REPORT FROM IOWA by George Ide Butler

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

REPORT FROM IOWA.

By George Ide Butler

At the close of my last report I was laboring in Bro. Howell's neighborhood in Appanoose Co., with something of an interest apparently to hear the truth. After getting into the midst of the Sabbath question, when it began to pinch, they began to drop off and soon there was not enough to keep up meetings. The weather was also quite unfavorable, and the measles were around in the neighborhood, which assisted no doubt to bring around this result. I had hoped for better success than this till the very last thing, as some few seemed to be much interested.

Before closing the meetings in this school district I had an invitation from the Campbellites of a neighboring village to occupy their meeting-house, they offering to furnish fuel and lights; and as I had a little leisure time before my appointments in the churches, I concluded to accept their offer. It was a small village and only one meeting-house in the place. I gave there ten discourses, and had a good attendance mainly till the close; and some seemed much interested in the truth, and there appeared to be a general desire to hear further on these things. But the time arriving for my appointments ahead to be met, I was obliged to close. I sold in both places over twenty dollars' worth of our publications, and hope yet there may good result from the labor expended there.

I then came on through the deep mud to Fairfield, my first appointment. Met with those who were able to get out, on the Sabbath, and Sunday, giving three discourses on important subjects. As some are selling and moving away who are located in the most available place for holding meetings, and as there are but few left, and these separated from each other a long distance, it is doubtful if they will be able to maintain meetings much longer. There are some in this little flock who seem to be deeply in earnest in the noble work of salvation, and we hope to greet them in the blessed Kingdom of our Father.

The following day came on through the mud and storm to Mt. Pleasant. At Fairfield and Mt. P. both, that day, there was a hard hail-storm which did much damage: but it did not happen to come when I was upon the road. At Mt. P. many of the buildings lost as many as forty or fifty lights of glass, and some as high as a hundred and fifty, and it was said that there was not half enough glass in the city of Mt. Pleasant to supply the demand. Hail-stones seven and a half inches in circumference were measured, and many were as large as hen's eggs; and the city-paper said a horse was knocked down, and chickens and ducks killed by them. Some were greatly terrified at the storm, wringing their hands in fear. It brings forcibly to our mind the fact that a hail-storm is before us, when terror will pervade all hearts, and ruin and destruction be seen in all directions.

I met with the church, Sabbath and Sunday, giving three discourses, which appeared to be appreciated. In our conference meetings there seemed to be a lack of that zeal and warmth which is so encouraging when seen; a backwardness on the part of some to move out in duty. But I trust there is a growing interest, and that union and love are increasing and will abound more and more. I trust also that those trials which this church passed through last fall will work for the good of all, and that useful lessons will be learned from them. This is one of our largest churches in the State, and one of the most important points in the conference. We trust the brethren and sisters will feel the importance of standing in the light, and being bright ornaments in the cause of truth, that others may be blessed through their example. At a business session one who had brought a stain upon the cause was disfellowshipped. The church expressed by a vote their desire to have the State Conference at that place. It is not yet determined where it will be.

GEO. I. BUTLER.

Washington, Iowa, March 25, 1868.