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REPORTS OF PRESIDING ELDERS.

   There have not been so many big revivals, nor possibly so many converted, as last Conference year; yet the work has been more general over the district.
   Our District Conference was held in May at Clarks; was well attended and greatly blessed of God. There is general progress over the district on nearly all lines of our work.
   Our W. F. M. Society was also held in May at First Church, Grand Island and was a very profitable and inspiring occasion:
   The District Epworth League convened in June at St. Paul. Tile verdict of all in attendance was "It was a great success." While all our District League Conventions have been good, this seems to have been the best. The Epworth League movement in this district is on a boom, and well deserves what it has fairly earned as being the banner League district of this Conference. Bro. C. C. Cissell now stands at the head of our District League.
   The Conference Epworth League held its convention at Central City. The attraction of the occasion, as well as the greatest inspiration, was the presence, and beautiful, tender, practical and uplifting address of our beloved Bishop Ninde. Dr. Halstead delighted and edified the people with his address on "Early Methodism." Dr. Sisson presided so ably that the convention decided that he must repeat the same next year.
   The District Campmeeting was held in August at Clarks. We count it a great success from every point of view. We have arranged to make the District Campmeeting a permanent thing.
   Debt paying on the district has gone steadily forward this Conference year and I believe that in two or three years, with continuing favorable conditions, our churches on the district will be out of debt.
   Benevolences have been well looked after in most instances; an advance over last year in the aggregate.
   The Hospital and Deaconess' Home in Omaha has been remembered in our contributions.
   The India famine sufferers have not been forgotten in our offerings.
   Superannuates. -- Our superannuates have been afflicted during the year. D. T. Olcott was very ill and near death's door; J. Adriance met with a painful accident, but both are recovered now. D. C. Worts passed to his reward last January.

   Thomas P. Donnelly, a supernumerary of this district, was summoned to his eternal home last spring, from the home of Dr. Sisson, in Fremont.
   I believe collections for our University and the circulation of our periodicals have been faithfully attended to.

   Charges. -- Archer is in fine condition. Rev. E. E. E. Rorick has served it one year and done excellent work. His people are hopeful and happy. As a raiser of missionary money Bro. Rorick leads the district.

   Belgrade, under the faithful labors of Rev. J. A. Roades has held to the even tenor of its way. Bro. Roades has done good work.

   Bartlett has been supplied by Bro. E. O. Elliott. It is a large and difficult field of labor. Bro. Elliott has done well, having succeded in paying some old church debts and improving the parsonage.

   Central City. -- Under the faithful labors and able management of Rev. J. B. Priest this charge has had a splendid year. Pastor and people have labored earnestly and happily together and succeeded. It is one of our best charges. It needs a new church edifice and we think it will soon have one. Bro. Priest has succeeded in paying off the last dollar of indebtedness on the church property.

   Columbus. -- H. C. Myers was appointed to this charge last fall by Bishop McCabe, but refusing to go, Rev. A. L. Mickel was changed from Wood River to this work, and a year of prosperity has crowned the labors of this faithful man and his charge. During the year some old church debts have been paid, repairs on the parsonage have been made, and the regular work or the church built up. We are crippled in our work here for lack of missionary appropriation. The charge has a debt on its church edifice as well as on its parsonage, the membership is small and poor, and the insufficient salary is embarrassing to the pastor.

   Cushing. -- Rev. R. D. Snyder is pastor of this work and under his fostering care and great energy it has prospered. He has done excellent work for an appreciative people. The parsonage has been improved, and splendid revivals have been held at some of the appointments.

   Cedar Rapids. -- This has become one of the best charges of the district. Under the successful labors of Rev. Frank W. Bross, revivals and general prosperity have characterized the work during the whole of the two years Bro. Bross has been serving it. The church edifice has been remodeled and repaired and the parsonage property improved. Bro. Bross has made a splendid record on the benevolences.

   Clarks. -- This charge with Rev. R. C. McReynolds as leader of the Lord's hosts, has enjoyed a year of marked prosperity. The church and parsonage property has been improved and the societies have been blessed with gracious revivals of religion. Bro. McReynolds secured the District Campmeeting on his charge, which greatly revived and established Methodism in that place.

   Fullerton. -- This excellent charge has had a year of trial, but also a triumph. Rev. T. C. Clendening, D. D., was appointed to this place by

Bishop McCabe last fall, and it fairly shone with signs of prosperity for a time, when Bro. Clendening resigned his charge and left for Chicago. This he said he did because of his wife's ill health. He has since withdrawn from our Ministry, or asks our permission so to do. We were fortunate in securing as his successor Rev. C. A. Mastin. This careful and noble man took up the broken thread, mended the breach and led the discouraged church on to victory.

   Genoa. -- This is one of the weakest, as it is one of the most peculiar charges in the district. It has been well served by Rev. A. M. Molesworth. He has done good work on a small salary.

   GRAND ISLAND. -- First Church. For five years Rev. N. A. Martin has had charge of this splendid work. It is splendid in that it has a fine parsonage, beautiful church edifice and an excellent people. The only cloud in its sky is its debt of $6,000. But we fully believe it will some sweet day see the last dollar of debt paid, and the handsome property saved. Brother Martin has grappled nobly with the debt, meeting the interest and reducing a little of the principal, even in drouth years and hardest times. As this closes Bro. Martin's stay on the charge, he should have a splendid appointment and it a splendid pastor.

   Trinity. -- Bro. J. B. Carns, D. D., for the last two years has made this charge to flourish. It, too, has had a big debt on its church property, but Dr. Carns has skilfully managed the debt and all other matters of the Society. The parsonage property has been greatly improved, a good revival realized and the membership built up. During the year one of our colleges conferred on Bro. Carns the degree of Doctor of Divinity, which he will wear with grace and credit to all concerned.

   Grand Island Circuit. -- Bro. R. J. McKenzie has been pastor of this charge this year, and has done well on all lines of work. Bro. McKenzie has handled a very weak work in strong manner. He is a faithful and successful Methodist preacher.

   Greeley. -- This charge has had a successful year with Rev. A. L. Kellogg as pastor. Every interest of the work has been carefully looked after by its faithful pastor. Bro. Kellogg has thoroughly repaired and beautified the interior of the church edifice, until it is one the prettiest in the district.

   Mapleville. -- For three years Rev. C. F. Heywood has served this charge. For a man of Bro. Heywood's age, this is a large and laborious field, but Bro. Heywood has been able to serve it faithfully. He is one of the fathers of this Conference and of Methodism in Nebraska, and is a faithful and able Methodist preacher.

   North Bend. -- This charge has had another year of prosperity, and is fast rising into a first-class charge in every particular. It is a splendid people, has a nice parsonage, pays a good salary and will, we think, soon have a more beautiful and commodious church edifice. Rev. G. W. Martin, D. D., is the successful pastor of this charge. He has had phenomenal suc-

cess in this work in paying off old debts and receiving into the church heads of families and influential members.

   Purple Cane. -- This work was supplied most of the year by Bro. John A. Naugle. In June he left the charge, since which time Bro. Orville J. Fee has supplied it with great acceptability. During the year the church edifice burned to the ground, but another has been built on the same spot and dedicated free of debt. Much credit is due Dr. Jennings for watchful care over, and preaching for this people during the time they had no pastor, his charge being adjacent to this; also to Bro. Fee for his able management of the work.

   Richland has been well and faithfully served by Rev. J. M. Dressler. Brotherly love abides on the Richland charge with pastor and people.

   Schuyler charge is before your eyes, as is also its pastor. Its glories need not to be pointed out to you. You see them on every hand, in the church edifice, in parsonage property and in the homes of the people. This is a first-class charge. Dr. Jennings was on the ground of this new charge but a few days last fall before he was raising church debts. This he succeeded in doing to the last dollar. No one escaped making a subscription to this debt, not even the Presiding Elder. But we all enjoyed it. This is a prosperous and happy pastor and people.

   Silver Creek has been supplied by Bro. O. D. Crawford. This is a weak charge, numerically and financially, but Bro. Crawford has served it well and faithfully. This charge should have at least a $100 Missionary appropriation.

   Scotia has been supplied by Bro. J. S. Green in a very acceptable manner. Both the charge and Bro. Green's family have this year increased in numbers and grown in grace.

   St. Edward has prospered with Rev. H. Trezona as pastor. Revivals and improvement of church property and other signs of prosperity characterize the work of this charge, this Conference year.

   St. Paul has greatly flourished this year. It had a splendid revival, paid off more of the old church debt, improved the church property, and in every way succeeded. St. Paul church has its head squarely to the future. Rev. C. C. Cissell is the man who has led to these splendid results.

   St. Paul Circuit has had another good year. It has paid off the debt on one society, and is building a new church edifice at Boelus, which will be dedicated free of debt. Rev. R. F. Shacklock is the worthy pastor of this charge.

   Wolbach is a very difficult charge to serve, but Rev. Elmer E. Day has gotten along with it well, and has done a good work. The people are few and widely scattered, and the salary very small. Bro. Day has paid off some church debts, and carefully attended to all the work of the charge.

   Wood River. This charge has grown every day this year. It has had splendid revivals and many accessions. Rev. W. R. Peters, the successful

pastor, has done a great work for this people. and it has told in glorious results. Bro. Peters comes to us from the Mack Hills. He is just the kind of a man we need in our work in Nebraska.

   I found the district well manned and in excellent working order from the leadership and holy ambition of my honored and worthy predecessor, David Marquette.
   We held two District Conferences this year, the first November 17 to 19 with the usual business anti a plan of Missionary work was agreed upon The second was held August 17 to 19, at which, aside from the usual work of the Conference, Dr. D. Marquette preached a great sermon on Sanctification. The Annual Convention of the District Epworth League was held June 8 to 10, at Pierce. A large number of delegates attended, representing fifteen Junior and twenty-four Senior Chapters. Our Annual Campmeeting occurred in July, at Oakdale. It was a success in many concessions, and bringing believers into the experience of perfect love.
   The Boyd county Missionary Convention was held at Lynch, August 11 to 15. and consisted largely in Tabernacle. meetings of the evangelistic type. There were twenty-seven conversions reported.

   Albion has had a good year under the very efficient pastorate of Rev. C. Owen Larrison. Revival services at the Annual Conference resulted in many conversions, and this was supplemented by special services later on, so that this church had the largest ingathering of any on the district. Its Benevolences will be more than met; other finances in good condition. The pastor is popular with his people and is wanted back for another year.

   Boone, Rev. J. G. Galloway, has had a good revival at the Independence appointment. He has labored faithfully and earnestly through the year, and will show excellent services in providing for the Benevolences.

   Battle Creek has been in charge of Rev. John Crews. With the assistance of Rev. D. W. McGregor he had a very successful revival meeting, and with his own faithful labors since, the spiritual interests have greatly improved, and all other interests have been well in hand. He is popular with his people and will be well received should he return.
   Rev. Henry A. Chappell, who comes up for admission on trial, has been pastor of the Battle Creek circuit. He is a gentle, unassuming and modest young man, with as much faith, courage and persistency of purpose as I have ever seen in one man. Contending with great difficulties in his new and unorganized field, he has met with a large measure of success, as I am sure the future will more and more reveal.

   Bro. A. J. Warne, an English Wesleyan local preacher who also comes up for admission on trial, has been in charge at Clearwater. He has done good work, especially at two of the three appointments, in the direction or paying off a church debt and giving solidity to the things that remain of this one of our most difficult fields. He is regarded as an able preacher. I am confident he will become a very successful minister.

   Creighton has had a year of varied fortune under the pastorate of Rev. C. G. Rouse, a local elder who has met with large success during fifteen previous years of incessant supply work in the bounds of the Neligh District. Our work there is not in the best condition possible. We have a debt of $1,000, and a great lack of systematic effort to care for it. This is next to the largest town in the district, and I believe that just the right man could make a splendid church and an enviable record at Creighton.

   Chambers lies twenty-three miles southwest of O'Neill, and though a new charge, has made rapid progress this year under the efficient leadership of Rev. H. G. Kemp, who is the gift of Lynch, Boyd county, Methodism to our ministry. Beginning without a dollar or a stick of timber last fall, we now have a parsonage of five rooms entirely free of debt, and a beautiful new church, 26x36, with pulpit, transcept and vestibule entrance, built at a cost of a little over $1,000, which was dedicated September 19th, practically free of debt, with the exception of $150, to the Board of Church Extension. The Sunday School, Junior League and Epworth League have been organized and a good many added to the church.

   Elgin has also prospered this year. Bro. E. W. Wilcox has wrought faithfully and wisely; had good revivals, organized a Methodist Episcopal Sunday School at Elgin, turned the church around with its entrance to the street and made some much needed repairs. All their finances are fully met.

   Bro. W. A. Wilson closes his fourth year at Emerick. where the Missionary rally made a deep impression on a people who before had been but little interested in the work. He has followed up with sermons and lectures along the same line, and the showing on Benevolences will be far greater than in any former year. We have, however, an excellent people on this country charge.

   Ewing has been served by Rev. Allen Bishop, who has endeared himself to the church and the whole community by his persistent and courageous labors, under the depression of a small, and continually diminishing membership, from removals. He and his wire have probably made as much of this field as any one could under all the circumstances.

   Inman and Page have been served by Rev. J. Grant Shick, and have had a good year. He has been popular and successful in all phases of his

work, but instead of returning he is about to leave for our Theological Seminary in Evanston.

   The Minutes show that Loretto was to be supplied by Rev. G. W. Damon, but instead I sent him to another charge, and about the first of January procured the services of Rev. Levi Hedden, a local Elder of New Point, Missouri, who has made himself so useful that his people earnestly desire his return.

   Rev. J. H. Brooks has been at Meadow Grove, where he has improved the church and parsonage property,, and added many probationers, by protracted effort, carried on largely by his own labors. He has truly had a successful year.

   Dr. Marquette has been abundant in labors at Neligh since the close of our last session. Though suffering from a broken limb, which confined him to his house for many weeks, he instantly undertook the work of supplying the pulpit from Sunday to Sunday by getting different pastors to give him a day. By the first of January he undertook the entire work of the charge himself, and has since been able to care for all its interests with increasing pleasure and health.
   The finances have been carefully looked after and will show up well in the annual report, all Benevolences being in full.

   Newman Grove has been under the pastorate and care of Rev. Wm. Shambaugh, who came to us from the Northwestern Nebraska Conference a year ago. He has proved himself an able and efficient minister of the Gospel by not only improving and beautifying the property, but by his labors as a preacher, pastor and citizen.

   Rev. E. D. Griswold, a young man who came to us a year ago from the Baptist Church has supplied Niobrara this year. He has shown himself to be a good preacher and pastor and enthusiastic and successful worker with young people, and knows himself as fundamentally and practically in harmony with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He comes up for admission on trial. His field is one of the most difficult, but with the assistance of Dr. H. L. Powers, a good revival was had and considerable real progress has been made.

   Bro. R. W. Wilcox, a transfer from the West Nebraska Conference last year, has been at Oakdale where, all things considered, he has had a good year. This is one of our best established churches, but the pastor having been sick through a course of several months, has been much hindered in his work. He is growing in favor with his people from day to day.

   Rev. E. T. George has been at O'Neill, where the church has been enlarged and the whole property repaired and painted at a cost of over $600. The spiritual interests are among the best, the class-leader's report showing twenty-seven out of twenty-nine families observing family devotions once or twice each day. The Leagues and Sunday Schools are successful; salaries fully paid up and Benevolences considerably beyond the amounts asked with $20 for the missionary debt.

   Osmond has had a good year. Revival services at the beginning resulted in a goodly number of conversions, all the interests have been cared for and steady progress made under the depressing feeling, however, that an embarrassing indebtedness of $500 hung over them. But at the fourth quarterly meeting, Sept. 18, without previous arrangement, a subscription was taken in the public congregation and in a little while the last dollar was pledged. We expect by the first of January to be entirely free from debt.
   Rev. J. N. Gortner is the pastor of this heroic people. He has been much hindered in his work by the sickness of both himself, his wife and his mother, the widow of our sainted Gortner.

   Paddock has built a new parsonage of four rooms under the pastorate of Rev. G. W. Damon, whose energetic wife labored many days along with her husband to construct the building. The general interests of the work have also been well cared for.

   Pierce began the year with a very embarrassing debt of long standing, amounting to $600, after a most liberal deduction of interest by the board of C. E. But through the efforts of Dr. Marquette and Rev. D. S. Davis, Bishop McCabe was secured to lecture at the close of the Annual Conference, after which he raised the indebtedness on subscription and by the first of January the last dollar had been paid. Rev. G. M. Cauffer, the pastor, a transfer a year ago from the Nebraska Conference, has done excellent work in making needed improvements, at a cost of $116.50, and solidifying our work.

   Plainview has had a year of good development under the pastorate of Rev. L. K. McNeil. Church and parsonage repainted and papered and a fine barn built at a total cost of $212, and all salaries fully paid with the largest benevolent offering in the history of the church.
   This society has a fine property, out of debt; a good membership: all the sub-organizations of our Church in good working order and a large share of local prestige in the community.

   Plainview Circuit has been supplied by Rev. E. C. Thorp, who had the good sense to marry one of our amiable and well qualified young women before going to his work. He has had good revivals and paid the debt on Stark Valley church.
   The Lord has set his seal to this first year of his ministry and he comes up for admission on trial.

   Reservation means Boyd County. Rev. J. W. Bucholz having this charge alone, until in early summer, I gave Rev. J. D. Lee two of the six appointments. This pastor has worked under many disadvantages, having neither parsonage nor chappel and the first ten months driving his teams over 5,000 miles.
   Our classes have made substantial growth under the revival effort carried on by the pastor himself and the work has attained to such proportions that we are under the necessity of making two circuits to

be known as Lynch and Verdell; if we can get hold of a little more missionary appropriation.

   Savage is a circuit of five appointments and has been served by Rev. Geo. W. Shick, who has made some needed improvements on the parsonage, added a few members to the classes and made good progress. He, however, will ask to be left without appointment to attend Garrett Biblical Institute.

   At Tilden, Rev. W. A. Rominger has been popular and successful in his ministry. All lines of work have gone steadily on under his careful and efficient management and the Society is in excellent condition.

   Closing this brief view of twenty-six pastoral charges it may not be improper to say that the Lord has dealt graciously with his people. No deaths have occurred in any of the ministers' families and but very few among the laymen.

   Whatever may be my lot the future I shall always feel that the privileges of more intimate acquaintance, personal friendship, and cooperation in the work of the Master with the noble and godley men and women I have found in the parsonages and other dwellings, will have a strong influence to make me a better and more useful minister of the Gospel of Christ.

   Almost every charge has had a gracious revival and in some of these charges at every appointment. We have encountered a great problem at various places in our work. Whole counties are largely becoming settled with a foreign population and this new element is very inimical to our church. We are glad to report, however, that in some places we have met the enemy and they are ours. One of our best charges is largely made up of people of foreign birth, and we increase in numbers and grow in grace. We believe that an intensely evangelistic spirit which is peculiar to genuine Methodism is sufficient to meet this difficulty and overcome it, especially if we meet these people in time. But to wait is to lose our opportunity forever. We have places in the Norfolk District where we have a future for this kind of work, if we could put in the field a competent worker backed up by a sufficient Missionary appropriation. And all this, be it understood, not in some doubtful country where it is a question as to whether man can live or not, but in a country where crops are abundant and where the people that now move in will continue to occupy it for generations to come. We are trying to meet these people with a Wesleyan theology, having no doubt that this is the key that will unlock this difficult problem and to this end we ask the prayerful consideration of this Conference.

   Our new church enterprise at Dakota City was pushed to completion as rapidly as our means would allow, and on the 19th of May we formally. dedicated this beautiful church to the service of God. Bishop McCabe was with us and preached and raised all the money we needed. It was in the middle of the week, giving an opportunity to the pastors and people of the other charges to be present, and it also demonstrated that when we can secure the services of one of our Bishops the people will rally as for no one else.
   The Dakota City church, which was built of solid brick walls, with the most beautiful of stained glass windows and with a seating capacity of 400, was built for almost two-thirds less than the ordinary cost, which is largely due to the indefatigable labors of the pastor, W. K. Gray, and the earnest and wise board of trustees. This church has also demonstrated the fact that we can build a brick church almost as cheap as a frame when properly managed. It is worthy of note that through the generosity of eastern friends this enterprise was greatly aided, so that what once seemed a calamity has turned out to be a great blessing, and now on the site of the building that the flames so savagely consumed we have a temple worthy of a loyal people, a great denomination and a wonderful and glorious cause.

   Our work at Bloomfield has been greatly embarrassed for many years on account of there being no parsonage. Last Fall, however, the people rallied under the courageous leadership of their young pastor, E. R. Leedom, and out of their poverty built a preacher's home. Be it said to the credit of this little hand of genuine Methodists at Bloomfield, "They have done what they could."

   Simultaneously with this our good people at Nickerson said: "We must have our preacher live among us," and that man of all men is Rev. Wm. Slothower, and to this end they proceeded at once to erect a good substantial parsonage; making this, with the grand grove of trees, ample grounds and commodious church building, one of the finest church properties in the district. Although the, dispatch with which these parsonages were built yet we were greatly surprised again when we visited our Pender work to find the rooms in the parsonage all re-arranged, painted and papered, and all this without a word of warning to the Presiding Elder. The time would fail us to tell of the other appointments at which improvements on the preachers' homes have been made, such as Bancroft, Laurel, Pilger, Scribner and Allen, and last but not least, the preacher that goes to Winside at the beginning of the next conference year goes into a brand new parsonage, for a fine parsonage and barn are about completed at this place.

   Our church property at Allen has been greatly improved, both in and outside, largely through the presistent efforts of the pastor, C. P. Cheeseman, who has not only raised the money but has worked with his own hands to beautify this property, so that the church that for

so long a time was an eyesore to every friend of Methodism, is now a joy and inspiration to behold. How much a little work, paint and paper will do to encourage the flock of God and to educate the young to reverence and respect the house of God.

   Quite a goodly sum of money has been spent on the Beemer church in the way of painting, papering and re-arranging the pews so that it looks like a new church. Bro. Johnson, the pastor, has been represented as preaching better on account of all these inspiring influences.

   Homer church has followed in the wake of all these improvements by cleaning and painting the church property, and even Humphrey has been quickened to put on a new dress.

   Wakefield and Wayne could not afford to let these other churches leave them behind, so they have greatly improved their church buildings, and now they are the most inviting churches in these growing cities. At Wayne Bro. Millard closes a very successful term of five years' service.

   The support of the preachers has not been cut down, but it has come in the slowest and most uncertain we have ever seen. In a large number of charges it was almost impossible to secure subscriptions for pastoral support, as the prices for farm produce was so low in the early part of the year. It truly seemed that this was the hardest year ever witnessed in Nebraska. Times have been getting better, however, and it now looks as though we would have the best financial year in our history. But surely you cannot run off a Methodist preacher by telling him starvation is before him. Indifference in the church may discourage and cause him to run, but not poverty; and so none of these true men of God have talked about quitting the work because there was little or nothing pledged for their support. On many or the charges ministerial support has come in just as the people could get hold of a little ready cash. We have some men in this district who know what poverty means. When a young man rather than desert his post prefers to live on one meal a day and others go without many of the necessities of life, we believe the love and sacrifice of the early Christians is still among us, the Holy Ghost abides in our midst and Jesus is loved above houses and lands. We are glad to report our churches have already rallied to the help of the Treasurer of the Episcopal Fund this year, and this fund will be largely increased by the willing contributions of our loyal people. We have also been raising church debts and the Lord has greatly blessed us in this great work.
   Notable among the churches that have been thus engaged are Pender, Allen, Emerson, Hoskins, Wayne, Laurel, Carroll, Madison, Norfolk, Decatur and Leigh, and with the present prospects we will succeed in paying a goodly number of these old and troublesome debts.

   At last we have a church home at Hartington. We have purchased a

suitable building that will do us good service for the present and insures us good service at this place where so many things have befallen us.

   Our benevolent collections bid fair to be the best in the history of the District. Last year we had a large increase in Missions of about twenty-five per cent, and if all the pledges come in this year we ought to have an increase of about thirty per cent. We have an enthusiastic missionary interest in the district. Before and during Easter we encompassed the entire district by means of missionary rallys so that every charge and appointment enjoyed the presence of several preachers and the best kind of a musical and missionary program. We have learned that in this way our people are willing to give when they understand the nature, the methods and success of our work. The Norfolk District, according to the Missionary Secretaries, has had the highest rank of any in the Tenth General Conference District and still, we think, holds its place. This, according to the report of the treasurer, gives us the largest Missionary and Church Extension collection in the Conference. And yet we have nothing of which we may unduly boast, for all our boast is in the Lord.

   The work among our young people in the form of the Epworth League is a great factor in this district. The life and efficiency of this work may be seen in our District League. Every year it grows in interest and numbers. This year we met at Wakefield, with an attendance of about 150. We will not contend against any of the other gatherings of the Epworth League, but I speak in behalf of our young people when I say don't touch our District League. That personal touch and acquaintance that is enjoyed in the smaller gatherings is indispensible to our very life. We have already felt the blessed influence of our chief leader among us, and it is our pleasure to say to Bishop Ninde, Commander in Chief of the Epworth Leagues, you have the prayers, the gratitude and hearty co-operation of our young people on the Norfolk District.

   Our Sunday School work is in a good condition and nothing has helped us more than the thorough organization of the Missionary work as required by the Discipline. Our Sunday Schools do their part in raising the Missionary Apportionment. The Norfolk District is loyal to our Wesleyan University and gives to its support according to its ability. We send more and new students every year. The students that come from the Nebraska Wesleyan University go out to be a blessing to the Church and the world.

   Our Campmeeting was by far the most wonderful meeting that many of us ever attended. We were obliged to change the location of the grounds this year, and we were in doubt as to whether the attendance would be as large as formerly, but to our surprise the people came from all over the District in larger numbers than ever, so that at one time it was estimated we had six thousand people on the grounds.
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   In spiritual power we have never seen it on this wise, for at nearly every service souls were saved, backsliders reclaimed and believers sanctified to God. Our preachers went away from the Campmeeting like flaming evangelists, and the laity were not a whit behind the preachers. Other blessed meetings Of like character were held in the District with wonderful success, notably at Wausa and Oakland.

   We do not wish to make the impression that we have no difficulties or discouragements, for we have very many. We have our full share. Our encouragements and triumphs, however, are more numerous than our sorrows and defeats and therefore we feel as though we had a right to speak of these more fully than the others. Long ago we learned the lesson that as God's servants we can do more to bring this world back to God by shouting victory than by crying defeat. Our experience has been during the past year that now closes, that we can got more inspiration and help by considering the all victorious Christ and the glorious achievements of His Church than to dwell upon our light afflictions and failures.
   And now unto Him, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God, unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages world without end. Amen.

   The history of the past year has been of such a nature that it has afforded me grounds for the presentation of my Fourth Annual Report with confidence and joy. Among the preachers harmony and faithfulness reigned.

   Arlington is the first of the appointments. Rev. W. D. Stambaugh has been pastor. As it stands at the head of the list, so its pastor has been behind no one in words and works. His inventive genius, ever on the alert in the cause of the Lord, devised a Love Feast for the Second Quarterly Meeting, which occurred at sunrise, a novelty to the preacher and Presiding Elder. The service was well attended and the Holy Spirit present in pre-eminent measure.

   Arizona is joined with Tekamah for Quarterly Meeting purposes and has had a very good year under the pastoral supervision of Rev. O. Eggleston. It has royal and loyal Christians.

   Albright has had a year of patient fortitude and tenacity, owing to the financial depression. For small pay it has been well served during the year by the Rev. R. J. Cocking, to whose parsonage an angel has come to take up its permanent residence, in the person of a girl baby.

   Blair -- old, staid and true -- is one of our best churches; solidly en-

trenched in Methodism. This year's history is epitomized in one word, the name of its pastor, Rev. H. A. Barton. Its course has been one of steady progress. "Onward and upward," is its watchword. It has been strengthened in every element of its ecclesiastical growth. This church is immovably imbedded in the foundations of truth and rightousness.

   Benson. -- This community has the blessing of the Godly benefaction of a Josiah Giffee Memorial Church. It was served three-fourths of the year by Rev. T. W. Matthews, who has removed to California with his family. He desires a supernumerary relation for one year. Rev. A. L. Gray has supplied the pulpit the remainder Of the year. This is a most fertile field. The Sabbath School is flourishing.

   Craig Circuit was left to be supplied. I secured Rev. R. M. Henderson by whom it has been faithfully served. It is a good circuit of three churches and no parsonage in the midst of as fertile a tract of country as there is in Nebraska, or in the world. Near the close of the year Bro. Henderson received a stroke of facial paralysis, which for the time disabled him. He received efficient and much valued help from neighboring preachers. We hope for his entire recovery soon.

   Elkhorn Circuit consists of Elkhorn and Elk City, having two churches and a parsonage at Elkhorn. The pastor, Rev. W. L. Elliott, has fulfilled my previous expectations of his worth and ability. Under his leadership and by the co-operation of the members and friends of the church in the most cordial manner, a great victory has been achieved in freeing the church property at Elkhorn from debt. The members are pure, beaten gold. The parsonage has a new inmate of much promise, Walter Maxfield Elliott. In the selection of his name the parents paid me a high compliment.

   Fremont. -- My "spirit is refreshed," when I meet with this Godly church. "For if I boasted anything of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting which I made before" (This Conference) "is found a truth." One secret of the firm establishment of this church is, doubtless, the heroic and continuous services of its laymen. Bro. L. H. Rogers has been an official member of this society for forty years, always devoted and true. His request to be relieved from further responsibility was granted with deep regret and touching gratitude by the Fourth Quarterly Conference.
   The benediction of the "Inasmuch" of our Savior's promise rests upon the Fremont parsonage and church in their ministrations to Bro. Donnelly. The pastor, Rev. F. M. Sisson, has been abundant in labors, and greatly blessed therein.

   Kennard has a good church and parsonage. Rev. J. R. Gearhart has been the pastor. His work has been interrupted by sickness in

the town and in his family. We rejoice to learn that Sister Gearhart is recovering from her dangerous illness.

   OMAHA. -- First Church. -- The utility of our economy was never more clearly exemplified than in the history of this church. Rev. John McQuoid, D. D., its exceedingly popular pastor has had a course of unbroken prosperity throughout the year. Congregations have been large, all departments active. The interest on the bonded debt, thanks to the manipulation of the treasurer and the loyalty of the people, has been promptly met. The first installment of the bonded debt, $10,000, is due in January. The pastor and official board are quite confident it will be promptly paid.
   The First Church is becoming more and more the focal point of Methodism in Omaha. We believe, in the near future, it is destined, when its, indebtedness is discharged, to be one of the conspicuous churches of Methodism in the United States. The pastor's delightful, serene home has an added treasure, a lovely baby daughter.

   Hanscom Park. -- Dr. W. P. Murray, according to Methodist law, will leave this Church after a term of superb service. A promising field, a good church, a faithful membership, thoroughly Methodistic in their belief and practices. The lines of the man coming to Hanscom Park will fall in pleasant places in our ecclesiastical economy. Strong, united, victorious, the future is assured.

   Trinity. -- Rev. Dr. Sanderson is the pastor. It has had a year of prosperity. Indebtedness of a large amount has been wiped out, and successful disposition has been made of the remainder. Its present state of prosperity and its success in financial lines is to be attributed largely to the personal effort of Bishop McCabe, who gave an entire Sabbath to this Church and this work. Under his leadership, the laymen, like a noble band of yeomen, seconded his efforts and brought victory out of the conflict.

   Seward Street Church is the legitimate outgrowth of the Eighteenth Street Church, which was dedicated by Bishop Ninde in 1874, the sale of that property making this enterprise possible, and that church building becoming the property of the Swedish Methodist Church. Rev. J. W. Robinson, D. D., is the eloquent pastor. It has a large membership, and in the advent of good times, if the members will bestir themselves just a little, they may cancel the debt of $2,000, incurred by an addition, now standing against the church to the Church Extension Society, in one year.

   South Tenth Street. -- The pastor is Rev. G. A. Luce. It has been a year of steady activity and presistence along all lines of church life. A large measure of charity has been bestowed upon the needy by its devoted members. Its location is not very favorable for expansion, but its members are "holding the fort" bravely. Brighter days are dawning.

   Walnut Hill is in a favorable locality. its membership is alert and aggressive. Its growth has been remarkable, a net-work of members. It has one of the finest Sabbath Schools in the city. Its material prosperity and spiritual estate are great reasons for devout thankfulness to God. The Rev. C. N. Dawson is the popular pastor, a watchful shepherd.

   Monmouth Park. -- The pastor is Rev. J. Q. A. Fleharty. It has suffered by removals, but has received a few valuable accessions. Jas. Hammond, an old soldier, a trustee, passed to the church triumphant. It has a heavy indebtedness. I yielded to the wishes of the people for a resident pastor; the Minutes will show the result to be what I feared. By permission of Bishop McCabe I was enabled to increase the Missionary Appropriation to $150. What disposition to make of Monmouth Park is a problem to be solved at this present session.

   West Omaha has a small but tasteful church, an excellent membership of tested worth, a very pleasant and profitable Sabbath School, a helpful and religious Epworth League. It moves steadily on in the narrow way which leadeth unto life."

   Southwest Church. -- Rev. A. L. Gray is pastor. This church has found it difficult to maintain its excellent record of the past in all current obligations as they fall due. A laymen of First Church gave a house for the preacher, free of rent, half the year. Hanscom Park Church supplemented the Missionary Appropriation. The majority of the members give as unto the Lord. The congregations have been earnest, attentive hearers of the Gospel. The Sabbath School surprises you by its numbers and excellence. The Epworth League is "profitable unto Godliness." This church is necessary, and God will open the way for its still greater usefulness, and growth in the fruits of the Spirit.

   Papillion is an attractive town, the county seat of Sarpy county, a rich section of country. Well kept, finely adorned church property, church and parsonage free from debt. Have had a good year under the guidance of Rev. W. H. Underwood. All departments in successful operation. The veteran layman, Colonel John Ritchie, has been in the official service of the Methodist church sixty-one years, forty years in Nebraska.

   Richfield is a village in delightful situation, a "dry" town. An excellent church, a hearty, genial people, joined with Papillion in ministerial support. A good Sabbath School, and have enjoyed a harmonious year.

   South Omaha. -- First Church has had a very successful year, spiritually, temporally. The financial plans or the Discipline were carried out.

   By the advice of the Presiding Elder, the pastor secured Rev. F. M. Sisson to give a Sabbath to present the claims of the Trustees Fund. The result was most gratifying in securing three years interest upon the Church Extension loan of $3,000, and the entire claims of the Trustees Fund for the current year, as well as some arrearages. The pastor, Rev. D. C. Winship, has "redeemed the time" in incessant and highly fruitful labors. I do not need to characterize Brother Winship to the North Nebraska Conference, of which he has been the Secretary for ten sessions. He has merited my hearty approval by his leadership of this valuable and large membership to signal conquest.

   Springfield. -- Rev. J. Charles is the diligent pastor and preacher of great natural ability. The Trustees appreciate his vigorous help in liquidating accumulated interest. Springfield a "dry" town. Th. promises of Mal. 3:10 await their acceptance.

   Tekamah. -- Rev. O. Eggleston is the energetic, versatile pastor of this long established church, and also of Arizona, a distance of seven miles. It is evident that three sermons each Sabbath make heavy demands upon physical strength and spiritual force, which have been cheerfully met. The pastor and his estimable family are "given to hospitality" and other good works. A Home Department of the Sabbath School is securing a greater study of the Bible. The report of the Epworth League is inspiring. With unincumbered church property the support of the pastor should be a pleasure, and its benevolent offerings a delight. Tekamah is a "dry" town.

   VACOMA CIRCUIT consists of three appointments. Vacoma, Rose Hill and Herman. Two good churches and a parsonage. At the First Quarterly Conference I urged the trustees and pastor to attend to the insurance of the churches. Some time after the Vacoma church was burned, uninsured, the remaining two churches were then insured. The year has been moderately prosperous. The present status is far in advance of that for a number of years. A son of Dr. John Poucher of DePauw University, Rev. J. F. Poucher is the pastor, a young man of promise. A little daughter brightens their home.

   Valley. -- Rev. J. P. Yost is the pastor of this intelligent and affectionate flock. He is serving the third year. Valley being a station, has enabled the pastor to attend carefully to all his duties to his people, and enrich his own mind by thorough work in studies, in which he attains a high standard. The revival bore permanent fruits. The Omaha District Epworth League hold a delightful session in this hospitable and courteous town. The J. M. Williams' Loan Fund has been a benediction to the Omaha City Church Extension Society, and he is a blessing to his own church. "The Lord loveth a cheerful giver."

Supreme loyalty to God and the church are possessed by Valley Methodism.

   The faithfulness and the deportment of the preachers have been such as becomes the Christian gentlemen that they are. I am truly grateful to them that I have not been called upon to report a single case of moral obliquity in the course of the year. They have been alert and faithful, and lived as becometh men who have vows upon them, although in the world, they are not of the world. Their pious example and daily life has been perpetually as a moral breakwater, resisting the tides of sin. Illustrating by precept and example the way of holy living. God bless them, every one; and upon their wives and little ones may the benediction of the Gospel of grace ever abide.

NOTE BY THE SECRETARY.

   Herewith see copy of Annual Conference Minutes of the Siteenth Session of the North Nebraska Conference. We have hurried their publication with all prudence. In securing advertisements we thankfully acknowledge the assistance of Rev. Drs. Dawson, Sisson, Carns, and Rev. W. D. Stambaugh.

   Our advertising patrons are first class firms and deserve your patronage. Notice cards of the following:
   Western Methodist Book Concern, St. Louis, Mo.
   Nebraska Wesleyan University, University Place, Neb.
   Security Mutual Life Insurance Co., Fremont, Neb.
   J. S. Johnson, Schuyler, Neb.
   Platte Valley Roller Mills, Schuyler, Neb.
   M. D. Cameron, Schuyler, Neb.
   Church Plans, Pittsburg, Pa.
   Buckeye Bell Foundry, Cincinnati, Ohio.
   Norfolk Foundry, Norfolk, Neb.
   Wabash Church and School Furniture Co., Wabash, Ind.
   Nebraska Cycle Co., Omaha, Neb.
   Library Filing Cabinet Co., Chicago, Ill.
   E. W. Marshall, Arlington, Neb.
   P. Martin & Bro., Grand Island, Neb.
   H. E. McKenzie, Grand Island, Neb.
   F. N. McElvain, Grand Island, Neb.
   R. R. McCabe & Co., Chicago, Ill.

   In total subscriptions for minutes read $102.75, on page 28.
   The names of committees are not affixed to reports, but full list is given in "Standing Committees."
   In appointment as supply to Creighton read A. J. Markley in place of J. S. Markley. In appointment as supply to Mapleville read J. G. Galloway. The postoffice address of W. W. Shank is Madison, N. J.
   In list of appointments the figure opposite name of C. O. Larrison should be "3" instead of "2." Those figures indicate number of years of pastor's service in charge named.
   In memoir of Alice Clendening read 42 years in place of 48. Though memoir was written 48, yet it must be a mistake.
   Mrs. Dr. Marquette also participated in W. H. M. S. anniversary. The statistics were submitted to Statistical Secretary for inspection and correction. All else was inspected by ourself and we trust that all is reasonably free from errors in published copy.
Respectfully submitted,
J. W. JENNINGS, Secretary.

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