p. 94 | LABOR IN MISSOURI by George I. Butler

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

LABOR IN MISSOURI.

By George I. Butler

After the close of the Missouri Camp-meeting, I returned home, and prepared for a long absence in Missouri. I spoke to the church Sabbath, and in three discourses reviewed Mr. Evans, Methodist, who had given several discourses on the Sabbath question in Mt. Pleasant. As the evenings were pleasant, I spoke in the public park. I had freedom in showing up his fallacies, and those who heard had no difficulty in telling which had the truth. The stay-away argument was the only one I could not meet, yet there were many who heard, some of whom would not come into the audience, but they would gather in knots at a distance, or listen from their windows. The popular current is very strong in Mt. Pleasant.

My first meeting in Missouri was held Aug. 10 to 15, at Denver, Worth Co., where I spent three weeks last winter. This church was raised up by that party whose head quarters are at Marion, Iowa. I was earnestly invited to give them another call, hence this present visit. Many of the best members of this church either believe with us in our positions on the messages, sanctuary, two-horned beast, etc., or are very favorable to our views on these subjects. They treated me very cordially, and desired me to come again. Their sympathies gravitate more and more toward us.

My next meeting was at Winslow, De Kalb Co. Here a little company was brought into the Sabbath last fall by Bro. Wood’s labors. They had since been almost entirely neglected. Their Sabbath meetings stopped last spring, and they were much discouraged. Quite a number had given up the Sabbath, and the work was “ravelling out.” Added to this, some of their members had become acquainted with the Marion party, and one of their ministers and several members were on the ground before I came. They had been reporting such things about S. D. Adventists making visions, health reform, etc., a test that the minds of our friends were greatly prejudiced, so that my reception was anything but cordial. However, I kept cool, and when the preacher had spoken against the visions and what S. D. Adventists do, before a promiscuous crowd, most of whom had never heard there was such a person as Sister White, I replied to him. He did this, he said, because he felt constrained from a terrible sense of duty, lest these innocent people should imbibe a fearful error and delusion; while at the same time this preacher thinks S. D. Adventists are helping to give the third angel’s message—a God-given message for the last days. His effort was calculated to do four-fold more toward turning the people against us and destroying our influence than all that the Sunday-keeping ministers had done; yet this same preacher has had much to say of his desire for peace, and that we should not kill each other’s influence. His attack was wholly unprovoked by me.

I reviewed his attack, and the eyes of the candid were opened. He totally failed to accomplish what he expected, viz., to induce these Sabbath-keepers to organize with his people. Most of these went down to my next meeting at Prairie Valley, and were very candid, and I yet expect to see a good church in Winslow. But what a pity that these brethren had not received labor last winter and spring, before these distracting influences were brought in. It is useless to raise up companies if they are not watched and encouraged.

My next appointment was at Prairie Valley, Daviess Co. This is by far the largest and strongest church in the Conference, numbering seventy on the church-book. It is located near the old Civil Bend church, and has a few of its members, while others have moved away. Some trials have come, as often happens in large churches before they learn some of the important lessons of Christian experience. I tried to give them instruction in the great practical lessons of the Christian religion, which, I trust, were profitable. The brethren of this church are enthusiastic in favor of having a camp-meeting in their midst, and will do what they can to support it, by their presence and efforts.

Last Sabbath and Sunday I spent at Hamilton, the home of Brn. Evans, Long, and Rogers. This church is not large, but exerts a good influence. The best hall in town had been hired and the meetings advertised. My preaching, except on the Sabbath, was for the outsiders, who gave a good attendance. I had freedom in speaking on the messages and Sabbath question. The large hall was nearly full Sunday night. Many, I know, felt the force of our arguments. The three following nights I spent at Utica, where there is a small company, mostly raised up by the labors of Bro. Chaffee. Gave four discourses, mostly to outsiders. We had a good attendance. There are quite a number interested here, whom we hope may yet take hold of the Sabbath if the church will fill its position, and be a bright and shining light in the world. May God grant them prosperity.

In these labors I see many encouraging openings, and omens of good. I am satisfied if the friends of the cause in this Conference will consecrate themselves to the work in real earnest we may yet see great prosperity in this State. My courage is good. I expect to see better days here.

GEO. I. BUTLER.