IOWA by George I. Butler

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, February 5, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 6

IOWA

By George I. Butler

State Center.—There was a larger attendance of our brethren at the State quarterly meeting held here Jan. 24, 25, than at any similar meeting I ever attended in Iowa. Seven districts were represented on the Board of Directors. The President, Vice-president, and Secretary were present. The meeting-house was nearly filled with our brethren from the various churches within a reasonable distance. Among those in attendance were many of the old friends of the cause. The meeting was appointed for Sabbath and Sunday, but held over Monday; and nearly all stayed. Elds. Morrison and Farnsworth participated in the preaching, which was practical, and calculated to stir up a deeper interest in the tract and missionary work, and the special light the Lord is giving us as a people. The word spoken was well received, and affected the hearts of the people; and we trust the future will prove this to have been a very profitable meeting.

Among the business matters acted upon were the following items. The raising of a fund of five hundred dollars or more which is to be used to assist the worthy poor, widows, and orphans, to be appropriated as the Board of Directors may decide. This fund is designed to be used in cases of special distress, where no other help is obtainable, and in furnishing our periodicals to the worthy poor. It is not to be lavishly expended, but its appropriation is to be closely scrutinized by the Board of Directors, at the regular quarterly meetings. Over two hundred dollars was pledged on this fund at our meeting in State Center.

The matter of purchasing a large tent and having a general camp-meeting was also considered. Our brethren present were in favor of having a large camp-meeting again, a general rally of our people from all parts of the State, at some central point. A great majority of those present were in favor of returning to our old time, the first week in June, for this meeting, as being, on the whole, the best season for a general turnout in Iowa. For two years we have tried the fall, but have not had nearly as large an attendance as before. Our next general camp-meeting will probably be held in June, unless great objections should be made. If the way opens favorably, we may hold it at the capital of the State.

As our old tent is badly mildewed, we have concluded to get a larger one for our general meetings; perhaps one 60x90 feet will be sufficient. We request our brethren throughout the State to consider the wants of our tent and camp-meeting fund, and ask all our directors to make an effort in their districts to increase it. It is not large enough to purchase such a tent, to say nothing of defraying the expenses of a large camp-meeting. Let past pledges to this fund be paid at once, and let others who have not contributed do something besides.

Another step was taken at our meeting, which we hope will be of great benefit to our society. Nearly all of our ministers present offered to sell books for the profit of the tract society rather than for their own. The offer was accepted. The society will supply the books, pay all reasonable expenses, and receive all profits arising from sales. This is as it should be; and we hope every minister in the State will choose to follow the example set by those present, and thus labor to build up this noble society. Though none are required to do this unless they choose, yet we believe more books may be sold, a better example set, and more good accomplished, than by selling for individual profit.

On the whole, our meeting was very encouraging. The friends felt that it had been a profitable occasion to them. The report showed that the workings of the society the past year had not encroached upon the reserve fund raised to pay off our debt and supply a large depository of our publications; but that fund was still kept good, and when all pay who have pledged, we shall be in a good condition financially. GEO. I. BUTLER.