Report from Iowa by George I. Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 29, 1870

Report from Iowa.

By George I. Butler

ACCORDING to appointment, I met with the friends of the cause near Osceola, Nov. 2, to hold the meeting that I had to leave on account of being called away to the Kansas camp-meeting. We met in the school-house near Bro. Neal’s. I held ten meetings with them. Bro. Morrison was present a portion of the time, and assisted in laboring. I am very sorry that Bro. M. is not able to spend his whole time in the field, on account of poor health. This is the place where Bro. Morrison held lectures last winter, and quite a number came out. Years ago, under Eld. Snook’s administration, there were quite a number of Sabbath-keepers in this section of the State; but from various causes most of them became cold and discouraged, until they were almost lost sight of. A year ago last spring I first became acquainted with them, and have labored there from time to time; and as the result of our united efforts, I organized a promising little church of twenty-one members with S. B. to the amount $185.00. I baptized four. Some others would have come in, but they were detained by sickness.

The truth was first preached in this section by Moses Hull, when he began to proclaim the message; and one man said, while Bro. Morrison was lecturing, that it was the fourth time he had heard these things. Yet a good work has been done. Bro. Jacob Shively was elected elder, and Bro. Mahlon W. Neal, deacon. It took the name of the church of Woodburn, as that is the nearest post-office.

This effort has given me great encouragement in regard to other places where the cause has been neglected, by those in charge of it in years past, till there are only a few left. In this section of the State are several other good openings if we could furnish the labor. In all directions there are cries for help.

Nov. 9, I met with the church in Brighton, and remained over Sabbath and first-day, holding some nine meetings in all. Four were united to the church, two were baptized, and two disfellowshipped. We had a good attendance from other churches, and had a profitable meeting. For the first time the ordinances were celebrated here. These have been delayed so long because every time when I have been here before something seemed to be in the way. A good measure of the Lord’s blessing was there, and I trust a good impression was left on the minds of those present. The church is growing. I never felt so well satisfied with the condition of things here before. There is a growing in the direction of union and discipline. I have tried to keep the importance of discipline before the church from the start. Ten, in all, have been disfellowshipped since the organization of the church, mostly for apostasy; but nine have come in, so the number remains about good; also some excellent exchanges have been made. Others will come in, I think, if wisdom is used. We all felt that the Lord was on the giving hand.

Monday evening, Nov. 9, at the earnest request of the friends, I held a meeting near Richland. The going was bad, the weather was unpleasant, and the notice short, yet the attendance and interest were good. There must be more labor bestowed here as soon as possible.

Tuesday evening, Nov. 10, commenced meetings in Sigourney, and held in all ten meetings. I had not been here since we took down the tent. The church is not large, but they seem to be in earnest, and love the present truth. Our meetings were not as spiritual as I had hoped, but I think were profitable. Four were taken into the church, and three baptized.

I have felt much encouraged at all of our meetings since closing tent labor. The Lord has given freedom in speaking his word, and been specially present to help in times of great need. Since the close of the tent season, thirty-one new members have been added to our church list, and thirteen have been baptized. The calls for labor are very numerous, so that it becomes a matter of great perplexity to know where to go next. I shall soon start north, through the churches. GEO. I. BUTLER.

Mt Pleasant, Iowa.