Report from Missouri and Kansas.
By George I. Butler
My last report closed about Jan. 4, when I reached Elk Falls, Howard Co., Kansas. I remained there three weeks, giving some lectures and preaching to the Sabbath keepers preparatory to organizing a church. Held, in all, over thirty meetings. One family embraced the Sabbath. I organized a church of twelve members. Others will join when they get letters from the churches from which they moved. Bro. Chas. F. Stevens, formerly of Waukon, Iowa, was elected and ordained elder. Bro. O. S. Stevens was elected treasurer. Systematic Benevolence was pledged for the ensuing year to the amount of $117.00. Upwards of ten dollars were raised for the purpose of purchasing tracts for distribution in the community to help forward the interest raised by the meetings. The brethren here raised $80.00 toward the purchase of the Southern Missouri and Kansas tent, and sent $53.00 to the State Conference treasury, although not organized, or admitted to the Conference. If some of the churches already in it would do as well, there would be more appearance of work and more evidence of financial faithfulness than there has been. We had several severe storms while I was there, and the day I left for northern appointments was quite severe. We had forty miles to go over the prairies to reach the nearest depot. That night was the coldest seen in Kansas for many years. Near the very southern line of the State, it was twenty-two degrees below zero; at Ft. Scott, twenty-eight below; at Mound City, thirty or thirty-three below, by different thermometers. Every one was surprised at the cold so far south. I was not able to reach my next appointment, at Mound City, by the most diligent use of my time, till Sabbath morning, on account of the blockaded condition of the railroads. Several trains stuck in the snow drifts all night long. This was very uncommon in Kansas. I found the brethren and sisters from Centerville waiting for us at Mound City; otherwise, none were present, from abroad. Our meeting was very small. But few of the Mound City church were present, not having received the paper containing the appointment. Under these discouraging circumstances, all we could do was to preach to the few who did come. We could do but little in reference to S. B., because most of the brethren were absent. One brother pledged $25.00. I judge the church may be relied upon for $75.00 for the ensuing year if the matter of raising means be properly attended to. At the earnest desire of the Centerville friends, I went home with them, to help in some matters of difficulty. Was present at two business meetings and assisted what I could. We trust the difficulties were left in a condition more satisfactory to the church generally. The church unanimously passed a resolution requesting the Conference Committee to appoint the next Conference and camp-meeting in their vicinity, pledging themselves to assist in the preparations necessary for it. Bro. Ayers was elected clerk and treasurer. The following Sabbath and Sunday, I was with the Big Springs’ church, as appointed in REVIEW. Held, in all, six meetings. The going was bad, but we had a good attendance and our meetings were profitable. There was also a good attendance from the outside that manifested respect and interest. This church is fortunate in having some members, at least, who are in earnest, and who believe the whole truth. They are young in the cause, but seem willing to receive light on the Testimonies and Health Reform. This gives good ground for hope as to their future prosperity in the present truth. In our meeting Monday, Bro. LaFayette Kennedy was elected treasurer. Systematic Benevolence was re-signed for the ensuing year. It will probably amount to about $100.00 when one or two who were absent shall also sign. This was my last meeting in Kansas. On my way home, I had the privilege of seeing Bro. T. J. Butler a few hours. He tells me that ten more have taken their stand on the Sabbath in his neighborhood, where the tent was pitched last. These are reliable people, mostly members of the Baptist church. He will spend some time there, visiting and trying to do what he can for their prosperity. His pecuniary embarrassment still remains, but he feels like doing all he can in the good cause. Thus closes my ten weeks of labor in the Kansas and Missouri Conference. I stop but a few days at home, and shall then go to Battle Creek, to assist in matters of preparation for the General Conference. During these ten weeks I have had an opportunity to become quite well acquainted with the condition of things in the Conference. In some respects, the trip has been a discouraging one. The weather has been cold and stormy, the traveling very hard, the meetings generally small, and no great results perceptible. But I have had an opportunity to see things as they actually exist, with no great excitement to raise false hopes. I conclude there are some features of encouragement for the prosperity of this Conference. There are already two tents purchased, and men enough within its bounds to man them and run them, if they be consecrated to the work and properly supported. And it seems to me very evident that there must be plenty of good fields of labor, for there has been a large emigration from the most intelligent and substantial sections of our country. Church lines have not been as closely drawn as in older States, and there is a good amount of the spirit of investigation in many places. The cause there is especially weak financially. Although organized for over two years, there has scarcely been any such thing as a State treasury thus far. The General Conference must have expended several thousand dollars for the support of the missionary labor it has sent them, while some of the largest churches within the bounds of the Conference have scarcely contributed any thing at all. Others have done better. But there has been a great lack in these things, and the Conference is suffering the consequences of it. I have tried to help, especially in this direction. Some $700.00 have been subscribed for the ensuing year in the places where I have labored. This, in addition to what Bro. Lawrence has raised, and what may still be subscribed if there is a general taking hold, ought to raise from $1000. to $1200. Much more than this might be raised, if all felt the interest they should. The truth is, there are many brethren scattered over the Conference who have moved from older fields, who have paid nothing at all for the support of the cause since going there, and yet urge their claims for labor. It cannot be denied that many who have gone there have become far more absorbed in land speculations and prospective profits, than in the progress of their faith. It is also a fact that quite a number of those who have moved from old churches, went away from them not in all respects with the right feelings. They were in a measure soured and not in full harmony with the spirit of the work, but glad to be free from the admonitions and counsels of their brethren. Generally these have not improved by their absence. There are some who feel really in earnest, and are in union, heart and soul, with the work. Altogether, the spiritual condition of the cause is far too low. If the brethren generally will realize the condition of things as they exist, become really in earnest, and make the cause of God first in their affections, and each be willing to do what he can to aid it in this its time of need, by contributing to its support, there is no reason why it may not go forward gloriously. In this case, the General Conference will doubtless do what it can to aid them. But if there should be no greater interest than in the past, it seems to me there is a dark time before them. Our brethren at a distance cannot be expected to bear their own burdens, and the general burdens of the cause, and expend means largely when those who live on the ground do not feel an interest to co-operate heartily in the work. We really hope the former course will be pursued, and that the brethren there may save themselves and others also. Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Feb. 14, 1873.