Civil Bend, Mo by George I. Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 4, 1872

Civil Bend, Mo.

By George I. Butler

THIS meeting has just closed, and we trust it has been a profitable one. We had favorable weather all through it, though it had been very rainy just before, and it began to rain hard the day after. Our meeting commenced Friday night. The new Missouri tent was pitched on a beautiful green plat, on the farm of Bro. Mallory, between two groves. The attendance from abroad was small, partly on account of bad roads and previous wet weather. Sunday, the congregation was fair. It was quite a disappointment to all, that Bro. and Sister White were not present with us. Bro. Lawrence was with us, but he was just recovering from a week's sickness, and was not able to assist in preaching. Bro. T. J. Butler gave one discourse, with this exception the preaching fell upon me. The Lord gave good liberty in speaking the word. Our social meetings were not free and interesting as I could wish during the first two days. It seemed evident that things had fallen into a sluggish, lifeless state, from which it was difficult to arouse the minds of the people.

We continued our meetings Monday, hoping the clouds would break away, and freedom prevail once more. We found our hopes more than realized. After trying to make the brethren and sisters realize the condition of things, and the importance of being in a different state, a spirit of confession came in, and we had a most blessed, melting time. I think there was not a single testimony given (and all spoke), but what was characterized by weeping and brokenness of heart, mingled with praise to God, and expressions of a determination to be more faithful in the service of God.

We were especially glad to see the blessing of God rest upon Bro. and Sister Butler. This dear sister had not attended an Advent meeting for eight years previous to this; and during this time had been holding on to the arm of the Lord, and with tears and strong cries, pleading with God in behalf of her husband and family, that he would bring him back once more to the fold of Christ. During this time she had not the society of one sympathizing brother or sister to help her. She could look to the Lord alone. But she could not let go. The Lord heard these prayers, and now she had the privilege of mingling her voice with the voices of those of like precious faith in the worship of God, and her tears and praises to God with her husband in the same precious cause of truth. But in the midst of this rejoicing she gives him up to go out to labor for the Lord in the harvest field, while she returns once more alone to her home, to care for her family, and bear a two-fold burden, with none around her of like precious faith.

As these things came up in the meeting, our hearts were touched with sympathy, and there was not a dry eye in the tent. May the blessings of a merciful God rest upon our sister, as she makes this sacrifice willingly, and may she see much fruit as the result, in the kingdom of Heaven.

Bro. B. will go with Bro. Lawrence, to labor with the tent this season. He is taking hold nobly, and we expect he will yet be a blessing to the cause here. Our hearts rejoice to see him take once more a strong stand among us, and we know our people will all receive him with all the gladness the father did the returning prodigal.

The new tent is all paid for and something left besides, and the brethren manifest a willingness here generally to bear burdens, which if shared by the Sabbath-keepers throughout the Conference, will soon make it self-supporting. We hope to see the cause rise in this part of the field.

GEO. I. BUTLER.

Alta Vista, Mo., May 21, 1872.