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Omaha District.
REV. J. B. MAXFIELD, D. D., PRESIDING ELDER.
BISHOP AND BRETHREN: -- This will end a year long to be remembered because of the peculiar conditions that have occurred in its course. It will be known as the year of heat, and drouth and of severe financial depression. For the period of thirty-seven years, I am sure from personal observation, it has not been paralleled at any time. Loss of crops, stagnation of business, decimation of population by emigration, increase of the numbers of the needy demanding help, all have interfered with some departments of church work, especially in the contributions to our benevolent causes. In the matter of revivals it has been pre-eminent for the number and for the signal fruits in the salvation of souls. Financial depression and the multitude of conversions seem to have gone hand in hand together. Peace has reigned throughout our borders. Love and fraternity prevail. To be more specific: --.
Arlington* is the head of the
alphabetical list. To it the Rev. Wm. Van Buren was appointed at
the beginning of the year. Improvements have been made to the
parsonage, of a very valuable kind, which he found in a ruinous
condition. During the year there has been some prosperity and
growth. A series of suits were carried on by Bro. VanBuren against
the base ball club, for playing on the Lord's day, which were
successful in the lower court, and appealed to the district court.
Just when, in a matter of such public concern, a minister should
call in the law to enforce Sabbath observance, is a matter for
grave consideration.
Arizona was served the first half of the
year by Rev. F. H. Odell. In the middle of the year he arose and
girded up his loins and departed to his own place, i.e., Missouri.
Since then it has been dependent upon such supplies as could be
obtained from time to time.
Albright, adjacent to South Omaha, has
been served by two supplies. Bro. Button the first of the year,
Bro. Gideon the last half. Under Bro. Gideon's care they have
prospered.
Blair has been under the care of Rev. G.
H. Main for the past year. It has been one of steady growth. A new
parsonage, neat and commodious, has been built. Pay of the
preacher increased. Membership strengthened by valuable
accessions. To-day, by the blessing of God and the efficient work
of Bro. Main, Methodism in Blair is stronger
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* Highlighting of town & church names added for convenience of
viewer.
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than ever before; need I add that the church unanimously ask
for the pastor's return, and they will refuse to be comforted
unless their request is granted. Bro. Main is a seminary man.
Craig is one of our snug circuits. Bro.
A. L. Gray is the pastor. A young man of good promise and good
performance, as his work attests. It has been a year of great
prosperity, Good revival at all points. Long standing divisions
have been healed by the only means that effects a permanent cure
for those ills, viz: the love of God in the souls of men. Bro.
Gray's return is unanimously requested.
Decatur has been well served during the
year by Rev. W. D. Stambaugh, an elder in the evangelical church,
who asks recognition of his orders, and admission on trial into
the traveling connection. It has been a year of prosperity for
this charge, and our church is greatly strengthened and the hearts
of Methodists are greatly encouraged. The quarterly conference
unitedly ask for Bro. Stambaugh's return.
Elkhorn has had a good year, because
there have been good revivals by which scores of souls have been
saved by the power of an endless life. Another cause of
congratulation arises from the fact that Bro. Hatheral, the
pastor, has wedded a bride of rare qualities of head and heart.
May he prove worthy of so fair a prize as the lady whom he has
made his wife.
Fremont: The high esteem that abides in
my heart for this fair seat of Methodism, it is impossible to
frame into words. For many of the choicest spirits it has been my
good fortune to know in this world, abide in this beautiful city
of the valley, unsurpassed in its loveliness by any city in this
entire commonwealth. Bro. G. M. Brown in order that he might
accept the place of Field Secretary of the Chautauqua Literary and
Scientific system of education, was released. from his work as
pastor of the church; and per request of the entire official
board, Rev. F. M. Sisson of the Illinois Conference was
transferred by the Bishop and appointed to fill the place made
vacant by the removal of Bro. Brown., Bro. Sisson is undoubtedly
the right man in the right place. The people love Bro. Sisson and
he loves the people; and how could there be any other conditions;
for they are Fremont Methodists, and he is Bro. Sisson. They
unanimously ask his return.
Gretna has held its own this year, for we
own nothing there but a lawsuit which had gotten into the Supreme
Court of Nebraska, before I came into official relations with this
district.
Hooper: A change of pastors occurred in
the middle of the year caused by the resignation of Bro. Leedom
and his entering upon another branch of Christian work. Rev. W. W.
Shank, associate editor of our Advocate, has rendered very
efficient service on this charge in the interval between the
resignation of Bro. Leedom and this session of conference. Without
pretending to any spirit of prophecy above that of others, I
venture this prediction that this young man will be heard from
hereafter in our history as a church.
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Kennard is a snug little work, not far
away. Our church is well equipped there, having a good church and
parsonage with no incumbrance to speak of on either. To say that
Bro. J. Charles is the pastor is to put into one statement the
fact of fidelity, industry, and ability on his part, and
affection, prosperity and growth on the part of the church.
Nickerson wants to be joined with some
adjacent work whereby it may be relieved from burdens which it
feels are too heavy to be borne by them alone until the finances
of the country are it improved. Bro. Cocking has served them
during the year with fidelity.
Lyons is known as one of our most
inviting fields. Rev. J. B. Priest has filled the disciplinary
term of service and each succeeding year has had more satisfactory
results than its predecessor. Why this unbroken chain of success
should be severed at its fifth link is to me one of those enigmas
beyond my power to solve. Bro. Priest is compelled to go elsewhere
in the midst of his usefulness and all the people an sorry that it
must be so.
Oakland was joined with Bancroft
and served by Bro. Johnson They have had a fair growth during
the year and the ministry of Bro. Johnson has been
satisfactory.
Benson and Briggs: Why the latter
should be joined with the former has not been very clear to my
mind, but so it is. Benson has made a good record this year. It is
an outlying suburb of Omaha and in the midst of the financial
gloom resting so densely upon all the land and especially on
commercial centers, it has projected, completed and paid for,
(save the Church Extension loan) a commodious church which makes
this ours for all coming time. Supplied by Rev. J. R. Barr, he has
been content with small support in order to build a house for God
and Methodism. Our Boards of Church Extension and Missions have
never made better use of their funds, than in the case of Benson.
Their house of worship was dedicated to God on last Sabbath. Dr.
Hodgetts preached the sermon.
Castellar Street Church under Bro. Yost
still abides. The constantly changing character of the population
makes permanent growth a matter of great difficulty. Like Bro.
Barr at Benson, Bro. Yost has labored and supported his family and
paid his house rent on the pittance of only $240. Has any member
of this conference lived on less? Do not any man, who simply
supplies a work and makes a bargain with the presiding elder and
is at liberty to leave and does leave when it pleases him, answer,
for he is not in the matter in any form; but I mean who is under
authority and obeys marching orders and endures hardness as a good
soldier of Jesus Christ, he is the man authorized to answer.
First Church. What shall I write that
shall adequately describe the glorious achievements of last year?
And of the year before the last? Think of this magnificent body of
choice spirits who have paid this year $16,000 current coin of the
realm for the work of the Lord; and the
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year before the sum of $19,000 an aggregate in two years of
$34,000 in these times. Think of the splendid work that church
will do the moment, its debt is paid, and our financial clouds
shall clear. Speaking to a gentleman, who is not a member of our
church he said: "Isn't it remarable (sic) how the Methodist church
is growing in Omaha! It is coming to the front in fine style. It
is marching right up head." Then I thought the promise, "And the
Lord shall make thee the head and not the tail," was written for
us. (Dent. 28 :13.) Brethren of the Boards, and you Dr. Young, of
the grim plan of the Equitable system of benevolence, bear with
us, just a little. The grand old First church will be worth to
your causes to the amount of three or four thousand dollars per
annum. Progress made by the church this year is seen in the
substitution of free seats for rented pews: so successfully
accomplished, organization of a chorus choir under Professor
Kelley, splendid in every respect; zealous and vigorous Epworth
League, a church Chautauqua of unsurpassed excellence was operated
during the winter, its course of study was supplemented by
lectures and addresses by the most eminent scholars and lecturers
who are before the public. I am under the impression that the
First church want Bro. Crane returned for the coming year. Do you
wish to know from what I derive this idea? From the fact that the
quarterly conference voted unanimously this request to Bishop
Andrews.
Hanscom Park has made, pastor and people
each, an excellent record this year. The pastor, Bro. Murray is a
good disciplinarian, his church is well organized and in prime
working order. He is an attentive pastor, a fine pastor: he and
his people see eye to eye. They have emphasized in unmistakeable
terms, by various methods their wish for his return.
Monmouth Park has had an oppressive
weight of poverty resting upon them. Pastor and people have
heroically met the conditions. Bro. Mathews and his brave wife
have met and faced the difficulties and have endured until the end
of the year.
Seward Street: We are indebted to the
pastor of this church for our only invitation for this annual
session. Where would we be, this day, except they had done this?
Surely this conference was saved from being houseless and
homeless, by this kind act. The history of this church this year
is replete with activity and success. The quarterly conference
requests the return of Bro. Tindall for next year.
South Tenth Street, Rev. T. C. Webster,
pastor, has come through this hard year with credit to itself and
honor to its pastor. It is not situated on Easy street, but it is
loyal in all its trials to the Master. It has had good revival
work this year.
Southwest Church, under the care of that
faithful man of God, Rev. J. Q. A. Fleharty, has had a steady year
of growth. He has increased his membership in numbers, extended
his borders and built up his church in all the elements of
strength.
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This is the fifth year of the pastorate of
Rev. W. K. Beans at Trinity, and in the main has been his
best year. To his honor, and to the honor of this grand church, be
it said, that Trinity contends that it is the banner charge of the
conference in the matter of missionary collection. The absolute
amounts received must be found before it is determined whether
Trinity or Fremont is in the lead. In any case each of these
churches has covered itself with glory because of its liberality.
The last quarterly conference passed resolutions very commendatory
of Bro. Beans, in which I most heartily concur.
Rev. T. C. Clendening resigned the charge of
Wesley in order to serve the church in a wider and more
difficult field; that of financial agent of the Wesleyan
University. His own work will be more fully brought to your
notice. Wesley church is one of our best fields, in which an
active man can make a record.
West Omaha has rebuilt its little chapel
and has now a very convenient church. Bro. F. Ellis has had a year
of marked prosperity. His new church is to be dedicated on the
next Sabbath after conference.
Papillion has had no boom but peace and
harmony during the year. The debt of the parsonage has been paid.
Bro. Eggleston has been faithful, earnest and acceptable. His
people ask for his return and so do I.
Richfield asks to be joined with
Papillion for the coming year. I concur in the plan.
South Omaha, First church has as its
pastor, Rev. C. N. Dawson for his fourth year. Their new and
commodious church has been completed and dedicated during the
year. No debt, save to the Church Extension Board, a parsonage, a
fine body of members, harmony prevailing, all conspire to make
this a very desirable appointment. They are worthy of a
first-class man, and in order to secure such a man all the members
of the quarterly conference, about twenty-five in number stood
upon their feet and asked for Bro. Dawson's return for the fifth
year.
Springfield has been prosperous, and all
church interests well cared for by Rev. J. H. Underwood. It is one
of our snug and pleasant fields. Bro. Underwood's return is
requested.
Tekamah. Rev. P. DeClark. sent to this
work after conference last year, left in the early part of the
summer, and is now at Kansas City, Mo., from which place he writes
me, asking for a supernumerary Bro. W. W. Brown supplied the work
during the rest of the year with great acceptance.
Vacoma has been suppled by Bro's Dewbre
and Jacobs. This work has signs of renewed vigor and reviving
prosperity.
Valley is a good circuit. At this place
lives Bro. Williams, one of those laymen that God gives to
Methodism once in a while. Bro. Williams made a donation of one
thousand dollars to the city Church Extension Society and
subsequently another gift of $375.00 to the Univer-
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sity and still has plenty of means left. May he live a thousand
years. Since Bro. Harper's transfer to Oklahoma, Bro. R. J.
Cocking has served well the work at VaIley.
The financial stress has been great but the
revival power has been general. More than twelve hundred lives
have been saved by the power of an endless life. All of the
churches have felt its presence. Three new churches, bad as the
year has been, prove that the heart of the church bounds with
vigorous life. We shall gird ourselves anew to the conflict.
Determination abides everywhere to make the year near at hand the
most memorable in the annals of Methodism on this district, for
under God we are able to possess the land.
Norfolk District.
ALFRED HODGETTS, D. D., PRESIDING ELDER.
The Norfolk District embraces in its
territory an area of country extending about one hundred miles
north and south, by about eighty miles east and west, including
parts of thirteen counties. A large part of this territory has
been under the watchful care of our beloved church for a great
many years. Yet there is ample opportunity for great development,
for we are more and more persuaded that Methodism must either be
in the lead or be nothing. That we are not the leading church in
many of these places is sadly patent to all. As to why this is we
do not stop to consider, -- it is enough for us to know the fact
and to immediately apply the usual Methodist remedy. We have
accordingly this year proceeded along this line, and God has given
us a goodly measure of success. New territory has been entered,
new towns occupied, Methodism planted and the borders of Zion
enlarged. We are sure, therefore, that the prospect of growth on
this district is good, differing only from a newer territory in
that it will be slower work and require larger sums of money; for
when we start in where some of these other churches are well
established we must have a first class man and a first class
building or keep out. The opposite has been tried only to put us
further back than ever.
The territory occupied is well supplied with
churches and parsonages, displaying a great deal of heroic work on
the part of our illustrious predecessors. The condition of the
church property is also fairly good on the majority of charges,
but some are in great need of immediate repairs. More than this,
on these very buildings rests the largest indebtedness; yet there
is nothing distressingly embarrassing as to our church debts,
except in one case. Some effort has been made this year, with
quite a little success, to raise these debts. Notable among these
are Winside and Bancroft charges. At Bancroft a
novel plan was adopted, -- the putting in of a crop of flax which
has paid off the entire debt. We greatly need larger and better
church buildings at the towns of Wayne, Norfolk, Madison,
Pender and Leigh, and we must also dur
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ing the next year erect church buildings at Hartington,
Waterbury and Hoskins. How to do all this is a great
problem yet unsolved. But we are greatly encouraged by the fact
that at all these places we have secured good church sites, some
of which were bought last year and some this year, and when paid
for they will make it possible for our church in these towns to
stand at the front as to well-located church property.
At Hartington where we began our work
immediately after conference, we have secured four lots, giving is
100 by 150 feet on the main business street. The property, which
is the most desirable in the town, is valued at $1,200, and we owe
but a small amount on it. Other towns have been looked after in
the same way. We hope, therefore, in the near future to report
like success in the purchase of lots also at these places. Of
course the number of churches and parsonages on the Norfolk
district will appear in the statistical tables much less this year
than last year, as fourteen churches and six parsonages were
transferred to another district. Good and substantial improvements
have been made on a large number of the churches and parsonages.
So that the most of our churches are very inviting.
Several new enterprises were begun but have been
temporarily laid aside. Whenever it shall please the Lord to give
us an abundance of rain, we can safely promise that five new
churches will be added to the list of the Norfolk district. In
some of these places our congregations are only limited by the
size of the church building, while the Sunday-School
superintendent does not dare to invite an increase in attendence
because there is absolutely no room. Over one-third of the
appointments were left to be supplied. We have succeeded very well
in getting good men for these places, some of whom are bright
young men who will knock at the door of the conference for
admission.
Ministerial support has been good, expecially
when one considers all the difficulties. The allowances were about
the same as last year, with a slight increase in a few instances.
The most of the preachers will be paid in full.
Bro. E. E. Wilson who was stationed at
Pilger was appointed as missionary to South America by
Bishop Walden. We regretted to lose such a good and efficient man.
Bro. Wilson and wife were very dear to us all, as was amply shown
at the farewell reception tendered them the people at Norfolk.
The benevolent collections have been well taken
care of by both the pastors and the presiding elder. All the
charges will do as well as last year and some may go beyond. As a
sample, one charge that raised fifteen dollars last year for
missions will raise one hundred and five this year, and this where
the minister says in making his crop report they raised a bushel
to a farm. Quite a goodly number of the charges will raise more
than their apportionment, while we have good reason to hope that
none will fall below. That this means a good deal of hard work
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on the part of the preachers, and liberal giving on the part of
the laity, will appear by considering the shortage of crops in the
country embraced in this district. We have preached loyalty to
every benevolent cause in our church. There is not one too many,
but about all we can take care of at present.
The spiritual condition of the district is the
most encouraging of all. At the very beginning of the year some of
the brethren began special revival meetings, while others began
later on. Tile first have begun over again and have held these
blessed meetings right up to the time of conference. Every charge
has enjoyed these seasons of divine grace. Our watchword has been,
A revival on every charge, at every appointment, and in every
heart. How far we have succeeded only God knows. Upwards of a
thousand souls have bowed at our altars and professed conversion.
We have good reasons to believe that only a small per cent. of
these have failed to come into the church. Besides the meetings
held in the churches not less than five grove meetings have been
held this summer at salient points on the district.
Last but not least was the district campmeeting
held at Norfolk, Aug. 9-19. This first meeting seemed at the
beginning to be a rather hazardous undertaking, but God was with
us and the work went on to success. Never have we seen better
results. The whole district was well represented, and the people
helped us by their presence and money .The entire district was
aroused and the blessed results still continue.
Some of the oldest men in the conference said,
"We have never seen the like in the west." The fact is, it was a
campmeeting, pure and simple. There was no side issue. The only
issue was with the sinner and God, and with this in view the
brethren preached. A goodly number gave themselves to the Lord. In
a day when the average campmeeting is broken up into so many
specialties it seemed rather bold to say that the one great object
of this meeting was to save sinners. To this end however, every
sermon was preached and every service held. It is true that our
work was special, but it certainly was the speciality of the New
Testament. Every meeting was a holiness meeting, for while we
believed that the Spirit of God sanctified the believer, yet the
believer was putting himself in the way to this experience when
seeking the salvation of a poor lost sinner. And as a result
sinners were saved, backsliders reclaimed, and believers
sanctified. The district has purchased a commodious tabernacle
tent which will be used from year to year at the district
campmeeting and will also be at the disposal of the district for
other meetings. The campmeeting grounds, situated one and
one-fourth miles from the city of Norfolk, are very beautiful,
affording good shade arid plenty of good water. These grounds have
been leased for a term of years, so that the Norfolk District
Campmeeting is permanently established. The plan by which these
meetings will be carried on makes no financial dent and except
such as is voluntarily given for incidentals.
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A district conference was held in November
and one in August, also a district campmeeting convention, a
district stewards' meeting and one district Epworth League
convention. All of these meetings have been well attended and have
been very profitable. The one of special note was that of the
Epworth League held at Pender. The attendance was very large, and
the enthusiasm of the League even greater. It was certainly
inspiring to see so many young people not only religiously
engaged, but with that peculiar form of Protestant Christianity
known as Methodism, and that form of Methodism that has heart and
brain thoroughly consecrated to Christ. And it was no less
inspiring to see the preachers, same old in years, yet as young in
spirit as the youngest Epworth Leaguer. The preachers of the
Norfolk district believe in the Epworth League.
Our own work as presiding elder has been
exceedingly pleasant. We found the district in a good condition
and everything ready to our hand with which to work, We found a
loyal people, a faithful ministry; preachers and laity who both
know and love our Methodist doctrines and ways; those who have
fought for every inch of ground they possess; preachers who are
not tempted with the bait of a few hundred dollars to go over to
another denomination, believing, nay actually insisting, that
there is even in this day a difference between Arminianism and
Calvinism, Methodism and Congregationalism; men who would rather
be Methodist preachers than be President.
Another year of remarkable health has been added
to the unbroken number already given the writer, so that not one
appointment has gone unfilled because of sickness. By the blessing
of God and the assistance of the brethren we have been able to be
personally present at most of the quarterly meetings. On the
larger number of the charges all four of the quarterly services
have been personally attended. This has implied a great amount of
travel as well as hard work. In one instance we held on a given
Sabbath two love feast services, administered the sacrament three
times, held a baptismal service, preached three sermons, and rode
in an open wagon twenty-five miles. Never have we been more kindly
received by a people and never have we enjoyed the presence of the
divine Master so fully as during the confenence year. Peace and
harmony reign over the whole district.
Grand Island District.
J. E. M00RE, PRESIDING ELDER.
Recognizing the abundant goodness of our
Heavenly Father, in bringing us in good health to this our annual
convocation, from the trials and triumphs of our respective fields
of labor, I, with a good degree of pleasure, submit this my fourth
annual report of Grand Island District.
In the re-arrangement of the district by Bishop
Walden by which
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we lost three appointments and gained six, the district was no
doubt improved. This change brought us into very pleasant
relations with an excellent class of people and a very efficient
class of preachers. We noted with due appreciation many marks of
efficient supervision by our retiring predecessors. The six
charges left without preachers at the close of the last conference
session, we succeeded in supplying in a reasonably short time. E.
E. E. Rorick, whom Bishop Walden transferred from the Northwest
Nebraska Conference to this, was assigned to Richland; R.
M. Henderson, to Belgrade; J. M. Dressler, to Cairo;
R. D. Snyder, to Chapman; W. M. Morrow, to Silver
Creek; and W. D. Luther, to Mapleville. These brethren
have done well. In all but one their respective quarterly
conferences request their reappointment for another year.
Both preachers and people began the year's work
with hope of great success, but many well-planned enterprises have
been suspended for the time being, owing to the condition of the
times. The distitution in every part of the district is very
great. On account of the great drouth and the disturbances in the
financial and social institutions of our country, there is very
little money for any purpose. For the same reason the salaries of
our preachers have been slowly paid, and in many cases, at the
close of the year, there are serious deficiencies. This has
brought great inconvenience and suffering to many of our families.
Yet not a single preacher has left his charge. Their devotion to
the work of the Master has been uninterrupted and heroic. Early in
the year, we requested the pastors to get the benevolent
collections out of the way by the end of the third quarter if
possible, that the stewards might have all of the fourth quarter
in which to work on the deficiencies in salaries. The result was
that most of the brethren reported the apportionments for
benevolences provided for in full in good subscriptions but ere
the collections could be made, the destructive drouth came upon
us, and a large shrinkage has been unavoidable.
At the beginning of the year both preachers and
people planned a vigorous campaign against the Church Extension
debts of longest standing, and though subscriptions were obtained
in many cases covering the claims, yet the good work has
necessarily stopped with the subscription.
Too few of our churches use our Methodist and
Epworth Hymnals, substituting the publications of other
institutions, than those of our Book Concern, much to the
disadvantage of both our congregations and our Sabbath-schools,
nevertheless the faithfulness and zeal of the brethern in
resisting the aggression of other Sunday school literature than
our own is commendable. We have been gratified in hearing the
fourth quarterly reports of the preachers to note that in many
cases there has been an increase in the periodical list over last
year. I suspect that in the district our Omaha Christian Advocate
under the able editorship of
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