Untitled article by GEO. I. BUTLER.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, October 22, 1867

OUR EXCELLENT CONVOCATION MEETING.

By GEO. I. BUTLER.

The Convocation Meeting held at Pilot Grove, Iowa, Sept. 26-30 will be long remembered by those who were fortunate enough to attend it, as one of the best meetings ever enjoyed. It was probably the largest meeting of Seventh-day Adventists ever held in the State. We were favored with the presence of Bro. and sister White, Bro. Smith and Bro. Aldrich of the Office, Brn. Maynard and Olmstead of Northern Mich., as well as Bro. and sister Bourdeau who have been among us for some time past.

The presence of Bro. and sister White no doubt brought some to the meeting who would not otherwise have been present. Their labors with us in the past in times of great trial and peril to the cause here, have endeared them especially to many in Iowa.

Never will some in the State forget the memorable meeting at Pilot Grove in July 1865. The threatening aspect of affairs at that time, both of our ministers in the State holding the highest positions in the Conference, scattering doubt, distraction and falsehoods, as they have since confessed, thus alienating the hearts of many of the foremost, truest friends of the cause, because of their confidence in the ministers among us, needs to be understood by the readers of the Review if they would appreciate the real service and assistance the cause received by the coming of Bro. and sister White among us at that time. We have always felt their coming at that particular time was especially ordered of the Lord. No one can tell what the condition of things would have been a few months after, had they not come as they did. We well remember the labors of that meeting, the anxiety to help the honest and save all who could be helped, the final victory which the Lord gave his servants, the surrender of the opposers and their confessions which have been such a hindrance ever since to their gaining an influence with the truly honest. All these things are fresh in our minds as though they happened yesterday.

Then the paralytic shock, and the long, weary weeks and months of pain and sleepless nights, and anxious suspense, whether this illness was to be temporary or whether prove fatal, and how far our difficulties here were the cause of this attack, have been the cause of much anxious solicitude among friends far away here among the prairies of Iowa. And as we have heard of late that Bro. White was coming up in health and strength, and as we have read his encouraging reports through the Review, and finally the appointment of the Convocation Meeting, we have been rejoiced in the hope of seeing him again even at the former battle field at Pilot Grove.

We rejoice that we have had this privilege, not that we are man-worshipers, but because we desire to be found among those who “esteem very highly” the tried friends of the cause, who have come up with it and suffered for it, for their works' sake. Those of us who had seen Bro. W. since his prostration were very happily surprised to see him looking so well, to see so much evidence that he was rapidly coming up in body and mind, while those who had not seen him since he was here in 1865 were astonished to see how changed he was in appearance, and how old he had grown in two short years. May God still strengthen and raise to full health and vigor.

It is not my purpose to give anything like a full report of this meeting. This has been done by abler writers. But we believe none of those who attended were sorry they had taken the pains they had taken, though many had come over one hundred miles by private conveyance. The instructions we received from Bro. and sister White and Bro. Bourdeau, and the solemn vows we have made to God that we would consecrate ourselves anew to him we trust will be remembered long, and lived out by all. If this is done the result of this meeting will be enduring. Many resolved to start anew for the kingdom and by their tears showed their sincerity. Many of the scattered brethren were present who are not connected with churches, and enjoyed the rich blessing of the meeting.

Our dear Bro. Bourdeau gave us his farewell discourse, as he was about leaving the State to return to his friends and kindred in Vermont, to recruit during winter and be better prepared for the labors and trials through which the preacher must pass. He has been with us during the last sixteen months laboring faithfully to build up the cause of present truth, many times through much weakness of body, and great care and mental anxiety. We believe the Lord has assisted and blessed his labors and made him instrumental in accomplishing much good. May the Lord bless him abundantly the coming winter and prepare him for still greater usefulness. We shall miss him much here, and should not have consented to have him leave the State in its present destitute condition as regards laborers, had we not been satisfied he needed rest to build up physically. The prayers and love of the true friends of the cause in the State will follow him to his home among the green hills of Vermont.

Our excellent meeting has closed. The friends who came together from different churches have gone to their several homes. Those who have ministered to us in word and doctrine, and those who met with us from distant States have returned to their labors and duties. We look back to this gathering with pleasure, and hope we may see other gatherings of equal interest in the future; for they may be made a great blessing to the cause; and above all we hope to meet with many who assembled there on Mount Zion, when all our labors and trials are over, and where partings never come.

GEO. I. BUTLER.

Waukon, Iowa, Oct. 13, 1867.