"They rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."

NAME		CONFERENCE ENTERED ITINERANT MINISTRY		TIME OF DEATH
Isaac Burns	21	Illinois	1848	September 4, 1872	72	24
J. J. Roberts	....	Genesee	1853	March 14, 1873	52	20
Thos Alexander	6	Indiana	1850	June 4, 1874	51	24
D. J. Ward	....	Nebraska	1871	1875
M. Prichard	17	Kansas and Nebraska	1858	March 24, 1877	60	19
David Hart	9	Kansas and Nebraska	1858	January 14, 1878	57	20
T. A Hull	12	Nebraska	1872	March 1, 1878	57	5
A. J. Combs	20	Nebraska	1875	January 13, 1878	33	3
W. B. Slaughter	16	Genesee	1845	July 26, 1879	57	34
C. W. Giddings	18	Oneida	1835	Dec. 23, 1879	70	47
A. L. Goss	12	Nebraska	1873	September 30, 1880	33	7
J. T. Cannon	17	Missouri	1851	July 24, 1883	69	32
A. G. White		Rock River	1859	November 3, 1883	....	24
H. W. Warner	16	Nebraska	1882	August 9, 1884	29	3
Samuel Wood	21	Central Illinois	1868	January 3, 1885	45	17
W. D. Gage	21	New York	1828	November 20, 1885	82	50
W. E. Davis	....	Indiana	1867	Febuary 27, 1886	50	19
T. S. Gross	14	St. Louis	1884	October, 1885	26	2
William Peck	33	Nebraska	1871	July 1, 1888	51	11
Abijah Marine		North Indiana	1855	July 12, 1890	58	34
W. J. Pitchford	20	Ohio	1881	September 30, 1890	36	9
S. D. Roberts	16	Nebraska	1873	August 16, 1893	44.	20
W. H. Tibbits	16	Nebraska	1874	May 5, 1893	54	19
L. F. Beach	23	Dakota	1888	August 24, 1893	30	5
W. G. Miller	17	Wisconsin	1844	December 20, 1893	71	5
H. M. Laney	36	Central Illinois	1870	December 30, 1893	59	23
R. Cooley	5	Genesee	1852	March 18, 1894	68	42
G. S. Alexander	18	Providence	1857	May 2, 1894	62	37
Edward Hawes	12	Newark	1858	May 20, 1894	59	36
E. J. Willis	14	Nebraska	1873	May 17, 1896	63	41
R. C. Johnson	12	Nebraska	1863	June 29, 1896	61	33
Z. B. Turman	20	Kansas and Nebraska	1858	1897	78	40
A. Brigham	17	Wyoming	1858	September 21, 1896	73	38
A. J. Marsh	16	Wisconsin	1877	January 8, 1899	48	22
W. R. Jones	16	Wisconsin	1854	January 11, 1899	71	45
E. J. Bird	22	North Carolina	1867	April 13, 1899	59	32
E. Wilkinson	..	Michigan	1860	April 23, 1900	78	40
I. C H. Hobbs	15	Missouri	1865	July 28,1900	73	35
D. P. Kline	....	Nebraska	1891	September 6, 1900	52	26
G. B. Crippen		New York	1854	April 23, 1902	71	48
J. L. Fort		Illinois	1851	May 22, 1902	86	51
E. J. Randall	26	Nebraska	1881	Feb. 1, 1903	59	25
H. T. Davis	20	N. W. Indiana	1855	September 18, 1903	70	48

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76

MINUTES OF THE

[Forty-Third Session

Memoirs

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HENRY T. DAVIS.

   Henry T. Davis was born July 19th, 1833, in Springfield. Ohio. He was "born again," "from above" March 4th, 1853, in South Bend, Ind., and almost immediately after his conversion came the call to preach. He was licensed as an exhorter when received into full fellowship in the church, and June 23rd, 1855, received his license to preach from the Greencastle, Ind., Quarterly Conference, being then a student at Asbury University. The following October he was received as a probationer into the North West Indiana Conference and appointed junior preacher upon Russelville Circuit, on September 17, 1857, Emily McCulloch, of Virgo County, Indiana became his wife, and after forty-six years of beautiful and loving union she and their three daughters sit together in hope lighted shadows.
   October 4, 1857, Bishop Waugh ordained Brother Davis a deacon.
   In 1858 he transferred to the Kansas-Nebraska Conference and received as his first work in Nebraska, appointment to Bellevue. In the division of the Kansas and Nebraska Conference he identified himself with the Nebraska Conference, at the oragnization (sic) of which April 4th, 1861 he became a charter member. His subsequent ministerial activities have been within the bounds of this conference. The confidence reposed in him by his superiors in authority is indicated by his having served seven terms as presiding elder and the esteem of his brethren in the conference by their choice of him to represent them in the General Conference four times. He was also honored by the Nebraska Wesleyan University with the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. At a campmeeting held in August 1872 at Bennett, Nebraska, Brother and Sister Davis both entered into the experience of Perfect Love, of which experience they have been bright examples. To the Doctrine of Holiness Brother Davis devoted much attention during his later ministry, becoming one of its foremost defenders. In its advocacy he wrote several books. He is also the author of an historical book, "Solitary Places Made Glad." in which his own religious experience is given. In September 1901, compelled by increasing infirmaties of the flesh he asked for the superannuate relation, and for two years continued in the conference as a father among his children, then, during the session of conference which met at Lincoln, his home city, September 18th, 1903, be came triumphfully to the end of his earthly sojourn, and his brethren in the ministry laid the precious deserted dust to rest in Wyuka cemetery, September 21st, 1903.
   Brother Davis excelled as a preacher. Much and faithful study of the "Word" and of such other literature as was really helpful sidelights for its interpretation, illustrative for its application, furnished him always with the subject matter for sermons. And his own deep and fervid religious experience always afforded the fire to make those sermons effective with men. A multitude are they -- God's seal to his ministry.
   He was also especially acceptable as a pastor. Naturally cheerful, genial, loving of disposition and, with the Master Spirit of Ministries upon him, he was always a welcome comer. And his wise counsels, his tender sympathies, his fervent prayers left a sense of benediction when he had gone. He was beloved by well nigh every one, and his memory will be precious.
   The list of appointments received by Brother Davis is as follows:

Russelville circuit Northwest Indiana conference, 1855; Bellevue, Kansas-Nebraska conference, 1858; Omaha. 1859-60, Nebraska conference 1861; Nebraska City district, 1861-65; Nebraska City, 1866-68; Lincoln,, 1868-70: Lincoln district, 1871-74; Omaha district, 1875-76; Nebraska City district. 1877-81; Beatrice, 1881-82; York, 1883-86; York district, 1887; Trinity Church, Lincoln 1887-90. Beatrice district, 1890-95; Lincoln district, 1895-01; Superannuate 1901.
N. A. MARTIN.
HIRAM BURCH.
W. M. WORLEY.

   [The outline given below was prepared by the secretary, O. W. Fifer. It is an imperfect sketch, but it may show to some extent the sense of appreciation in which Dr. Davis was hold by the Nebraska Conference.]
   The Conference memorial services were held Sunday afternoon. N. A. Martin and Hiram Burch made addresses. The memoir was read by J. H. Presson.
   The funeral services were held in St. Paul church Monday, September 21, 1903, at 10 a. in. The Conference was in session during the time of the last illness, and it was deemed appropriate that the funeral services should be held before the Conference adjourned. Accordingly the Conference took a recess at 10 a. m. when the funeral cortege reached the doors of St. Paul, church. The honorary pall bearers were the presiding elders: G. I Wright, Richard Pearson, J. R. Gettys, J. F. Kemper and J. S. W. Dean. The pall bearers in service were J. W. Swan, F. M. Esterbrook, David Fetz, J. H. Presson, G. M. Jones, John Gallagher. A conference choir composed of Leander Morrison, W. L. Austin, Henry Zinnecker, A. E. Chadwick, J. W. Lewis, O. T. Moore, John Calvert and R. D. Waterman furnished the music. J. F. Kemper, presiding elder of the Lincoln district, was in charge of the services.
   The first hymn was No. 991, beginning:

   Chancellor D. W. C. Huntington offered prayer and N. A. Martin, pastor of Trinity church, read scripture selections of great beauty and comfort.
   The second hymn was No. 654, a hymn without superior in the judgment of many:

   William M. Worley was the first speaker. He said in part: "For he was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith and much people was added unto the Lord." "My first acquaintance with H. T. Davis began In 1867 in Nebraska City at the close of a sermon one Sunday morning in the Methodist church.I sat near the door and remember well the closing words of Brother Davis' sermon -- "Let me preach it on the mountain, let me preach it in the valley, let me preach it in the city, on the frontier and in the dugout, for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation." I have heard the voice of H. T. Davis in all capacities; from the floor of the General Conference at Cincinnati to the dugout on the prairie in Nebraska. He was always true to his faith. My first appointment was received from him. It was South Bend and I received it at a qua-

terly meeting held near where the town of Raymond now stands. No man has ever done me more good than Brother Davis. Farewell, brother! may thy mantle fall upon this Conference! Good bye until we meet in the morning."
   Fletcher L. Wharton spoke tenderly. "The impression left, upon me in the first short interview I had with Dr. Davis, was deep, and it grew deeper. I had a profound conviction that I had met a Christian gentleman. He was a gentleman, therefore a good man. He was a Christian man therefore a strong man. Somehow he put me upon my honor, in the confidence he put in me as a presiding elder, to be a true faithful man in the in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the last days his countenance, pale and wan, seemed to radiate the great peace of God. He made it easy for the people of this state to be good, to believe in God the Father, and to pray. Everywhere, the prairie, in the dugout, he had the same message, "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him might not perish but have everlasting life" The King has gone to big coronation. He stands on the hills in the sunlight eternal." Dr. Wharton closed his address with a fine expresson concerning Mrs. Davis and her family.
   Hiram Burch, who for so many years stood with Dr. Davis at the head of the Conference roll, spoke next. "I pay my tribute with mingled sorrow and joy. The personal loss of a friend and brother, the greater loss of the church and society, causes sorrow. There is joy in the recollection of the past, of good actions, of Christian life and labors. Remember that the influence of that life and labors does not cease at the grave -- but will go on in ever widening circles as the years go on. I am glad of that Brother Davis was a great preacher, because he preached the gospel. There was a Christian character and a blameless life, and love, behind his sermons. He excelled as a pastor. His cheery, genial sunshiny dispositon made him a welcome visitor in the homes of the people. He was not only an acceptable visitor but a useful visitor. He is gone from us, but his memory remains with us and we shall cherish it as a treasure. We shall miss him in the counsels of the church, in the conferences, but his record is on high. Knowing his life for more than 44 years we are not surprised over his triumphant death.

   Bishop Andrews began his remarks by quoting,

   He is not dead. He lives. Man has in himself the prophecy of the great hereafter. The Bishop then repeated Tennyson's immortal plea for the immortality of the soul.

Who trusted God was love indeed
And love, creations final law
Tho nature, read in tooth and claw
With ravine, shrieked against his creed --

Who loved, who suffered countless ills
Who battled for the true, the just
Be blown about the desert dust.
Or sealed within the iron hills.

   There can be no such discord. Over these remains we pronounce these matchless words "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." Servant of God, well done!
   C. M. Shepherd read the following original poem:

COMRADE. FAREWELL:
No proud excalibur leapt, scabbard bare.
For weapons he bore "The Book" and a prayer;
How gallant the mien of our good Sir Knight,
With a shout of faith he entered the fight: --
"Not worthy of such." it was God's reply
When the martyrs of old went forth to die.
"Not worthy of such." we echo again,
Where our prophet lived for his fellow men.

COMRADE. FAREWELL:
We are measuring now with clearer view
That life which forever to God was true.
The outlines fair of a beautiful soul
That never alone passed on to the goal:
We are sad sometimes that the stately life
Has not been seen until after the strife;
God help us to laurel men while they live.
And cheer without stint to the true hearts give.

COMRAD. ALL HAIL:
No longer now death holds for him its sway,
Nor bears the grave its message of dismay;
The valley shadows parted when he came
In conquering, faith to breathe Immanuel's name.
"Victory!"' "Victory!" we hear it still.
Where the glory light falls on Zion's hill.
And there to hope's sight with its vision keen
The welcome of Heaven by love is seen.

COMRADES, CLOSE UP:
Let shoulders touch again in battle line,
The Lord of all that sainted host is thine:
Nor can the grave our bonds of knighthood break,
If what we do is done for Jesus' sake.
Here pause a moment by this sacred dust,
Then forth again, with God our only trust;
Our best memorial for the soldier gone,
Will be the lives that calmly follow on.

   J. F. Kemper read the following dictated by Dr. Davis to his wife some weeks before his death, to be read as his dying testimony.
   "I have often given to the world my living testimony. I desire to, leave to the world my dying testimony.
   I am a great sinner saved by a great and mighty Savior. Glory be unto the Father and unto the son and unto the Holy Ghost forever and forever.
   I think I shall praise God forever that I have been true to the great doctrine of Holiness. I think I shall praise God forever that I have been true to the awful doctrine of the eternal punishment of the finally impenitent.
   God has seen fit to withdraw the veil and give me a glimpse of Heaven. He has seen fit also to withdraw the veil and give me a glimpse of hell. I know there is a Hell. If I had my life to live over again, 1 would preach this awful doctrine as I have not done. I would preach it with a broken heart and with a heart full of love for the vilest person that walks the face of the earth. Jesus loves them and wants to save them all.
   I am so glad that on these two great Bible doctrines, Holiness and the future punishment of the impenitent, My books give no uncertain sound. I feel that my life work is done, and I am going up to Heaven a sinner washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. Glory, Glory, Glory!
   The choir sang

and the impressive services ended. All members of the Conference who could attended the burial services at the cemetery in a body.

   Elias J. Randall was born November 4, 1843, near Orland, Steuben County, Ind. He spent his boyhood days near Beaver Dam, Wis. His mother died when he was only four years old, and he went to live with his maternal grandmother, who cared for him for a period of three years. He came with his father and family to Nebraska in 1860. He was married December 30, 1863, to Miss Sarah Frances Schooley. To them were born two children. Brother Randall served his country in the War of the Rebellion. His regiment did service in the western part of Missouri. He belonged to Co. B. 5th Mo. Cavalry. He was

born and reared on a farm, and for several years engaged in farming and stock raising. He was converted in 1869, and became an earnest worker in the church. He greatly enjoyed Sunday school work, and served as exhorter and local preacher for several years. He served the charge at Stella, Neb., beginning in the fall of 1877, and the next year at Brock, as a supply. In 1879 be entered the Nebraska Conference and was appointed to Sterling; he remained two years, He was received into full connection in the Conference in the fall of 1881 and stationed at Table Rock for two years; Fairmont, two years; and Grafton one year. In each of these charges he built new churches, which still stand as monuments to his faithful service. He also served the following charges: Sutton, one year; Clay Center, two years; Red Cloud, three years; Fairfield, two years; Wyoming Mission, one year; Clay Center, two years (second term); Blue Springs, two years; Rising City, three years. He was appointed to the pastorate of the church at Havelock by Bishop C. H. Fowler at our last Conference session. He entered upon his work with great zeal and had won for himself a large place in the hearts of the people. While pastor at Rising City be was instrumental in securing a large bequest to the superannuates fund. He was an ardent friend of our old veterans. Brother Randall was an excellent preacher, clear, attractive and forcible in his presentation of the gospel. He knew how to reach men. For several years he was in charge of the altar exercises at the Deweese Camp meeting. He was a man of deep and strong personal convictions, exceedingly conscientious in doing what he believed to be right. He was a loving, faithfed husband and father He dearly loved the work of the ministry and labored to the last, preaching within two weeks of his death. He arose from his sick bed and went to the pulpit to preach a funeral sermon, and returned to his bed, never to leave it until he was transferred to the Church above. His life ended on the evening of February 2, 1903. The funeral service was conducted by J. F. Kemper, presiding elder of Lincoln district, assisted by a dozen of the members of the Nebraska Conference. Addresses were made by J. F. Kemper, Rev. J. G. Day, Rev. H. Burch, Chancellor D. W. C. Huntington, D. D., and Dr. F. L. Wharton. The remains were taken to Howe, Neb., for burial, where the service at the grave was conducted by Rev. D. B. Lake.

   Mary G. Seamons Stewart, wife of Rev. J. W. Stewart, was born in Tazewell County, Illinois, January 2nd, 1845. With her mother she moved to Hiland County, Ohio, where she grew to womanhood and where she was united in marriage to J. W. Stewart September 8. 1863, who was at that time a member of the Central Illinois Conference. In 1872 she came with her husband to Nebraska, since which time she was a faithful and efficient helper in all the labors pertaining to the Methodist home and parsonage. She was a recognized leader in every church society where she lived. Her Christian spirit was manifest in all she did, or said. At the time of her death she was president of several ladies societies, among them the Union of the Pastor's Wives of this conference. Sister Stewart was patient in her sufferings and never repined but bore all with heroism and Christian fortitude. In her demise our Conference suffers a loss almost irreparable. She had a strong forceful character. Her religious life was a full expression of and whom she loved. She was an efficient, willing worker, and we believe that as such she is a

now crowned. The memory of her good deeds are recorded in the hearts of all who knew her. In the faith of the gospel she passed to her reward January 29th, 1903.
   The prayer and sympathies of this Conference go out to her husband, our Brother, Rev. Dr. J. W. Stewart, and to the children, who so well know how faithful she was as a wife and mother. Funeral services were held at Pawnee City under the direction of her presiding elder, Rev. Jas. R. Gettys. The tears of the assembly and the floral gifts of the societies and friends plainly evinced the high esteem in which she was held in the community that she had served for the past five years. The body was taken to York where the final services was held in the presence of a multitude of former parishioners and friends. Rev. O. W. Fifer, J. R. Gettys, Geo. I. Wright and pastors of the city officiated. Her body rests in the beautiful cemetery at York.
   As quietly as the morning twilight passes into the full orbed day the spirit of our beloved Sister went up to see the King in his beauty and "as the morning star that goes not down behind the darkened west nor sits obscure among the tempests of the sky but melts away into the light of Heaven." So she passed from our sight into the light of that day where the Lord God himself is the light thereof, "and there shall be no night there."

   Mrs. Paulina M. Adams, wife of the Rev. R. G. Adams, died October 14, 1902, after an illness of two years, during which she had been a great sufferer. Mrs. Adams was a daughter of Peter Van Wormer of Glenville, N. Y., where she was born 68 years ago. Possessed of an amiable disposition and being a devout Christian she was the ideal minister's wife and was of great assistance to her husband in the various fields of labor he has occupied as a Methodist Episcopal clergyman. For a number of years they resided in Nebraska, where they filled many of the most prominent appointments.
   Funeral service was held at the residence October 17th, at 2 o'clock, the Rev. C. P. Stevens, presiding elder of Albany district, conducting the services, assisted by other clergymen.

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