p. 149 | Camp-Meetings in Iowa by George I. Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 8, 1879

Camp-Meetings in Iowa.

By George I. Butler

At the recent quarterly meeting of the State T. and M. Society at Sandyville, Iowa, the subject of camp-meetings for this spring was discussed. The Conference is large, and the number of ministers now laboring in the State is small. Some, of leading influence, are laboring in other fields. There is great need of labor among our own people, the members of our churches. Many of these, scattered all over the State, cannot go to our central meeting, as the cost is so much and the distance so great. Especially is this true of our young churches, the very ones most in need of such meetings. They need the instruction a camp-meeting furnishes; but many of the members of these churches cannot well be gone from home two weeks, or so long a time as it will take to go to the center of the State, the requisite outlay of time and money being too great.

There has been much discouragement resting upon the minds of our people in the State, and we must make efforts to counteract it. We must make a general rally. The matter was talked up, and a unanimous vote was taken to have at least three camp-meetings in the month of June; the first near Fairfield, where a convenient place could be found. This will be within about a day's drive of Pilot Grove, Washington, Mt. Pleasant, Brighton, Richland, Sigourney, Bentonsport, Bonaparte, and little companies at other places. The second will be held near Indianola, where a good place can be found. This will be within a reasonable distance of the Knoxville, Monroe, Sandyville, Winterset, Adel, Afton, Osceola, Decatur City, Davis City, and Woodburn churches. The third meeting will be held in the western part of the State, not far from half way between State Center and the Missouri River, where a good place can be found, near Dunlap perhaps. It is hoped all the young churches in the western part of the State will make a general rally, and attend this meeting. Bro. Will Hankins, W. W. Conklin, and W. G. Brallier are requested to act as camp-meeting committee for the first meeting. Bro. A. J. Stifler, Jacob Shively, and A. R. Henry are requested to act in the second. Bro. Morrison will appoint the committee for the third meeting.

If the brethren generally in the northeastern part of the State really want such a meeting, and can decide on a suitable place, they can have one also. But they are so scattered that its practicability seems somewhat doubtful.

These meetings will be held within easy reach of nearly all our membership. They are designed to help forward our T. and M. work and our Sabbath-school interest; to instruct, inspire, and arouse our people; and to convert sinners, reclaim backsliders, and encourage the despondent. We want all our friends to bring their unconverted children, and to be sure to get those who are on the background to come. These meetings will be of that size most convenient to help those needing help. Our annual meetings are so large that many take no part, and it is difficult for some to get a chance to take a part, and unless they do they are but little profited.

These meetings are to be held because there is great need of something being done to stir up our own people, and because they are so much more effective and economical than to have a minister go from church to church and speak to but a little handful at a time, and because in many seasons of the year the weather and roads prevent them. We want our people to plan for a general rally. Bro. Farnsworth and myself will most likely attend them all. On each Sabbath morning we propose to have a model Sabbath-school in connection with our meeting, for the purpose of giving instruction in this branch of the work. Bro. Nicola will give particulars in season.

We shall thus bring these camp-meetings within easy reach of all our people, and we ask them to think and pray over this matter beforehand. Pray that God will make these meetings a great source of benefit to the cause in our State. Let all our brethren plan to attend in season. We expect these will be among the very best camp-meetings ever held in the State. We believe the Lord is on the giving hand, and better days are before us. “Courage in the Lord” should be our watchword. The Lord will be with us, if we will only be with him. Let us work while it is called to-day; for the night soon cometh when no man can work. Geo. I. Butler.