But  let  no  one  think  that  these  Associational


THE    IOWA    ASSOCIATION.  99

meetings  consist  only  in  the  rhapsodies  of  Chris-
tian fellowship,  communion,  and  prayer.  There  is
business  too.  The  printed  minutes  furnish  abun-
dant evidence  that  another  marked  feature  of  the
Iowa  Association  has  been  its  prompt  and  decided
action  from  time  to  time  upon  the  vital  questions
of  the  day.  On  all  such  subjects  as  the  Sabbath,
intemperance,  slavery,  the  Mexican  war,  the  Rebel-
lion, etc.,  its  testimony  has  been  given  with  no
uncertain  sound.  Resolutions  upon  resolutions  on
these  topics  might  be  copied,  were  it  necessary.
Out  of  the  necessities  that  have  arisen  in  the
practical  working  of  things  in  this  new  field,  this
Association  has  initiated  policies,  and  recommended
measures,  afterwards  approved  and  adopted  by  the
denomination  throughout  the  land.  More  than
one  instance  could  be  named ;  but  the  most  impor-
tant is  that  of  "  church-building  at  the  West."  No
wonder,  that,  by  those  on  the  ground,  the  absolute
necessity  of  houses  of  worship  should  early  be  felt,
and  that  it  should  be  thought  aid  in  building  them,
as  well  as  in  sustaining  the  gospel  ministry,  was
wise  policy.
As  early  as  1845,  more  than  twenty  years  ago,
an  able  report  was  presented,  recommending  this
policy  to  our  Eastern  friends.  The  policy  was
resisted.  No  place  was  found  for  the  report  by  any
of  the  leading  papers.  Our  friends  were  fixed  in
the  position,  "  If  we  help  sustain  your  ministers,
you  must  build  your  own  churches."  Six  years


IOO  THE  -IOWA    BAND.
