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   The Missionary moneys distributed by the Presiding Elders. and the accounts of the Secretary and Treasurer have been carefully examined and we find them correct. The reports of the Treasurer and Statistical Secretary do not agree, due to the fact that South Omaha's moneys and vouchers were not received by the Treasurer, while the statistics were recorded by the Secretary. Also the Treasurer reports vouchers of moneys paid to Evangelists, while the Secretary does not.

   WHEREAS, We recognize in the Bible one of the greatest agents of good in the world and for because of Christ, by which men are enlightened, and thus making the dark places of earth bloom and blossom with the sweet incense of heaven, giving to all light, liberty and peace.
   Resolved, We highly appreciate the great work that the American Bible Society is doing in sending these golden leaves of truth broadcast over the earth; and will bid it God's speed, and will pray, work and collect money to help it as one of the agents to bring this world to Christ.
   Resolved, We will call the attention of our people to the fact that our Publishing House is sending out Bibles, that when compared in quality and price, cannot be excelled anywhere, thus making it to their interest to buy at home.

   The Board of Church Extension of the Methodist Episcopal Church makes report of progress and needs in its bi-monthly magazine, Christianity in Earnest.
   From 1866, when this work began, to September 1, 1898,
the Board collected and disbursed $6,124,000
   Of this, the General Fund derived chiefly from collec-
tions, personal gifts for Frontier Churches, $250 each,
and Mountain Fund specials of $100 each, all for use by
donations to churches, has aggregated $3,937,000
   The Loan Fund has permanent capital of$1,036,000
   And churches borrowing have returned $1,151,000
   Giving for use by loans $2,187,000
   Making the aggregate above given $6,124,000

   With this the Board aided 10,824 churches -- more than one-third of the entire number owned by our denomination.
   Our Conference has shared in this work as follows:

gether. We must keep step with the march of events, or be unfaithful to our high calling.
   Frontier churches, procured by special gifts of $250 each, from generous friends, numbering now nearly six hundred, represents one of the best forms of Church Extension work.
   Mountain Fund churches, procured by like gifts of $100 each, are good representatives of our more modest work.
   These have proved every way satisfactory and should enlist many more who rejoice in well doing.
   The Loan Fund has proved of great value, and should be warmly commended to friends of this cause. The principal, including all amounts subject to life annuity, whether specially directed to the fund or not, is now over $1,036,000. The aggregate of loans to churches is more than double the amount of the principal. This fund is a sacred trust, for use only by loans. Churches borrowing from it must, therefore, keep faith and return loans; and if any default, the Board must be urgent, and keep faith with those who created the fund. For a church to delay payment is a grievous fault; to evade or refuse, would be a crime to which the Board dare not be a party.
   Church architecture has been greatly improved, under the advice and direction of the Board. We commend to all who contemplate building, the excellent catalogues and designs furnished by the Board.
   The tenure of church property is a very important matter, which has heretofore been very badly neglected. Valid title requires that the Church, or its trustees, shall have legal existence under the laws of the State: "a local habitation and a name," by which it can be identified in title deeds, and described by the civil courts, as occasion may require. Without all this the tenure of our property is insecure.
   With these requisites in view, the whole matter should be investigated, by careful examination of the official records of the county within which each Church is located, that legal defects may be disclosed, and corrected.
   The book entitled "The Religion of the Republic, and Laws of Religious Corporations," has just been revised, and is now in press. It will be issued in two parts.
   "Laws and Forms for Religious Corporations," will be in pamphlet form for all the states, severally, and can thereby be furnished for each, at trifling cost. The information therein given is indispensible to our ministers and Churches.
   "The Religion of the Republic," with several new chapters, will also be very helpful.
   The Board or Church Extension provides all needed helps for its department:
   Christianity in Earnest, with its bi-monthly visits, will furnish to all who receive it, the latest tidings of this work, and its wants. It should find cordial welcome by all pastors and laymen who would know the work of their Church.

   Glad Tidings, with facts and figures condensed, and with sweet songs for every voice, will help in public service, and maps showing the work at a glance will be added when desired; and all for the asking for use in presenting the cause and taking collections as the Discipline requires. If this work shall languish, we and our people will surely be without excuse.
   We recommend for adoption the following resolutions:
   1. We heartily congratulate the Board of Church Extension, and the Church-at-large, on the the (sic) remarkable success of this work through a period of thirty-two years.
   2. That our country, being now, with rapidly increasing population and new territorial additions, will continue to need Church Extension, in the future as in the past, and that our Church by fostering and strengthening this work will increase its own power to do the larger work now thrown upon it.
   3. That we, as a Conference, will not be content with anything less than a full response to the call of the General Committee for our proper share in Church Extension, until, everywhere, in communities now destitute, the people shall have opportunity to "enter His courts with praise."
   4. That our Presiding Elders be requested to apportion, with care, the full amount asked for Church Extension, to the several districts and pastoral charges for collection; and, that, availing ourselves of the helps provided by the Board, and especially Christianity in Earnest and Glad Tidings, we will present this cause in all our churches, and endeavor to secure, at least, the amount asked, in accordance with the plan of our Discipline.
   5. That we urge upon the Trustees of churches now with delinquencies in accounts with the Church Extension Society to make diligence in the full payments of the same.

   During the year we have held no convention, because of the fact that the League at South Omaha, which had been selected as the place of holding convention, could not entertain because of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition and unusual number of workmen in the city because of the building of the Armour plant. There is no criticism of the South Omaha League in this matter. We are glad to report a growing interest in the Epworth League work throughout each of the Presiding Elder's Districts. The Grand Island district is still the banner district of the Conference. The most encouraging feature of the year's work is the growing determination to tithing of the income of the young people. The Cabinet would recommend that the Epworth Herald be put in the home of every Epworthian. Also they recommend that a reading circle be organized in every community where an Epworth League is organized.
G. H. GRAY, Secretary. F. M. SISSON, President.

   Your committee on Conference Relations, to whom the case of Rev. William Gorst was referred, charging him with maladministration, ask to make the following report:
   After due consideration of the case, we find no ground for the entertaining of the charges.

   We, the committee appointed to examine District Conference Records, submit the following report:
   We have examined the records of the Norfolk, Neligh and Grand Island districts, and find them correct.

   We are thankful to Almighty God for the growing interest in Christian education in our Church, and urge upon our young people that they improve the excellent facilities offered by our Nebraska Wesleyan University. And, notwithstanding the mistakes of the past, we are proud of the record of our University as an educational institution, and in the grand work it has accomplished, and we recognize in Chancellor Huntington an educator of ability, and pledge him and the University our cordial support.
   Resolved, That all moneys collected for, or paid to the Nebraska Wesleyan, be sent to John M. Stewart, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, by draft payable to F. M. Esterbrook, Treasurer of the Nebraska Wesleyan University.
   Resolved (2), That we request the member from our conference on the auditing committee, to present to the conference at its annual sessions, a written report or the financial standing of the Nebraska Wesleyan also a summary of the receipts and disbursements of all monies coming into the hands of the treasurer and audited by this committee.
   Resolved (3), That we are pleased to note the business methods adopted by the trustees in auditing all accounts and requiring bonds of the treasurer.
   We recommend the election of D. Marquette and R. B. Schneider as trustees of the Nebraska Wesleyan University.
   We rejoice in the splendid work of the Board of Education, and are glad to note that the Board has this year aided thirteen students in the bounds of our Conference to the amount of $585. And we urge our brethren to take the Children's Day collections on all their charges.
   We recommend that our Conference visitors be elected for two years, and that they be elected alternately hereafter, thus the Board of Visitors will always contain some men with experience in that work.

   We recommend as visitors to the Nebraska Wesleyan: H. A. Barton, R. J. McKenzie, for two years; J. H. Johnson, W. A. Rominger, for one year. To Garrett. Biblical Institute: W. P. Murray, two years; E. T. George, one year. To Drew Theological Seminary: H. H. Millard, two years; A. L. Mickel, one year. To Iliff School of Theology: D. C. Winship, two years; Thomas Bithel, one year.
   We recommend the formation of a Historical Society that shall collect and preserve such manuscripts, data and publications as would be helpful in compiling a history of North Nebraska Methodism, and we would nominate the following Board. J. P. Roe, C. N. Dawson, C. M. Griffith, C. F. Heywood and D. Marquette.

   Inasmuch as the efforts of the Freedman's Aid and Southern Educational Society has demonstrated the possibility of educating not only the colored people of the south, but the poorer white people as well, and that the record already made has demonstrated their worth as loyal and patriotic citizens and members of the Church of Christ, and as they appreciate the sympathy and support of the past,
   Therefore, we pledge our earnest efforts in disseminating information and soliciting funds in behalf of this great work,
   And while we are greatful (sic) that this Conference contributed $366 for this fund during this year, we deplore the fact that there is a decrease of five dollars under last year's contribution, and we request the Conference to endorse and endeavor to raise the apportionment of seven hundred dollars the ensuing year.

   We note with gratitude the increasing interest in the work of the Omaha Hospital and Deaconess Home of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Not overlooking the fact that the demands for care of the sick and suffering are far beyond the capacity of the institution.
   While we appreciate the success of the Board of Trustees in paying off the debt of $2,090 during the past year, we do not forget the imperative need of a better and more commodious building for the Hospital and Home; but pledge ourselves to continued loyalty to and support of this noble institution and renew our invitation to the representatives of our Hospital and Deaconess Home, to visit our charges, to collect funds for the erection or purchase of such building.
   We recommend the following persons to serve on the Conference Board: Rev. T. C. Webster, Rev. G. H. Main, Rev. John McQuoid, Rev. E. T. George, Mrs. D. Cole, Mrs. Emma Gillan, Mrs. F. M. Sisson, Mrs. J. B. Maxfield, Osker Glidden.

MISSIONS.

   Believing it to be the will of God that the Gospel be speedily given to the world, we, the members of the North Nebraska Conference, pledge our hearty co-operation with, and support of, the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
   We congratulate the Missionary Society on the successful effort in practically raising the debt.
   We congratulate the Church, that notwithstanding the debt-raising, the regular collections have not only equalled, but exceeded the amount raised last year.
   We congratulate the North Nebraska Conference in the splendid record of the year just closing, showing an advance in its collection.
   With fear and trembling we remember the injunction, "Owe no man anything, but to love one another." We owe the world the gospel, and should earnestly continue to cancel this debt also.
   "Though every step of the way be over the grave of a dead missionary, the command of our God still stands," "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."
   Have we not established our pre-emption to the islands of the sea by virtue of the burial place of Bishop Thos. Coke, and to China by Bishop Wiley, and to Africa by the unwritten epitaph of Melville B. Cox?
   We recommend that the Conference Missionary Society be put to its practical purposes to secure results.

   WHEREAS, We recognize in our great publishing interests the greatest educational power and normal force of the Church outside of the pulpit, supplementing and emphasizing the truth taught there; and
   WHEREAS, We believe that no department of the publishing interest is accomplishing greater results than the Periodical Literature of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
   Resolved, That we congratulate the Church upon her great and excellent family of Advocates, which by their weekly visits into the homes of Methodist families are accomplishing much lasting good.
   That we commend the editor of our official organ, the Omaha Christian Advocate for the efficient manner which has characterized the editorial labors as editor of the same, and recommend that the pastors endeavor as far as possible to introduce the Omaha Christian Advocate into every Methodist family in our patronizing territory.

   We desire to return our thanks to God for the wise providence that has allowed us to assemble again in Conference session in this beautiful church and among this hospitable people.
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   We recognize in our Bishop, J. N. FitzGerald, a wise, impartial executive, and a devoted servant of the Master, and we are sincerely glad for his presence and labor among us, praying the richest blessings of our Heavenly Father may attend him in all his ways.
   We return our thanks to the various Conference officers for their work, and especially to our Secretary and resident pastor, Dr. J. W. Jennings for his, indefatigable labors for the comfort and entertainment, and through him our appreciation of the opened doors and hearts of the Schuyler people.

To our President and Congress:
   Resolved, That we, the members of the North Nebraska Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Conference assembled, hereby express our appreciation of the wisdom, patriotism and Christian humanitarianism of our President, William McKinley, and the Congress of the United States, in all their relations to and management of the late war with Spain.
   That we, also express thanks to the Army and Navy for their heroic service in behalf of our country, and that we note with appreciation the generous compassion shown to those who were our enemies in war.
   That we are opposed to any Settlement of the relationships of the Philippines and other islands, which shall not permanently secure to the people of those islands absolute religious freedom.
   That we are thankful to Almighty God for the victories given to our armies, praying that He will continue to manifest His presence in all the affairs of our Government.

   WHEREAS, We recognize the sacred observance of the Sabbath is essential to the spiritual growth of the Church, and in view of the fact that there is a strong tendency to Sabbath desecration in the way of driving, bicycle riding, Sunday visiting, reading Sunday newspapers, Sunday excursions and other diversions,
   Be it resolved, That we strongly condemn such practices, both of the members and attendants of the Church.
   Be it resolved, That we unqualifiedly condemn the action of the directors of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition, in opening the gates of the Exposition on Sunday, in spite of the wishes and protests of the Christian people of the State.

   We rejoice that during the past year the Lord has abundantly blessed our Church by giving us much fruit for our labors.
   In order that there may be a greater advance in the finances of our

charges and a more systematic method of giving, we would recommend that as far as possible tithing bands be formed among our people.
   During the past year many such bands have been formed and they have proved a spiritual and financial blessing.

   WHEREAS, Our Discipline declares the attitude of the Church one of "relentless hostility" to the traffic in intoxicants, and
   WHEREAS, Science unites with religion in condemning all alcoholic beverages and narcotics as detrimental to health and morals,
   Resolved, (1) That we as leaders of the Lord's hosts will endeavor by precept and example to encourage total abstinence in the individual and complete overthrow by the municipality and state.
   (2) That we heartily endorse the National Anti-Saloon League movement, and will in every possible way assist its local organization, and will welcome to our charges and pulpits, Rev. J. B. Carns, D. D., State Superintendent.
   (3) That we hail with joy, the victory achieved in the national contest in favor of prohibition from the Atlantic to the Pacfic (sic); from the Great Lakes to the Arctic.
   May the day speedily come when we, on this side the line, shall join our Canadian brethren in Anglo-American alliance against this liquor fiend; destroyer of our sons and daughters.
   (5) That we recommend the election of Rev. J. B. Carns, D. D., and

Rev. J. W. Shenk, D. D., as delegates to the National Anti-Saloon League convention to be held in Cleveland, Ohio, December 6-8, 1898, and the election of J. B. Maxfield D. D., as a member of the board of directors for the coming year.
   (6) That we will urge our members to abstain from the use of tobacco, and request any of our brethren who have formed the habit, to abstain from this unclean and unministerial practice.

   WHEREAS, We believe the Tract Society to be a great evangelizing agent, because its literature is adapted to the various needs of man's moral nature, and because of its brevity, is read by people who have not the time or disposition to read books upon the same Subject, therefore, be it
   Resolved, That we take great pleasure in recommending the literature of the Tract Society.
   Resolved, That we thankfully receive the aid the Tract Society gives to our Missions.
   Resolved, That as the Tract Society asks of the entire connection $50,000, of which $210 are apportioned to our Conference, we will do our best to take a collection in each church in the Conference for the Tract Society.

   Realizing that the Woman's Home and Woman's Foreign Missionary Societies are doing a great work in spreading and maintaining the preaching of Jesus Christ, therefore be it
   Resolved, That we give thanks to Almighty God for their work, and pray for His blessing to abide with them, and
   WHEREAS, Brother and Sister Spurlock, through their splendid management of the Mother's Jewels Home at York, Nebraska, are doing efficient work for Christ, the Church, and the State, and merit the sympathy and help of the whole Church, therefore be it
   Resolved, That we aid this home through our prayers and by giving it a hearing from our pulpits and financial support from our charges.

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