This Week in Texas Methodist History September 19 Olin Nail Pleads for Better Memorial in Conference Journals September 25, 1937 The Rev. Olin Nail was the most prominent Texas Methodist historian of the mid-20th Century. His contributions, including his editing the Texas Methodist Centennial Yearbook, are well known among Methodist historical circles. In September 1937 Nail publishing a plea for better memoirs in conference journals. Very early in Methodist history annual conferences began printing obituaries (memoirs) in their Journals. Later the memoir section was increased as clergy spouses were included. It is difficult to overstate the value of these memoirs to historians, biographers, and genealogists. The memoirs are almost always written by family members or colleagues and contain a wealth of information. Most Methodist historians spend hours reading memoirs, and we often find nuggets to share. In the 19th century memoirs were usually written by colleagues rather than family members, and a frankness sometimes comes through. My favorite is of a preacher who entered the Confederate chaplaincy and suffered recurring manic episodes and was hospitalized as a result. His memoirist writes, “. . .in his sane moments he was an effective preacher.” A few of the memoirs are practically useless. The fail to give the details of the life of their subject and instead praise his devotion to the Gospel, his Biblical knowledge, his sweet personality or something of that sort---nothing about the preacher’s life. After immersing himself in the Journals for his historical research, Nail wrote the editor of the Southwestern Christian Advocate pleading that a stand outline be created for Journal memoirs. He wanted the following: 1. full name (not initial) 2. parent’s names including maiden name of mother 3. Date of birth 4. place of birth 5. father’s occupation 6. name of spouse and date of marriage 7. the names of siblings 8. names of children and their addresses 9. when and where converted 10. when and where joined the church 11. education 12. when and where received the call to preach 13. when licensed to preach and by what District Superintendent 14. When admitted On Trial and by what bishop 15. When and where admitted to Deacon’s orders and by what bishop 16. When and where admitted to full connection and by what bishop 17. when and where located, retired, or superannuated 18. name and year of conferences tranfers 19. appointments served 20. general remarks I heartily endorse Nail’s recommendations.