stitt.
Resolutions.
WHEREAS, Through the
blessing of God the lives of all, the brethren have been spared,
and we have been permitted to assemble in this the thirteenth
session of the North Nebraska Conference, therefore,
Resolved, That with hearts filled with
gratitude, we render thanks to our Heavenly Father for the
benefits of the past year.
Resolved, That we appreciate the geniality,
ability and sweet Christian spirit of our Bishop, Edward G.
Andrews, D. D., LL. D., in presiding over the Conference.
Resolved, That we thank the Seward St. M. E.
church and the other M. E. churches of Omaha for their hospitality
in entertaining the conference.
Resolved, That. we thank Rev. D. K. Tindall, D.
D., for the excellent way he received and entertained this
conference.
Resolved, That we tender our hearty thanks to
the secretary of the conference and his assistants, the treasurer
and assistants, and the statistical secretary and assistants, for
the faithful performance of their arduous labors.
Wm.
M. Worley, Robt. J. Cocking, A. L. Mickel.
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