Iowa by George I. Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 28, 1871

Iowa.

By George I. Butler

SINCE Sept. 27 when I left Osceola and the company of Bro. Canright I have been at home considerable of the time attending to duties there and meeting with the church on the Sabbath besides attending meetings with the friends at Brighton, Osceola, and Sigourney during the meantime.

In reference to the spiritual condition of our church at Mt. Pleasant, I think I can speak favorably on the whole, although we have suffered the loss of some of our prominent members and our numbers are small that generally meet; yet I am happy to say I know of no trials that endanger the peace of the church, and there seems to be an earnest desire on the part of some to have the real work deepened in their hearts. On account of a deficiency in our church records which renders it impossible to tell who are members of the church, and for other reasons, it will be necessary to reorganize. This course has been decided necessary at a proper business meeting and in due time will be acted upon. And I would hereby notify the many absent members of this church who desire to still remain such to report to that effect.

Sabbath and Sunday, Oct. 21, 22, I met with the friends at Brighton. We had a good attendance from Washington, Richmond, Pilot Grove, and Mt. Pleasant. In preaching the word my mind was specially called to the great points in the Advent doctrine, and I felt blest in considering them and trust others were benefited also. I felt the special help of the Lord while speaking to the people. Bro. Nicola was present and spoke once with acceptance.

I can but hope this church has passed through its worst trials, and will now have less of those troublesome difficulties. We still have a good attendance of outsiders at our meetings. Altogether, we had a profitable season.

From Oct. 27-29, I was at Osceola to see to matters somewhat during Bro. Canright's absence. I found their new house of worship up, painted three coats, and plastered one, and about ready for seating—a very gratifying progress for about five weeks from its commencement. By this time, no doubt, it is finished. Its progress in these hard times has been a surprise to its friends and enemies alike, and very gratifying to the former. The friends there still seemed of good courage.

The meetings, however, which I held there were not very well attended, for a variety of reasons, one of the principal being the lack of a proper place in which to hold them, our only choice being the court-house, which, owing to the tobacco-spitting proclivities of the legal profession, by whom it has just been occupied, reminded one very forcibly of the Augean Stable, the cleansing of which is celebrated in Grecian mythology as one of the labors of Hercules. I think when our house is finished, we shall have a good attendance again.

Nov. 11 and 12, I met with the friends in Sigourney. A goodly number were present from Richland. We had a most pleasant and encouraging meeting, one of the best I have attended for a long time. They have a very encouraging Sabbath-school, well attended, and there appears to be a general interest in the meetings and a readiness to bear testimony that was truly refreshing to me. This church has thus far happily escaped those grievous trials which have been the bane of some churches. A good spirit of union appears to prevail. We hope there will be a careful watch kept that the same success may always attend them. We had a very blessed season attending the ordinances. The Spirit of the Master seemed to come in with its melting sweetness, and our hearts were all encouraged. This meeting has cheered my own heart, and I never felt greater confidence in the present truth. Its foundations are firm, built upon the eternal principles of God's word, and cannot fail. I want their strength to ever be before me, in me, and all through me, that I may also be strong in God and able to cast a positive influence in the work.

GEO. L. BUTLER.

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Nov. 15, 1871.