Hastings District -- C. B. LENFEST, W. J. SCOTT, JOHN HEDGE, C. A. LEWIS, and the Presiding Elder.

Lincoln District -- W. R. HALSTEAD, R. T. CHIPPERFIELD, B. L. PAINE, S. D. HYDE, and the. Presiding Elder.

Nebraska City District -- JOHN GALLAGHER, G. W. ABBOTT, J. J. HOCHSTETTLER, J. F. NEAL, and the Presiding Elder.

York District -- J. F. KEMPER, G. M. MOEEY, E. J. WIGHTMAN, A. L. HUGHES, and the Presiding Elder.

      All were in attendance at the session of 1897. some time, except those marked with an asterisk (*) ¶ Transferred. Ý Died.

YORK, NEBRASKA, September 15, 1897.   

   OPENING.--The thirty-seventh session of the Nebraska Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church met in York, Wednesday, September 15, 1897. L. T. Guild conducted a half hour's devotional service, after which Bishop W. X. Ninde invited the presiding elders and the pastor of the church in York to come within the altar. To them he gave the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and they, with others, assisted in its further administration.

    ROLL CALL.--.A. A. Randall, secretary of the last session of the Conference, called the roll, and 122 members and probationers as follows responded.

    TRANSFERS. -- By request of the Bishop, the secretary read the transfers of D. B. Lake from the Missouri, Lorenzo Jean from the Des Moines to the Nebraska Conference.

    SECRETARY. -- A. A. Randall was, on motion of J. S. W. Dean, re-elected secretary and authorized to name his assistants. He named O. W. Fifer and F. A. Stuff assistants; G. A. Hobson, recorder.

    STATISTICAL SECRETARY. -- On motion of F. M. Esterbrook, D. C. Phillips was re-elected statistical secretary and authorized to name his assistants. He named F. W. Bean, A. W. Partch, J. W. Royse, M. A. Wimberly, C. L. Myers, J. Calvert, A. V. Wilson, H. B. Seymour, H. F. Smith, E. S. Burr.

    TREASURER. -- On motion of D. C. Phillips, F. M. Esterbrook was reelected Treasurer and authorized to name his assistants. He named J. F. Kemper and W. K. Williams.

    COMMITTEES. -- On motion of T. H. Worley, the presiding elders were authorized to nominate the standing committees. The nominations were read by P. Van Fleet and confirmed by the Conference. (See committee.)

    TIME OF MEETING -- On motion of J. S. W. Dean the hours of the sessions were fixed from 8:30 to 11:45 A.M., the first half hour to be devoted to devotional services.

    BAR OF CONFERENCE. -- On motion of J. W. Royse, the bar of the Conference was made to include the first seven rows of seats from the platform.

    PAPERS REFERRED. -- Bishop Ninde presented papers which were referred to their appropriate committees.

    COMMITTEE -- The Bishop, on motion of W. B. Alexander, was requested to name a committee of five to report to this conference on the general fitness of all applicants for admission on trial.

   CHARTERED FUND AND BOOK CONCERN DIVIDEND. -- Bishop Ninde announced that the Conference was authorized to order a draft upon the Chartered Fund for $22; on Book Concern dividend for $989. The drafts were ordered.

    GOSPEL IN ALL LANDS. -- On motion, G. M. Jones was appointed to canvass for new subscriptions for "Gospel in All Lands," and A. J. Hollingworth was appointed to collect accounts for the same.

    METHODIST REVIEW. -- On motion of D. W. C. Huntington, W. N. Simpson was appointed to take new subscriptions to the Methodist Review.

    CRISTMAN-CLARK FUND. -- The Bishop announced that the Conference was instructed to order a draft on the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church for $20, from the proceeds of Cristman-Clark fund.

    POSTMASTER. -- On Motion of A. C. Crosthwaite, A. E. Chadwick was appointed Conference postmaster.

    RAILROAD SECRETARY. -- On motion of L. T. Guild, D. B. Lake was elected railroad secretary.

    APPORTIONMENTS. -- The secretary read communications concerning the apportionments to this conference for the support of the bishops and for the Freedmen's Aid and Southern Educational Society as follows:

   The presiding elders were made a committee to apportion these amounts to the districts.

    BOARD OF STEWARDS. -- On motion of W. B. Alexander, C. B. Lenfest was elected to act in place of G. W. Abbott as a member of the Board of Conference Stewards.

    INTRODUCTIONS. -- The following brethren were introduced: A. B. Leonard D.D., Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society; Wm. Van Buren of the Black Hills; C. B. Couch of the Central Illinois Conferences; W. H. Halstead and L. Jean who were last year transferred to the Nebraska Conference.

    ADDRESS. -- A. B. Leonard, D.D., addressed the Conference in the interests of the Missionary Society, and forty-five brethren pledged themselves to raise $20 each and sixty to put forth their best effort to lift the entire debt of the Missionary Society.

    XIII. QUESTION -- The Thirteenth question of the General Minute was taken up.

    "Was the character of each preacher examined?"

    The character of D. W. C. Huntington, Presiding Elder of the Beatrice District, H. T. Davis, Presiding Elder of the Lincoln District passed, and they read their reports.

    REPORTS. -- On motion of J. S. W. Dean, brethren were required to report all their benevolences and state whether all collections had been taken.

    CHARACTERS PASSED. -- The character of the following effective elders passed, those present and in charge reported.

    Beatrice District. -- C. S. Dudley, J. W. Royse, S. T. Hawkins, Duke Slavens, P. C. Johnson, D. C. Phillips, F. M. Esterbrook, A. A. Randall, M. C. Smith, J. S. W. Dean, J. G. Walker, J. G. Day, J. P. Badgely, C. H. Dalrymple, J. E. Rippetoe, A. B. Whitmer.

    STATISTICAL SESSION. -- A statistical session was, on motion of T. H. Worley, ordered for 2:00 P.M., this afternoon. The Bishop appointed P. C. Johnson to preside and T. H. Worley to conduct the devotional exercises.

    CONFERENCE MINUTES SUBSCRIPTION. -- The secretary presented bids for the publication of the Conference Minutes, and a cash subscription was made the order for 10 A.M. to-morrow.

    By motion of P. C. Johnson, the secretary was instructed to publish 2,000 copies of the Conference Minutes.

    TIME EXTENDED. -- On motion of A. C. Crosthwaite time was extended.

    APPOINTMENT. -- The Bishop appointed J. C. H. Hobbs to lead to-morrow molting devotional services.

    ADJOURNED. -- The committees were called, announcements made, the doxology sung, and James Mailley pronounced the benediction.

    OPENING. -- The Conference met at 2 o'clock, P. C. Johnson in the chair. T. H. Worley led the devotional services.

    STATISTICAL CALL. -- The appointments by districts were called and those present handed in their statistical and financial reports.

    ADJOURNED. -- The Conference adjourned.

THURSDAY, September 16, 1897.   

    OPENING. -- Conference met at 8:30 A. M. J. C. H. Hobbs conducted a half hour's devotional service, when Bishop Ninde took the chair.

    JOURNAL. -- The Journal of yesterday's morning and afternoon sessions was read and approved.

    ROLL CALL. -- The roll of absentees was called and six members, as follows, responded:

         Jeptha Marsh, E. Wilkinson, D. Fetz, G. W. Abbott, C. W. Wells, N. H. Davis.

    STATISTICAL CALL. -- The statistical secretary and treasurer called the roll of charges which had failed to report.

    INTRODUCTIONS. -- D. K. Tyndall, D.D., N. A. Martin of the North Ne-

braska; Joel A. Smith, Northwest Iowa; F. H. Winters, St. Louis; J. Q. Helm, West Nebraska Conference; O. B. Whitmore, State Superintendent Anti-Saloon League, and W. R. Jackson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction were introduced.

    III. QUESTION. -- The Third question of the General Minute was taken up.

    "Who have been received on credentials and from what churches?"

    The certificate of ordination of Ulysses G. Brown, an elder in the church of the United Brethren in Christ was presented. He was introduced to the Conference, represented by D. W. C. Huntington, answered the disciplinary questions, and on motion of F. M. Esterbrook he was received as an effective elder.

    XIII. QUESTION -- The Thirteenth question of the General Minute was resumed.

    "Was the character of each preacher examined?"

    CHARACTERS PASSED. Lincoln District. -- G. I. Wright, L. T. Guild, R. N. Orrill, J. H. N. Cobb, Wm. Worley, J. T. Roberts, J. W. Lewis, F. A. Stuff, A. P. Hull, C. M. Shepherd, W. R. Halstead, L. G. Parker, G. W. Abbott, J. A. Nichols, J. W. Swan, J. R. Gettys, I. L. Lowe, C. M. Ellinwood, Isaac Crook characters passed and those in charge reported their benevolent collections.

    Hastings District. -- W. B. Alexander, presiding elder of the Hastings District, character passed and he read his report. H. B. Seymour, E. L. Wolff, E. J. Randall, R. E. Neal, C. L. Hamilton, W. J. Scott, W. T. Cline, G. A. Hobson, C. B. Lenfest, O. W. Fifer, Hiram Curtiss, G. W. Isham, E. J. Bird, F. A. Colony, J. M. Darby, Richard Pearson, T. S. Fowler, characters passed, those present and in charge reported.

    The name of A. M. Perry being called, W. B. Alexander his presiding elder, stated that he held charges against him which he passed into the hands of the Bishop.

    BILL OF CHARGES. -- The statement being made by the presiding elder that additional specifications would be added, the Bishop stated that it would be unlawful to change the original bill of charges as used in the preliminary examination.

    D. W. C. Huntington moved that the original bill of charges be received and tried.

    SELECT NUMBER. -- On motion of J. S. W. Dean the case was referred to a Select Number of thirteen. The Bishop appointed G. H. Moulton as chairman, C. S. Dudley, M. C. Smith, A. B. Whitmer, Wm. Worley, C. M. Shepherd, J. A. Nichols, J. W. Swan, J. G. Stanard, J. A. Barker, J. K. Maxfield, J. W. Lewis, James Mailley, G. M. Morey. G. H. Moulton announced the Baptist church as the place and 2 o'clock as the time for the meeting of the committee.

    SECRETARIES. -- The secretary named J. T. Roberts and W. J. Scott as assistant secretaries and appointed them to take the minutes of the select members. They were by motion of J. S. W. Dean confirmed.

    COUNSEL. -- On motion of D. B. Lake, Asa Sleeth and J. H. N. Cobb were appointed counsel for the church.

    TIME EXTENDED. -- The time on motion of A. C. Crosthwaite was extended.

    SPECIAL ORDER. -- On motion of A. A. Randall the special order was taken up, the roll was called for cash subscriptions for the Conference Minutes, and $136.42 realized.

    BOARD OF STEWARD. -- G. W. Abbott was by motion of the secretary substituted for G. H. Moulton on the Conference Board of Stewards.

    XIII. QUESTION. -- The Thirteenth question was resumed. P. Van Fleet, presiding elder of the Nebraska City District, character passed, and he read his report.

    TRANSFER. -- The Bishop announced the transfer of E. D. Gideon from the North Nebraska to this conference, and he was introduced. The Bishop appointed W. R. Halstead to conduct the devotional services to-morrow morning.

    ADJOURNED. -- Upon motion of A. C, Crosthwaite the Conference adjourned. Announcements were made, committees were called, and J. W. Shank pronounced the benediction.

FRIDAY, September 17, 1897.   

    OPENING. -- Conference met at 8:30 A.M. W. R. Halstead conducted the devotional exercises. At 9:00 o'clock Bishop Ninde took the chair.

    JOURNAL. -- The journal of yesterday's sessions was read and approved.

    EXCUSED. -- On motion of J. W. Stewart, J. H. Presson was excused from further attendance, and the Select Number were excused that they might attend upon the trial.

    COMMITTEE. -- Bishop Ninde announced committee on general qualifications of candidates for admission as follows: G. W. Isham, O. W. Fifer, L. T. Guild, J. S. W. Dean, G. M. Jones.

    XIII. QUESTION. -- The Thirteenth question of the General Minute was taken up.

    "Was the character of each preacher examined?"

    Nebraska City District. -- J. G. Stanard, J. Gallagher, C. H. Gilmore, C. E. Rowe, J. A. Barker, J. K. Maxfield, B. E. Newton, H. C. Harman, G. M. Gates, F. A. Campbell, L. Morrison, E. L. Barch, J. C. H. Hobbs, D. Fetz, T. H. Worley, J. R. Woodcock, A. L. Folden, G. H. Moulton, D. B. Lake, L. Jean, characters passed and those present reported.

    York District. -- Character of A. C. Crosthwaite, Presiding Elder of York District, passed, and he read his report. H. G. Claycomb, L. F. Smith, J. A. Chapin, James Mailley, Wm. Cowley, T. A. Hull, W. K. Williams, C. L.

Smith, G. M. Jones, E. Holland, J. F. Kemper, C. E. Giwits, J. H. Presson, D. P. Kline, G. M. Morey, F. Deal, George Shuman, J. W. Stewart, characters passed and those present read their reports.

    INTRODUCTIONS. -- J. E. Moore and C. N. Dawson, of the North Nebraska, I. S. Leavit, of the Wisconsin, E. E. Clough, of Black Hills Conferences, and Miss Alice Pfrimmer, Superintendent of Methodist Hospital and Deaconess Home, were introduced.

    V. QUESTION. -- The Fifth question of the General Minute was taken up.

    "Who have been continued on trial?"

    Arthur J. Hollingworth, Frank R. Hollenback, John Calvert, Roscoe A. Barnes, Mortimer R. Crisp, Alson E. Chadwick, Phillip H. Smith, Bert E. Jacobs, Frank H. Winter characters passed. They were represented by their presiding elders and the Board of Examiners, reported their charges and were advanced to the studies of the second year except,

    CONTINUED. -- Phillip H. Smith, and Frank H. Winter were continued on trial in the studies of the first year; Frank R. Hollenback continued on trial in studies of the third year, and left without appointment to attend one of our schools.

    ADVANCED. -- Mortimer R. Crisp advanced to the studies of the second year, and the Board of Conference Examiners was instructed to give him certificates for work done in course of the second year. Alson E. Chadwick passed in the studies of the fourth year and left for the call of the Seventh question of the General Minute.

    DISCONTINUED. -- B. E. Jacobs was by motion of P. Van Fleet discontinued.

    CONDITIONED. -- John Calvert was conditioned in Rhetoric, Harman, Buckley on Extemporaneous Preaching, Fisher's History, and Miley's Theology.

    IX. QUESTION. -- The Ninth question of the General Minute was taken up.

    "What members are in the studies of the fourth year?"

    Robert T. Chipperfield, Andrew W. Shamel, Clement L. Myers, Edward S. Burr, W. John Calfee, Harry W. Cope, Abram J. Young, Green W. Selby, William H. Mills, Edwin D. Gideon characters passed. They reported their charges, were represented by their presiding elders and by the Board of Examiners and were advanced to the studies of the fourth year except,

    CONDITIONED. -- Clement L. Myers conditioned on Hermeneutics and History of the Christian church.

    CONTINUED. -- Abram J. Young, Edward S. Burr, Green W. Selby, William H. Mills, Edwin D. Gideon were continued in the studies of the third year.

    CREDITED STUDIES. -- The Board of Conference Examiners were instructed to give W. H. Mills and Edwin D. Gideon certificates for work done in third years' course of study.

    REFERRED. -- Robert T. Chipperfield left for the calling of the Tenth question.

    ATTEND SCHOOL. -- Frank R. Hollenback and W. John Calfee were left without appointment to attend one of our schools.

    ADDRESS. -- Miss Alice Primmer and C. N. Dawson addressed the Conference in the interests of Methodist Hospital and Deaconess Home, and O. B. Whitmore, State Superintendent of the Anti-Saloon League, addressed the Conference in that interest.

    RESOLUTION. -- John Gallagher presented the following resolution, which was adopted:

    WHEREAS, We recognize in the Anti-Saloon League a providential movement which has proven a great power in overcoming the influence of the rum traffic, therefore

    Resolved, First -- That we heartily endorse this movement and will give to it our hearty support and influence. Second -- That we will aid as far as possible, Rev. O. B. Whitmore, State Superintendent for Nebraska, in his work.

    TRANSFER. -- Bishop Ninde announced the transfer of Frank H. Winter, a probationer of the first year, from the St. Louis to this conference.

    MINUTE FUND. -- A subscription for Conference Minutes, amounting to $7.50, was taken.

    ADJOURNED. -- The Bishop appointed C. L. Smith to conduct to-morrow morning's devotional services. Announcements were made, the doxology was sung, and C. M. Ellinwood pronounced the benediction.

SATURDAY, September 18, 1897.   

    OPENING. -- Conference met at 8:30 A.M. C. L. Smith conducted the. .devotional services. At 9:00 AM. Bishop Ninde called the Conference to order.

    JOURNAL. -- The journal of yesterday's session read and approved.

    RELATION CHANGED. -- On motion of H. T. Davis, J. W. Warfield, and on motion of D. W. C. Huntington, Duke Slavens were granted the superannuated relation and placed upon the list of conference claimants.

    INTRODUCTIONS. -- W. A. Spencer, D. D., Corresponding Secretary of Church Extension Society, W. V. Kelly, D.D., editor of the Methodist Review, J. W. Shank, D.D., editor of the Omaha Christian Advocate, B. M. Long, D.D., of the Presbyterian, R. T. Cross, of the Congregational, B. F. Fellman of the Baptist, W. E. Schell, of the United Brethren College of this city, S. H. Henderson, and J. M. Longworth, of the West Nebraska Conference, were introduced.

    REPORTS. -- The Committee on Periodicals read its report, and W. V. Kelly, D.D., and J. W. Shank, D.D., addressed the Conference.

    ASSISTANT SECRETARY .-- On motion of the secretary, R. N. Orrill was appointed assistant secretary and assigned to the Select Committee.

    The Bishop called John Gallagher to the chair.

    AFTERNOON SESSION. -- On motion of T. H. Worley a session was ordered for 8:80 P.M.

    REPORTS. -- The statistical secretary and treasurer read their reports.

    STEWARDS. -- P. C. Johnson read a preliminary report for the Board of Conference Stewards.

    REPORTING COLLECTIONS -- By Motion of J. S. W. Dean, the Conference directed that all benevolent collections be reported at the next session of the Conference.

    X. QUESTION. -- The Tenth question of the General Minute was taken up.

    "What members have completed the Conference course of study?"

    George L. Hosford, Jehu W. Embree, Howard G. Wilcox, Arthur W. Partch, Frank W. Bean, Frank Mills, Clyde P. Metcalf, Finley E. Smith, Albert V. Wilson, Robert T. Chipperfield, character, passed. They reported their collections were represented by their presiding elders and the Board of Examiners and elected to elders orders, except,

    CONTINUED. -- Jehu W. Embree, G. L. Hosford, Finley E. Smith, and Albert V. Wilson continued in the studies of the fourth year.

    EXAMINATION. -- Frank Mills was required to pass examination in Butler's Analogy, and the secretary instructed to give him a certificate of election to elder's orders.

    XI. QUESTION. -- The Eleventh question of the General Minute was taken up.

    "What others have been elected and ordained deacons?"

    William H. Stanley recommended by the Tobias Quarterly Conference and Robert H. Thompson from the Geneva Quarterly Conference were elected to local deacon's orders.

    VII. QUESTION. -- The Seventh question of the General Minute was called.

    "Who have been admitted into full connection?"

    Alexander B. Grossman, William N. Simpson, Mason E. Wimberly, William H. Turrell, Henry F. Smith, Robert L. Wolfe, Alson E. Chadwick, George C. Ebersole were called forward.

    The Conference sang hymn No. 571, beginning "A charge to keep I have."

    Bishop Ninde led in prayer, after which he addressed the class.

    ADMITTED INTO FULL CONNECTION. -- Alexander B. Grossman, William N. Simpson, Mason A. Wimberly, Henry F. Smith, George C. Ebersole, Frank H. Essert, William H. Turrell, Robert L. Wolfe, Alson E. Chadwick, Truman M. Ransom, George C. Cobb characters passed. Those present answered the disciplinary questions, were represented by their presiding elders, and the Board of Examiners admitted into full connection and elected to deacon's orders except,
      F. H. Essert, William H. Turrell, Robert L. Wolfe, Alson E. Chadwick, being deacons.

    CONTINUED. -- George C. Cobb, Truman M. Ranson were continued in the studies of the second year.

    PRESIDENT. -- The Bishop appointed J. S. W. Dean to preside at the afternoon session and B. B. Neal to conduct the devotional exercises.

    ADJOURNED. -- The announcements were made the doxology sung and benediction pronounced by W. B. Halstead.

    At 3:30 P.M., pursuant to order; J. S. W. Dean called the Conference, and B. E. Neal conducted devotional services.

    JOURNAL. -- The journal of the morning's session read and approved.

    RESOLUTION. -- P. C. Johnson presented the following resolution, which was adopted:

    Resolved, That the Bishop appoint among the standing committees a committee of five to whom shall be submitted all applications for admittance to this Conference on trial. And that this committee shall formulate and present a series of rules that, when adopted by this conference, shall apply to all cases for admission.

    REPORTS. -- The chairman of each committee was, by motion of W. R. Halstead, instructed to make two copies of their report.

    The following committees submitted their reports: Auditing, Bible Cause, Tracts, Episcopal Fund, Sunday School Union, Freedman's Aid and Southern Education, State of the Church, Temperance. They were adopted.

    RESOLUTIONS. -- The secretary read the following resolutions from the Presbytery of Omaha, and they were adopted:

    WHEREAS, The widest generalizations of history, as well as individual experience, have shown that the observance of the Sabbath as a day of rest is demanded by the nature of man, both physical and spiritual; and
    WHEREAS, The divine blessing is promised to the nations that observe the Sabbath of the Lord and the divine judgments are threatened against those that forget this law; and
    WHEREAS, We as citizens are deeply interested in all that promotes the prosperity, both temporal and spiritual, of these great commonwealths; therefore,
    Resolved, First -- That the Presbytery of Omaha overtures the Synod of Nebraska to request the directors of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition to keep the gates of the Exposition closed on the Christian Sabbath.
    Second. -- That we request the Synod to appoint a committee to present and urge this matter upon the Board of Directors.
    Third -- That our stated clerk be requested to forward a copy of this action to the Synod of Iowa, and to the Synods, Conferences, and Associations of the other evangelical denominations of Nebraska and Iowa, with the request that they will take similar action.

    ALSON B. CHADWICK -- Alson E. Chadwick was, by motion of C. L. Smith, elected to elder's orders.

    ADJOURNED. -- The doxology was sung and the benediction pronounced by H. Burch.

SUNDAY, September 19, 1897.   

    The Conference met at 2 o'clock P. M. for ordination and memorial services.

    ORDINATION SERVICES. -- The Bishop ordained those elected to deacon's orders, and assisted by several elders he ordained those elected to elder's orders.

    MEMORIAL SERVICES. -- Memorial services for Zenas B. Turman and Alford Brigham were then held. T. H. Woriey read memoirs. T. H. Woriey, P. Van Fleet, Asa Sleeth, J. W. Stewart, H. Burch, J. F. Kemper, and E. J. Randall delivered brief addresses.

    Conference adjourned with the benediction by Asa Sleeth.

MONDAY, September 20, 1897.   

    OPENING. -- At 8:30 the Conference met with J. S. W. Dean in charge of the devotional services. At 9:00 o'clock Asa Sleeth took the chair.

    JOURNAL .-- The minutes of Saturday's afternoon session read and approved.

    REPORTS. -- The following reports were read and adopted: Methodist Hospital and Deaconess Home, Church Extension, and Woman's Foreign Missionary Society.

    INTRODUCTIONS. -- W. P. J. Whorton, rector of the Episcopal church, York; C. M. Ellinwood, acting chancellor of Nebraska Wesleyan University; L. O. Jones, president Nebraska Conference Epworth League, were introduced. They addressed the Conference.

    VOTE OF THANKS. -- The managers of the Epworth League Assembly were by motion of P. C. Johnson given a vote of thanks for their donation of $150 to the Conference Claimants Fund.

    LEAGUE STATISTICS. -- The Nebraska Conference Epworth League were authorized to print the statistics of the Leagues in the Conference Minutes, they paying the expense.

    BISHOP. -- Bishop Ninde took the chair.

    EDUCATIONAL REPORT. -- W. B. Halstead read the report of the Committee on Education. The report nominated J. S. W. Dean and F. M. Esterbrook

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