Manuscripts and Memories of Minneapolis

G. I. Butler to S. N. Haskell, Apr. 22, 1893

Butler, George I.
Bowling Green, De Soto County
Florida
April 22, 1893
Dear Uncle Stephen, (S.N. Haskell)

Two or three weeks ago today I received your long letter and another from Elder Olsen, both of them breathing a most kind and loving spirit truly refreshing to discern. I was almost ready to exclaim, “The dear brethren have entered into a conspiracy to kill the old sinner with kindness.” But I didn’t say it and won’t, for I know you both felt as you wrote, and that you feel a tender interest in my welfare. You wrote me an excellent letter, my friend, and we all enjoyed it much, for I read it to our little Sabbath School and all expressed their appreciation of it, and I think must have wondered that you could feel so much interest in such a poor old chap, when they could see so little in him that was worthy of it. MMM 250.1

With most of your letter I could heartily agree. Of course you always get ahead of me, your faith is so strong and it is so easy for you to be on the believing side. I had to laugh a little at your zeal and confidence in the nearness of the end. It occurred to me that your faith beat Elijah’s, higher than a kite. He, when he beheld in answer to his prayer, a cloud a little bigger than a man’s hand, could readily hear the thunder and abundance of rain, and tell Ahab to get ready for it. MMM 250.2

But you, when you learn that some person in China is willing to translate a little of our doctrine into Chinese, can see all the 400,000,000 of those idolaters warned and probation closed inside of three years!—to say nothing of the hordes of other nations in India, darkest Africa and unexplored portions of the world for whom not even a translator has not turned up. Well, it’s lucky we have Uncle Stephen who can laugh at difficulties, fly over mountains, impossibilities, and sweep like a flood the Gospel light over the dark places of the earth. It is refreshing indeed, and such men are invaluable to counteract the doubting Thomases and the fleeing Jonahs of unbelief. MMM 250.3

Your explanation of the Minneapolis fiasco I think is about correct. It is the conclusion in substance I have come to after much reflection and the only hypothesis which enables me to explain certain facts which stand out in ugly relief. I can never believe myself, that God led Waggoner to deluge the denomination with the Galatians controversy. If so, I cannot believe the vision sent to him, reproving him for the same (?), of which Sister White herself sent me a copy. It may be I made a mistake in opposing the move he made, though I have never yet been convinced that I committed a sin in so doing. MMM 251.1

But she certainly reproves him sharply for doing so. Neither can I see how, in view of all the circumstances at the time, and considering the course Jones and Waggoner took in bringing up these differences and preparing beforehand to do so. I could have concluded differently from what I did, that Sister White upheld them in all they said. MMM 251.2

Yet I think I can now see how God brought out of all this, a great good and caused much light upon justification by faith, Christ righteousness and other important truths to be revealed. It may have been just what some of us needed, to pass through bitter trials which may not have come had all things been clear. It was best, probably, that I be got out of the way so I might no longer be a hindrance to the work of God, for I am forced by what Sister White has said to me to consider myself really to have been a hindrance to the work of God. Of course all this is not pleasant medicine to take. But if God so wills it, I should be content. The past few years I judge has pretty effectually broken my back, but that is a small matter compared with the progress of the work MMM 251.3

Of course if God so pleased, He could as you say, mend it up “in a month” if He saw fit, for our God can create a world from nothing and of course could make an old man’s back all right if He saw fit. MMM 251.4

But these old heads, I notice, don’t often get such a glorious transformation. Elder Jones (not A. T.) in the grave, Elder Andrews also, J. H. W(aggoner) ditto, and it looks as if the day of G.I.B(utler) was past and gone. But I will rejoice to see the good Cause go on and even rejoice at its prosperity and will be glad to see any way I can work that will help it forward. Still I cannot say that I see much ground to hope I shall be of much use in it. I did hope I could write yet, with enough vigor to pass muster and that what I wrote would be of a nature to interest and profit. MMM 252.1

But the last General Conference has about finished my writing for the public, I judge. They say, “It is the last straw that breaks the camel’s back.” Well, it was the fact that a large number of our brethren in the Publ. Association meeting when the increased circulation of the REVIEW came up, complained of it for a certain long series of articles (referring without doubt to those I have been writing) as standing in the way of its fitness for publication that has taken the gimp out of my spinal column. I shut down then and there, and it is doubtful whether the few additional articles necessary to complete the series will ever be written. I can’t consent to be in any such position as that. I doubt not my mortal failures, weakness of mind have impaired my powers of thought and I am getting so dull as to be wearisome. Well, writing is hard work and I can well spare the effort in my state of strength. MMM 252.2

I agree with you that God has been greatly blessing His people. I rejoice at it, and hope these blessings may be but the few drops preceding the outpouring showers soon to follow. My prayer is, “Work, Lord, by whom Thou wilt. If I am unfit to be an instrument, choose such as can be useful, and let the good work go on.” I fully agree that the proper standpoint from which to preach the messages for this time, is Christ, the great center of all light and truth. Should I ever give another series of lectures, I should start out with Christ as the great center of the system of truth to be presented, and present all its phases from that standpoint. I can see that a far better effect would be produced, and important objections would be answered, and it is the only right way, and it would add great force to the message. I sometimes long to try it, as my heart burns within me as I think of the glorious system of truth which we have committed to our hands. MMM 252.3

As to the time it will take to give this truth wholly to the world, I agree with you that there is no possibility of telling just how long it will take. I can hardly accept, however, your inferences that there is any probability, not to say possibility, of its being completed inside of three years, and all the predictions made concerning it, fulfilled. MMM 253.1

Your statements of the universality of the Gospel preaching in the apostolic, founded upon the texts you quote, seem strong. Yet I apprehend they must be taken with some grains of allowance. These proof texts are no stronger than those in Matthew and Mark concerning the baptizing of “all” Jerusalem, Judea and the surrounding country or the extension of the conquests of Nebuchadnezzar. “And there went out unto him all the land of Judea and they of Jerusalem and were all baptized of him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins.” Yet in the very connection it is stated substantially that he would not baptize some of them, but told them to first bring forth fruits meet for repentance. And I think no one could believe that “all”—little babes, chief priest, Pharisees, etc., were baptized by John, for when he asked the Pharisees the question, “The baptism of John, whence was it?” they reasoned, “If we say from heaven, he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?” showing they did not believe Him and therefore were not baptized. MMM 253.2

I cannot think you will take the position that every person—ALL—were actually baptized of John. Yet the language is as positive as that every creature heard the sound of the Gospel, And so of the declarations of the extent of Nebuchadnezzar’s conquests. Jeremiah and Daniel both declare that the dominion of Babylon was universal. “Wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of heaven, both be given unto thy hand and both made the ruler over them all,” Daniel 2:38; Jeremiah 27:6. MMM 253.3

But I can hardly suppose you think Rome was conquered by him, not to say Australia, China, or the continent of America. So of the progress of the Gospel in apostolic times, it is certain there were no traces of the Gospel in many of the barbarian nations afterwards Christianized in some centuries later—not to speak of the isles of the ocean and America. I don’t believe M. Edeonell’s (? sp.) discoveries demonstrate all that he claims for them by any means. He was always one of the most marvelous geniuses we ever had among us. He sent his little tract to me, but I could not see quite so much in his baked clay tablets as he seemed to. MMM 254.1

But what has all this to do with the warning of the world in the short time you speak of? At the risk of being set off with those who say, “My Lord delayeth his coming” I will have to ask for a little moratorium for such a great work as warning the 1,400,000,000 of earth’s inhabitants. Of course I have sought to strengthen the faith of the brethren, who would sin and become very worldly-minded if the event was not kept hanging over their heads, ready to drop at any time almost the same as you seem to feel the necessity of doing. But I doubt the propriety or wisdom of seeking quite so hard to make people believe what subsequent events prove to be totally untrue. With reflecting, honest minds, such a course afterwards causes a reaction, so that all appeals lose their force. MMM 254.2

I see the same things you do, and the same increase in means, educational facilities, opening providences and helps to carry forward the good work and rejoice at them all. Yet most of these scholars who enter these schools will have four or five years to study before laboring at all publicly, and you say many more are to be enrolled, who will of course have to stay a similar period. Yet it may all come in three years, you say. MMM 254.3

Why, Uncle Stephen, I have no idea that in our own country, one-fifteenth of the people are yet warned, or know scarce anything of the reasons of our faith. Yet it has been preached here for more (than) half a century. The good brethren, when I left Battle Creek, were going to have the Blair Bill passed and great distress come upon us at once. Yet near five years have passed. Blair has been busted and we have never yet had the persecutions to meet that we had before that, in Arkansas. MMM 255.1

These great movements take time. Great changes are transpiring in the public mind and I think prophecy is being wonderfully fulfilled, and good evidences of progress being made. But there will be great changes occur in our own people before apostolic power is manifested, and yet we shall see greater power than that. 144,000 without fault before the throne of God, are to be brought out. How many of them have we got yet? MMM 255.2

Uncle Stephen, do you think great persecutions are to be inflicted and multitudes of our people in prisons and suffering terrible privation. Why, the present state of public opinion has got to entirely change before those things could be possible. But we can see their clowning (?) drawing nearer and nearer, and all things preparing for the final and awful crisis. It seems to me to belittle the great events for which we are looking, to imply that they are liable to close up any time, with these prophecies and many others still only partially fulfilled. MMM 255.3

There is to be a wonderful movement yet in our world. It is coming rapidly yet it is only fairly commenced. The spirit is rapidly rising and the sure result approaching and all of us should pray, “Come, Lord Jesus, and come quickly.” MMM 255.4

Pardon these words so hastily scribbled down. I trust they are not written in unbelief. Soundness and truth should mark all our conclusions. I feel we are in great danger of being unprepared by not keeping pace with the message. May the Lord help us to not be found among the unbelievers. MMM 256.1

We are about the same healthwise. Wife is a poor, afflicted woman indeed, and I many times fear, will never be able to help herself again. She suffers rather less as time goes by. Sleeps better nights and needs less care during the night than she did. Talks rather better, yet is just as helpless as ever. MMM 256.2

I am not good for much. I work pretty hard for my strength, and often have to stop and rest up. I always get tired in my head most of anywhere, mo matter what the nature of my work, whether physical or mental. I am of small account anyway. MMM 256.3

I am glad you can have faith enough in your old companion to believe that the Lord has not left me. Very likely Sister White would not take so favorable a view of me. I fear she takes very little stock in me anyway. But my hope is not in man’s opinions. I shall ever seek to be true to principle, hoping only in Christ and His righteousness. If it please God to ever permit me to come out of this trial, to enjoy His favor as in other days, the change will be very precious indeed, for which I shall always be grateful. If not, I will seek to trust Him, though He slay me. MMM 256.4

Your friend and brother,
(Signed) Geo. I. Butler

Wife will welcome a letter from your good companion, I doubt not. MMM 256.5

Typed from
handwritten original
February 27, 1979
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