p. 46 | MISSOURI by George L. Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 6, 1879

MISSOURI

By George L. Butler

Macon City and Sedalia.—I spent Sabbath and Sunday at Macon City, and spoke four times to small audiences. There seems to be very little religious interest in this place, and the same is true of many other places all around us. I do not judge thus because few attended our meetings; for we are little known here, as the present truth has never been preached near by. But very few seem to attend church anywhere, and quite a number of churches have no preaching, and those that do are slimly attended. This state of things shows the terrible religious apathy prevailing everywhere. Fun and nonsense will draw people, however.

I stopped at Macon more especially to see Bro. H. D. Clark, the director of this district, who lives there. Bro. C. embraced the Sabbath in Nebraska, and was acting as station agent, “telegraph operator, etc., with a salary of from $65 to $125 per month, all of which he gave up

for the truth’s sake. Being a lame man with a wooden limb, he cannot do every kind of work, and he has had much sickness to contend with, and has been brought into straightened circumstances. He could have a salary any time were it not for the Sabbath. His heart is in the work, and he is most anxious to find some position of usefulness, where his past knowledge of business will be of some use to the cause and to his family. He is willing to do anything honorable. May God open some way before this dear brother. He could run an engine and do many kinds of business which usually command good wages. If our brethren know of any good chances, they will please address him or me.

After quite a lengthy absence, I am again at Sedalia, and am rejoiced to find a goodly number still loving the truth. Some have gone back, as usual, and one more has commenced to keep the Sabbath. Though the night was dark and very disagreeable, and the roads muddy, yet nearly all our old congregation were out to hear the word spoken. They are circulating tracts, and doing what they can. We expect a good church in Sedalia. GEO. L. BUTLER.