AN EARLY GENERAL INVITATION

A Sermon Delivered by ANN BRANSON, ca. 10th Month, 1833
Journal of Ann Branson, A Minister of the Gospel in the Society of Friends. Philadelphia: W. H. Pile's Sons, 1892, pages 31-32.

This is The Quaker Homiletics Online Anthology, Part 3: The 19th Century.

I was now commanded of the Lord to send for the inhabitants of the village near which we resided, that I might unto them the unsearchable riches of Christ. My father entered fully and feelingly into the concern and extended the desired information. Many came to whom the gospel of life and salvation was preached in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. They were invited to come, taste and see that the Lord is good and that his mercy endureth forever; that it is extended unto all, that He is no respecter of persons; that in every nation they that fear Him and work righteousness are accepted with Him. "The Spirit and the bride say come. And let him that heareth say, come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely."

But we must come in the obedience of faith--we must follow the leadings and teachings of the Holy Spirit, whilst favored with the visitation of Divine mercy, the mercy of God in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour, if we become heirs of eternal salvation. Christ Jesus came not into the world to suffer and to die for us, to save us in our sins, but from our sins. We must experience the refining, cleansing operation of his baptism--the baptism of fire and .the Holy Ghost, purging the temple of our hearts from all that his righteous controversy is with, before He will deign to own us before his Father and the holy angels. The Lord strengthened me in a remarkable manner on this memorable occasion to proclaim the gospel unto the people. All were attentive and serious, and it may be said, truth reigned and triumphed over all, to the praise and honor of his great and glorious name. This was in the Tenth Month of 1838. From this time I began slowly to recover; but was closely confined all the ensuing winter to my room, and most of the time to my bed.