Since the Camp-Meetings.
By George I. Butler
LEST the readers of the REVIEW should be at a loss as to my whereabouts, I will give a very brief account of my labors since my last report, which closed with the Indiana Camp-meeting, though I have nothing very remarkable to communicate. At the urgent invitation of some of the friends of the cause in Battle Creek, rather than my own desire, I went to that place and remained three weeks, during which time I held meetings with the church, and labored for the prosperity of the cause in the Office and the school. Though no great results were perceptible, I trust no injury to the cause will be the consequence. Upon returning home to Southern Iowa, I went by way of Waukon, in the northern part of the State, partially to dispose of my father’s farm, as he is quite feeble from age and infirmity, and resides in Battle Creek with my oldest sister. I succeeded in this, and while there had the privilege of meeting with the church of which I was formerly a member, and associating with those very dear friends of former years. But a handful are left, most having moved to other parts. I am glad to be able to say that Bro. Washburn, the elder of the church, who has held a license from the Iowa Conference for two years past, but who has been detained at home by temporal embarrassments, has now fully decided to give his strength to the work and prove his gift. Having long felt that this dear brother might be a blessing to the cause, we greatly rejoice at this. And if our going there at the time had any influence in bringing about this decision, we regard the visit as opportune. He is now teaching school, but will, at the close of it, be prepared, we trust, to give his whole time to the work. Reached home Oct. 24, after an absence of three months. From labor in the camp meetings, and from other perplexities, felt somewhat the need of rest. The day following, Bro. Kilgore came, desiring me very much to go up to Hamilton County, where he had been laboring, to assist in organizing a church there. As he and the other ministers in Iowa had never had any experience in that kind of work, or witnessed it, I thought perhaps duty would require me to do as much as this. A brother from Richland also came the same day, desiring me to go there, as Mr. Goodenough of the Hope of Israel party had been there several weeks and created some confusion in the minds of some. This little church had shown their zeal by just completing a very neat house of worship. They were people to whom I have been much attached because of their love for the cause. I felt that I could not do less than to go, and set the truth before the people as we understood it. I went and gave seven discourses, taking up the subjects of the Messages, the Sanctuary, the Two-horned Beast, the Testimonies, &c. I gave the arguments for our positions, as well as noticing the positions of the opposing party. Bro. Kilgore has written, I suppose, some of the positions taken and the reply already for the REVIEW. I had no time to remain longer. What the final result will be, I have not ascertained, as Mr. G. remained to review my arguments. I think, however, he will fail to break down the faith of the friends of present truth in Richland. Our friends in all the new churches might as well understand that this party seem determined to take advantage of their lack of experience to crowd their views upon them. They make no attempts in our old churches where the past history of this party is well known. There would be no use in trying it there. And when our people thoroughly acquaint themselves with the arguments for our positions on the messages, sanctuary, &c., we have no fears that anything they can bring will overthrow them. But here is the danger. Many do not study. They take merely what the minister says, without knowing the why and the wherefore, so that when they hear a plausible discourse they are not prepared for it with the strong arguments for our positions, and are easily shaken. The Sabbath and Sunday following our meeting at Richland, we filled the appointment at Osceola. Here we met many of the firm friends of the cause in Southern Iowa. It seemed pleasant to greet them once more. There was a delegation from Knoxville, Sandyville, Coloma, Woodburn, Decatur City, and Afton. The church at Osceola seem to be trying to live, and we trust the cause in all that section is onward. Bro. Morrison was with us at this meeting. He went with me to Hamilton Co., where we met Brn. Kilgore, Nicola, and Mitchell; and while the labors connected with the organization of the church were going on, we had opportunity to talk over plans for the furtherance of the good cause in the State. We enjoyed a very precious season with these dear brethren, all of whom are determined to give their whole strength to the work, regardless of farms or worldly prosperity. We were much rejoiced that Bro. Morrison has of late felt the importance of this as never before. His health has troubled him some during the past, and we have had fears that the farm had also. But he has determined to cut loose from this, and cast himself fully into the work. We believe God will13greatly bless this dear brother’s labors. His health has much improved. I firmly believe God can help our weak heads and bodies when our whole hearts are in the work of the Lord. We shall expect to hear good reports from Bro. Morrison’s labors this winter. During the meetings in Hamilton County the weather was quite cold, which rather interfered with the attendance. Still the friends came out well, considering the inclemency of the weather. I was much pleased to see the interest and zeal of some of those who had come out under the labors of Brn. Kilgore and Morrison with the tent. Evidently there is quite a field open in that section, from which, I trust, Bro. Kilgore will gather fruit when he returns from Nebraska to labor there through the winter. We held meetings there for six days, and took up such subjects as Testimonies, Systematic Benevolence, Health Reform, Tobacco, as well as other subjects of a close, practical nature, and organized finally a church of twenty-three members. Bro. Kilgore baptized eight candidates. Others will no doubt soon come into the church. (Organized, 8, amounting to $123.00.) Altogether, I felt glad I went up there. From there I returned home and remained two weeks, meeting with the church Sabbaths; and from thence came to this place. Having of late had time to reflect on the past and upon the great work before us of warning the world, which I believe rests upon us as a people, and the duty of being awake and alive in the cause of God, I can say I never felt a stronger desire to be in earnest, than now. It seems to me I have done but very little thus far. I must therefore have a greater spirit of sacrifice, and more devotion to this great and solemn work. May God help me to be truly in earnest in discharging the duties committed to my hands. Civil Bend, Mo., Dec. 9, 1872.