18
The Retirement Years
Gather up the rays of divine light that God has given as He has led His
people on step by step in the way of truth. This truth will stand the test
of time and trial.—
Manuscript 62, 1905
.
G. I. Butler a Most Valuable Laborer
[
Elder Butler retired in 1888 and bought a farm in Florida, where
he planted an orange grove. Because his wife became an invalid the
next year, he stayed on in retirement 12 years longer. After her death
in 1901 he was elected president of the Florida Conference. The next
year, at the age of 68, he was elected president of the Southern Union
Conference, an office he held for five years.
]
It is with feelings of satisfaction and of gratitude to God that we
see Elder [G. I.] Butler again in active service. His gray hairs testify
[22]
that he understands what trials are. We welcome him into our ranks
once more, and regard him as one of our most valuable laborers.
May the Lord help the brethren who have borne their testimony in
the early days of the message, to be wise in regard to the preservation
of their physical, mental, and spiritual powers. I have been instructed
by the Lord to say that He has endowed you with the power of reason,
and He desires you to understand the laws that affect the health of
the being, and to resolve to obey them. These laws are God’s laws.
He desires every pioneer worker to stand in his lot and place, that he
may do his part in saving the people from being swept downward to
destruction by the mighty current of evil—of physical, mental, and
spiritual declension. My brethren, He desires you to keep your armor
on to the very close of the conflict. Do not be imprudent; do not
overwork. Take periods of rest.
The church militant is not the church triumphant. The Lord desires
His tried servants, as long as they live, to advocate temperance reform.
Unfurl the temperance banner. Teach the people to practice strict
temperance in all things, and to be champions in favor of obedience to
physical laws. Stand firmly for God’s truth. Exalt before the people
the banner bearing the inscription, “Here is the patience of the saints:
here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of
Jesus” (
Revelation 14:12
)....
A few of the old standard-bearers are still living. I am intensely
[23]
desirous that our brethren and sisters shall respect and honor these