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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, January 28, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 7

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REPORT FROM IOWA.

By Geo. I. Butler

Since the writing of my last report I have held meetings Sabbaths and Sundays with the churches of Lisbon, Marion and Pilot Grove.
These meetings were all characterized by deep solemnity and searching of heart, by tears of contrition and sorrow for sin rather than by shouts of joy, and a happy flight of feeling; in short, by evidence of sincere repentance, and earnest resolutions of amendment, and by an apparent realization that we are far on the background, and come far short of living up to the standard placed before us in God’s holy word. There seemed to be an earnest desire to start anew in the Christian pathway, to forget the things that are behind and reach forth to those that are before. May God bless the efforts put forth to carry out these resolutions, that the effect may be lasting.
At Lisbon there was a good attendance from the Marion and Anamosa churches. These three churches are well situated with reference to meeting together at Quarterly or Monthly Meetings, being only from fourteen to seventeen miles of each other, and it was encouraging to see so much interest in meeting together as was manifested by the brethren and sisters. We were very glad to see Brn. Hinton and Newcomb from Iowa Co., who came a long distance on the railroad; and also sister Tobey from Ill., formerly from Tuscola Co., Mich.; and we were more glad still to learn that they were well paid for taking so much pains to meet with the people of God. The Lord truly was good to us, and although the word was spoken with weakness and with inexperience, yet we trust it was set home by the Spirit and power of God. To the Lord be all the praise.
The meeting the following Sabbath and Sunday was held at Marion instead of Anamosa, the appointment being changed by an arrangement of the brethren of the two places. I was much encouraged to see the interest manifested by the brethren to get to that meeting, the weather being quite threatening. There was a general turnout, almost every one who could leave home was there. This was very encouraging to me and I regarded it as a good omen for the success of the meeting and for their spiritual welfare also. One can feel an interest to labor for and encourage others, when he sees so much interest on their part to be benefited. The Lord truly poured out his Spirit upon us wonderfully, considering how cold and backward we all are as a people. We could but say “How good the Lord is!”
We had a communion season, and as we engaged in the solemn ordinance of washing feet, there were but few dry eyes. All seemed melted down by the tender Spirit of the Master. Solemnity reigned all through while celebrating these solemn ordinances of the Lord’s house. In these meetings some of those who had not had much of the power of the truth previously, young men who had been doubting some parts of the message for several years past, solemnly covenanted to put all on board and give all for the kingdom. May the blessed Master encourage them to carry out these solemn promises in their lives. The Lord is waiting to be gracious. He is holding out his hands and inviting us to come. All he wants of us is to put ourselves into a position where he can abundantly bless us. He asks nothing hard of us, nothing unreasonable, only that which will be for our best good; to lay aside our pride, our worldliness, our unruly passions, and submit ourselves to him to become meek and lowly of heart. Then we shall find rest to our soul. Then his yoke will be easy and his burden light. Oh! how good it is to learn that lesson.
At the close of this meeting some thought they never attended a better one; and one brother who had come fifty miles or so through the cold thought he was well paid. We shall long remember this meeting as a green spot in the desert of life.
On our journey to the next appointment at Pilot Grove we went around and called upon Bro. Jesse Dorcas, formerly from Ohio, but for several years past living quite isolated from the brethren in Cedar Co., Iowa. We were hospitably entertained by this dear family and enjoyed our visit well, and would have been glad had it been possible to remain longer. Bro. Dorcas and family are keeping the Sabbath alone in that section. May the Lord help them all, parents and children, to take such a careful, considerate course, to live so blameless before the community, to illustrate by their lives the loving, tender, exalted Spirit of the Saviour, that others around them seeing their good works may be constrained to unite with them in keeping the commandments of God and go with them to the kingdom.
From Tipton I came through to Pilot Grove in two days. The weather was very cold and searching. I put up at that well-patronized hotel for pilgrims, Bro. Henry Nicola’s, and enjoyed their hospitality for a few days. Sabbath morning most of the Washington brethren were on hand, though the weather was very severe, men, women, and children coming ten miles through the biting cold for the purpose of worshiping God. The Lord truly blessed us, and all seemed well paid for their efforts.
The good effects of the Convocation Meeting held at this place last fall we believe are not lost yet. Yes, we believe the effects upon some who attended that meeting will be seen even in the kingdom, the encouragement received, the doubts cleared away from the minds of some, the spirit of solemnity and searching of heart in view of the judgment just before us, have not yet passed away from many who were fortunate enough to be present then. I can see its effects as I pass through the State, may the Lord help all of us who were present to still retain that blessing and at last join with all the family of God on Mount Zion.
GEO. I. BUTLER.
Washington, Iowa, Jan., 14. 1868.