p. 46 | Report from Iowa Tent by George Ide Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 26, 1870

Report from Iowa Tent.

By George Ide Butler

We have been holding meetings in this place (Adel) a little over two weeks, and will give the friends of the cause a brief account of the same.

This place is situated about twenty-five miles west of Des Moines, the State Capital, and is the county seat of Dallas county, and contains something like 1200 inhabitants. We came here at a venture, not knowing a single person living here, because we desired to strike out into new ground where there was less acquaintance with and prejudice concerning our doctrine, and because this appeared to be a pleasant, place and of about the right size and location. We set up our new tent in a very eligible place near the court house and commenced our work. We found, however, before we had been here long, that there were some unfavorable features to contend with.

This community contains a larger proportion of avowed infidels by far than any place I was ever in. Many have told us that over half the population were such. It is not that we fear to meet any arguments they might bring that we consider this an unfavorable feature, but because the spirit of skepticism has permeated the whole community to that extent that it is very difficult to affect minds enough to make them move out, an unwillingness to take the Bible for authority in any thing.

Well, we have worked away as well as we could. Our audiences have generally ranged from one to two hundred, and the attendance has been pretty regular. But at times things have seemed very discouraging, and we were almost upon the point of leaving the place. Then things would brighten a little.

But of late things have seemed more encouraging. Our audiences are rather on the increase, and so we shall stay longer. Yesterday was the first Sabbath meeting we have tried to hold. About twenty-five were present. We had quite a spiritual meeting, considering it was the first effort of the kind. Quite a number wept. Several spoke; and, as near as we can learn, some ten intend to keep the Sabbath. However, such things are very uncertain so early in a course of lectures as this.

We have given the subject of the Sabbath quite a thorough examination already, and take hold of the immortality question to-night. The people are very kind and have already furnished us with homes. We propose to stay till we see the path of duty clearly open to leave. We expect God's blessing on our efforts because we are trying to do our duty. Our courage to labor on in the cause is excellent. May God's will be done, and his cause be advanced. Brethren we wish to be remembered in your prayers.

GEO. I. BUTLER.

Adel, Iowa, July 10.