History of Nebraska - Chapter 34-D



Page 797

   We come now to a turning point in the history of Nebraska Methodism. As 
a result of the steady tide of immigration that had been filling up the 
river counties, and pushing out along the streams some distance into the 
interior, bringing many Methodist settlers, and of the faithful ministry 
of the men whose names have been recorded above, by whom these Methodist 
settlers had been hunted up and organized into classes and circuits, and 
their number increased by conversions in many revivals, the number of 
districts had increased in 1861 to two, the number of charges had 
increased to nineteen, and the membership, including probationers, had 
increased from 297 in 1856, to 1,344. It was now deemed best for the work 
that the Kansas and Nebraska portions of the conference be organized into 
separate conferences. This was done for Nebraska by Bishop Morris, April 
4, 1861, at Nebraska City, There were, including two who were received 
into full connection at the conference, fourteen preachers who were 
members of this conference. Three, T. B. Lemon, John B. Maxfield, and T. 
Hoagland, were received on trial. The first two were destined to become 
leaders of the Lord's hosts through many years, and over large portions of 
the state, and with H. T. Davis, before mentioned, were easily the three 
most conspicuous figures in Nebraska Methodism. Dr. Thomas B. Lemon was a 
strong preacher, sometimes swaying his audience with marvelous power. His 
warm-hearted, sympathetic nature made him a leader whom many were glad to 
follow. Both in the pastorate and the presiding elder's office he was 
eminently successful. He was one of the most important factors in building 
up the old original Nebraska Conference. His work and worth will be noted 
later. Of Dr. Maxfield, the other member of this notable three, it may be 
said that as a preacher he has had few equals and no superiors in the 
history of Nebraska Methodism. In addition to his great ability as a 
preacher, his was in every way a masterful personality. He was a born 
leader of men. He possessed rare executive ability, which made him a great 
organizer, a quality greatly needed in this formative period of the 
church. He successfully served some of the most important, pastorates, 
among them that of the First Church, Omaha. He was the first president of 
the Nebraska Central College, was five times elected delegate to the 
General Conference, and served two terms as member of the general 
missionary committee. He was also a member of the first board of regents, 
and helped organize the University of Ne-

[image caption: JOHN B. MAXFIELD]

braska, and later was a member of the commission that organized the 
Nebraska Wesleyan University. But it was as presiding elder of successive 
districts, including the Beatrice, North Nebraska, Norfolk, and Omaha 
districts, that he probably rendered his most valuable service. These 
districts embrace nearly all the eastern third of the state, and, in every 
part of this territory his influence was strongly felt in shaping the work 
of the church. He died September 11, 1899, in Boulder, Colorado, after a 
long and painful illness.

   The four years following the organization of the Nebraska Conference 
covered the period

Page 798

of the great Civil War, during which immigration to the western 
territories was checked, and the excitement of the times was unfavorable 
for the work of the church. By removals and other causes, a number of the 
preachers left the field, but their places were filled by such men as G. 
Miller, A. G. White, C. W. Giddings, J. Roberts, and W. B. Slaughter, all 
men of superior intellectual power, executive ability and fine culture. 
Nebraska

[image caption: W. B. SLAUGHTER]

Methodism was fortunate in having for her foundation builders a class of 
men that compared favorably with the ministry of any other church in 
natural ability and culture, or with her own ministry at any subsequent 
period of her history.

   With the close of the war, however, the church as well as the country 
entered upon a new era of growth and prosperity. The generous homestead 
law, together with other causes again started the tide of immigration 
toward the new territories. The bulk of this immigration came from the 
great central western states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa in which 
the Methodist membership is relatively very large, ranging from 25 to 40 
per cent of the entire Protestant communicants. As was to be expected 
under these circumstances, a large percent of the new settlers who were 
church-going people were either adherents or attendants of the Methodist 
church. From this cause our church increased in membership very rapidly; 
but not from this cause alone. Our ministry have never been satisfied to 
increase simply at the expense of the older churches of the East, but 
through revivals and other evangelistic methods, "added to the church 
daily."

   From this time on to the present, Nebraska Methodism has carried on the 
two lines of work, the strengthening and development of the older charges, 
and providing for the. frontier line that has ever existed, though being 
steadily pushed farther west from year to year, until the conquest of the 
whole state was accomplished.

   The growth in the older portions was marked by the increase of 
membership, the better organization of the charges, and the building of 
churches and parsonages. The. first church built in the territory was at 
Nebraska City, under the pastorate of Rev. Hiram Burch, at a cost of $4,
500. It was dedicated in November, 1856, by Dr. W. H. Goode. About the 
same time a church was erected in Omaha, but was not completed and 
dedicated till December.

   By this two-fold process in the older and newer settlements, building 
up strong charges in the older, and caring for weak charges on the 
frontier, the church grew rapidly for a few years. Not only did the number 
of ministers constantly increase, but the ranks of the laity were also 
reënforced by accessions of many strong, influential, and active laymen 
who contributed to the advance of the church in many ways.

   This brings us to the close of the first quarter of a century of 
Methodist history in Nebraska. During nearly all of this time the church 
has wrought under great difficulties. Nebraska Methodism had its birth 
amidst the fierce battle between freedom and slavery that preceded and led 
to the Civil War; its early,

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growth and development took place during the progress of that war. The 
poverty of the people, which is always incidental to a newly settled 
country, was greatly increased in Nebraska by the financial crash of 1857, 
and the high prices that prevailed during the war. And just as they were 
recovering from these adverse conditions the grasshopper scourge set in. 
It may be truthfully said that the adverse conditions under which the 
church did its first quarter of a century of work in Nebraska occasioned 
such a measure of hardship and sacrifice on the part of the preachers and 
people as has rarely been excelled, and called for as high a type of 
courage, faith, devotion, and heroism as has ever been witnessed. In most 
cases the salaries promised were small and these were often less than half 
paid. Yet the results achieved by this heroic band of workers were large. 
Through accretions by way of immigration, and accessions by means of 
conversions as a result of revivals, the 297 members reported in 1856 had 
increased to 12,571 in 1880. The ministerial force (including members of 
conference on trial) had increased from 4 to 109 besides a large number of 
others employed as supplies; the number of pastoral charges from 7 to 145; 
the number of church biuldings from 2 to 79.

   As a result of this growth two events of great significance mark the 
close of the first quarter of a century of our history, namely, the 
organization of the West Nebraska mission in 1880, and of the North 
Nebraska annual conference in 1882. In the Methodist system the annual 
conference is the principal unit of administration, at which the pastors 
make their reports of the work done the preceding year, and receive their 
appointments for the following year. But as the work extends over wider 
areas of territory, attendance at conference may involve hundreds of miles 
of travel and an expenditure of a large percentage of the pastor's meager 
salary. To obivate this hardship, as soon as the development of the work 
justifies it, new conferences are organized.

   Probably the first class within the bounds of what was in 1880 
organized as the West Nebraska mission was formed by Rev. D. Marquette, at 
Gibbon, in January, 1870, and was the result of what was probably the 
first revival ever held within its limits. He was at that time in charge 
of the Wood River mission, which extended from Silver Creek on the east to 
Gibbon. The Indians were still hunting buffaloes on the Republican river, 
and antelope on the Loup and Elkhorn rivers, as far east as Red Cloud on 
the former and Holt county on latter. There was at that time no 
organization of Methodism west of Gibbon, and only an occasional visit and

[image caption: REV. ISAAC CHIVINGTON]

preaching service by the presiding elder. But in a few years the tide of 
immigration that set in toward all parts of Nebraska reached these rich 
valleys and filled them up with hardy, intelligent pioneers. As usual, the 
Methodist church was ready for the emergency.

   In 1873 the Kearney district was formed, and A. G. White, an excellent 
organizer and one of the best and ablest presiding elders the church has 
had, was put in charge of it. It seems providential that such a wise, 
resourceful man should be in charge at this time, for scarcely had these 
teeming thousands got settled in their dugouts and sod houses, and a few 
acres of land broken out, when the dreadful grasshopper scourge set

Page 800

in, and lasted several years, entailing great suffering among the 
settlers. A. G. White, with the experience and training acquired by four 
years as presiding elder of the Omaha district, was equal to the occasion. 
He at once went to the older eastern states, laid the needs of the 
sufferers on the hearts of the generous people, and soon started streams 
of beneficence which made it possible for many of these pioneers to 
weather the storm and remain on their homesteads. By the help thus secured 
the church held her ground, and the brave presiding elder and his heroic 
preachers remained on the field, faithfully proclaiming the Gospel to the 
people and sharing with them the hardships of the occasion.

   As this condition of things continued during nearly all of Mr. White's 
administration. partially suspending immigration, and causing not a few to 
become discouraged and leave the country, it could not be expected under 
these circumstances that the church could more than hold its own. To have 
done so would have been a great achievement. But, as a matter of fact, the 
church in the portion of his district now embraced in the West Nebraska 
Conference nearly doubled its membership during his four-years term, 
increasing from 588 members and probationers in 1873 to 1,044 in 1877.

   After serving the full term of four years on the Keaney district Mr. 
White was ap-

[image caption: FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH BUILT IN NEBRASKA Built 
at Nebraska City in 1856]

pointed to the Lincoln district and afterward served one or two pastoral 
charges, and then, in the prime of his life and in the midst of his 
usefulness, passed to his eternal reward. He died at his home in Lincoln, 
Nebraska, November 3, 1883. It occurred in his case as he had often 
expressed the wish that it would, for he "ceased at once to work and live."

   If the church in the western part of the state was fortunate in having 
such a leader as. A. G. White during the trying time of the grasshopper 
scourge, it was equally fortunate in having a skilful organizer and leader 
like T. B. Lemon during the years of its rapid growth which followed. Dr. 
Lemon was appointed to the Kearney district in 1877, and in addition to 
the heroic men he found on the field, soon gathered around him a band of 
enthuisastic workers. The work grew rapidly under his administration, and 
the twenty-seven charges which he found on the Kearney district in 1877 
increased to thirty-seven in 1880, when it was deemed expedient to 
organize the district with slight modfication in boundary lines, into the 
West Nebraska mission. Dr. Lemon was appointed superintendent of missions.

   His work now rapidly extended along the Elkhorn river from Holt county 
as far west as Valentine, and along the Union Pacific railroad as far as 
Sidney, and up the Republi-

Page 801

can river as far as the west line of the state. The growth was such that 
in 1885 the Mission Conference was erected into the West Nebraska annual 
conference.

   Soon after the organization of the West Nebraska Conference Dr. Lemon, 
by reason of advancing age and increasing physical infirmities, felt 
constrained to retire from the work in west Nebraska. About this time, 
however, he took an important part in the founding of the Nebraska 
Wesleyan University, and was for some time the financial agent. But 
increasing feebleness soon made it necessary to relinquish all work, and 
along with his devoted wife, he found a restful home with his daughter, 
Mrs. J. W. Maynard, in Omaha, where, on February 19, 1890, he passed to 
his reward. He had been three times elected delegate to the General 
Conference, and was held in high esteem by many of the prominent men of 
the church outside of the state, and was greatly beloved by those who knew 
him best.

   Among the efficient men who wrought with Dr. Lemon at this time was P. 
C. Johnson, D.D. He was transferred from the New Jersey Conference to 
Nebraska in 1876. After filling several important pastorates, among them 
Eighteenth street and south Tenth street, Omaha, North Platte, and Grand 
Island, he was appointed presiding elder of the Grand Island district in 
1883. This district embraced an area equal to forty-five counties, and to 
serve it Dr. Johnson traveled 7,000 miles in a single year. He afterward 
served as presiding elder of the Republican district.

   Of Dr. Johnson, one of his coworkers at this time -- Rev. Jos. 
Buckley -- writes: "We all loved him. Indeed, he was very popular 
throughout the district. His administration as presiding elder was marked 
by fairness and courtesy. He was frank, manly, and true. His quarterly 
visitations were hailed with delight by both preachers and people." He has 
twice been elected delegate to the General Conference, and is still in the 
active work, being at present an honored member of the Nebraska Conference 
and chaplain at the state penitentiary.

   Of the more than thirty preachers doing faithful work in the West 
Nebraska mission and conference during these years, only a few can even be 
mentioned for want of space. Of these C. A. Mastin still remains on the 
field; C. A. Hale was transferred to Nebraska Conference and died suddenly 
on the 23d of December, 1905; J. R. Gortner went as a missionary to 
Africa, dying of the African fever a few months after his arrival; Joel A. 
Smith went as a missionary to India, and Leslie Stevens, after serving the 
Sidney and

[image caption: REV. JACOB ADRIANCE]

Kearney districts, was appointed superintendent of the Central China 
mission.

   The West Nebraska Conference continued to expand its borders, and in 
1893 the northern portion was organized into what is now the Northwest 
Nebraska Conference. Following Dr. Johnson, Dr. G. W. Martin, T. C. 
Webster, and A. R. Julian have in turn served as presiding elders and 
contributed valuable service to the building up of this, the last formed 
of the Nebraska conferences. Chas. H. Burleigh, W. O. Glassner, J. A. 
Scamahorn, and P. H. Eighmy, along with a number

Page 802

of others that deserve to be mentioned, have also done efficient work. The 
last two have served as presiding elders.

   At the session of the Nebraska Conference at York, beginning September 
14, 1881, it was decided to divide the conference by the organization of 
the North Nebraska Conference, which was consumated at Fremont, September 
14, 1882, by Bishop Merrill. The two conferences extended as far west as 
the

[image caption: REV. PORTER C. JOHNSON, D.D.]

West Nebraska mission, the Platte river constituting the dividing line 
between them. The following named preachers constituted the first 
conference: Jacob Adriance, J. B. Maxfield, J. B. Leedom, David Marquette, 
J. W. Shenk, S. P. Van Doozer, W. F. Warren, Z. S. Rhone A. Hodbetts, 
Jabez Charles, W. M. Worley, J. R. Wolf, J. L. St Clair, W. H. Carter, J. 
Q. A. Fleharty, John P. Roe, J. M. Adair, J. W. Stewart, D. S. Davis, J. 
Fowler, W. F. Grundy, C. V. Heywood, J. R. Gearhart, E. G. Fowler, J. B. 
Priest, and D. C. Winship.

   Having traced the history of Methodism in Nebraska till its rapid 
growth has extended over the entire state, and the organization of its 
four conferences has-been effected, it will now be necessary very briefly 
to note some of the important features of the last period following the 
organization of the North Nebraska Conference in 1882.

   A characteristic feature of Methodist policy has been to carry the 
Gospel into the rural neighborhood as well as into the towns and cities. 
To do this it has been necessary to divide the missionary money 
appropriated to the conferences for domestic missions into very small 
amounts for each mission. In 1878 Dr. Maxwell reports that while the 
Methodist pastors on the North Nebraska district received on the average 
only $73 from the mission fund the pastor of another denomination on the 
same field received an average of over $400. Of the $5,000 missionary 
money appropriated to the entire state in 1880 no pastor received as much 
as $100, while the average for the seventy-one receiving help was only 
$50. Of these seventy-one missionaries, 38 received not to exceed $300 
from their respective charges, and many much less. One reported only $41, 
and another received only $15. Surely nothing but the overmastering 
conviction that the people of every neighborhood, rural as well as urban, 
must have the Gospel, whether the preacher got a comfortable support or 
not, could have induced these preachers to make the sacrifices involved, 
or justified the church in requiring it. Happy for Methodism and the state 
that there were always found devoted men who would voluntarily and even 
cheerfully go to these out-of the-way places on these hard terms.

   An era of church and parsonage building set in about this time. At the 
conference in York in 1881 the number of Methodist churches reported for 
the entire state was 102, valued at $199,000, and the number of parsonage 
was 56, valued, at $41,000. In 1903 the number of churches for the entire 
state was 574, valued at $1,592,000, and the number of parsonages was 321, 
valued at $330,525. Thus it will be seen that the Methodists of Nebraska 
during these twenty years dedicated two churches every month,

Page 803

on an average, investing in the work over $1,000 every week. Besides all 
this a large number of new edifices were erected to take the place of old 
ones, which had become too small.

   During this last period the church has given special attention to 
perfecting the organization of its forces. Sunday school methods have been 
improved; her young people have been organized into Epworth Leagues, and 
the women into home and foreign missionary societies.

   The Methodists of Nebraska have been in hearty sympathy with all moral 
reforms. They were opposed to slavery in the '50s, and loyal to the 
government in the '60s. They have occupied an advanced position on the 
temperance question, and whenever the issue has been distinctly drawn, as 
in the contest in 1890 for a constitutional amendment, have been 
unanimously arrayed against the saloon.


CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

   It was not till this last period that the church found it possible to 
enter upon its long cherished work of Christian education. It is, however, 
characteristic of the church that the first enterprise of any kind 
projected was Simpson University, as far back as 1855, for which the 
Methodists of the ambitious city of Omaha secured from the legislature an 
act of incorporation. To furnish a financial basis for the institution. 
Rev. Moses F. Shinn gave fifty acres of land and T. B. Cuming, acting 
governor, gave twenty-five. This tract of land, lying as it does just 
north of Cuming street, has since become very valuable, being in the heart 
of a fine residence portion of the city. But a disputed title, involving 
long years of litigation, made it impossible for the Methodists of Omaha 
to consummate the project, and unwise for the church to make it its own by 
conference action. A year or two after this an effort was made to 
establish a center of learning, including a theological school, at 
Oreapolis, near the mouth of the Platte river. Along with other prominent 
business men John Evans, M.D., was the projector. He had a few years 
before helped to found what is now the great Northwestern University, the 
city which grew up around it being named Evanston in his honor. He 
afterwards became governor of Colorado, and was one of the principal 
founders of Denver University. These facts are mentioned to show that this 
enterprise at Orepolis was not wholly visionary, though, being premature 
and started in unpropitious times, it was doomed to failure. Though after 
this the conference frequently received offers from ambitious localities, 
of lands and subscriptions, it was usually to found a college "or a 
university," and the conference wisely refused to undertake to maintain an 
institution of that grade. So it was not till the conference which met in 
Lincoln in October, 1879, that the Methodist church of Nebraska officially 
began its long deferred work of Christian education by accepting a 
proposition from York, Nebraska, to establish York Seminary. This 
institution located in a thrifty section of the state, and in a town in 
which there never has been a saloon, opened for work January 7, 1880, 
under the principalship of Dr. Edward Thompson. The school did splendid 
work under the management of Professor Thompson and also during the 
presidency of Dr. R. N. McCraig, who succeeded Professor Thompson in 1885, 
and in the meanwhile it was raised to the rank of a college. The 
attendance at one time reached over 200.

   In 1884, two years after its organization, the North Nebraska 
Conference appointed a commission with authority to establish a conference 
seminary. The commission met in December and selected Central City as the 
place. Dr. J. B. Maxfield was elected president, and a substantial brick 
building erected at a cost of $10,000. The following year the school was 
opened with good prospects. At the following conference the grade was 
changed to that of college, and the name changed to Nebraska Central 
College. At the end of the second year Dr. Maxfield resigned on account of 
failing health, and Rev. David Marquette was elected to the place. He, 
too, after a year spent principally in an effort to solve the

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financial problem, which had already become serious, found his health so 
impaired as to make it necessary to relinquish the work, and Rev. J. W. 
Shenk was elected. He in turn was soon succeeded by Rev. H. A. Crane, and 
he by F. W. Ware. The number of students continued to increase till at one 
time there were 150 in attendance, but the financial conditions constantly 
became worse.

   In 1886 Rev. Allen Bartley and others started the town of Bartley in 
the southwestern part of the state, and within the bounds of the West 
Nebraska Conference, and established an institution of learning with the 
pretentious title of Mallalieu University.

   This was the situation of Methodist educational affairs in 1886 when 
Bishop Fowler came to preside over the Nebraska conferences. With the York 
and Central City schools within forty miles of each other, and both 
financially embarassed [sic], and the tendency to increase the number of 
struggling schools, each conference wanting to have its own high grade 
institution, it seemed improbable that either would ever be able to reach

[image captions: REV. JAMES J. ROBERTS, MINERVA E. R0BERTS]

the standard of a first-class institution. The bishop suggested the 
appointment of a commission composed of five members from each conference, 
and three from each school, and that an effort be made to unify the 
educational work of the church in the state by centering its efforts on 
one institution of high grade for the entire state. The suggestion was 
adopted by all the conferences. The commission as thus constituted, 
together with Bishops Bowman and Warren, who had been made members, met at 
St. Paul's Church in Lincoln, on, December 15, 1886. Bishops Fowler and 
Foss had also been made members of the commission, but were unable to 
attend.

   The commission addressed itself at once to the delicate and difficult 
task of unifying the educational system, and as a result of its 
deliberation what is called the "Plan of Unification" was adopted, 
involving these features: (1) That there should be but one institution of 
college grade in the state, the location of which should be determined by 
a majority vote of the commission; (2) that all other schools should be 
parts of, but subordinate to

Page 805

the central university, and should have permission to carry their course 
of study as far as the sophomore year. By a vote of the commission the 
central university was located at Lincoln, and named the Nebraska Wesleyan 
University. It was located some three miles from the main part of the city 
and a building costing $70,000 erected. A town site was laid out and named 
University Place, which has grown into a thrifty village of nearly or 
quite 2,500 inhabitants. Being outside of the city limits, it maintains a 
separate municipal government, excluding saloons and all other haunts of 
vice. It is connected with the city by two electric street car lines, with 
service every fifteen minutes.

   Dr. C. F. Creighton was the first chancellor, serving in that capacity 
for six years, when he resigned and was succeeded by Dr. Isaac Crooks. 
After three years he resigned, and the place was left vacant with only an 
acting chancellor. In March, 1898, Dr. D. W. C. Huntington was elected to 
the vacant chancellorship, and under his administration, which still 
continues, the school has thrown off the burden of debt, and has increased 
its attendance of students more than 900, and starts out on a new era of 
prosperity, the unique "plan of unification" placing back of this one 
school the entire 50,000 Methodists of the state as a constituency. Though 
by reason of debts, adverse financial conditions, and other causes, all 
the other schools of Methodism in the state have suspended, the Nebraska 
Wesleyan, because of its favorable location and better equipment, will be 
able, for the present at least, to do the education work for the church 
better than it would have been done had they continued to live and 
Wesleyan had not been. Besides the income from the sale of Nave's Topical 
Bible, there is a productive endowment of nearly $50,000. The new 
conservatory of music, named the C. C. White Memorial, is rapidly 
approaching completion and will be about as large as the main building, 
and will cost over $50,000.


METHODIST HOSPITAL

   While Methodism is distinctively evangelistic in its spirit and mode of 
work, it was inevitable that the kindly spirit generated by the Gospel 
should sooner or later result in the erection of a hospital and a 
deaconess home as subsidiary agencies. Hence, in 1890, Dr. D. A. Foote, a 
leading physician of Omaha, came before the Omaha Methodist preachers' 
meeting with a proposition that such an institution should be established. 
The idea was at once received with great favor, but the financial 
condition of some of the leading churches seemed to make its immediate 
realization uncertain. However, a committee was appointed, and the matter 
was kept before the attention of the church and general public. In 1891 
Dr. Harold Gifford offered a two-story building at No. 419 South Twentieth 
street, which he had erected at his own expense and used as an infirmary, 
on condition that a debt of $1,900 be assumed and eight rooms reserved for 
his patients. This was accepted, a board of trustees appointed and 
incorporated, and on May 24, 1891, the building was dedicated by Bishop 
Newman.

   Thus was launched what has since been known as the Methodist Hospital 
and Deaconess Home of Omaha, a beneficent institution that besides 
training many consecrated women for the various forms of deaconess work, 
has ministered to the physical ailments of thousands of earth's afflicted 
ones, coming from all classes of society. The poor have been treated 
gratuitously, and the rich have found it to their advantage to avail 
themselves of the superior services both of physician and nurse, supplied 
by it. It was successful from the very beginning, and soon the demand for 
treatment under its auspices exceeded the capacity to furnish room. Inside 
of ten years it became apparent that a larger building was an imperative 
necessity, and a movement in that direction was inaugurated in 1900 by the 
purchase of a fine site at Thirty-sixth and Cuming streets for a $100,000 
building which is now in process of construction, the funds for which are 
nearly all provided. As typical of the work this hospital has been doing, 
the following facts taken from their last annual report will be of 
interest:

Page 806

Connected with the institution are fourteen physicians and surgeons and 
specialists; there are twenty-three nurse deaconesses and five visiting 
deaconesses under the superintendency of Mrs. Allie P. McLaughlin, who has 
occupied this position from the first, and by her devotion and skill has 
contributed largely to the success of the work. These deaconesses receive 
no salary, the small amount of $250 a year being assigned to each for a 
bare support. During the year 1903 there were admitted for treatment 897 
patients, 267 being treated free. The rules make no distinction as to 
church affiliation, all needing treatment being equally welcome. This is 
apparent from the fact that 235 were of no church, 231 were Methodists, 63 
were Catholics, and the other 372 were from fifteen different 
denominations. In addition to this service in the hospital, there were 26,
872 hours given by these deaconesses to nursing the sick outside the 
hospital, in the homes of the people. Then the visiting deaconesses did a 
great deal of evangelistic work, visiting and holding revival meetings in 
many places, besides much effort in soliciting funds in the interest of 
the new hospital.

[image caption: NATIONAL ORPHANAGE OF THE WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY 
OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, YORK, NEBRASKA Known as the Mothers' 
Jewels' Home in soliciting funds in the interest of the new hospital.]

   Another institution, our Mothers' Jewels' Home, at York, Nebraska, was 
established at that point by the Women's Home Missionary Society of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. Its work has to do with homeless waifs, and is 
carried along two lines: The finding of Christian homes for as many as 
possible, and the making of a home for such as can not be provided for in 
that way. Burwell Spurlock assisted by his wife, Isabella Spurlock, has 
had charge of this important work about twenty years. Both have been in 
Nebraska over fifty years, and have all this while been prominent in 
church and other benevolent forms of work, but in their present relation 
they have rendered the most valuable service.

   In closing this brief sketch it may be appropriate to note some of the 
results of the first half century of Nebraska Methodism. In 1903 the 
conferences had increased to four, the districts to fourteen, the pastoral 
charges to 410. But many of these charges have from two to five distinct 
organizations

Page 807

known as classes, which in other churches would be counted as separate 
charges. On this basis there would be not less than 500 distinct Methodist 
church organizations in Nebraska. The membership, including 3,354 
probationers, increased to 55,054, and the effective ministry, including 
full members of conference and those on trial preparing for admission, 
numbers 354. In addition to these there are 82 superannuated and 
supernumerary preachers, some of whom are doing efficient work in 
supplying charges. To these must be added 158 local preachers who have 
done excellent service as pastors pending the time the charges could be 
supplied with members of conference.

   Want of space has made it impossible to include in the above sketch a 
detailed account of the history of the German and Swedish branches of our 
work, the former of which numbers 2675, including 140 probationers; and 
the latter 1,090, making a total membership for the entire Methodist 
church in Nebraska of 59,083.

[image captions: BURWELL SPURLOCK Superintendent Mothers' Jewels' Home.
ISABELLA S. D. (MRS. B.) SPURLOCK Assistant Superintendent Mothers' 
Jewels' Home]

   In conclusion it may be said that it has been and is the wish of the 
citizens of our state that all the elements of the best civilization 
should be present and active. There is also substantial agreement in the 
conviction that among these elements must be included the home, the farm, 
the factory, the store, civil government, schools, and churches; that is, 
that the bodily, social, intellectual, moral, and religious interests of 
all the people should be recognized and provided for. Of all the factors 
that have wrought in the realization of this ideal in so far as it has 
been realized, none have been more potent than the Christian churches. All 
from the first have worked side by side in a generous rivalry of Christian 
effort and self-sacrifice. And among these Christian churches it may be 
said in truth of the Methodist Episcopal church in Nebraska that none was 
more promptly on the field to begin this work; none was more constantly 
and universally at the forefront of the advancing tide of immigration, 
supplying the uttermost frontier with the Gospel and

Page 808

church, Sunday school, and other religious privileges; none has stood more 
decisively for social and civil righteousness; none has come nearer 
planting a church in every city, village, and rural settlement, and thus 
bringing the gracious influences of the Gospel within the reach of every 
inhabitant of the state.


CONFERENCE CONSOLIDATION

   An epochal event in history of the Methodist Episcopal church in 
Nebraska occurred in the year 1912, when the Nebraska the North Nebraska, 
and the West Nebraska Conferences united and became one big, powerful 
conference. This body now has a ministerial membership of about 500, and 
is the third largest conference in Methodism. There is but one other 
conference in the state, namely, the Northwest Nebraska, with a 
ministerial membership of about fifty.


RETIRED PREACHERS

   In these later years an advanced step for the adequate care of retired 
preachers has been taken. This is the result of education and agitation 
through a long number of years. Some of the men prominent in the work 
achieved are: Rev. W. B. Alexander, Rev. P. C. Johnson, D.D., deceased, 
Rev. A. C. Crosthwaite, deceased, Rev. F. M. Esterbrook, Rev. C. M. 
Shephard, D.D., and others, both ministers and laymen. In the year 1916 it 
was decided to put on a campaign to raise a total of not less than $500,
000 as an endowment fund for this cause. Dr. J. R. Gettys was selected 
corresponding secretary and placed in charge of the campaign. In a little 
more than a year the task was accomplished, and the fund stands now at a 
little more than $530,000, and is steadily growing. When the program is 
fully completed, and the entire fund on interest, the church will be able 
to pay its worn-out heroes around $600 a year. If anyone questions the 
wisdom of this matter, let him remember that these ministers gave their 
services sacrificially and received but a scant living. Therefore they are 
facing the sunset with no means of support.


NEBRASKA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

   In 1908 Chancellor D. W. C. Huntington resigned his position in the 
university because of advancing age. After a short interval Clark A. 
Fulmer, dean of the college and one of the best educators of the state, 
was elected chancellor. He was the first layman to enjoy that distinction. 
Under his leadership the school grew in numbers and influence until it 
became widely and favorably known not only over the state but throughout 
the country. The university now has three fine buildings and an endowment 
of $250,000. This school is destined to render great service to the state 
and nation, and to exercise an influence of far-reaching value.


GROWTH

   Just fifty-six years ago the Nebraska Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal church was organized. The first session was held in Nebraska 
City in 1861. At that time there were only twenty ministers and nine 
hundred and twenty-eight church members. Then there were but twenty-three 
Sunday schools with a membership of eight hundred and thirteen.

   Today they have more than 500 ministers, and about 80,000 church 
members, while the Sunday schools number 600, with a membership of about 
100,000.


PURPOSE

   The purpose of the Methodist Episcopal church is not to claim for 
itself all virtue and all truth, nor to be a rival to other churches. Its 
divine aim is to preach and spread the Gospel of the Son of God, and to 
coöperate with every other body of believers in promoting the kingdom of 
God among men. We as a church, would build lives into the likeness of 
Jesus Christ.


CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
BY REV. HARMON BROSS, D.D.

   The history of Congregational churches in Nebraska covers a period of 
half a century, but the springs of their power and influences were far 
back in the hills of Connecticut and

Page 809

Massachusetts in the early days of the last century.

   Among those converted in a revival of religion in Norfolk, Connecticut, 
in 1827, was a young man, fifteen years of age, named Reuben Gaylord. His 
pastor was Rev. Ralph Emerson, for fifteen years pastor of the historic 
church at Norfolk and afterwards professor in Andover Seminary -- a man 
who left the impress of his strong personality upon many young men. Young 
Gaylord pursued his studies with Mr. Emerson and prepared for Yale at 
Goshen Academy. The years 1830-1834, which were passed by him in college, 
were years of intense religious interest, and young Gaylord gave himself 
to the work of the Christian ministry. At the time of his graduation, 
however, Dr. Julian N. Sturtevant, the long-time president of Illinois 
College, was visiting his alma mater, and persuaded the promising young 
graduate to come back with him and teach for a time in the college; but 
Gaylord's mind was full of church work and the great problem of church 
extension. He returned to Yale and graduated from the theological seminary 
in 1838. Toward the close of his seminary course he became deeply 
impressed with the growing importance of the great West, and especially 
with the prospects of the then territory of Iowa, which was rapidly 
settling with an intelligent, enterprising class of people. He was 
ordained to the work of the ministry at Plymouth, Connecticut, and soon 
after left for Iowa, having a commission from the American Home Missionary 
Society to preach in Henry county. He reached what is now the town of 
Mount Pleasant, Iowa, September 18, 1838, and entered upon those active 
services which made him one of the well-known pioneers in religious work 
in that state. In common with nearly all of the Congregational ministers 
of his time, he was deeply interested in the patriotic side of home 
missionary work, as well as its religious influence.

   Soon after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska act in 1854, which made 
Kansas and Nebraska the theatre of such intense activity for the few 
succeeding years, Mr. Gaylord's attention was turned toward the needs of 
this territory, and in the early autumn of 1855 he visited Omaha, where a 
nephew of his had settled in 1854. Of his first Sunday service he says: 
"In my congregation was Governor Richardson, to whom I had been introduced 
the day before. At the close of the meeting he gave me an earnest 
invitation to come and make my home in the city that was to be. Without 
giving him a direct answer, the seed

[image caption: REV. HARMON BROSS, D.D.]

lodged in my mind as a seed drops into the ground. That seed germinated, 
that thought grew in my mind all the way home."

   The result of this visit was that a council was called by the church at 
Danville where Mr. Gaylord had been pastor for eleven years, and he was 
dismissed to enter upon work in Nebraska, being recommended to the Home 
Missionary Society for a commission, which he found awaiting him upon his 
arrival at Omaha, December 25, 1855. Of this beginning Mr. Gaylord says:

   I at once commenced preaching in the council chamber of the old state 
house. I found Rev. Mr. Collins of the M. E. church

Page 810

and Rev. Mr. Leach of the Baptist church in the place. They had 
appointments, one in the morning, the other in the evening, and I took the 
afternoon. There was no church organization in Omaha except a Methodist of 
about six members, We began with a union Sunday school, which we held for 
a time in the state house or in the dining room of the hotel. Having no 
suitable place to hold our meetings, we were compelled to arise and build. 
This work began in 1856, and the house was completed and dedicated in 
August, 1857.

[image caption: REV. REUBEN GAYLORD]

   On the 4th of May, 1856, a Congregational church of nine members was 
organized with Mr. Gaylord as pastor. Of the membership, two were from 
Michigan, two from Illinois, and five from Iowa. Eight of these were from 
Congregational churches and one from a Presbyterian. The following 
Sabbath -- May 11th -- Mr. Gaylord organized the church at Fontenelle, 
with twenty-four members.

   Mr. Gaylord made extended reports of his work and of the prospects in 
Nebraska, and these being published in the Home Missionary, the monthly 
magazine of the society, attracted wide attention. Some of these reports 
fell under the eye of another minister, then laboring in Wisconsin, who 
became a large factor in Nebraska pioneer work. In the early autumn of 
1856, Mr. Gaylord was walking down a street of Omaha one day and saw 
coming toward him a covered wagon and a one-horse buggy, a gentleman 
walking beside the buggy and driving the horse. The gentleman inquired if 
he could tell him where Rev. Mr. Gaylord lived. Mr. Gaylord replied (with 
a roguish twinkle in his eye) that he thought he could. That was the 
beginning of the lifelong friendship and partnership in Christian work 
between Mr. Gaylord and Rev. Isaac E. Heaton, for many years pastor of the 
church at Fremont.

   Mr. Heaton was born in the historic town of Franklin, Massachusetts. He 
prepared for college at Wrentham Academy and graduated at Brown 
University. While studying theology with Dr. Ide of Medway, Massachusetts, 
he also found his thoughts and interest turning to the great West. Married 
at Franklin in 1836, ordained to the ministry in 1837, he started for his 
home missionary field in southern Wisconsin, where, as teacher and 
preacher in home missionary churches for eighteen years, he served an 
apprenticeship which served to make him a master builder in this new 
region. The two men knelt in the humble home of Mr. Gaylord that autumn of 
1856, and consecrated themselves to the work of religion and patriotism in 
this new region.

   Omaha was then a little straggling village of about 500 people, and the 
territory of Nebraska had a population estimated at 5,000. Almost the 
entire population was in a little narrow strip along the Missouri river, 
and beyond was the treeless prairie, which most people thought would never 
be populated. Mr. Heaton went on and began preaching at Fremont, where, 
August 2, 1857, the church was organized. In the latter part of the same 
month these two active men, with delegates from the three churches of 
Omaha, Fontenelle, and Fremont, met at Fremont and

Page 811

organized the General Association of Nebraska.

   Mr. Gaylord began at once to preach in the towns about Omaha -- 
Bellevue, Florence, and Fort Calhoun. In the year 1857 he preached also at 
Decatur and at Brownville, where churches were afterwards organized. Mr. 
Heaton also preached at various points in the vicinity of Fremont. On 
account of the general absorption of public interest in the contest going 
on in Kansas in those years, settlement made somewhat slow progress in 
Nebraska, and at the end of the first decade there were but nine 
Congregational churches, eight ministers, and 210 members.

   Mention has been made above of the patriotic spirit which characterized 
Mr. Gaylord's work. Deacon E. J. Cartlidge, the long-time secretary at 
Lincoln of the Burlington Land Co., mentioned an incident, toward the 
close of his life, which deeply impressed him in regard to Mr. Gaylord's 
work. He says:

   A small party, consisting of my family and that of my sister, left 
Hannibal in the last part of June, 1863, for a trip up the Missouri

[image captions: REV. ISAAC ERVING HEATON, MIRANDA N. HEATON]

river, arriving at Omaha on the 3d of July. We attended the Congregational 
church the next day. Rev. Father Gaylord was pastor. It was a very solemn 
and interesting occasion. It was the day for the celebration of the Lord's 
Supper. It was also a day of great anxiety. It was known that a great 
battle was impending near Gettysburg and surmised that the same might be 
true at Vicksburg. I can remember well how our hearts were encouraged and 
our faith in God's providence and care for our nation strengthened by Mr. 
Gaylord's earnest prayer and timely words. I remember there were no 
deacons left in his church to officiate at the communion service. All were 
away in the service of their country. From the peculiar circumstances I 
remember the occasion left a deep impression on my mind. We had driven out 
the rebels from Missouri, and I was out on furlough, but it seemed to us 
the darkest time of the Rebellion. We were greatly cheered and 
strengthened by the faith of Father Gaylord, and the next day we had the 
news of the victory of Gettysburg and the capture of Vicksburg. Mr. and 
Mrs. Gaylord called on us the next day at the hotel and told us something 
of the history and struggles of the little pioneer church. The incident 
would, of course, appear trifling to others

Page 812

but it impressed me deeply. I shall never forget the fervor of Mr. 
Gaylord's prayer for President Lincoln, for the soldiers in peril, and for 
our government and its institutions, nor the earnest words of his address, 
which gave evidence of such a calm, unfaltering trust in God. I have 
always looked back upon that occasion as one of the deepest religious 
experiences of my life, and felt for Mr. Gaylord a peculiar affection, 
though we never met but once again.

   With the organization of the church, the pressing need was felt for a 
house of worship, and steps were taken at once toward the erection of such 
a building. Mr. Gaylord says: "In October, 1856, we had so far progressed 
with our church building as to hold services in the basement room. Then 
and there was organized the first distinctive Congregational Sunday school 
in Nebraska, with John H. Kellom as its superintendent." Mr. Kellom will 
be remembered by the older citizens of Omaha as one prominent in all the 
educational affairs of that city through the early years.

   About this time the village was passing through some of those trials 
incident to a

[image captions: SAMUEL ALLIS, MRS. EMELINE ALLIS]

new settlement, and Mr. Gaylord was always counted upon for helpful 
services. At the home missionary anniversary in Omaha, in May, 1894, Dr. 
Geo. L. Miller, who settled in Omaha as a practicing physician about the 
time of Mr. Gaylord's coming, paid a glowing tribute to the devotion and 
energy of this pioneer church worker. Mr. Gaylord makes mention of Dr. 
Miller in the following paragraph:

   The month of December, 1856, ushered in a winter which proved to be one 
of even greater severity than the preceding. A series of snow-storms, 
commencing with the very beginning of the month, kept the ground covered 
until March. The snow often fell to the depth of four feet, was much of 
the time from two to three feet on a level, and accompanied by an intense 
cold which seemed to know no abatement for days and weeks together. But 
hardships and privations were for a time forgotten in the great sorrow 
which had recently come upon the little family. On the 23d of November the 
youngest son, the pride and pet of the household, after a few weeks' 
illness, had been laid away in the lonely spot which those early settlers 
had selected for the resting place of their dead. The mother wan-

Page 813

dered about the house aimlessly, not knowing what to do with the care and 
love which had been given to the lost one, or sat down dazed with grief 
and folded her hands in silence. But some of these sad thoughts, were 
destined to be soon diverted into another channel. It was in the afternoon 
of one of those severe days, early in the month, that Dr. Miller, a young 
physician, who had made his home in Omaha two years before, called to tell 
of a case of suffering which had just been discovered by him. In one room 
of an unfurnished house on Harney street a father was lying very ill with 
inflammatory rheumatism, and in the bed with him were his two little 
girls, one two and the other four years of age. During a heavy fall of 
snow the wind had burst open the door and fastened it open with a snow 
drift, so that the little girl of four had tried in vain to close it. For 
more than twenty-four hours they had been without food or fire or care of 
any kind, and had not relief come soon they must have perished. A few 
weeks previous the wife and mother had died, and a little babe of a few 
days old soon followed.

   Mr. Gaylord at once accompanied the doctor to the dwelling of the 
stricken family. A nurse was found, provision made for the supply of their 
wants, and their sufferings relieved as far as possible. Mr. Gaylord took 
the youngest child home and Mrs. A. D. Jones cared for the other, but in a 
short time this one was also taken by Mr. Gaylord. In the meantime Dr. 
Miller was constant in at attendance upon the sick man.

   At this time Mr. Gaylord was paying $21 a month for a little dwelling 
of two rooms. Good flour was from $8 to $8.50 per 100 pounds, but they 
were using an inferior grade which they could get for $7. They were 
denying themselves the luxury of butter; sugar was twelve and a half cents 
per pound and other groceries in proportion.

   Near the close of 1857, the church building was completed and 
dedicated. It was 27 x 36 feet, built of brick, with a good basement, 19 x 
24 feet, a seating capacity of 225 persons, and cost, exclusive of 
furnishings, $4,500. At a fair held in June; 1857, and from which all 
exceptional features were excluded, the ladies' aid society raised between 
$600 and $700 for the furnishing of the new building.

   Mr. Gaylord continued to push the work through the eastern part of the 
state, while remaining pastor of the First Church, and in 1864, he was 
appointed agent of the American Home Missionary Society. At first his 
district embraced the western part of Iowa also, and the church at 
Atlantic City and others in western Iowa were organized under his 
leadership. With the close of the war in the spring of 1865, population 
began to set toward Nebraska, and Mr. Gaylord was active

[image caption: FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH BUILDING IN OMAHA]

in gathering and establishing churches. With the removal of the capital to 
Lincoln, the South Platte country attracted wide attention, and from Cass 
and Otoe counties westward soldier colonies and others began to take 
possession of the rich valleys and to dot the prairies.

   The church at Weeping Water, which was composed largely of 
Congregational colonies, was organized in 1860, and the one at Nebraska 
City in 1863. In addition to Messrs. Gaylord and Heaton, Rev. C. G. 
Bisbee, Rev. V. Alley, Rev. I,. B. Hurlburt, Rev. E. C. Taylor, and Rev. 
M. F. Platt were pioneer workers in establishing churches and Sunday 
schools. The Sunday school work, which has been a prominent feature in the 
progress of

[image captions: REV. AMOS DRESSER, REV. CHARLES LITTLE, REV. A. F. 
SHERRILL, D.D., REV. C. S. HARRISON. A GROUP OF PIONEER CONGREGATIONAL 
MINISTERS OF NEBRASKA]

Page 815

the denomination, was carefully fostered by Mr. Gaylord. During a visit to 
the East in 1864, he spoke before various Sunday schools, interesting them 
in the work of the West, and helping to lay the foundation for that wider 
interest which has resulted in the organzation of schools numbering now 
nearly 20,000 members. Rev. J. D. Stewart was for twenty-four years the 
devoted and efficient superintendent of this work among the churches.

   The completion of the Union Pacific railroad soon after the admission 
of Nebraska into the Union in 1867 gave new impulse to all the interests 
of the state. During that year Rev. A. F. Sherrill took charge of the 
First Church at Omaha, and Rev. Amos Dresser entered upon that pioneer 
work in Butler county out of which the four self-supporting churches in 
that county have grown, Rev. David Knowles had commenced work at Greenwood 
the previous year.

   The annual meetings of the general association have been occasions of 
fellowship and of great aid in fostering and forwarding the interest of 
the churches. As the work developed, local associations were formed, and 
there are now nine of these local bodies, all auxiliary to the general 
association. Every annual meeting has marked a sort of milestone in the 
denomination. At the session of 1870 Superintendent Gaylord made his final 
report, and Rev. O. W. Merrill of Anamosa, Iowa, was appointed his 
successor by the Home Missionary Society. Mr. Gaylord continued to supply 
vacant churches from time to time until his death at Fontenelle in 1880, 
while acting pastor of that church. At the meeting of the association in 
1870, eight new churches were reported, and the list numbered twenty-
three, with a total membership of 569.

   Then came the building of the Burlington road and the great tide of 
immigration into the South Platte country. Doane College, a brief history 
of which is appended, was founded in 1872, and there were forty-two 
churches with a membership of 869. Rev. Marshall Tingley had commenced 
work at Blair in 1869, and Rev. J. B. Chase came to the pastorate in 
Fremont in 1870. In 1872 Rev. Henry Bates gathered the church at Plymouth, 
Rev. S. C. Dean that at Jenkins Mills (now Steelburg), and Rev. Thomas 
Pugh that at Fairfield. Rev. H. A. French came to Wilford in the same year.

   The memorable grasshopper raid in 1874 somewhat retarded settlement and 
interrupted work, but in October, 1876, the general association went as 
far west as Kearney, where Rev. L. B. Fifield commenced pioneer work in 
1873. There was a new house of worship, and the records showed eighty-two 
churches, fifty-two ministers, and 2,398 members. About the time of this 
meeting at Kearney the churches entered upon the era of church and 
parsonage building. At that time only twenty churches had houses of 
worship and only four had parsonages. The Church Building Society had been 
able to help but sparingly, and there had been small means for these 
material improvements.

   With the extension of the Elkhorn road through northern Nebraska to the 
Black Hills 1884-1886, that part of the state received a large and rapid 
accession to its population. All the counties in northwestern Nebraska 
were organized, homesteads were taken, towns established, and there was 
earnest call for church extension. February 1, 1884, Rev. H. Bross, who 
had been for nearly eleven years pastor of the church at Crete, having 
been appointed general missionary for northern Nebraska, entered actively 
upon work in that part of the state, encouraging feeble churches, 
gathering new ones, and promoting church and parsonage building. Churches 
were organized in northeastern Nebraska; in the new towns along the 
extension of the road in the northwestern part of the state a large group 
of churches was organized out of which grew Chadron Academy. The increase 
of population along the extension of the Burlington road in southeastern 
Nebraska in 1886-1887 called for another forward movment [sic], and Rev. 
George E. Taylor was summoned from his successful pastorate at Indianola 
to act as general missionary for

Page 816

southwestern Nebraska. All of the churches along the Holdrege and Holyoke 
division of the Burlington were organized under his leadership, houses of 
worship built, and parsonages provided.

   During the last decade the churches have had a steady and healthy 
growth. A work of peculiar promise has been undertaken in the sand-hills 
of northwestern Nebraska where a group of churches, led by faithful 
pastors, has become responsible for the religious work among the cattlemen 
of that region. At Hyannis, a central point, a large and convenient 
building has been erected adapted for institutional work, including an 
audience room for public worship, a parsonage, reading room, and library.

   The number of churches has now reached 210, with a membership of about 
16,000, and church and parsonage property to the value of $800,000. The 
history of three or four of the more prominent of these churches is given 
below. The educational work inaugurated and carried forward by the 
denomination has been an important part of its history. The story of Doane 
College and of Santee Normal is given by Rev. M. A. Bullock, and the 
history of the academies by their various principals.

   The Nebraska Congregational News, edited and published by Rev. H. A. 
French, has also been an important factor in the development of the work. 
The Chautauqua Sunday School Assembly at Crete, conducted for several 
years under the auspices of the Congregational church, rendered a distinct 
service to the Sunday school and religious interests of the state.

   The offerings of the churches for home expenses have reached a total of 
$150,000 annually, and for various benovolences about $20,000. The amounts 
raised for their home work since the beginning have aggregated $3,000,000 
and for benevolent work $400,000. They have contributed largely to the 
evangelization of the world by sending a number of successful workers into 
the foreign field. They have been active in temperance efforts and in all 
moral reforms. In addition to the two above named Rev. H. N. Gates was 
superintendent 1874 to 1881; Rev. C. W. Merrill 1881 to 1884; Rev. J. L. 
Maile 1884 to 1889; Rev. Harmon Bross '1889 to 1906; Rev. S. I. Hanford 
1906-.


FIRST CHURCH, OMAHA

   The history of the First Congregational Church of Omaha runs back 
almost to the beginning of the city's life. In 1855 the Rev. Reuben 
Gaylord, who had been for seventeen years a missionary in Iowa, was sent 
by the American Home, Mission Society to Omaha. He preached through the 
winter of 1855-1856 in the assembly room of the territorial legislature. 
Here, on May 4, 1856, a church was organized with the following charter 
members: Governor and Mrs. O. D. Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Chapman, 
James W. Seymour, Mrs. Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Gaylord, and Miss Sarah 
A. Gaylord.

   Under Mr. Gaylord's faithful leadership the church grew rapidly, and 
before many years assumed self-support. During the fifty years of. its 
existence about 1,000 persons have been enrolled in its membership.

   From 1883 onward, various colonies were sent out to form the St. Mary's 
Avenue, Plymouth, Hillside, and Park Place (afterwards Pilgrim) churches. 
Other organizations have sprung up from time to time until there are nine 
of the Congregational order in the city.

   The First Church has had eight pastors. The Rev. Reuben Gaylord 
continued in its service until 1865, when he became the superintendent of 
missions in the territory. He died in 1880 and was buried from the church 
which he had founded twenty-four years before. Mrs. Gaylord, who had 
shared to the full his devoted labors and whose generous and lofty 
Christian spirit was an inspiration to all who knew her, continued among 
us till January, 1899, when she, too, fell asleep. The influence of these 
two lives will never cease to be felt in the First Church of Omaha nor in 
the work of the denomination throughout the state.

   Following Mr. Gaylord's resignation in 1865, the Rev. A, D. Stowell 
preached for a

Page 817

few months, after which the Rev. W. W. Rose was pastor for two years, 
being succeeded after an interval by Rev. E. S. Palmer, who continued with 
the church for two years. In 1870 the Rev. A. F. Sherrill, D.D., was 
ordained and installed as pastor and so continued for eighteen years. 
Under his unselfish and energetic ministry the church made steady 
progress, both in numbers and in spiritual power, at the same time sending 
out colonies of its people to found new churches as has been mentioned. At 
the close of his pastorate the Rev. Joseph T. Duryea, D.D., brought to the 
service of the church his stores of ripe scholarship and magnetic 
eloquence, speedily gathering about him a congregation which overflowed 
the house of worship. In 1894 his failing health compelled him to resign. 
For nearly two years the church was without a pastor, being supplied a 
part of the time by the Rev. A. Holden Byles, D.D., of Manchester, England.

   In 1896 the Rev. Franke A. Warfield, D.D., was called from Brockton, 
Massachusetts, and was able during his pastorate of two years by his words 
of encouragement and his practical sagacity to guide the church through a 
time of commercial depression from which it, in common with the other 
churches of the city, has suffered severely.

   Rev. Hubert C. Herring began work with the church September 1898 and 
continued until elected secretary of the National Home Missionary Society 
in 1907. Following Dr. Herring, Rev. F. T. Rouse was called to the 
pastorate and served for seven years, closing his work in 1914. The last 
pastor was Rev. F. J. Clark, who served the church two years. A few months 
after Mr. Clark's pastorate closed, the church, in July, 1918, merged with 
the Central Church (formerly known as the St. Mary's Avenue), the two 
uniting under the name of the First Central Church of Omaha.

   There have been three houses of worship erected by this church. The 
first was a brick building 27 x 36 feet, with basement lecture room. It 
was built in 1856 at a cost of $4,500, part of which was furnished by the 
Congregational Union. It stood on the west side of Sixteenth street about 
ninety-five feet north of Farnam. In 1871 the congregation removed from 
this church to their new house of worship, a frame structure on the 
northeast corner of Nineteenth and Chicago streets, erected at a cost of 
$20,000, and seating on floor and gallery about 600 people. This was sold 
and torn down in 1888, and the present church was built, at a cost of $75,
000, having an

[image caption: REV. LEWIS GREGORY, D.D.]

audience room seating 650 people, a lecture room seating 300, besides 
parlor, class rooms, kitchen, dining room, and pastor's study.


FIRST CHURCH, LINCOLN

   The following account of this church is in the main condensed from a 
historical discourse preached at the fortieth anniversary by its pastor, 
Rev. Lewis Gregory:

   The early days of this church have a special interest because its 
organization antedates both the city and the state. Its history carries us 
back to pioneer times. The first white resident of the county is said to 
have settled on the banks of Salt Creek on what is now Centerville, in 
June, 1856. At this time the country had not been surveyed. During the 
next five years a few families moved in here and there on inviting spots 
near Waverly and

Page 818

Yankee Hill. They led a precarious existence, disputing with the Indians 
the right of possession.

   In 1862 the homestead law was passed. Among the first settlers under it 
was John S. Gregory, Sr., the first deacon of this church. His first stop 
was at a roofless and floorless log cabin on the margin of the salt basin. 
The cabin had been erected by J. Sterling Morton as a preëmption claim, 
but was desolate and deserted. Mr. Gregory built a dugout in which he 
lived. He furnished salt to the Rocky mountain freighters at two or three 
cents a pound. The next year Lancaster county was organized. Mr. Gregory 
was made chairman of the board of county commissioners. He also succeeded 
in having a post-office established named Gregory Basin, of which he was 
appointed postmaster at a yearly salary of $3, with an extra $12 for 
bringing the mail from Saltillo, then in Clay county.

[image caption: FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, LINCOLN, 1868]

   In 1864 J. M. Young, with ten or a dozen others, staked out a town of 
eighty acres where Lincoln now stands. They called it Lancaster. The 
settlement was planned as a church colony of the Protestant Methodist 
church. From the proceeds of a sale of lots a building was erected, known 
as Lancaster seminary, used also as a place for Sunday meetings, until a 
stone church was afterwards erected on the corner of K and 12th streets. 
To this building Mr. Gregory personally contributed $8,000. In spite of 
the heroism and sacrifice of the members, this church did not flourish, 
and it passed away with its first families twenty years ago.

   From the beginning Mr. Gregory and a few neighbors who were 
Congregationally inclined held services among themselves, ministered to 
occasionally by the pastor at Greenwood. Finally, on August 19, 1866, a 
little church of six members was organized, when, as the first page of the 
church record states, there were but seven buildings in the town, viz., 
the seminary, the store, the blacksmith shop, and four dwellings. The 
church agreed to raise $100 a year for its minister, a pledge which the 
record at the close of the year proudly states was more than fulfilled. 
During this year, in March, 1867, Nebraska was proclaimed a state. In July 
the capital was located on paper and the bare prairie. In November of this 
same year Rev. Charles Little, having been chosen pastor of the 
Congregational church, set about securing for it a building. There were 
then, he says, not over 300 people in the city.

   The first church building was erected in 1868 and finished and 
furnished in 1869 -- simple but substantial and capable of seating 125 
people. It cost $2,778.86., This was the first permanent building 
dedicated to the worship of God in our city. Following the completion of 
the building in 1869 the church was able to pledge only $201 for the 
pastor's salary, of which only $132 had been raised at the close of the 
year. The remaining meager support was contributed by the Congregational 
Home Missionary society. Such a condition of things makes short 
pastorates. The minister, having exhausted his own resources and those of 
his friends, must leave. Mr. Little resigned in 1870, the church then 
having thirty-four members.

   Rev. L. B. Fifield, a man of scholarly tastes and well eduacted [sic], 
took up the work and helped to bear its burdens for two years more, adding 
twenty-three to its membership, but owing to deaths and removals he left 
it in numbers the same as he found it.

   His successor, Rev. S. R. Dimmock, was a man of unusual oratorical 
gifts. The church building was enlarged, and fifty were added to the 
membership during Mr. Dimmock's pastorate. Yet there was the constant 
going and coming characteristic of a western town; so when, after two 
years and a half of service, the minister was compelled to resign on 
account of ill-health, there were but fifty-four names on the roll, of 
whom only forty were resident, while on the other side was a debt of $2,
000.

   The Rev. Lewis Gregory took charge of the church in October, 1875, and 
during his ministry the church debt was paid and the present attractive 
and commodious church building erected. The church property is now valued 
at $50,000. Mr. Gregory was pastor of the church for twenty-two years, and 
during this time 1,064 were received to church membership, $110,656 were 
raised for church expenses, and $32,828 for various benevolences. The 
membership of the church at the close of Mr. Gregory's pastorate was 472.

   In the meantime, the church had become

Page 819

the mother of other churches of the denomination in the city. The seven 
other Congregational churches in Lincoln, viz., Plymouth, Vine Street, 
Butler Avenue, German First, German Zion, German Salem, and Swedish 
Congregational, are all practically daughters of the First Church. These 
churches have a total membership of 1,517 and church property valued at 
$75,000. Rev. W. H. Manss was pastor of the church for two years following 
the ministry of Rev. Mr. Gregory; and the present pastor is Rev. John E. 
Tuttle, D.D., under whose vigorous leadership the entire indebtedness of 
the church has been paid, and it is having an era of growth and 
developement [sic]. Dr. Tuttle closed his work with the church in 1909. 
Rev. T. M. Shilherd was called the same year and remained pastor for three 
years, closing in 1912. In 1915 Rev. R. A. Waite accepted the pastorate, 
serving the church two years. In 1917 he resigned to accept a national 
secretaryship with the Y. M. C. A. The present pastor, Rev John Andrew 
Holmes, D.D., began work with the church in 1917.


FIRST CHURCH, FREMONT

   The First Congregational Church of Fremont was organized by Rev. Isaac 
E. Heaton, August 2, 1857, with seven members, four from his own family, 
H. A. Pierce and wife, and R. H. Barnard.

   Mr. Heaton's pastorate extended over a period of about twelve years. He 
received

[image caption: SITE OF NEBRASKA UNIVERSITY AT FONTENELLE, 1905]

such meager contributions as his little flock of weaklings could bestow, 
and sometimes a small pittance from the H. M. S. But his main dependence, 
like Paul's, was upon the labor of his own hands. He led a life of 
unselfish devotion to the welfare of others.

   About 1860 material was gathered for a church building, which took fire 
one windy night from a Pawnee Indian camp-fire, and was entirely 
destroyed. A small unfinished house was procured soon after and used for a 
church until about 1868. Then a church 29 x 40 was built and a suitable 
bell placed in its tower. It was Fremont's first bell, and for several 
years was used to call the people together on public occasions, the 
children to school, and to sound fire alarms. Father Heaton resigned in 
1869. The membership then exceeded fifty. A few months later the church 
called Rev. J. B. Chase, at a salary of $1,000 and it became self -
supporting. From the first Mr. Heaton was one of the most liberal 
contributors. Rev. Roswell Foster was called to the pastorate in 1872, 
George Porter in 1875, Rev. A. T. Swing in 1878, Rev. L. F. Berry in 1887, 
and Rev. W. H. Buss in 1890. Rev. John Doane was pastor from 1902 to 1905, 
when Mr. Buss returned to the work. The old frame church was enlarged 
under Rev. Foster's pastorate. Under that of Rev. A. T. Swing the church 
was again greatly enlarged, a $1,000 organ was purchased, and the present 
brick building erected at a cost of about $25,000. It was dedicated June 
2, 1885,

Page 820

and a few months later Mr. Swing resigned his very successful pastorate. 
The church occupies a quarter block originally donated by one of the 
charter members. The present value of the church and its equipments, 
including grounds, is about $30,000. The longest pastorates were those of 
Mr. Heaton, about twelve years, Mr. Swing about nine years, Mr. Buss about 
eleven years. The present membership is about 355.


DOANE COLLEGE

   One of the distinctive characteristics of Congregationalists is to 
build colleges and academics. Our Pilgrim fathers landed at Plymouth in 
1620, and in 1636 founded Harvard College and in 1701 Yale College. Since 
then, with the development of the denomination, colleges and academies 
have been established east and west, north and south, until today the 
Congregational institutions of learning bear noble testimony to the 
educational genius of the Congregational churches and stand in the very 
forefront in the splendid educational system of the republic. It is not 
surprising, then, that our pioneer fathers in Nebraska at the first annual 
meeting of the Congregational churches in the territory, held in Omaha, 
October 30, 1857,

   Resolved, That we deem it expedient to take measures to lay the 
foundation of a literary institution of a high order in Nebraska.
   Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to take into 
consideration the location of the literary institution.
   Voted, that this committee view locations, receive propositions, and, 
if thought expedient, call a special meeting of the association.

   In accordance with these instructions the Nebraska University, located 
at Fontenelle, February, 1855, and commonly referred to as the "Fontenelle 
school," was transferred to the Congregationalists, January, 1858. A tract 
of 112 acres was set apart for the school almost ideal in the lay of the 
land, and the early prospects of the school were bright, but subsequent 
disappointments many. Fontenelle had an ambition to secure the county seat 
and also the capital of the new state.

   The building of railroads and the push of settlements west and south of 
Fontenelle sealed its fate as a school center and as a town. Fremont 
secured the county seat and Fontenelle was set in another county, Lincoln 
was awarded its hoped for capitol, Crete its college, and the open fields 
its once ambitious town. The Fontenelle school never reached a secure 
footing. When the state capital was located at Lincoln and the trend of 
immigration went that way, it became evident that the Congregational 
college must have a more central location. The result was that the school 
at Fontenelle was abandoned, and a new college was organized at Crete by 
vote of the general association, June, 1872, and was duly incorporated 
July 11, 1872. An academy had been located at Crete the preceding year 
incorporated as Crete Academy, May 22, 1871 and this doubtless had no 
little to do with the location of the new college.

   No name was attached to the college when it was located, but in virtue 
of the generous aid, active coöperation, and splendid qualities of manhood 
of Thomas Doane, chief engineer and superintendent of the Burlington & 
Missiouri River railroad in Nebraska, the college corporation wrote his 
name in the articles of incorporation, and the institution was called 
Doane College.

   Among those who had much to do with locating the college and advancing 
its interests were George S. Harris, a deacon, and Rev. Charles Little, 
first pastor of the First Congregational Church, Lincoln. Through their 
efforts as well as those of Mr. Doane, the railroad company was led to 
offer very liberal inducements to the proposed college. President Perry 
relates this incident in connection with the railroad grant:

   An indescribable charm invests the story that the late Edmund McIntyre 
of Seward told of the way in which the prime movers in the college 
enterprise were encouraged to ask the railroad company for the large grant 
of 600 acres. These men in earnest deliberation had purposed to limit 
their petition to eighty acres, but one of them, Rev. Charles Little, at 
length, with a peculiar light in his eye, says, "Why not ask for the whole 
600 acres? The Scriptures say, Ask, and ye shall receive." Thereupon these 
college builders had

Page 821

a large accession of faith, and they asked and received. That their faith 
was rewarded was due in no small measure to the railroad land 
commissioner, Mr. George S. Harris, who was a large-hearted, broad-minded 
man who took great interest in all educational and religious work in the 
new state.

   No more beautiful site for a college could be desired than this land 
grant affords. From it a campus of ninety acres has been reserved, 
overlooking the city of Crete and the beautiful valley of the Big Blue. A 
stroll through this campus in the month of June is a delight. It is 
beautifully laid out, and the lay of the land adds to its attraction. "The 
campus rises in knolls and falls away in slight ravines which contain 
choice springs of water. These ravines have been filled with groves, while 
the high grounds have their winding drives bordered with shade trees." It 
is an ideal-spot and reminds one of some of the attractive New England 
landscapes. It has a fine athletic field, and manly sports are encouraged.

   During his life Mr. Doane was a constant and liberal giver, and since 
his death his estate has yielded more than $70,000 and has enabled the 
college to advance the endowment fund to $170,000.

   Other property, including lands, buildings, and equipment, would carry 
the total assets of the college to nearly $300,000. "The college has now 
(1906) four substantial brick buildings, biological, chemical, and 
physical laboratories; a library that contains 10,000 volumes and 6,000 
pamphlets; a well equipped observatory; a time service; a museum with 
varied collections of plants, minerals, and animals," writes President 
Perry. Of these buildings Merrill Hall, costing $13,000, was erected in 
1879. The building is in the form of a cross, three stories, 89 x 56 feet. 
Boswell Observatory, one story with seven small rooms, was built in 1893 
at an expense of $3,000, and has an equipment of telescope, transit, 
clocks, weather service, electrical devices, etc., which cost as much 
more. Gaylord Hall, erected in 1884, cost $31,000. The main part of the 
hall is four stories, 50 x 36 feet; two wings with high basement, three 
stories, each 48x36 feet. Whitin Library, erected in 1894 at an expense of 
$9.000, is 1 1/2 stories, high basement, 62 x 38 feet. Lee Memorial Chapel 
and Conservatory of Music, to cost $30,000, is now being secured. The 
plans are adopted and a large part of the money is already raised. This 
will be followed by a new science hall costing $25,000, and when secured 
and furnished the material equipment of Doane College will place it in the 
front rank for scientific work.

   In classical and literary work it has for years stood among the best 
colleges in the land, and in scientific research and instruction Doane 
College has achieved splendid results considering its meager equipment.

   There are now in the college ten professors and twelve instructors. The 
chairs are mental philsophy and history, economics and ethics, ancient 
languages and principal of the academy, Greek and Latin, English 
literature and history of art, German, French, and elocution, chemistry, 
physics and astronomy, biology, mathematics, and biblical literature.

   In addition to these there is a fine music school and a successful 
commercial department. Much attention also is given to pedagogy, and 
excellent work is being done along this line the course in pedagogy 
leading to a state teacher's certificate. The college has had a healthy 
growth from its beginning in 1872. The first year there were fifteen 
students and one teacher, Mr. Perry himself; the second year forty 
students and two teachers; the third year sixty students and three 
teachers. It now has an annual attendence of about 250 students. The 1904-
1905 catalogue gives an attendance of 136 in the college classes; of these 
1 was a graduate student, 19 were seniors, 20 juniors, 31 sophomores, 39 
freshmen, and 26 special. The other students were in the academy, school 
of music, department of art, and commercial school. The president of Doane 
College, Rev. David Brainerd Perry, D.D., has the unique record of being 
the first teacher in the college, its first professor in charge of the 
school, and its first and only president, being elected to that office and 
Perry professor of mental and moral philosophy in 1881. The members of

Page 822

the faculty are men and women of culture, fine intellectual attainments, 
inspiring teachers, and of positive Christian influence. It is through 
their self-sacrificing devotion to the college and Christian education 
that they remain with the institution on salaries wholly inadequate. The 
endowment fund. should immediately be increased to a sum sufficiently 
large to enable the college to give at least a fair compensation for the 
service rendered on the part of its able and devoted faculty.

   Doane College early adopted the motto, "We build on Christ," and in the 
inspiration of this thought the work of the college is conducted. This may 
be one reason why so many of its 237 graduates represent strong Christian 
manhood and womanhood.

   The Congregational system of schools in Nebraska is somewhat unique. 
Doane College with Crete Academy is the center, and related to it as 
feeders, though with no organic connection, are four academies, Chadron in 
the northwest corner of the state, Gates at Neligh in the northeast, 
Franklin in the southwest, and Weeping Water in the southeast. In all 
these Congregational schools there were, in 1904, 750 students and 42 
teachers.

   The college is governed by a self-perpetuating board of trustees, 
twenty-seven in number, who serve for three years but are eligible for re-
election. College graduates are invited each year to nominate one or more 
of their number to fill vacancies on the board, and in like manner the 
Congregational churches of the state have the privilege to nominate one or 
more trustees, the object being to keep the college in close touch with 
its alumni and with the churches of the state. The board shall have not 
less than twelve nor more than twenty-seven members, its present number, 
and of these not less than three-fourths shall be members in good standing 
in Evangelical Congregational churches.

   The college is broad in its sympathies, nonsectarian in its methods, 
charitable in its dealings with others, and welcomes students of other 
denominations, and of no church leanings, and seeks to bring all under the 
influence of higher learning, based on eternal truth.

   The college presents three carefully prepared courses of study leading 
to the baccalaureate degrees in art, literature, and science. In 1904 
Doane College conferred one degree of master of arts, fourteen of bachelor 
of arts, four of bachelor of science, and one of bachelor of letters. Each 
course of study covers a period of four years, and all work is prescribed 
at the end of the sophomore year. A wide range of elective studies for the 
junior and senior years gives the student ample opportunity to follow his 
specialty in preparation for post-graduate work, and laboratory methods of 
teaching are extensively employed.

   "It is the full purpose of the trustees," says President Perry, "to go 
on increasing the facilities for imparting instruction and to bring the 
advantages of a good education within the reach of every capable and 
deserving young man or woman in the state. Opening its doors alike to 
young people of both sexes, thoroughly identifying itself with educational 
and religious progress, successful in the past, hopeful for the future, 
Doane College seeks to fill a good place in developing the best interests 
of Nebraska." Among the graduates of Doane who have already won 
distinction we find ministers, teachers, editors, writers of fiction, 
lawyers, representatives in all the learned professions, and in the 
spheres of home and business occupations. These with the larger student 
body who did not graduate have gone into active life and are making the 
world better by reason of their educational training and strong character 
moulded under the influence of Doane teachers.

   Nebraska Congregationalists have said; "No order of Christians can hope 
to be respectable or useful which neglects its educational interests. The 
order under God which embodies the most Christian thinkers will be the 
moulding power of the age and nation and will do most for God and humanity.

   To make Christian thinkers and workers is the supreme object of Doane 
College, and in accomplishing this sublime purpose it faces a bright 
future and a magnificent opportunity

Page 823

GATES ACADEMY

   As early as 1874 the Congregationalists of the North Platte began to 
look forward to organizing a Christian school in that region. In the fall 
of 1880 the Columbus association began to consider the matter more 
definitely; and the next year bids were invited for the location of "an 
institution of academy or seminary grade." The Neligh bid was most 
favorable, and by vote of the association in special session, August 10, 
1881, the institution was located there and christened Gates College. 
During the ensuing winter a building was erected, and in the fall of 1882 
the work of instruction began.

   For four years, only secondary work was offered, but in 1886 the school 
was opened to college classes, and three students were enrolled as 
freshmen. This undertaking of college work "precipitated a prolonged and 
somewhat acrimonious debate" among the churches, which proved a serious 
handicap to the growth of the institution. The avowed policy of the 
general association had been to have but one college in the state; and 
notwithstanding Gates' insistence for recognition, this policy seems to 
have been quite closely adhered to until 1891, when, as a temporary 
solution to the problem, qualified endorsement was given to Gates College. 
But this solution was only temporary, while an effort was made to 
consolidate the two colleges. This failing, "the two institutions 'were 
left to adjust their relations as they might be able."

   In 1895 a new crisis arose. The institution was struggling under an 
increasing debt, and the trustees, yielding to overtures from certain 
Norfolk parties, voted to remove the school thither. This action was 
vigorously opposed by citizens of Neligh, including several of the 
trustees; and through the aid of the courts removal was prevented. 
Nevertheless the attempt did serious injury to Gates; since its president, 
part of its faculty, and most of its trustees resigned and cast their 
influence with the rival institution at Norfolk. Gates College bravely 
continued its work for four years more. "But the long controversy had so 
weakened its strength that it was unable to maintain its position; and in 
the spring of 1899 it resigned its college charter and became an academy."

   The academy inherited not only the property and traditions of the 
college, but its debts also, which, by 1901, amounted to about $20,000. 
Here was another crisis. But "through the kindly efforts of President H. 
K. Warren, Dr. Theodore Clifton, the Congregational Education Society, and 
the timely gifts of many friends east and west," the debt was lifted March 
31, 1901. It was a splendid acheivement and meant life to the institution.

   Thus the first two decades of the history of Gates were a struggle for 
existence. But they were more. During this period the school maintained 
high standards and did a noble work for the young people of the North 
Platte region.

   The academy property, including grounds, buildings, and school 
equipment, is valued at $22,500. Though the school has no productive 
endowment, it has a large field and the basis for a strong constituency.

   The one aim of Gates now is to be "a first-class Christian academy." As 
such it should have a large and important part in the upbuilding of 
northeast Nebraska.


FRANKLIN ACADEMY

   The Franklin Academy Association was organized under the auspices of 
the Republican Valley Association of the Congregational churches in 
February, 1881. A building was built and the school opened before the end 
of the year, with Rev. W. S. Hampton, principal. Stewart Hall was built in 
1882 and burned in 1900. Harrison was built 1886, Blose Cottage 1889, and 
Dupee Hall of Music 1902. The buildings, and equipment are worth campus, 
probably $28,000.

   A library of about 4,000 volumes has been gathered, and the 
laboratories are well equipped for elementary science work. From the first 
the school has been conducted as a high grade, thoroughly Christian 
preparatory and normal school. Later, excellent music and business 
departments have been added.

Page 824

   Principal Hampton was succeeded in 1886 by Chas. H. Dye of Oberlin 
College, and he in 1888 by the present principal, Alexis C. Hart of Iowa 
College. The academy has enrolled 1,350 students from 225 towns in 17 
states; 155 have been graduated from courses three or more years in 
length, 115 of whom finished preparation for college.

   To Rev. C. S. Harrison, Rev. Amos Dresser, E. B. James, A. E. Rice, W. 
H. Austin, and others of its founders, men of great energy, strong faith, 
and high ideals, the institution owes its character and its success.


WEEPING WATER ACADEMY 

   Weeping Water Academy was opened in September 1885, under a board of 
trustees who had incorporated the summer before.

   One instructor was employed, the Baptist church rented as a building, 
and Rev. Geo. Hindley, pastor of the Congregational church, acted as 
principal and taught some classes.

   The next year a flame "lean-to" was added to the Congregational church, 
and the school moved into these two rooms and the church.

   A flourishing music department was added soon. Mr. Hindley continued as 
principal with a gradually increased force of teachers until his 
resignation of the church pastorate in the fall of 1893. Rev. Chas. H. 
Richardson, the senior assistant, was acting principal during the school 
year 1893-1894, when the present principal, F. C. Taylor, accepted the 
position with three assistants and a music teacher.

   At the resignation of pastor and principal. Hindley, things looked dark 
for the school. The Congregational church, whose liberal, wealthy members 
were financially ruined by a boom reaction, was heavily in debt; the 
school was without property and meagerly equipped.

   Under the leadership of Rev. C. S. Harrison, the new pastor, the church 
debt was pledged and the old church, under an $1,800 mortgage, was deeded 
to the academy. Some back debts of the school were paid and buildings were 
rented and fitted up for dormitory uses. The old church was partitioned 
off and the school work, excepting music, was taken out of the new church 
into which it had drifted.

   The crop failure of 1894 and the increasing financial uncertainty of 
the following years brought additional reverses. Attendance fell off and 
the Congregational Education Society was unable to help. The teaching 
force was reduced one-fourth and the work contracted. It was a 
discouraging time. But holding steadily on, the school weathered the gale. 
Attendance increased. In 1897-1898 all current expenses and the mortgage 
indebtedness were squared up. The fourth instructor was soon restored and 
a second building occupied for business and science work.

   With good appliances for its science work, a library of over 1,000 
volumes, and all of its four teachers college graduates of enthusiasm and 
teaching ability, the academy is deserving of its present high reputation.

   Though it has many immediate and ultimate needs, it is advancing in 
many lines each year and believes its way will open before it for still 
better things.

   Hindley Cottage, completed in 1904, was the first building ever built 
by the academy for itself. It cost $90,000 and was entirely paid for when 
finished. The building was designed to furnish dormitories for twenty 
young women, and a boarding hall to accommodate forty-eight students, 
either boys or girls. The building is two stories high above the basement, 
and the furnishings cost $1000.


CHADRON ACADEMY

   The following brief account of Chadron academy is condensed in the main 
from the monograph of Prof. A. B. Show on "Denominational Colleges" in 
Pamphlet No. 32, United States Bureau of Education.

   The building of railroads into northwestern Nebraska in the early years 
of the decade of 1880-1890 opened the way for the rapid settlement of that 
region, and within a short period it was filled with a numerous population 
and dotted with prosperous villages. Following closely this stream of 
immigration, various religious orders began the work of organizing

Page 825

churches of their several kinds. Among the first foundations in the new 
district in the Congregational interest was the church at Chadron, Dawes 
county, established in the autumn of 1885. Chadron was at the time already 
a thriving village and rapidly grew to prominence among the towns of that 
region. Other churches were planted in like promising centers, and in 1887 
there were enough of them to form a seperate "northwestern association" of 
Congregational churches.

   The opportunity for Christian education in this wide region soon 
attracted attention from ministers and missionary workers. The practical 
issue was the decision of the Northwestern Association in 1888 to found an 
academy at Chadron. Various other towns entered actively into the canvass 
for location, but the natural advantages and enterprise of Chadron secured 
for it the site of the new institution. At the same meeting the 
association provided for the government of the school and elected the 
first board of trustees. Immediately following this action the trustees 
selected a site for the academy on a hillside overlooking the town, 
purchased grounds sufficient for a campus, and began plans for the 
erection of a permanent building. The school was opened in an outgrown 
public schoolhouse, and December 3, 1890, the new building was dedicated 
and occupied at once. In November, 1892, this building was totally 
destroyed by fire. But without any interruption of instruction a new and 
satisfactory home for the school was provided. Since1894 one small 
building has been erected to serve as a dormitory for young women, and to 
provide a dining hall for the students in general. The enrollment for the 
year 1901-1902 was 120. The attendence is constantly on the increase: 
Prof. L. M. Oberkotter is principal with a corps of well-trained and 
efficient assistants.

[image caption: SANTEE NORMAL TRAINING SCHOOL]

SANTEE NORMAL TRAINING SCHOOL

   The Indian school at Santee is a part of the educational work in the 
state. The school was founded in 1870 by the American Board, but in the 
readjustment of missionary work it was later on transferred to the 
American Missionary Association, by which it is supported. The 
Congregational churches in the state share in the work through the A. M. 
A. Situated in the northeast corner of Nebraska it is well located to 
accommodate the Indians of the Northwest. The principal of the school is 
the well-known Rev. A. L. Riggs, D.D.

   Santee is neither a college nor academy, but, as its name signifies, is 
a normal training school. Prof. Y. B. Riggs, M.A., the assistant 
principal, has given a concise account of the object of the school in 
these words:

   The fundamental purpose of Santee is the preparation of Indian young 
men and women for missionary and educational leadership among their own 
people. Active Christians and working churches are the result of Christian 
education.

   Government schools do not and can not provide adequate preparation for 
the missionary

Page 826

teachers, preachers, and other Christian leaders that are needed. Santee 
does not conflict with, compete with, or parallel the work of the 
government schools or any other school . . . Home life is recognized as a 
potent educational means, and the Santee dormitories are accordingly small 
and numerous, each in charge of a Christian lady who appreciates the 
responsibilities of mothering her flock . . . In the academic work the 
pedogogical developments at Santee are not only abreast of the times, but 
often advance into originality. The course

[image caption: REV. ALFRED L. RIGGS, D.D.]

of study is essentially unique. The secondary value of "form study," such 
as language and mathematics, is recognized, and the "real or thought 
studies," as history or the humanities, and the sciences, are made the 
basis of all "form study" teaching.

   The order, relative value, and most advantageous use of studies is made 
a constant pedagogical and psychological study at Santee . . . Industrial 
training occupies half of every pupil's school day.

   Besides the domestic training that the pupils incidentally receive in 
the care of their rooms, houses, and clothes -- both boys and girls -- the 
school, cooking school, shop, and farm give them more systematic 
instruction planned to fit the possibilities of their home conditons 
[sic]. Santee pupils are taught to make good bread, and to prepare plain, 
nourishing food economically, and from such materials as they have at home 
or should be able to have.

   The students are practiced in the essentials of stock raising and 
general farming; and in laboratory they have experimental demonstration of 
the more important theories of agriculture.

   With the mechanical arts the object is not trade training, but "manu-
mental" instruction, development of the mind and character through the 
hand and body. Blacksmithing, carpentering, printing are used for their 
mental and ethical value, a means to all-around development.

   Santee has also special classes for adults who have had no or but few 
educational advantages; these classes are called "adult primaries." The 
school also has an extension course with lectures by Santee teachers. Much 
interest is manifested in this special work, even by adult Indians with no 
previous training.

   In 1903 there were 230 students catalogued, of whom 123 were in the 
correspondence school, 8 in high school, 51 in the intermediate, including 
from fourth to seventh grades, 7 in the adult primary, 40 in the primary, 
18 in instrumental music and 1 unclassified. The music scholars are 
included in the other grades.

   Looking at the bright and intelligent faces of the high school pupils 
one can hardly realize that these are children of "wild Indians." They 
illustrate what Christian training can do and is doing for the Indian 
races. They are a strong argument in favor of the Christian school for 
Indian boys and girls.

   In Santee there are representatives from different tribes including the 
Santee, Winnebago, Navajo, Sioux, and other tribes, all living and working 
in perfect harmony and good will, all becoming disciples of one Master, 
our Lord.

   Says Prof. Riggs: "During thirty-four years of Santee's history there 
have been great changes in the condition of all the Indians of the 
Northwest. Christianity has been the only power that has transformed 
barbarism into the beginnings of civilization."

   The Santee pupils, with rarely an exception; are, or become while in 
school, Christians and church members. And in answer to the ques-

Page 827

tion: "Does an Indian on returning from school relapse to the heathen ways 
of his people?" Professor Riggs answers, "No, never if he becomes a 
genuine Christian."

   Statistics can not tell all that the eighteen teachers and helpers in 
the Santee school are doing for the uplift and Christian civilization of 
the Indian tribes; nor can a superficial study of the work done give any 
adequate conception of its value. It is only they who watch the progress 
of these Indian boys and girls as they go through the years of study in 
Santee, and then out among their people as leaders and helpers, who are 
competent to judge of the charcter of the work done in the school, and the 
transformation of the Indian into a Christian and honored member of 
society. Santee Normal Training School is an institution of untold 
blessings to the Indians of the Northwest. It brings to the Indians within 
its reach a new hope, a new career, a new life.

   Into this Indian mission work the Riggs family have put their lives. 
"Dr. A. L. Riggs was born in the work," his father being a missionary 
among the Sioux in 1857, and his son is following in his steps. They have 
made Santee largely what it is, and are the inspiration of its growing 
work.

   On account of railroad facilities Santee has been more accesible to 
South Dakota and the Northwest than to Nebraska in which it is situated, 
and for this reason the Nebraska churches have not come in as close touch 
with this institution as with the other Congregational schools in the 
state, but the Santee Normal Training School is doing a work of which all 
Nebraskans are proud, and in which citizens in other states who keep in 
touch with the Indian work in the country take a great interest.

   The Santee Mission was begun by the American Board of Commissioners for 
Foreign Missions in 1866, but the school, as above indicated, was founded 
in 1870, and the whole mission was transferred in 1882 to the American 
Missionary Association.

   The following missionaries have been in commission: Rev. John P. 
Williamson, D.D., Mrs. Sarah F. Williamson, 1866 to 1870; Mr. Edward R. 
Pond, Mrs. Mary F. Pond, 1866 to 1871; Rev. A. L. Riggs, D.D., Mrs. Mary 
B. Riggs, 1870 to 1882; and since 1882 under

[image caption: ARTEMAS EH-NA-MA-NI Indian Preacher, Pastor, and 
Missionary]

the A. M. A. Prof. F. B. Riggs, M.A., for some years has been associated 
with Dr. Riggs as assistant principal of the school.


A NEW ERA IN CONGREGATIONALISM

   The fiftieth anniversary of the organziation of the First 
Congregational Church of Omaha was held May 4, 1906. As this was the first 
church organized in the state, the date marked the completion of the first 
half century of Congregationalism in Nebraska. At this gathering, 
therefore, in view of the abundant prosperity of the state, it was decided 
that the Nebraska churches ought not longer to look to the national 
society for home missionary help, but that with the beginning of the new 
half century the state should become self-supporting in its missionary 
work. All of the churches joined heartily in this advance movement with 
the result that the date of the Omaha anniversary meeting marks the 
beginning of a

Page 828

new era in the history of Congregational church work in the state.

   The first half century, which included the period of railroad extension 
throughout the state, and the planting of new towns along these lines, was 
naturally a period of church organization in the newly located community 
centers. This form of church activity, therefore, became the type of work 
which characterized the period during which Dr. H. Bross served as 
superintendent of home missions, from 1889 to 1906. He closed his work as 
superintendent on the anniversary date, May 4, 1906, and at that time the 
total number of churches reported was 201.

   With the beginning of the new half century from 1906 to the present 
time, covering a period of thirteen years, the aim has been to make the 
work intensive rather than extensive, seeking to develop stronger churches 
rather than to increase the number of separate organizations. But few new 
churches have been added, as there was no longer a special call for them, 
and some which had ceased to be active have been dropped from the list, 
leaving the present enrollment 196. That this policy of strengthening the 
churches already planted has proved to be the right one to follow is shown 
by comparing present figures with those of 1906. While the number of 
churches has remained practically the same, the gain in strength and 
missionary activity during this period covering the twelve years from 1906 
to the close of 1918, is indicated as follows:

Growth in membership, from 16,000 to 19,000.
Growth in Sunday school membership, from 16,000 to 21,000.
Growth in contributions for home missions, from $6,827 to $10,853.
Growth in total benevolences, from $26,264 to $56,316.
Growth in home expenses, from $170,042 to $244,698.
Growth in value of church property, from $77,746 to $1,455,117.

   At the beginning of the period of self-support, it was stated in the 
last report of the superintendent of home missions, that the number of 
home missionary churches in the state totalled about 100. At the present 
time the total does not exceed one-fourth of that number. This large 
increase in the number of self-supporting churches is due in large measure 
to the spirit awakened by the self-supporting policy adopted.

   The general plan for church supervision has also undergone a marked 
change during this period. Instead of a distinctively missionary society, 
with its superintendent of home missions, and home missionary board, the 
chief' duties of which were to care for the weaker churches in the way of 
granting financial aid, and assisting in finding them pastors, the present 
plan has merged the former missionary society with the state conference, 
thus including all of the churches in the state, whether weak or strong. A 
general superintendent of Congregational work is elected, who, together 
with the conference board, gives general supervision to all the work of 
the state, seeking by counsel and coöperation to be helpful to each church 
as occasion may require. Two pastors-at-large are employed to assist the 
superintendent in the general field work over the state.

   The Sunday school work has also undergone a marked change in recent 
years, the educational part being under the direction of the National 
Education Society, with a state secretary in charge; and the extension 
part being supervised by the Home Missionary Society, under the direction 
of the state superintendent.

   These and other changes in the administration of the work have made it 
impossible to retain the office in the superintendent's home, as was 
formerly done, and for the past three years large and convenient offices 
have been maintained at 408-409 Ganter Building, Lincoln, where the board 
and various committee meetings can be held, and where all of the state 
business is regularly transacted.

   During the past four years a state paper, The Congregational Record of 
Nebraska, has been published bi-monthly, edited by the superintendent, and 
maintaining regular depart-

Page 829

ments through which church news and information concerning plans of work 
are transmitted regularly to the churches.

   The personnel of those employed for the state work has had but few 
changes during the thirteen years covered by this review. Rev. S. I. 
Hanford has served as state superintendent since Dr. H. Bross closed his 
work in 1906. Rev. N. L. Packard was general missionary until 1911, and 
has since served as pastor at Liberty and Wahoo. Rev. J. S. Dick and Rev. 
W. D. King have been pastors-at-large, the former since 1909, and the 
latter since 1910.

   Rev. J. D. Stewart, the veteran Sunday school superintendent, who 
served in that capacity for thirty years, from January 1, 1883, to January 
1, 1913, continued to assist in the Sunday school work of the state until 
the sudden close of his life at his home in Arthur county, April 14, 1916, 
in his seventy-ninth year. A church has been built to his memory at Arthur 
by the churches of the state.

   Rev. S. H. Buell followed Mr. Stewart as state superintendent of Sunday 
school work, and served for four and a half years. His successor, Dr. C. 
G. Murphy, began his work in the state in March, 1918. By the 
reorganization of the Sunday school department, Dr. Murphy came as 
secretary of religious education, giving his whole time to the educational 
features of the work; while the extension, or missionary part, was 
transferred to the home missionary department.

   The state has shared with the other states of the Union in a five-year 
preparatory program arranged by the national council, for stimulating the 
interest and inciting to fuller participation in, the tercentenary 
celebration of the landing of the Pilgrims, which will be held in 1920. 
Special emphasis has been placed on some one feature of the plan for each 
of the five years, covering in general the renewed application of the 
Pilgrim principles; the more aggressive reaching out of the churches by 
evangelism for an increased membership; a more definite effort to enlist 
and train leaders for Christian work, both in the ministry and for other 
lines of Christian activity; the awakening of a fresh zeal for missions, 
with larger annual contributions for that purpose; and the raising of a 
large, permanent memorial fund, the income from which can be used for 
providing pensions for retired ministers and for augmenting the help 
furnished by the ministerial relief fund. The churches of the state have 
joined with those of the nation at large in the simultaneous drives and 
general team work by which these tercentenary movements have been brought 
to the attention of the individual church, and the reaction has stimulated 
the activities of the churches generally. It has also manifested itself in 
the quickened spirit with which these responses have been made.

   The churches are at present rallying from the abnormal condition caused 
by the war period through which they have passed, and are recovering from 
the loss sustained during the prevalence of the Spanish influenza in the 
closing months of 1918. A general spirit of coöperation is manifest in, 
seeking to be more helpful in social and civic betterment, and in uniting 
with other similar organizations in the endeavor to make the church a 
larger factor in molding aright public sentiment and conserving the best 
interests of home and community life. This feature of church activity is 
one of the marked characteristics of our present day church life and work.