SEDALIA, MO by George I. Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 15, 1878

SEDALIA, MO.

By George I. Butler

We have thirty-five names on the covenant, “and still there are more to follow.” In some respects the interest has been greater this week than any time before. The elements are being stirred up quite lively. The Presbyterian and Methodist ministers have preached six or eight sermons against us, on the immortality question. The latter opened up last Sunday quite heavy, in two discourses. He warned his hearers against this “rehash of German materialism,” told them “this which came with the Bible was more dangerous than German atheism,” was “worse than pantheism,” etc. We thought it was best to give the gentleman the benefit of a special notice, so we got out a handbill for Tuesday night, for his benefit, as he is rather the leading clergyman of the place. We had the largest congregation we have had since the first Sunday night. Nearly a thousand people were out, and listened with close attention for an hour and three-quarters. The Lord specially helped me. I felt quite weary and worn from constant labor before the service, but had much freedom in showing up his fallacies. It was a great moral victory.

The minister was not present himself, but his friends were, and also the presiding elder, who got up as soon as I sat down, and attempted to ask questions and throw dust. I turned him over to Bro. Hollenbeck, and I think I never saw a man so completely whittled down to a point, and played out, as he was. Even those who have no love for our doctrine congratulated us on the victory we gained that night.

Last night I spoke on spiritual gifts, confining myself to the Bible argument for their perpetuity. The presiding elder was on hand, and as soon as I finished got up without permission, and begun to ask questions and criticise and insist on what we should do, till I was compelled to call him to order, and to protest against his course. But he would not sit down, and rather than call an officer and have him put down we let him go on, Bro. Hollenbeck answering his questions. I never saw a prominent man take a more unjustifiable position.

The elements, which have kept so calm, at last seem to be stirred. On the streets there has been talk of a challenge and a debate; still, we hardly expect either. The ministers are beginning to bring a heavy pressure on their members for coming to the tent. We are all of good courage. The Lord is at work, and we believe he will help us to the end.

We have sold about forty dollars’ worth of books. We hope for much good from our camp-meeting, which will be held here.

Aug. 8. GEO. I. BUTLER.