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
_August 15._—“Preached from Luke, 4:16-21. The word was attended with
power upon the hearts of the hearers. There was much concern, many
tears, and affecting cries among them; and some were deeply wounded and
distressed for their souls. There were some newly awakened who came but
this week, and convictions seemed to be promoted in others. Those who
had received comfort, were likewise refreshed and strengthened; and the
work of grace appeared to advance in all respects. The _passions_ of the
congregation in general were not so much moved as in some days past; but
their _hearts_ seemed as solemnly and deeply affected with divine truth
as ever, at least in many instances, although the concern did not seem
so universal, and to reach every individual in such a manner as it
appeared to do some days before.
_August 16._—“Spent considerable time in conversing with the Indians.
Found one who had got relief and comfort after pressing concern; and
could not but hope, when I came to discourse particularly with her, that
her comfort was of the right kind. In the afternoon I preached to them
from John, 6:26-34. Toward the close of my discourse divine truth was
attended with considerable power upon the audience, and more especially
after public service was over, when I particularly addressed several
distressed persons.
“There was a great concern for their souls spread pretty generally among
them; but especially there were two persons newly awakened to a sense of
their sin and misery; one of whom was lately come, and the other had all
along been very attentive and desirous of being awakened, but could
never before have any lively view of her perishing state. Now her
concern and spiritual distress was such, that I thought I had never seen
_any_ more pressing. A number of _old_ men were also in distress for
their souls; so that they could not refrain from weeping and crying
aloud; and their bitter groans were the most convincing as well as
affecting evidences of the reality and depth of their inward anguish.
God is powerfully at work among them. True and genuine convictions of
sin are daily promoted in many instances; and some are newly awakened
from time to time; although some few, who felt a commotion in their
passions in days past, seem now to discover that their _hearts_ were
never duly affected. I never saw the work of God appear so independent
of means as at this time. I discoursed to the people, and spake what I
suppose had a proper tendency to promote convictions; but God’s manner
of working upon them seemed so entirely supernatural, and above means,
that I could scarcely believe he used me as an instrument, or what I
spake as means of carrying on his work. For it appeared, as I thought,
to have no connection with or dependence on means in any respect. Though
I could not but continue to use the means, which I thought proper for
the promotion of the work, yet God seemed, as I apprehended, to work
entirely without them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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