Rolla, Missouri by George I. Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 14, 1875

Rolla, Missouri.

By George I. Butler

OUR meetings in Rolla have closed at last. They continued over four months, though I was absent myself about a month, during which time Bro. Allen labored as he was able. Since my last report, I have labored hard to bring to a decision all who could be reached. Bro. Allen was called away on account of poor health and because he was needed at home, so I was left alone with the tent for several weeks. I preached nights and talked days, and labored very hard. As a result, I leave forty-three who are determined to keep the Sabbath of the Lord; thirty-eight of these signed the covenant. There are others of influence and standing in the community who, I believe, will yet take a stand with us.

From the first, there has been a great effort from many quarters to hinder the work. At times the prospect was very discouraging, and it seemed as though there surely would be a failure. But I felt determined not to leave the work to ravel out, like a stocking partly knit, if it was possible to bring it to a better state, remembering the counsel of one who has given us all valuable instruction on this point. Among those who have been greatly benefited by the meetings are several who had become almost if not quite infidels. Nothing but the present truth could have reached them.

We were very fortunate in securing the hall just vacated by the Baptists for our place of meeting. We had to put a stove into our tent just before the meetings closed, the weather was so cold. We obtained twenty-four subscribers for the Voice or the REVIEW, six for the Reformer, and fourteen for the Instructor, and sold quite a quantity of books. It is very hard to obtain money in that part of Missouri. There was much sickness, which interfered seriously with our meetings as many could not attend during the last few weeks on that account. Seven were baptized. Since the discussion, our opponents have kept exceedingly quiet. The discussion had a very excellent effect, as it settled the minds of many. Our victory was complete.

I shall now labor in the Iowa and Nebraska Conference. God has been very merciful to us in rewarding our poor labors with some increase, for which we feel very grateful to him. We are of good courage to labor on in this blessed cause. Bro. Allen will meet occasionally with the friends in Rolla this fall and winter. We hope there will yet be a strong church there.

GEO. I. BUTLER.

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Oct. 6, 1875.