Untitled article by F. C. RODMAN.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, January 14, 1868

REPORT OF LABORS.

By F. C. RODMAN.

My last report was to Dec. 1, 1867, leaving me in Pleasantville, N. Y., with five meetings appointed. I held those meetings, and preached to the people those truths which I considered suited to them, and continued my labors there until the 16th. As a result, those that had embraced the truth were confirmed in the same, and one or two more came out decided to keep the Sabbath of the Lord and go with this people to Mount Zion. One interesting case was a man who had been a Methodist and taken an active part with them in years past, but on account of their conformity to the world, and other discouragements, had finally given way and become cold, and lost his interest in a great measure in the things of God, so that when he first began to hear the doctrines we hold, such as eternal life only through Christ, and the everlasting inheritance on the earth, instead of being like the noble Bereans, who received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily whether these things were so, he was stirred up, and, like the Jews, began to stir up the people in opposing; but as he read the Bible to prove that we did not preach the truth, he was surprised to find, instead of its proving these doctrines untrue, that it sustained them. Thus, at last, he has been enabled to honestly confess his error and wrongs, and has embraced the Sabbath and third angel's message. He has returned to the Lord, and the Lord has returned unto him. May he and others that have confessed the Sabbath there, adorn the doctrine of God in all things, confessing their wrongs, humbling themselves, and taking up the cross in their families, praying, and reading the Scriptures, and teaching their children obedience to God, and diligence in every good thing; to work with their own hands the thing that is good; not to form habits of idleness, nor to spend their time at the tavern and in the stores, when they have no business there only to hear the vain conversation generally engaged in at such places, which will only poison the minds of the young.

We also arranged Systematic Benevolence, amounting to over $80 per year, $75 of which was pledged to the mission fund.

Bro. Wm. Wild was appointed to lead in their meetings, to which they unanimously agreed. The Lord give him wisdom, leading him by his Spirit to be an example to the flock, taking heed to himself and his doctrine, that he may both save himself and those that hear him, that others may be led on to embrace the truth in the love of it.

Others were interested, and we trust they will be honest before God, and take up the cross and become followers of the meek and lowly Saviour, and at last find rest to their souls.

Dec. 17, I left Pleasantville for Washington, N. H. Arrived same evening in Springfield, Mass. Saw Bro. Johnson and others. Stayed with Eld. E. Owen, who very kindly received me; he appears very zealous, but very much needs the present truth. I pray the Lord to open the eyes of the honest among our first-day Advent brethren. While some of them are bitter toward us, and the truth on which we differ, others are kind. Let us be patient toward all men, and not let Satan puff us up because the Lord has shown us truth in advance of them. We will imitate our perfect Pattern, who, when he was reviled, reviled not again, but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously. The evening of the 18th, listened to a discourse by Eld. H. F. Carpenter, founded on Luke xxiii, 42. Quite instructive remarks were made, and some good criticisms offered on the text.

The 19th, proceeded on my journey, and arrived in the evening, cold and weary, at Bro. C. K. Farnsworth's, where I was kindly received and cared for.

The 20th, Bro. Andrews, Howard, and Bro. and Sr. White arrived, weary with the journey, but in good spirits. The 21st, Sabbath morning, met at 10 o'clock, and listened to remarks by Bro. White. In the afternoon, Sr. White gave a stirring testimony which, in connection with Bro. White's remarks in the morning, was adapted to the necessities of the brethren present. Bro. and Sr. W. occupied most of the time the following day, bearing their testimony with clearness and power. In the evening, met again, when faithful and urgent appeals were made to the halting and erring ones to move forward in confessing their neglect of duty, and the wrongs they had done, and forsake them at once by turning to the Lord. Some difficulties that had existed in some minds were in a measure removed by the remarks of Bro. A. and Bro. and Sr. W.

Meeting in the forenoon and evening to-day, the 23d. The Lord assisted his servants to press their testimonies upon his people to embrace the truth in the love of it, and show that they did so by stepping out of the way of God's work.

Meeting in the evening, the 24th. The appeals of Bro. Andrews and Bro. and Sr. White seemed to increase in earnestness and power. The Lord did draw near.

The 25th, met again at 10 A. M. The Lord so set home the testimony that a break was made. The erring began to show greater signs of repentance, and the children were moved to confess the Lord, and show a desire to be Christians. Thus the hearts of the fathers began to be turned to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers. Good was done in the name of Jesus.

The 26th, Bro. Andrews, with Bro. and Sr. White, start for their appointment in Vermont. I trust they will find matters in a more encouraging condition there, that their energies may not all be exhausted to arouse the church and correct wrongs. The Lord give them strength as their day demands.

Bro. Howard goes to Manchester renewed in heart, I trust, for the important work that is before; and I am left here for a few days to help on the work. My poor heart has been admonished of the importance of leaning more confidingly on the Lord. With all its trials, this meeting has been a help to me. I hope to do my work with faithfulness. F. C. RODMAN.