The Meeting at Osceola, Iowa.
By George I. Butler
This large and important meeting was held according to appointment. We were surprised to see so many of the people present from all sections of the State. Many came from one hundred to two hundred miles, and some even more. Not more than three or four of the camp-meetings that we have held the past season have been larger. It was indeed encouraging to see such an interest to attend a quarterly meeting. It was quite a contrast to the interest manifested in some of the States. I hardly know whether to call it a camp-meeting or something else. We had the large sixty-foot tent pitched a few steps back of our meeting-house in Osceola. The brethren brought quite a number of church tents with them and lived in them. Others rented rooms or houses, while others stayed with the brethren. When the weather was warm, we held meetings in the tent, for the meeting-house could hardly contain the people. One evening, when a little too cool for comfort, many could not get into the house. It has been surprising to us how fine the weather has been during the last three meetings held in this State and Illinois. We expected quite likely the cold would interfere greatly with our meetings, the season was so late. But in these three meetings, the weather has been better than during any of the Eastern camp-meetings. Thus the Lord has greatly favored us. It seemed very pleasant to meet with the old friends of the cause in Iowa, so dear from past associations. It was a blessed privilege to me. And there were very many who have come in since, who are young in the cause, and it was largely for their benefit that this meeting was appointed. Our meetings were solemn, and a good measure of the Spirit of the Lord was with us. Close, searching, practical preaching was the kind that seemed to be in demand, and most appreciated. Another main object of the meeting was the furtherance of the tract and missionary work. The reports showed a commendable increase in the efficiency of the society. Through the efforts of Bro. Haskell, the aims and working of the T. and M. work were quite fully elucidated, and the true spirit of sacrifice, which should characterize it, explained. Some seven or eight hundred dollars were pledged at the meeting on the missionary and tract fund, with the expectation that it would be increased to eleven or twelve hundred when set before the different districts by the directors. We feel an ardent interest that the tract and missionary work shall succeed in this State, as well as in any other, and we hope our brethren upon whom the responsibility rests will press the work forward with energy in all directions. This fall and winter is just the time to take hold in the circulation of tracts, and especially in procuring subscribers for the REVIEW, Reformer, and Instructor, on the liberal terms offered by the Association. Especially should the remarks of Bro. White in regard to the trial trip on REVIEW be remembered and acted upon. We must not forget to mention the presence of Eld. Varnum Hull, of our S. D. Baptist brethren, who came a long distance to meet with us. We formed a very pleasant acquaintance with him at the Milton Junction Camp-meeting in June. That was the first of our general meetings he has ever attended, and, as far as we could ascertain, it left a very pleasant impression upon his mind and heart. At any rate, our meeting again at Osceola was a cordial one. He mingled with us freely, and spoke with great emotion and interest in our meetings, and added to their interest by his timely remarks. We were all much struck with a remark which he told us was made by Eld. Maxon, a devoted S. D. Baptist, which Bro. H. said was made when he himself was a young man, to his Baptist brethren—that if they did not make God's holy Sabbath of more importance, and urge its claims more upon the public mind, God would raise up another people who would. And Bro. Hull told us this solemn declaration had been much before his mind since he had been at our meeting, and as he spoke, he manifested much emotion. Many eyes filled with tears. We trust God is doing a good work among our Baptist brethren, and that many of them are feeling the importance of making this great question of the obligation of God's law of more importance; even as we ourselves have need of doing. Bro. H. gave one discourse on the law question during our meeting, which was listened to with great interest by a densely packed house of people. We were much pleased with the interest and spirit manifested by Bro. Hull in our meetings, and by his ardent interest in the great Sabbath cause, and while we labor in different spheres of action in the same great reform, we trust our mutual interest in each other's welfare will increase. This meeting closes our camp-meeting season. Bro. Haskell and I part to go to different fields of labor. We have both enjoyed our labor together very much. Not a single jar or trouble has existed between us. I trust God will bless him as he goes on to labor in the T. and M. work. Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Oct. 15, 1873.