The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-09-22
THE CONFERENCE.
A Complete and Accurate
Account Of Proceedings
of the West
n NEBRASKA CONFERENCE
Up to the Hour Of Our Goind to
Press, This Noon.

Among the hundred or more of the
Methodist ministers in town, the impair
tlal onlooker sees a great variety, in re-
gard to appearance, talent and character
Many of these clergymen wear the Grand
Army button or pin. A great many of
the Methodists Of war times evidenced
their loyalty to a government Of the
people by taking up arms in its defense.
Some of these ministers are manned
from the service in the army. If the
old-time Methodists understood 'knock-
down. arguments on the campmeeting
grounds, no less did their sons prove
that they were Of good fighting stock.
Here is a minister whose personal
and family history is singular He is the
ninth i'll a lire of preachers. He is the
fourth in a line who have been Metho-
dist preachers, the Gathers back of that
having been Episcopa!ians, in the north
Of Ireland. Some one suggested that he
ought to train up his boys in the same
way, but he said: 'Yes-er, well-you-
see-my boys are all girls.
These ministers meet each other with
a hand shake and a salutation of the
heartiest, and, they have, in the inter
vals Of their piety, great deal of pleas
antry. Few people see more phases of
life than do the itinerant preachers. No
dreary monotony for an alert circuit rid
er. Elder Amsbury, who lost his life by
accident few days ago, loved to handle
gun only less than he loved the work
of the church.
Bishop John M. Walden, who presides,
IS splendid specimen Of physical man
hood. He has been long before the
church in important places. A scholar,
veritable field marshal, he is approach
able, and while he is Methodist, every
inch of him, he is "also a christian" as
recent literary character has put it.
You should hear him preach, if possible
During the day, on Tuesday, the va
rious classes Of candidates for the minis
try were examined in theological studies
by the committee appointed for that
purpose at the last session of the con-
ference. Every Methodist minister, even
though he may have graduated from a
theological seminary, is required to pass
a course of study, with annual examina-
tions, lasting five years. While this COW
ers some Of the points in a seminary
course for second time, much of it is
new.
On Tuesday night the first public SER
vice of the conference gathering was
held. Rev. D. F. Rodabaugh of Hol-
drege was appointed to preach the con
ference sermon, but owing to a tempo
rary indisposition, he was compelled to
ask to be excused, and Rev P. A. Cool,
D. D., president of Smith college, Sc
dalia, Missouri, preached the sermon of
the evening. 1t was very earnest and
instructive discussion on ''The Source of
Spiritual Power" Rev. Man1ey S. Hard,
D. D., Of New York, conducted a devo-
tiona1 service at the conclusion of the
sermon.
The conference session proper opened
on Wednesday morning, at O'Clock.
Rev. A. ]. Clifton of Culbertson con-
Quoted short prayer meeting. Bishop
John M. Walden then took the chair,
and led devotional services. He then
conducted sacramenta1 service, being
assisted by Reverends Mastin, Coffman,
Henderson, Mather and Leonard, and
Doctors M. S. Hard and P. A. Cool.
Nearly all of those present partook OF
the communion
At the session Of the conference, year
ago, the West Nebraska conference was
divided, a new conference being organ
lied in the northwest part of the state.
On this account the attendance at this
| session is smaller. At the roll call, by
Rev. L. w. Chandler, former statistical
secretary, hfty-one members responded.
After three ballots Rev. o. R. Beebe
Of Minden was elected secretary, with
c. A. Hale, B. F. Haywood and James
Lisle, assistants.
Rev. w. E. Hardaway of North Platte
was elected Statistical Secretary with E.
Smith, I. F. Mckay and w. HID. Horn
aday, assistants.
Rev. D. F. Rodabaugh Of Holdrege,
was elected treasurer, with S. Hartley,
T. L. Ransom, B. c. Peck, and D. Street
er assistants
The system observed in the Methodist
conference relative to the collection and
publication of statistics of the churches.
IS exceedingly comprehensive. Every
pastor is furnished with a set of blanks
for the purpose of making reports in a
uniform manner. And woe to the care