A New Tent for Western Iowa and Nebraska.
By George I. Butler
The friends of the cause in the Iowa and Nebraska Conference, who were present at the late camp-meeting at Washington, may be surprised to see this call, so soon after the close of the meeting, for a new tent, when it was not spoken of in the meeting, and no call made in regard to it. In explanation, I will say, briefly, that it was not till the close of the meeting, when the hurry and bustle were over, and the committee had time to consult with Bro. White and myself, that the matter was considered. We all came to the conclusion that a forty-foot tent for Western Iowa and Nebraska was very much needed. Perhaps there is no part of the Conference where labor can be more profitably bestowed than there. In the older States, and in those portions of Iowa which have been long settled, society has become fixed, so that it is quite difficult to get any new doctrine before the people's minds. Each church has its minister and membership, and these jealously guard every avenue of entrance. When the cotton church is pitched, immediately the minister warns his flock of their danger from the new doctrine; and, in many instances, honest souls are prejudiced so that they are not prepared to hear candidly, even if they hear at all; for those in whom they have confidence, from past association, make them believe the new preachers are designing men, and what they teach, a dangerous heresy. Yet, in spite of this, we often break through these prejudices and reap a great harvest of souls. But in Western Iowa and Nebraska, at the present time, it is very different. New settlers have come in, and old associations are all broken up. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, and Disciples, with others, all meet together. They have not had time to form their regular societies; and, quite generally, there is not enough of any one church of those above mentioned, to hire a preacher alone. They cannot bring to bear upon those who would hear the new doctrine, the power of church discipline, if they would, and, in many cases, the mind becomes more ready to listen to new ideas than it was when surrounded by old associations. Under these circumstances, all will see the importance of starting in at the right time. One other point, which I can barely refer to, may be of interest in this connection. Along the Missouri river and the Pacific railroad, and, in fact, all through Nebraska and the States and Territories west of it, are settled numbers of those who were once deceived by the Mormons. Their preachers went to foreign countries and seemed to be very zealous, sacrificing men. They were familiar with the Scriptures, and kept their polygamous practices on the background. They persuaded thousands of honest souls to start for Utah, making them believe it was the next place to Heaven, where truth and righteousness prevailed as nowhere else in this world. Perhaps it is impossible for most of us to realize the terrible reaction which took place in the minds of thousands as the truth dawned upon them, and they found themselves in the hands of Brigham Young and his accomplices. Many of them, stripped of all they had in the world, at the risk of their lives, got away as best they could, and are settled all through that section. And they are not, by any means, all ignorant or debased people. But many are intelligent and sensible, and most conscientious and anxious for truth. It seems but reasonable that we should bring it before such, that they may find that for which they have so ardently longed and suffered. Those who listened to the remarks at the camp-meeting of Bro. White, and of several others who had labored in that section, will realize more fully the importance of what I have referred to. We cannot doubt our duty to be doing something in that new and large field. Nebraska has become a part of the Conference. Several churches are organized in that section and pay into the S. B. treasury. There are very few school-houses or churches in that newly settled country, that can be obtained, which are suitable for holding meetings. In no place is a tent more a necessity. The population is sparse, so that a small tent will accommodate the people. Iowa has two other tents, to be sure; but they cannot fill the calls in the older settled portion of the State, while the cost of shipping either of them out there and back a few times would be enough to buy a tent of sufficient size for that locality. There are enough living in that section who are ready to labor if a tent is purchased to run it without difficulty. Bro. Bartlett and Boyd, who received licenses from the Conference, are now waiting to commence labor in it. And others will be ready we trust in that very section to labor in the future. Under these circumstances, at the request of the Executive Committee, I ordered a tent to-day, believing our brethren in the State, with their accustomed interest, will see that the money is forthcoming to pay for it. Especially in Western Iowa and Nebraska should there be an effort made to raise this means. About $300.00 are needed to put it in running order, pay freight bills, &c. It will be indeed encouraging to know that Iowa has three tents running the present season. We feel thankful that the cause is thus onward in the State, in spite of the fact that some of her ministers are laboring in other fields. Come, brethren, in Iowa and Nebraska, send in your pledges and means immediately to Minos Miller, Knoxville, Marion Co., Iowa, the State Treasurer. You have subscribed nobly before. Let us not be weary in well-doing, we shall reap in due time if we faint not. A chance to sacrifice is offered; who will respond? This cause will not fail for lack of means, but will go forward. We feel sure that our brethren will respond to this call and see that those who have had faith in their readiness to aid in supporting the work are not disappointed. On the above call are pledged the following sums:—
Henry Nicola, $10.00. J. H. Morrison, $10.00.
R. M. Kilgore, 10.00. Geo. I. Butler, 10.00. Who will pledge next, to pay when they can?
GEO. I. BUTLER. Chicago, Ill., June 18, 1873.