We give thanks to our Heavenly Father for the blessings and bounty of the year. It has been a year of prosperity and progress on the Beatrice district. The preachers have done heroic work and the people have responded well to their leadership. Harmony and peace have prevailed on every charge. We would like to mention each separately and tell of the many interesting achievements of these ministers of God, but must be content with a very brief summary of the work of the year.
   While the general health of our pastors and their families has been good. we are pained to record that our ranks have been broken once during the year. On January the 20th, Sister Mary G. Stewart stepped into the passing chariot and went home. For thirty years in Nebraska had this worthy couple walked and worked together for the Master. Sister Stewart's life was one of wondrous beauty. She was resigned and trustful as the time for the journey drew near, and sang with almost her latest breath one of the sweet hymns of hope. She is with God. She was the true wife of a noble husband. Brother Stewart will be borne to a throne of Grace by the prayers of his brother ministers.

   CHANGES. -- In October E. F. S. Darby transferred to the Oklahoma Conference and Geo. E. Farrar, a very bright and promising young man from Indiana was secured for the vacancy at Filley. He served the charge most acceptably until May, when failing health compelled him to resign. J. R. Martin from the Wesleyan University was then secured to fill out the year and his return is desired. W. A. Albright of Beatrice, a local preacher, was placed in charge at DuBois about March 1st. He has done fine work, is a young man of excellent promise and the people are anxious for his return. E. O. Johnson of Daykin, resigned his work the middle of May, to take a charge in Kansas, and A. O. Hinson, a Wesleyan graduate and a man of fine ability was appointed to the vacancy. His return is also desired.

   REVIVAL WORK. -- There have been good revivals on nearly all the charges. About 700 conversions have been reported for the year. About 300 of these were from the Sunday Schools. Brother Frank Campbell, Conference Evangelist, spent the winter with the pastors on this district and did good and acceptable work. There has been a refreshing revival spirit throughout the district during the year.

   MEMBERSHIP. -- The membership will show a very encouraging increase during the year, notwithstanding the discouragingly large

number of removals. As high as 40 church letters have been given from a single charge, and some points with small membership have lost half their number, and yet we report a net increase of more than 200 for the year, for which we devoutly thank God.

   BUILDING. -- A beautiful church, valued at $3,000 has been built at Clatonia, on the Wilber charge, and on July 26th was dedicated free from debt. Titus was a great achievement. W. L. Austin is a successful pastor.
   A fine new parsonage awaits the coming of the new pastor at Blue Springs. It is a beautiful eight room, modern house and is valued at $2,000. A nice 6 room parsonage at Diller is one of the important items of the successful year's work on that charge.
   Virginia also has secured a parsonage during the year. And we are happy to report that LaSalle St. will have a home for her pastors here-after This makes four parsonges (sic) and one new church for the year, with a good subscription well under way for a church at Bookwalter on the Burchard charge.

   IMPROVEMENTS. -- Splendid improvements have been made on our property at Crab Orchard, Pawnee City, Filley, Endicott. Chester, Western, DeWitt, Diller, Branston, Liberty, Ellis, Daykin, Powells, Swanton, Holmesville, Strang, DuBois, Ohiowa, at a total cost of about $2,000.

   DEBTS. -- The indebtedness on the churches at Alexandria, and Burchard has been paid, and we can now report that our last obligation to the Board of Church Extension has been met, and not a single church building on the district has any debt against it. Other floating indebtedness, or debts on parsonage property have been paid at Daykin, Chester, Swanton, Hebron, Western and Wilber, aggregating in all more than $1,200. Three or four small parsonage debts yet remain, but, I think that they are mostly provided for. So that this marks neatly the close of the long chapter on debts so fir as the Beatrice district is concerned.

   FIRES. -- We have passed through the fires this year. There have been four. The first and most disastrous destroyed the church and partially destroyed the parsonage at Fairbury, on April the 23rd.
   The parsonage was fully insured and is now restored. The church had $3,000. insurance. Preparations were at once begun to build a much finer structure, and under the skillful and tireless labors of the pastor, W. M. Balch, subscriptions were soon secured to warrant the construction of a modern brick church, to cost when completed not far from $14,000. The foundation is now ready, and work on the super. structure will soon go forward.
   At DeWitt the barn was burned, and also at Centenary, Beatrice.

At Filley, a fire of supposedly incendiary origin burned a hole through the floor of the church, which cost the Church Insurance Society $1.75 to repair, whereupon they immediately cancelled the policy, with the explanation that the building might be destroyed some time and they have the loss to pay. Had it not been for the commercial companies our church there would now be without protection. Our people are coming to believe that they can get insurance cheaper in other companies than in our church company. It is certainly a disappointment.

   DISTRICT MEETINGS. -- The Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Societies both held profitable meetings, the former at DeWitt and the latter at Wymore.
   Our District Ministerial Bible Institute, proved a profitable and satisfactory experiment. It was held in Beatrice the second week in May, from Monday to Friday with three sessions a day. Prof. D. A. Hayes of Garrett was the teacher. He is ortbodox. About twenty-five pastors were in attendance.
   The Epworth League Convention was held in Blue Springs in June, and was attended by 150 delegates. It was a session of great spiritual uplift for these young hosts of Methodism.

   BENEVOLENCES. -- We think all the benevolences will show an increase. No interest has been neglected by these faithful pastors. And so well have they carried on the Missionary campaign that we are able to report every charge in class first, all having met their full apportionment. The district will show an increase of about $1,000. above last year's advance, and at least $600 above the apportionment. While we have not the full figures at hand from the reports received, the collection for our Conference Claimants will show a considerable increase over the previous year.

   In closing this report, we desire to thank all the brethren for their patience, their sympathy, and their support; we rejoice to have had some share in the victories won: we thank God for the triumphs of the past and look hopefully to the future for greater success in the work of our beloved church.
J. R. GETTYS.

DEAR FATHERS AND BRETHREN:

   We are pleased to meet you in Annual Conference once more and present a report of the work on Hastings district. God has been very good to both presiding elder and pastors. We have all been preserved in health during the year. But little sickness has come to any preacher's family, excepting that of Brother and Sister Swan of Harvard. it pleased an All Wise Providence to take from their home by death a

child they dearly loved. The trial was great, and it seemed greater as they had just removed to their new charge and were strangers in a strange place. But the people of Harvard showed the greatest sympathy and kindly rendered help in their sorrow.
   Two of our preachers have taken to themselves wives, Howard P. Young and Earle N. Tompkins. They married excellent Christian ladies and good church workers. At Pauline in the Ayr charge a house was bought for a parsonage. It is a well built and commodious house. It was much needed in this charge. A part of the year the pastor was unable to rent a house and was subject to great inconvenience.
   On Blue Hill charge the debt which has been like a night-mare in the church for nineteen years has finally been removed. The pastor started a subscription in the spring and never rested until the debt was paid, and on the eighth of this month a grand jubilee was held when the people gave gratitude to God and expressed their joy. This charge was visited with revival showers during the winter, and about forty started to live a better life. G. W. Hummell, a supply, has closed his seventh year on this charge -- five years under the five year limit and two since.
   Carleton charge has been growing and a request comes that it be divided, and, that Shickley be made the head of a new charge. It is expected that Ong will be connected with Shickley.
   Cowles has done nobly this year in paying off an old church debt.
   Davenport had a change of pastor during the year. A. G. Forman was transferred to the Missouri Conference and Rufus R. Fletcher of Oklahoma Conference was transferred to fill the vacancy. Bro. Fletcher has proved to be an excellent worker and the people unanimously request his return for another year.
   At Deweese a parsonage has been built. This was a great undertaking for a struggling charge, but success has crowned their efforts.
   Doniphan is a charge that has had stormy sailing for some years but has come into a quiet sea at last. The members have worked in harmony to build up the church.
   The new church at Geneva was dedicated December 28th by Dr. C. B. Spencer. It cost about $14,000. About $3,000. was subscribed on the day of dedication. The church is a gem and well arranged. The people of Geneva are justly proud of it. A revival service followed the dedication resulting in 85 conversions.
   Graften is seeking to struggle from under a church debt, and will very soon shout "Deliverance is come."
   Guide Rock has sold the parsonage property, and has bought new property in very desirable location.

   At Byron on the Hardy charge a church is being erected. It will cost about $1,800.00. This is the first church building of any denomination erected in Byron. The people were enthusiastic about it, and every one contributed liberally and they hope to dedicate free of debt.
   At Harvard under the earnest efforts of J. W. Swan, the pastor. a house has been bought for a parsonage. It Is but half a block from the church. Some changes were made in it, and now Harvard has a desirable residence for a pastor.
   Hastings has had a prosperous year under Dr. G. W. Abbott. This closes the fifth year of Dr. Abbotts labors in Hastings. The church has been greatly built up under his ministry, and his last year has been his best.
   Inavale was left to be supplied. W. L. Summers of Oklahoma Conference was secured. A gracious revival took place during the summer when about 65 persons were converted. What is now needed on this charge is a parsonage.
   Lawrence had a revival in spring which greatly strengthened the church.
   At Nelson the small parsonage into which the preachers family has been crowded for years has been absorbed in a large square two story house containing nine rooms. The pastor and his excellent family have now taken possession.
   At Oak there is a debt on the church which is a heavy burden. An effort is being made to lift it, but it is evident that help must come from others. The membership has been greatly reduced by removals, and yet it is a most hopeful field.
   At Angus on the Oak charge the church debt was paid during the year.
   Prosser has been supplied by Earle N. Tompkins. There has been excellent success. A new parsonage is nearly completed and will be ready for occupancy by the close of conference.
   A remarkable revival took place on the Superior charge when about 165 persons professed conversion.
   Trumbull charge expects to be divided. Inland in this charge is demanding more service than it is now reciving (sic), and it is expected that with a pastor on the ground there will be expansion.
   On the charges not mentioned there has been most faithful work done by the pastors, and advancement has been made. Revival meetings were quite generally successful, and no interest of the churches has suffered from neglect. Where there has been no striking result stones have been laid and the temple of God is being erected.
   We have thirty-five Epworth Leagues on the district at work,

and three that are suspended. The League on most of the charges is a power, and our young People are receiving a training in Christian life and work that will tell upon the church in future years. A very profitable Epworth convention was held in June in Superior.
   We have urged attention to the benevolent collections and we trust the reports will show a gratifying increase. We are confident that there will be an increase in the missionary collections. We had several missionary rallies in spring and these are showing good fruit.
   An earnest effort is being made to keep up interest in the class meetings, on the district, though the success is not what we have desired. We need a class meeting revival.
   We deplore the fact that so few of our young men are exercising their talents as preachers of the gospel. We have not given a local preacher's license to any one for a year. We find it hard to get preachers to fill our charges. I think it well that the church should pray that the Lord of the harvest would send forth laborers into His harvest.
   We have suffered very much on the district from removals. During the last two years hundreds of families have left us. The southwest part of the district especially has suffered. This part has been subject to drought and there being a rise in real estate many have embraced the opportunity and sold out. Unfortunately for us the class that take their places are as a rule not Methodists. Most of them are foreigners.
   But notwithstanding our loss we are growing. God is with us. The pastors have done heroic work, and God has worked with them. The old gospel has lost none of its power, and we have had hundreds that have bowed at our altars and have sought the Savior. And we are hopeful for the future.
RICHARD PEARSON.

DEAR FATHERS AND BRETHREN.

   God's goodness and mercy have been manifest in all the year on Lincoln district. This has been a year of toil and earnest devotion to God's cause by both pastors and people. I think the reports will show that success and victory have been obtained in large measure for which we devoutly thank God. The lives and health of our pastors, and their families have been wonderfully preserved. Only one death has occurred. On February 2nd the great Bishop of the church transferred Rev. E. J. Randall our pastor at Havelock from his charge, and from the Nebraska conference to the great conference of "the blood washed and redeemed" in Heaven. He was a faithful loyal worker, a splendid preacher, and has made a good record. He will be greatly missed by

many true friends. An obituary will be presented during the session of this conference.
   This has been a good year for the improvement of church and parsonage property. Paint, paper and other needed improvements have enhanced and beautified many of our churches. Surely the Lord's house ought to be neat, tidy and attractive. Revival meetings were held at most of the appointments and several charges rejoiced in revivals of the old time power. Several hundred persons have professed conversion, and many have united with the church. A great spiritual revival is the great need of this field.
   Alvo has had a good year with W. H. Shoaf as pastor. They have enlarged and are greatly improving their church. It will be dedicated early in the year. The cost will probably be $1,800.
   Ashland has enjoyed the best year of its history, A blessed revival occurred last winter. Then they have thoroughly rebuilt their church, making it one of the neatest in the conference, at a cost of $3,600. The pastor, A. M. Perry, is preaching to great congregations. His return is desired.
   Bennet has done faithful work under C. A. Hale's careful management. The Sunday School is doing finely. The church has been renewed inside and out, at a cost of $150.
   Cedar Bluffs. J. W. Royse closes his fourth year with best of reports and finances all up and a new kitchen added to the parsonage. "Pay promptly" is their motto.
   Ceresco is a nice circuit of four appointments, and a royal people. They have been ably served by Dr. N. M. Enyeart.
   Crete has a good church and as noble a people as can well be found. H. G. Wilcox is greatly loved and asked to remain.
   Denton, a student appointment, has been well served by H. L. Case who is also a student in the Nebraska Wesleyan.
   Dorchester has greatly enjoyed the ministry of T. A. Hull as pastor. Reports are good, and they are preparing to remodel or build early in the spring. A severe hail storm prevented the enterprise this year.
   Eagle has a good church. The work has gone well this year. J. G. Walker is closing his second year.
   Elmwood is a good town and has an excellent church and parsonage. The pastor has done excellent work and is highly commended by his people. In June last he went to Chicago to be doctored. The operation did not prove a very serious one. He was able to return in a few days in perfect health, and now his friends address him as the Rev. J. M. Darby, Ph. D.
   Friend. J. K. Maxfield closes his third year in this pleasant charge.

A good church, splendid parsonage, a royal people and a beautiful town help to make this a desirable charge.
   Greenwood. The people have been greatly pleased with the preaching and work of Thos. S. Fowler as pastor. The charge is growing. The pastor's return is desired.
   Havelock. Rev. E. J. Randall was well received and had started finely in the years work when death released him. O. R. Bowen has very acceptably carried on the work, and will bring up good reports.
   Ithaca and Iliff. Wm. M. Worley, pastor, has enjoyed another splendid year. The church at Ithaca has been painted and papered.
   Lincoln-Asbury was served by Wm. Hints, a student and H. L. Case. Brother Hints spent two months in our hospital at Omaha. Since his recovery he has been preaching at Murdock, in the Nebraska City district. This point has never recovered from the late financial depression. The outlook is not very encouraging.
   Bethel. W. H. Stanley has preached here on Sunday evenings and helped with the Sunday school. It is purely a mission with no self support.
   Emmanuel is a good station. They had the most extensive revival which occurred in the district. L. F. Smith. pastor, conducted the meeting. The church has been painted. The outlook is good for this charge.
   Epworth. J. W. Warfield, pastor, was assisted in revival services by W. H. Prescott in which seventeen conversions occurred. The reports indicate a good year.
   Grace. Dr. P. P. Carroll, pastor, reports $200. in improvements and arrangements to thoroughly renovate the church building in October at a cost of about $1,000. Additions to the membership of this church have averaged the rate of three persons per Sunday for 100 weeks. Here we have one of the best Sunday Schools in the conference. It reports $142 this year for missions. The pastor's return is asked.
   North Lincoln and Arbor. A, S. Woodard, a senior student in the University served this charge with entire satisfaction until June. C. C. Bowen fills the vacancy. The work is encouraging.
   St. Paul. We are in session in the largest and most convenient and also one of the most beautiful churches west of the Ohio river of any denomination. Dr. F. L. Wharton preaches to great audiences, and is an untiring worker full of sympathy for all classes of people. Dr. B. L. Paine superintends a splendid Sunday School. The Epworth League is doing good work. A special ten days of revival meeting were held early in the year with Dr. Baskerville as evangelist, and Rev. Morrison conducted a Pentecosal service in June. These meetings resulted in much good. We are looking forward with

much interest to the general committee meeting of the Freedman's Aid and Southern Educational Society in this church in October.
   Trinity. N. A. Martin, pastor, has closed his fourth year of success in this delightful church. A harmonious people and a splendid preacher in four years have learned to love each other so well that they say "Let us dwell together." The last $1,200. of indebtedness has been paid, and collections are in advance of former records.
   Malcolm. Dr. Geo. W. Martin has served this charge in addition to his work as chaplain in the penitentiary. Under his management the old debt has been paid, the church painted, papered and otherwise improved. All expenses met and the people greatly encouraged. The people have raised for all purposes $500.
   Mead. M. E. Gilbert closes his third year. The charge has made fine advance during these years. The pastor is highly esteemed both as a preacher and worker.
   Normal. Harry F. Huntington, who has just graduated from the Nebraska Wesleyan University is very acceptable in this new and delightful charge.
   Prairie Home has been well served by R. H. White, a student who in addition to his school work delights in preaching the word.
   Raymond has enjoyed for the past three years the preaching of J. G. Stanard. Two appointments here make a good charge. The Raymond church has been papered and painted inside, and the parsonage painted and grounds greatly beautified. $200. of old indebtedness has been paid, which clears this property.
   Roca. Pastor H. B. Seymour has done excellent service and is appreciated. The reports are good, and the people are encouraged.
   Sharon. J. A. Nichols is pastor. The church and parsonage were painted and papered and a good kitchen added to the parsonage. Sister Nichols has been greatly afflicted, but sweetly trusting in the Savior, her life is a benediction.
   University Place. L. C. Lemon, pastor. This has been a marvelous year. A great revival of over fifty conversions occurred early in the year. Rev. Henry Ostrom was secured for a two weeks meeting which did much good. The basement story of the new church was dedicated February 7th by Bishop C. C. McCabe, who did royal service. The cost of the enterprise was $16,000. The membership is greatly increased. Collections far in advance. The pastor's return is asked.
   Valparaiso has had a good year with M. C. Smith, who is asked to stay longer. The work goes well.
   Wahoo. One of our best charges has enjoyed another good year under the pastorate of C. E. Giwits. The district Epworth League held, a delightful convention here in January.

   Waverly. J. W. Seabrook closes his second year with this devout people. This is a good working church, with a faithful band of workers.
   Weston. W. H. Jackson, a student pastor, worthy of the name, has given excellent satisfaction. The financial obligations have been very promptly met.
   It is with great pleasure that I am now able to report all the old indebtedness on church property paid.
   A splendid camp meeting was held at Epworth Lake Park in July, with F. F. Miller of Chicago as singer, and Dr. R. N. McKaig as preacher and evangelist. Many souls were converted and others led out into the rich experience of entire sanctification.
   The Nebraska Epworth Assembly occupied its new grounds for the first time. The meeting was remarkably successful. The attendance was large, and the program unsurpassed. The results were all that could be expected. President L. O. Jones added much to his enviable reputation as a manager and conductor of great assemblies. This is recognized as the largest Epworth Assembly in the land.
   The Nebraska Wesleyan University has enjoyed the best year of its history. It closed the year out of debt, with all obligations paid and a neat sum in the treasury. More than fifty houses have been built at University Place this year, and yet more are required to house the people who desire to come to this institution to educate themselves or their children. A new building to meet the urgent needs of the University is a necessity. Chancellor D. W. C. Huntington D. D. was never more highly appreciated than now. He is loved by all the students and people and in addition to his heavy work at the University speaks nearly every Sunday somewhere in the interest of the University. Dr. Geo. W. Isham, University treasurer and field agent, has proved a valuable worker. He too speaks every Sunday in some one of the churches in the state and toils constantly for the success of our University. These men have done much to bring about the present desirable state of affairs.
   A splendid Ministerial Association was held at Crete in May.
   This year will be counted an important one in the history of Lincoln district. The collections have been well looked after, and will make a favorable showing. The cause of missions was greatly aided by holding a "Missionary day" in Lincoln in January, with Bishop David H. Moore, Dr W. F. Oldham and Dr. James H. Worley as speakers. Missionary enthusiasm has run high in my heart and on this district ever since the great Missionary Convention at Cleveland, Ohio, presided over by our beloved BIshop Andrews. I believe that the fruits of that convention will be seen in our collection for missions this year.
J. F. KEMPER.