Omaha daily bee., 1895-10-06
LAYMEN SEEKING EQUALITY
Ask for the Same Representation as the
Clergy in the General Conference.
STATISTICS OF NEBRASKA MeTHoDlsM
Annual Report FILED by the Presid-
Ing acknowledges Received
for the support of the wes-
1cyan University.

FREMONT, Neb., Oct. 5.-(speclal.)--The
%laymen's conference Of the Methodist Epis-
copal church yesterday afternoon elected the
following delegates to the general confer
ence: J. ID. King Of Wayne and T. l..
Mathews OF Fremont. J. c. Cortelyou and
John Dale Of Omaha were elected alternates.
There were not as many candidates for the
position among the laymen as among the
clergymen. Memorials to the general con-
ference were adopted for the admission OF
women and for the granting OF equal repre-
sentation and authority with clergy 10 the
lay members Of the general conference.
There were a large number OF visitors
present in addition to the regular delegates,
and as the conference was not in session.
many of the clergymen who were not busy
with committee work came in to hear what
the laymen had to say, though they had no
right to take any part in the deliberations of
that body.
The meeting last evening was devoted to
a consideration of the cause of education, and
particularly of the Nebraska Wesleyan uni
versity at Lincoln. Chancellor Crook was the
| principal speaker. He spoke Of the university
as a home institution, as belonging to the
VI oiN NNSN ms NhN oNhot
age. The institution is UNCONVENTIONAL, but
not sectarian, not subject to passion or preju-
dice, but advances with the progress of the
church. The faculty, he said, was an excel
lent one, and tuition is free-a fee Of So a
semester only being charged.
DR.. 7. c. Clerdenning, who has charge of
the finances of the Wesleyan university, was
then introduced, and made a stirring address.
Methodism, said the doctor. has been closely
identified with the cause of Christian educa-
ton. Wesley was thoroughly educated, con-
sidering the age in which he lived. The
name Methodist came from the methodical
study Of Gods word by its first ministers.
The Methodist church has a larger number of
educational institutions than any other
branch of the Protestant church. 1t has ten
more colleges than any other denomination
At the close of the address pledges were re-
ceived for the support OF the university and
a collection taken for the same purpose.
LECTURE TO YOUNG CLERGYMEN.
The morning session opened at 8 O'Clock
with the devotional exercises, led by Rev.
]. r. Gearhart. At $50 the bishop de-
livered the third Of his series OF lectures to
the younger clergy on the subject of How
to Make a Sermon" 1t was like all the other
addresses of the bishop, plain and intensely
practical, and was listened to with marked
attention. These morning lectures by the
bishop are considered by the clergy as one
of the most valued features Of the conference.
The business session was called to order
by Bishop j. p. Newman at 8 O'Clock. Rev.
Thomas p. Donnelly was placed on the
supernumerary list.
The report of the proceedings Of the lay
conference was then received, and the lay
delegates elected to the general conference,
T. l.. Mathews of Fremont and j. d.. King
of Wayne, were given seats in the conference,
and short, well-worded speeches were made
by members Of the lay conference.
The greater part of the morning hour was
taken up with hearing the reports of the
various standing committees. These reports
were in regard to the various departments of
church work and Of the conditions of the
funds belonging to the conference. The re-
| ports were received and adopted.
The bishop announced the transfer to this
conference of Revs. McGarns, Mcneil and
Cheeseman; the transfer from this confer
ence to the Black Hills conference of DR.. j.
w. Robinson and Revs. G.. II. McAdam and
William Van Buren,; to the western Me-
braska conference, Rev. Charles Snavely.
Rev. ]. w. Jennings was also transferred to
this conference.
The committee on conference rela-
tions recommended that Rev. NJ.
Armenia, be admitted to this con-
ference and transferred to the west Ne
braska conference. The report was approved
By the bishop and adopted by the conference.
The afternoon session was presided over by
DR.. j. w. Shank.
The committee on hospital reported in favor
Of the conference ~pledging its aid and as
sistance to the hospital. Report was adopted.
Rev. G. N. Dawson reported Of the work done
and the needs and necessities of the hospital.
The gross expenses, including indebtedness,
have been paid. The most urgent need Is for
a better building. The deaconesses, who are
the nurses, receive no ray for their services.
The committee on periodicals reported in
favor of memorializing the general conference
to make the Omaha Christian Advocate q
branch of the Book Concern.
FIRST TO REPORT.
The Norfolk district is the first one to fur
nish a full statistical report. Number of
| probationers reported from the district, 459
number OF members, 1895; number Of chill
dren baptized during the conference year, III;
number OF adults baptized. 81; number of
Sunday schools, 81; Sunday school teachers,
551; scholars, 1854: number Of churches, 40;
valuation of churches, $50. 500; number OF par
sonages, %; valuation. Sl7, 450.
Report of the Epworth league for the dis
trict: Number Of chapters, 25; active men,
bers, 749; associate members, 1853; increase in
membership for the conference year, 3O2
number of junior leagues, 10; number of
members, 513; increase in membership, 146.
The following are the statistical reports
from the four presiding elder districts: Neigh
district: Number Of probationary members.
402; full members, 1915; number of children
b~aptlsed, As; adults baptised, 2S5; number OF
Sunday schools, AZ; Sunday school teachers,
3S2; churches, 29; valuation, $41 300; parson-
ages, IS; valuation, 81 $50. Grand Island
district: Number Of probationary members
APT; full members, 3,475; children baptised,
1874: adults baptised, 304; Sunday schools, SO;
Sunday school teachers, 600; number attend
ing Sunday school. 1874; churches, 80; valua-
tion Of church property, $50, 200; parsonages,
90; valuation, $24, 500.
Omaha district: Number Of probatloners,
46S; full members, 4.31O: children baptised.
1876; adults baptised, 321; Sunday schools, 80
Sunday school teachers. $50; Sunday school
scholars, 4,247; churches. SO; valuation, $279,-
$50; parsonages, II; valuation. SIS, 900; whole
member of practitioners in the conference,
1,756; decrease, SO; full members show an in
crease of sos; adults %baptised, 1.221. increase,
POI; Sunday schools, 1871; increase, 2; Sunday
school teachers. 2,089; increase. 70; Sunday
school scholars. 14,46S; increase, 210;
churches. 1877: increase, 1 valuation of church
property, $4S7. $50; decrease, S5,747; parson-
ages, "a; increase, 3; valuation, $72. 700. The
comparisons are with the figures Of last year.
Financial report. For mission. $3.50; de-
crease, S129; for church extension, 1892; de-
crease, $l53; for Freedman aid, 1910; decrease,
1874; for educational objects, 1872: increase,
1888; ~pastors's salary, Neigh, S92. as; pastors
salary, Grand Island, sl4 40; pastors salary,
Norfolk. s15. 1850; pastors salary, Omaha,
$40, ATS; total receipts for pastoral support,
SCI, $40, including house rent; decrease, IS, 730;
support of presiding elders, $4.646; decrease,
1901; support Of bishops. $3.50; decrease. 1913.
The smallest salary received by lay clergy
men in the conference was 800; the largest.
SO, 600. with $500 for house rent.