p. 22 | REPORT FROM IOWA by George I. Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 12, 1869

REPORT FROM IOWA.

By George I. Butler

Our labors in Brighton are closed for the present; and it may be proper to give a brief account of matters in that place, and of what we have been doing, as it has been some time since the last report from there. We were busily engaged upon the new house of worship when I last reported. It was then fairly commenced. The circumstances under which it was built, were somewhat peculiar and perplexing. Our labors during the tent season had developed quite an interest and a great opposition; and as the cold weather approached, we saw we should soon have no place of meeting. Although our Baptist friends permitted us to occupy their house for a time, we knew this would not meet the demand permanently. We saw that we must either build a house of worship, or lose nearly all we had done during the summer. So we began calling meetings preliminary to building, and at last raised a subscription which we thought would warrant us in commencing.

We had no society to fall back upon; no old friends of the cause in the immediate vicinity to rely upon. All our friends were young in experience; and there were none there upon whom the burden of taking charge of the work, seeing to this and that, to direct the whole concern, could well be placed. We were much perplexed to know what was our duty in the premises. It seemed necessary to have a house, and some one must be found to direct, to collect the subscriptions, and to keep up the courage of our friends, and meet the pressure of the opposition from the outside. So we concluded to take hold and assist in the work with our hands. Bro. Cornell acted as director of the whole; and Bro. Jacob Hare kindly consented at quite a sacrifice to himself to leave his own business, and take charge of the mechanical part of the work. So we commenced, many of the opposition prophesying it would prove a failure; others, that we would get the money into our hands, and run away with it; and some declaring it should not stand if it were built.

But amid all the discouragements, the prospering hand of the Lord was with us. The worse our opponents talked, the more outside friends we gained, and some contributed quite freely who never before had given a dollar for such a purpose. Some men who never expected to belong to our society, came to the rescue most nobly with their means. We shall ever remember their kindness. The friends furnished us nearly all our provisions during our stay with them, so our expenses were but little to the Conference.

Our work went steadily forward to completion. Our brethren at the camp-meeting, following the example of Bro. and Sr. White, contributed liberally to our assistance in the enterprise. Our house was finished and dedicated Dec. 19 by appropriate remarks from Bro. Cornell, and what was still more pleasant, was freed entirely from debt. This is not often the case. It was something unprecedented in Brighton. Some of the meeting-houses there were years in building, and then a heavy debt was left upon them, although built by a regularly-organized society. It was somewhat pleasant to us to see how differently the people talked of the matter after they had seen the thing was bound to go through. They were very much astonished at the result. And to look back over the last few months when a few strangers went to Brighton with no friends there, and a very unpopular doctrine to advocate; and when we consider that all the ministers of the place banded together to put down the new doctrine, and that some five or six other preachers came to their assistance, and yet amid all the opposition, a better house than any in town was built, and a society organized; it is not drawing very strongly upon our credulity to believe that heavenly assistance was granted to aid in the work.

This house is 32x46, painted outside and in, neatly fenced, well provided with hitching posts, platform, out-buildings, &c., and not a dollar in debt. It is much the best S. D. Adventist meeting-house in the State. Much of the credit of carrying this through so successfully belongs to Bro. Cornell, who has labored untiringly from the first. None but those who have been in similar circumstances can realize the perplexity and care of building a meeting-house of this size by subscription. There is generally quite a loss; many do not fulfill their pledges. There were very few in Brighton who did not advance upon theirs. We feel very thankful that the Lord has aided us in this work. To his name be all the praise.

While laboring upon the temporal building, we have not been unmindful of the spiritual structure. Several have given up, but most have been growing in strength and knowledge of the truth. Bro. Cornell held a discussion upon the law question with Eld. J. K. McConnell, of the Disciple church. It decided a few the right way, and on the whole we trust accomplished good. We generally held three meetings regularly every week, some of which were very powerful seasons. After the dedication, we held a protracted effort of nearly two weeks, with meetings every night and Sabbaths and Sundays, visiting from house to house daytimes, and pleading with souls to turn to God. The Lord blessed in these meetings by his Spirit. Owing to the labors and cares of finishing up the house, Bro. Cornell was nearly laid up, and was unable to do much for almost a week. We missed him much, but did as well as we could under the circumstances, and we trust some good was done.

We leave a church with forty names upon the book. Quite a number of others are keeping the Sabbath. Still others are investigating; while there are many around who acknowledge that we have the truth on all points, but think the way is too straight. Our congregations continue good, our new house of worship being filled sometimes even to overflowing, so that extra seats have to be provided. We have sold in all some eighty dollars' worth of our publications, and have between thirty and forty new subscribers for the REVIEW. I think this is the largest list in the State. Some five or six who are keeping the Sabbath, have moved away from the place. A good many have given up the use of tobacco; and some are advancing in the reforms taught by our people.

Our success in Brighton has not been because we have shunned giving a plain testimony; for the most pointed and cutting truths have been preached to them. We believe a permanent work has been wrought here, and that a start has been made for as strong a church as there is in the State. We feel much attached to this people, and shall earnestly pray that the Lord's Spirit may be with them. At our parting many tears were shed. But we hope to labor with them from time to time in the future.

It is expected that Bro. Cornell will give a course of lectures in Paris, some twelve miles north of Brighton,

while I expect to labor with the churches for a few months. It has been a great pleasure for me to labor with Bro. C., as I have, and quite a sacrifice to strike out alone. But duty seems to require this. I expect the Lord's blessing will be with Bro. C. where he is going, and that he will have a good interest. There is now a great desire to hear upon these new doctrines in that section. May the Lord's blessing rest upon him, and souls be saved.

To our brethren in this State, I will say: Our stay in B. has been longer than we expected, but it seemed unavoidable. We have exerted ourselves to the utmost to get through sooner, but we dared not leave before. Let us all prepare to work in the cause of the Lord. GEO. I. BUTLER.

Pilot Grove, Iowa, Jan. 1, 1869.