In this manner there grew up around Mr. Wesley a company of men, who were recognized as his helpers.  With the multiplication of these assistant laborers, it became advisable to reduce the co-operative effort to a systematic plan.  To adopt a plan of labor and give it efficiency, the organization of Conferences became a necessity.  The first Conferences were composed of Mr. Wesley and his helpers, and could not embody Laymen, as no Church had been organized.  This state of things continued during the life time of Mr. Wesley in England, and as he gave the Church in the United States its first organization, the same system was introduced here.

Subsequently, as the work extended and the Conferences multiplied, it was but natural that they should all take the same character.  Nor would there have been any special need for a change, perhaps, if there had been no changes in the character of the work to be done.  But with the erection of Churches, the founding of schools, and the creation of the Book Concern and Church literature, the Conferences, having these interests in charge, need the presence and aid of Laymen.

At the General Conference of 1864, action had been taken inviting the membership to vote on the subject, and also to elect provisional Delegates to the General Conference of 1868.  The action of the Wisconsin Conference fully endorsed the movement and the body faithfully complied with its provisions.

At this session the Conference made a record of the death, of three of its members, Revs.  Henry Requa, George Chester and Romulus O. Kellogg.  To the first named, reference has been made in former chapters.

Brother Chester came to this country in 1849, from England, where he had been converted under the labors of Rev. James Caughey.  He was received into the Wisconsin Conference in 1851, and was appointed to Prairie La Crosse.  His subsequent appointments were Willow River, Madison Circuit, Waterloo, Columbus, Burnett, Fox Lake, Footville, Evansville, and Shopiere.  At the last named place he was attacked with typhoid fever, and, after an illness of three weeks, passed away in holy triumph, with the words, “Glory!  Glory!  Glory!” upon his lips.  Brother Chester was a true man, and a successful Minister of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Brother Kellogg came with his parents to Milwaukee in 1836.  He prepared for College at Rock River Seminary, Mount Morris, graduated at the Wesleyan University, Conn., in 1849, and served as Professor of Languages in the Lawrence University for five years thereafter.  He was received into the Wisconsin Conference in 1862, and was appointed to Fort Atkinson.  He was reappointed the second and third years, but, during the latter, his nervous system gave way under his devoted and trying labors, and he passed to the bright beyond.  Brother Kellogg was a man of fine culture, genial spirit, faithful to every trust, and universally beloved by all who knew him.