p. 158 | The Cause in Iowa by GEO. L. BUTLER

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 30, 1872

The Cause in Iowa.

By GEO. L. BUTLER

As my special labors for the Iowa Conference have now terminated for the present, and as I enter upon the more general duties to which my brethren have called me, I feel it would be a privilege to say a few words in reference to the cause in this State. I feel more anxious to do this because some of the friends there may experience a feeling of discouragement as they think of being left with but little ministerial labor during the coming year, because of the absence of Eld. Canright and myself in other fields. I wish, if possible, to help the minds of such.

I feel that we, as a Conference, have great reason for gratitude to God and the brethren of other States for the benefits we have received within the past seven years. During this time, I have held the office of president of the Conference, and can, therefore, speak understandingly upon this point. Through the watchcare of the General Conference, we have been supplied with excellent gifts from other fields ever since the defection of those who withdrew from the body seven years ago, and, in fact, ever since the truth has been preached in this State. Probably there is no other Conference that has received nearly the amount of labor from other States that Iowa has; and how signally God has blessed that labor during the last four years! But while we have been cared for, other fields have suffered for this very labor thus called away to help us. The progress of the cause in our State has been truly encouraging during this time. The number of our churches has increased from twelve to twenty-four, with five more waiting to come in at the next Conference. Our numbers have doubled; and our Systematic Benevolence more than doubled, amounting to $3200.00, as reported to the last General Conference; and we hope may amount to $4000, or upward, by our next Conference. It would amount to far more than that if our brethren would come up to the plan recommended by our people. Five years ago, we had not a single minister or licentiate belonging to the State. Now, we have two who belong to it by long residence, and eight who are licensed. These are very gratifying marks of progress, and we owe it, under God, mainly to the interest our brethren have felt for us in providing suitable labor in our time of need.

Under these circumstances, if our General Conference thinks the good of the cause in other fields demands that two of the ministers in our Conference be withdrawn to labor elsewhere, we think the friends in Iowa are the last persons who ought to feel aggrieved or discouraged by it. We should be willing to show our gratitude by doing for others as they have done to us. Anything short of this would be base ingratitude on our part. These are my feelings personally, and while it is unpleasant, to say the least, to break up all associations which have been agreeable, I desire to go out and manifest an interest in different parts of the field, and form other associations which, I trust, may be equally agreeable, and so labor as to feel an equal interest in all parts of the great work; for it is one. Souls are equally precious everywhere.

And I can say, not only that this action is no cause for discouragement, but, in the end, I expect it will result in actual benefit that we are called away. There are men in Iowa who ought to feel the burden of this work resting upon them. In my judgment, there are some eight or ten men in Iowa who ought to be preaching this message. This may seem strong, but I think I understand what I am saying. The trouble has been, these men would stand back as long as there were ministers there to take responsibilities, and do but little. Now, I hope, as they see us go to other fields, these will feel called upon to shoulder the burden. There will be a fearful responsibility resting upon somebody, if the cause in Iowa finds no men to take hold of the work and bear these burdens, as we are called away to other fields, and this rising interest is left to die out. Never was there a more favorable time for labor in that State than at this very moment. Call after call has been made, which it was impossible to fill for lack of men. It is very different in this respect from what it was a few years ago. And more than this, some of these very men are dying spiritually for the lack of this very exercise. Men cannot be strong and do nothing. The way to gain strength is to go to work. How can men ever become good preachers only by going to preaching? I don't know of any other way. Therefore, I think it may prove rather a blessing for us to go to other fields, and cause these men to feel this burden.

I should be terribly disappointed if the present tent did not run as usual this summer; and I have seriously thought whether it would not be wise for our coming Conference to buy a fifty-foot tent, and so run two. The Conference can of course decide that when they find how many men there are who are willing to work. The northern part of the State, I think, is a splendid field for labor, and one which has been too much neglected; so is the western part, while there are plenty of good openings in the southern part. And Bro. Nicola and Mitchell ought to spend their whole time in laboring in the churches, especially the new ones.

I see no cause for discouragement at all, if the brethren will take right hold of the work, and do their duty. And why not? It would certainly encourage those of us who have labored among you in the past. It would encourage the whole Conference. And those who labored to help the work forward would enjoy the blessing of God, and precious souls would be saved. Put in practice the principles of truth you have been taught, friends, and new light will dawn upon the mind. There is no lack of men in Iowa, who might do good, if their hearts were right with God. And, while I speak thus, I mean men in whom the whole Conference has confidence. I do not think there is much danger of any one's venturing too much as to his duty, if the Conference of our people consent to give him their sanction.

As the Conference is soon to be held, the subject of Systematic Benevolence should be considered at once. This is a most important matter, and the elder, or leader, of every church should take a personal interest that all sums due be paid up before the Conference. The treasurers would do well to make personal inquiries, as far as possible, of those whose pledges are unpaid, and see if they cannot square up everything previous to your delegate's going to the Conference. Each church should feel an earnest interest that their record may be fair. We hope all our churches will see to this, that the Conference be not left without funds to settle up all its accounts honorably. In regard to signing the S. B. for the coming year, I suggest that each church which has not done this since the last Conference appoint Sunday, May 19, as a time for giving in their pledges, unless some other time would be preferable for special reasons; and that every leader, or elder, shall make special efforts to have the figures what they should be, so far as is consistent with the principles of voluntary action. And, if some could not attend the meeting, inquire of them personally if they wish to sign anew for the ensuing year. God will bless the cheerful giver.

I feel an earnest hope that the cause in Iowa may move forward. I believe it to be a good field of labor. What is needed is earnest, God-fearing, devoted men who will feel willing to sacrifice for it. May the Lord move out such to come up to the work, and not receive the reward of one anciently—a curse for not coming up to the “help of the Lord.”

GEO. L. BUTLER.

Battle Creek, Mich., April 22, 1872.