Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

labor could be had, others would probably take their stand for the truth. A
tent would be needed as our people have no meeting houses in these places.
Bro. Chapman spoke in favor of laborers going to Santa Barbara county. He
has relatives who have sent urgent requests for some one to come and preach
the truth there. Several other places were mentioned as good openings.
Bro. Butcher then spoke particularly of Suisun, Vacaville, and Dixon.
The miracle of his tongue being loosed, had created great excitement in these
places. He states that when he was ordained elder of the church he objected
because of impediment in his speech, saying that he could neither read nor
speak on account of stammering so badly. Eld. Healey told him that Moses
made the same excuse, but the Lord told him, "I will be with thy mouth and
teach thee what to say." Bro. B. decided that if the Lord had chosen him for
the place he would help him to fill it. He felt the power of truth and longed to
talk it to his neighbors. He prayed most earnestly that God would remove the
stammering and help him to talk the truth. He received the assurance that this
would be done, and upon the strength of his faith he invited his neighbors,
not of our belief, to come out to the meeting. They came, and he was able to
talk with great freedom and convincing power. Those who have known Bro.
Butcher for years are filled with astonishment at the great miracle wrought.
He has had many invitations to talk the truth, and has done so with
joyfulness. He believes quite a number are convinced that we have the truth,
and if some laborer could come with the tent a good work might be
accomplished. Another in pleading for Vacaville, says the case of Bro. B. has
stirred the whole community, and individuals who had not attended church
for years have come out to hear him explain the Scriptures, and now they
want to hear more on these subjects.
Eld. Healey says, there are so many openings they can hardly determine
where to go; openings at Shasta, San Diego, Vacaville, Dixon, good fields
everywhere; but where are the men to respond to the calls?
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