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     Beatrice District was formed at the last Annual Conference, of the territory comprised in the following counties, viz: Gage, the east half of Johnson, Pawnee, Jefferson, Saline, York, the southeast quarter of Seward, Thayer, Nuckolls, Franklin, Harlan, with the inhabited territory, but unorganized lying to the westward of these, and east of the west! boundary of the State. Much of this territory had never been traveled by preachers, being but recently opened to settlement. The valleys of the two Blues, the Little and Big Sandy and their tribuaries, and the rich valley of the great Republican, presented an open field to emigrants, which they were not slow to discover and seize upon. Hence during the last summer thousands of families have settled in the bounds of Beatrice district. Of these a large proportion are members of our own church, who came to make their homes in Nebraska. To supply the spiritual wants of this class of our population, was the design in organizing this missionary district.

     Eleven appointments stand in the organization of this district. To fill them six men were named, leaving five places to be supplied. This additional responsibility of finding suitable men for these new fields of labor, where everything was unorganized, greatly increased the labor of supervising the work. But men for these vacancieg were found, some of whom have performed most valuable service in laying the foundations, as well as in rearing the walls of our spiritual Zion. Of these I shall speak with greater particularity in another part of this report.

     Beatrice station stands at the head of appointments in this district, in numbers and influence. In spirituality, member for member, we should judge it not inferior to any. We own a good church here, built of limestone in a substantial manner, and handsomely finished, furnished with ash and walnut seats, carpets, chandelier, pulpit, etc. It is sufficiently commodious to answer our wants for some time to come. It is in membership and house of worship emphatically a first class church. The parsonage is small but will be superseded this season with one accommodated to the convenience of a family, and according with the tastes and generosity of the church and congregation. During the year closing under the labor of the Pastor, Rev. W. A. Presson, the church has been blessed with a gracious revival of religion, and strengthened in all the elements of a permanent and expanding prosperity.

     Blue Springs Mission is south of Beatrice in the valley of the Blue. During the year it has enjoyed some religious prosperity. The church building at Blue Springs commenced some years since, is now, owing to the tireless industry of the Paster (sic), Rev. G. W. Elwood, nearly completed. Blue Springs for the coming year presents a field of great promise. May the blessings of the Great Head of the church rest upon it.

     Plum Creek is a new work organized last year, supplied during the year by Rev. A. L. Tinkham. It promises good results in the near future. There has been a good revival this year.

     North of Plum Creek, lying in Gage and Johnson counties, is the mission of Crab Orchard, organized last spring and left to be supplied. Soon after conference, Rev. T. A. Hall, of Missouri, wrote me, wishing to come to Nebraska, and asking for work. I wrote to him not to come. He started the next day after receiving my letter. I placed him on this mission, and the year has been one continued state of prosperity from first to last. Glorious revivals at every appointment. New appointments have been made, which are now strong classes. Bro. Hall has "forced the fighting all along the line" with glorious success. To God be all the praise.

     Lying still to the northeast is a new work, organized during the year, called Sterling. It embraces a fine scope of country, with four strong societies, able to support a preacher, and supplied during the year by Bro. Embree. It asks for recognition and a preacher from the Conference.

     In the valley of the Little Blue, on the St. Joseph & Denver Railroad, is Fairbury, the county seat of Jefferson county. Methodism has a good foothold there. This is one of our most promising places. A church has been erected here during the year, sufficient to accommodate our wants. Rev. C. W. Comstock traveled the work during the year.

     South of the valley of the Blue is the great Republican river, unsurpassed for beauty of scenery and fertility of soil by any part of the western country. There, in the near future, towns and cities will be built. Manufactories will be erected, and this vast domain will teem with multiplied industries of an enterprising and intelligent population. A railroad is now surveyed, and will be finished this year, from Beatrice to this valley, taking them lumber and merchandise, and bringing from thence coal, which of good quality is to be obtained there in unlimited quantities. A country containing such advantages has already attracted a large population. A large number are Methodists, or friends to Methodism. Republican was placed on the list of appointments last year. Owing to the lack of houses to live in, I thought advisable to change Bro. C. W. Wells from Fairbury to this mission. Like a true soldier who has taken upon himself vows, he no sooner learned my wishes than he mounted his horse and "moved to the front." God's blessing rests upon men who shake hands with ease and comfort, bidding them farewell, and, taking their lives in their hands, thus go forth bearing

precious seed. I need not add that he has been eminently successful, "for God was with him" and he must needs succeed. We need another man in this valley the coming year. Nothing short of this re-enforcement will supply the demand upon us.

     In the upper valley of the Little Blue is Meridian mission, embracing a large scope of country, in which a number of our people have fixed their homes. Last spring Conference named this among the number left to be supplied. Rev. T. A. Hill traveled the work this year with a good measure of success. Its importance has largely increased during the year, and promises soon to be an excellent circuit.

     Saline embraces Saline county. Rev. W. P. Grantham is preacher in charge. There has been some growth during the year.

     Crete stands next to Saline on the north. It is at the junction of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad and the Omaha & Southwestern Railroad. It comprises the towns of Crete, Dorchester and Pleasant Hill, the county seat of Saline county. All these are points of importance and demand our immediate attention. This work was placed in the charge of Rev. D. S. Kenny, than whom no man on the district has labored more faithfully. Methodism on this mission, owing to causes lying previous to the administration of last year, is not what we hope it to be, and expect it soon to assume. We need at Crete a house of worship, but our people are too poor to build. If we succeed we must have liberal aid. We need a first class man at Crete, and a good appropriation from the missionary fund.

     West Blue mission was supplied by two young men in the ministry, Rev. G. M. Cooper and Rev. A. L. Goss. The people here are poor, but spiritual and humble. During the year there has been a steady and permanent growth in numbers and influence. It is a promising field of labor.

     York mission contains York county. Its base of operations is York Centre, the county seat of York county. No finer country greets the eye of man than York county possesses. It is well settled by a thriving and intelligent population. We need aid to build a church at York Centre, and must have it soon, or suffer irreparable loss. The first quarter we could procure no supply. Hearing of the proposed transfer of Rev. W. B. Morgan to this Conference, I procured the services of Rev. W. H. B. Wilson, a local preacher, to supply the work until his arrival. Bro. Morgan in due time arrived and took charge of the circuit. It is one of our most promising fields of labor.

     Permit me in conclusion to say, brethren, that the remarkable adaptation of Methodism to supply the wants of a young and sparsely settled country is most beautifully and forcibly illustrated in its operations on Beatrice district. But very few points in all its borders have any churches except our own. While our system covers all the country with a net work of missions and circuits, which reach out their, hands filled with the bread of life, to all the land. Methodism, judiciously managed,

with God's blessing, is destined to take the lead in religious enterprises, during all the future, throughout all this vast stretch of country, sufficient in itself for an empire. We feel devoutly grateful to the Great Head of the church for his smiles in the past, and confidently look to Him for His blessing in the future.

     Respectfully submitted.

JOHN B. MAXFIELD.     

     The Lincoln District embraces the counties of Lancaster, Cass, Polk, Hamilton, Adams, Clay and Filmore; the east half and northern part of Seward, a strip eight miles wide from the northern part, and fifteen miles from the western part of Otoe, and all of Saunders and Butler, excepting a few appointments in the northern part of these counties--including an area of about five thousand square miles.

     Through the energy and perseverence (sic) of the ministry, the faithful cooperation of the laity, and above all the smiles of a kind Providence, we have had a year of great prosperity. I think I have never witnessed in the same number, such a love for the work among the ministers, such an ardent attachment to the church among the members, and such a fixed determination to stand by the old land-marks, and defend the peculiar doctrines and usages of Methodism, as I have in the Lincoln District during the past year.

     There has not only been an advance in numbers and the benevolent collections, but in vital Godliness. A deeper vein of piety pervades the heart of the church throughout the district than did one year ago.

     The Lincoln Station--Bro. J. J. Roberts, pastor--is in a healthy condition. A neat and substantial parsonage, with eight good rooms, two large halls, a good cellar and cistern has been built during the year, at a cost of seventeen hundred dollars, and the whole amount paid, leaving no encumbrance whatever on the property.

     There is in connection with the church a large and flourishing Sabbath School.

     Brother Roberts' health during the past year has been poor, suffering intensely with rheumatism most of the time; nevertheless he has done an amount of labor that but few under the same circumstances would have performed. A mind of the Pauline type, he is one of the strong men of the church, and his trumpet never gives an uncertain sound. He is most emphatically what Paul exhorted Timothy to be, "A workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word, giving to saint and sinner his portion in due season."

     The population of Lincoln has increased nearly one-third during the year; and from present indications its future growth will be even more rapid than its past. If the church in the future is true to her mission, we have much to hope for morality and christianity in the young and flourishing capital of Nebraska.

      The Palmyra Mission--Brother J. L. Fort, pastor--lies between Lincoln and Nebraska City, twenty miles from the former, and thirty miles from the latter place. One appointment being in Cass county, one in Lancaster, and three in Otoe. Palmyra is a small village, a little more than one year old, on the Midland Pacific Railroad and bids fair to be a village of considerable note in a very short time.

     At this point, under the faithful labors of Bro. Fort, a good parsonage with four rooms has been built at a cost of five hundred dollars. A good lot in an eligible position has been donated by Rev. J. M. Taggart, for a church, and initiatory steps have been taken for the erection of a building the coming summer.

     The Upper Nemaha Mission embraces the south-eastern part of Lancaster county. We employed Bro. J. Perkins, a local preacher, to supply this work during the year. Two miles south of Bennet's Station a small church has been built with money and material procured by the indefatigable Andrew Smith--a local preacher--who a year ago last winter begged his way to Chicago, and there solicited donations, getting a plank from one lumber yard and another from another--a piece of timber from this man and a piece from that--a few nails here and a few there--and then, on his own back, carried the material together, had it taken to the cars, sent to East Nebraska City, and from the material thus collected a sanctuary has arisen in which every Sabbath is heard the voice of prayer and praise and song.

     In this incident we have a practical illustration of the mighty power of patience and perseverence (sic); and an exhortation mightier and more potent than words can utter to "Despise not the day of small things."--A single plank; a pound of nails; a quarter of a dollar, may seem like small donations toward the erection of a church, but a multitude of these little donations, procured by the untiring perseverence (sic) of the man called to labor in Christ's vineyard, and the church rises, an influence goes forth, souls immortal are saved, and the joys and company of heaven eternally augmented.

     On this mission a number have been converted and the church greatly strengthened during the year.

     The Oak Creek Mission--Bro. Alfred G. Blackwell, pastor--embraces the northern part of Lancaster county, the southern and western part of Saunders, and the south-eastern part of Butler.

     There are twelve appointments on this work. The people are mostly poor--being homesteaders, they are unable to do much at present financially for the church. The future, however, is full of hope, and they are on the way, not only to competence, but to wealth; and out of the territory embraced in this mission will in a very short time be formed several self-supporting charges. This mission is in a good condition. Several points have been visited with most gracious revivals--and many souls have been saved.

     The Milford Mission embraces the south-eastern part of Seward county.

We employed Bro. David C. Brannan, to supply this mission, and he has done a good work. Under his labors a most gracious revival of religion took place, and many leading and influential families were converted and brought into the church. On this work there has been an advance in every department of the church.

     The Seward mission embraces the northwestern part of Seward, the southwestern part of Butler, and all of Polk county.

     We employed Bro. Josiah Burlingame to supply this work. Under his untiring labors most extensive revivals were had at several appointments, and the membership has about doubled during the year.

     Seward is the county seat of Seward county, and is most beautifully located on the northern bank of Blue river. We have in this place a small parsonage and three lots, and the promise of other good lots for a church in the best part of the village, and our people are making arrangements to build the present spring.

     This work should be divided. Seward should have preaching every Sabbath. A railroad from the East will reach this point the coming summer, and Seward will be a large and flourishing town in a very short time.

      The Blue river valley is one of the most beautiful and fertile in Nebraska; and into this most charming valley will soon pour tens of thousands of people and millions of wealth.

     Bro. James Query--a local preacher on this mission--organized during the year a work on the upper Blue, in Polk county, and reported to me 130 members, including probationers, two Sabbath schools, with sixty scholars. Assisted by Bro.'s George and Joseph Wooley, a most gracious revival of religion took place and some seventy-five souls were converted to God, including some of the most influential citizens of Polk county. They desire the Conference to send them a preacher.

     Ashland is a beautiful village, midway between Lincoln and Plattsmouth, on the B. & M. R. R, and is the county seat of Saunders county, having a population of about 1,000 souls. It is surrounded with a rich and beautiful country, and is the centre of trade for a large scope of territory. Its future is bright and hopeful, and it will soon be a village of several thousand inhabitants. Here we have a good church, and an intelligent and flourishing society. Brother J. G. Miller, the pastor, has labored faithfully during the year, giving his entire salary to the church,--amounting to eight hundred dollars, all of which was collected,--besides contributing other sums for the completion of the church.

     With faithfulness on the part of the pastor and membership in the future, Ashland will soon be among the first class stations in the Conference.

     Plattsmouth is the county seat of Cass county, and is situated on the Missouri river, two miles below the mouth of the Platte. Bro. Joseph H. Presson, the pastor, has labored in this station faithfully and most

successfully. Under his efficient ministry Plattsmouth has been visited with one of the most gracious revivals of religion that was ever known in that place, the hallowed influence of which was felt throughout the entire community. Over one hundred were converted, many of whom were leading citizens. Our church here is stronger in every department than ever before. We have here a good church and most valuable church property. We have also a parsonage; this, however, the brethren think of selling the coming summer in order to build larger and better.

     The Rock Bluff Mission--Bro. H. P. Mann, pastor--embraces the eastern part of Cass county. A destructive hail storm visited this part of the county in July, destroying most of the wheat crop and injuring very materially the corn, dispiriting the people, and embarrassing them financially. Notwithstanding this, however, they rallied to the work, and the finances of this charge, as well as its spirituality, are in a healthy condition. Last year a church was built at Rock Bluffs and one at Union. Early the present Conference year these churches were both finished. On the church at Union a debt of $500 was hanging. At Rock Bluffs there was a debt of $641. Last May we dedicated the church at Union, and the people responded to the call and removed from it the indebtedness. On the 5th of this month we dedicated the church at Rock Bluffs, the people first coming up and paying off the entire debt. Both churches are now free of debt, and the people greatly rejoice.

     Under the administration of Bro. Mann, a revival was had in both these churches, resulting in 4 conversions, and greatly strengthening the church; and Rock Bluffs is now one of the inviting fields of labor in the Conference.

     Mt. Pleasant circuit--Bro. A. L. Folden, pastor,--embraces the central part of Cass county. This is one of the oldest, wealthies, and most Methodistic circuits in the Conference. Having a live man as pastor, live men as leaders and stewards, live women at the head of the Sabbath schools, and a live membership, Mt. Pleasant is emphatically a live circuit.

     Brother Folden, having no children of his own, is nevertheless very deeply interested in the welfare of the children of others, and spares no pains in their religious instruction; and he has had the privilege of seeing all the regular attendants of the Sabbath school at Mt. Pleasant and Eight Mile Grove happily converted to God. Had we but one advice to give to ministers and laymen, that advice would be, "Take care of the lambs." This is the most important work in all the department of the church; and this work Bro. Folden most faithfully performs. Under his efficient ministry, Mt. Pleasant, Eight Mile Grove, and Weeping Falls have been visited with gracious revivals of religion, and multitudes, old and young, have been made the recipients of saving grace. Over 150 have been converted to God.

     At Weeping Water, a church of the best limestone, 32x60 feet, is
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being erected. The walls are partly up, and the material is on the ground for its completion, and it will be finished early the coming summer. When done it will be one of the most beautiful and substantial church edifices in the bounds of the Conference. There has been a increase in every department of the church on this circuit the past year. South Bend mission embraces the northern and western part of Cass county. We employed Bro. W. D. Gage to supply this work.

     At Rolling Green appointment a very extensive revival of religion took place during the winter, resulting in some forty conversions, and at other points there is a growing interest. At Rolling Green initiatory steps have been taken for the erection of a church, and a house of worship will be built there the coming summer. There has been an advance in every department of the church. This work embraces a very large territory and ought to be divided.

     The Wyoming mission embraces the northern part of Otoe county. We employed Bro. Harrison Presson to supply this work, and under his labors the membership has about doubled.

     At the commencement of the Conference year, the most western appointment in the district was Seward mission.

     Bishop Ames requested me to superintend the work on the line of the B. & M. R. R. as far west as Fort Kearney, and organize and supply work as fast as the necessities of the case required. In June we employed Bro. George W. Gue, a transfer from the Central Illinois Conference, to go into Fillmore county and organize a circuit. Bro. Gue went to work, visiting and preaching to the people, in their cabins, sod houses, "dug outs," and tents, and succeeded in organizing several classes, and receiving into the church ninety-nine members. He has built a church at Fairmont, which is all done except plastering, painting and seating, in which we held quarterly meeting last Saturday and Sabbath, and has contracted for the brick for a church seven miles northwest of Fairmont, and made arrangements for the building of another seven miles south of Fairmont. At Fairmont, nine months ago, there was not a single house; nothing but the wild, unbroken prairie, stretching away in every direction as far as vision could extend. Now these prairies are dotted all over with houses; large farms have been opened, thousands of acres have been broken, and prepared for crops this season. Fairmont was then nothing but a grassy plain; now it is a thriving village with five stores, a large hotel, a beautiful church, with a live and intelligent membership.

     In Clay county Bro. Newman W. Brass organized a work, and reports thirty members, and the people there desire a pastor the coming year.

     Into Adams county, which lies directly west of Clay, a large colony from Michigan imigrated last year, many of whom were members of the M. E. Church; many more from the same place, as well as from other places, will imigrate there the coming summer. They desire also that the Conference send them a preacher.

      Into the counties on the line of the B. & M. R. R., between Lincoln and Fort Kearney, thousands of imigrants will pour this spring and the coming summer.

     Two railroads, running in a northwestern direction from Lincoln, will, in all probability, be built this season, and the counties of Seward, York, Polk, Butler and Hamilton will more than double their population the next year. The church will be recreant to her high trust and responsibilities if she does not see to it that these teeming thousands have the bread of life given them.

     As we have traveled through these counties and looked upon this beautiful and most delightful country, with its broad and undulating prairies, its many winding streams, skirted with timber, meandering their way in every direction, with its deep, black soil, unsurpassed in richness; as we have mingled with the settlers in their rude dwellings, and partaken of their hospitalities in the cabin, the sod house and the dug out; as we have conversed with them upon their present and future prospects; as we have heard them tell of the many friends away back in eastern States that were soon coming to join them in their western homes, it has seemed that we could almost hear the tramp of the coming thousands, and see villages and cities rising in every direction, and farms crowning every hillside and beautifying every valley; and then, as we have thought of the great work for the church to accomplish in this new land, we have involuntarily exclaimed, "Who is sufficient for these things?" We tremble when we think of the responsibilities resting upon us as God's servants. Here must be laid deep and broad the foundations of our Zion; this country must be given to God; these coming thousands must be won to Christ; these villages and cities must be crowded with churches; God's people must breast the wave of wickedness flowing into these cities, villages and rural districts; the religious element must keep pace with the material development of the State, or we as a church will be culpable, and on our skirts the blood of immortal souls, at the judgment day, will be found.

     During the year, two good parsonages have been built, and two churches. Three churches have been completed, and debts hanging over them removed; and arrangements have been made for the building of seven other churches, some of which are in course of erection, one being half done.

     At the beginning of the year there were, including probationers, 1,084 members; now there are 1,927, being a net increase of 843, or about ninety per cent. There has been an advance in the Sunday School department, and also in the benevolent collections of the church.

     We have been able, under the Providence of God, to attend every quarterly meeting except one, and would have attended that had there been Sabbaths enough; there not being enough, however, we sent a good substitute, while we held quarterly meeting on another charge. We have held meetings in the beautiful church, in the tented grove, in

the frame and sod school house, in private dwellings, built of sod, and the dugout, and in all these different places of worship--some of them rude sanctuaries indeed--we have witnessed the most signal displays o divine power in the conversion of souls. And the happy meetings we have had in these places of worship will never be erased from memory We have been very forcibly reminded of the fact that happiness comes not from surroundings, but from within, and we have changed that couplet a little and have sung,

"Sod houses palaces prove,
If Jesus dwells with us there."

H. T. DAVIS     .

     The country included in Omaha District at the time of last report has since been divided and Covington District formed out of the northern part.

     All the railroads north of Platte River and the adjacent settlements are included within the present limits of the District.

     The past has been an eventful year. Tornadoes and hail during the summer, and in the fall, prairie fires at home and conflagrations near the base of our commercial supplies have seriously injured the business of the country. The winter has been long and severe, suspending church building, and, in our sparcely (sic) settled country rendering special religious services impracticable. And the heavy pressure in monetary matters during the whole year has paralyzed some church enterprizes (sic) and greatly retarded others.

     All these things seem to have been against us. We have been "perplexed but not in despair;" for the Lord has been specially favorable to His cause, and we are thankful to report progress.

     Omaha First Church commenced the year under the inspiration of a revival. And there has been a steady improvement in all the elements which constitute the power and secure the success of a church.

     Dr. De La Matyr has fully sustained the prestige of the pulpit, and closed up his third year greatly beloved by the friends of the church and respected by the whole community.

     The people are heartily enlisted in the cause of Domestic Missions, but prefer that their contributions should be applied under their own observation. And while some frontier charges have not even paid the traveling expenses of the Presiding Elder, this charge, receiving less supervision and labor, have paid him $300; and thus they bear the burdens of the weaker societies.

     The Sabbath School seems each session to be in the very zenith of its excellence. The officers and teachers present a rare example of promptness and adaptability and faithfulness in their work. Whatever money can purchase--judicious management and faithful labor can accomplish,

are here applied to make Sabbath School instruction attractive and successful.

     The Second Church of Omaha was left to be supplied, and Rev. C. A. King was transferred from Maine Conference and appointed pastor. Bro. King makes religion a speciality in public and private. Some call it holiness. I call it Gospel, not objecting to their term, which is scriptural, but preferring its scriptural synonym. Bro. King is a good preacher, an excellent pastor, and well adapted to cope with real life, intensified as it is in western customs and progress. There has been no special revival but a revival influence has prevailed during most of the year and many have been converted and added to the church.

     Blair Circuit was left to be supplied, and Rev. M. E. Hysore was transferred from central New York Conference and appointed pastor. Bro. Hysore's health was seriously impaired when he reached the State, and it steadily declined under his arduous labors until his physicians advised him to suspend public speaking and seek a milder climate. He therefore resigned the charge, and he is now under medical treatment in Baltimore, Md. Bro. Hysore is an able minister of the Gospel, faithfully caring for all the interests of the church. He carried forward some necessary improvements on the church, and reduced the indebtedness of the society.

     Calhoun Mission--W. H. Woods, pastor. This was a new work, having scarcely a nucleus of a society; but it was thought that under proper management it would develop into a strong and prosperous charge. But the mission has not enjoyed the prosperity we desired. Bro. Woods has exhibited piety, energy and industry in his work, but he lacks judgment and adaptability and business capacity. He has done what he could, but not what the church or the world, even, expects of a Methodist minister.

     Bellevue Circuit has had some severe trials the past year. A storm of wind and hail passed through Sarpy county, completely destroying the crops in its track, and seriously injuring trees and dwellings. The church at Fairview was badly injured, but the damages have been repaired. A lot for parsonage has been secured in the town of Papillion, and preparations made to build early in the spring.

     A camp meeting was held on the circuit, but it occurred during the rainy season and the camp ground was not dry during the meeting; consequently the results were not what we anticipated; but a revival broke out soon after the camp meeting and prevailed extensively in a settlement near the camp ground.

     The people have been greatly embarrassed by reason of the failure of crops, and they have been unable to pay the preacher his full salary, but Bro. Slaughter has cheerfully shared with them in their privations, and faithfully performed the labors of preacher and pastor.

     Elkhorn Mission--J. Adriance, pastor. Bro. Adriance is a man of principle and labor. He never slops over with enthusiasm, and he never backslides. He is always in the right place and always at work.

      The church and parsonage have been repainted, a church debt considerably reduced, and the condition of the charge has been improved.

     West Point Mission--F. M. Esterbrook, pastor. A house of worship in West Point has been leased for two years, and the rent paid in advance. A lot for a church has been secured in the town of Wisner, the present terminus of the Fremont & Elkhorn Valley R. R.

     Bro. Esterbrook has now closed his third year on this mission, and he enjoys in a high degree the confidence and affection of the people.

     Fremont Station--C. McKelvey, pastor. There has been a healthy improvemont (sic) of all the church interests during the year, and a gracious revival during the winter.

     Bro. McKelvey has fully sustained himself in the confidence and affection of the people, and they desire his return for the third year.

     North Bend Circuit--Geo. W. DeLaMatyr, pastor. This work has been organized during the year out of new material, excepting one small class which was set off from Fremont Circuit.

     A church lot has been secured at North Bend, and a church commenced, and it would have been completed had not the winter been more severe than usual.

     There was no missionary appropriation to this circuit, and, considering the ability of the people, Bro. DeLaMatyr has collected a large amount for the purpose of building a house of worship, but his receipts on salary have been very small, scarcely enough to pay for the carpenter work which he has done on the church. He has therefore been compelled to depend upon his own resources for the support of his family. But he has labored faithfully as a minister of the gospel, and he has failed to meet his appointments but two Sabbaths in the year.

     There is a gratifying increase in the membership and spirituality of the charge.

     Schuyler Mission has enjoyed much prosperity under the labors of Bro. Marquett.

     A parsonage has been built at Schuyler, and paid for. A circuit camp-meeting was held, which proved a great success. Many were converted and added to the church. A work of grace has visited Schuyler, and several of the leading citizens gathered into the church. And at another appointment south of the Platte a sweeping revival followed his labors. And among those who sought religion and a home in the church were a saloon keeper and his wife. They were soundly converted, and witnessed a good profession.

     This fact is worthy of note, for I fear some of us have classified liquor dealers with the persons who are not to be prayed for, and only to be mentioned with. denunciation, or, as illustrations of the doctrine of total depravity. This may be a rare exception, possibly is, but it is an omen of mercy.

     Bro. Marquett never complains and never desponds, although his

salary is not fully paid. He is true to his mission and God gives him fruit.

     Columbus Mission--L. F. Whitehead, pastor. At Columbus a Union church has been erected by the Methodists and Presbyterians. The property is held in trust for the two societies by a Board of Trustees, appointed by the churches interested. The article of agreement is so carefully drawn, and the interests of each society so guarded that there is no temptation to overreach each other, for no misunderstanding can arise, and no advantage in the occupancy of the house is possible. Each society occupies the church each alternate week, and neither one cares to occupy it more than this. In this manner they are to hold and use the church jointly for two years; then sell it and divide the proceeds equally between the two societies, when, it is hoped, each will be strong enough to build.

     There has been some revival influence at the Union church, and several have been converted.

     Bro. Whitehead is a young man, and this is his first year in the ministry. He entered upon his work with a good degree of energy, but unfortunately was laid aside for several weeks with typhoid fever, and the interests of the charge suffered somewhat in consequence. But upon the whole he has done a good work. He is quite popular and the people desire his return.

     Grand Island Mission was left to be supplied, and J. C. Lewis, a supernumerary of Illinois Conference appointed pastor. But his health continued poor, and he resigned in the middle of the year. Rev. M. A. Fairchild was then appointed to the charge, and he entered with energy upon the work. He has labored with special reference to the conversion of sinners and building up the church, and in the scattered settlements of the frontier he has gathered in seventy members and probationers.

     Plattford was left to be supplied, and a supply not being at hand, and the charge not considered as important as Gregory's, Bros. Slaughter and Adriance kindly consented to supply the work without the missionary funds. And Bishop Ames gave permission to apply that appropriation to Gregory's, and it was done. Plattford has not been maintained as a pastoral charge, but incorporated with Bellevue and Elkhorn.

     Gregory's was left to be supplied, and Richard Pearson appointed pastor. He met with an accident in the summer, which disabled him a few weeks, and he suffered deep affliction in his family in the sickness and death of his only child. This detained him from a few appointments, but he has labored with great acceptability, and he is recommended for admission into the traveling connection.

     There was no class organized at the beginning of the year; now there are six, and a membership of eighty. A half block has been secured in the town of Eldred for church and parsonage, and funds subscribed for

parsonage, with a view of building last fall, but the, cold weather prevented.

     The Scandinavian Mission of Nebraska was established one year ago, and an appropriation of $300 obtained from the contingent fund. S. A. Westergren was appointed missionary, but he refused to go to his work, and has since disappeared from the country. At the request of Bishop Ames, I applied to Rev. S. B. Newman, P. E. of the Swede Mission District, Illinois Conference, for another man, and he recommended Peter Lindquist, a local preacher of Chicago. Bro. Lindquist reported to me about the 1st of October, 1871, and was assigned to the mission, with the agreement that he should receive but $150 of the mission funds for the remainder of the conference year. Bro. Lindquist has labored incessantly among his people, traveling and preaching in four P. E. 's districts, and he has organized societies in all these districts. The Scandinavians in the State number 10,000--they are generally irreligious, but moral and industrious. They are widely scattered, like sheep without a shepherd, but eager to receive any one who cares for their souls and who can impart religious instruction in their own language. There is a pressing demand upon our church for more men and more money for this work.

     The district is organized a distance of 200 miles west of the Missouri River, and societies formed and preaching maintained in nearly all the settlements. This part of the State is rapidly settling up, and the prospects for a large immigration are better now than they have ever been in the past. No other part of the country has been so well supplied with railroads at so early a date in its history. The soil, climate and water are unsurpassed. Water power for manufacturing purposes is abundant. The public school system, with all the modern improvements, is in successful operation. Society is chiefly made up of the enterprizing (sic) and industrious. This class usually acquire education, and acquire it in such a way that it is of great practical benefit to the world. But the so-called higher class who have wealth, and live in luxurious idleness, do not come west. And the lower class, composed of the ignorant and worthless, are not here. They have not the industry to obtain an education, nor the enterprise to get out of the ruts of eastern customs. And although egotism may have styled the enterprizing (sic) and laboring people the middle class, they are really the highest, most honorable and useful. And it is this class of people who are pouring into Nebraska and must be provided with religious instruction.

     We have not here the facilities for educating Men to meet and direct this influx of intelligence and enterprize (sic), and we must have preachers from the east. The best of the eastern people are seeking homes among us, and we must have the best preachers, also. No others should be encouraged to come or transferred if they desire to come.

A. G. WHITE, P. E.     

     Covington District is bounded on the north and east by the Missouri river, on the south by Omaha District, and on the west by the setting sun, and embraces a territory of about 10,000 square miles. This district was organized one year ago, with five circuits or missions, five of which were left to be supplied.

     Arizona circuit lies in the extreme southwestern part of the district, and is in a prosperous condition. Rev. J. M. Adair, a man true to the cause of God and to the church, has just closed his second years labors on this charge, with much credibility to himself and to the church.

     There have been no revivals on this charge this year. This is owing in part to the fact that last year was a season of great success. But the church this year, under the efficient labors of Bro. Adair, has held her own. There are no church edifices upon this charge. The people worship in commodious school houses. There is a parsonage yet incomplete, and an acre of ground as good as the Missouri valley can afford, which will yield to the preacher and his family an abundance of garden sauce, unless he should happen to be one of those who are constitutionally tired. The parsonage is 16x24 feet square, and a story and a half high. The outside is made of pine; the inside is sheeted with inch cottonwood boards, and covered with paper. Bro. Adair has added to the convenience of the parsonage a good drive well, and freed all from debt.

     DECATUR.--This is one of the oldest charges in the Conference, and seems to be somewhat fated. I judge, from what I can learn, that there has never been but one preacher upon the charge since its organization who has given anything like general satisfaction, and that was brother Spilman, now in the regions of the south.

     Rev. Wm. Peck, at the beginning of the year, was appointed to this charge under very adverse circumstances. Some of the people, desiring another man, were unwilling to submit to the constituted authorities of the church, and consequently received Bro. Peck very coolly, or not at all. This had the effect to retard very much the cause of the church. Bro. Peck; however, firm and faithful at his post, has done valiantly, and shown himself equal to an emergency, under which most men would have yielded and abandoned the work. But he has, like a christian hero, gone forward in the discharge of his duties to the extent of his abilities and experience, and has, in some degree, increased the membership of the charge. His support has been very meagre,--only a little above the missionary appropriation,, which is $125.

     There is no parsonage on this charge, and the people worship in school houses, except at Decatur, where there is a church and lot valued at $1,000. It is not entirely free from debt, yet not embarrassed.

     LOGAN VALLEY MISSION is comparatively a new field. It was organized two years ago. At the commencement of the year now closed, it was very much reduced in every way, in finances, membership and territory. Three classes were taken from it and added to other circuits.
     6

Rev. J. W. Perkins, who served this work last year so successfully, has been in charge of it this year also. He, finding the work too limited for his active energies, went into the regions beyond, and has greatly enlarged the borders of Zion: He has held several series of meetings, together with a camp-meeting, and the Lord has owned and blessed his efforts, and many souls have been added to the church. He reports a large increase of members. There is no parsonage or church upon this charge.

     MADISON MISSION is a new work, and lies in the extreme western part of the district, embracing nearly all of Madison, a part of Boon (sic), and the whole of Antelope counties. One year ago Rev. George H. Wehn was appointed to this newly organized mission. When he entered upon his work, he found a class of four of five members formed on Union Creek. From this small beginning he has gone on heroically, ascending the Elkhorn river and its tributaries, doing the work of an evangelist, and now reports five classes, and a membership, including probationers, of more than one hundred souls. He has also organized and had in successful operation, during the summer and fall, three Sunday schools. In addition to the above, Bro. Wehn thought it not good to be alone, and has taken to himself a help-meet, a very excellent young lady, who will doubtless be a great help to him in the cause of the Master.

     This mission has assumed such proportions that necessity will dictate a division for the ensuing year. The majority part of the population of this charge are homesteaders, and, as is usual with that class of new settlers, the most of them are limited in means, and, as a consequence, Bro. Wehn's support has been very small. The missionary appropriation was $150. The people worship in school houses, private dwellings and the grove. At the yellow clay banks on the Elkhorn river, in the month of August, was held a camp-meeting, which resulted in forty accessions to the church.

     NORFOLK,--This also is a new field. It was opened up the last year and left to be supplied. It embraces a fraction of Madison county, extending down the Elkhorn river through,-- Stanton county, thence through the upper settlement on Plum Creek to LaPort, the capital of Wayne county. I was unable to find a suitable man to take charge of this work until the year was half gone, at which time I secured the services of Rev. S. B. York. He commenced opperations (sic) in October, and has since then done efficient service. He reports four classes and twenty-eight members and probationers. Bro. York is highly esteemed by his people, who unanimously ask his return. He comes up to this Conference with a recommend for admission on trial in the traveling connection. During the first half of the year I visited this work, and preached at different points. At LaPort I organized a Sunday school, took up a collection and obtained for them a twenty dollar library.

     The missionary appropriation to this work was $100. And as labor did not begin until the year had half expired, I thought it legitimate to

withhold one-half of the appropriation, and report it returned. At the last quarterly meeting Bro. York had received from the charge $170 in cash.

     DAKOTA.--This is a work of growing importance. At Covington there is a beautiful and commodious church edifice; though not finished is usable with temporary seats. Scarcity of money has compelled the trustees to defer the completion of the church for the present, but it will be completed at no distant day. Rev. J. H. DeLaMatyr, late of Wisconsin, was appointed to this charge, and is an efficient worker, he has secured by good title a quarter of a block in an eligile part of Dakota City, and has in process of erection a brick church, 32x48 feet square, and 17 feet story, which, for style, taste, convenience and durability, will compare favorably with any church in the Conference. This church is rapidly approaching completion, and will cost about 3,500. The people have done well in this noble work, but the trustees will need foreign aid to help them out.

     Bro. DeLaMatyr has just closed a series of meetings, protracted four or five weeks, and the Lord has gloriously revived his work. Forty souls have united with the church,--some of the first men of the place. Bro. DeLaMatyr is much beloved among his people, who express strong desires for his return.

     PONCA is a new work. It was set off from Dakota at the last Conference. It is now large enough for two circuits, and but for want of support, should be divided. This was left to be supplied by Rev. Wm. H. Porter. He commenced operations about the middle of April. In the month of September last a camp-meeting was held within bounds of the charge, which resulted in much good. By it a revival flame was kindled, which is still burning. Bro. P. has had revivals at several points on his charge, and has more than doubled the membership. At Ponca we have five lots deeded for a church site, and a church in process of erection. The contract was let to be completed by the 15th of January last, but the severity of the weather and a lack of funds caused a delay. The house is expected to be ready for dedication early in the spring. Bro. Porter is well liked by his people, who recommend him for admission to the traveling connection, and unanimously ask that he be returned. Bro. P. has nothing prepossessing in his personal appearance or in his manners, yet if we are to judge of a wan by *What he can do, Bro. P. will win his way anywhere.

     NIOBRARA is in the extreme northwestern part of the State, and may be in the future a place of importance, but is far from that now. This work was left to be supplied, and still remains without a supply, for want of support. During last summer or fall I visited that far off region, and preached at Niobrara and at Covington. At the former place there were about forty persons, and at the latter about 12 or 15, they having failed to get notice of my coming. Covington is the center of the Bruce colony. There are in this colony eighty homesteads entered, and when

I was there thirty of them were occupied. Dry Prairie and Pierce are other places where people should have preaching. With a moderate missionary appropriation, these far off people could be served with the Gospel.

     ST. JAMES.--St. James is an old field with about forty members, and was left to be supplied. Rev. George Scott, of the Wesleyan connection of old England was employed as a supply. He entered upon the duties of the pastor of this charge some time in June. Since then he has been efficiently at work. At New Castle he has secured a lot for a parsonage, and raised a subscription to build thereon. The materials are nearly all provided for, and some of the lumber is upon the ground.

     At St. James he has obtained a lot and subscription for a church. The job has been let, and the church was to have been completed by the 15th of January, 1871. But the early winter and severity of the weather forstalled operations, but the work is now progressing, and the contractor says the house will be completed and ready to dedicate soon. The society at this point is very weak, and will need foreign aid to help them through with their noble enterprise. Bro. Scott has received a recommendation to the traveling connection, and the people want him for their pastor next year.

     From the foregoing it will be seen that the good work is progressing within the bounds of the district. And I think that the footings of the exact reports from the several charges will show an increase in members and probationers of not less than one hundred per cent, and of church property the same.

     In thus reviewing the work, accomplished during the year with divine blessing, we have reason to thank God and take fresh courage.

S. P. VAN DUZER.     

CONFERENCE ROLL.

	Address	NAMES.	Address.
Adriance, Jacob	Fontenelle	King, Cyrus A	Schuyler
Adair, J. M.	Omaha	Lemon, T. B.	Nebraska City
Alexander, G. S.	Lincoln	Miller, J. G.	Ashland
Burns, Isaac		Maxfield, J. B	Beatrice
Burch, Hiram	Peru	Mann, H. P.
Britt, L. F.	Pawnee City	May, D. H.
Blackburn, W. S.	Peru	Marquett, David
Blackwell, A. G.	Mt. Pleasant	Martin, J. W.	Tecumseh
Cannon, J. T.	Union	McKelvey, Charles	Omaha
Crane, Rufus H.		Manley, S. H.	Lincoln
Colt, W. B. M.	Wautiska	Moran, W. E.
Davis H. T.	Lincoln	Pritchard, Martin	Peru
DeLaMatyr, G. W.	Fremont	Presson, W. A	Falls City
DeLaMatyr, J. H.	Dakota,	Presson, J. H.	Plattsmouth
Elwood, G. W.	Blue Springs	Presson, Harrison
Esterbrook, F. M.		Parker, B. C.
Fort, J. L.		Roberts, J. J.	Lincoln
Folden, A. L.	Mt. Pleasant	Shinn, Moses F.	Omaha
Fulford, E. J.		Slaughter, W. B.	Brownville
Giddings, C. W.	Pawnee City	Smith, L. W.	Table Rock
Grantham, W. P.		Swartz, A. J.	Beatrice
Gue, G. W.	Omaha	Turman, T. B.	Table Rock
Gage,. W. D.		Taylor, J. W.
Hart, David	Whig Valley, Mo	VanAnda, J. A	Va. City, M. T.
Hysore, M. E.		Vanduzer, S. P	Dakota
Janney, Lewis	West Point	White, A. G.	Fremont
Johnson, R. C.		Ward, D. J.

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