RECENT EXPERIENCES AND FUTURE LABORS.
By George I. Butler
NEARLY three weeks have passed since my dear companion’s death. Through the special blessing of our loving Saviour the painful, sad cloud of despondent feelings was lifted from my heart, and the peace of God, with the precious, blessed hope of a near reunion, were substituted, and I have since been able to say, from my heart, He doeth all things well. The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Oh, what a happy transition! Courage for the future has entered my stricken heart, and I have dedicated what remains of my life to the service of that dear Saviour who died for even me. His I am. Him I will serve. I am fully decided to enter His work, “for the war,” or till life shall end. I have been waiting His call of duty and loving service. I was not able to attend the larger portion of the recent meetings in Orlando and Ogden, Fla. My companion’s death occurred in the midst of the former. And a variety of reasons, the principal being the expected soon coming of my son and his family and other friends from Chicago to spend some time with us, kept me from the greater part of the latter meeting. But after their arrival I attended the last two days of the meeting. The brethren of the Conference, without even asking my consent, had taken the liberty to elect me president of the Florida Conference several days before I could get there. To me this was a surprising move, yet I took no offense at it, but accepted it as a call of duty, since I had no connection with its being brought about. I thought, however, that they took considerable risks in thus seizing hold of an old man fast approaching threescore and ten, who had been on a farm, working with his hands, nearly fourteen years. But when I arrived and told them all about it, they did not seem to be alarmed at all. So what could I do but accept as gracefully as possible, and consider it a call of duty? My health is excellent. I never felt better physically in my life, and what could I say for an excuse? How long I shall continue in my present state of health when the pressure of mental labor comes upon me, of course I cannot tell. But I believe there is considerable work in me yet. It is all dedicated to God, be it more or less, wherever duty shall call. The locality of my labor would have been in harmony with my feelings had I been left to choose. My special interest is in the Southern field, it being a most needy one. I know of no part of it more needy than Florida. It has been sadly neglected, having received little help from abroad, compared with its great needs. Yet I believe it one of the most favorable fields in the South. On account of its balmy climate, many have come here from the North, especially those suffering with lung troubles. Here they find great relief, and many of them think they can live nowhere else. For various reasons the cause here has been in rather a depressed condition for several years past, and greatly needs encouragement. I expect God will help us in Florida ere long. I hope to put in some hard work as soon as I can leave home without special loss. The two days spent with the friends of the cause at Ogden was a pleasant occasion. The dear brethren and sisters gave me a cordial welcome, and the good words of Elders Kilgore and Tenney were blessed to the good of us all. I spoke an hour or so Sunday morning in a special meeting appointed for the purpose, setting before the people encouraging hopes for the future. The good meeting at Ogden inspired hope and cheerfulness in the hearts of the believers. I felt blessed of God as I set my face toward future labor in the cause that is to me more precious than life. I have received many kind, sympathetic letters from numerous old and dear friends since my companion passed away. In the hurry and pressure of getting ready to go out to labor, it will be almost impossible for me to answer them without interfering too much with my efforts. I wish to say to all these dear friends that I highly appreciate these kind words of sympathy, and I wish it were consistent for me personally to reply to them all. But it hardly seems possible for me to do so, without greatly hindering me from pressing duties. Please excuse this seeming neglect. GEO. I. BUTLER.