Report from Bro. Butler.
By George Ide Butler
My last report closed with the tent meeting at Des Moines, with Bro. Canright. I went to Winterset, and remained over a week, laboring to bring the work there forward; but the weather was so bad that we could do but little more than visit; yet we saw no reason for discouragement, as the friends of the cause still seemed interested in the truth. Since I left, I have heard good news from there—that the work is still onward. I expect there will be a good church established there, who shall hold up the banner of present truth to the last generation of men. I left Bro. Canright to attend to the interests of the cause in that section of the field, while I go east and north through the State to visit the churches, and labor as the calls of duty seem to require. Our labor together the past season as a whole has been very pleasant and profitable, we trust, to the cause. My first appointment was at Sandyville. Before the meeting, things looked quite discouraging. There had been heavy rains. Some were not present whom I had hoped much to see, and I judged the attendance would be small. The church as a whole were cold; but we looked to God for help, and moved on, and we received the signal blessing of Heaven. It was a meeting in which the power of God was specially manifested. There were some present for whom I had felt a great anxiety previously, and I had almost despaired of seeing them take the decided step. There were young men of strength and energy; and as I thought of them in the meeting, and felt something of the worth of their souls, and of eternal life, I could but weep aloud, and ask that God would give strength to move out and take their stand for the Lord. Several did, and I had the pleasure of baptizing four young men just in the strength of manhood. Oh! may they be an honor to his cause. Others were deeply affected, who, I trust, will pursue the same course. Some trials were also healed up; and a feeling of love and union seemed to prevail through the church, more than had been previously seen. I felt that I could go on with the strength and encouragement gained by this meeting, for quite a length of time. I started immediately for my appointment near Osceola. Before reaching it, I received the news that I was expected to go to Kansas to prepare for the camp-meeting there. This made it necessary that I should throw up my appointment near Osceola. So I had but one meeting there, Wednesday evening, and informed the friends of the change of arrangements. There was a full house, and many seemed disappointed. Some had come thirty miles to attend the meeting; but we did the best we could, and promised to return soon. I was much pleased to see the interest manifested to hear the truth spoken, and hope to see a good church organized here very soon. I started the same night for Kansas, and did what I could to assist in preparing for the expected meeting. This meeting has been fully reported by others, so I will only say that it was good to be there. I was rejoiced to see Bro. and Sr. White enjoying such good health and courage. I was astonished, even, at finding them looking so well, knowing something of the care and labor that had been upon them during the entire camp-meeting season. I supposed they would be all worn out. Surely God has given especial strength to his servants. How plain, that when we walk in the light, and throw all our energies into the work, God can, and will, sustain us! The meeting was a most profitable one, and worth vastly more to the cause there than all the pecuniary cost. At the close of the meeting, I came home immediately; and was happy to find my family well, and to meet the friends here after an absence of several months. I have met with the church several times, and find some omens of good. There seems to be a better feeling prevailing than I have seen before. There was a good attendance to hear the preached word, and some religious interest. But in this, there is still great chance for improvement. On Sunday, I attended meeting near Lowell, sixteen miles south-east from Mt. Pleasant, where some ten or more have embraced the Sabbath the past season. Bro. A. Steinbarger, formerly a Christian minister, became interested in the Sabbath question something like a year ago, by reading and talking with our brethren, and commenced keeping it. The others have come out since then. I propose to bestow some labor there soon. I was much pleased to see the interest manifested to hear the word spoken to them. I trust a small church may be organized here after a little labor is bestowed. Thus the truth is working in the community. Here and there, honest souls are coming out and taking their stand to keep God's commandments. May God speed on the work. I never felt a greater interest to give what little strength and ability I possess to God's cause than now. It never seemed more glorious than now. May God strengthen us all to do his whole will. GEO. I. BUTLER. Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Oct. 31, 1870.