OPENING. -- The fifteenth annual session of the North Nebraska Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church convened at the church in Albion, Nebraska at 8:30 A. M., October 7, 1896, with Bishop Chas. C. McCabe, D. D., LL. D., presiding.

   SACRAMENT. -- The sacrament of the Lord's supper was administered by the Bishop, assisted by several Elders.

   ROLL. -- The Secretary of the previous session, D. C. Winship called the roll and seventy-five members and probationers responded, viz: E. R. Adriance, H. A. Barton, J. W. Bovee, J. H. Brooks, Bartley Blain, Thos. Bithel, J. M. Bothwell, W. H. Carter, J. B. Carnes, C. C. Cissell, Jabez Charles, F. M. Clark, T. C. Clendening, H. W. Conley, R. J. Cocking, John Crews, Lewis Campbell, C. N. Dawson, Oscar Eggleston, Wm. Esplin, E. W. Erickson, J. Q. A. Fleharty, J. R. Gearhart, E. T. George, Wm. Gorst, C. M. Griffith, C. F. Heywood, A. Hodgetts, J. W. Jennings, J. T. Knuckey, A. L. Kellogg, C. O. Larrison, J. B. Leedom, G. H. Main, N. A. Martin, G. W. Martin, J. P. Maxfield, R. C. McReynolds, L. K. McNiel, A. L. Mickel, J. E. Moore, H. C. Myers, W. R. Phelps, J. B. Priest, H. L. Powers, J. A. Roades, J. P. Roe, E. E. E. Rorick, F. M. Sisson, J. W. Shank, H. H. St. Louis, D. K. Tindall, T. C. Webster, W. A. Wilson, D. C. Winship, D. C. Worts, J. P. Yost, Allen Bishop, C. P. Cheeseman, E. D. Gideon, W. K. Gray, E. E. Hunt, W. A. Rominger, E. E. Shafer, W. D. Stambaugh, E. T. Antrim, E. E. Day, J. N. Gortner, J. W. Kern, J. F. Poucher, W. W. Shank, R. F. Shacklock, E. W. Wilcox, F. M. Wright, J. P. Yost.

   SECRETARIES. -- On motion of J. B. Maxfield, D. C. Winship was re-elected Secretary by acclamation, and on his nomination, H. A. Barton, C. N. Dawson and N. A. Martin were elected assistants.

   STATISTICIAN. -- On motion of J. B. Leedom, J. B. Priest was re-elected Statistical Secretary, and on his nomination W. K.

Gray, J. P. Yost, Lewis Campbell and E. T. George were elected, assistants.

   TREASURER. -- On motion of J. W. Jennings, J. B. Leedom was elected Treasurer, and on his nomination the following assistants. were elected: F. M. Clark, W. L. Elliott, C. C. Cissell, Allen Bishop.

   ADDRESS. -- Dr. W. A. Spencer one of the Corresponding Secretaries of the Board of Church Extension was introduced and gave an address.

   RESOLUTION OF SYMPATHY. -- On motion of D. K. Tindall the following resolution of sympathy was adopted by a rising vote.
   WHEREAS, We have learned with deep sorrow of the serious accident to our dear brother in Christ and fellow laborer in the gospel, Rev. David Marquette, D. D., and also of the serious illnes of our dear brothers H. H. Millard, J. H. Johnson and H. H. Burch, therefore, be it
   Resolved, That we hereby assure these brethren of our heartfelt sympathy and prayer for their speedy recovery.
   Resolved, Further, that we shall miss their godly presence and inspiring words and wise councils in this session of our Conference.
        Signed: D. K. Tindall, A. Hodgetts, J. B. Maxfield, J. W. Shank, and H. L. Powers, and on motion of H. A. Barton, D. K. Tindall was instructed to send telegrams of sympathy to them.

   STANDING COMMITTEES. -- The Presiding Elders nominated the standing committees and they were elected (see list).

   RAILROAD SECRETARY. -- On Motion of J. W. Jennings, C. M. Griffith was elected Railroad Secretary.

   POSTMASTER. -- On motion of J. B. Leedom, J. R. Gearhart was elected Conference Postmaster.

   REPORTERS. -- On motion of A. Hodgetts, W. W. Shank and E.. D. Gideon were elected Reporters for the secular press.

   SPECIAL COMMITTEES. -- The following special committees were appointed: Gospel in all lands and World Wide Missions, F. M. Clark; Mothers Jewels Home, J. W. Bovee and W. H. Carter; Methodist Review, T. C. Webster; New York Book Accounts, J. Q. A. Fleharty.

   DIVIDENDS. -Dividends of $777 from the Book Concern and $22 from the Chartered Fund were announced and drafts ordered, for the same.

   HOURS. -- The hour of 8:30 was fixed for the opening of the morning sessions, and 11:45 for adjournment.

   VOTE. -- On Motion of J. W. Robinson, the hour of 10 A. M. Thursday was fixed as the time for the vote on proposed constitutional amendments, and on motion of J. B. Maxfield, it was ordered that those who shall be admitted into full connection, and those absentees who arrive after the vote is taken be permitted to record their votes.

   LETTER. -- The Secretary read a communication from Dr. C. H. Payne, Corresponding Secretary of Educational Society, and on motion it was referred to the committee on education.
   A letter from F. B. Sanderson was read, giving reason for not being present at the opening of the Conference.

   THANKS. -- On Motion of J. H. Brooks, the Secretary was instructed to express to the Methodist Book Concern our appreciation of the liberal dividend.

   VISITORS. -- The following visitors were introduced: Dr. W. T. Smith, Missionary Secretary; Rev. E. E. Clough, D. D., Presiding Elder in the Black Hills Conference; Rev. D. S. Davis of the Nebraska Conference, and Rev. L. H. Stoughton, pastor of the Congregational church of this city.

   BAR. -- On motion of J. W. Bovee, the bar of the Conference was fixed at the transcept.

   QUESTION XIII was taken up, "Was the character of each preacher examined?"
   The character of D. K. Tindall, Presiding Elder of Grand Island District was passed and he reported his District (see report).

   REPORTS OF P. E's. -- On motion of the Secretary, the Presiding Elders were requested to furnish abbreviated reports for publication in the minutes.

   WITHDRAWAL. -- On motion of D. K. Tindall, A. J. Cheeseman was permitted to withdraw from the ministry and membership of the Methodist Episcopal church.

   The characters of the following were passed and they reported their collections: F. W. Bross, A. L. Mickel, J. E. Moore, J. W. Jennings, N. A. Martin, R. C. McReynolds, J. W. Robinson, C. F. Heywood, G. W. Martin, A. M. Molesworth, E. E. E. Ro-

rick, C. C. Cissell, H. C. Myers, Lewis Campbell and J. B. Carnes.

   ADDRESS. -- Dr. W. T. Smith addressed the Conference in the interests of the Missionary Society.

   OMAHA DISTRICT. -- The character of J. B. Maxfield was passed and at his request Mrs. Maxfield read the report of his district.

   ADJOURNMENT. -- Moved by A. Hodgetts that when we adjourn we adjourn to meet at 1:30 this afternoon.

   On motion of J. B. Maxfield, Conference adjourned with benediction by J. W. Shank.

   Conference convened at 1:30, Bishop McCabe in the chair.

   DEVOTIONAL. -- After singing, J. B. Maxfield led in prayer.
   The Bishop announced the following transfers from this Conference: J. W. Miller to the Puget Sound; A. V. Wilson to the Nebraska; E. A. Whitwam to the Central Illinois; and Frank Crane to the Rock River Conference; and the following transfers to this Conference: J. W. Robinson from Black Hills and John McQuoid from the Kansas Conference.

   QUESTI0N XIII was resumed. The characters of the following were passed and they reported their collections: W. D. Stambaugh, G. H. Main, F. M. Sisson, J. B. Priest, T. W. Mathews, C. N. Dawson, H. A. Barton, D. C. Winship, Oscar Eggleston, Jabez Charles, J. Q. A. Fleharty.
   The characters of the following were passed: F. H. Sanderson, W. H. Underwood, J. W. Shank, G. M. Brown, T. C. Clendening, J. J. Banbury.

   BOUNDARIES. -- The Bishop announced the presence of a Joint Commission from the Northwest Nebraska and the Black Hills Conferences, having come to us to present the matter of dividing the territory of the Northwest Nebraska Conference between the Black Hills and the North Nebraska Conferences, and the question was made the order of the day for Thursday, after vote on constitutional amendments.

   ROLL. -- The roll of charges was called for benevolent monies and statistics.

   QUESTION XIII was resumed.

   NELIGH DISTRICT. -- The character of A. Hodgetts, Presiding Elder of Norfolk District, was passed and he reported his district (see report).
   The characters of the following were passed and they reported their collections: W. R. Phelps, H. W. Conley, J. H. Johnson, Wm. Esplin, J. B. Leedom, T. C. Webster, W. H. Carter, Wm. Gorst, C. M. Griffith, J. H. Brooks, J. T. Knuckey and J. R. Gearhart.
   The characters of the following were passed:. H. H. Millard, J. L. St. Clair.
   The cases of R. J. Millard and W. J. Hatheral were referred to the committee on Conference Relations.
   Committees were called, announcements were made and the Conference adjourned with the benediction by the Bishop.

THURSDAY MORNING SESSION.

   The devotional services were conducted by G. H. Main.
   The business of the Conference opened promptly at 9 o'clock with Bishop McCabe in the chair.

   MINUTES. -- The minutes of Wednesday's sessions were read and approved.

   TRANSFERS. -- The transfers of R. W. Wilcox from the West Nebraska, A. M. Molesworth from the Missouri and Wm. Shambaugh from the Northwest Nebraska Conference were announced.

   THE ROLL of absentees was called and the following responded: Chas. Balson, F. W. Bross, G. A. Luce, T. W. Mathews, D. T. Olcott, Henry Trezona, E. L. Fowler.

   THE ROLL of delinquents was called for benevolence monies and statistical reports.

   GREETINGS. -- On motion of J. W. Jennings the Secretary was instructed to send the greetings of the Conference, to absent superannuated preachers.

   QUESTION XIII was resumed, and the character of D. Marquette, Presiding Elder of the Neligh District was passed, and because of his absence his report was read by the Secretary, and on motion it was carried, that his report be published in full in

the minutes and contributions amounting to $6.00 were made to defray the extra expense.

   TESTIMONIAL. -- On behalf of the pastors of Neligh District Bartley Blain presented a beautiful testimonial of their appreciation of the character and work of Dr. Marquette, retiring Presiding Elder.
   On motion of J. W. Jennings, the pastor of this church was requested to hang this memorial in a conspicuous place in the Church during the continuance of this Conference.

   The characters of the following Effective Elders were passed and they reported their collections. C. O. Larrison, W. A. Wilson, G. A. Luce, John Crews, Bartley Blain, L. K. McNiel.

   S. H. PYE was introduced and represented our publishing interests.

   THE ORDER OF THE DAY was called for, viz: the vote on the proposed constitutional amendments.
   On motion of J. B. Maxfield, Wm. Gorst and J. W. Robinson were appointed tellers.

   VOTE. -- A. Hodgetts moved the adoption of the proposition on eligibility, a vote was taken and the tellers retired.
   J. B. Priest moved the adoption of the proposition on Equal Ministerial and Lay Representation, and G. W. Martin and J. W. Bovee were appointed tellers and after brief discussion, on motion of J. W. Jennings, the previous question was ordered, a vote was taken and the tellers retired.

   VOTE. -- The vote on the first proposition was announced as follows: ayes, 59; noes, 7.

   BOUNDARIES. -- The further order of the day was taken up and Dr. E. E. Clough addressed the Conference concerning the relinquishment of our claim to certain territory within the bounds of the Northwest Nebraska Conference, in case of the consolidation of that Conference with the Black Hills Conference.

   WAIVE RIGHT. -- Dr. Maxfield moved that we waive our right to annex that part of the Northwest Nebraska Conference east of and including Valentine. After a lively discussion, H. A. Bar-

ton moved the previous question which was ordered and the motion prevailed.

   THOS. P. DONNELLY. -- Dr. Clough also represented the case of Thos. Peter Donnelly and a subscription amounting to $122.00 was taken, $68 to reimburse Dr. Clough and others for expenses in his case, and on motion of G. W. Martin, D. K. Tindall was appointed custodian of the fund.

   GREETINGS. -- On motion of C. N. Dawson, Dr. Tindall was also instructed to send Bro. Donnelly the greetings of the Conference.

   VOTE. -- The vote on the second proposition was announced as follows: ayes, 23; noes, 43; blank 1.

   PHOTOGRAPH. -- A letter from Dr. Marquette requesting photographic group of all the preachers and wives of all that have served under him was read, and a committee consisting of B. Blain, Wm. Gorst and D. K. Tindall was appointed to look after the matter.

   QUESTION XXIII was taken up, "Who are the Superannuated Preachers?"
   The characters of Jacob Adriance, D. C. Worts, D. T. Olcott, C. H. Savidge, Wm. Stanner and Chas. Balson were passed and their relation continued. Bros. Worts, Olcott and Balson addressed the Conference, and the brethren pressed forward to greet these veterans.

   NECESSITOUS CASES. -- On motion of A. Hodgetts, the case of Wm. Stanner was referred to the Board of Conference Stewards as necessitous.
   On motion of J. W. Jennings, T. P. Donnelly was referred to the Board of Conference Stewards as a necessitous case.

   VISITORS. -- The following visitors were introduced: Rev. A. C. Crosthwaite of the Nebraska, Wm. Shambaugh a transfer from the Northwest Nebraska, A. J. Markley from the Des Moines Conference and B. S. Spurlock of the Mother's Jewels Home at York.

   CLOSING. -- Announcements were made and Conference adjourned with the benediction by A. C. Crosthwaite.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON SESSION.

   The Conference convened as per adjournment at 1:30, the Bishop presiding.

   DEVOTIONAL. -- J. W. Jennings led in prayer.

   QUESTION XII was taken up, "Who are the Supernumerary Preachers?"
   The characters of J. W. Bovee, N. H. Gale, Samuel Cates, T. W. Owen and J. P. Roe were passed, their relation continued and J. W. Bovee and J. P. Roe addressed the Conference.

   EVANGELISTS. -- The characters of H. L. Powers and D. W. McGregor were passed, and as they asked to be appointed to evangelistic work their cases were referred to the committee on Conference Relations.

   QUESTION X was taken up, "What members have completed the Conference course of study?"
   The characters of Emory R. Adriance, Arthur L. Kellogg, Henry H. St. Louis, Thos. Bithel and Clyde C. Cissell were passed, they reported their collections, they were passed in their studies and they were elected to Elder's Orders.
   The character of John A. Roades was passed, he reported his collections, he was passed in his studies, conditioned on Theological Encyclopedia and Methodology and Philosophy of Theism, and was elected to Elder's Orders.
   The character of R. N. Throckmorton was passed, his collections were reported, he was passed in his studies, with the exception of History of Rationalism which he was required to read, and was elected to Elder's Orders and continued in the class of the fourth year.
   The character of F. A. High was passed and he was continued in the class of the fourth year.

   QUESTION IX was taken up, "What members are in the studies of the fourth year?"
   The characters of J. P. Yost, F. M. Clark, James M. Bothwell, E. T. George and R. J. Cocking were passed, they reported their collections, they were passed in their studies and advanced to the studies of the fourth year.
   The character of Loton R. DeWolf was passed in his studies

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