THE IOWA CAMP-MEETING by George I. Butler

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 10, 1868

THE IOWA CAMP-MEETING.

By George I. Butler

It is through a misunderstanding that a report of this meeting has not been previously written.

This was a meeting which will long be remembered by those present as a solemn, heart-searching time; a time for confession, for breaking down before the Lord; a time in which some of that Spirit was manifested which is spoken of by Joel, the prophet, when the ministers of the Lord should weep between the porch and the altar, and say, Spare thy people, O Lord.

It was not a time of joy and rejoicing, but of humility and contrition. This gives a reasonable ground for hope that its effects may be lasting. The course of the work among us, as a people, of late seems to be taking this direction, which should be regarded as a hopeful sign. Is it a fact that our individual cases are soon coming before the Judge of the quick and dead? Is it a fact that we are worldly, selfish, covetous, and proud? How clear, then, that deep contrition before God, instead of rejoicing, should characterize our actions. Such was the case at our Pilot Grove meeting.

The servants of the Lord who came among us, spoke the word with power, and plainly set before us our sins. We were rejoiced to see Bro. White looking so well after the labors and cares through which he has been passing, the past year. Truly, God has blessed him, and wrought for his people. Sr. White appeared to be enjoying better health than for some time in the past. May God still bless them in this respect, and make them strong in mind and body to labor on in the cause of present truth.

Shall we be permanently profited by this camp-meeting? It will all depend upon ourselves. We cannot

say that our duty was not set before us. We cannot plead ignorance of God's will concerning us. We cannot in the day of wrath say that we were not faithfully warned of our danger, if we are forever lost. Our confessions and vows, renewed again and again before God, will also witness against us if we do not make a special effort to serve God better in the future than we have in the past.

The thought is a sad one that many of the persons who were so penitent and made such humble confessions, will, in a short time, forget all about them, and go on as careless and worldly as ever. Warning after warning comes, and we rouse up for the time being, in many instances to sink back into darkness and sin deeper than before. So it will be with many till the decree go forth, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still.” On the other hand, we will hope for better things with some. We cannot but believe that there were many honest souls there, who will take hold of the work of God with increased zeal and finally inherit eternal life.

On the last day of the meeting, Bro. Andrews led thirty-two down into the water in the ordinance of baptism. May they truly walk in newness of life. The friends of the cause in this State feel very grateful to God and his faithful servants for the labor they receive from time to time, and hope they may still be remembered in the future.

GEO. I. BUTLER.