Labors in Iowa and Nebraska.
By George I. Butler
AFTER my return to Iowa from Rolla, Mo., I filled my appointment at Decatur City. I found the little church here rather discouraged because of internal difficulties, but left them apparently much revived. Several who had not attended meeting for months promised to do so, and, on the whole, I thought considerable good was done. There was a good attendance from the churches of Afton, Osceola, and Woodburn. It was a real pleasure to meet so many of my old friends again. One member who had been previously disfellowshiped was received back into the church. Altogether, it was thought by the brethren to be a profitable meeting. The following week I commenced a course of lectures in Blue Valley, York Co., Nebraska. While on a visit to friends living there, a year ago last spring, I preached three times. These sermons, with reading matter, had created something of an interest, so that a petition had been sent me, desiring my return. I have never seen time to comply with this request until recently. Bro. Boyd had also spoken there at another time. I lectured seven weeks, with the exception of nearly a week during which I filled an appointment at Afton, Iowa. The meetings were held in a school-house in the country. After the interest came up, the attendance was fair for such a place, when the weather was good. During the latter part of the time the weather was rather cold, which interfered somewhat with the meetings. On the whole, the meetings have been encouraging. Thirty have commenced to keep the Sabbath. Six others were keeping it before. Thirty-three of these signed the covenant. I have no doubt others will. My labor closed there last Sunday night. I baptized ten Sunday afternoon in the beautiful Blue River. Bro. Boyd was with me some during the last of my meetings, and gave three or four discourses. He will continue to labor in school-houses near there until the interest is fully developed. I hope for the largest body of Sabbath-keepers in Nebraska at Blue Valley. I sold some fifty dollars’ worth of books, and obtained eleven full-paying subscribers for our periodicals. The last Sabbath meeting I held with them was a blessed season. The Spirit of God was graciously granted to us. Nearly all present were in tears, believers and unbelievers alike, and some who had been opposed took their stand for the truth. Others made their first start. It was a great encouragement to me. My meeting at Afton was also an encouraging season. Spiritualism has gained quite a foothold there. The night I reached that place, one of their lecturers closed a series of meetings. Spiritualism put on a very plausible exterior at Afton, and even tried to shelter its deformities behind the Bible. I got out handbills and spoke on this subject; and by this means I had quite a large attendance of the best citizens, whose presence I should not otherwise have secured. There has been a great prejudice against us there, but it is breaking away some. Our meetings in Afton were profitable. Four united with the church. Three were baptized. Our brethren there deserve credit for their perseverance in putting up a neat house of worship, and for keeping everything about it in good repair. I expect God’s blessing will rest upon them. I have stopped at this place to hold a few meetings before returning home. My health and courage are good, and I hope to be some help to the cause in this Conference the coming season. Addel, Iowa, Dec. 8, 1875.