USA > Kansas > A history of Methodism in northwest Kansas > Part 8
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The western men would have been glad if the divi- sion line had been one tier of counties farther east, but owing to the wording of the motion passed by the General Conference, Bishop Warren, the Presiding Bishop, gave as his decision that if the division was made, it would have to be on the sixth principal me- ridian. The situation was accepted with reserve and some misgivings, but with an earnest desire to make the best of the conditions which they could not mend. Since the eastern portion of the state now constitutes one Conference, the territory of the state would be more equally divided if the contention of the western men had been conceded. Indeed, it would be a gracious thing if the Kansas Conference would even yet con- sent to that division. But the Northwest has grown and prospered till it is now quite able to maintain itself in the territory it has.
The names "Kansas" and "Northwest Kansas" were given to the two Conferences by the vote of the Kansas Conference before the division. The North- west Conference as constituted by this vote consisted of three Presiding Elders' districts, comprising sixty- eight pastoral charges, forty-five of which were served
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by the Conference members, and twenty-eight by supplies.
The Northwest Kansas Conference met for its first session in Beloit, March 15, 1883. Bishop W. L. Harris of New York opened the session with devotional services, including the Sacrament of the Lord's Sup- per, in which he was assisted by the Presiding Elders, J. H. Lockwood, A. N. See and H. G. Breed. The roll was called and thirty-eight members answered to their names. The first secretary of the Conference was R. A. Hoffman, and the first Conference treasurer, L. K. Morton. Twenty-five standing committees were then appointed.
The reports of the Presiding Elders were read on the first and second days of the session. J. H. Lock- wood was the Presiding Elder of the Beloit District, H. G. Breed presided over the Kirwin District, while A. N. See looked after the Salina District. Unfortu- nately, their reports do not appear in the minutes of the first session of the Conference. The same districts, with the same Presiding Elders, were continued the second year.
Of special interest was the action taken by the Conference at its first session in reference to the founding of an educational institution of high grade in Western Kansas. A special committee was ap- pointed, consisting of R. A. Carruthers, R. A. Hoff- man, J. J. Antrim, D. D. Campbell, H. G. Miller and F. D. Baker, to look into the matter. In their report they state: "Whereas, the growing necessities of the West are such as to require, at an early day, the loca- tion of an institution of high grade somewhere within its limits, and feeling assured that necessity will be supplied from some source, and believing it to be the duty of the Methodist Episcopal Church to accept the situation, we recommend --
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(1) The location of such an institution. (2) That this Conference appoint a board of trustees to secure a charter for that purpose. (3) That this board con- including, viz .: J. H. Lockwood, R. A. Carruthers, H. H. Sudendorf, Martin Mohler. (4) That this Confer- ence empower this Board of Trustees to entertain pro- sist of nine persons, five ministers and four laymen, posals for the location of the institution."
W. H. Sweet, the President of Baker University, had been present at the first session of the Conference and had presented the cause of Baker University, and the regular Committee on Education had recommended in their report that during the next year the Confer- ence continue to give their support to Baker Uni- versity.
The action of this first session of the Northwest Kansas Conference in reference to tobacco is interest- ing. In 1872 the Kansas Conference had passed a set of strong resolutions in regard to tobacco, in which they state: "The use of tobacco hinders ministerial and Christian usefulness, is inconsistent with purity of heart, is a violation of Bible teaching and of the general rule forbidding 'needless self-indulgence,' and they therefore resolved that: (1) That our ministry and layity so indulging be admonished to cease the evil practice. (2) That all seeking admission into the Con- ference be requested to abstain from its use," while in a third resolution they state: "We will preach against its use as against other sins." Ten years later, 1882, a resolution was passed requiring all candidates for admission to the Conference to swear total abstinence from its use for all time to come.
The new Conference, at its first session, declared itself regarding tobacco in the following manner: "(1) That we politely request our ministers and members to abstain from its use. (2) That we deplore this habit in some of the members of the Conference and
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IN NORTHWEST KANSAS
urge an effort at reformation. (3) That we will re- quire all candidates for admission and ordination to be free from this habit, and to pledge total abstinence in the future. (4) That the Presiding Elders do not employ a man who uses it. (5) That we request the Bishops not to transfer to this Conference any one who will not agree to abstain from its use."
Later in the session another resolution was adopted requesting the Presiding Bishops not to appoint to the office of Presiding Elder any one addicted to the use of tobacco. The Conference was determined to live up to its rule, and when it was discovered that a brother whose ordination had been sanctioned was a user of tobacco, the motion was promptly recon- sidered and he was required to pledge that he would quit its use. The Presiding Elders were also instructed to report at the next session of the Conference whether any who had previously pledged to abstain had re- sumed its use.
G. W. Grabe of the Southern Illinois and A. W. White of the Lexington Conference were received by transfer. S. L. Semans, B. F. Hewlett, W. H. Wil- liams, G. H. Woodward, J. W. Manners, James Flowers, G. L. Rarick and E. C. Cary were admitted on trial. John A. Bull, A. J. McRacken, John Med- craft, E. G. Cary and Hartwell Mitchell were ordained deacons, and Reuben Bisbee, J. C. Walker, O. N. Max- son and W. S. Morrison were ordained elders, March 19, 1883.
A Conference Missionary Society was organized by the election of officers as follows: L. F. Tuttle, pres- ident; John Pittinger, vice president; H. G. Miller, secretary ; L. V. Morton, treasurer; J. Antrim, J. A. Stayt and G. W. Grabe, managers.
A committee consisting of one preacher and one layman from each Presiding Elder's district was ap-
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HISTORY OF METHODISM
pointed to draft a constitution and by-laws for a Con- ference Preachers' Aid Society.
A resolution was passed commending the W. F. M. S. and recommending the holding of an anniversary during the session of the Annual Conference. The report of a special committee was adopted recommend- ing: (1) That an institution of learning be located. (2) That a board of nine trustees be appointed, con- sisting of five ministers and four laymen, to secure a charter and to entertain proposals for the locating of the institution.
A committee was appointed to organize an Educa- tional Society and to report at the next session of the Conference. The committee named for the organiza- tion of a Preachers' Aid Society was M. M. Stolz, C. Eberhardt, C. L. Shackelford, Henry Casey, J. Boi- court and J. W. McIntyre. Question 30, what are the claims on the Conference fund, was answered none. Salina was fixed as the seat of the next Conference.
CHAPTER IV.
THE CONFERENCE SESSIONS.
1884-1918.
The Conference met in its second session in Salina March 19, 1884. Bishop S. M. Merrill was the presid- ing Bishop. The Bishop led the devotional service and, with the assistance of the Presiding Elders, adminis- tered the Sacrament. To the roll call fifty members and probationers responded. R. A. Hoffman was elected by acclamation as secretary, while C. W. Caseley, W. A. Saville, J. C. Dana, M. M. Stolz and J. C. Walker were selected as assistants. L. V. Morton was again elected treasurer. The usual standing committees were nominated and elected; also a special committee on Conference boundaries. The last named committee submitted a report on the third day of the Conference which was of the nature of a protest against the divi- sion line that had been fixed. They asked that a com- mission of five be appointed to meet a like commission from the Kansas Conference; and if that Conference would not consent to this, that the General Conference be petitioned to fix the line on the fourth range line east of the sixth principal meridian; if this could not be done, that the line be lifted and the Conference be restored as it was before the division was projected. Against this last proposition M. M. Stolz presented a minority report, protesting against obliterating the division line. However, it all passed and nothing came of the action. It is simply recited here to show the dissatisfaction caused by the fixing of the line where it is.
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HISTORY OF METHODISM
It may not be out of place to show here the relative strength of the four Conferences. One will readily see the grounds on which the men of the Northwest based their demands for a readjustment of the line.
STATISTICS OF THE FOUR CONFERENCES.
S. W. N. W.
Kans.
Total
Probationers
Kans. 1983
S. Kans. 2172
Kans. 1664
963
6782
Members
13351
12293
7678
5990
39313
Local Preachers
142
139
81
62
424
Churches
140
134
63
49
386
Value
$408,350 $305,886 $187,425 $67,802 $979,469
Parsonages
75
70 °
44
37
226
Value
$69,653
$51,490 $28,750
$20.865 $170,758
Sunday Schools
185
168
105
128
596
Officers and Teachers. 1980
1710
1128
1099
5917
Scholars
14712
12602
8404
6830
42508
For present status of Kansas Methodism see Appendix.
None were received by transfer at this session. W. H. Doner, A. M. Morse, A. Pharo and C. P. Stayton were admitted on trial. A. W. White, E. Goodrich and W. J. Meredith were ordained deacons, and C. W. Caseley, W. R. Leigh, W. R. Allen, M. J. Bailey and J. Pittinger were ordained elders.
Rev. J. H. Lockwood was chosen delegate to the General Conference, and R. A. Caruthers alternate. The Lay Conference elected C. E. Falkner delegate, and J. S. Goodwin alternate. The claims on the Con- ference fund were $498. These were paid in full.
Dr. Fry dismissed with the benediction.
The third Annual Conference session was held at Clyde, March 26, 1885, Bishop Ninde presiding. He conducted devotional services and administered the Sacrament, the Presiding Elders assisting. R. A. Hoff- man was elected secretary.
The assistant secretaries were C. W. Caseley, W. A. Saville, M. M. Stolz, J. C. Walker and O. N. Max-
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IN NORTHWEST KANSAS
son. S. A. Green was elected treasurer. E. P. Mich- erner, George Nulton, M. S. McCoy, J. F. Dey and W. A. Matson were transferred into the Conference. J. M. Ryan, H. M. Mayo, D. W. Burt, W. C. Littell, A. Crumley, D. A. Allen and J. P. Smith were admitted on trial. S. L. Semans, B. F. Hewlett, J. W. Manner, G. L. Rarick, J. W. Edgar and Alfred Crumly were ordained deacons, and J. A. Bull and M. S. McCoy were ordained elders. J. W. Scott and H. G. Miller were granted the superannuated relation. A. T. Riley was transferred to the Kansas Conference. N. A. Walker was received on credentials from the United Brethren Church.
The claims on the Conference fund were $261. Paid Conference claimants, $330. Balance in hand, $93.
Northwest Kansas Conference met in its fourth an- nual session at Kirwin Thursday, March 25, 1886. Bishop J. M. Walden led devotional services and ad- ministered the Sacrament, the Elders assisting. Fifty members and nine probationers responded to roll call. C. W. Caseley, W. A. Saville, M. M. Stolz, F. D. Baker, J. A. Bull, J. C. Walker, O. N. Maxon and W. J. Meredith were assistant secretaries.
L. V. Morton was chosen treasurer. O. J. McFad- den, A. W. J. Best, E. W. L. Elder, W. M. Sedore and C. K. Loofbourrow were received by transfer, and Alfred Crumly, J. B. Oring, J. W. Edgar and L. A. Dugger were admitted on trial.
Isaac Kurtz, W. C. Littell, D. W. Burt, John Horton and Allen Enyart were ordained Deacons, and E. Good- rich, W. J. Meredith, W. L. Cannon and George W. Winterbourne were ordained Elders on March 28, 1886. John Pittinger was transferred to the New Jer- sey Conference, and J. A. Antrim withdrew.
The claims on the Conference fund were $450; of this sum $270 only was paid. The total benevolences were $2,592.
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HISTORY OF METHODISM
The Conference met in its fifth annual session in Ellsworth March 24, 1887. Bishop Andrews opened the session in the usual manner. The secretaries of the last Conference were re-elected, except W. T. Rob- inson was chosen recording secretary in place of W. A. Saville. J. W. Presby, S. R. Ferguson, L. O. Housel, Aaron Schyler, W. H. Sweet, I. S. Hall and W. W. Mahaffie were received by transfer, and A. J. Markley, G. H. Cheney, C. J. English, T. J. H. Taggart, W. W. Stocking. S. B. Lucas, W. F. Swahlen and A. M. Lott were received on trial. F. L. Tuttle transferred to Southern California and C. P. Staton to Puget Sound Conference. J. M. Ryan, H. M. Mayo, D. A. Allen, J. P. Smith and F. N. Cox were ordained Deacons, and S. L. Semans, B. F. Hewlett, W. H. Williams, G. H. Woodward, J. W. Manners, James Flowers, G. L. Rar- ick and H. E. Pickle were ordained Elders, March 27, 1887. I. G. Morrill and J. W. Scott were located at their own request.
The claims on the Conference were $500. Received on these was $444; total benevolences, $5,533. R. A. Caruthers and E. S. Arrington were granted the super- annuated relation.
On March 21, 1888, the Conference convened in its sixth annual session in Salina. Bishop Thomas Bow- man conducted a devotional service, after which he, with the assistance of the Presiding Elder, adminis- tered the Holy Communion. Fifty-eight members and eight probationers answered roll call. The Conference proceeded to the election of assistant secretaries. C. W. Caseley and M. S. McCoy were chosen. J. C. Walker was elected statistical secretary, who nominated as his assistants A. W. J. Best, W. L. Cannon, B. W. Hollen, W. J. Meredith and T. J. H. Taggart. They were elected. F. D. Baker and O. N. Maxson were chosen financial secretaries, and L. V. Morton treasurer.
Standing committees were elected on the nomination
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IN NORTHWEST KANSAS
of the Presiding Elders. F. N. Moore, Job Infram and G. M. Glick were received by transfer, and H. S. Plum- mer, F. N. Cox, G. W. Morly, J. F. Johnson, Joseph Baker, G. L. Tennant, J. H. Kuhn and D. McGurk were admitted on trial.
J. W. Blundon was ordained Elder, and L. A. Dug- ger, F. C. York, A. J. Markly, B. F. Harper, G. W. Morly, Isaac Booth and J. N. Shepherd were ordained Deacons. B. F. Hewlett, J. W. Presby and D. W. Burt were removed by transfer. J. A. Stayton withdrew. J. F. Ekey and J. B. Orwig were located at their own request.
M. M. Stolz and J. H. Lockwood were chosen del- egates to the General Conference, and C. L. Shackel- ford and H. G. Breed were elected as alternates. A. P. Collins and C. D. Jones were chosen by the Lay Elec- toral Conference as delegates, and J. C. Postlethwait and J. P. Woods as reserves.
The seventh session of the Conference convened in Jewell City March 27, 1889. Bishop John H. Vincent was in charge and conducted devotions, reading I Tim- othy, first chapter. Mayor McClung made an address of welcome, which was responded to by F. D. Baker.
Fifty-nine members and eighteen probationers re- sponded to the roll call. The assistant secretaries were C. W. Caseley and W. J. Meredith. O. N. Maxson was statistical, and J. C. Dana recording secretary.
The transfers into the Conference were J. L. King, W. R. Pierce and E. H. Bailiff. J. F. Johnson, G. W. Morley, G. L. Tennant, H. S. Plummer, F. N. Cox, W. E. Jenkins, J. P. Allen, G. P. Miller and William Nash were admitted. C. J. English, T. J. H. Taggart, S. B. Lucas, A. M. Scott, W. E. Day, A. Ellis, W. W. Arm- strong and James M. Bell were ordained Deacons, and J. M. Ryan, D. A. Allen, H. M. Mayo, J. P. Smith and W. C. Littell were ordained Elders. A. W. J. Best, D. D. Campbell, G. W. Grabe, G. W. Wood and W. H.
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HISTORY OF METHODISM
Williams were removed by transfer. Job Ingram with- drew.
A committee on Conference boundary was appoint- ed to confer with a similar committee from the South- west Kansas Conference in reference to the boundary line between the two Conferences and requested to seek such an adjustment as will divide the territory equally between the Conferences.
A resolution was also passed protesting against gate fees at Chautauqua Assemblies on the Sabbath.
The total benevolent collections were $4.398. The claims on the Conference were $436, which were paid.
The eighth session of the Conference met in Min- neapolis, Kansas, March 26, 1890. Bishop Foss was in charge. E. W. Allen conducted a devotional serv- ice, after which the Holy Communion was adminis- tered by the Bishop and others whom he invited to assist.
Those chosen assistant secretaries were A. D. Bick- hardt, W. R. Pierce, O. N. Maxson and W. J. Mere- dith. F. D. Baker was elected treasurer.
The Presiding Elders nominated the standing com- mittees and they were elected. A draft for $630 was ordered on the book concern, and one for $30 on the chartered fund.
L. O. Housel was appointed to report for the local papers, W. K. Loofbourrow to solicit for the Methodist Review, and S. L. Semans to solicit for the Gospel in All Lands. Attention was called to the fact that R. A. Caruthers had died within the past year. J. H. Lockwood and M. M. Stolz were chosen delegates to the Ecumenical Conference. Stolz declined in favor of Dr. Schuyler, and on motion he was elected. Prof. F. A. Cook and J. C. Posselethwait were chosen Lay delegates.
The Conference voted on equal Lay representation
109
IN NORTHWEST KANSAS
in the General Conference. One favored it and sixty- five voted against it.
Action was taken looking to the organization of a Conference Epworth League. One hundred dollars was voted to the Children's Home at York, Nebraska. C. W. Caseley was transferred to the Missouri Con- ference, C. J. English to Des Moines, S. R. Ferguson to the Upper Iowa, M. S. McCoy, Central Illinois; O. J. McFadden, Southern California. D. G. Murray came into the Conference from the Illinois, and B. T. Stauber from Missouri. F. C. Lookwood, G. W. Wheat, C. M. C. Thompson, B. F. Rogers and J. F. Clark were admitted on trial. Isaac Kurtz, J. G. H. Armitstead, J. W. Edgar, L. A. Dugger, C. V. Penn and G. M. Glick were ordained Elders. G. W. Wheat, C. P. Cole- grove, J. H. Kuhn, D. McGurk and Joseph Baker were ordained Deacons. E. S. Arrington and L. V. Morton were retired.
The claims of retired preachers on the Conference fund amounted to $1,225; only $931 was in hand to meet it. The aggregate of Conference collection was $5,804.
March 25, 1891, was the time set for the meeting of the Conference in its ninth session, in the City of Norton, but owing to a blinding snowstorm which fell on the night of the 23d, and following, blocking the roads completely, the train which should have brought the Bishop and many members of Conference on Tues- day night did not arrive until Saturday afternoon. Those who had reached the seat of Conference on time assembled at the time appointed. The Bishop not being present, E. W. Allen was chosen president pro tempore. J. C. Dana conducted a devotional serv- ice, the roll was called and forty members and nine probationers responded. Secretaries were elected and the hours fixed for meeting and adjourning.
The chairman not being disposed to take up the
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HISTORY OF METHODISM
regular minute business, as there was a possibility that the Bishop might arrive in a short time, the most of the first day was devoted to the consideration of the constitution of an Itinerants' Club, which was sub- mitted by this writer, and which was found under Appendix K in this volume. Two things were accom- plished by that constitution which have proven perma- nent. First, it put an end to slip-shod, oral Confer- ence examinations. Second, it called into existence a permanent record of grades, and originated an office, viz., a registara, and assigned to him a duty which the Conference never has found occasion to abandon. That Conference record of grades provided for in 1891, during that snow blockade, is perhaps the oldest record in the church East or West. On the second day after the journal of the previous day was approved, Rev. James Boicourt conducted a love feast which was a feast indeed. Following this. Dr. Earl Cranston de- livered an excellent address in the interest of the book concern.
On the third day the standing committees were called, reports were presented, discussed and adopted.
On the fourth day disciplinary questions were called and Conference business was proceeded with, as far as possible, in the absence of the Bishop. After he arrived, on Saturday at 6 p. m., an evening session was held and such business transacted as was neces- sary to prepare for the ordination service of the Sab- bath. G. W. Hood was received by transfer from the Arkansas Conference. Joseph Adams, J. W. Blundon, R. A. Quinn, M. O. Moyer, J. M. Allen and L. F. Gonldin were admitted on trial.
J. P. Allen, G. L. Tennant, G. P. Miller, W. E. Jenkins, J. F. Johnson, F. N. Cox, William Nash and G. W. Morley were admitted into full connection and to Deacons' orders. G. H. Cheney, T. J. H. Taggart, S. B. Lucas, A. M. Lott and A. J. Markley were or-
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IN NORTHWEST KANSAS
dained Elders. J. N. Moore was transferred to Ar- kansas, W. J. Meredith to Des Moines, G. M. Glick to Colorado, D. G. Murray to Illinois, and G. W. Morley to Missouri. E. S. Arrington and L. V. Morton were granted the superannuated relation.
The total for ministerial support was $484.94. Total Conference claimants was $805, which was met in full. Aggregate of benevolence, $4,500.
Bishop H. W. Warren held the tenth session of the Conference, which met at Concordia, March 23, 1892. Brother Hoffman having served the Conference as secretary very efficiently since its organization, de- clined re-election, and H. M. Mayo was chosen and was continued in the office till he transferred out of the Conference.
C. V. Penn, W. L. Cannon, T. J. H. Taggart and J. C. Dana were assistant secretaries, and F. D. Baker treasurer.
W. A. Spencer of the Church Extension Society. J. C. W. Cox of the Sunday School Union and Tract Society, C. C. McCabe of the Missionary Society, R. S. Storrs of the American Bible Society, and M. C. B. Mason of the Freedmen's Aid Society were present and addressed the Conference, W. P. Stow spoke in refer- ence to the publishing interests of the church. A reso- lution of respect for Dr. St. James Fry was adopted. Dr. S. A. Keen conducted Pentecostal services, which were greatly appreciated.
The General Conference was memorialized to re- store the time limit. W. H. Sweet and M. M. Stolz were chosen delegates to the General Conference, and E. W. Allen and B. T. Stauber were the reserves. The Lay Conference elected J. C. Postlethwait and E. W. Voorhis delegates, and T. B. Carpenter and J. M. Bell reserves. It also passed a resolution favoring equal Lay representation with the ministers. O. N. Maxson was transferred to the Des Moines Conference, J. P.
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HISTORY OF METHODISM
Smith to Indian Mission, W. R. Leigh to Kansas, G. W. Tennant to Northwestern Iowa, W. H. Mahaffe to Puget Sound, James Boicourt to Kansas, and W. T. Robinson to Columbia River.
The Conference voted thanks to R. A. Hoffman for efficient services as secretary for past ten years. The claims on the Conference fund were $1,100. Paid on the same, $1,068. Aggregate of benevolent collections was $5,757.
The next, eleventh, session met at Belleville, March 22, 1893, and was presided over by Bishop J. F. Hurst. Fifty-seven members and five probationers answered to roll call. J. A. Bull led the devotional service and the Bishop took charge of the Communion. T. J. H. Taggart and W. L. Cannon were chosen assistant sec- retaries, and J. C. Dana, J. W. Adams, W. E. Jenkins, A. M. Lott, L. O. Housel, L. A. Dugger, B. F. Rogers, J. P. Allen, C. V. Penn, E. E. Goodrich and H. H. Sheldon were the statistical secretaries; F. D. Baker, treasurer.
The standing committees were chosen. S. G. Dear- born visited the Conference. H. H. Sheldon, E. E. Damon, J. H. Laird, H. H. Bowen, M. L. Keer, M. J. Mumford, W. H. Haupt, C. W. Talmadge, J. H. Hoff, E. M. Evans, A. L. Hazlett, W. O. Allen and J. A. Clinger were admitted on trial. J. F. Clark, J. W. Adams and J. W. Blundon, F. A. Smith, J. A. Clinger, A. L. Hazlett, F. C. Lockwood, J. H. Laird and J. E. Brown were ordained Deacons. J. P. Allen, W. E. Jenkins, J. F. Johnson, William Nash and F. N. Cox were ordained Elders. Aggregate of benevolence, $6,894. Claims on Conference fund, $1,123. The total amount was disbursed.
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