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      Omaha District remains territorially unchanged. In one direction only is enlargement practicable without encroachment upon adjoining districts. The sale of the Pawnee reservation, and the consequent settlement of that region, will doubtless require an extension of our lines in that direction. In several charges the increase of population in isolated neighborhoods will result in their subdivision.

     God has graciously favored his servants, the pastors, generally with good health during the year. All went promptly to the work assigned them, all have labored faithfully, and all have been favored with some measure of success. As ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ they have, without a single known exception, been true to their high calling, preaching good doctrines and walking unblamably before the people.

     One has died. Bro. A. J. Combs was received into full connection and ordained deacon at the last Conference. To many of us he even then seemed marked for early death. He, however, received an appointment and went bravely to his work; but it was beyond his strength. He preached but a few times--just enough to will the love of the people--and then fulfilled his mission among them by showing how a servant of God can endure suffering and how triumphantly he can die. His devoted wife has since followed him, leaving her three orphaned children to the sympathy of this Conference and the Church.

     Bro. David Hart, a superannuated member of this Conference,
          3

removed to Utah soon after the Close of our last session, hoping, through change of climate, to regain his health. January 14th, he, too, passed to his rest. He was one of the oldest members of the Conference, a man of great faith, abundant in labors and sacrifices, a witness of the blessing of perfect love, and an example of holy conversation among all the people.

     The work of the year may be briefly summarized, and the condition of the district indicated, as follows:

     There has been no general revival, but there have been on a number of charges precious seasons of refreshing, through which the Church has been quickened and built up.

     In the work of church and parsonage erection and improvement some progress has been made. The corner-stone of the First Church in Omaha was laid during the last session of this Conference, and the enterprise was so far completed as to be dedicated on the 9th of June last. It is a neat, commodious house of worship, with a roomy, well-arranged parsonage attached, the whole, including the lot, costing about $7,000. There is a bonded debt of $3,000, bearing a low rate of interest, due the Church Extension Society. There is also a floating debt of $674, provided for by a subscription of $840. The erection of this church and parsonage has been a work of great difficulty, requiring not only personal sacrifice, but wisdom, tact, and persistent, untiring energy on the part of the pastor and the trustees. To meet the interest on the bonded debt and pay the principal, will require the continued employment of the same high qualities hereafter.

      At the Jamestown appointment on the North Bend circuit, a new church, costing about $1,200, was dedicated on the 9th of June. It received the name Bethel Chapel. It occupies a commanding site, has four acres of land attached, is in the midst of an intelligent community, and is regarded as practically free from debt--the subscription being more than sufficient to cover all the liabilities incurred in its erection.

     After the death of Bro. Combs, Bro. S. P. VanDoozer took charge of Osceola circuit. At Osceola a beautiful frame gothic church, with corner tower, complete to the furnishing of the bell and cushioning of the seats, has been built at a cost of about $3,000. This church was dedicated by Bishop Andrews on the 21st of July. The subscription more than covers the liabilities in this case also.

     A subscription of between $700 and $800 has been raised at an appointment of the Columbus circuit, with a good prospect that enough will be secured to erect a church in that neighborhood yet this fall.

     Improvements have been made on the churches in Columbus, David City, Schuyler, and Fairview.

     Besides the parsonage built in connection with the Omaha First Church, one has been built at David City and one at Wahoo.

     In the erection of churches and parsonages, and in making improvements, the policy has been to avoid debt; and this policy has been generally rigidly adhered to. Some old debts have also been considerably reduced. At Schuyler the parsonage property was imperilled (sic) by a debt of $200. This has been paid. At Columbus the debts have been reduced $106, and the little band in that city are greatly encouraged. Little by little the old burdens are being removed, and our people are gathering courage and strength for new enterprises.

     Where we have churches we have well organized and prosperous Sunday schools. At school house appointments in the country, Union Sunday schools are generally the fashion. My observation is that Methodists are not as tenacious of their advantages as members of other churches are. In neighborhoods regularly supplied only by us, neighborhoods in which there are classes formed, and leaders, stewards, and local preachers, residing, and in which a large majority of the scholars are of Methodist families, and nearly all the working force are Methodists, I have found our people unwilling to sustain Methodist Sunday schools lest they should offend the members of other churches. With alike preponderance of numbers and with such regular organization ecclesiastically, I know of no denomination that would not maintain its own distinctive Sunday school; and no one ought to complain of such consistency.

     I am glad to be able to report some progress in the right direction on this subject.

     Four times during the year in each charge the disciplinary question has been asked; "Are the Church Records properly kept?" and generally it has been answered, "Yes." Under examination of the records themselves it has sometimes appeared that the question was misapprehended, and the answer was a mistake. In one notable instance, where the membership was reported to this Conference at 135, the most earnest search of the pastor and his official board has been rewarded by the discovery of only 104 actual members; yet, doubtless, during the preceding year this question had been regularly answered "yes." The faithful pastor of this charge will be obliged to report a heavy decrease where really there has been no decrease at all. This penalty he will pay for his own fidelity to truth. I am sorry his predecessor is not now amenable to this Conference, that he might have an opportunity to rise and explain.

     The case of Bro. Edwin Buck was at the last Conference referred to the presiding elder of Omaha District for investigation, and subsequently charges were placed in my hands. The time was appointed and a committee was convened to hear and determine the case. The proceedings were arrested before arriving at a determination, and the case was adjourned to this Conference. The journal of proeeedings (sic) and other papers are herewith submitted.

     The collections have advanced somewhat, but are yet far below the standard which ought to be aimed at by a people who glory in a commission to spread scripture holiness over all the land. The consecration of property to God is too seldom included in the idea of entire sanctification. I verily believe, however, that there is a. steady advance into the light.

     As we review the experiences of the year we find occasions for gratitude to a kind Providence that the preachers have been preserved, and their families, with one exception, have been exempt from great affliction.

     The gospel has been faithfully preached with gratifying results. Revival influences have prevailed on most of the charges.

     The Sunday schools are generally organized into missionary societies and well conducted.

     There has been a large increase in the circulation of our church periodicals, and a growing interest in the enterprises of the church at large.

     Our work for the year has been considerably modified by circumstances beyond our control. The late financial reverse found the people prepared for prosperity, with business in such a condition that the success of their plans was essential to their comfort and safety. But the crash came, without warning, and threw many into bankruptcy, and others into serious embarrassment, and produced doubts and a feeling of uncertainty in financial circles, which have had a depressing effect upon all our church enterprises.

     The preachers are poorly paid, and but for other resources of their own some of them would have suffered for the necessaries of life. And while the general collections have been taken, if we consider their amount, without taking into account the stringency of the times, they do not properly represent the interest of the people in connectional work.

     Lincoln station is strong in faith and good works. The Sunday school is large and prosperous. The social meetings are well attended. Improvements of the parsonage and of the church lots have been made to the amount of two or three hundred dollars. There is no debt of any description on the church.

     In addition to the work of this station Bro. Henderson has taken up an appointment in the country and organized a class. This work was much needed and it should form the nucleus of a circuit organization.

     Bro. Vandoozer was appointed to Lincoln circuit, but early in the Conference year the death of Bro. Combs left Osceola without a pastor, and Bro. Vandoozer was transferred to that charge. This circuit has not been fully organized, but there are material and an urgent demand for a pastoral charge.

     Mount Pleasant circuit has been under the pastoral management of W. H. Tibbits. His health has been impaired a part of the year, but he has labored with great energy, and revivals have followed at two appointments.

     Roca has enjoyed the services of Wm. M. Worley for a term of three years, and the last year has been the best of the three. Revivals have visited four appointments, at one of which funds have been provided to build a house of worship. The church at Roca was dedicated in connection with the third quarterly meeting and all indebtedness paid.

     Rock Bluff, F. B. Donisthorpe pastor. Great changes have taken place in this charge during the year. The church property at Rock Bluffs was encumbered by a mortgage, and no one could be found who would give a dollar to relieve it, because the town has been completely dead for years, and there is no hope of its resurrection. That point has been regarded as a negative quantity on the circuit, receiving much of the pastor's time and yielding no returns. The creditor consented to take the property in payment of his claim in full, though he preferred to make a discount of twenty-five per cent for cash.

      The property at Rock Bluff has been turned over to pay the debts, and that appointment abandoned.

     The circuit at large has been very prosperous. Revivals have been enjoyed at all the other appointments. A good parsonage has been built and paid for at Union. Funds have been provided for a church at the Giles appointment, and the house is nearly completed.

     During the excessive heat of summer Bro. Donisthorpe was prostrated by disease, and he has not yet been able to resume labor. And while he was helpless and suffering with fever, his wife, Jen-

nie H. Donisthorpe, was stricken down, and, after a painful and lingering illness, on the 14th of September her earthly experience closed in Christian triumph. In all the relations of life she was a true woman. She was pure in heart and exemplary in life. Now she rests, and the benisons of gratitude and love mingle with the devotions of her many friends.

     Weeping Water. Rev. E. Wilkinson has served this charge as pastor for three years. The church debt has been reduced and a parsonage built and paid for. Bro. Wilkinson is a strong instructive preacher and faithful pastor.

     South Bend. During the year the title to the parsonage property has been secured, and the debt considerably reduced. Good revivals have been enjoyed at several appointments.

     The Sunday schools have been judiciously conducted, and all the church interests carefully guarded. A. L. Folden is pastor.

     Ashland has had a year of great prosperity. The church building has been much improved within and without.

     At the first quarterly meeting a revival was in progress, and at the third a class of twenty probationers was received into full connection. The church is in a healthy working condition. Bro. Gallagher's prestige as an effective pastor has lost nothing the present year.

     Oak Creek. C. G. Lathrop, the pastor, has greatly improved the charge by getting unworthy members out of the church. He has adjusted conflicting interests among the membership and settled disputes of long standing. There is now a good degree of harmony and brotherly kindness in the church.

     A new appointment has been established at Valparaiso, and considerable strength developed. A parsonage is now being erected. at that point.

     Malcolm circuit lies along the Nebraska railway, a distance of thirty miles, requiring much travel and hard work. Bro. George A. Hobson has had pastoral charge and given full proof of his ministry, but during the heated term his health failed and he was compelled to retire. Since then his place has been partially filled by local preachers.

     Ulysses and Creswell charge was formed by the union of two circuits, whose names it bears. They were 20 or 30 miles apart, and being united require an unpleasant amount of travel on the

part of the pastor. Bro. Andrus has labored efficiently on this extensive circuit and gathered many into the church.

     Milford charge is too small geographically for a circuit and too large for a station, and too weak financially for either. But the people need the gospel, and they have had it in a very good form the last two years from Bro. T. H. Worley.

     Rock Creek was left to be supplied, and Bro. Geo. Worley, a local deacon employed. Several revivals have followed his labors, and a neat house of worship is being erected, and the funds are provided to complete it.

     Seward was also left to be supplied, and Bro. T. L. McLean, a local elder, was appointed pastor.

     At the beginning of the year there was a burdensome and dangerous debt, secured by a mortgage on the church, but during the year the sum of $1300 has been paid, and the church is now free from debt, excepting $300, due the Board of Church Extension.

     Bro. McLean has served this charge three years with great satisfaction and profit to the church and people.

     This district occupies a central position, including the most of the State institutions, and other denominations are making laudable efforts to entrench themselves within its bounds. They are receiving large sums of money from the cast to assist in building churches and paying their ministers, and while we soberly intend to lead all competition, as Methodism has done in the settlement of the West, still, in order that our church may occupy her legitimate position in advance, it is necessary that we should receive larger appropriations from our Boards of Missions and Church Extension.

     The banker at the close each day balances his books that he may know just the condition his bank is in. The merchant at the close of each year inventories his stock, balances his accounts and ascertains his profits or loss. So, according to custom, at the close of the Conference year each presiding elder is expected to report to the Conference the condition of his district.

     In looking over the work done on the Nebraska City District I cannot say that it is entirely satisfactory. In fact it is very far from being satisfactory. I am sorry more has not been done for the Master.

     I am very glad, however, to report progress. There has been an advance in almost all the departments of the Church. For this we praise God.

     At the last Conference Grant was left to be supplied. We employed Bro. Levi Shelly to supply this work during the year.

     At Peru, Bro. H. Burch pastor, the old parsonage was sold, old church debt paid, old fashioned revival held, in which some thirty souls were converted, and the church greatly strengthened in faith.

     Under the labors of Bro. S. P. Wilson Brownville was visited with a gracious revival. The church has been repaired, beautifully papered, and repainted at a cost of near $300, and improvements put upon the parsonage amounting to $50.

     Sterling, Bro. H. A. L. King pastor, has gained. At two points on the work--Helena and Sterling there were good revivals.

     At Tecumseh, Bro. S. D. Roberts pastor, there has been an advance in spirituality and members.

     At Pawnee City, Bro. J. H. Presson pastor, there has been an advance. The church has been repaired and repainted at a cost of $400.

     Table Rock, Bro. F. M. Esterbrook pastor, has gained. The church has been repaired and repapered at a cost of $200.

     Humboldt, Bro. Reed pastor, was visited last winter with a good revival. A debt on the church has been removed of $150.

     Falls City, Bro. L. F. Britt pastor, had a good revival during the winter, in which some forty souls were converted.

     At Rulo, Bro. G. H. Wehn pastor, there has been a large gain. A very extensive revival visited this place.

     At Sheridan, Bro. H. Presson pastor, a good parsonage, begun last year, has been completed. A new stable has been built. A new church has also been built, enclosed, and painted, and will be finished and ready for occupancy this fall. There were good revivals at several points on this work.

     At Syracuse, Bro. C. A. Lewis pastor, a good parsonage has been built. A lot has been purchased, and a new church is in course of erection, and it is expected to be completed and ready for use in a few weeks. A number of souls have been converted on this charge during the year, and there has been an advance in the spirituality of the membership.

     Nebraska City is the largest city in the District--has the largest church and the largest congregation. Under the labors of Bro. D. F. Rodabaugh, pastor, a debt of $1,500 has been reduced to $600, and the people there greatly rejoice in the prospect of soon being free from debt.

     The Palmyra work, under the labors of Bro. C. L. Brockway, is in a healthy condition. Some of the charges will report a decrease in membership owing to the fact that more members were reported than could be found by the new pastor.

     Our people on the Nebraska City District are sadly deficient on the matter of finances. This is painfully visible on all the charges. Not more so perhaps than on the other districts.

     More ought to be paid the preachers, more ought to be contributed to all the benevolent objects of the church. The great difficulty lies: 1st. In the want of system, or failure to work a system on the part of the officers of the church. 2d. In the want of systematic giving on the part of all the members of the church. 3d. In ignorance of, or a total disregard of the laws of the church and the law of God on the part of many of the members, requiring every one to give as God has prospered him.

     We are trying to correct these errors, and hope the day is not

distant when this subject will be seen by all as revealed in God's word.

     In summing up the work done on the district, we are glad to report that many souls have been converted, church enterprises have been inaugurated, church property improved, and the spirituality

     0f the membership deepened. The latter we consider the most important of all; for if the membership is deeply pious, souls will be converted, and the church will prosper in all its departments.

     At the beginning of the Conference year Beatrice District numbered thirteen members, of whom eight are now in charge, three are on the retired lists, one is without charge and one is dead. Thirty-two local preachers and eleven exhorters comprise the reserve force. Fifteen of the local preachers are in charge as assistant pastors. It would be difficult to find fifteen traveling preachers who have given more acceptable service to the church, or who have uttered fewer complaints, and, what is more remarkable, the return of nearly every one of them would be welcomed by their people. Ten of these faithful co-workers intend to make the itinerancy their life work. Twelve are preaching occasionally, and six purely ornamental.

     Beatrice station, Rev. J. W. Stewart pastor, has accomplished a  grand work in repairing and beautifying this temple wherein we are, at a cost of about $250, and in paying off an old and vexatious debt of $500. The pastor was assisted by his most excellent wife, and the worthy ladies of this church and congregation.

     The congregations are large and intelligent. The prayer meet-

ings are well sustained by the sisters of the church. A truer, nobler band of christian women could not easily be found.

     Bro. Stewart is an able and faithful minister of the Gospel of the Kingdom, and stands among the people of this city as a prince of preachers.

     Adams was favored with the faithful pastoral care of Rev. T. A. Hull for five months, and then he was not, for God took him. While sitting in his chair, in Hooker school house, conducting a social service, suddenly, uttering not a word, moving not a muscle, he ceased to breathe, and passed instantly from labor to reward. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."

     Rev. H. Burg, formerly a member of this Conference, served this circuit for the last six months with great credit to himself; and with the approbation of his people.

     Crab Orchard, J. M. Thomas pastor, and W. S. Dilworth assist.ant. Good revivals at Maple Grove and New Home and growing interest in church work.

     Fairbury has been favored with the able ministrations of Rev. L. W. B. Long, assisted half the year by Rev. H. W. Warner. The labors of Bro. Long in Fairbury have given character to our cause, and we trust have laid the foundations for large and permanent success in time to come. Bro. Warner's incessant toil has resulted in forming two new societies and adding to the church twenty-nine, souls. He is a young man of great promise to the church.

     Steele City and Blue Springs, Rev. W. Gage pastor. Father Gage has served his third year on the Steele City part of the work, and during that time he has built a church and parsonage, which will stand as monuments of his untiring zeal for the cause of his Master long after he reaches that "star" to which he proposes to go as a missionary, if his services are needed.

      This grand old soldier of the cross, who was the first man to wave the banner of Jesus over the realm of Nebraska, is still in the ranks, moving on to victory.

     At the dedication of the church, the efficient services of Bros. L. W. B. Long and J. W. Stewart were secured, and a subscription of $640 was raised to help to cancel the debts. The debt on the church at Blue Springs has been entirely provided for, and the society is greatly strengthened.

     Wilber and De Witt, Rev. J. Dallas Wilson pastor. Bro. Wilson has labored under many and vexatious embarrassments, but an overruling Providence is leading him and his little flock on to victory. About $1,000 has been paid, or subscribed toward their new church, which, with the help of the Lord will be ready for use this fall.

     Crete, Rev. F. A. Burdick, pastor. Victory is the triumphant note from Crete. The church is completed, the debts are all provided for, thanks to the Good Lord, to the pastor and people of Crete, and to Rev. L. W. B. Long, whose able ministry and effective begging did much on the day of the dedication to lift a subscription of $400. The church membership is largely increased, and the outlook for the future is very encouraging.

     Friend and Pleasant Hill, Rev. P. W. Howe, pastor. Bro. Howe commenced at Friend with about a dozen members, without a parsonage and without a suitable place to hold service. Now we have a very comfortable parsonage supplied with heavy furniture, and a church enclosed and filled with large congregations and a good Sunday school. The property is worth about $1,600, on which there is a debt of about $600. Great credit is due the pastor and the christian women of Friend for these results. Five acres of land has been donated to the society at Gorham for a church site, by Mr. Ellison, a friend of the church. Thanks to the donor and blessings from on high be upon him.

     York Station, Rev. E. J. Willis, pastor, have repaired their church, added greatly to its beauty, and paid off their debts, at an expense of over $300. We have a neat little parsonage and a good church, well filled with intelligent and interested hearers. The sisters of this church have shown themselves equal to any task that they may be disposed to undertake. Bro. Willis is a man of great pulpit ability and social worth.

     York Circuit, Rev. E. J. Hancock, pastor, and Rev. J. A. Larkin, assistant, has enjoyed a year of the most unequaled prosperity in the records of this district for this year. The pastors have been untiring in their efforts to save souls. Revivals have swept every part of the circuit, which is about twelve miles wide by twenty-four long. The membership has advanced from 92 to 217. Increase 125. Five new societies have been created and the constantly enlarging work calls for a division of the circuit. One new

church has been put up and enclosed, at a cost of $800--no debt, Two forty-acre lots have been purchased for church purposes at cost of $400. The Lord being our helper, four churches and a parsonage will lift their forms toward heaven from this ground before the next session of this Conference.

     Fairmont, Rev. S. J. Orr, pastor, has succeeded in removing a part of the church debt. Their prayer-meetings are excellent, their finances improving, and they are looking hopefully forward to a prosperous future. Bro. Orr is a very able minister of the Lord Jesus, and a man of great faith in God.

     Geneva, Rev. J. A. Chapin, pastor. A glorious revival came down from heaven upon Grafton last winter, adding about forty souls to the church and giving strength to arise and build a house of worship for the Lord. The building is now enclosed and is used for divine service. The debts are fully covered with reliable pledges. The hearts of God's people in Grafton are leaping with joy. Geneva is moving with their might in the erection of their much needed church. $500 have been borrowed, and $800 raised by subscription. Their finances are improving.

     Carleton, Rev. W. H. Blaine, pastor, and Peter VanDoozer, assistant. A warm friend of the Church has donated a very desirable lot and building, in Carleton, for a church, on condition that the society fit up the building for church use. The property is worth about $500.

     At Hamilton on this work, the Lord revived his work gloriously and added twenty-five to the church. A good brother has deeded ten acres of land to the society on which to build a church. Our people there are jubilant over their victories and prospects.

     Atlanta, Rev. S. W. Johnson, pastor. By force of circumstances it has become necessary to reorganize this work by connecting the societies with adjoining circuits.

     Walnut Creek, Rev. J. M. Fry, pastor. Two new societies have been formed on this work, and a blessed revival of religion visited the Belle Prairie class.

     Hebron, Rev. Lewis Willard, pastor, Rev. J. G. Appleford, assistant. The foundation for a new church is laid at Alexandria, and the pastor and his people are now at work with all their might securing funds to erect the superstructure. The enemies of our

cause are not idle. The pastor thinks that he cannot possibly leave the work even to attend the Conference. This entire work was born of revivals, and the revival spirit lingers in the societies.

     It will be seen by the statement in the "Review of the Churches" that great activity prevails in the line of church buildings Two churches have been dedicated to the worship of God. Three churches have been repaired, and old debts have been lifted from four. Eight are now in process of completion, and the Lord helping, all will be in use this winter. The smallest of these churches is 24x36. One parsonage has been erected. The lots and lands acquired are too numerous to be described in this report.

     The saddest part of this report, aside from the death of one of our number, is the lamentable fact that on an average our preachers have not received more than half of a "comfortable support."

     Herculean efforts have been put forth by many of our preachers to circulate our literature. York circuit takes the lead, circulating two hundred copies of church papers and two hundred lesson leaves.

are prospering. There has been an increase of about twenty per cent in the number of schools. The interest of the Church in the Sunday-school work is not what it ought to be. Let us all in the coming year join in a regular Sunday-school crusade, planting schools everywhere possible, and seek the immediate conversion of the rising generation.

DEAR FATHER AND BRETHREN:--

     At the last session of our Conference Bishop Bowman assigned us to the Kearney District, which embraces thirty counties in the western, north-western, and south-west portions of the State.

     There are societies organized in twenty-six counties, served by the preachers of the district, and from the tide of emigration going into and settling on the fine land in all that country it will not be long before there will be a demand to occupy all that territory for our blessed Redeemer. The district as heretofore worked did not extend farther west than Dawson county. North Platte was added at the last Annual Conference and left to be supplied, and at our first official visit to this charge we extended our trip one hundred and twenty-five miles further west, to Sidney, the county seat of Cheyenne, and an important station on the U. P. Railroad, with a population of from ten to twelve hundred, and at present the principal outfitting post to the Black Hills. We found about twenty-five or thirty members of our church living at this place, and at present receiving pastoral attention from the Rev. McCake, a young minister of the Presbyterian church. We visited them three times during the year, preaching for and seeing them at their homes. Our people desire very much pastors from their mother Church, but are willing to bide their time and receive such service as the Presiding Elder may be able to give them quarterly. This is an important post on the railroad, and though the soil from North Platte to Sidney is not agricultural, yet as pastoral it is equal to any found in our State. From North Platte to Sidney thousands of cattle are herded and keep in fine condition for market without grain, simply living on the rich, short buffalo grass that grows on that soil. Sidney is a point from which heavy ship-

ments of cattle are annually made over the road to different eastern markets. The Church ought to man this place and help by liberal missionary means to enter, occupy. and cultivate it for the Redeemer. There is a mass of human beings daily finding their way to this place, some remain, others leave for different places, and while here are exposed to the most powerful and subtle agencies of sin. There are good men and women here, and need a live, active, energetic man to meet and overcome the evil influences and bring men to Christ. Sidney is such a place as we think St. Paul would have desired to go into and work for the Master.

     Within the bounds of the district as it now stands are the following organized counties and some unorganized territory: Beginning on the north side of the Platte river near the north-east corner of Merrick county, and running north-west up the Loup Fork river, it includes Merrick, Howard, Greeley, Valley, Wheeler, Taylor, Sherman, and Custer counties. Within these counties lie the rich and beautiful valleys of the North, Middle, and South Loup, now rapidly filling up with an intelligent and enterprising people, some foreigners, but many Americans. From Hall county westward along the Union Pacific railroad in the great Platte valley are Hall, Buffalo, Dawson, Lincoln, Keith, and Cheyenne counties. On the south side of the Platte river beginning at the north line of Hamilton county and extending south and southwest, it includes Hamilton, Clay, Nuckolls, Adams, Webster, Kearney, Franklin, Harlan, Phelps, Gosper, Furnas. Red Willow, Frontier, Hitchcock, Dundy, and Chase counties. Within these counties there is as fine agricultural land as can be found in the State. The Burlington & Missouri River railroad runs from Kearney Junction to Omaha and Plattsmouth, through Kearney, Adams, and Clay counties, and the company are now building a road from Hastings in Adams county to Red Cloud on the Republican valley, thence westward up the valley. The calculation is to complete it to Bloomington by next May. This must bring a heavy emigration to the Republican Valley during the next year. This valley widens as one goes west from Red Cloud through Webster, Franklin, Harlan, and Red Willow counties, and presents as grand a view for richness of soil and variety of scenery as any valley on the continent, and is capable of supporting a large population.
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     The Church has not received much addition from the emigration of the past year, but the people are coming and the valleys and divides are filling up, and the gospel preached by earnest consecrated men can bring them to Christ. Within this vast territory there were twenty-one appointments and only eight men appointed by the Bishop from the Conference, leaving thirteen appointments to be supplied, with only fourteen hundred dollars to aid the men to work this field, and every charge purely missionary. With so few men, such limited means, and our own health impaired by overtaxing our energies during the past year, and the extent of the field before us, we felt more like giving up than ever before, but after prayer and reflection we resolved to be obedient to the powers that be and enter upon and do the best we could, with very little expectation of standing it for the year or appearing before this Conference with a report from Kearney district, but God has been good and in mercy has preserved us. During the first quarter we did but little in consequence of an illness which prostrated us for part of the winter, but the few men sent to the district did double work to aid us, and ably served the charges they were sent to, so that no loss was sustained by our absence. We began our first round at North Platte, and found a society of near forty which had been organized by a Bro. Stoughton from the Rock River Conference, who had served the little flock as pastor for a few months. They were devoted to the church of their choice and urged us to get them a pastor. We corresponded with Bishop Bowman and he consented that Rev. Edward Thomson might be removed from Hastings and appointed to North Platte, and by the transfer of Rev. A. C. Crosthwaite from the Central Pennsylvania Conference, and appointed to the Hastings charge, both places were ably served. Bro. Thomson entered upon the work about the beginning of the third quarter, and God has greatly blest his labor in the increase of the society and building up the interests of the Church. The society being largely made up of ladies it is wonderful what they have accomplished without any missionary aid. They have paid their pastor the salary they agreed upon, paid the expense of moving his family and household goods from Hastings, and the rent of a parsonage at $18 per month, and paid the Presiding Elder all square and full. The ladies have leased the Baptist church building and

are engaged in raising means to build a parsonage and church, and they ought to receive missionary aid while engaged in this enterprise. They have a flourishing Sabbath-school, and the future of the Church there promises much. North Platte is an important station on the U. P. R. R., with a population of some fourteen hundred. The R. R. Co. have shops at this point, and over one hundred and fifty men on their pay roll, whose families live in the town. It is a great cattle market Among the busy and enterprising citizens of this place our little band of Christian ladies have taxed their energies, their means, and their time to build up the cause of their Master, and we believe the result of such well directed means will be glorious.

     Plum Creek charge embraces the towns along the U. P. R. R. in Dawson county. Rev. S. L. Norvell supplied this mission with acceptance and usefulness.

     Kearney is a thriving town at the intersection of the B. & M. railroad with the Union Pacific, is the county seat of Buffalo, a place of considerable enterprise. Rev. John Armstrong ably served this charge the past year. Early in the year they moved the church building from the old site south of the railroad to a lot in the central part of the city, and beautifully improved the inside. This incurred an outlay of several hundred dollars, which was raised and paid. The result is an enlargement of the congregation and a fine Sabbath-school. There was some revival influence and an enlargement of membership.. There is a debt due the Church Extension for the building of the church.

     Gibbon lies east of Kearney on the U. P. road. Rev. J. Marsh faithfully served this charge the past year and attended to all the interests of the Church. She will be the banner appointment in the district in her missionary offerings.

     Grand Island is the county seat of Hall, is an important station on the U. P. railroad, with a population of over fifteen hundred. Our society is small and of limited means. We found them discouraged in consequence of several claims against them, amounting in all to about one thousand dollars-to-wit: one of $260 due a lumber merchant, one for $400 due a manufacturing company in Cincinnati for seats, and one for $285 due the Church Extension society, all due and payment being demanded. They sold one-third of one of their church lots for $300; the ladies raised one hundred

by a festival; and with this they paid the lumber bill and one hundred and fourteen dollars on the seats, and got the time extended on the Church Extension claim, and the promise from the Cincinnati firm to extend their claim and put it in five annual payments. This gave them hope and inspiration, but in the midst of their brightening prospects, the Rev. J. H. Burlison, the pastor, receiving an offer of a larger missionary appropriation by the Presbyterians than we could give, left us and took a charge offered by them. We secured the services of Rev. J. M. Harmon, a good local preacher, late from Pennsylvania, and our cause rather gained than lost by the change.

     Central City is the county seat of Merrick, and a town of fine promise. Rev. Richard Pearson faithfully served this charge, completed the church building begun the year before, and paid off all indebtedness, except a claim due the Church Extension society.

     Clarksville was supplied by Rev. J. S. Donaldson, under whose ministry over one hundred and forty were converted. This faithful man of God closed his labors and entered into his rest the 16th of May. We secured the services of Rev. J. M. Dressler for the remainder of the year.

     St. Paul embraces a part of Merrick, Howard, Greeley, Valley, Wheeler, Taylor, Sherman, and Custer counties. Rev. A. C. Hale was appointed to this work, with one to be supplied. We secured the services of Rev. E. Williamson. Rev. Hale became discouraged and resigned the mission; Bro. Williamson was put in charge and did the work on this mission, covering as much territory as is found in some districts. We regret to lose Bro. Hale from the ministry; he is a good preacher, a pure, upright man, but the size of his family makes him fear the people would hardly give him such a support as to prevent their suffering.

      We united Aurora and Lincoln Valley, by the consent of Bishop Bowman, under the pastoral care of Rev. J. T. Martel.

     Hamilton mission did well under the labor of Rev. W. K. Ream, a supply.

     Rev. C. L. Smith closes his third year of labor on the Sutton charge. The fruit of his labor is seen in the increase of membership, and the erection of a brick church in the town of Sutton, and nearly paid for. The friends are moving in the matter of building a parsonage on the church lot. Sutton is the county seat of Clay,

on the B. & M. railroad, in the midst of a growing and healthy community.

     Harvard is an important town on the B. & M. R. R., west from Sutton.

     Hastings is becoming quite a railroad center, situated at a point where the Denver City & St. Joe R. R. intersects the B. & M. R. B., and from which the new railroad is being built to Red Cloud and up the Republican valley. These interests give great importance to the town. Rev. A. C. Crosthwaite has proved himself the right man in the right place. Our friends are talking of enlarging the church, or selling and building one more in keeping with the wants of the town. There is an old debt for seats which has been annoying them, but the company proposes to give them four years on the claim, which gives them hope and purpose. They have made an important addition to their parsonage the past year.

     Juniata, the present county seat of Adams, is an important grain market situated west from Hastings on the B. & M. railroad. We have a good church building here with some debt due the Church Extension society. The Rev. A. H. Summers supplied this work the past year with flue effect.

     Fairfield and Edgar are on the St. Joe & Denver City railroad in Clay county. Rev. J. W. Dobbs made the record of a faithful and judicious minister of Christ, the past year, and labored in the erection of two churches, one in Fairfield nearly completed, also one at Edgar. Both these churches will owe money loaned to the Church Extension society.

     There is a call for us to send a man into Nuckolls county, there being from thirty to forty of our people there who desire a pastor from the M. E. Church.

     Little Blue is situated along the valley named from the Little Blue river. Rev. D. Fetz and L. D. Brown supplied this work the past year, and the statistics will show that it was in careful and diligent hands. The friends are devising means and ways to build a parsonage at some central point.

     Rev. Charles Reily made a speciality of the enterprise of building a church in the town of Red Cloud, and made a grand success of it. Beginning the work about the first of June, he raised the money by subscription and personally collected the largest part of it, and put up a building which cost over two thousand dollars, re-

ceiving only three hundred dollars from the Church Extension Society. It was dedicated on the 22d of September by Rev. Edward Thomson, free from debt. This is a glorious achievement, as Red Cloud is situated at the entrance to the Republican valley and made a center on a thoroughfare of trade and travel, is the county seat of Webster, and from the character of her citizens and the valuable resources she commands, she has a grand future before her, and this church enterprise, free from debt, speaks well for the preacher and the people of Red Cloud.

     Bloomington is the county seat of Franklin. The United States land office is here. This place and Riverton, with many country appointments, were united in one last year, and we appointed Rev. J. R. Wood a supply for this work, but had to divide it and place Riverton, with several country appointments, under the pastoral care of Rev. J. H. G. Armestead. The official board ask a division of the work. This will be regarded as necessary in view of the growth of both Riverton and Bloomington, and at both places they desire to build a church. Bloomington has a subscription of some $500 to begin with and contemplate at an early day to begin a church.

     Orleans embraces all that part of the Republican valley--extending west from Naponee to Beaver City in Furnas county. We had to divide the territory under Rev. H. L. Hickman, Rev. John Grundy and son. We found the church building at Republican City in a deplorable condition without foundation, standing the merest shell, never having been painted on the outside, and nothing but the frame, weather--boarding, floor, and roof; no seats, and in no condition to worship in, except in warm weather, and using such seats as could be procured. Against this building there was a claim due the Church Extension Society of some $300; another debt of $200. One friend undertook to raise the money to finish the building, and we promised them if they did we would get them the oil and white lead to paint the house, and try and get an extension of the claim due the Church Extension Society, this was accepted, and the money to finish was pledged, and the time extended six years for the payment of their debt, which secures the completion of the church and payment of the debt, and gives hope to the little flock for the future.

     The Upper Republican extends up the Republican and Beaver

valleys--from Furnas county through Red Willow to Indianola--with the range of Gosper, Hitchcock, Frontier, Dundy, and Chase counties, the Rev. T. W. Owen has rendered valuable and able service on this work since May last. There have been spiritual awakenings and conversions in nearly all the missions. Two camp meetings were held with fine results. One on the Little Blue near Kingston, with twenty-five conversions, and one between Riverton and Bloomington, in the Republican valley, resulting in several conversions and revival of the membership.

     We have urged our people to take the Central Advocate as our Conference paper, and the preachers Shave brought our benevolent claims before the people and taken collections. We think the statistics will show that our frontier district has not been neglected, but the duties enjoined by our discipline have been attended to. We have in person visited near all the counties in the district, and made personal examination of the county and its wants, and what we say of the demands are from personal observation. We need for that vast district of country men and means. Our sister churches are putting their best young men at the important centers and places of promise along the thoroughfares of travel, and liberally supporting them from their mission and church extension funds, and saying, Occupy and build churches, and we will help you until your people can sustain themselves. Alongside of these agencies we are compelled to employ the local preacher, who has to toil day by day to support his family, as the people are not able to support him, and our missionary appropriation to these charges very small--amounting only to some fifty dollars--while in the same places our sister churches give from $400 to $700 per annum to their preachers. Yet with all these disadvantages, our employed local aid and the few men sent from the Conference, have nobly met and overcome the discouragements, and the results of their labors have been glorious, but how much greater would have been the results if we had the men and means to meet the increasing demands of that growing country. Give us these and you will hear good tidings from the west.

     My report of the North Nebraska District for the year now closing will be arranged under different heads: The first is its

     The district has at work this year fifteen preachers, exclusive of the presiding elder. Of these eight were appointed by the bishop and seven are supplies. To aid in their support the Missionary Society appropriated eleven hundred and seventy dollars. Another church having eight men in the same field appropriates for their support over three thousand dollars. That is, our appropriation divided equally among sixteen men gives about seventy-three dollars to each; while theirs, divided in the same way, gives above four hundred dollars each. Some of these men are from our own ranks of local preachers. When we consider that the great difficulty to meet and overcome in this frontier work is the support of the preachers, we can understand the great disadvantage under which we labor when we are compelled as we are to work side by side with these competing churches, backed by so much larger outlay of money than our own.

     Two district conventions and ministerial associations have been held this year, one at Laporte, in Wayne county, and one at Madison. The ministers in attendance enjoyed a pleasant and profitable time together at those two meetings.

     Our increase in numbers, as will be shown by the statistical reports of the preachers, is very gratifying indeed. Immigration has increased the number of our membership in the western counties very considerably. Good revivals at many points have added to the church such as shall be saved.

     Albion has increased its members in each of these ways.

     Madison, the seat of the district camp meeting, has had a fine growth from the same causes as in the case of Albion.

     St. James has had a fine revival.

     Ponca is in better condition as a circuit than ever before in its history.

     West Point has much to thank God for in the way of revival influences during the year.

     Blair has added to its members by letter, and upon probation, near ninety members during the year.

     In this department of church work we have as a district made a record during the year of which we may well be proud.

     At Albion we have erected a very comfortable parsonage.

     A good church has been completed at Madison, to the joy of our good people there.

     The parsonage at Madison has been improved also during the year. Our church is now well fixed at Madison. Much of this isTowing to the self-denying labors and indomitable perseverance of its pastor.

     Wisner has improved its church property during the year in a very substantial manner.

     The parsonage at West Point has received very valuable improvements. A church is likewise projected, and will probably be built the coining year.

     A church at Green Island, opposite Yankton, D. P., is now being built. It will be finished before winter.

     At Niobrara another church is projected, and in all probability will be erected the coming year.

     The church at Ponca has been finished, papered, and seated. The grounds have been improved, fenced, etc., and now we have what we have never had in Ponca before--an attractive place of worship. At Covington church improvements have been made so that they have an almost new church, and one good enough and tasty enough for any congregation.

     Church improvement has been pushed in Blair to the amount of several hundred dollars. These consist of a new bell, new seats,

repainting and papering the church. We are in good shape as church in Blair. When the amounts pledged by members of the Conference to help to remove the debt resting on the church in Tekamah are paid, their liabilities will all be discharged, except one hundred dollars due the Church Extension Society. Our advancement in church property is very gratifying. I have urged the building of parsonages whenever it was practical, and hope we shall soon come to the time when every circuit will have a house for the preacher's home. Concerning the finances of the district I am not able to speak so cheerfully. The salaries have been poorly met. Prices have been low and times hard. Retrenchment usually begins with the minister's pay. Our people, too many of them, stop their quarterage before they stop their tobacco. Will the time ever come when tobacco using among our people has ceased? When that time does come, I am of the opinion the claims of the preachers will be met.

     We have endeavored to keep a greater spirituality constantly before the people. At the district camp meeting, in August, at Madison, a number professed entire sanctification, while all seemed to be impressed with the necessity of personal consecration to God. May God make the Methodists of Nebraska a holy people. The ministry of the North Nebraska district, in view of their labors and successes during the year, can come with gladness of heart to this annual Conference.

     Records have been made of faith, and truth, and industry to their praise, and the Master's glory. Their work hall not pass away, but the fruits of their abundant labors shall continue through all time and eternity. This Annual Conference need not blush for these men. Christ is not ashamed to own them His. They are not weary in well doing, for in due time they expect to reap if they faint not.

     Their lives and their labors they have given freely to Him whose right it is to reign. And the praise and the glory shall all belong to Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us. To Him be glory and dominion forever.

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