THE CAUSE IN MISSOURI by George I. Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 13, 1877

THE CAUSE IN MISSOURI.

By George I. Butler

It is well known to many of our brethren that the condition of the cause in this Conference has not been as prosperous as could be desired, not as prosperous as it has been in many other Conferences for several years past. It was strongly felt at the camp-meeting last June that a crisis was reached, and that a strong effort must be made to bring things into a better shape. To assist in bringing about this desirable result, I was urgently solicited to accept the office of president, and did so after much prayer and anxiety, solely from a sense of duty to the cause of God.

Having labored in the Conference nearly five weeks, I think I can begin to see the condition and wants of the cause, and have some true sense of its burdens. There is, no doubt, much to be done in Missouri before the cause will stand as favorably as it does in other States. However, the difficulties which stand in the way are not of such a character as to be insurmountable by any means, but largely grow out of inexperience and lack of instruction on a few points of vital importance. There are some few local influences which stand in the way of our prosperity.

It is not strange that our brethren and sisters who have newly come to the faith, and who have had so much that was new to them to learn in the theory of our faith, should not have realized all the practical workings of the cause. Most of the believers here are young in the work, and they have come out under the labors of those who have recently commenced to preach. The first experience of such is necessarily largely theoretical. The beauty and harmony of our theory is the constant theme of thought. The Bible seems like a new book. The mind constantly dwells upon points of doctrine, investigating, meeting objections as they arise, and becoming fully established in the present truth.

This is all very well. But after a few years the novelty is gone, and some advances should be made. We should then realize the responsibilities that rest upon us in view of the great light God has given us; the cause of God should become more precious to us than any earthly object; the salvation of our fellow-men by means of the light which has blessed us should engross much of our thoughts, and that cause should, in short, become a part of our very being. We should have a living experience in the things of God, and learn to draw sap and nourishment from the living Vine—learn where our strength lies; in short, we should be veterans in the army of the Lord, who can stand firm in the ranks in the storm of battle, or in the treacherous calm be able to see danger when it is near. We should learn to understand those points of attack made by our enemies, and how to meet them in the name of the Lord and his truth.

I see no good reason in the world why Missouri may not become one of our strongest Conferences, if we can learn to work right to bring about this good end. This is a large State, situated in a most favorable latitude, blessed with the fruits and productions best calculated to make life pleasant. As I travel, I find as many intelligent people in Missouri as in other States, persons who desire to investigate, and seem anxious to know the truth. Labor bestowed by our ministers produces as much fruit here as elsewhere. Indeed, there is not that bitter prejudice to meet in this State that I find in many places in Iowa. There is more of a willingness to hear than in her rich and populous towns. There is a large element of eastern people scattered through the State. Hence I consider Missouri a very good field of labor. I feel to thank God and take courage, expecting to see better days in Missouri, if our brethren will only rally shoulder to shoulder.

The State has been blessed with good crops this year and last, and I see no more evidences of special poverty than in other places. Crops have been much better these two years than generally in Iowa. I am satisfied there is no lack of means in this State, if properly applied, to support the laborers who will consecrate themselves to the work. There is no lack of talent in the State to make acceptable laborers. What is specially wanted in this crisis is more of this good religion, and a settling deeper into the work, more of a Spirit of consecration, more faith in the message. There are some who are really in earnest and feel the wants of the cause, and are determined to do their part. But there are many others who do not realize the obligations resting upon them. Our efforts must be earnest to reach this class.

One great difficulty I meet is that there are so few in a place, and there is so much that needs to be said and done that the people will be reached but slowly if I have to visit each church. For this reason we feel it is very important to have a camp-meeting this fall, as stated last week. We must have it. Brethren and sisters of Missouri, we want to see the largest gathering by far ever seen in this State. The times are propitious. Your expense will not be heavy in coming. Fruit and grain are plenty. The season is not a driving one. Your crops are secured, and your fall wheat will be sowed.

If you are ever going to make a rally in Missouri and start the cause on a better basis, now is the time. You have been passing through discouragements long enough. God works with those who help themselves. He works as we work. There are many scores of brethren living isolated with no privilege of hearing preaching who should by all means be at this meeting. They need to have their hearts stirred by the third angel’s message. Their children and inquiring neighbors need to come and be converted. This meeting is not specially designed to help those who know nothing of the theory of the truth, but is calculated for those already believing or partially convinced.

We expect God will meet us at this meeting. We want all to come who possibly can come. This is a camp-meeting, therefore bring your family and church tents, all who possibly can, that those who cannot may have accommodations. As for laborers at this meeting, we most cordially invite Bro. and Sr. White to meet with us if they can consistently do so. We should be exceedingly glad to see them at this old battle ground, where they have labored so many times before. But we hardly hope for this, seeing they have so many other matters upon their hands. We cordially invite any of our ministering brethren from other States to be with us. But if none of these come our ministering brethren in the State will be present to labor, and I feel myself that I have enough to say to the brethren of Missouri to last through one camp-meeting. But we expect God will be here by his Holy Spirit, and that will do more for us than all the ministers in the field. Come, praying for his special blessing.

This meeting will serve for the general quarterly meeting of the Mo. T. and M. Society. Each director should see that his district quarterly meeting is held beforehand in season for his report to be handed in, in time for this meeting. We want to get the Tract and Missionary Society to work. It has never yet been fully organized, so as to be really efficient. Brethren and sisters, there is much to be done. We want to take hold of it in earnest, this fall. Many of you pledged yourselves at the camp-meeting to earnestly second my efforts and stand by me if I would take the office of president of your Conference. I suppose you meant it, and therefore I call on you to make a general rally to this meeting. Come, to consecrate yourselves to God and his work. Come, to take hold and lift in the cause. Come, determined to make this the beginning of a new era in Missouri. Come, praying that God will specially bless this meeting and remove the cloud which has so long hung over our Conference.

Let those who have the REVIEW read this article to those who do not, or read it in the meetings, for I notice with sorrow that there are many Sabbath-keepers in the State who do not take the REVIEW. Talk about this camp-meeting on the Sabbath and at your prayer-meetings, and make it a constant subject of prayer that the great Shepherd of the flock will make this the most profitable meeting ever held in the State. Let no small matter keep you away. It is an important time. Now is the time to take hold of the work as never before. Particulars next week.

GEO. I. BUTLER, Pres.

Kansas City, Mo., Sept. 6, 1877.