Platte Valley Church

(1890-?)

This is not the same Platte Valley Church that was organized in Butler Co and Platte Co. in 1876 and then later changed it name to Blue River Valley, and later change it again to Octavia Community.

The Gospel Messenger April 29, 1890 page 268 Vol. 28 No. 17

Notes of Mission Work.

I left home March 25, for this place, where the Mission Board of this State wanted, if possible, to work up  a point for Scandinavian work, and unite, if possible, the American and Danish members, that are scattered in that vicinity, into a church.  Stopping on the way with the district Board Treasurer, our beloved Bro. Spire, to receive instruction, I went on to McCool Junction, Nebr., where Bro. Stambaugh, who was to lead the church work, had just moved.  I found the church work, had just moved. I found the church at McCool Junction prospering and progressing on the narrow road. – desiring to let self be “nothing,” and Christ “all.”  It was a joy to see their meeting-house full and witness the good behavior and attention given by all.

  Preceding Bro. Stambaugh to this city, I soon found Bro. Smith and wife, who all are members, and in earnest.  Next day we were taken about fourteen miles to Bro. J. A. Troyer’s, who is married to Bro. Smith’s daughter.  Here we started in on our Scandinavian-American work.  We stared out by visiting and inviting to meeting, and spreading Danish and Swedish Tracts wherever we could.  This work, in which our zealous brother took part, was carried on the entire distance from Chapman on the U. P. R. R., to Palmer on the B. & M. R. R., a distance of sixteen miles, and from Central City to St. Paul, with the exception of four miles.  The first days were rainy and windy, and but few attended the meetings, but soon we had a clear sky, and the people filled the commodious school-house, to listen to the Word of Life.  There were representatives of the English, Germans, Danes and Norwegians, and about as many different sects, including Roman Catholics.  The attention and interest were commendable.  The foundation stone and the import of atonement, were presented, the Good Shepherd’s tender love for the straying sheep set before them, and the necessity of getting, - not nearer, - but “into Christ,) was pointed out.

  On Saturday, returning from our visit and tract work, in which Bro. Troyer still took part, we found brethren Stambaugh, Heiney and Smith there, talking about the needs of the members in this part of the State.  The members there are so isolated that they even had to let candidates for baptism wait several months before they could be received.  All the members that could attend, assembled.  Their desires wand wants were looked into.  The church work at this place resulted in a new organization, “The Platte Valley church.”  Bro. J. A. Troyer is their minister, Bro. A. Smith their deacon, and Bro. Stambaugh their overseer.  Saturday evening, Bro. Stambaugh took up the work, assisted by Bro. Heiney, and showed the people how to get into Christ, by the means of water and the spirit.  Sunday morning we were cited to the all-important subject of “Love.”

  At the water we met with a great many people, and two dear souls were planted in (not simply ”near by”) Christ, to be one with him and like him. Oh, what a glorious comfort and consolation is there for poor, repentant rebels in the holy, but despised, divine act!  Would to God we all knew the meaning as well as the form of it!  May we all be stimulated to see the responsibility of causing penitent souls to stay out in a cold, frowning world.  When will all our lay-member be so much concerned about sin-sick souls, as they are about things of a temporal nature?  If we had only the same anxiety as in cases where financial interest are at stake, plenty of means would be sent, and result in an ingathering of souls.  The reward would return to them in more ways than one, for the Lord is faithful to his promises.  Minister would not struggle under an unequal yoke with “do-nothing” members, nor would their wives and children suffer for the necessaries of life or the comforts of the body, as is often the case now in hundreds of places all over the land.  Oh,  Good have pity on us, turn us as people, that we may see our whole duty.

  A hungry soul went along to the water, in the form of a certain minister, who listened and questioned Bro. Stambaugh about Eternal Truths. He and his wife came forward in the evening to be baptized in the near future.  This circumstance recalled the time, long ago, when, similarly, I had to hunt the church, while it was the duty of the church to have hunted me.  I could feel exactly what his tears meant; I understood fully his anxious look, and the raging battle in his breast.  My God bless them to go on!

    As a church I am glad to know that we have taken a small step in the right direction of the “Goye.” This time the church hunted him, and he said: “I consider this a God sent to me.”

  “Tobacco is swept out,” at this place and Bro. John Metzger’s proposition has filthy lust has been done away with altogether.  Across the ocean, in Europe, our churches always were pure.  Now I wonder what became of the reward?  Who shall have it?  Bro. John, shall the monument of victory be erected there or here, or has it been already done?

  Traveling ministers, who can do so, should give the Platte Valley a call.  Call on Bro. A. Smith, implement dealer, in Central City, who will convey you to the other members.

  As to the Scandinavian outlook, I would say that our people were friendly. Several of them came to meeting and invited us warmly to come again.  They can nearly all understand English, however, and, having Bro. Peterson here to spread tracts, a big field in open in both Counties, north and south of Platte River from this city,, if only properly worked.

  May God’s blessing rest upon those members referred to.  May it rest on those who print, as well as on those who read the pages of the Messenger.

Christian Hope. Central City, Neb.