Resource Center OLLibrary
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AUDITING.
We find the accounts of the Presiding Elders
and the Secretary correct.
J.
B. PRIEST,
J. H. JOHNSON,
J. W. MILLER.
BIBLE CAUSE.
WHEREAS, The Bible
proclaims the only plan of human redemption and salvation and is
the infallible guide to morality and spiritual life; therefore
every person ought to possess a BIBLE;
and
WHEREAS, The American
Bible Society is endeavoring to accomplish this object.
Therefore
Resolved, That we renew our pledge of
loyalty to this Society.
Signed:
H. W. Conley, D. C. Worts, J. Q. A. Fleharty, W. A. Wilson.
CURRENT BOOK ACCOUNT.
In view of the splendid dividend, $125,000,
issued by our Book Concern this year to worn out preachers, $745
of which comes to our Conference, and in view of the fact that the
Book Concern promises to become more and more a veritable
benevolent institution,
Resolved, That as preachers of the
North Nebraska Conference we will present such facts as these to
our people as a motive to prompt them to patronize our own
publishing house. Realizing the necessity of our Methodist
publications to the Christian culture of our people and to their
intelligent loyalty to all the interests of the church,
Resolved, That we will do our best
to circulate our church papers and books among our people.
Inasmuch as some of the members of this Conference have accounts
with the Book Concern long past due, incurring extra expense and
needless trouble in collecting, we urge all members of this
Conference to promptness in paying their book accounts.
Signed:A.
V. Wilson, Sec.; G. H. Main, Chm.;
R.
N. Throckmorton, H. H. St. Louis.
CHURCH EXTENSION.
WHEREAS, The Board of
Church Extension is ever helpful in securing houses of worship for
our people, granting donations to the amount of $26,125, and loans
to the extent of $37,650 to our own Conference; indeed,
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the 136 church buildings now in our Conference territory, all
received aid except nine; and
WHEREAS, The constituency
of those churches have been asked to contribute annually about
eight and one-half cents per member to the Church Extension fund,
and it appears according to our minute record that about four and
one-fourth cents per member has been given; while sixteen charges
gave nothing, sixteen others gave one dollar only. Therefore
Resolved, As pastors and people, that we
will encourage Christianity in the communities where we reside by
assisting the Board of Church Extension to carry out its generous
proposition to give $3.50 for every dollar that we contribute; and
be it
Resolved, That we will use the best
methods possible to inform our people, and aid the Board in
collecting the fifty-eight loans granted in our Conference,
$32,000 of which are now due. And further we believe in the
messenger Christianity in Earnest which comes so full or
suggestions for our work, and that Dr. M. S. Hard, by his presence
and business-like presentation of the subject has been very
helpful and cheering to our Conference. Therefore we devoutly pray
the Lord to help us make this prospective hard year one of the
best in collections for this Society.
Signed:
C. N. Dawson, Chm., J. B. Leedom, Sec., F. W. Bross, W. M.
Worley.
EDUCATION.
The subject of Christian education is one in
which our church has always maintained a most lively interest and
one which she has cherished with the greatest loyalty, and wherein
she has had an abundant measure of success. Our large number of
schools in this country, and in foreign lands, where tens of
thousands are being trained for the Church and the State, are a
standing testimony to our abiding faith in the principle that the
education of head and heart together is the only way to produce
the highest type of the individual and of society. Toward these
ends our Schools are making heroic and successful efforts, and we
are inspired to believe that sometime the faith of Jesus will
sanctify, illuminate and glorify all human knowledge. We are
grateful, therefore, to know that the Board of Education of the
Methodist Episcopal Church under the able leadership of Dr.
Charles H. Payne has had another year of great usefulness, and we
pledge ourselves to its hearty support -- particularly in a
careful and earnest observance of Children's Day in all of our
charges.
We also record our high appreciation of the
excellent work being done by our Divinity Schools in Boston
Evanston and Denver.
No man can expect to succeed in the work of our
ministry without a thorough training; and we would therefore most
earnestly call the attention of brethren preparing for this work
to these schools, and urgently request our Conference visitors to
be present at their commencements and report to this Conference at
its next session.
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We rejoice in the fact that a great National
University has not only been planned for at Washington, but that
under the wise guidance of Bishop Hurst and others large bequests
are being made to it, buildings are soon to be erected, and the
day seems not far distant when our great central real
university will be an accomplished fact.
But while we are interested in all the schools
of our Church the Nebraska Wesleyan University stands first in our
affections and is the special object of our care. We are more than
ever certain that the plan of Unification is right and that a
great Methodist University is being built up under its
provisions.
We find much reason for rejoicing, and for faith
in the future in the following facts, viz:
1st. That last year was one of unprecedented
success in the large number of students which attended both at
University Place and at Orleans; the harmony that prevailed
throughout all departments of the school; the sanctifying truths
of the gospel which came to nearly every student and the thorough
work in their various lines done by the faculty.
2d. That our tremendously oppressive debt of
$50,000 a year ago has been entirely covered by subscriptions, or
which about $20,000 in cash and notes have already been paid in;
besides several thousand dollars more have been subscribed toward
meeting such debts as have accrued during the year. And, here we
record our highest appreciation of the faithful, courageous and
eminently successful labors of Dr. T. C. Clendening -- through
whose efforts joined with those of Chancellor Crook and of our
own, indomitable general, Bishop Newman, who led the forces on the
11th day of June, this financial miracle has been wrought. We
thank God and take courage. We also recognize the liberal,
intelligent and faithful loyalty of our laymen of Nebraska to this
great cause.
3d. We record our appreciation of the tireless
labors of the Board of Trustees whose business sagacity and wise
policy inspires our confidence in the speedy coming of perfect
day. We also remember at this point that a noble and good man has
fallen, in the death of that honored and useful member of the
Board, C. C. White. May God, bless the bereaved loved ones and
raise up other wise and liberal friends for Nebraska Wesleyan
University.
4th. We recognize in Dr. Isaac Crook not only "a
brother beloved in the Lord," but a great educator and typical
chancellor -- so familiar with all the details of his office, so
skillful in the accomplishment of his work and so beautiful in his
deportment as a gentleman and a Christian that all the interests
of our school and our children under his care are safe and secure.
And we are not surprised that the present year opens with more
students by far than ever before.
Our recommendations are: That the Trustees press
the collection of all subscriptions either in cash or notes just
as rapidly as possible, so that by the first of January, 1896, all
our subscriptions shall be in cash or interest
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bearing notes; that the Bishop be requested to appoint Dr.
Clendening to the Financial Agency and that every pastor in the
Conference is also appointed an assistant financial agent for the
University; that last year's apportionment to the charges be the
basis for our collections this year; that though our charges have
about all been canvassed we will nevertheless most cordially
welcome Chancellor Crook and Dr. Clendening to them at any time;
that being the first to be canvassed, we see to it that our
Conference be the first to pay up all its subscriptions, and that
the second Sunday in June be set apart for taking the collection
for the University.
We nominate A. M. Weller, of Omaha, trustee of
the Board in place of J. W. Robinson, who has been transferred out
of our bounds. We also nominate Dr. A. Hodgetts to be his own
successor as trustee.
We also nominate the following as Conference
visitors. (See list).
DISTRICT CONFERENCE RECORDS.
We find the records of the Neligh and the
Grand Island Districts correct. No records received from the other
districts.
Signed:
B. Blain.
EPWORTH LEAGUE.
We recognize the Epworth League as a child of
Providence and the handmaid of the Church. It has proved its right
to live. The Epworth and Junior Leagues are already of great value
to the Church and to the Pastor, but in order to attain the best
results, there should be the closest connection, the greatest
harmony and cooperation between the Pastor and Officers of the
League. We would recommend all our Pastors to push the League
work. We consider the Epworth Herald the very best paper
for our young people that is published. We nominate H. H. Millard
Director for the Board of Control of the tenth General Conference
District. Also, we recommend that a committee be appointed,
consisting of one from each district, to organize an Annual
Conference League.
Signed:
J. Charles, B. Blain, J. T. Crooks, H. Trezona.
EPWORTH LEAGUE -- SPECIAL.
Whereas, In the Epworth League
Convention work there seems to be a direct tendency to confine
ourselves to the territory of Presiding Elders, Districts and
Annual Conferences, and
Whereas, We believe that it would be a
great advantage to the young laymen of this Conference to have the
privilege of meeting once a year in convention, giving them an
opportunity to become acquainted, and thus enlarge and strengthen
the hands of Christian brotherhood and denominational life;
therefore, we hereby make the following nominations for the
officers of the North Nebraska Conference Epworth League and
request them to meet as soon as possible to perfect the
organization and to take
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such steps as may be necessary in order to hold an Annual
Convention next May or June. It is also our earnest desire that
the best efforts of this society be put forth to make our first
Convention a splendid success. We nominate for President, H. H.
Millard; First Vice President, N. A. Martin; Second Vice
President, Leroy Lucas; Third Vice President, F. M. Wright; Fourth
Vice President, E. T. George; for Secretary, Frank W. Bross, and
for Treasurer, Fletcher W. Young.
Signed:
C. N. Dawson, William Gorst, D. C. Winship, N. A. Martin, J.
Crews.
EPISCOPAL FUND.
Our Chief Superintendents are ever in labors
more abundant, doubtless being the hardest workers of the Church;
therefore,
Resolved, 1st, That we recognize in their
office an indispensable agency of the Church. 2d, That we will do
our best to raise the amount of our apportionments for their
support.
Signed:
John Crews, R. C. McReynolds, Thos. Bithel.
METHODIST HOSPITAL.
WHEREAS, The Methodist
Hospital and Deaconess Home at Omaha is greatly in need of
enlarged facilities to meet the pressing demands of its work, and
the present building is inadequate to accommodate the applicants,
many patients having to be turned away, at the average rate of two
a day, and that it is in unfavorable contrast to other
institutions of the kind in the city;
Resolved, That we commit ourselves anew
to all its interests, that we will inform the public, co-operate
with its representatives, and assist them in presenting the cause
to our congregations. We request that visiting Deaconesses be
authorized to visit every charge in the Conference to present the
work and needs of the institution: That we recommend immediate and
heroic action by the Board of Trustees to secure suitable grounds
and erect commodious buildings at the earliest possible date, and
that the Home be separate and apart from the Hospital, to afford
our Deaconesses a quiet retreat from the constant proximity to the
wards of the patients. We recommend the election of the following
persons as directors for the ensuing year: Frank Crane, D. K.
Tindall, John Dale, L. H. Rogers, T. C. Webster, Mrs. D. Cole,
Mrs. Frank Cotton, Mrs. W. P. Murray, J. B. Priest.
Signed:
T. W. Mathews, C. F. Heywood, E. E. Hunt, Cyrus P. Cheeseman,
Committee.
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In our Missionary Society we recognize a most
potent agency which is girdling the world with the golden belt of
Christianity. Its heralds are publishing the glad tidings of peace
to every land. The hallelujahs of its victories ring from the
islands of the sea. Our souls exult in the success which the
Heavenly Father has bestowed upon the labors of our beloved
Bishop, William Taylor, in the field of darkest Africa, and we
hail the day of its emancipation from darkness and its induction
into the glorious light of the Gospel of our Christ.
We rejoice in the labors of Bishop Thoburn in
India and believe that concerning its teeming millions, the
morning star tokens the coming day of Israel.
China, Japan, Corea, Mexico, South America and
many other fields tell of mighty victories for the Lord. But the
door is wide open and the opportunities boundless. May God baptize
our hearts with a new power and liberality, that we may take the
world for Christ right speedily. We extend our heartfelt gratitude
to this Society for the aid it has given to our pastors at home,
thereby enabling many to stay on drouth stricken and barren
fields. For all these things and for all she can do and shall do,
we say God bless our Missionary Society. Therefore, be it
Resolved, 1. We will make greater efforts
in the Coming year to see that there is an advance all along the
line, and that our motto shall be the coming year, "One and
one-half millions for Missions." 2. We will devote one entire day
during the year to this cause separate from our other
benevolences. 3. That our Sunday-schools be organized into
Missionary societies and stimulated to a lively zeal for the
cause. 4. We believe that the lives sacrificed, talents
consecrated, the money spent and the labors given are not in vain.
God treasures them all in his garner and gives the plentitude of
fruitage in untold blessing of souls. With unwavering faith we
consecrate our lives and our all to the Master's service and look
for the promised day when the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ,
shall fill the earth as the waters cover the sea.
Signed:
C. O. Larrison, Wm. Worley, E. W. Erickson, R. J. Cocking.
PERIODICALS.
We believe that the press is increasing in
its influence over the minds of the people, and in the formation
of character, and
WHEREAS, Our Church
periodicals are faithful in assisting our ministry in saving
souls, and in properly educating them in spiritual and
ecclesiastical knowledge, therefore be it Resolved, That we record
our high appreciation of their worth and merits, and declare our
intention to make persistent effort to have them more fully
circulated among our people. Resolved, That we hereby reaffirm our
loyalty to our official paper, the Omaha Christian
Advocate, that we recognize its peculiar worth to Ne-
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braska Methodism, and give it the right-of-way to the homes of
our people, recommending our pastors to make special canvass in
its behalf. Furthermore, be it Resolved, That we join our
sister Conferences in instructing our delegates to the General
Conference, to memorialize that body to not only retain the
present official relations of the Omaha Christian Advocate,
but to make it a Book Concern publication, believing that such
action would increase its power for good, and soon make it a
profitable financial investment. We also desire to call attention
to the general offer made by the publishers of our Western
Advocates, including the Omaha Christian Advocate, to
send until January, 1896, for only 25 cents, and urge our pastors
to take advantage of this opportunity by trying to place one in
every family connected with our work. That we record our
appreciation of the special value of our Methodist Review,
and believe that none of our preachers can afford to do without
it. That we recognize the Epworth Herald as the best paper
published in this country for our Methodist young people, and
recommend that it be as widely circulated as possible.
J.
H. Wilcox, Pres., Chas. C. Snavely, Sec.
RESOLUTIONS.
1. We return our grateful thanks to our
Heavenly Father for His kind care over us through the vicissitudes
of the past inclement year. 2. We remember with grateful hearts
the kindness of our friends in more favored regions, who have
contributed of their earthly substance for the relief or our
preachers and people in their distress. 3. We appreciate the
Christian character, scholarship and executive ability of our
beloved Bishop, John P. Newman. We record our thanks to him for
his instructive and helpful morning lectures, and we are
especially grateful for his untiring efforts and generous
contributions for the relief of needy preachers in our conference.
Our thanks are due to our genial brother, F. M. Sisson, for his
efficient provision for our entertainment. We kindly thank our
brethren of Fremont for the liberal hospitality and warm welcome,
which they have extended to us. We commend the faithful and
efficient labors of our Secretary, Treasurer and Statistical
Secretary, and their assistants.
WHEREAS, The Rev. D. W.
McGregor has decided, for the present, to join the evangelistic
army, therefore
Resolved, that we endorse his action and
recommend him to the public as a true, devoted, energetic and
faithful minister of the Gospel of Christ. Resolved,
further, that knowing something of the eminently successful Bible
readings and the general good results of the Rev. H. L. Powers'
work as an evangelist, we continue to lend him our support and
pray God's blessing upon him and his labors, that he may be even
more successful in the future than in the past.
WHEREAS, in providing for
the work in this and adjoining conferences, the Bishop has found
it advisable to transfer from us, Brothers J. W.
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Robinson, G. H. McAdam, Wm. Van Buren, Chas. Snavely, G. W.
Norris and W. M. Worley, out of this conference.
Resolved, that we assure them of our
abiding Christian fellowship and sincere prayers, and if in the
Providence of God they shall in the future desire to return to us,
we will most heartily welcome them.
Signed:
H. C. Myers, A. L. Kellogg, A. L. Gray.
RELIEF.
Report of Committee to whom was referred the
report of Rev. Dr. D. W. C. Huntington, D. D., Treasurer and
consignee of the Nebraska Relief Commission of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
We find that to June 12, 1895, there had been
received, cash and goods, to the amount of $65,336.34. That all of
said cash and goods have been disbursed except the sum of $147.63.
That this Conference express to Dr. Huntington its very high
appreciation of his great work so well done, and to the several
railroad lines for their generous services in the free billing of
goods. We further recommend that said balance of $147.63, or so
much as may now remain in the hands of said Treasurer and
consignee, be turned over to the Treasurer of the Methodist State
Relief Commission.
STATE OF THE CHURCH.
One year ago, to the watchers on the vantage
ground of Western heights, from the darkling valley came up the
intense inquiry: "Watchman! what of the night?" and the answer
came in facts emphasized by cold and hunger that could not be
gainsaid: "The night cometh," and faith only could add, "The
morning also." Even then the church had her "Song in the night,"
and heard the number of the redeemed, as more than one thousand
souls during the year had been added to the hosts of our Zion.
To-day the same inquiry to the watcher on the mountain top,
"Watchman, what of the night?" is answered as by a voice from
heaven, "The morning cometh." The western peaks already reflect
the rays of the coming glory. The little one is rapidly becoming a
thousand; while the four thousand one hundred redeemed ones
converted at her altars in the North Nebraska Conference during
the year herald the approach of the coming day. Your committee
deem it germane to a report upon the State of the Church, to
record gratefully the cheering fact that during the material
destitution of the past year, scarcely a pastor forsook his people
but all remained faithful at their post, cheered by the sympathy
of the laity, who had little else to give, and who out of their
poverty and necessity, in many cases even beyond their power,
ministered to the pastor and his family. While of the thousands of
dollars in cash, clothing, food and fuel so
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lavishly poured into our State by the beneficence of churches
and individuals, more than sixty-five per cent, or nearly
two-thirds of the whole was given by the Methodist Episcopal
Church, who by the grace of God was made sufficient for the
emergency. With gratitude would we record "Truly our sufficiency
is of God."
Resolved, That while assured that not
shall fail one of the glorious things spoken of Zion, the city of
God, yet we cannot but express our grave concern and the need for
prayerful watchfulness over the spirit of unrest apparent in the
church as in the state as indicated by certain resolutions
presented by the Rev. G. C. Bacon, partly endorsed by a convention
of laymen, said resolutions and endorsement you have referred to
this committee, said resolutions reading as follows:
"1st. Resolved, That we favor the
admission of laymen to the Annual Conference in such proportion as
shall hereafter be determined.
2d. Resolved, That we favor the election
of Presiding Elders by the Annual Conference.
3d. Resolved, That we favor giving
co-ordinate power to the Presiding Elders in the cabinet." With
reference to which we report that the object sought by said
resolutions cannot be obtained in the way indicated, but rather in
the proper administration of the discipline as it is. Further
more, we consider the said Bacon resolutions as revolutionary in
their character, and so far from Americanizing the Methodist
Episcopal Church, might more properly be designated as democracy
run mad; a scheme never dreamed of by the most ardent disciple of
Jacksonian democracy, that a President should not be allowed the
privilege of selecting his cabinet advisors. We believe further
that the resolution giving to the Presiding Elder in the Cabinet
co-ordinate power with the Bishop, tends to render the episcopal
office contemptible in order that it may more easily be
destroyed.
In short, while we are deeply pained that such
sentiments should emanate from a body of ministers whom we love
and revere, yet we are convinced that they proceed from an
ebulition of feeling rather than the conclusions of a calm,
sanctified judgment.
Resolved, That we cannot ignore the
question of a Diocesan Episcopacy which for some time has agitated
the many men of many minds; a question upon which so many good men
hold divergent views, therefore we would record our convictions
that the proposed change from the present system of a general
episcopacy to that of a diocesan, by districting the Bishops,
would affect the organic law of the church, therefore can be
reached only by concurrent action of the Annual Conferences with
the General Conference, according to the law in such cases made
and provided.
Signed:
John P. Roe, H. H. Millard, J. H. Wilcox, L. R. DeWolf.
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WHEREAS, the growth of
the Sunday-school work in connection with our Church in the United
States has been marvelous, representing as it does 29,862 schools
with 348,625 officers and teachers and 2,510,539 scholars, thus
indicating the immense influence our church exerts in moulding the
character of its future members in Christian intelligence and in
preparing them for the duties of citizenship, therefore
Resolved, That we earnestly urge upon our
Ministers and Superintendents the momentous importance of
selecting with great care for teachers, men and women who are
earnest in their religious experience, intelligent, apt to teach,
and Godly in their lives. That we also urge the importance of
organizing wherever practicable, normal classes for the better
training of teachers. And we further urge the use of our own
lesson helps, the periodicals and library books published by the
Methodist Book Concern, as the best published, especially for
Methodist Sunday-schools. We. further urge the importance of
parents and guardians requiring their children to study the
lessons at home during the week in order to secure the best
possible results, and earnestly recommend that both teachers and
scholars leave the lesson helps at home and use the Bible alone in
the classes. Our Sunday-school Union has been of incalculable
value in helping during the past year, more than 3,000 schools of
our church and we urge all our preachers to take the collections
for this cause inasmuch as this society depends altogether on
these contributions to carry on its work. The appropriation to our
Conference for the current year is $210 and we recommend that the
Presiding Elders divide this amount pro rata among the charges,
and that it be raised during the coming year.
Geo.
W. Martin, Chairman; F. H. G. Perry, Secretary.
SABBATH OBSERVANCE.
Resolved. (1) That we do more
earnestly urge all Christians to keep the Lord's day holy, and to
use their influence for the same; (2) That we urge the enforcement
of the Slocumb law of the State of Nebraska, that all saloons
shall be closed on the Lord's day; (3) That we use our influence
against all railroad travel on Sunday, except in cases of
necessity, and furthermore, that we preach earnestly against the
running of Sunday excursion trains; (4) That greater care should
be given by Christian parents in the training of their children,
to reverence and keep the Lord's day holy. We recommend that each
Pastor preach one or more sermons during the year against Sabbath
desecration and for the preservation of its sanctity.
Signed:
G. A. Luce, F. Ellis.
TEMPERANCE.
WHEREAS, Intemperance
is one of the chief vices of modern life, destruc-
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