REPORT FROM BRO. RODMAN.
By P. C. Rodman
Since April 20, have been at home about ten days including one Sabbath. Held two meetings at my house. It is not encouraging here to see Satan prevailing as he does. The interest of all is abating more or less. Some have already turned away from the truth, and others are growing more worldly and selfish, which is manifest by more interest in worldly things, and less in spiritual things. Brethren, we must awake and seek a new conversion and consecration to God and the truth, or Satan will prevail to lead us and our children to destruction. The 24th and 25th, I met with the Exeter church. They are all holding on, but fail to make all the advancement they should; yet their influence is increasing for good, and some of their neighbors think more favorably of them and the truth. The 27th, I met with the brethren in Peacedale. They appear to be trying to overcome, but they need a new conversion. Perhaps the trials they are having will lead them nearer to the Lord, and to love his truth enough to obey it more cheerfully. May 1 and 2, I met with the Green Hill church. They came in on the Sabbath well, and while Satan endeavors to discourage and distract, there is a disposition to press together. I hope they will learn his devices and not be turned from the truth, but hold it in the love of it, and be saved from deception. See 2 Thess. ii, 9–11. The 9th, I held meeting at Bro. E. Blivin's. There were but few in. I hope they will remember that they are not their own, but are bought with a price, and that both body and spirit, all their powers, should be devoted to God, without any reserve. The 15th and 16th, I attended Monthly Meeting with the Exeter church. A fair number were in attendance, but the interest is generally low. Brethren, we must do what we can for ourselves, then if we lack, the Lord will supply, in his mercy and kind providence. The following resolution was offered and responded to by nearly all, in one of our meetings: Resolved, That we will search our hearts and try our ways in the light of God's word, and by his grace be nearer the Lord from this time, by working out our salvation with fear and trembling, while the Lord works in, to will and to do of his own good pleasure; and further, that we will do all things without murmuring and disputings. Some little advance was made in our meeting, for which we praise the Lord. The 20th, I came to this place. Have held five meetings. Some, perhaps all, are becoming more in love with the truth. Hope they will quicken their pace, being more decided and earnest to be overcomers, humbling themselves under the mighty hand of God, that they may be exalted in due time. The Baptists are having a revival. This drew the people, so our meetings were thinly attended. We shall do what we can and hope to be a help to the work here. P. C. RODMAN. New Ipswich, N. H., May 24, 1869.