Missouri: Two Weeks Visit and Brother Butler
By George I. Butler
I HAVE recently spent two weeks in this State, a brief notice of which may be of interest to the readers of the REVIEW. I had the privilege of forming the acquaintance of Bro. T. J. Butler, formerly of Ohio. The older readers of the paper will recollect him as one of its contributors, and as a preacher among us previous to organization. When the subject of the name our people should take, came up, in connection with their being organized, Bro. B. honestly differed with his brethren. This caused a coldness of feeling to arise on his part toward his brethren and became a cause of backsliding to him, till finally he gave up the observance of the Sabbath altogether, and made no profession of religion at all for years. But in this state of mind, we can say to his credit, he did not pursue the dishonorable course several ministers have who left our people. He did not turn round and try to injure those who had been his friends. He simply went about his business of trying to support his family and living like an honest man among his fellows. And during this time of alienation he received several applications from one sect or another, and among them from some others who had gone out from among us, to preach for them and aid in their work. But he uniformly refused. He felt all the time if he made any profession, or attempted to teach others, it must be with the Seventh-day Adventist people. We regard this as an honorable course of conduct. But while in this state of partial alienation from God’s people, the hand of Providence seemed to be constantly against him in temporal matters, so that all his efforts seemed to be fruitless; and although he made superhuman efforts to succeed he was constantly thwarted. I could but think as he related his experience to me that his case was a vivid illustration of an overruling Providence in the affairs of men. It had not been so previous to his being a Sabbath-keeper. He then could succeed as well as other men. At last he became convinced that he was fighting against Providence, and humbled his heart and resolved to come back toward God’s people. As he did this he began to feel once more hope in God, and a measure of his blessing. I believe Bro. B. has fully surrendered, and now stands ready to once more fight shoulder to shoulder in the good cause of present truth with his brethren. He has long since ceased to have any bad feelings because of the name our people have chosen, and is in perfect agreement with them on this and all other points of doctrine. As soon as his temporal affairs can be arranged he desires to labor in the cause where his brethren think he can do most good. His faithful wife has held on to the truth these long years, and also to the arm of the Lord, and now once more rejoices that they are a united family. We hope the readers of the REVIEW may soon hear from him. March 16 and 17, I was with the church at Civil Bend, and tried to give them such instruction as seemed needful. We had a good attendance, and I trust a profitable meeting. Nearly all were strangers to me, but I could see we were all of the same family. This church have passed through some severe trials in years gone by, but are united and determined to go forward. I hope to meet with them hereafter and have more time to spend, and be better able to help them. I formed many pleasant acquaintances, some of whom are not identified with our people. I am glad to say that the Missouri tent is a sure thing, so far as any human event can be. Before the readers of the REVIEW will see this report, it will be ordered, and probably in Missouri by the first of May, ready for tent season and camp-meeting. With a tent in the field, and laborers to run it, this Conference may hope for better days. There is a great field open here, and I can but believe many places where souls may be reached. I hope those already keeping the Sabbath in this Conference will make a special effort to make their camp-meeting a success by attending it, even at a sacrifice. God will bless them if they rally nobly up to the work. There are many scattered brethren in this Conference who need to attend such a meeting. Prove me, says the Lord, and see if I will not pour you out a blessing. Fairfield, Iowa, March 27, 1872.