NEGenWeb Project
Resource Center
Church

      The Nebraska Annual Conference of the M. E. Church met for its twenty-first session, at York, on Wednesday morning, September 14th, 1881, at half-past eight o'clock, Bishop Ft. S. Foster in the chair.

     Devotional exercises were conducted by H. Burch, who read the fourth chapter of 1 Corinthians, and announced the 789 hymn. After which Bishop Foster, assisted by the Presiding Elders, proceeded to the administration of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

     The roll of the Conference was then called by S. H. Henderson, the secretary of the last Conference, and the following brethren reported:

     D. Andrus, W. S. Blackburn, A. G. Blackwell, L. F. Britt, A. Brigham, C. L. Brockway, H. Burch, J. A. Chapin, Jabez Charles, R. Cooley, A. C. Crosthwaite, H. T. Davis, D. S. Davis, J. A. Dixon, F. B. Donisthorpe, F. M. Esterbrook, H. A. Ewell, J. Q. A. Fleharty, A. L. Folden, J. Fowler, J. Gallagher, J. Gray, E. J. Hancock, S. H. Henderson, H. Hill, G. A. Hobson, A. Hodgetts, P. C. Johnson, W. R. Jones. J. B. Leedom, T. B. Lemon, C. A. Lewis, D. Marquette, P. S. Mather, J. B. Maxfield, J. G. Miller, W. G. Miller, R. Pearson, W. Peck, H. Presson, J. H. Presson, Charles Reilly, Z. S. Rhone, S. D. Roberts, D. F. Rodabaugh, J. P. Roe, J. W. Shank, O. P. Sheldon, C. L. Smith, G. A. Smith, J. L. St Clair, J. W. Stewart, E. Thomson, W. H. Tibbits, S. P. Vandoozer, P. Van Fleet, W. F. Warren, C. W. Wells, E. Wilkinson, E. J. Willis, S. P. Wilson, J. R. Wolfe, S. Wood, W. M. Worley, T. H. Worley.

     The following brethren, on trial, responded when their names were called:

     Second Year--W. H. Carter, E. G. Fowler, W. F. Grundy, H. C. Harmon, W. K. Loofbourrow, A. Madole, C. A. Mastin, J. A. Nichols, S. S. Penepacker, G. W. Selby, A. H. Summers.

     First Year--W. Esplin, D. Fetz. J. R. Gearhart, C. F. Hay-

wood, G. S. Miner, J. G. Walker, R. B. Wilson, I. Woodman, J. H. Worley, H. F. Tyler.

     The Bishop then announced the transfer of R. G. Adams, from the Troy Conference; J. N. Thompson, from the Kentucky Conference, and E. J. Bird, from the Blue Ridge Conference.

     J. Gallagher and S. H. Aenderson (sic) were nominated for the office of Secretary, and a ballot ordered. W. M. Worley, W. Peck, C. A. Lewis and D. Marquette were appointed tellers. The ballots were taken, and the tellers retired.

     Conference ordered the appointment of standing committees, with S. H. Henderson as temporary Secretary.

     Presiding Elders, by their Secretary, D. F. Rodabaugh, reported the nominations as follows:

     On Public Worship--The Presiding Elder of Beatrice District and the preacher in charge of York station.

     On Education--S. H. Henderson, J. Gallagher, W. M. Worley, W. K. Beans, J. P. Roe, P. C. Johnson.

     On Tracts--J. Charles, H. A. Ewell, F. M. Esterbrook, E. Wilkinson, J. A. Dixon, J. W. Dobbs.

     On Temperance--C. L. Smith, A. Brigham, C. W. Wells, W. H. Carter, A. L. Folden, F. B. Donisthorpe.

     On Sunday Schools--J. B. Maxfield, E. J. Willis, W. F. Warren, R. Cooley, A. G. Blackwell, E. J. Hancock.

     On Bible Cause--P. S. Mather, S. P. VanDoozer, C. A. Lewis, J. Fowler, S. S. Penepacker, J. A. Nichols.

     Conference Stewards--J. W. Stewart, T. H. Worley, J. R. Wolfe, J. W. Shank, C. L. Smith, W. H. Tibbits.

     Statistical Committee--H. A. Ewell, J. R. Wolfe, C. Mastin, T. H. Worley, S. D. Roberts, and W. S. Blackburn.

     On New York Book Accounts--C. A. Lewis.

     On Current Book Accounts--A. Hodgetts, H. Presson, W. J. Barger, R. G. Adams, S. Wood, and G. A. Smith.

     On Woman's Foreign Missionary Society--J. Q. A. Fleharty, J. H. Presson, W. F. Warren, W. Peck, P. VanFleet, and O. P. Sheldon.

     On Memoirs--H. Burch, C. A. Lewis, and J. G. Miller.

     On Church Extension--W. K. Beans, S. P. Wilson, J. L. St. Clair, J. Gallagher, A. C. Crosthwaite, and L. F. Britt.

     On Periodicals--L. F. Britt, J. Fowler, S. D. Roberts, A. C. Williams, S. P. Wilson, and C. L. Smith.

     On Post Offices--G. A. Hobson.

     Auditing Committee--W. F. Warren, H. Burch, H. A. Ewell, C. W. Wells, A. C. Crosthwaite, and F. B. Donisthorpe.

     On Missions--The Presiding Elders.

     On Publication of Minutes--The Secretaries.

     On the State of the Church--S. P. Wilson, D. Andrus, R. Cooley, A. Hodgetts, C. L. Smith and J. W. Stewart.

     On Episcopal Fund--E. J. Hancock.

     On Freedman's Aid Society--J. A. Dixon, S. P. VanDoozer, A. L. Folden, W. M. Worley, C. A. Lewis, and O. P. Sheldon.

     And the report was adopted.

     The tellers returned and the Bishops announced as the result of the ballot, S. H. Henderson, 40 votes and J. Gallagher 24, and Bro. Henderson was therefore declared elected.

     The Secretary was allowed to appoint his assistants, and he named E. Thomson, R. Pearson, W. Peck, A. C. Crosthwaite, and John Gallagher.

     The bar of the Conference was fixed at the row of seats running from the far side of the chimney to the near side of the opposite window.

     On motion of T. H. Worley, the prayer service to-morrow morning was to be taken up in special prayer for the President of the United States--for his recovery, for his family, and for the nation.

     It was ordered that communications on subjects concerning which we have committees shall be referred to the chairman of the various committees.

     The Bishop presented communications on education, Sunday schools, and book accounts at New York, which were referred to the proper committees.

     The Bishop also presented a document concerning the Episcopal fund, which was read by the Secretary; and the Presiding Elders were instructed to make the apportionment asked for.

     F. B. Donisthorpe was appointed to act as Treasurer of the Conference, to receive all benevolent collections.

     A special session of Conference was ordered for this afternoon, at two o'clock, for the purpose of receiving statistics and Conference funds.

     The 20th question was taken up, and the list of effective elders was called by districts:

      1st. Hastings District. The name of C. L. Brockway, Presiding Elder of the District, was called, his character passed, and he represented by his district.

      The names of C. L. Smith, J. Q. A. Fleharty, A. C. Crosthwaite, and J. A. Dixon were called, their character passed, and they reported their collections. G. W. Elwood was announced as transferred to the Southern California Conference.

      The names of T. B. Lemon, Superintendent, and P. C. Johnson, Z. S. Rhone, and S. Wood, missionaries to the West Nebraska Mission, were called, and their character passed.

      A. G. Bartholomew, at his own request, was permitted to withdraw from the ministry, and his parchments were presented by T. B. Lemon.

      The ministerial papers of T. M. Munhall, a local elder, were handed to the Conference by C. L. Brockway.

      Nebraska City District was taken up. H. T. Davis, Presiding Elder, was called, his character passed, and he reported his district.

      The name of S. P. Wilson was called, and he reported his collections.

      At this time a list of charges was presented by D. Marquette to H. P. Davis, and by him handed to the Conference.

      On motion, the Conference decided to entertain the charges and raise a court for a trial.

      The Bishop announced the following brethren as the Committee of Trial, and they were confirmed: J. Fowler, S. P. VanDoozer, W. J. Barger, J. L. St. Clair, C. W. Wells, C. L. Smith, P. C. Johnson, D. Andrus. J. H. Wolfe, J. W. Dobbs, J. G. Miller, A. C. Williams, Z. S. Rhone, E. J. Hancock, and J. A. Chapin.

      The Bishop announced T. B. Lemon as President of the Court. F. M. Esterbrook, E. J. Willis, S. H. Henderson, A. Brigham, J. W. Taylor, H. Burch, J. H. Presson, H. Presson, and T. H. Worley were called, their character passed, and they reported their collections.

     Omaha District was taken up.

     W. G. Miller, Presiding Elder, was called, his character passed, and he reported his district.

     J. B. Maxfleld, W. K. Beans, fl. Marquette, S. P. VanDoozer, J. W. Shank, W. Peck, C. W. Wells, S. D. Roberts, D. Andrus, E. Wilkinson, R. G. Adams, and E. J. Bird were called, their character passed, and those who were present reported their collections.

     North Nebraska District was taken up.

     J. B. Leedom, Presiding Elder, was called, his character passed, and he reported his district.

     W. F. Warren, W. M. Worley, J. Fowler, J. R. Wolfe, J. L. St. Clair, and H. Hill were called, their character passed, and they reported their collections.

     On account of there being a vacancy in the Committee of Examination of the class of the first year, E. Thomson was put on the committee.

     The following was presented:

     WHEREAS, At the session of the Sunday School Association a resolution was passed to obtain an expression from each of the evangelical denominations concerning the expediency of establishing a State Union Assembly in Nebraska, on the plan of the Chatauqua Assembly; therefore be it
     Resolved, That the consideration of the expediency of entering into such an arrangement be referred to the Committee on Sunday Schools.

     And it was referred as requested.

     Lincoln District was taken up.

     W. R. Jones, Presiding Elder, was called, his character passed, and he reported his district.

     A. C. Williams, A. L. Folden, P. VanFleet, J. Gallagher, H. A. Ewell, R. Cooley, P. S. Mather, G. H. Wehn, A. G. White, W. H. Tibbits, and W. J. Barger were called, their character passed, and those present reported their collections.

     D. Marquette and J. B. Maxfleld were appointed to take care of the interests of the church in the case of S. P. Wilson.

     Brother Wilson named as his counsel S. H. Henderson and W. F. Warren.

     J. Gallagher and H. A. Ewell were appointed by the Secretary as the Secretaries of the Court.

     The following was presented and, at first, adopted; afterward reconsidered and laid on the table:

     Resolved, That all the moneys collected as interest on notes given to Nebraska Conference Seminary be included in the report of the educational collection.

     J. G. Miller was appointed by the Bishop to preside at the afternoon session.

     C. W. Wells was requested to conduct the devotional exercises this afternoon.

     S. H. Henderson was appointed to lead the prayer-meeting tomorrow morning.

     The announcements were then made and the Conference adjourned with the benediction by P. S. Mather.

     Conference met at 2 o'clock, J. G. Miller in the chair.

     The devotional exercises were conducted by C. W. Wells, who read the 91st Psalm and announced the 450th hymn.

     The roll was then called by districts, and representatives responded, with statistics and with funds, except from the following charges:

     18th Street Omaha, Osceola, Columbus, Albion, Fullerton, Wahoo, Norfolk and Stanton, Battle Creek, Wisner Circuit, Lincoln, Stromsburg, Ashland, Rock Creek, Elmwood, Waverly Circuit, Elmore, Alexandria,. Franklin, Crab Orchard, Blue Springs, Wilbur, and DeWitt, Steele City, Waco, Exeter, Dorchester, St. Joseph, Edgar, Upper Little Blue, Guide Rock, Republican City, and Alma.

     The Secretary of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of this Conference was requested to furnish a copy of her report to the Statistical Secretary.

     Conference adjourned with the bendiction (sic) by J. B. Maxfield.

     Conference met at 8:30 A.M., Bishop Foster in the chair.

     S. H. Henderson conducted the devotional exercises, reading the 2d chapter of 1st Timothy.

     Several prayers were offered for the President of the United States, for his family, and for the country.

     Minutes of yesterday morning and afternoon session were read, corrected and approved.

     The list of absentees was called and W. J. Barger, W. K. Beans, D. C. Brannon, J. W. Dobbs, G. K. Wehn, and A. C. Williams answered to their names.

     When the name of A. L. Goss was called it was announced that he had died on September 30th, 1880.

     On motion, the charges were called which were not reported on yesterday afternoon.

     R. Cooley, transferred at the last Conference, and Mr. Stubbs, representative of the Book Concern, were introduced.

     A communication from R. S. Rust concerning the Freedman's Aid Society was presented by the Bishop and read to the Conference, and referred to the Committee on Freedman's Aid.

     J. W. Shank offered the following, which was adopted:

     WHEREAS, The Hon. E. H. Rogers, late U. S. Consul to Vera Cruz, was twice a delegate to the General Conference of our church therefore
    Resolved, That the Committee on Memoirs be instructed to prepare a suitable memoir of our lamented Brother, and that it be published in the Conference minutes.

      J. G. Miller presented the following:

     Resolved, That if this Conference shall be divided, the boundary line between the two Conferences shall be the Platte river.

     The previous question was moved and it prevailed. The resolution was then carried.

     J. G. Miller then offered the following:

     Resolved, That under the enabling act of the last General Conference we deem it wise, at this time, to divive (sic) the Nebraska Conference into the Nebraska and North Nebraska Conferences, the Platte river to be the boundary line.

         2

     The previous question was moved and carried.

     The vote on the main question was then taken by ayes and noes, the following Brethren voting aye: Adams, Andrus, Barger, Blackwell, Brannon, Brigham, Brockway, Burch, Charles, Cooley, Crosthwaite, Davis H. T., Dobbs, Esterbrook, Ewell, Fleharty, Folden, Fowler L., Gallagher, Hancock, Henderson, Hill, Hobson, Jones, Leedom, Lemon, Lewis, Mather, Miller J. G., Presson H., Reilly, Rhone, Shank, Tibbits, Wehn, Wells, Wilson, Wolfe, Worley T. H.--39

     And the following voting no: Beans, Bird, Blackburn, Britt, Chapin, Dixon, Donisthorpe, Gray, Hodgetts, Johnson P. C., Marquette, Maxfield, Miller W. G., Pearson, Peck, Presson J. H., Roberts, Rodabaugh, Roe, Sheldon, Smith C. L., Smith G. A., St. Clair, Stewart, Thomson E., Van Fleet, Van Doozer, Warren, Williams, Wilkinson, Willis and Worley W. M.--32.

     It was moved that a committee of one from each district be appointed to consider the subject of the western boundary line, and to report to-morrow morning.

     An amendment was made that we recommend that from the point where the U. P. railroad crosses the Platte river to the western line of the State, that railroad shall be the boundary. All appointments north of that road in the mission be regarded as belonging to the North Nebraska Conference, and those south to the Nebraska Conference.

     The amendment was lost and the original motion carried.

     The 20th question resumed.

     Beatrice district was taken up.

     D. F. Rodabaugh, Presiding Elder, was called; his character was passed and he reported his district.

     L. F. Britt, J. W. Stewart, G. A. Smith, R. Pearson, J. P. Roe, F. B. Donisthorpe, J. W. Dobbs, E. J. Hancock, E. Thomson, and W. S. Blackburn were called, their characters passed, and those that were pastors reported their collections.

     J. Gray was called, his character passed, and he addressed the Conference concerning his relation, but the consideration of the subject was postponed.

     J. P. Roe was granted a supernumerary relation, without an appointment, at his own request.
        4

     The following were designated to receive the Benevolent collections: O. P. Sheldon, Freedman's Aid Funds; J. W. Stewart, Missionary Funds; D. Marquette, Church Extension Funds; W. H. Tibbits, Superannuate Funds; A G. Blackwell, Sunday School and Tract Funds; W. S. Blackburn, Education; P. S. Mather, Bible Cause; J. Q. A. Fleharty, W. F. M. Society.

     The Bishop announced that the class of the second year would be called at 9:30 A. M. to-morrow.

     The 13th question was taken up--" Who are the traveling deacons of the second class?"

     Oscar P. Sheldon, John A. Chapin, Alfred Hodgetts, Jabez Charles and George A. Hobson, were called.

     They reported their collections; were represented by their Presiding Elders; their examinations were reported, their characters passed; and they were advanced to deacons of the 2d class.

     Alfred J. Backwell's character passed and he was left in the 1st class of deacons.

     The character of N. H. Gale was passed.

     J. N. Thompson was announced as transferred to the S. E. Indiana Conference.

     The 18th question was taken up--" Who are the supernumerary preachers?"

     G. B. Crippen, J. M. Adair, J. M. Richards, S. H. Manly, D. C. Brannon, R. C. Johnson, J. G. Miller, J. S. Orr, G. W. De La Matyr, W. D. Gage, J. Marsh, C. Reilly, L. W. B. Long, J. L. Fort, D. S. Davis, were called and their characters passed.

     T. B. Crippen, J. M. Adair, J. M. Richards, D. C. Brannon, R. C. Johnson, J. G. Miller, and J. S. Orr were continued in the same relation.

     Brothers Manly and De La Matyr were also continued, and the Secretary was directed to write to them that the Conference desires a report from them or otherwise the Conference may locate them.

     W. D. Gage was changed from supernumerary to superanuate (sic) relation.

     D. S. Davis, J. Marsh, and C. Reilly were made effective.

     A communication was read from L. W. B. Long, and at his own request he was granted a location.

     A communication from the Book Concern was presented and referred to the Committee on Current Book Accounts.

     On motion, the case of A. G. Bartholomew was reconsidered and referred to the Presiding Elder, in whose bounds he resides, for investigation, and the said Presiding Elder was ordered to retain his parchments.

     The Conference Treasurer was directed to pay funds of the W. F. M. Society to Mrs. Shelley, representative of that society.

     The 19th question was taken up--Who are the superanuate (sic) preachers?

     L. W. Smith, Z. B. Turman, L. Janney, J. Adriance, J. C. Cannon, and C. G. Lathrop were called, their characters passed, and their relation continued.

     The Bishop announced as the Committee on Western Boundary: J. B. Maxwell, F. M. Esterbrook, J. G. Miller, J. L. St. Clair, A. C. Crosthwaite, and P. C. Johnson.

     S. H. Henderson offered the following:

     Resolved, That the several Committees on Tract, Sunday School, Freedman's Aid and Church Extension be requested to report a form of organization of Conference societies in these several interests.

     J. L. St. Clair was excused from Committee on Current Book Accounts, and A. Hodgetts put in his place.

     D. Marquette was excused from the Committee on Church Extension and W. K. Beans put on as substitute.

     A. Brigham was appointed to receive the educational funds collected on Children's Day and forward the same to Dr. Kidder.

     The annual report from the Book Concern was read by the Secretary and referred to the Committee on Periodicals.

     Tracts from the Tract and Freedman's Aid Society were presented for distribution.

     The Bishop announced that the Conference could draw $30 on the Chartered Fund, and the draft was ordered.

     J. B. Maxfield was appointed to conduct prayer service to-morrow morning. Announcements were made and benediction pronounced by T. B. Lemon.

     Conference met at 8:30 A. M., Bishop Foster in the chair.

     Introductory prayer service was led by J. B. Maxfield, who read the 91st Psalm.

     The minutes of yesterday's session were read, corrected, and approved.

     The Board of Visitors to the Nebraska Conference Seminary presented a report, which was referred to the Committee on Education.

     G. A. Smith was instructed to send a telegram to the general ticket agent of the B. & M. railroad asking an extension of time on the issuing of return passes.

     The 3d question--Who remain on trial ?--was taken up.

     Riley B. Wilson, James H. Gearhart, Charles F. Heywood, James H. Worley, John G. Walker, William Esplin, David Fetz, George S. Miner, and Harvey F. Tyler were called and. their characters passed.

     They reported their collections; their examinations were reported; they were represented by their Presiding Elders, and were advanced to the next class.

     William Gorst and Ira Woodman were remanded to the class of the 1s1 year.

     Marcellus L. Storer and Leslie Stevens were called and their characters passed. They were represented by their Presiding Elder, who announced that they would be examined at the Mission Conference, and he would report their examinations at the next session, to which the Conference agreed.

     The 5th question--Who are admitted into full connection?"--was taken up.

     The class was called forward and addressed by the Bishop, and the disciplinary questions were proposed and answered.

     The characters of William K. Loofbourrow, Joseph A. Nichols, Alvin Madole, Charles A. Mastin, Wilbur F. Grundy, Albert H. Summers, Edward G. Fowler, and Samuel S. Penepacker were passed; they reported their collections, and they were represented by their Presiding Elders and their examiners.

     William K. Loofbourrow, Joseph A. Nichols, and Alvin Madole were admitted and elected to Deacon's orders.

     Wilbur F. Grundy was admitted and elected to Deacon's orders, but conditioned on Pope's theology.

     Albert H. Summers, Charles A. Mastin, and Edward G. Fowler were admitted, they having been previously ordained Deacons, but Brother Summers was conditioned on Logic.

     Samuel S. Penepacker was remanded to the 2d year.

     H. Burch was appointed to lead the prayer meeting to-morrow morning.

     Announcements were made and the Conference adjourned with benediction by J. Q. A. Fleharty.

     Conference met at 8.30 A.M.. Bishop Foster in the chair. Devotional exercises were conducted by H. Burch, who read the 12th chapter of Romans.

     The journal of yesterday was read and approved.

     The 14th question--What traveling Deacons have been elected Elders?--was taken up.

     Cyrus A. Lewis and Jabez Charles were called, their character passed; they reported their collections, were represented by their Presiding Elders and examiners, and elected to Elders' orders.

     The 10th question--What local preachers have been elected Deacons?--was taken up.

     Geo. W. Hawley, Edwin L. Wells, James R. Gearhart, William H. Babcock, Charles M. Hollopeter, Henry W. Warner, John Allberry, and George S. Miner, being recommended in due form, and being represented by their Presiding Elders and examiners, were elected to Deacons' orders.

     Leslie Stevens and Marcellus S. Storer, being properly recommended and represented, were also elected to orders, conditioned on passing the required examination, or its equivalent, at the Mission Conference.

     Brothers Williard, of Wisconsin Conference; Owen, of the N. W. Iowa; Myer, of the Iowa; Babcock, a local preacher of Iowa;

Davis, of Indiana; just transferred to this Conference; Thompson, of S. E. Indiana, and Battis, of the Rock River Conference, were introduced.

     The Committee in the case of S. P. Wilson reported as follows:

     The Committee in the case of charges against Rev. S. P. Wilson beg leave to report:

     That after due consideration we find the defendant, Rev. S. P. Wilson, not guilty of the matter alleged in the specfication (sic) and charge preferred against him.

     Approved: T. B. LEMON, President.

     The 16th question--What local Deacons have been elected Elders?--was taken up.

     Bernard B. Hendel and George F. Cole, being recommended in due form, and represented by their Presiding Elders and examiners, were elected to Elders' orders.

     On motion, it was decided that hereafter no statistical reports would be received after Friday noon.

     Report of the Committee on Publication of last year's minutes (see report) was presented and adopted.

     The appeal of A. G. White from the decision of the Presiding Elder of Lincoln District, concerning the discontinuance of the Lincoln District Conference, was presented, and the Bishop announced that he would give his written opinion at some future time of the session.

     The members of the Statistical Committee were appointed to solicit subscriptions and funds, in their respective districts, for the publication of the minutes of this year.

     D. Marquette was appointed to take possession of the reserved Conferencce (sic) Minutes formerly in the possession of the late W. B. Slaughter, and send them to Secretary Henderson, who was di-

© 2003 for the NEGenWeb Project by Pam Rietsch, Ted & Carole Miller.