REPORT FROM IOWA by George I. Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 1, 1877

REPORT FROM IOWA.

By George I. Butler

SANDYVILLE.

After the close of the Knoxville meeting, I spent a week at this place laboring more or less in the day time for the church and preaching evenings to outsiders. Our meetings with the church were good, and, I trust, beneficial in a spiritual sense. Some matters of difficulty were amicably settled, and all seemed to be encouraged. Two united with the church who had been keeping the Sabbath for some time.

Our outside interest was much greater than any expectations, so much so that toward the close the house was well filled. Many felt it would not be best to close the meetings at a point of such interest. As I could not well stay because of other duties, Bro. Morrison concluded to remain and follow it up. I shall be disappointed if there are not quite a number of accessions after a little more labor is bestowed. I never had more hope of good results in Sandyville than now. The Lord is working for that people.

MONROE.

I also spent a week and a little more at this place giving fourteen discourses. There is scarcely any outside interest here, but a very great prejudice. Several of the ministers would not read the notices of our meeting in their pulpits, and the stay-away argument seemed quite effective. This church is small, and has passed through its trials in the past. But I look for better days for them, because I felt the Lord was working for them.

One brother who had been keeping the Sabbath from the first, but had not attended meetings for years, took hold again in good earnest. The Spirit of the Lord touched his heart. We had several excellent meetings where the Spirit of the Lord was present; and Sunday forenoon, when Bro. J. Johnson was ordained elder, and Bro. Bennington deacon, we had one of the most precious meetings I ever attended. The Spirit of the Lord melted us down in great tenderness. This little church is growing in grace, and I hope the Lord will bless them, and add to their number. Some unpleasant difficulties were, I trust, settled forever.

I now start for Missouri, to spend a short time, on account of an earnest call.

GEO. I. BUTLER.

Ottumwa, Iowa, Jan. 22, 1877.