Soldier Valley, Iowa by James D. Clark

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 22, 1873

Soldier Valley, Iowa.

By James D. Clark

The anniversary of our national independence is past, and, amid all the booming of cannon and brilliant display of fireworks, none have experienced a happier time than we few Sabbath-keepers of Monona and Harrison Counties enjoyed with the Soldier Valley church. With the early dawn of the memorable Fourth, a few loads of us from the Onawa Society left our homes, and after twelve miles drive, two of them in water, we arrived at the grove of Bro. David McWilliams, in the beautiful district known as the Soldier Valley, which is watered by Soldier Creek, a narrow, deep stream, lined with a nice growth of elm, walnut, and oak, the last of which is a rarity in this western part of the State. After the usual plain, hearty greetings common among this people, we were entertained by singing and the usual ceremonies of this day, which were conducted in a plain, orderly manner, without display. We partook of a bountiful repast, consisting of those things which this people are never ashamed to ask God’s blessing to rest upon.

About 3 o’clock P. M., we assembled to listen to a sermon by Robert Winter, an eccentric old Britisher, who gave us a quaint, old-fashioned discourse, full of gospel truths and solemn counsel to old and young.

As the night drew on, we dispersed to the homes of neighbors, where all from a distance were entertained in true, hospitable, western style.

At 10:30 A. M., Sabbath morning, we again assembled at the grove for religious exercises, where we listened to a discourse from Bro. Bryson, formerly a Mormon preacher, who gave us a truly edifying discourse on the “coming of Christ.” After a recess, we came together for a social meeting, in which we experienced the true enjoyment of God’s work. It was touching, and almost incredible, to hear the simple recital of adventures, escapes, and persecutions, undergone by Bro. and sister Winter, Bro. Bryson, Bro. and sister Peterson, and others in their search for the truth, from Denmark and England, across this country to Deseret, and back here, to obtain the truth from the lips of Bro. Bartlett. We enjoyed a precious time, and God’s blessing was with us. There were thirty-two Sabbath-keepers at the meeting; when I came to Monona County, three years ago, there were scarcely a half dozen in the two counties named. After the exercises of Sabbath afternoon, several rose to ask the prayers of God’s people, mostly sons and daughters of Adventists.

We departed to our homes greatly refreshed, and thankful to those good people for the kind invitation extended to us, feeling that it was good to be there. Truly, God’s blessing is being poured out in this region, and we feel like thanking him that he has sent the truth to us. Let us pray continually for his favors, and that he will remember his people in the hour of need, which he will surely do if we “love him and keep his commandments.”

JAMES D. CLARK.

Soldier Valley, July 6, 1873.