The Life of Rev. David Brainerd, Chiefly Extracted from His DiaryBrainerd, David
Religion
The Life of Rev. David Brainerd, Chiefly Extracted from His Diary
Brainerd, David
Indians of North America -- Missions -- Early works to 1800
She could neither go nor stand, nor
sit on her seat without being held up. After public service was over she
lay flat on the ground, praying earnestly, and would take no notice of,
nor give any answer to any who spoke to her. I hearkened to what she
said, and perceived the burden of her prayer to be, ‘_Guttummauhalummeh
wechaumeh kmeleh Nolah_,’ i. e. ‘_Have mercy on me, and help me to give
you my heart_.’ Thus she continued praying incessantly for many hours
together. This was indeed a surprising day of God’s power, and seemed
enough to convince an Atheist of the truth, importance, and power of
God’s word.
_Aug. 9._—“Spent almost the whole day with the Indians; the former part
of it in discoursing to many of them privately, and especially to some
who had lately received comfort, and endeavoring to inquire into the
grounds of it, as well as to give them some proper instructions,
cautions and directions.
“In the afternoon discoursed to them publicly. There were now present
about _seventy_ persons, old and young. I opened and applied the parable
of the sower, Matt. 13. Was enabled to discourse with much plainness,
and found afterward that this discourse was very instructive to them.
There were many tears among them while I was discoursing publicly, but
no considerable cry; yet some were much affected with a few words spoken
from Matt. 11:28, ‘Come unto me all ye that labor,’ &c. with which I
concluded my discourse. But, while I was discoursing near night to two
or three of the awakened persons, a Divine influence seemed to attend
what was spoken to them in a powerful manner, which caused the persons
to cry out in anguish of soul, although I spoke not a word of terror,
but on the contrary, set before them the fullness and all-sufficiency of
Christ’s merits, and his willingness to save all that come to him, and
thereupon pressed them to come without delay. The cry of these was soon
heard by others, who, though scattered before, immediately gathered
round. I then proceeded in the same strain of gospel invitation, till
they were all melted into tears and cries except two or three; and
seemed in the greatest distress to find and secure an interest in the
great Redeemer. Some who had little more than a ruffle made in their
passions the day before, seemed now to be deeply affected and wounded at
heart; and the concern in general appeared nearly as prevalent as the
day before. There was indeed a very _great mourning_ among them, and yet
every one seemed to _mourn apart_. For so great was their concern, that
almost every one was praying and crying for himself, as if none had been
near. ‘_Guttummauhalummeh; Guttummauhalummeh_,’ i. e. ‘_Have mercy upon
‘me;_ _mercy upon me_,’ was the common cry. It was very affecting to see
the poor Indians, who the other day were hallooing and yelling in their
_idolatrous_ feasts and _drunken_ frolics, now crying to God with such
importunity for an interest in his dear Son! Found two or three persons
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