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Dr. Shank has kept up and possibly increased in the
subscription list, despite the stringency in the circulation of
money.
Some of the pastors have been compelled to draw
the reins of discipline a little tighter, and owing to a too great
laxness heretofore our people have chafed under it. In the matter
of signing petitions for saloon licenses, in a number of instances
our preachers have been compelled to meet the encroachments of
this nefarious business at the very threshold of our churches, and
say to our weaker, compromising members, "You must take your name
off that petition, or withdraw from the church;" and this
persistent courage has resulted in keeping these dens of iniquity
out of many of our towns. The people are fast coming to recognize
the fact that the Methodist Episcopal Church is the most
thoroughly organized and active temperance society known in our
country.
Our preachers have worked hard throughout the
year, neglecting no part, the results of which are manifest.
J. W. Miller of St. Paul, in addition to
his revival work, in which he reports the conversion of about
eighty souls, devoted much energy in raising the floating debt on
the church. He reports that of the twelve hundred and twenty
dollars due, nine hundred and twenty dollars have been paid, and
one hundred and fifty dollars of the remainder provided for.
J. T. Knuckey of Schuyler, in addition to
purchasing a two hundred and fifty dollar bell and then building
of a cement pavement in front of our church property at a cost of
one hundred dollars, all of which was paid for, the old debts
against our church and parsonage property, of over four hundred
dollars, making in all eight hundred dollars, has been paid, so
that our excellent property in Schuyler is entirely free from
debt.
R. C. McReynolds has converted the Church
Extension claim against our Genoa church into interest
bearing notes which will soon be paid. With the aid of T. C.
Webster he dedicated a new church at Scedee on Genoa
charge, with all claims provided for, without either, donation or
loan from the Church Extension Society.
A. V. Wilson with the aid of J. W. Robinson
dedicated an eighteen hundred dollar church at Warsaw, on
Dannebrog circuit, all of which has been collected and paid except
one hundred and fifty dollars; also without aid from the Church
Extension society. Bro. Wilson and H.. L. Powers held a
campmeeting in a beer garden at Dannebrog, where seventy
souls sought religion at the altar.
C. F. Heywood greatly improved and beautified
the church at Scotia, the cost of which has been met, a
good revival in which about thirty were converted and joined the
church, and a request for his return to the charge, are among the
other good things he rejoices in.
L. R. DeWolf with the aid of the presiding elder
dedicated a twelve hundred dollar church at Enfield on
Brayton circuit, in which all
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claims including the Church Extension loan, just allowed, was
provided for.
J. A. Roads, the sole pastor in Wheeler county,
has traveled over 2,000 miles had precious revivals in which more
than fifty were converted and joined the church during the year.
He reports benevolent apportionments met in full and a new church
at Rosedale, on Bartlett circuit, dedicated by the
presiding older, free from debt.
F. A. High assisted by Bro. DeWolf, had a great
revival at Mount Pleasant, on St. Edwards charge. The
presiding elder dedicated a twelve hundred dollar church August
12, with all claims provided for. Bro. High has gone to the
Northwestern University to school. We can ill afford to spare him
and his good wife from our district.
W. H. Vogt with the aid of Wm. Gorst, dedicated
a seventeen hundred dollar church at Palmer, on Archer
charge, with all claims provided for. He also procured about one
thousand dollars in subscription to build a church at Archer, and
well nigh raised enough in subscription to meet the long standing
debt on the Gage Valley church.
A. L. Mickel has had a good year at
Clarks, where he is deservedly popular. He has a parsonage
under way, which, without doubt will be built this fall, hard as
times are.
F. W. Bross reports an unusual revival at
Columbus, with ninety conversions. Over $300 has been paid
by this charge on debt and parsonage and on repairs on church
property.
C. C. Snavely has repaired and very much
beautified the church at North Bend. The church and
congregation are increasing in numbers and in spiritual power.
Geo. H. McAdam has had a good year at
Trinity, Grand Island. His congregations are large and
loyal. They have met the interest on their bonded, debt, and
increased their contribution to the benevolences.
N. A. Martin has our beautiful First Church,
Grand Island, nearly finished. It will be ready for dedication
by Oct. 21. This church has struggled almost hopelessly, but being
led on by the dauntless courage of Bro. Martin she has weathered
the gale. This is a glorious achievement. The completion of this
splendid edifice, with the church's increasing membership, growing
congregations, and heroic liberality, is a victory for Methodism
in this goodly city. With a royal generosity, the quarterly
conference invites the North Nebraska Conference with the Lay
Electoral-Conference to hold their next session in its spacious
auditorium. If you decide to come, you need bring none of your
timidity but be sure to bring your wives.
Valuable aid has been rendered many of our
pastors. Besides Bro. Powers, Miss Mae Phillips assisted Bro.
Trezona at Purple Cane, Bro. Luther at Mapleville,
and Bro. Snavely at North Bend. Evangeiist Hoopingarner
assisted Bro. Norris at Cedar Rapids, Bro. Miller at
St.
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Paul, and Bro. Robinson at Central City, W. H. H.
Pillsbury has added fifty to the membership at Fullerton,
and A. L. Kellogg a like number on Cushing Circuit. W. K.
Gray the pastor, and C. O. Larisson secretary, conducted a very
successful district Epworth League convention at Fullerton. where
it was, demonstrated that this work in the district is very
prosperous. Nearly all the charges have active Junior Leagues,
where, according to the Discipline, our baptized children are
prepared for intelligent membership in our church from probation.
The Epworth Leagues in the district number over thirty, and every
one is loyal to our Methodist usages, a defender of our doctrines
and experience, and takes great pride in our history as an
evangelistic power in the world. While the League in no case
presumes to be a substitute for the class-meeting, its spirit
shows the revival of the old-time class meeting. Many of the
remarkable revivals of the past year started in the Epworth
League.
One new circuit of four appointments has been
made, and named, and manned. and God has given J. S. Green on Loup
Circuit a blessed revival at each appointment. A class has been
organized at Wallbach and added to Brayton Circuit; one at
Prairie Creek, and added to Chapman; and one at Boelus, and
added to Cairo.
Four superannuated brethren in the district,
viz: Jacob Adriance, D, C. Worts, D. T. Olcott, and Chas, Balson.
and their wives, have shown themselves worthy and zealous watchers
of the strife below, from their mount of observation, where they
are enjoying their forced rest, and recounting the battles they
have fought. They have stood by their pastors like the friends of
Moses, holding up their hands. Their presence is a benediction in
the churches where they worship. They have each had a year of
peace, of delightful Christian experience, and of good health,
except in the ease of Bro. Balson who had a long siege of malarial
fever, from which at one time it was thought doubtful that he
could recover. But he is again at his post, teaching in the
Sunday-school and occasionally preaching.
Five campmeetings have been held on the district
with good results, and two district conferences, the records of
which are here for inspection. Five very hopeful young men have
been recommended for admission on trial.
The preachers report over twelve hundred
conversions and nearly one thousand accessions by letter and on
probation during the conference year.
By the blessing of God I have been enabled to
visit each charge on the district four times, except in the case
of three charges, and in every case preach, administer the
sacrament, and preside at the quarterly conference.
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DAVID MARQUETTE, PRESIDING ELDER.
With gratitude to the great head of the
church for what has been wrought in the Neligh district this year,
I respectfully, submit my fourth annual report.
Albion, which came to the Neligh district
last year, not only stands, at the head of the district
alphabetically, but easily takes the front rank in every way, and
this is largely due to the achievements of this the third year of
the pastorate of Rev. Wm. Worley. The first and chief factor in
this advance was the glorious revivals at Albion and Boone,
at which seventy-flve were converted, and by which the church was
strengthened. This infused new life into the whole church and
increased the attendance, requiring the portion of the church used
as a parsonage. It became necessary to build a separate parsonage
which they forthwith did at a total cost, including lot, barn,
well and all, of $1,460. The benevolences will be in full. The
quarterly conference requests the return of Bro. Worley for the
fourth year.
Battle Creek. from being the tail end for
twenty years, has this year marched up well to the front. It was
left to be supplied and I appointed Rev. G. W. Damon to serve as
pastor. He entered with zeal upon his work, and the first result
was that a church enterprise, which, had been hanging fire for
nearly a year owing to the stringency of the times, was pushed to
completion, at a cost including lot, furniture, organ, carpets,
etc., of $2900. It was dedicated in March by Rev. W. K. Beans, all
the claims being provided for including $100 for the Church
Extension loan of $300. Since then $100 in addition has been paid
on the Church Extension claim. The next day after the dedication
the pastor began a series of revival meetings, assisted by Sister
Mae Phillips, which resulted in many conversions and accessions,
greatly strengthening the church numerically, financially and
spiritually.
Creighton is one of our most prosperous
and promising charges and has had a good year under the pastorate
of Bro. F. G. Perry, who comes recommended for admission into the
conference. There have been revivals during the year. One during
the summer in which the pastor was assisted by Rev. N. L.
Hoopingarner, which rsulted (sic) in much good in conversions and
strengthening the church.
Creighton circuit has been greatly strengthened
during the year under the labors of a supply, Rev. Wm. A.
Rominger, and, his people ask his return. Besides a gracious
revival at Walnut Grove that restilted in a number of
conversions and gave its a good foothold there, improvements on
the Olcott church have added greatly to its attractiveness.
Elgin has had a healthy growth under the
pastorate of Rev. R. J. Millard. Gracious revivals have taken
place at nearly all of the four
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appointments and money has been raised and paid on the church
debt. Bro. Millard's return is requested.
Ewing has held its own under the
pastorate of Rev. Geo. C. Ebersole during the first half of the
year, and Prof. Wightman during the last half. Early in the year a
revival took place under the labors of the pastor, aided by Rev.
G. W. Selby.
Emerick charge is located in a rich
section of country, is convenient to work and has the making of
one of the best circuits, and has made progress during the year
under the pastorate of W. A. Wilson. There have been revivals and
the church at Emerick has been painted and papered. The quarterly
conference requests the return of the pastor.
Inman has been supplied this year by Rev.
J. N. Gortner, the son of one of our former pioneer preachers.
When I first offered him Inman he hesitated to accept as any
preacher might, but finally went and the charge has had a year of
exceptional prosperity; A very blessed revival resulting in the
salvation of thirty-five souls, a quickening of the church and
infusing new courage into all. These people also want their pastor
back.
Loretto came to this district at the last
conference and Rev. W. R. Phelps was appointed pastor, but it soon
became manifest that the charge could not support him and he asked
to be relieved which I did. Some two months later, Rev. James
Shawcross, an Englishman, who had written me for work and had been
told there was no work for him, presented his request in person,
and I offered him Loretto, which he accepted. He served the charge
faithfuily (sic) for six months and had some measure of success,
having revivals at two or three points on his charge. He then
seemed to discover that the people of this country were incapable
of adjusting themselves to his notions and quit in disgust. I then
secured the services of Rev. Geo. C. Cobb, a Garrett Biblical
student, who has been doing good service and is unanimously wanted
back.
Neligh still ranks among the most
important charges on the district, being the seat of Gates
College, a Congregational institution. Under the pastorate of Rev.
G. A. Luce the work has moved steadily forward, alI interests
being cared for. A gracious revival in which the pastor was
assisted by Miss Mae Phillips took place early in the year. There
have also been some improvements in church and parsonage. Besides
the work in Neligh, the missionary spirit of Bro. Luce and one of
his laymen, Bro. Howell, has opened up a point at Grecia n Bend
(sic), which had been destitute of the gospel. A five days'
campmeeting was held, resulting in ten conversions, and meetings
are now being held by Miss Phillips with gracious results. Bro.
Luce's quarterly conference requests his return.
Newman Grove has had the services of Rev.
C. U. Rouse for three years, and in some respects his third year
has been the best. Besides some gracious revival work, there have
erected two new churches.
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At Newman Grove a $2000 church was, by careful management,
erected at an expense of $1,800, and was dedicated early in March,
Chancellor Crook preaching the dedicatory sermon. The debt was all
provided for by good notes. At Lindsay, on the same charge,
a new church has been built at a cost of $2,200, and was dedicated
on the 29th of July. Rev. Wm. Gorst preaching the dedicatory
sermon. Though in the midst of drouth, with no prospect of a crop,
they bravely paid and pledged enough to cover the indebtedness,
with the exception of the Church Extension loan.
Niobrara, under the wise pastorate of
Rev. C. M. Griffith, has had a year of peace and prosperity.
Oakdale has had a good year, some revival
influence, more harmony and spirituality in the church, and the
same loyalty to all the interests of the church that has always
characterized that brave little church. Rev. John Crews is closing
his third year, and the quarterly conference requests his
return.
Osmond has had a year of great prosperity
under the second year pastorate of Rev. B. B. Keister. In August a
gracious revival took place, in which the pastor was aided by Rev.
N. L. Hoopingarner, resulting in about fifty conversions and about
forty accessions, They bravely undertook and have carried forward
to completion a neat, commodious parsonage, worth $400.
O'Neill presents as great obstacles to
success as any charge on the district, owing to the large and
predominating Catholic element. Yet, in spite of this, the church
has greatly prospered under the pastorate of Rev. E. E. Hosman.
Besides a gracious revival a large debt of $650 has been paid and
the church is in good condition to fight rum, Romanism, and the
devil.
Page has been served by the old veteran
Bartley Blain who, though in feeble health, renders such services
as are acceptable and keeps the work in a healthy condition.
Petersburg is another town with a
predominating Catholic element and the protestant churches have
been, during the year, divided by the organization of a
Congregational church. But our little flock has held, together
well under the pastoral care of R. N. Throckmorton. There have
been some gracious revivals and in spite of the adverse conditions
the last of the debt has been paid on the parsonage.
Pierce is one of those places where
Methodism does not have its normal growth for want of such
material as she can reach, being largely foreigners. Yet Pierce
has been steadily growing under the three years' pastorate of Rev.
J. H. Wilcox, and his people want him returned. Some has been paid
on an old debt, the parsonage fenced and church painted.
Plainview closes another prosperous year
in the midst of a blaze of revival power, the visible result of
which is seen in the conversion of a large number of souls,
forty-two of whom have united with the church.
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Bro. Adriance has been with this people for three years and to
wanted the fourth, and Plainview is one of our most prosperous
charges.
Plainview circuit had Rev. Wm. Stanner assigned
as pastor at last conference. He took his sick wife to this
charge, found no parsonage but domiciled her in the class room of
the church at Crawford valley, and he and the members began
to work getting subscriptions for a new parsonage. They were
fortunate in having about $200 surplus left over, after-all debts
were paid on their church, erected during E. E. Hosman pastorate,
and with that as a beginning they soon had enough. They erected a
very comfortable parsonage valued at $500. But alas the dear wife
was destined to linger only a few weeks to enjoy the new home, and
in January passed peacefully and triumphantly to her heavenly
home. The funeral services were conducted by the Presiding Elder,
assisted by Rev. J. H. Wilcox. Bro. Stanner's nervous system
giving way, it became absolutely necessary for him to rest, which
he decided to do. I secured for the place one L. V. Prescott, who
came highly recommended, but soon I found him to be a fraud and
dismissed him. I then secured the services of J. M. Eldredge of
Evanston. He has done splendid work, closing with a revival at
Story appointment. Their collection for missions was taken and
carried off by Prescott.
Paddock is a field where progress is
difficult, but two or three revivals have made progress real where
it seemed almost impossible. J. W. Kern is serving his second
year.
Reservation. The work of developing and
organizing this new field has gone steadily forward under the
pastorate of A. Bishop, who also comes up for admission. A tent
meeting was held in July at the Alford appointment, in which the
pastor was aided by Rev. G. W. Selby. Some thirty were
converted.
Savage has been supplied by Rev. E. E.
Hunt, a student in Gates College, There have, been a number of
conversions on the charge, and it has prospered spiritually. They
have improved the parsonage to the extent of $50.
Tilden. With perhaps one exception this
is the largest charge numerically on the district and ought to be
divided. Rev. H. H. St. Louis, has served as pastor and there has
been a good revival at one or two points.
The foregoing statements are but the briefest
outline of the results achieved on each of these twenty-four
charges, and are not to be measured by the number of words
required to set them forth intelligently. Nor has it been possible
to adequately set forth the faith, self-sacrifice, and heroic
devotion of both pastor and people on many of these charges. A few
statements of a general nature may serve to throw still further
light on their noble work. First, we have the remarkable fact that
during this the hardest year financially, perhaps in the history
of the district, we have erected more churches and parsonages than
in either of the four years I have been on the district, having
built three churches
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at a total value of $6800, and three parsonages at a total
value of $2200, being a grand total of $9000, thus adding twenty
per cent. to the present valuation of property.
Another fact worthy of note is that during the
summer campaign about 300 souls have been converted, which, added
to the 450 which resulted from the winter campaign, make a total
of 750 for the year. We held an enthusiastic district Epworth
League convention in June with an attendance of about eighty. This
was followed the same week by an equally enthusiastic district
conference, attended by every pastor in the district except one
and he was absent for good reasons.
As to our benevolent collections, if we do not
maintain our place in the first rank, it will not be the fault of
the pastors or people.
Our campmeeting was a great success. Dr. Tindall
served as evangelist and did splendid service.
I have reserved to the last the most painful
part of my report, that which relates to the conditions under
which the present year's work has been wrought and which confronts
the pastors and people for another year. This year closes my first
quarter of a century of ministerial work in Nebraska conferences.
During this time it has been my privilege to labor among the
humble homesteaders in their dug-outs and sod houses. I have
witnessed their suffering, their privations, during the dreadful
grasshopper scourge; but I affirm that the conditions, on parts of
my district are the worst I have ever seen. The drouth this year,
besides entirely ruining the wheat, oats, corn and vegetables, has
also dried up the hay crop. To make matters still worse the
complete failure of this year has been preceded by one or more
years of partial and in some localites almost complete failure of
crops. This has exhausted whatever surplus they may have had and
they are thus compelled to enter this dark future with no
resources. Several pastors who have received less than $200 from
their people, and one who has received $116.50 are wanted back.
None have flinched but are willing to return to charges where in
some cases there is absolutely no prospect of any support except
the pittance of missionary money we can spare them. Indeed in all
the counties there will be more or less of the people, including
our members, who themselves must be helped or suffer. That these
preachers may be kept from suffering, we ought to have at least
$1000 more missionary money appropriated to the Neligh district.
While this may be out of the question, we sincerely hope that the
amount for the coming year will be at least as much as the current
year. Doubtless the generosity of our people in the more favored
sections of our land will respond to this need and by
contributions of cash and supplies partially at least relieve the
distress. That big-hearted, resourceful leader Chaplain McCabe
sounds the key note of this generous movement when in a
characteristic note to the writer he says, "Send me a list of your
most needy cases, These men shall not suffer if I have to go to
the bank
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and get the money myself." But whatever may or may not be done
to relieve the situation, these brave men say, "The people have
cared for us in the time of their prosperity, we will not forsake
them in the time, of their adversity, but if need be will suffer
with them, for they must have the gospel."
© 1999, 2000 for NEGenWeb Project by Ted & Carole Miller