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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, October 1, 1867.

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXX, No. 16

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REPORT FROM BRO. RODMAN.

By P. C. RODMAN.

From the Monthly Meeting in R. I., as reported by Bro. Miller, I returned home to Ashaway; stayed over Sabbath and first-day, Aug. 24th, and 25th, holding three meetings, and left with the interest apparently rising.
Started, Aug. 28, for Kensington, Conn., where we arrived the same evening. On Sabbath evening, 30th, met for social worship at the house of Bro. Bruce Graham. Quite an interesting and profitable meeting. Preached twice on Sabbath and twice on first-day. Had good liberty in speaking, and brethren expressed themselves encouraged, the Lord evidently smiling upon us. Sabbath, P. M., attended the ordinances, in which all were blessed. During the meeting nearly all expressed a determination to take higher ground in the Health Reform, some saying, “I now understand my duty in preparing for the loud cry of the third message.”
Monday morning, Sept. 2, took the cars for Pleasantville, N. Y., to attend a Grove Meeting gotten up by Bro. Wm. H. Wild, who greeted us very warmly, introducing us to quite a number of Advent friends, that had already arrived, among them one Sabbath-keeper. Also, Eld. George A. Barker, who gave us a cordial reception and invited me to preach the same evening, which I did with good freedom, from John iii, 16.
On Tuesday morning Eld. H. Pratt came on the ground and took part in the meetings, preaching on prophecy and other Bible subjects, presenting some features of truth very clearly, such as baptism, saint’s inheritance, &c. In his last discourse, however, he tried to show that God’s law of ten commandments was abolished, and consequently the Sabbath not binding, basing his reasoning on the one-law idea. There seemed to be a fearfulness on the part of some that we should at once oppose Eld. P.’s position, and thus turn the meeting into a discussion on disputed points, which we had no disposition to do, as much as we loved the truth, for our business is to preach and not to argue the truth, unless the people are prepared for a discussion, and the cause demands it, which was not the case here. We followed him in the evening with a discourse on the ministration of angels, which was listened to with much interest, and had a good effect on the meeting generally.
On Sabbath morning Eld. P. left on the cars for N. Y. city. Our social meeting in the morning was very interesting. At ten, Bro. Barker preached quite an interesting discourse, introducing the sanctuary in the course of his remarks, which seemed to open the way for us to press the subject more fully. In the afternoon spoke on Revelation xiv, 6, 7; in the evening from Rev. xiii, 11; all of which was listened to with deep interest, creating more anxious inquiry to know the truth belonging to this age.
On first-day had the privilege of speaking three times to good congregations. In the morning on the sanctuary, in the afternoon on the second and third messages, and in the evening on the two laws, Bro. B. endorsing the truth, as we by the blessing of the Lord were enabled to present it in a clear light, thus showing a meek and teachable spirit that ever characterizes men when led of the Lord in the spirit of truth.
At the close of preaching first-day evening, most of the friends having to leave the next morning, it was thought best to spend an hour in social exercises, when prayers were offered and testimonies given, in which it was manifest that truth had been effectual in increasing and deepening the devotional spirit of the meeting. On Monday morning the parting scene was truly affecting. The short acquaintance of some of us and the renewal of others had tended to endear us to each other in the love of God. Most of the brethren and sisters leaving for their homes, we tarried to hold meetings on Monday and Tuesday evenings, the interest still increasing with those that came in to know and obey the truth. Quite a number started from a backslidden state, and others who had never made profession of religion before, decided to serve the living and true God, and wait for his Son from Heaven. Several, as they told us in private conversation, decided to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. Others are interested, and are investigating the truth. Among them is one who was formerly an active member of the Methodist Church in Pleasantville, who had given way to discouragement until he had grown cold and lost his former interest in the service of God. He publicly confessed in our last meeting, with another, his decision to take hold anew in the work of God, and by his grace to understand and obey all the truth. Others were deeply affected, and expressed a determination to be Christians. Thus closed a very interesting series of meetings. Six were baptized at this meeting. May they stand at last on Mount Zion.
Wednesday morning we left to meet other engagements, earnestly solicited to come again soon, as we hope to do. Thus the field of labor is enlarging and the demand for laborers increasing. Oh that the Lord of the harvest may send forth laborers into the harvest. I trust Bro. Wild will be assisted in all his labors of love for the salvation of men in the spread of truth in Pleasantville and elsewhere.
P. C. RODMAN.
Abington, Ct.