There has been a great year's work done in this district this Conference year. The benevolences have received due attention with splendid results. The salaries of the preachers have been well paid. Many church debts have been paid off, others in part, and all looked after. New church edifices have been built and practically dedicated free of debt, as has one new parsonage. Most of the charges have had more or less of revival, some of the pastors employing evangelists and others not. We believe in evangelists and especially in our own Conference Evangelists, and believe these are good reasons why the brethren of our Conference should employ them preferably to others. Bros. McGregor and Powers will always find a warm welcome in this district. We have been delighted with Miss Jackson's visits and appeals for our Hospital. We are doing about what we can for this great institution, and believe if there ever was a Christian work, this is that work. God bless the Hospital. We had a grand District Conference with nearly every pastor present. Our District Epworth League Convention was a great success. Our young people are alive and alert for the Master. Our District Conference Campmeeting was a time of great refreshing. Our Superanuates, Bros. Olcott, Adriance and Balson are in fair health, and are active and happy in Christ. Among the Supernumeraries there has come death and bereavement. Bro. N. H. Gale has died, and Bro. Samuel Cates has lost his wife.
   Peace and harmony, so far as we know, prevails between the Presiding Elder and his ministerial brethren and all the churches, for which we thank God.
   Archer has had a successful year, and Bro. Rorick, its pastor, will make to Conference a splendid report on benevolences, especially on missions. Bro. Rorick knows just how to raise money for missions.
   Bartlett has had a year of prosperity along most lines of church work. It has been supplied by Bro. Sala to the satisfaction of the people. He has paid off the debt on the parsonage, and raised his full apportionment for benevolences, and more.
   Belgrade has had a remarkably prosperous year. A handsome new church edifice has been built and dedicated practically free of debt. The church and lot are worth about $1800. It is a thing of beauty. The only debt remaining on it is the $200 Church Extension loan. A new barn has been built at a cost of $80, and the parsonage papered at a cost

of $20. the benevolences are taken in full. Bro. DeWolf, the successful pastor, is rejoicing over these triumphs.
   Cedar Rapids has been under the fostering care of Bro. Yost, and has done well. A good measure of success in revival work, and splendid success in raising benevolences has crowned Bro. Yost's efforts this year. All financial claims have been met in full.
   Central City is at the front on benevolences and the other work of the Church. Bro. Priest, the pastor, took this charge at a critical time, and has handled it wisely and successfully. The charge greatly needs a new church edifice, which it hopes soon to be able to build.
   Clarks has enjoyed considerable revival, improved the church property, and made a good record on benevolences. Bro. McReynolds, the pastor, has had some hotly contested battles to fight this year, but has won in every instance.
   Columbus has experienced another prosperous year under Bro. Mickel's pastoral care. Several valuable accessions have been made to the membership, many little floating debts have been paid, and the debt on the parsonage has been entirely wiped out. The benevolences are in good shape. Columbus M. E. church is growing.
   Cushing, with Bro. Day as pastor, is prosperous and happy. The pastor has succeeded in a good degree in revivals and the benevolences, and overlooked nothing. Brother and Sister Day have been blessed with an infant daughter during the year.
   Fullerton, under Bro. N. A. Martin's oversight, has had a year of growth. The membership has been built up, congregations are large, the church and parsonage have been painted, and all matters of the Church are prosperous. Brother and Sister Martin are rejoicing over being the parents of a brand new girl.
   Fullerton Circuit was an experiment. It has ended as it was begun -- in doubt. Bro. Elliott has supplied it under embarrassing circumstances. It will not likely be continued as a charge, but be broken up to enlarge other charges.
   Grand Island. -- First Church has done well under the leadership of Bro. Webster. It has had a good revival, splendid growth in membership, and makes a good report on the benevolences. Most of the $6,000 debt has been provided for by good subscriptions and cash. The outlook is hopeful for this charge.
   Trinity was served a part of the year by Dr. Carns, when he resigned the charge to enter the Anti-Saloon League work. He left the charge in good condition, having secured on the church debt over $1,000, met his obligations on the missionary debt, and otherwise cared for the interests of the Church. Bro. W. W. Shenk, A. M., was then secured to supply the charge, which he did until within three weeks of Conference, when he left for Boston for school. He gave splendid satisfaction in every way.
   Grand Island Circuit has succeeded well with Bro. McKenzie as pastor. He has been faithful in his work and led his charge on to victory. He

has been successful in raising church debts and the benevolences. He has a splendid report on missions. He has also succeeded in marrying a wife, who will be of inestimable value to him as a minister of the Gospel.
   Genoa has done well this year. The church and parsonage property has been greatly improved by much needed repairs. There has been considerable revival in Genoa; the congregations are fine, and taken all in all, Genoa seems a little more hopeful than for years. Bro. Snyder is the pastor of this charge, and he and his wife are rejoicing over a new baby boy in their family.
   Greeley has gone steadily forward under the careful management of Bro. Kellogg. A new and beautiful little parsonage has been built and almost paid for, and the church edifice has been handsomely papered and otherwise adorned and repaired.
   Mapleville has had a flourishing year. The benevolences are all taken in full, the church and parsonage property improved at a cost of $140, a splendid revival realized, and Bro. Galloway, the pastor, and his people are happy.
   North Bend has had three prosperous years under the pastoral care of Bro. G. W. Martin, D. D., Ph. D. The church edifice has been this year remodeled, repaired and received a new bell at a cost of $541, with only a debt of $162 remaining on it. The membership is growing.
   Purple Cane has had a pleasant year with Bro. Crawford as pastor. The benevolences are all well up, and congregations are good. Bro. Crawford neglects no interest of his charge.
   Richland, for a charge few in numbers and financially weak, has done well with Bro. Dressler as pastor. Some of the larger charges little immagine the struggles of some of the weakest, like this.
   Schuyler has outstripped most charges in the district in two things. It has the honor and pleasure of entertaining the Annual Conference twice in succession (and in this is ahead of any charge in our Conference, if not of any charge in any of the four Annual Conferences of our State) and it has paid off every cent of indebtedness on its church property. Our church property in Schuyler is free of debt. The man who has brought these achievements to pass is the Rev. Jesse W. Jennings, D. D.
   St. Edward has had another good year under the pastoral oversight of Bro. Trezona. The church edifice has been papered, reseated and much improved. The benevolences are in splendid condition.
   St. Paul has had three prosperous years with Bro. Cissell, pastor. The membership has grown, and all the work of the charge has steadily advanced. President of our District Epworth League, Bro. Cissell has had his hands full of labors, but in all he has succeeded.
   St. Paul Circuit under the wise and faithful management of Bro. Shacklock has pushed itself to the van of triumphant march. He has built a splendid church edifice at Boelus, which it was my privilege to dedicate free of debt. This charge is in every way prosperous. Bro. Shacklock has this year married an excellent wife.

   Scotia. -- Bro. Green, for three years pastor, has brought this charge forward on all lines of work.
   Silver Creek is not strong in membership or finances, but contains many choice spirits, who with their genial and faithful pastor, Bro. C. F. Heywood, have this year pushed on to certain victory. Bro. Heywood has paid off the debt on the parsonage of $143, and about quadrupled the benevolences of past years, besides raising all other financial claims upon the charge. This charge, knowing it has one of the most faithful pastors and able preachers of the Conference, is happy and contented.
   Walbach has enjoyed a year of prosperity. Bro. Putnam, true to the Putnam's of revolutionary fame, has been riding among the thickest of the enemy's bullets and came out unscathed. He has paid off the debt on Endfield church, and cared properly for all the interests of the charge.
   Wood River has been served by Bro. W. R. Peters for this his second year. The first was replete with success, and this, all things considered, has been as good as could be expected.

   Bishop and Members of the North Nebraska Conference:
   DEAR FATHERS AND BRETHREN. -- I bring to you again the annual greetings of Neligh District.
   Albion has had a good year under Rev. C. O. Larrison as pastor. 125 professed conversion; 80 joined our church on probation. All salaries and benevolences are paid in full, and they are going on to perfection. Evangelist Mae Phillips assisted in the revival work.
   At Boone, Rev. C. G. Rouse has done much to harmonize all the religious and social interests of the people, a few have been converted and the property interests are well cared for.
   Battle Creek has been well served by Rev. R. W. Wilcox, who has shown himself to be a shrewd financier and an able preacher. About $250 of old indebtedness have been paid and $500 more is on subscription, which will wipe out the last dollar we owe.
   Battle Creek Circuit has added a number to the membership and a new parsonage is about to be built. Rev. D. E. Baldwin has done excellent. work in the first year of his ministry.
   Clearwater has prospered as never before, under the care of Rev. A. J., Warne. The general interests of the charge are in good condition, Grecian Bend Church having paid off all its indebtedness.
   At the close of our last annual session I sent Rev. A. J. Markley to Creighton. Good services followed from which 32 have been received into full membership. The property has been improved to the amount of $225, while $325 has been paid on the old debt at Creighton, and at Olcott the entire debt of $250 has been paid off. The Aid Society has raised $381 toward these results, and has the banner of the district.
   Rev. H. G. Kemp has stood nobly by his work at Chambers, during a

year of reaction following the remarkable record of a year before. But he leaves a united Church and all the interests well in hand.
   Rev. E. W. Wilcox has not only been successful but popular at Elgin. Improvements have been made amounting to over $200, upwards of 30 added to the membership and the Church is enthusiastic over its prospect for the future.
   Rev. A. E. Fowler has served Emerick to their great satisfaction. The congregations have grown until the church is too small. League and Sunday School are doing well.
   In his work at Ewing and Inman Rev. W. A. Wilson has had the disadvantage of having two railroad towns so far apart that he could serve them at intervals of two weeks only. But there has been a steady and increasing interest, especially at Ewing; and over $200 has been raised on subscription toward paying off the debt at Inman.
   Loretto has been well served by Rev. L. Hedden. Revival services at the different appointments resulted in a goodly number of accessions to the Church. Other interests have been well kept up and we are about to build a new parsonage at Loretto.
   Lynch has made good headway with Rev. George W. Shick as pastor. The church at Grass has been moved to a new location and is nearly completed. Highland has an enterprise under way and the general interests of the charge are hopeful.
   Meadow Grove had a gracious revival in February, the pastor, Rev, J. H. Brooks, was ably assisted by our own evangelist, Rev. D. W. McGregor. All the interests of the charge are well cared for. On account of failing health Brother Brooks asked to be relieved from his work the first of April, and I procured the services of Rev. E. E. Hosman to finish out the year.
   Rev. E. T. George has served Neligh this year with his characteristic good sense and successful ministrations. The membership has been considerably increased, congregations large, finances fully met and everybody in good heart.
   Rev. Allen Bishop has had a good year at Newman Grove and Lindsay. All the interests of Zion have grown under his labors, while he has beautified the property with paint, at the Grove, and paid off very embarrassing debts of $300, at Lindsay.
   At Niobrara under varied fortune we have made some progress. The pastor, Rev. E. D. Griswold, has wisely and successfully rallied to the support of our work a large number of young people, and the outlook is better than for some years past. Rev. T. B. Sabine, a member of that flock, expects to supply a charge as its pastor next year.
   Rev. David Marquette, D. D., has had a good year at Oakdale, paying off the old indebtedness and making new improvements to the amount of $455. Many professed conversion in his revival meetings, and the Church is doing well.
   O'Neill made such a remarkable record a year ago that when the pendu-

lum swung back again it was hard to keep the machinery running. But Rev. John Crews has done his work so well that we are ready to begin the work of another year in good spirits.
   At Ormond a shameless betrayer slandered the characters of some of our noblest people, and was permitted to withdraw under charges. The work became more difficult for the pastor, Rev. J. N. Gortner, but with the aid of Evangelist McGregor a tabernacle meeting was held in July, and we are in good trim to begin the work of next year. The property indebtedness bass been almost entirely paid off.
   Paddock has had some good revivals under the labors of Rev. J. D. Lee, and a successful year generally.
   Nothing remarkably has occurred at Pierce beyond a considerable increase in the congregations from the large birth rate and those once disinterested becoming interested. This is one of our most heroic Churches, and they are doing splendid work for the Master, under the leadership of Rev. George M. Couffer, in the midst of a large German Lutheran population.
   Notwithstanding the peculiar hindrances we have met with at Plainview, the charge is in fairly good condition. The benevolences will show a considerable increase over any previous year in the history of the Church. The salary is fully paid, property out of debt, Sunday School excellent, the spiritual life of the Church generally satisfactory. The pastor, Rev. L. K. McNeil, met with severe and persistent opposition in the first half of the year, emanating almost wholly from an outsider. In April this opposition culminated in the preferment of charges of immorality against him, which were brought to trial on the 4th day of May, under the provisions of paragraph 222 of the Discipline, charges 2 and 5, and specification I of charge 6. After careful consideration of their nature and relation to the case having been ruled out by the Presiding Elder. Excellent counsellors, viz: Revs. E. T. George and R. W. Wilcox for the Church, and Rev. Dr. David Marquette for the accused, conducted the case, while six of our most judicious ministers, viz: Bartley Blain, John Crews, H. Hirst Millard, Allen Bishop, W. A. Rominger and J. N. Gortner sat as the committee, and Rev. W. A. Wilson, was the Secretary of the trial. Parts of three days were consumed in hearing testimony, mainly for the Church, after which counsel on both sides argued the case before it went to the committee for their findings. They returned findings acquitting the accused by the unanimous vote of each and every committeeman on every specification and every charge. I hand you herewith the records of the proceedings in the case.
   Plainview Circuit has had another prosperous year, under the labors of Rev. E. C. Thorp. He has added a few to the membership, preached to increasing congregations, kept up the spiritual interests, beautified and improved the chapels and parsonage, built a good barn at a cost of $100, and closed the year with all the finances well up.
   Page has been wonderfully prospered under the pastorate of Rev. H. A.

Chappell. Early in the year he had an excellent revival adding about 18 to the membership and others have come in since. Maxfield church has been tided out of debt and a beautiful new church built at Page at a cost of $1,150, which was dedicated out of debt, save $100 to the Board of Church Extension.
   Savidge has been supplied by Rev. R. W. Callow. He is a new beginner but has handled all the affairs well, adding to the membership, truly helping the flock of Christ and caring for all the temporal interests.
   Tilden also has fared well this year with Rev. W. A. Rominger as pastor. A few have been converted and added to the Church; services are well attended, and a new church at a cost of about $3,000 is ready for dedication, and the outlook is excellent.
   Verdell has made some progress under the labors of Rev. J. W. Bucholz and though a new charge among the homesteaders of Boyd and Knox Counties promises to develop considerable strength in the near future.
   The Sunday Schools, League Chapters, District Conferences, Conventions and the Annual District Camp Meeting are efficient and powerful agencies for good in the work of the District. This year we have purchased a new tent, 44x72 feet, and it is in use by the pastors and Evangelist Mae Phillips, in a chain of meetings on our frontier at Verdell, Lynch and Grass. Along with the spiritual interests we have not forgotten to lay some special emphasis on the salaries and benevolences, and we fully expect that the reports will show an excellent gain all along these fines.
   In a closing word I cannot speak too highly of the earnestness, courage and self-sacrifice of the ministers of the district; nor of their wives, whose homes are models of neatness and hospitality. We are also blessed with a large per cent of laymen, who are as true to the master and the Church as the needle is to the pole, and the Church may reasonably expect a steady and accelerating development of all her great interests over the territory of Neligh District.

   "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Thus, with a profound sense of the Divine Presence, we went forth for the fifth year to the battle of 1898.
   When we say we have had discouragements and some failures, we simply say the field is the world. That there have been grave problems, some of which have been solved and some of which remain unsolved; that we have had hardships and heartaches, which God alone knows is simply saying we have had the common lot of a Methodist preacher, and yet we deem it the highest privilege, the greatest honor to labor among a band of men and women, than whom there are none more devoted, self-sacrificing and efficient this side of Heaven. Somehow, we have a conviction

that by the grace of God and the continued loyalty of these preachers and their devoted wives, who have so cheerfully co-operated with us during the past few years, we shall get into port with colors flying, and the glory shall be our God's.
   Nearly all our converts are received into the Church and become lively members of the same. The evangelistic phase is the most helpful and blessed of our work. To see sinners coming home to God brings joy unspeakable and full of glory, and so if you see these preachers with countenances radiant with smiles, be it known unto you this is not because of easy and lucrative appointments, but because they have souls for their hire and their names are recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life. Some of these revivals have shown us clearly how we may solve some of our most difficult problems. At Hooper, where the population is largely German, last winter's revival was instrumental in reaching a goodly number of these people, who have become some of our best members. D. W. McGregor, our Conference Evangelist, who assisted in this meeting, proved himself worthy of his high calling. At Decatur the population has been divided into several denominations, making it very hard to sustain any one Church. During the winter months God poured out His Spirit so graciously in converting power, that now there is practically but one Church, one Lord, one baptism. We do not mean by this that there has been simply a change of creed or Church relationship, but emphatically a change of heart and life. These people have been led to see that the Methodist Episcopal Church is of all churches the most thoroughly adapted to the training and culture of the regenerated life.
   Our preachers and people have not been indifferent to the condition of of (sic) our church property. Repairs and enlargements have been the order of the day. The interior of the church at Scribner has been renovated and beautifully decorated. Grace church on the Winside charge has been tastily put in order, both inside and outside, while the Coleridge property has received a coat of paint besides other numerous repairs.
   At Randolph our property has been improved by the addition of a wing to the church, an addition to the parsonage and other substantial and useful improvements, making this a very desirable property. Carroll church which has long been an eyesore to every friend of the Church, has been papered and painted besides receiving other needed repairs on the exterior, while our church at Liberty on the Lyons charge has simply been transformed into a beautiful temple.
   At Bloomfield, new church pews, paint and paper make this property the equal of any on the district. The parsonages at Wayne, Lyons, Pilger, Homer and Winside are no exceptions in the matter of improvements.
   Our Wakefield property has presented for a number of years a very unsightly appearance owing to an unfortunate proximity to some very undesirable property. The trustees, led by their faithful pastor, have raised sufficient money to purchase the entire property, so that by removing the

old building and beautifying the lot, our property has increased in value fifty per cent.
   In the month of January we dedicated our neat little church at Hartington free of debt, except a small amount due the Board of Church Extension and even this amount is pretty well provided for.
   W. R. Phelps is the man, who by undaunted energy and great personal sacrifice, has built at Laurel one of the neatest and most beautiful little churches in the district, and on the 16th of December, Bishop Bowman dedicated this church to the service of God. We have rarely seen men and women make such cheerful sacrifices as those in the church at Laurel. By the tact and mechanical skill of the pastor and the laymen a church well furnished and well worth $2,000 was built for less than $1,200, and not one dollar of debt remaining.
   At Creston, on the Humphrey charge, we have erected another church, though different in style and architecture, of about the same capacity as that at Laurel. For several years we labored at Creston, greatly embarrassed for the want of a church building. We were permitted to help build two churches and then were allowed to use them when not needed by the denominations claiming them, but at last even that boon was denied us. Be it said to the credit of the little band of men and women comprising the membership of this church, they did not count the cost, but threw themselves heroically into the work and in a brief time were worshiping God in their own church home. Dr. Murray greatly assisted us in the dedication of this church.
   Wausa was the next to arise and assert itself by erecting a building to the service of God worthy of the town and the denomination. Although this is a Swedish community, we have every reason to believe we have come at an opportune time. These people take readily not only to our country, but also our Church. This church will be dedicated soon after Conference.
   Last, but not least, is the new church enterprise at Madison. For several years our church work at this place has been circumscribed by the smallness of the church edifice, but how to build was the question. For the past five years it has been our privilege to keep this enterprise before the people, and at last by the help and persistence of the pastor, we have succeeded in causing them to see that they could build a new church. We now have in course of erection a commodious church, which will afford our people ample room for all their work.
   We have not only been building new churches, but paying for old ones, and of the two tasks we much prefer the former. We sincerely believe that a law requiring trustees and pastors that create these debts, at any rate the unreasonable ones, to remain in office until they are provided for would be an everlasting blessing to themselves and to the Church. At Central Church on the Ponca work we have a church whose debt far exceeds the value of the church, dating back to the time of the fathers. The pastor has heroically undertaken to pay this large indebtedness and

succeeded. Pender had one of these very annoying debts, which at one time threatened the very existence of the Church in that place. The pastor, single handed, has largely provided for this so that now there is no fear as to the future payment of this strange and cruel debt.
   Randolph has paid the last dollar of the indebtedness to the Board of Church Extension, which was so long in dispute. Wayne has not been asleep in these matters, for there now remains not a cent of debt on its entire property, including the lots purchased a few years ago.
   Norfolk has raised and paid about fifteen hundred dollars on a floating indebtedness, which in view of the fact that this church so recently completed its new edifice is a very remarkable showing. What Norfolk can't do, when led by its consecrated and skillful pastor, would puzzle the wisest to tell. Stanton has cleared up an indebtedness of many years standing, which gives this church, so noted for its liberality, clear sailing for the year to come, while even Coleridge has taken heart to lift a debt, which we are compelled to characterize as unrighteous and needless. None but a man inspired of God would think of touching such a debt.
   How well we may succeed we cannot foretell, but with the conviction that the Board of Church Extension ought to have its money we have gone forward trusting God and the people to help us.
   The increase in our benevolences this year has simply astonished the natives, for in many instances we have people who have most bitterly complained because the preachers have outstripped the stewards and trustees and are taking all the money out of the country. Ah, give me a Methodist preacher to raise money. If they had some other monies to raise they would be raised and long before the end of the year. These men have gone over the entire field and we can assure the Conference there is no temptation for persons to come on the Norfolk district to raise money for independent, so-called Methodist institutions. May God grant that the day will soon come when every effort to turn the money from the regularly constituted channels of this blessed old Church will forever cease.
   Such is the missionary enthusiasm on the district that our people are providing for this most noble cause in their wills. Accordingly our beloved brother, C. G. Peterson of the Bancroft church, bequeathed to the local church a valuable property and his devoted widow will make ample provisions in her will for the support of one or two missionaries in some foreign field, so that both home and foreign work have been generously remembered by this consecrated man and woman. There are also two other persons on the same charge who have made like provision in their wills. Our women of the district continue their blessed missionary work in connection with with (sic) the Woman's Home Missionary Society, so that with plentiful supplies of provisions and clothing some of our less fortunate brethren on the frontier have been made very comfortable and happy.
   The Epworth League Convention at Dakota City was a great success,

being largely attended and enthusiastically conducted. How to keep this work from falling into ruts is no small problem, and certainly the District League is calculated to solve this problem. Our young people go from convention enthused and equipped for their work. We have no objections to other means for getting these young people together, but don't we pray you touch the District League.
   From among the young people, the Norfolk district has furnished its quota of men for the defence of the Nation. These men are our own Methodist boys and as usual among them was the proverbial Methodist preacher's boy. Of their record we are justly proud, and now that there are many of them coming home sick and emaciated we earnestly pray that their precious lives may be spared from the ravages of disease, for some of them will fill up the depleted ranks in our laity, while others we confidently believe, will yet fight as heroically for the Church in that glorious army of Methodist itinerants.
   Our Sunday school work becomes more Methodistic and consequently more blessed in its results. Our own literature and the organization of the Sunday schools into Missionary societies have been greatly conducive, to this end.
   We have held two District Conferences, one at Ponca in the Fall and one at Dakota City in the Spring. These were well attended and very helpful to our work both temporally and spiritually.
   Rev. J. T. Knuckey has been transferred to the Colorado Conference and G. W. Corey to this Conference and appointed to the Stanton charge. We are sorry to record the transfer of Bro. Knuckey, who has served us so long and so well, but are equally glad to welcome Bro. Corey to a place among us.
   Rev. W. K. Gray who has been not only a successful pastor among us, but also an efficient evangelist as well as District Missionary Secretary, will ask the Bishop and Conference to be left without an appointment this year in order that he may attend Drew Theological Seminary. We shall all greatly miss Bro. Gray, yet greatly rejoice in this splendid opportunity afforded him for greater usefulness in the Master's vineyard.
   Our District Campmeeting this year, was pronounced by competent judges the best we have had. We were greatly helped by Evangelist B. E. Shawhan, who from both a theological and evangelistic standpoint did much for our preachers and people. This campmeeting helps us to be revivalistic and to keep in a spirit of revival, for we are not wasting ourtime in discussing the so-called dangers of the revival. We believe the danger lies in the absence or the revival. We verily believe the revival has saved us from the most pernicious practice of introducing into our pulpits those strange and sometimes silly questions raised by the reputed higher critics. The men of the Norfolk District have preached an old-fashioned gospel both Scriptural and Methodistic to the saving of sinners, reclaiming of backsliders and the sanctification of believers. The Kingdom of God has grown this year on the Norfolk District. Zion has enlarged its borders and the Son of God has been glorified.

OMAHA DISTRICT.

J. B. MAXFIELD, PRESIDING ELDER

   Dear Fathers and Brethren:
   Another page of life's history written; another stage on life's journey accomplished, and we are brought in these ways by the hand of God to the end of this conference year.
   Arlington lies in the southwest corner of Washington County. To this place Rev. W. H. Underwood was sent. After three-fourths of the year he went to the war. I secured Rev. J. H. Brooks to serve the rest of the year.
   Albright, Rev. J. Q. A. Fleharty, pastor, gives promise of prosperity.
   Benson and Mammouth Park I placed in the care of Rev. Frank W. Bross. The quarterly conference desires his return.
   Blair. -- Rev. H. A. Barton is serving the second year with tokens of hopefulness and prosperity. The debt on the parsonage nearly paid.
   Craig. -- Rev. W. B. Stambaugh is pastor. A valuable man and a happy church is the summation of the year's doings.
   Elkhorn has been served by Rev. W. L. Elliott, a probationer in this Conference. Elkhorn is one of our snug circuits with two churches and a parsonage.
   Fremont. -- Rev. W. P. Murray, Ph. D., is pastor. In addition to the regular funds, this church during the second quarter paid one thousand dollars of old indebtedness. The benevolences have not been neglected as the manner of some is, and it is the banner all-around church of the Conference.

   Kennard was supplied by Bro. A. F. Schafer. A debt of $285 upon the parsonage to the Church Extension Board has been cancelled.
   OMAHA. -- First Church. -- This year has been renowned for the cancellation of ten thousand dollars of bonded indebtedness. Dr. John McQuoid, the pastor, has shown himself a hero in its affairs.
   Hanscom Park. -- Rev. F. M. Sisson was appointed by Bishop Ninde. A good revival has crowned the year. A subscription of $4,900 was secured on the church debt, on Sabbath, September 18.
   Seward Street. -- The Rev. J. W. Robinson was pastor until July. He went to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and was succeeded by Rev. A. C. Welch, coming from thence. Some valuable improvements are being made upon the church building.
   South Tenth Street has had the faithful service of Rev. G. A. Luce. The Sabbath School is large and excellent, under the superintendency of H. J. Rose. (In fact the entire District is blessed with zealous and capable superintendents and good Sabbath Schools.) The Ladies' Aid Society has been a valuable factor.
   Southwest. -- Rev. R. M. Henderson has been faithful and efficient. They have had some prosperity and evinced great devotion.
   Trinity has been served with fidelity by the Rev. F. H. Sanderson and with his well known ability.
   Walnut Hill. -- Rev. C. N. Dawson is pastor. In April a "Rally" was held, at which eight hundred dollars was pledged to apply on the debt on the lots.
   West Omaha has had the pastoral oversight of the Rev. Jas. Haynes, a superannuated member of the Iowa Conference, the author of "Methodism in Omaha."
   Papillion and Richfield. -- Rev. R. J. Cocking is pastor. The eminent veteran, Col. John Ritchie, for many years a Methodist, for over sixty years a subscriber to the New York Advocate, died late in the year at
   South Omaha. -- Rev. J. A. Johnson, pastor, is the man of "the single eye." His purpose was to pay the Church Extension Board three thousand dollars borrowed therefrom. They did it. A grand church.
   Springfield has been served by the faithful veteran, Rev. Jabez Charles. A good circuit.
   Tekamah has had a good year. Rev. John F. Poucher is their pastor, and also of Arizona, where the faithful few still continue steadfast. Church property much improved.
   Herman is a new charge upon the debris of the Vacoma charge. Within three months of the end or the year, Rev. B. B. Keister came to the work, returned from Chili, South America. He sold the old parsonage at Vacoma and erected one at Herman. Valley has had constant and faithful service at the hands of Rev. O Eggleston. Valley has among its strong men, J. M. Willias, Esq., who some years since evoked the gratitude of the church by giving to the City
   6

Church Extension Society of Omaha, $1,000, by which gift much good has been accomplished.

   I should fail in my full duty to the Omaha District, should I omit to allude to the efficiency of the Epworth League and its good influence upon the young people thereof. Its power for good cannot be overestimated. Its work of shaping into right forms and infusing with exalted aims and holy ambitions this important factor of society, is of the most salutary character. More and more is earnest spirituality being developed; more and more is Christianity in earnest being crystalized among them. All the while is the callow state giving place to the bone and sinew and stability and fixedness of unswerving purpose to do work for the Master, not primarily to have a good time, but to work in unwelcome fields, to bear the cross for His sake, "who pleased not Himself." May this process go on until this multitude may become zealous soldiers, who cannot only carry the flag, but also dig in the trenches, so that they are only in the Army of the Lord. Oh for the sanctified ardor and enthusiasm of youth to lead the charge upon the strongholds of sin. God bless the Epworth League and the members thereof, and make them a thousand times as many more as they are.

   The Sabbath Schools of this district, as has already been intimated, are in a vigorous and energetic state of service. In this department of church work we are active and display a zeal truly commendable, as it is gratifying to the Christian thought. We shall uproot the germs of evil in society and overturn the foundations of hell by saving the children and raising up a generation who fear the Lord and work for Him. This reduces the moral problem to a mathematical question of dates with the fixedness of a logical certainty. Care for the children. Lot them be saved, for they are the men and women of the future, which is but a few short steps away.

   If railroads form pools, and manufacturers form trusts and other pursuits naturally form combinations, the occupation of the ministry might establish a guild for mutual improvement and recreation, so we thus arrive at the reason why this society is called the Omaha Methodist Preachers' Union. We have thus existed and worked for mutual recreation and improvement during the time I have been at the head of this a district, and it has proved itself to be of great importance and endeared itself to the hearts of all who have participated therein. Concerning doctrines and discipline of the Methodist Episcopal church, it has preserved a perfect alignment. In its ranks it has been an unbroken and unpurchasable phalanx against Sabbath opening of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition; by its co-operation and tireless exertions it presented petitions from 20,000 voters against turning the Exposition into a beer garden and

scene of Sabbath debauchery to our shame and deep disgrace. It has been unflinching and untiring in its adherence to the Bible and its laws, and has been wise enough to discern between the good and the evil and brave enough to stand up and counted on all occasions, when demanded by any. God bless the faithful members of the Methodist Preachers' Union. May they live forever, and they will; such men never die.
   Growing out of what has been said before, I may say in conclusion that the preachers on this district have been true to the vows resting upon them in every instance and on all occasions. I do not have any other kind of men. To serve on my district, it is virtually and actually essential to have a clean bill of moral health. For nearly a quarter of a century I have filled the place I now hold and have had not one instance of discipline, or moral lapse of any man during my supervision. They have all been as ecclesiastical Bayards, entitled so much as he, to the motto, "Sans peur et sans reproche." None more so than the present corps of preachers on the Omaha district. God bless them every one.

   The post-office addresses of the following named are:
   A. C. Welch, 2422 Caldwell Street, Omaha.
   J. W. Jennings, 2716, North Twenty-second Street, Omaha.
   J. H. Brooks, 2829 Avenue B, Council Bluffs, Iowa.
   John Crews, Elkhorn, Nebraska.
   In Roll the name of John H. Johnson should be Jehu H. Johnson.

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