p. 336 | THE IOWA CAMP-MEETING by George I. Butler

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, May 20, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 21

THE IOWA CAMP-MEETING.

By George I. Butler

BY ELD. GEO. I. BUTLER.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS OF THE IOWA CONFERENCE: As the time appointed for this meeting (June 3-8) draws near, I wish to say a few words to you through the REVIEW. The appointment was made with the expectation that this would be the largest camp meeting ever held by our people in the State of Iowa. Perhaps the city of Des Moines, the capital of our State, is, all things considered, the most central point for us, of any in the State. Railroads center here from six different directions, affording excellent opportunities to come without bringing teams. The spot in the city where it will be located, the Governor's Square, is a beautiful one, in full view of the magnificent State capitol, now in process of erection. A large stream from the city water-works a few rods from the ground, will furnish an abundance of water for man and beast. Ample provision will be made, so that all can obtain needed supplies as reasonably as possible.

This will be our regular annual camp-meeting, the anniversary of all our societies. It would be a sore disgrace to us if it should be thinly attended. Our people in this State were never more in need of the help afforded by such a meeting; many of them have had but little preaching the year past, and many are backslidden, cold, and indifferent, and must be aroused to a sense of their spiritual condition, or they will be lost. Just such labor as they require will be bestowed in our camp-meeting. We have earnestly invited Bro. and Sr. White to attend, and have still some hope that they will do so, though they may not. But there will be those present who can dispense to us the words of life, and provide for the people such spiritual food as they need. The great thing that we want is the presence of God to bless his people, and the presence of his people to be blessed.

We have reached an important time in the progress of the work, and a crisis in our State. We shall feel sad, indeed, if our people fail to come up to this camp-meeting. It will probably be the only general camp-meeting of our people held in the State during the present year. We want an old-fashioned turnout, and an old-fashioned blessing, that we may all go to work anew in the cause, and see the work prosper as formerly in our Conference.

We shall have a large supply of books at the meeting,—a general assortment of all our publications. The tract and missionary society will take a new departure this year in supplying books, and make more of this branch of the work than ever before. We shall be prepared to furnish all our ministers with books for the summer tent campaign, and also to supply colporters and agents.

Come, brethren and sisters, let us make a general rally to this meeting. We want all the old hands in the cause to come up for counsel and spiritual improvement, to lay plans for future labor, for T. and M. Institutes to be held, and for every good work that needs to be done. We want all those more recently converted to come, that their faith may be strengthened, and that they may gain an experience in the work of God. We want especially to see all our church and T. and M. officers. And every church should be properly represented. We hope to commence our meeting Wednesday night, and to have our business done up as much as possible before the Sabbath. Let us be on time.