Untitled article by George I. Butler

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · January 7, 1868

REPORT FROM IOWA.

By George I. Butler

The last report from this State reached to the Convocation Meeting. At the close of that excellent meeting I returned home with those who attended from Waukon to see to some home duties which had been neglected on account of my absence, and for the purpose of preparing for the comfort of my family before winter set in.

On my way home I stayed over the Sabbath with the few who came out at Fayette, trying to strengthen the things that remained there of our labors in the tent the past summer. I trust a few will hold on, and that our labor will not be lost. If we prize the worth of souls at their true value, we shall not esteem the labors of a few weeks or even months thrown away by any means, if but a few do embrace the truth. The salvation of one soul in the kingdom of God to enjoy the bliss of the redeemed, after ages upon ages have rolled away, will seem when we realize its true value of vastly more consequence than all of the wealth of this poor dying world. Why then should we be discouraged if but few do embrace the truth after hearing it presented. It is just as glorious to those who do embrace it, as it would be if thousands were eagerly receiving it.

After returning home and laboring diligently with my hands for a few weeks, and meeting with the church and trying to strengthen them upon the Sabbath, several of us paid a visit to Bro. Pierce's family and others from Vermont who had moved to Minnesota, some eighty miles from Waukon. I was glad to form the acquaintance of this aged servant of God who has long been bearing burdens in the cause of present truth. The rest of the party had formerly been intimate in the East.

We spent the few days we were enabled to stay very pleasantly, and we trust profitably, and we trust Bro. Pierce will find it in the path of duty to labor the coming winter in this State, where the climate will be more congenial to his health, and where his help will be highly prized and greatly needed. His experience will fit him for the labor in this part of the field. And as we understand from him, owing to the excessive cold of the northern winters and the feebleness of advanced years, he will not feel able to labor in Minnesota during the winter, and as the cause is one, and we need help here, we hope we may have the satisfaction of enjoying his society and instruction in Iowa for a few months at least.

Before returning from Minnesota I visited Fayette again which is forty miles from Waukon. Found the enemy of God's law had sent one of his agents to turn away the minds of some who had stepped out upon the truth. But we trust he has not accomplished his purpose, and that those shaken, after giving the subject

careful review, will feel stronger than ever in the truth.

I again returned home to labor with my hands, preparing to leave as soon as possible. I stayed at home some over two months in all. Perhaps some will wonder what detained me so long when there was such a scarcity of labor in the State, and when there were so many desiring help. But considering that I was unexpectedly called away last summer with no time to prepare, and without letting out my farm, perhaps my stay under the circumstances was not more than might be expected. I trust my help in the church at home was not wholly lost. We had some most excellent meetings, when nearly all felt melted down before the Lord, and almost all seemed more determined to press on to Mount Zion. There are a goodly number in that church who feel like giving all for the kingdom, and who intend to walk in all the light they receive, while some seem to feel in a measure careless and indifferent. May God help them to arouse before it is too late. God is in earnest with us as a people. The light given to us cannot be treated as a matter of indifference, and we stand just as well spiritually. Some wonder why they feel so stupid, so sleepy, so careless. If they would carefully look back over their past course, and would examine themselves closely as the case deserves, they would be apt to find where light had been given to which they had given no attention, and which they have wholly or partially disregarded. The statement of our Saviour, John xii, 35, “Walk in the light while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you,” is just as important as it was when given, and cannot be disregarded without peril to our own souls. God does not take the pains to bestow light upon us through the agencies he has established, whether by his Holy Word or by the testimonies of his Spirit, which it will be safe for us to treat as of no importance. He does nothing without a cause, and if there is a cause for his bestowing light on a certain point, we may be sure we cannot stand just as well with him after we have heard it and do not act with reference to it. Yes, God is in earnest with us. And all can see who will, that those who move out promptly upon the light as it comes, have the most of his Spirit, and the most strength to go forward.

Dec. 12th, I left home on my tour through the State, expecting to be absent through the winter. Stopped at Fayette, Sabbath and Sunday, Dec. 14 and 15. Gave four discourses. We held meetings in a private house, so but few came out, but there seems to be an interest to hear. Hereafter it is hoped we can have the school-house which is just being finished, and then it is expected more will attend, and we hope in the future there will be enough interest to warrant further protracted labor. All those who really took their stand with us still attend and hold on.

Sabbath and Sunday, Dec. 21 and 22, met with the little few at Laporte City. Difficulties existed in their midst which were a hindrance to the interest of the meeting. It is hard to accomplish much in a church where the members are not united in feeling or sentiment. But we trust some good at least was accomplished by the meeting. The enemy truly works in every way to bring in confusion. We need to be constantly on our guard lest we give him an opening. The meek and lowly spirit which the Saviour possessed is the best protective against church trials. How sweet would be our union in the church of Christ if all had this spirit. No doubt the prophet saw this when looking down the stream of time, he saw the last church and said, “Seek meekness, seek righteousness, and it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's fierce anger.” Zeph. ii, 3. I am satisfied this is the great antidote for those perplexing, saddening church trials which have been such a burden among us, and which has worn out some of the noblest spirits who have ever preached the truth and who now sleep in the dust. I have no recollection of a single church trial but the lack of this grace could be plainly seen in one or both parties. Self justification, envy, jealousy, a desire for pre-eminence, in short, a lack of humility is the root from whence all these troubles arise. May God help us to heed the words of the prophet, “Seek meekness.” GEO. I. BUTLER.