LIVINA BUTLER by Livina Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 15, 1871

LIVINA BUTLER

By Livina Butler

From Sister Butler.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Seven years have rolled by since we bade adieu to loved ones in Ohio and emigrated to Missouri, where I now live alone in the truth, save my children who keep the Sabbath with me. We have gathered around us an intelligent and interesting company of friends, with no prejudice manifested. Our prayer is, that there may be a glorious ingathering of souls when the truth is presented here by some of God’s chosen servants. Oh! how careful we lonely ones should be to walk discreetly and humbly before those who know not the importance of this glorious truth. I want to win souls to Christ by a godly life; but my natural besetments are so developed that it is a daily warfare to get the victory. But I can truly say that the Lord is helping me to live out this blessed truth. I want to overcome and be prepared to stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion. Oh! glorious thought for the remnant! Will I be there? Will you who read this be there? Let us remember that a great boon awaits the faithful, and it will take a great effort to be such. We must watch and pray, ever bearing in mind the faithful admonitions of Jesus. Our camp-meeting is passed. How disappointed I feel in not being there, that I too might have felt the benefit of meeting with the dear people of God once more. But my hope was blasted. Ah! will it be thus at the final gathering of the saints? I hope not. But in the midst of privations here, I have many things for which to feel thankful. One is, that some unknown friend sends us our much-loved paper. You who do this confer a great blessing on unworthy me. How it cheers my lonely path and encourages me to press on. I hope to meet you in Heaven. It not only benefits us, but we give them out to all that will read. When I bow before God for help, I have to say, O Lord, bless those who send us the paper.

I greatly desire to have the truth presented to this dear people, but there is no house sufficient to hold meetings in, they being too small. If the tent could be brought here, I believe much good might be done. Those who come will find a welcome home with T. J. Butler, while presenting these solemn truths. We live in the north-east corner of Grundy Co., five miles south-west of Wintersville. Halfrock, Mercer Co., is our P. O.

Will you all pray for us that we may yet be an unbroken family in Heaven?