USA > Nebraska > A history of Nebraska Methodism, first half-century, 1854-1904 > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
These sentiments of high esteem were shared by all the preachers of the Conference and the members of the charges he had served.
The same year in which J. J. Roberts died witnessed
282
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA METHODISM.
the departure of that old, battle-scarred veteran, Isaac Burns. His name has often appeared in the earlier pages of this history and always in connection with some valuable service rendered to the cause he loved dearer than his own life. There have been more brilliant men, but none more faithful than Isaac Burns. He was well along in life when he came to Nebraska and was there- fore not permitted to give many years to the service. But. they were years well filled with toil and sacrifice. He has passed in triumph to his well-earned heavenly reward.
There will be no better place than in connection with this mention of her husband's last days to make some note of the life and character and work of Mrs. M. E. Roberts, who was his devoted wife, a wise mother, and withal, one of the most useful of the "women who have helped."
A determined effort was made during the seventies to turn the State University over to the control of the "Broad Gaugers," as they were called. This, as a mat- ter of fact, had succeeded to the extent of placing a num- ber of free-thinkers of decided infidel proclivities in the Faculty. These lost no opportunity to sneer at the Bible and raise doubts in the minds of the students concerning the doctrines of Christianity. As yet, Methodism had no school of her own and many of our young people were in the State University, as well as the young people of other denominations. Indeed, even now, with nearly every de .. nomination maintaining an institution of its own, it is well known that a majority of the students of the State institutions come from the Christian homes. Of course the percentage was much larger then. Under these cir- cumstances we may be sure that this movement raised a
283
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA METHODISM.
storm of indignation throughout the State. In 1879 the Nebraska Conference entered this vigorous protest :
"Resolved, That we, as a Christian denomination, en- ter our earnest protest against the prostitution of the State University to the propagation of modern infidelity, known as "Broad Gauge" or "Liberal" religion, and we do not and can not feel free to send our children there while it is under the influence of teachers who are known to discard the Bible and sneer at Christianity, and who pour contempt upon prayer and the religious services in the chapel by refusing to attend. And we hereby peti- tion the Honorable Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska to make such changes in the Faculty as will protect our children from being perverted by influence and example from the Christian faith which is so dear to us."
Pressure was brought to bear in political circles by which the nefarious scheme was defeated by changing the complexion of the Board of Regents. But it required years to complete the process of elimination.
In the meanwhile the problem for the Christian Churches in Lincoln was, how, for the time being, can we counteract this infidel influence? St. Paul's Church, as might be expected, took the lead in this movement, and of the members of the St. Paul Church, Mrs. M. E. Rob- erts stood out as the pre-eminent leader, supported by such women as Mrs. Hyde, Mrs. H. T. and A. M. Davis, and Mrs. Peckham, in every effort to save the young men and women exposed to the adverse influences. It was a hand to hand battle, but the Church won, and it is no dis- credit to the pastors at that time to say that to Mrs. Rob- erts and her band of godly women was this victory chiefly
284
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA METHODISM.
due. Many of the Christian fathers and mothers through- out the State will never know the many plans and devices faithfully worked to save their boys and girls. Their homes were made the homes of the young students. Al- most before they had had time to become homesick thev would be invited by some chum who had been commis- sioned for that purpose, to attend a sociable at Mrs. Rob- erts's, or perhaps at the home of some other good sister, and to their surprise would find these consecrated women almost or quite as kind and motherly as their own inothers. Then they would be invited to Church and Sunday-school. Such was the influence of St. Paul's Church through these means, that a son of a Lutheran minister who was converted there while a student at the State University, told the writer that it was hardly possi- ble for a student to remain four years and not be con- verted.
Of Mrs. Roberts's work and influence during these years, one who himself was the object of her efforts, and the subject of her purifying and uplifting influence, and who, like many other young men, were proud to do, calls himself "one of her boys," shall tell the story :
"Rev. James J. Roberts was appointed pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, fifteen years ago, where he continued until his death, two years later. He was a zealous and earnest worker, and his grand life and services have unquestionably much to do with the great Church work now being accomplished in that city. Mrs. M. E. Roberts, the widow, gathering about her her four fatherless children, looked as bravely as possible to the future. She found. after careful ex- amination of her temporal resources, that she had means
285
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA METHODISM.
of subsistance for herself and family for scarcely three years. The brave lady, however, was not discouraged. She placed herself in the hands of Him who had promised to be a Father to the fatherless and a Husband to the widow. For eleven years Mrs. Roberts taught in the public schools in Lincoln, having from fifty to ninety pupils. Meantime, though she had the care of her family, and of her own business affairs, she found time to do much Christian and charitable work.
"Two years after the death of her husband, Mrs. Rob- erts made a specific surrender of herself to the Lord, promising to do any work He should place in her hands. First came 'the crusade,' into which she went with other brave women, and since then she has been identified with the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Four years after the crusade, Mrs. Roberts commenced Sunday- school work, her class being composed entirely of young men, and her success in this has been something phenome- nal. With great fear and trepidation she began this duty. The class, which began with five or six, has steadily in- creased, until at present there are over eighty enrolled, and the prospects are bright for one hundred before the year ends. (It did reach one hundred.)
"Mrs. Roberts's methods to obtain members for her class are unique and original. Every stranger is warnily welcomed, introduced, and made to feel at home. He soon begins to feel a personal interest in the class, and invites his friends to attend. Mrs. Roberts visits all busi- ness houses and searches for new faces, and when one is found, ascertains at once whether or not the young man is identified with any Church or Sunday-school work. If not, he receives a cordial invitation to attend her class
19
286
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA METHODISM.
'next Sunday.' Should he fail to appear, she goes again and again, until finally the young man surrenders to the inevitable and soon finds himself as much interested in the work as if he had been a member of the class for a year. Like Cæsar, the lady knows the name of each of her soldiers, and has always a smile and a hearty welcome for all. Mrs. Roberts carries her class in her heart at all times, and a daily prayer is on her lips for their wel- fare. She speaks good words to their employers, and in- vites them to her home. Every week some members of the class are at her home for dinner or tea. For years. in June, the class has a party, to which the young men are accompanied by lady friends.
"The work accomplished by Mrs. Roberts is simply prodigious, and the result of her untiring efforts had placed many a young man in Christian work. A number have entered the ministry, several have gone out as mis- sionaries to foreign countries, and a large majority are earnest Christian workers. This busy woman has no other thought now but to work for the Lord. She has calls from all over the State, and is to be found wherever there is work to do, in prisons, hospitals, and in revivals. Her very face shines with the love of Christ, a wonderful energy, and an insatiable desire for the welfare of souls."
Many of the pastors, the writer among the number, have availed themselves of Mrs. Roberts's wonderful power over young people, by securing her help in revival work. The Woman's Home Missionary Society have availed themselves of her winning ways and organizing ability to extend the usefulness of that beneficent society, she having served in many States as their national or- ganizer. When they laid the corner-stone of the dormii-
287
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA METHODISM.
tory of their great institution at York, the "Mothers' Jewels Home," as reported at the time, Mrs. M. E. Rob- erts was introduced as an indefatigable worker in this behalf, and filled with the spirit of prophecy and the in- spiration of the hour, thrilled the audience with her burn- ing words of liope and portend of the future of the Home. And at its recent session the Nebraska Conference hon- ored her, and at the same time honored itself even more, by electing her by a large majority on the first ballot, a lay delegate to the General Conference.
But neither this nor many other places of trust in which she has been placed will constitute the chief title of Mrs. M. E. Roberts to distinction in this world or the world to come. This will rather be found in the thousands of young men she has helped in time of dis -- couragement and temptation and led to Christ.
It may be well to note in passing, the great service Methodism has rendered both at Peru and Lincoln in supplying the positive religious and moral conditions in which these State institutions can do their work, but which in the nature of things they can not supply thein- selves. And the Methodism of the State is entitled to no small part of the credit.
Resuming the history of Lincoln Methodism we find that J. J. Roberts was followed by George S. Alexander, who remained three years. He finds 277 members, in- cluding thirty-eight probationers, and leaves 299 mem- bers, including twenty-six probationers. His pastorate coincides with the years of the grasshopper visitation, and Lincoln, as all other places, has been checked in growth, which explains the meager increase for these years. At the close of his term in Lincoln Brother Alexander is ap-
288
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA METHODISM.
pointed chaplain at the penitentiary, and is succeeded as pastor by Dr. W. B. Slaughter. The Church enjoys a steady growth under the scholarly ministry of this true man of God, the membership increasing to 350, and the Sunday-school to 500.
Dr. Slaughter has been in his element in ministering to this cultured spiritual Church.
St. Paul's Church has now reached a point in its de- velopment when the demand for a special transfer has set in, and is gratified with the transfer of S. H. Hender- son, from the Upper Iowa Conference. The demand for this transfer came from the more spiritual element, Brother Henderson being an exponent of the special holi- ness movement somewhat prominent in the Church at that time. He had been one of the evangelists at the State Holiness Camp-meeting at Bennett, and had im- pressed many of the members as being the ideal man for the place.
He entered upon his pastorate with much zeal, and gave special attention in his preaching and social meet- ings to the necessity of a second blessing. He was a faithful pastor, and withal possessed of a missionary spirit, going out to destitute neighborhoods in the after- noon. There was quite a number of Cumberland Presby- terians settled on Steven's Creek, some six miles east of Lincoln, who had naturally first endeavored to get a preacher of their own denomination to come and organize a Church, applying to Rev. J. B. Green, pastor of that Church in Nebraska City. But that Church could not send a man west of Nebraska City, so they turned to the Methodists, sending a request to Brother Henderson to come and organize a Church. Though burdened with the
289
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA METHODISM.
care of a large Church, he gladly took up this work, and in May, 1878, he organized what is now known as the Sharon Church. Among the charter members were the following : Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hinkley, Mrs. Martin Bab- cock, Mrs. Elizabeth Beach, Mrs. George V. Hall, Mrs. Morgan, Miss Eliza Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. D. P. Doubt, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Doubt, Sr., and Mr. and Mrs. J. Michael Doubt.
The first class-leader was Mr. Fred Hinkley, and the first trustees were O. M. Shore, C. C. Beach, Win. Hotal- ing, J. M. Doubt, and J. C. Doubt.
During the remainder of the Conference year Brother Henderson faithfully served them, preaching there every alternate Sabbath afternoon. After his pastorate at St. Paul's, S. H. Henderson served several important charges, among them Falls City and Hastings. He was for several years secretary of the Conference. In 1892 Brother Henderson transferred to the West Nebraska Conference, but was soon compelled to take a superan- nuated relation because of failing health.
S. H. Henderson was born in Tennessee, March 4, 1829, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Cone, in Lincoln, Nebraska, April 25, 1899. The brethren of the West Nebraska Conference place on record the fol- lowing estimate of his work and character: "Brother Henderson was a remarkable man, a many-sided man. Rarely ever do men do many things equally well, but here is found the exception. Whether as civil engineer, school teacher, lawyer, soldier, judge, minister, presiding elder, chaplain of senate, secretary of Conferences and National Holiness Associations, he showed great adaptability and served with great credit to himself and profit to all in-
290
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA METHODISM.
terested. Twelve years he was presiding elder and fifteen years in the pastorate. He was a strong Biblical scholar, and wore out his commentaries and his Bibles, turning their truths into great sermons and helpful addresses and well remembered exegeses, to the great profit of all who fortunately came under his ministry. He was a manly man, a true friend, a loving and loyal son of the Church. Few men have occupied so high and honorable positions and lifelong associations, and remained so brotherly and fraternal. Any young minister was at home in his pres- ence. He honored his positions and opportunities, but was not unduly exalted thereby. He grew old beauti- fully. He made no complaints, had no enemies, but pa- tiently bore the increasing infirmities with resignation."
Sharon was attached to the South Lincoln Circuit the following year, with A. L. Folden as pastor. This meant either a church or a revival, and perhaps both. In this case it soon meant a church building, Brother Folden and some of the laymen doing most of the carpenter work. It was dedicated by Brother Folden himself, November 28, 1880. Sharon has remained to this day a flourishing rural Church, and is now served by W. J. Nichols.
This brings into view two significant facts that may be noted here. This Steven's Creek settlement at first preferred another Church, but were compelled to turn to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and did not apply in vain. Few, if any, of the settlements that had members enough for a class sought in vain for a Methodist preacher to organize them, and then find some place in the system by which they could be served.
The other fact was the venture to make another ap- . pointment in Lincoln. The Lincoln Circuit was organ-
291
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA METHODISM.
ized in 1878, and A. L. Folden made pastor. This move- ment seemed called for by the rapid extension of the city to the southward, and while Brother Henderson remained pastor of St. Paul's, seemed to be acquiesced in, if not heartily approved. But just when the growth of a city makes it impossible for the mother Church to properly care for all the people of that city, is a question not easily answered, and the first movement in the direction of a second Church is often looked on with little favor, and is sometimes met with determined opposition. A. C. Wil- liams, a transfer from the St. Louis Conference, succeeds Henderson at St. Paul's in 1879. He was a strong preacher, soon had large congregations, and seemed pre- possessed with the notion that one strong Central Church would best serve the religious interests of the city, and that a diversion of strength by the organization of a sec- ond Church would be a blunder. Probably he had no difficulty in bringing his Official Board to a like convic- tion, in which he and they were perfectly honest, and Brother Folden was regarded as encroaching on their territory. This view seemed confirmed when Folden, be- ing unable to get a suitable place south of J Street, rented the Universalist Church on that street, and proceeded to hold services. This was within five or six squares of St. Paul's, and as a matter of fact was too close for a per- nianent Church. But clearly this arrangement on the part of Folden was temporary, forced upon him by a hard necessity. He could find no other suitable place in which to do a needed work in South Lincoln. But he was soon waited on by a committee from St. Paul's, who demanded of him by what authority he was preaching in Lincoln. Folden stood his ground and answered that he was there
1
292
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA METHODISM.
by the highest authority-Bishop Harris. Matters seemed to have rested at that, and Andrew Folden held an old-fashioned Methodist revival in this Universalist Church, and over one hundred souls were converted, and perhaps many from within the sphere naturally occupied by St. Paul, joined the Second Church. Thus this plucky, determined man finally won his case, and as events have proved, was right in his contention, originating as he did, Trinity Church, which has become one of the most potent centers of religious influence, while St. Paul remains un- harmed, being easily the leading Church in Lincoln.
It is not intended by these details to reflect on any one, but to show the very great difficulties which our rapid growth involved. This is a typical case, and is but a repetition of what took place in Omaha, especially under the administration of T. M. House, and has taken place in many other growing cities. In this case, the initiative came from St. Paul's Quarterly Conference, which, at its first session after the Conference in 1878, while S. H. Henderson was pastor, invited A. L. Folden to take up an appointment in South Lincoln, and a committee, con- sisting of J. C. Johnson and Mr. Lawson, was appointed to aid him in securing a place. But A. C. Williams had entirely different views and was as honest, doubtless, in holding and vigorously maintaining them as Brother Folden himself. But he took too narrow a view, for the time had doubtless come for an advance movement.
A. C. Williams was a preacher who conscientiously viewed religion as an intellectual matter, and this view gave tone and character to his preaching which should be described as intellectual rather than spiritual. It is not meant that he was anti-spiritual, but was inclined to con-
293
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA METHODISM.
stantly emphasize the intellectual as the true basis of whatever was permanent and of ultimate value in the spiritual. He was a strong personality, and had a large and influential following in the Church. He remained three years, and though there were no revivals there was steady growth.
CHAPTER XVI.
THIRD PERIOD. (1870-1880.)
GENERAL SURVEY.
AS WE look over the field and note the general situa- tion in the older districts, we see that while all have suf- fered a serious check, and could not be said to have re- covered from the disastrous conditions prevailing through a large portion of the period, until 1879, no field has been abandoned, and some advance made every year. Occa- sionally two circuits or stations have been temporarily combined. This was the case when the writer was ap- pointed to Mt. Pleasant, in 1875, Rock Bluffs Circuit being connected with the Mt. Pleasant for that year. But the first year there were two very precious revivals, one at, or near, Old Wyoming, in the Gregg neighborhood, where there had never been one before, and one at Mt. Pleasant. Out of the number converted there, one John W. Miller, a grandson of Father Gage, entered the min- istry. The following year the work was divided again, and T. A. Hull put on the Rock Bluffs portion. During the summer we had a camp-meeting in Brother Schleiste- meir's grove, at Mt. Pleasant. Brother Burch and D. F. Rodabaugh were present, and rendered valuable service. The latter preached a sermon of wonderful power on the Sabbath, and at other times during the meeting. It was at this camp-meeting that the death of Mother Davis,
294
295
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA METHODISM.
Mrs. Isabella Spurlock's mother, referred to elsewhere by Brother Burch in his account of the camp-meetings, . occurred. Out of about ninety conversions, one of these, Earnest B. Crippen, entered the ministry and is now a member of the West Nebraska Conference.
Thus, while for the sake of making the support of the pastor possible, there were a few cases of combination, none that I know of really worked any detriment to the cause.
As we note the development of the work during those ten years, we find in some of these older districts a num- ber of the river towns that had derived their life and im- portance from the river traffic, steadily running down after the railroads began to extend their lines through the State, and some old, familiar names drop out of the Min- utes. Among these are London, Nemaha City, Salen1, Rock Bluffs, Bellevue, Florence, Calhoun, and De Soto. But others are growing, and by 1879, we are already aware that they have taken their places permanently among the strong Churches of the State. Among these may be mentioned Falls City, Table Rock, Humboldt, Tecumseh, Pawnee City, Nebraska City, Peru, Platts- mouth, Weeping Water, Lincoln, Seward, Ashland, Omaha, Fremont, Schuyler, Osceola, David City, and Rising. Nearly all of these have become stations, and have a membership of from 100 to 300. They are be- coming better organized, and the machinery of the Church is in more skillful hands in some cases. The finances are conducted on more business-like principles and the salaries are growing larger and deficits are grow- ing less. The spiritual interests are cared for more effi- ciently through more regular means of grace, while the
296
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA METHODISM.
old-time revivals still prevail. In these, and many others like Beatrice, York, Hastings, Grand Island, Kearney, Central City, that have, or might have been mentioned in connection with our account of the newer districts, Meth- odism has already ceased to be an experiment, the prob- lem of existence having been finally solved. Henceforth they are to become more and more centers of moral and spiritual power in their respective communities.
BEATRICE DISTRICT. (1871-1875.)
Up to the formation of the Kearney District, Dr. Maxfield has charge of the field as far west as any set- tlements can be found. Still beyond Red Cloud, where we have seen Wells at work, we find Harlan and Franklin being cared for by C. R. Townsend, formerly of the Eng- lish Connection, but the presiding elder notes the fact that "from the large extent of the territory some points need- ing the Gospel have not been reached." Republican City and surrounding country constitute an urgent demand for another man. Up the Little Blue, F. E. Penny, a local preacher, has formed societies, made appointments, and laid the foundations of a compact and prosperous cir- cuit. The old veteran, W. D. Gage, who probably organ- ized the first class in Nebraska, is still in the field, and has organized Dorchester Circuit.
While these new charges are being formed, the older charges on the Beatrice District are being cared for by successive pastors during the four years of Dr. Maxfield's incumbency, and for the most part making progress. This district has also felt the blight of the grasshopper scourge, though perhaps not to the same extent as the Kearney District, the settlements being older and further advanced,
297
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA METHODISM.
Among others, David Hart has served the Beatrice Station, which though suffering loss through removals, has made some progress, completing its church, building a parsonage, and increasing its membership.
Sterling, which includes Crab Orchard, has for pas- tor during the most of this period, T. A. Hull, the man to whom the elder wrote not to come, but who neverthe- less, did come, and was such an unqualified success that no one was more pleased that his request was ignored than the elder himself, who thus speaks of this man of God in his report for 1874: "He has purchased a comino- dious parsonage, and his labors at various points have been blessed by good revivals. He is pre-eminently a man of one work. The work has grown, and is still growing." Besides these revivals, a great camp-meeting was held during the summer of 1873. At a prayer-meet- ing in the big tent from Beatrice there came an old-time manifestation of Divine power, during which some fell and remained in an unconscious, or semi-conscious state, for hours. One, a cultured lady from Beatrice, who feil into this state, relates that it seemed a heavenly experi- ence during which she could hear what was being said about her. She, on her part, wanted to speak, and re- quest that she be not disturbed, but was utterly unable to do so. In due time she came out from the strange spell, happy in the Lord, and none the worse for her re- markable experience.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.