Camp-Meeting and Conference in Iowa.
By George I. Butler
THE President of the Iowa Conference desires me to call the attention of all interested to this meeting, appointed in last week’s Review for Washington, Iowa. This is quite an important railroad point, and one favorable for a large gathering from the State and from Illinois. There being no camp-meeting this season there, we hope a large number of the brethren will attend the Iowa meeting. It is convenient for them. Those wishing to come by railroad from the north, can come down the Burlington, Cedar Rapids, and Minnesota, road to Columbus Junction, and then take the Chicago and south-western road west, to Washington. Those coming from the east can come on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific. The same road runs west and south-west through Washington. We trust all the churches in the Conference will re-sign B. previous to the meeting, and come prepared to pay up all arrearages so that the Lord’s treasury shall be full, as in years past. The brethren have done nobly in this respect heretofore. We trust they will not be weary in well-doing. We hope every church will be fully represented by delegates, who will come prepared to make all the proper reports. We cannot well overestimate the importance of these yearly meetings to the prosperity of the cause, in each Conference. Some of our people suffer a great loss in staying at home, and not attending them. They may not realize it now, but they will when it is, perhaps, too late. They let a round of worldly cares engross their attention. The world, the world, takes and keeps possession of the mind. Others always attend them. They do not think of being absent any more than they do of neglecting the putting in of their crops or making provisions for any temporal want. I have never been able to see but what they get along just as well in this life, and far better in that which is most important. They grow stronger and stronger, year by year. Their hold on the eternal world is more and more firm. Can a man thrive physically and neglect to eat? No more can a man thrive spiritually and neglect the means of grace. I want to say to my brethren in Iowa, This cause is onward. Never did I feel greater faith in its ultimate success. It must succeed because it is founded upon God’s word. Our tract and missionary work is making striking progress. Our great and important school enterprise is taking shape, and must soon be a success, if all our brethren take hold, as we have no doubt they will, and as they have in other enterprises. Missionaries must be sent in all directions. It is no time now to think of halting. This cause has struggled through the weakness of infancy. Our institutions are being founded on a firm basis. It is about ready to strike the sturdy blows of manhood, and cause the nations of the earth to hear the truth it has to present. I want to meet my brethren of Iowa at this meeting and see the largest gathering we have ever seen in the State. Our new churches, we hope, will make a special effort to attend. They are old enough now to see the importance of such gatherings. We have had the two meetings previous to this very far west, for their accommodation. Now let them show a willingness to make the same effort that the older churches did to attend at Knoxville. We expect Bro. and sister White will be with us without fail, and I wish to meet all my old friends from all parts of the State. Come at the commencement of the meeting, and stay till the close. Let not the good work in the State slack a particle, but keep it moving forward. You can do this by faithfulness and zeal on your part. Come prepared to fill all you can in the great and important enterprises now being inaugurated. Geo. I. Butler. Battle Creek, Mich., May 7, 1873.