There was some talk of rebuilding the "Haish," but as Mr. Haish himself naturally declined to furnish the money, the pressure of debt and adverse financial conditions made the project impossible.
   But financial and moral confidence have been seemingly completely restored, and the future of Nebraska Wesleyan is assured, and her expanding needs in the way of additional endowments and additional buildings will in due time be met by the generous men and women who are interested in the cause of Christian education.
   After this somewhat detailed statement of the financial and material side of this history, which in the nature of things must always be a very important feature in the early periods of the existence of such institutions, when income is small and expenses are great, often involving from a quarter to a half a century of struggle, seems justified by the unique conditions through which we have reached the final victory. It is due, however, to the Board of Trustees to say that at the very first every precaution possible was taken to start the institution out on its career free of debt arising from any expense of building, and the creation of productive endowment through the sale of lots and pledges from the people such as would amply provide for the payment of current expenses. That these expectations and plans were not realized was no fault of the trustees, but was the result of changes in conditions that no one but the Omniscient could foresee.
   The other phases of Wesleyan's history may be briefly summed up. Dr. Charles F. Creighton seemed to many, when the plan was consummated, to be the ideal man to serve as chancellor, and put the plan in operation.

   Accordingly he was elected the first chancellor, and proceeded with vigor and enthusiasm to inaugurate the great enterprise. In many respects he was well suited to the work. He was certainly a great preacher, with no little ability as an organizer. He had a great opportunity, and realized it, and seemed determined to make the most of it. But just at that juncture there was needed at the head of affairs a man, that while vigorously pushing the inauguration of the new plan should also in marked degree possess a spirit and tact calculated to bring into line the doubting ones and conciliate the antagonistic. Neither of these did Dr. Creighton possess in such measure as to enable him to meet this demand under the conditions then prevailing. After several years of strenuous, and in many ways, successful, effort in behalf of the school, he in June, 1893, resigned, and the following August Dr. Isaac Crook was elected Chancellor.
   Dr. Crook was a dignified, cultured, and scholarly man, and as such was pre-eminently an educator. He was well adapted to manage the internal affairs of an institution already established and endowed, and did introduce a number of improvements in the methods of work. He also did much to allay the feeling of bitterness aroused during the preceding years. The work that was urgently needed at that time was not at all to his taste, and Dr. Crook gracefully retired after three years of honorable and efficient service along the lines for which he was adapted, leaving the institution in much better condition in many ways than he found it. He was soon called to the honorable position of president of the Ohio State University.
   After an interregnum of two years, during which

matters went rapidly from bad to worse, the Ellinwood defalcation being detected about that time, we found right in our midst the man for the hour, in the person of Dr. D. W. C. Huntington, who was elected Chancellor. After many years of distinguished service in the old Genesee Conference, in New York, which sent him several times as one of her delegates to the General Conference, he was transferred to Nebraska Conference in October, 1891, to take charge of the new and promising Trinity Church enterprise in Lincoln. It is a high compliment to Dr. Huntington that at a great crisis, when the school needed a wise man to save it from its financial perils, and restore the confidence and respect of the public, lost through the defalcations of its trusted treasurer, O. M. Ellinwood, all turned spontaneously to him as the one man whose wisdom could guide us safely through the financial breakers, and whose high moral character, which had become recognized throughout the entire State, could reinstate our institution in the confidence of the people, which must be done if we were to live at all. At a meeting of the trustees, called for the purpose of electing a chancellor, immediately after convening, and without waiting for a nomination by any committee, Dr. Huntington was unanimously elected chancellor, notwithstanding he himself earnestly protested against the action.
   It is not too much to say that this was a turning point in the history of the Nebraska Wesleyan University, and that ever since the tide has moved steadily in the direction of increasing prosperity, confidence has been not only entirely regained, but is to-day greater than it has even been.
   While it was intended that the other schools should

keep in the field as subordinate departments of the University, confining themselves chiefly to preparatory work, though allowed at their option to carry that work as far as the sophomore year of the university course, attention and effort were so largely concentrated on the new enterprise as to operate to the immediate disadvantage of all the others. Besides, the immediate patronizing territory of the York College, the oldest and strongest, coincided with that on which the new institution must mainly depend. Then there was naturally a feeling of disappointment that York should not have been made the one university, but instead, her grade was reduced virtually to that of a seminary. Added to this wounded pride, and discouragement incident to defeat, hard times set in and many who had pledged help or had been in the habit of doing so, refused to pay old pledges or make new ones, on the score that the conditions had changed and there was no use trying to keep up the subordinate schools. The conditions resulted in the closing of both the York and Central City schools in a few years.
   Two preparatory schools were afterward adopted by the University, one at Douglas, within thirty miles of Lincoln, and one at Orleans. The first soon died because it ought never to have been. The one at Orleans supplied a real need for all the Southwestern part of the State and deserved success. It flourished a few years under the principalship of Prof. J. L. McBrien, but succumbed to the adverse financial conditions caused by general depression, and especially by the drouth.
   This left the entire field to the Nebraska Wesleyan University, and nobly has she done the work. Under the successive chancellorships of Drs. C. V. Creighton,

Isaac Crook, and D. W. C. Huntington, a steady growth has been maintained. Beginning with less than one hundred students, the number has increased to over seven hundred at present.
   Allusion has been made to the defalcation of our treasurer, and as this sad fact has been much misunderstood historical justice requires a brief statement of the occurrence. Professor Ellinwood was among the first men elected to our faculty, he coming to us from Simpson Centenary College, in Iowa, and taking charge of the department of natural science. He was a master in his department, and would have succeeded had he not gone into banking and other business projects, by which he became involved financially. He was withal an expert accountant, and such was the implicit confidence all had in his business and moral integrity, that he was soon made deputy treasurer, and afterward treasurer. Doubtless this confidence in his honesty and skill as an accountant made the Board of Trustees less careful in auditing his accounts, and his confidence in his own ability as an accountant tempted him to abuse this sacred confidence of his brethren and to begin and carry on a series of frauds which he skillfully kept covered up for years, deceiving not only the trustees, but also the officials of different banks, among which were the First National of Lincoln, a leading bank in Burlington, Iowa, and Windom Bank of University Place. He was tried and expelled from the ministry and membership of the Methodist Church, but escaped criminal prosecution on the part of the authorities of the State. While the defalcation was at first about $34,000, Ellinwood turned over certain properties which reduced the loss to $27,000, and by equitable ad-

justments made by the trustees with the several banks involved, the net loss to the University was reduced to about $7,500, or less than one-fourth of the original amount.
   In the meanwhile, through all these changes and varying experiences, the school was doing most excellent work, being able to keep in the field an able corps of teachers. The attendance has steadily increased almost from the first, beginning with niney (sic)-six the first year, and reaching the present year over seven hundred. There has been a total of 179 graduates from the College of Liberal Arts. The normal department has for a number of years been among the few normal schools that have measured up to the demands of the State, and received for its graduates from the State superintendent, State certificates on an equality with the State Normal school at Peru.
   Indeed all the departments have been well manned from the first, the course of study comparing favorably with that of our best institutions. Even in the more expensive departments, as in the chemical laboratory, improvements have constantly been made and the latest appliances have been procured.
   The tract of ground surrounding the campus which fifteen years ago was farm land, has grown to be a thrifty village of nearly, or quite, 2,000 inhabitants. While virtually a suburb of Lincoln, with street car service every fifteen minutes, and a five-cent fare to any part of the city, they have wisely maintained their own separate municipal government, rigidly excluding all places of vice, thus protecting the students from the degrading influences which prevail in our cities and many of our villages.
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   Not only in this negative way have the youth who flock to the Nebraska Wesleyan for instruction been protected from positive immoral influences, but there has grown up a strong Methodist Church with over eight hundred members, being the second largest church in the State. But not only is it strong numerically, but it is one of the most spiritual Churches in the Connection. A Church that maintains its spiritual power throughout the year, where at every testimony meeting two to five are on their feet at once waiting their turn to speak, and where revivals are liable to break out spontaneously at any time, and seekers after salvation present themselves at the altar for prayers. Where vigorous means of grace for the intelligent culture and development of Christian experience and character exist in a high state of efficiency, and all the modern departments of a Methodist working Church are in operation.
   While it is true that the conversion of a youth in one of our city, village, or rural Churches, may be said to double the probability of that youth seeking an education at Wesleyan or elsewhere, so that over fifty per cent of the students that enter all our institutions of learning, including State schools, and about eighty per cent of those coming to Wesleyan are professing Christians when entering these schools, it is also true that the twenty per cent of unconverted that come to Wesleyan are three times more likely to be converted there than they would if they had staid at home. If twenty per cent enter Wesleyan unconverted, only two per cent of those graduating remain unconverted.
   If Nebraska Methodism was slow about getting at its educational work, it has finally solved the problem of

Christian education in a most satisfactory way by the establishment of an ideal school, surrounding it by a highly moral community, and supplementing the powerful influences of the school itself by a strong spiritual Church, thus creating well-nigh perfect conditions under which our youth may secure an education.
   Among the laymen mentioned in connection with our Wesleyan, and who are worthy of further mention, is J. H. Mickey. Even before his elevation to the place of Chief Magistrate of the State, he was one of the best known and highly honored laymen of the State. This is because John H. Mickey always gave evidence of a genuine piety, everywhere, and under all circumstances, "witnessing a good confession," and living a pure life. And under all circumstances the Church has found in him a true friend, ready to help up to the extent of his ability. And though he has been prosperous, both as a farmer and banker, and later in politics, this prosperity has never diminished his devotion to Christ and His Church.
   After serving his country during the war as a member of an Iowa Regiment of Volunteer Cavalry, he came to Nebraska in 1869, settling on a homestead in Polk County, and at the organization of the county, soon after, he was appointed county treasurer, to which position he was afterwards elected a number of terms.
   It is characteristic of this devoted layman, that Father Query, the local preacher who planted Methodism in Polk County, found a hearty welcome to the home of John H. Mickey, where he organized the first class in that county, and that Wm. Worley should report that out of the eleven dollars received on the West Blue Mission in 1869, J. H. Mickey paid five, and that during a

great revival held at Osceola, by J. Q. A. Fleharty, J. H. Mickey was one of the most earnest and efficient lay workers, leading his friends and neighbors to Christ.
   It may be truthfully said that every Methodist pastor that has served the Church at Osceola has found in Brother Mickey a true personal friend, and in some cases that friendship has continued to the pastor's family, after he has died. The first time the writer met Governor Mickey to know him was just after the death of S. P. Van Doozer, who had been his pastor at Osceola, and he was then busy settling up the estate, endeavoring to save as much as possible for the widow and fatherless children.
   These and other incidents that might be mentioned, occurring before he came into prominence in Church and State, best show his true character, and explain in part why he has come into prominence.
   Perhaps the moral and religious sides of his character are too pronounced and are too rigidly applied to the affairs of State to suit the average politician, but his upright principles and downright honesty suit the Methodists, and indeed, all other decent people who believe in an honest administration of the affairs of the State. We think all the more of him because he has not allowed any one to use him, and has never apologized for being a Christian.
   He has twice been elected lay delegate to the General Conference, and ever since the death of C. C. White, he has, from year to year, been the unanimous choice of the Trustees of the Nebraska Wesleyan for President of the Board.
   The Board of Trustees of the Nebraska Wesleyan

University has had no more faithful and influential member than J. M. Stewart, who has been on the Board for many years. Though a leading lawyer of Lincoln, with a large practice, he still finds it possible, or makes it possible, to give much time to the affairs of the university. It was largely due to his legal services that the institution was able to save so much out of the loss caused by the Ellinwood defalcation.
   It would be safe to say that besides much generous giving directly, his legal services, the charge for which, if any, has been merely nominal, have saved the institution many thousands of dollars.
   C. C. White is another one of those strong laymen who not only rendered valuable service to Nebraska Wesleyan at the time of its sorest need, but was a tower of strength in the Church, and indeed, in all the walks of life. Few men have touched humanity in more varied and helpful ways than C. C. White. But I feel that another pen will be far more able to do justice to this unique character, unique, not in the sense of oddity or eccentricity, but of a rare and well-proportioned combination of well-nigh all the virtues.
   But Dr. Isaac Crook, who came to know him in their close official relations to Nebraska Wesleyan, shall speak for me: "The outward story of his life need not be long - true with all of us. He was born in Sylvania, near Toledo, Ohio, February 24, 1843, and attended the common schools, also a local academy, till eighteen years of age. He intended to become a teacher, but instead enlisted in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, and for three years had the stern schooling of war - in camp-life and battle, and for seven months in prison at Libby and Belle Isle.

Exchanged, he returned to his regiment and served out the term of his enlistment. In 1864 he settled near Raymond, Nebraska, and engaged in farming to support his widowed mother and sisters. January 19, 1868, he married a teacher, Miss Olive A. Johnson, of Valparaiso. In this marriage he found a helper in every excellence and a large part of his life success.
   "His intimate friends, such as saw most of his real life, are his greatest admirers. Incidental glimpses, when he could not be on guard, showed him at his best, The real man grows on one by careful observation. It may indicate how deeply and widely rooted was his life, when we recall but his official relations. At home he was class-leader, president of the Church Board of Trustees, leader of the choir, Sunday-school superintendent, president of the Young Men's Christian Association, president of the Board of Education; and he attended to all of them. He had been president of the State Millers' Association; was, at the time of his death, president of the Veterans of the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, member of the Board of the Central State Sunday-school Convention, president of the Crete Chautauqua Assembly, and president of the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska Wesleyan University. He attended to these several duties cheerfully and systematically, without hurtful neglect of private business or domestic life. Surely he must have been highly endowed with executive ability and inspired with great philanthropy.
   "He was a Methodist theoretically and practically; but many of his sweetest, most sacred fellowships were in Churches differing from his own most radically. His love was too" large for denominational fences. His cor-

respondence, and the letters of sympathy written after his death, reveal a widespread feeling of esteem, amounting, as one says, 'to a sentiment akin to reverence.' These tribute-bearing letters are from clergymen, educators, lawyers, physicians, merchants, millers, grain-dealers, pastors of congregations in and out of his State, from East and West, North and South. But the most significant of all come from the unfortunate. Little wonder, when we remember that he once said to his wife: 'How can I sleep when there is under our roof a broken heart!' It was the heart-break of a hired girl. Or he would say: 'I must at least go and shake hands with the people in that prairie schooner and speak an encouraging word.' Or when a transient hired man would be overcome with drink, he would try the man again, saying: 'Were I in his place I might have done no better.' One such man was under his care when he died; and a poor Bohemian woman, on hearing of his death, sat down in the street, crying, as she said: 'I've lost the best friend I had in the world.' One closest to him in his office says, 'There was scarcely a day without his giving relief privately.'
   "His gentleness did not mean weakness. His was not the pliability of the willow, but of the palm, which bends to the zephyr, yet withstands the simoon. Men who undertook to dislodge from a right position by bribes or threats, found cause for humiliation and shame. That mild, blue eye could flash fire, and that kind face be set as a helmet of steel. Though generous in his interpretations of men's motives, he read character accurately. Like the Master, he condemned and forgave the sins of weakness for which men were sorry, but his wrath was unsparing towards hypocrisy.

   "The great honor of being the spiritual guide of Mr. White and his wife fell to Rev. H. T. Davis, D. D. First, he was their guest at Raymond, and, like sensible people, they talked frankly on religion. in a year Davis returned as presiding elder. Before he came Mr. White said, 'Wife, I fear I can't hold out much longer against Elder Davis's preaching.' 'I also feel that way,' she said. After the sermon on the following Sabbath night, invitation was given for enquirers to go forward for prayer. His wife said, 'Let us go.' He repied (sic), 'Do you wish to?' 'Yes.' 'All right.' And to that humble school-house altar they went, and again were united in a holier bond than ever. Here, as often, the wife was the leader, while he was a willing follower and companion. She soon found peace that floweth like a river. He held resolutely on, going three nights in succession, when he, too, entered into peace, and said, 'Glory, glory, hallelujah!' Now, after twenty-three years of service, he is with the innumerable company whose hallelujahs never end.
   "He was elected senator for Saunders County in 1880. During the same year he was honored as delegate to the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, held at Cincinnati. He moved to Crete, Nebraska, in 1888, where, as an enterprising leader in the milling business, he prospered and became a blessing to the city and State. After a brief illness, he died, September 20, 1895, just as he had come to the riper years of full maturity."
   Mrs. C. C. White, the widow of this true nobleman, whom he always regarded as his equal and companion, was in hearty sympathy with her husband in what he was doing for Wesleyan, and along other benevolent

lines, and finds pleasure in carrying out his wishes as well as her own, in the generous contribution of $5,000 to pay the debt. To her, in pursuit of the same purpose, is largely due the stately new structure, the conservatory of music, one wing of which is now approaching completion, as well as timely assistance in other improvements.
   A. L. Johnson, the business partner of C. C. White in the milling business at Crete, is another one of the true-hearted laymen who have proved to Wesleyan a "friend indeed," because a "friend in need," who, besides contributing largely to the payment of the debt, has generously aided the erection and furnishing of the new gymnasium, and also of the conservatory. He is an influential member of the Board of Trustees, and a member of the Executive Committee, giving much valuable time to the interests of the university.
   Regarding the general subject of education, Nebraska Methodism, in common with other evangelical denominations, with the exception of the Roman Catholic, holds uncompromisingly to these views:
   First, that every human being is entitled to the best education possible, and that no education is complete that ignores the moral and religious elements in human nature.
   Second, that the Church and State, having different functions, are to be separate.
   The first of these requires that the State, especially in the case of a free Republic, provide through a public school system, supported by taxation, an opportunity for every boy and girl to be educated. But the second restricts the State from exercising the function of the Church in carrying on and directing the religious feature of this education.

   That is, we say to the State, it is your duty to educate the people, but in doing so you must leave out the most important elements.
   Few, except the Catholics, question the practical soundness of these seemingly contradictory positions. But they give rise to one of the most difficult problems the American people have to solve.
   Hence Nebraska Methodism, in common with all evangelical denominations, has recognized the fact that her duty in reference to the work of education was twofold:
   First, to help the State in its efforts to furnish the best education it could, under the before mentioned restrictions, by supplying as many earnest Christian young men and women to be teachers in the public schools as possible.
   Second, surrounding the State institutions with an environment of positive moral and religious influences, such as the State, under her restrictions, can not supply.
   But, however much the Church may help the State in its educational work, the State can never build up a system or an institution that will impart a complete education, according to our standard, and must therefore be supplemented by denominational schools.
   How much of the work of education can be safely entrusted to the State, and how much must be reserved for other agencies?
   How far can the State go in the recognition of the Bible in the school, and where must it stop in the process of education?
   In regard to these questions, the Methodists of Nebraska hold that, as this is neither a non-Christian nor

an infidel nation, but essentially a Christian nation, the State may, in a general, non-sectarian way, allow the Bible to be read in the schools. But it may not presume to exercise the function of propagating any form of religion, or interfere in any manner with the religious life.
   While the question of just where the dividing line is to be drawn, beyond which the State may not go in the direction of developing and directing the religious nature, is not yet fully determined, two broad principles are recognized:
   First, that the State must, as far as it can consistently with the second principle, supplement the home, and private and denominational enterprises in the work of education.
   Second, that this same principle of the separation of State and Church makes it impossible for the State to furnish a complete education, according to the first principle, and it must in turn be supplemented by the Church with her denominational schools.
   We are glad to say that the truth of history requires us to record that Nebraska Methodism has done creditable work along both lines.
   I am informed by Professor W. R. Jackson, ex-State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Professor J. L. McBrien, present deputy, that a large percentage of the public school teachers are Christian, and a large percentage of these are Methodist.
   Then in the second line of helpfulness we have rendered good service, as the history of the State University and the State Normal School will show, when fully written. As previously stated, the latter was at first intended to be a Methodist school, and Hiram Burch, one of our

most faithful Methodist preachers, and Professor McKenzie, gave over two years' hard service to its building up, and after failure to induce the Conference to take it, because of certain conditions deemed impracticable, consented to its being turned over to the State as a Normal. In the chapter on the development of our Church in Lincoln, reference was made to the magnificent services rendered by St. Paul's Church, and especially by a band of "elect ladies," led by Mrs. Roberts, in counteracting the influence of certain infidel professors in the State University, and supplying the requisite moral and religious environment for the students. Along the same line the following extract from Hiram Burch's "Recollections," will show the immense influence Methodism has exerted in shaping and giving a moral and even religious tone to the State Normal, which was located at Peru instead of a Methodist college, as at first designed: "It may seem to the casual observer that the time spent, the labor bestowed, and the sacrifice made in founding that school was nearly or quite thrown away, at least so far as our Church is concerned. But not so. Our beloved brother, Professor J. M. McKenzie, a devout Christian and earnest Methodist, who had charge of the school during its formative period, and without whose labors and sacrifice it seems hardly possible that any degree of success could have been attained, was still at the head of the school after it was given to the State, and gave it that religious trend which it has largely maintained during its entire history. For instance, a Tuesday night students' prayer-meeting was established, which was never interfered with by other exercises, not even during commencement week. In fact, the farewell students' prayer-meet-

ing, at which students took a religious leave of each other, and of their teachers, was an interesting and inspiring feature of commencement week, and was kept up as long as I was personally acquainted with the school, and is still, so far as I know. And not only did they have their student's prayer-meeting, but no exercises were held at the Normal on the regular Church prayer-meeting evening.
   It was from the position as principal of the State Normal that Professor McKenzie was called to be State Superintendent, which position he held for six years. Thus, indirectly, the founding of the school gave the State the services of that godly man and competent and successful educator, who, more perhaps than any other man, laid the foundations of our public-school system, and in so doing, emphasized the importance of the moral and spiritual in education. The seat of the State Normal school has been the scene of some very gracious revivals, mainly in connection with the Methodist Church of that place. Among the most successful of these, which have been of almost annual occurrence, may be mentioned one during the pastorate of Rev. L. F. Britt, when there were about one hundred converts; and of more recent date, under the labors of that successful lay evangelist, Dr. B. L. Paine, which occurred, I think, during the pastorate of Rev. G. M. Gates, at which nearly or quite three hundred were converted. These converts have been mostly students, and largely from Methodist families. Several of these have entered the work of the ministry in our own Church and in other Churches. Some have gone as missionaries to distant fields, some have become ministers' wives, and many more have gone forth as Christian

teachers, working in our public schools and institutions of learning."
   J. M. McKenzie was the pioneer Methodist educator in Nebraska. We meet him first in the early sixties at Pawnee City, endeavoring to plant an educational institution in that place, called "Nemaha Valley Seminary and Normal Institute." But he was soon called to take charge of the institution at Peru, referred to by Brother Burch, while it was yet expected that it would be a Methodist school, and remained at the head after it became a State Normal. While here he was called to the State superintendency, the second man to serve in that capacity. Probably few men who have occupied that position, have had as much to do, or have actually done as much toward organizing the public-school system of Nebraska, as did J. M. McKenzie during the six years which he held that important office. His efficiency is evidenced to some extent by the fact that his was the rare distinction of serving three terms in succession.
   During all these years in which he was serving the State, first in organizing its Normal school, and afterward the larger system of public schools, he was a devout Christian, with a rich religious experience, which gave tone and character to all his work on educational lines. He afterwards rendered years of splendid service to the Church at York College, and later went to California.
   Another of the pioneer educators was J. J. Fleharty. He seemed to feel that his life work lay along educational lines. Coming to Nebraska in the later seventies and finding that nothing had been done officially along that line, it seemed to him that this situation furnished him

the opportunity to supply the long recognized need. Looking over the field he selected Osceola as the most suitable place and soon had that warm-hearted, stalwart layman, John H. Mickey, as one of his stanch supporters. He was doing faithful work in his line, but ere long he was doomed to disappointment, the Conference soon after choosing York as the seat of its Conference school. Though disappointed, he was not daunted, and as we have seen, tried again, selecting Fullerton, in the North Nebraska Conference. But here also he was again disappointed, Central City being chosen, and he was again to see his plans miscarry.
   No purer man, or one more unselfishly devoted to what he deemed the call of God has ever wrought in the Lord's vineyard in Nebraska. This is none the less true because of these two defeats, and the consequent bitter disappointment that followed, which, together with the hard work involved, soon undermined his constitution. He was in the meanwhile, engaged in literary pursuits, publishing two books, the "Life of Rev. Asahel Phelps" and "Social Impurity."

   In 1861 be was married to Miss Anna Brace, and in all his subsequent labors she was a true "helpmeet."
   This noble, toilful, sanctified life closed May 2, 1884, at Tampa, Florida, whither they had gone in a vain hope of prolonging his life.