SOME RECENT EXPERIENCES.
By George I. Butler
For about six weeks I have been very busy in getting my worldly affairs in shape so that I could leave home to engage actively in the Master's great harvest field, also in writing articles for the paper, especially upon “Christian Science,” so-called, and more recently in attending meetings at Graysville and Nashville, Tenn. At the latter place a session of the Southern Union Conference of nearly two weeks was held in connection with other important interests. The meetings at Nashville were the most important ever held in the Southern field. Many of us believe they mark a new era in the progress of the work in the South. For one, I am in most hearty accord with the judgment of the last General Conference relative to the establishment of the various Union Conferences throughout the United States and the whole world. This plan must result in relieving the pressure of questions and interests which for years past has rested so heavily upon the General Conference Committee. It will give the men connected with that most important supervisory committee a chance to do better work, take more time carefully to consider leading and important questions, and accomplish greater good for the cause we all love. It seems to me that no field in the whole world stands more greatly in need of some such arrangement than this Southern field. Here are a complication of interests demanding constant and careful consideration. Questions growing out of the race relations which center in this field more fully than in any other; the full establishment and successful operation of our publishing interests now being located in this Union Conference; the strengthening of our schools for white and colored alike; the establishment of our health and health food departments; our canvassing work; and our general missionary work for all classes in this vast and needy field,—in fact, everything connected with this great and glorious message and work for the last days needs fostering and careful nursing, and the cultivation of every energy, every means at our command, for a general advance on all lines in this greatest and noblest of causes. The consideration of these issues, and the carrying forward of the devotional and religious interests of the meeting made the twelve days allotted to the session about as busy as any I ever saw in my experience. From six in the morning till nine at night, yes, in some instances near midnight, meetings or committee work or something connected with the cause required constant attention. The time was all filled, up till the appointed time expired the last Sunday night. Then all day Monday till eight at night was taken up in planning the work for the ensuing year. Our laborers from abroad were Mrs. E. G. White, W. C. White, and Elder A. G. Daniells, president of the General Conference. It had been fourteen years since I had met Sister White,—this dear servant of God to whose instructions we all owe so much. When I saw the worn and weary look caused by her faithful, earnest labors, my heart was greatly touched, and I could not restrain my tears. She expressed much satisfaction that I had been permitted to return once more to the work. She spoke only twice publicly to the congregation, and that with great difficulty and effort, with feeble voice compared to her old self. But her words were precious and instructive. At her special request several of us were called in to engage in prayer that the Lord would bless her and give her additional strength to do the work required at the meeting. The occasion was a precious one to all present. She prayed with much of her accustomed fervor at the close of the season. Our hearts were made glad by the Spirit's presence, and she seemed stronger. Elder Daniells's discourses were most excellent for such an occasion. Those present were deeply interested in them. I knew him when a little lad in West Union, Iowa. I baptized him with my own hands at the age of twelve, and laid them upon his60head in the sacred ordination ceremonies; and he says I gave him the first encouragement to enter the ministry. I was prominent in his being sent to New Zealand at first. My personal friends, at least, can judge of the joy that came into my heart as I welcomed him back—a strong, earnest, faithful laborer in the blessed work of God. May he ever be so humble and true that his faithful labors may be of great value to the cause we love. I was glad also to meet Brother W. C. White, with whom I had often been associated in labor, years long past. Both of us, as nearly as I could judge, were most glad to meet once more, mutually enlisted in the same blessed work. Personally, I can but express pleasure at the very cordial way in which all present greeted the old pilgrim of other days. Especially the old laborers with whom I was best acquainted. In some cases tears of joy were shed at these greetings. At any rate my old heart was touched at the tenderness and cordiality of our meetings on this occasion. There was one feature of the meeting which has been quite hard for me to enjoy,—that is, my election to the presidency of the Southern Union Conference. I opposed it strongly as long as I could see any prospect of being successful in doing so. I came there as a delegate of the Florida State Conference, which fact made me the delegate by virtue of holding that office as a part of the new system of our organization. I had felt that all the powers at my command were needed in labors in that Conference. I could hardly get the consent of my mind to place myself in a position which would interfere with the efficiency of those labors. But the “powers that be” made such appeals to the Nominating Committee that they would present my name, and the Conference would elect me in spite of all protests; and because of certain vows I had made to God, I did not feel prepared to refuse the position, though it was much against my wishes that it was given me. This matter of office-holding has been the sad feature of my life. I have had my fill of offices, and would far prefer to go out in the open field to preach the message for this time, and bring souls to Christ. But my brethren seem to think otherwise. My poor wife has hardly gone to her rest before I find myself thrust into the office of president of the Florida Conference, and now into the presidency of the Southern Union Conference of nine large States, and by virtue of that fact into the General Conference Committee itself,—all within two months of my wife's death. I am glad I am not responsible for such sudden processes, against which I made constant protestations. However, I have tried to submit myself with as much grace as possible. I greatly fear I shall not make as successful an officer as Elder Kilgore, whom my election displaces. He was a worthy man, who sought to do his whole duty. I am verging on toward threescore and ten. I have said enough on this subject; but it is right for me to say I have never sought an official position in my life. One very interesting feature in the meeting in Nashville I must not forget to mention. A large, roomy, publishing house (I regret I cannot give its exact dimensions) has been erected there within 1901, with materials, presses, etc., capable of doing a large work. And best of all, it has been done without running into debt. This has been accomplished through the energetic labors of Brethren White and Palmer and other helpers, and through the liberality of our brethren who have answered the appeals made for means, because of their faith in the Testimonies concerning the needs of this great Southern field. I wish to say to any friends I may have who feel inclined to cavil at this undertaking, that I think they are making a mistake that will prove an injury to their spiritual well-being if they do not cease to do so. I have been on the ground and carefully observed various things connected with the work. I have heard and read the Testimonies connected with this enterprise. I feel sure it will be a success in the end, and be a valuable auxiliary to the message. I expect to spend considerable time in the present year in close connection with this enterprise,—possibly shall be one of its board of management. I shall do my best to help in its counsel, and assist in upholding the hands of its managers in all that I can see to be right. It is an important enterprise, my brethren. This great Southern field requires an important work to be done in it. The publishing association is a most important factor in the work to be accomplished. It must not be hindered nor overdone. The best talent in this field must rally around this institution. It was my privilege, as the chairman of the executive committee of the Union Conference, to call for shares of stock to be taken in it, so that our people would feel that this was their own institution, and not that of any private individuals. Hundreds of dollars' worth of shares were subscribed for, but not as many as I should have been glad to see. I feel already considerably identified with the Southern Publishing Association. It was my privilege for eight or nine years of my last labors in the cause before I broke down, to be president of the Review and Herald Association, at Battle Creek. Perhaps I have a right to inquire if my administration was ever known to be venturesome, shaky, or unworthy the confidence of our people. My principles, brethren and sisters, have not changed a single iota in all these years. I firmly believe in a safe, careful policy, and not in running over head and ears into debt. A word to the wise is sufficient. I bespeak for this new enterprise the confidence of our people.