Accepting a Large Task

In 1771, an English soldier-preacher who was being sent to the colonies in response to young Asbury’s urgent pleading for more preachers, received a stirring letter: Dear George, The time has arrived for you to embark for America. You must go down to Bristol where you will meet with T. Rankin, Capt. Webb and his wife.

I let you loose, George, on the great continent of America. Publish your message in the open face of the sun, and do all the good you can. I am, dear George, yours affectionately, John Wesley On a continent for a parish—and a message worthy of being published in the open face of the sun! They had large aims in those days.

The first sermon preached by the great evangelist Rankin after he reached America was on a text from Revelation: “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” Margueritte Harmon Bro 186