p. 15 | Florida by George I. Butler

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 26, 1914

Florida

By George I. Butler

BOWLING GREEN.—The writer's post-office address for over twenty years has been the above place, yet until recently no effort has ever been made to give a course of lectures on present truth in this place. This fact has been a great surprise to many. I have been a prominent minister of this denomination, yet really nothing has been done to warn the people here of Christ's soon coming. I have become personally acquainted with many of these people. Why has there been this long delay? A brief explanation will be given.

I came to Bowling Green broken down nervously. About the time my strength measurably returned, my companion was stricken down with apoplexy, and was a helpless sufferer for twelve and one-half years, until her death. I devoted myself to her care, and of course during that time could not well give a course of lectures. Within three months after her death I found myself elected president of the Florida Conference and president of the Southern Union Conference, comprising nine States. I held this latter office for six years. I labored very hard, and came very near having another nervous breakdown. Since that time circumstances and conditions have seemed to make it out of the question for me to act a part in presenting the truth in this place. This fact has often made me very sad. It seemed that the field was being sadly neglected. I have prayed most earnestly for light from the Lord concerning my duty in the matter.

A short time before our Florida camp meeting it became clear to my mind that I should appeal to the leading brethren at that gathering for an able speaker to give a course of lectures in Bowling Green. They all favored Elder J. L. Shuler's going to Bowling Green immediately after the camp meeting. The tent was set up, and the meetings began. Up to this time seventy lectures have been given, and a debate of five sessions held on the question of the law and the Sabbath. Elder Shuler disliked to debate, but was challenged, and reluctantly accepted. The precious truths of this message were ably vindicated, and public sentiment was in our favor. The lecture course has been a grand success. Public opinion has had the biggest stirring up it has had since Bowling Green existed. A large number of the better class of citizens have attended our meetings, and ten have begun to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. They are people of a serious turn of mind, mostly women. A Sabbath school of thirty members has been organized.

The tent has now been taken down, but the bank authorities have offered us the privilege of meeting in a good hall over the bank for a season. We purpose to build a small church, twenty-two by thirty-four feet, and have circulated a subscription paper. The response has been quite general, but no large amounts have been contributed, the believers being unable to give large sums. However, we hope to have our church building. In fact, we must have it. We hope to organize a strong church here.

Brethren and sisters, pray for us that we may succeed. My own heart is grateful to God for the good already done. In my long labors in this cause I have become acquainted with many, and have a large circle of friends. I would not appeal for large amounts, nor do anything to divert contributions from the general work, but if any of my friends feel willing to send us a gift of five or ten dollars to help on our church building, it will be gratefully received; and if sent to the writer, every cent will go for the stated purpose. I thank God for his goodness in already giving us some precious sheaves, and hope for many more. GEORGE I. BUTLER.