A DISAPPOINTMENT, BUT NOT A FAILURE.
By George I. Butler
Such was our general quarterly meeting held at Victor, Iowa, last Sabbath and Sunday. The call had been put forth, with urgent pleading for a general rally to this meeting, to start up the T. and M. work in the Conference for the fall and winter campaign, and to lay plans for future labor. We felt very anxious to see a general turnout from surrounding churches and a good representation of the officers of the Society. This was called for by the circumstances and the occasion, and would have had an inspiring effect. Those who ministered in the word came with a mind to work. But it was very depressing to find that the secretary, the treasurer, and eight of the fourteen directors, were absent, and that only a handful of the brethren and sisters from other churches were present. It took a great effort to keep from being discouraged in feeling to see this manifest lack of interest on the part123of many. But we tried to look to God in faith, and he granted us a good victory. My own soul has not been so blessed for a long time. He gave power in speaking his truth, and the hearts of the people were much encouraged. Our tract and missionary meeting was in some respects very encouraging, not specially because of any great amount of labor performed the past summer; for this has been lamentably small; but those directors who were present, had the spirit of the work in their hearts; and as some of them were telling interesting incidents in their experience, the good Spirit was catching. I could but sit and weep with joy when thinking of what might be done if all our people would get the real spirit of labor in their hearts, which was manifested in some at our meeting. How the truth would spread! What joy we should find in working for Jesus! An interesting incident was mentioned in the experience of one of our most energetic directors, showing what a tract will do when dropped in the right place. A tract on the Sabbath question happened to be left in a store in a town where a course of lectures had been given. A Baptist man chanced to pick it up, and he took it home and read it. He became convinced that the seventh day was the Sabbath, but did not keep it. He kept the tract, however, till our brother called upon him at a time when his mind was awakened upon religious subjects. He spoke about this tract, and Bro. C. wanted to read it, as his interest was aroused. He did so, and as the result became a Sabbath-keeper. And now his delight is to see the tracts go; and as a director he has the privilege of helping forward this important branch of the work. Who can estimate the effect of that tract? Eternity alone can tell it. It is like the pebble dropped into the smooth lake; the circles extend in all directions to the shore. A tract may lead a soul to the truth, and those thus affected may reach others; and these, still others, till time shall close. In the Tract Society we have the mighty engine all prepared with which a great work may be done; but like the locomotive, the steam must be put into it. If we can get our brethren to feel the importance of saving precious souls, they will then see the importance of the Tract Society. Our brethren suffered a loss in not being present at this good meeting. “The blessing of the Lord maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” Our meeting at Victor was a very encouraging one. Trials which had threatened the existence of the church, seemed to be settled up, and the good Spirit of the Lord witnessed to it. We expect to keep to work till we shall see our people manifest more of a zeal than they have been showing. If we can’t see this interest created in one month we will labor two; if not in two, then we will try longer. There is great danger that the hearts of those long in the truth, will in the abundance of light shining around them “wax gross,” as the hearts of the Jews did at the Lord’s first coming. We cling to the world, and the more blessings we have, the more danger there is of our forgetting God, becoming selfish, and feeling that we cannot leave our work and homes to go to meeting; and so we lose our warmth and zeal. Come, brethren, let us renew our hopes and zeal in the work of God. Turn out when those to whom you have entrusted important responsibilities come within your reach, earnestly desiring the privilege of imparting truth to you and speaking words of encouragement and hope. You suffer a loss when you deprive yourselves of such blessings, and stay at home. Come, let us act as though Heaven, eternal life, and everlasting glory, were of some consequence. This world is not everything. Oh! the days will soon come when it will be seen to be dust and ashes. Many are laboring for a shadow. The substance is over on the other shore, brethren. When God’s rich blessings come within your reach, make a little effort to grasp them. Some of you suffered a loss in not being at Victor. God is good, and his cause is precious. Praise his holy name. GEO. I. BUTLER.