My Experience by P. C. RODMAN

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 13, 1864

My Experience.

By P. C. RODMAN

SOME fourteen years ago, I heard the doctrine that the Lord was soon to come, became interested, and after reading my Bible on that subject and hearing lectures from Elders E. Bellows and E. Burnham on the same, was persuaded that it was truth, and so embraced and confessed it publicly in the Baptist church of which I was then a member. The result was, that my heart was warmed up anew with God’s love, giving me the witness that he approved. Some of my professed brethren began to cry, Heresy, and curl the lip. This was a little trying; but faith is precious and must be tried. The character of the advocates of the truth was then assailed to prejudice my mind if possible against the truth, but my Bible began to be intelligible, and I loved to read it and pray to Him who has promised to give grace to help in time of need. It so proved in my case and I was sustained and rejoiced in the truth that makes free.

Soon after this, I heard the idea advanced that man had no immortal soul. This I thought was almost, if not quite, infidelity; but I was willing to do with my brethren as God would have us do with him, that is, reason together. The result was, I was driven from every position I took. So I decided that the Bible must settle this question with me. It either taught the immortality of the soul, or it did not. If others found the doctrine there, I could, and if it did not teach it, I ought to know it. So I decided to read the good old book through on this question. In the fear of God I began, praying always in connection with reading; for I was in earnest to know the truth and not be deceived. I soon decided that life eternal was an object of hope, and immortality was to be put on at the resurrection of the just. I began to more than ever see the necessity for the coming of the Lord. Another cross to bear; but as I had learned that the blessing is only obtained by bearing the same, I was resolved to follow the leadings of that Spirit that guideth into all truth. With a heart swelling with light and love I accordingly bore testimony for Jesus by confessing his word; for he says, My sheep hear my voice, and I give unto them eternal life.

But now I had gone so far that the Baptist Church was concerned; and because I did not believe in eternal torment for the wicked, but that they would be punished with everlasting destruction, on the charge of heresy, I, with some others, was turned out of the synagogue. But the Lord owned and blessed, and I was sustained. Since then, I have been identified with the Adventists, working with them as best I could, making some mistakes, cast down, but not destroyed.

For some years there appeared to be an advance generally in truth and grace; but as a body, sorry I am to say it, the Adventists in this State have lost that deep-toned spirituality they once possessed. I mourned over it with others, and labored to remedy it as far as possible; but it grows no better. What shall be done? has been my inquiry again and again. Surely this people is not ready for the coming of Jesus as I believe his people will be, when he comes. Enoch and Elijah being types, his people, as a body, will have Enoch and Elijah’s characters, when the parted heavens shall reveal him.

Some three years or more since, I began to learn about Seventh-day Adventists, but under circumstances to rather prejudice my mind against them, and so against the doctrines that made them peculiar, until the Sabbath question was discussed to some extent in the R. I. Conference, when I began to grow interested to know the truth; for I saw there was argument for the Sabbath of the Lord. I began to read the good old Bible renewedly; for I had come to be a no-Sabbath man, on this ground, namely, I could not find Bible for the first-day as a Sabbath; and I supposed the Law was abolished surely.

The result of reading on the subject, led me to be careful not to oppose; but I did not embrace it for two reasons: first, there was a difficulty in my mind in separating the moral law of ten commandments from the ceremonial; and I think this hinders many from seeing more readily the truth.

Second, there were some that kept the Sabbath, and embraced the third angel’s message, that I did not wish to be identified with. Of the few that I knew, some were fanatical, others did not sustain good moral characters. Then the cross of coming out and confessing so unpopular a doctrine, unpopular not only with the world and professed church at large, but with Adventists also, who really looked upon the third angel’s message as taught by the Review and Herald with contempt, was great. Why they so regard it, is more than I can tell. Neither did any one ever give me the why, unless it was by some thrust at the visions of sister White, or else by some prejudiced remark about the law.

Some may believe themselves thinking men to be turned from following that Spirit that leads into all truth, by such objections; but I choose to go on after the pillar of fire by night and cloud by day, the sure word of prophecy, whereunto we do well that we take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawns.

Some express sorrow for me because I now keep the Sabbath. I know not why they should. It cannot make me any worse to obey God in all ten of his commandments surely. My peace is no less, but increased; and really it does appear that another seal is broken from the precious Bible, and light beams from its sacred pages as never before. Like Peter I can say, “This is that,” and none can gainsay it, without rejecting plain Bible. The twenty-three hundred days have ended, and we know the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

May God give me grace and quicken me by his mighty power, to do all his will meekly, and patiently, trusting his faithful word until the opening heavens reveal our absent Lord. More anon.

Yours in faith, hope and love.

P. C. RODMAN.

Ashaway, R. I.