Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-26
METHoDISTS AT GRAND ISLAND
Twenty-First Annual Meeting Of the
North Nebraska Confer
cnce opens.

GRAND ISLAND. Neb., Sept. 25.-(Spe-
cial)-The twenty-hrst annual conference
of the north Nebraska conference Of the
Methodist Episcopal church was opened in
this city by the conference sermons by Rev.
G. H.. Main, who chose as his text psalm
81. 3.
The speaker commented on the psalmist
singing the praises of Mount Zion. 1t was
a favorite theme with the Jewish bard and
prophet. Glorious things we're spoken Of
that ancient city. and glorious things APP
pertain to our Zion, the church Of Jesus
Christ.
This morning at the opening conference
session between ninety-hve and one hun
dred visiting clergymen were enrolled. The
session took place at Trinity NJ. e. church,
and it was comfortably filled by the at
tending clergymen, their wives, laymen and
audience.
The opening exercises were the commun-
ion, conducted by Bishop Fowler and the
four elders-Millard Of the Grand Island
district, jennings OF the Omaha district,
Sisson of the Norfolk and Gorst Of the Ne
ligh district. Then took place the calling
Of the conference roll call, showing an at
tendance at the very opening session, which
was all and more than had been expected.
The election of officers of the session was
then held. Bishop Fowler presided, and
there were elected Rev. J. B. Priest Of RAN
dolph as secretary, Rev. J. p. Yost OF
Schuyler, as statistical secretary, and Rev.
G. A. Luce Of Columbus as treasurer.
The reading Of the standing committees
was the next order, completing the organ
%ization. Rev. DR.. Willard, presiding elder
Of the Grand Island district, then read his
report, after which the characters Of the
travelling elders were passed and reports
given, which was followed by similar report
by Rev. Gorst OF the Neigh district.
The various visitors are being enter
tanned by the members OF the Trinity and
First NJ. E. churches OF the city. and all
seem we'll provided for.
Yesterday afternoon the old veterans
service took place and was one of the
most interesting sessions so far held. There
were addresses by Rev. Jabez Charles. who
has been in the active ministry for the
last thirty years, with a vacation of only
two weeks in all of that time: Rev. David
Marquette. who was appointed to the
Grand Island circuit thirty-three years
ago, at a time when the circuit was sew
enty-hve miles long; by Rev. ]. b. Leedom,
who began his work in the state twenty
hye years ago, and by Rev. Jacob Adriance,
who was given work in the eastern part
of the state as early as 1857. the same
year Hall county saw its first white set
tiers.
The educational session was held in the
evening. Field Secretary Isham OF the
Wesleyan university, at University Place,
Lincoln, reported the finances Of the school
to be in most satisfactory condition.
The regular work of the conference was
taken up this morning. A report of the
Methodist hospital at Omaha was made by
Rev. j. ". Jennings, showing that in this
line OF work, as in the other departments,
the church had, during the last year, been
most progressive. The sum of $40, 900 In
cash and subscriptions has been raised for
a new hospital building at the metropolis.
Fremont was chosen as the place for
the next annual meeting of the conference.
This evening there was a missionary an.
niversary, with an address by DR.. Homer
StulZ of Manila, p. l.