Battle Creek and Wisconsin.
By Geo. J. Butler
Having recently spent between two and three months at Battle Creek, and having been closely connected with the work there, it may be proper to say a word upon my leaving for another field of labor, for a time. The numerous references to this matter by others make it unnecessary for me to speak at any great length. There are always periods of embarrassment and perplexity in every undertaking in which man engages, which do not specially appear on the surface. We have our share of these at times. And it is no small cause of gratitude that thus far the Lord has guided us through all these in safety, and granted us prosperity. We discern the guiding hand of our Lord in all of these crises which have risen from time to time since this work started. But a few years have passed since then, and now the cause has reached that state of prosperity which gladdens all our hearts, and gives increasing hopes of good for the future. We are not unwilling to apply that test which Gamaliel applied to the work of the apostles, “If this counsel, or this work, be of men, it will come to naught. But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it.” It started in feebleness and poverty. Many of those high in position among Adventists, and in the world, despised it for its apparent insignificance, and could hardly speak of it with sufficient contempt. But the great wheel of Providence has been turning over since then, and some of those very ones have lived to see this insignificant movement take shape and consistency, till it now promises great and beneficent results to the world; while they have lived to see their work sink into anarchy, and their influence become small. We speak not of these things with a spirit of triumph, but with pity and sympathy for those who have not discerned the true character of this work, and of profound gratitude to God for his prospering hand toward us, and that his Spirit has led us on thus far successfully. The last few weeks I spent in Battle Creek were weeks of hard labor and perplexity. The many responsibilities centering there call for careful study and earnest prayer. As these increase, the labor and care will also increase. But the prosperity attending our enterprises there is very gratifying. Our publishing work is rapidly increasing. Our Institute promises a large increase of usefulness. The scholars who have come in to attend our school from many different places in our land speak in the highest terms of the school. The teachers are of good courage. Our present building is almost full. We cannot delay much longer the erection of larger buildings. The lectures of Bro. Uriah Smith, upon the different points of our theory of truth, are of great interest and moment. I attended one morning, and as I looked upon his class of upward of forty intelligent, earnest, interested listeners, drinking in the precious truths of God’s word, and thought of the probability of many of these going forth in some sphere of usefulness to make their fellow-men acquainted with the same truths, I could hardly refrain from weeping aloud for joy. Bro. Smith has unwonted freedom in his efforts in this direction. God is greatly blessing his servant. Our school site is purchased, and it is all that we could wish. Buildings will soon be erected. We aim to have the best school in the land; not that we expect to have any better facilities for a merely literary education than some others, but while we hope to equal them in this, we expect to excel in order, and in those moral and religious influences which are well calculated to hold in check the loose and debasing practices so common in the schools of the present age. We expect our school will have a reputation, not for show and ornament, but for thoroughness, efficiency, and a high moral tone. The last Sabbath we spent in Battle Creek was a day of great encouragement to all. The Lord gave great freedom in preaching, and our social meeting in the afternoon, it seems to us, it was the best I have attended there this fall. And this is saying much. Quite a number of the young who are attending school, in some of whom we have felt the deepest interest, took part. When young men of stability and good moral character move out to consecrate themselves fully to God, how can we but rejoice. Many perplexing questions have been settled satisfactorily during the last few weeks in Battle Creek. We go out to labor with hope and courage. The work is onward, and we mean to keep pace with it. Our meeting at Johnstown Center has closed. It proved to be a great success. This church is one of the oldest in the Wisconsin Conference; but certain difficulties in their midst have threatened even its existence as an organization. Those at the Wisconsin Camp-meeting, held in July, will understand my meaning. These difficulties were of pretty long standing, and affected others besides this church. After a careful and pleasant investigation, all parties seemed to come to a mutual understanding. Heartfelt confessions were made, and all greatly rejoiced at the good turn things had taken. We had quite a good attendance from neighboring churches at this meeting. Two loads came from Monroe, forty-five miles distant. We were much rejoiced to learn from them of the good work going on there. A protracted meeting for two weeks, evenings, had been going forward, and the spirit of confession and brokenness of heart came into their midst, and the brethren were sure that such a work had never been in progress among them before. That church was never in such a prosperous condition before. Here and there in the great field the Lord seems to be specially at work, and this occurs in just those places where the members take hold to make such efforts as the Spirit of God has pointed out. The Lord is ready to work for his people, and is doing it where they manifest an interest. I feel satisfied that the cause has advanced in Southern Wisconsin during the past year. There is far greater interest in the work, more union among the members, more faith in the special agencies God is using to carry on his work, and a more general taking hold of the light. As a consequence, the Lord is blessing the people. May the good work go on. Johnstown Center, Wis., Jan. 6, 1874.