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
I seemed to do nothing, and indeed to have
nothing to do, but to ‘stand still, and see the salvation of God;’ and
found myself obliged and delighted to say, ‘Not unto us,’ not unto
instruments and means, ‘but to thy name be glory.’ God appeared to work
entirely alone, and I saw no room to attribute any part of this work to
any created arm.
_Aug. 17._—“Spent much time in private conferences with the Indians.
Found one who had newly obtained relief and comfort, after a long season
of spiritual trouble and distress; he having been one of my hearers at
the Forks of Delaware for more than a year, and now having followed me
here under deep concern for his soul; and had abundant reason to hope
that his comfort was well grounded, and truly divine.
_Lord’s day, Aug. 18._—“Preached in the forenoon to a mixed assembly of
white people, of divers denominations. Afterward preached to the
Indians, from John 6:35-40. There was considerable concern visible among
them, though not equal to what has frequently appeared of late.
_Aug. 19._—“Preached from Isaiah, 55:1. ‘Ho every one that thirsteth.’
Divine truth was attended with power upon those who had received
comfort, and others also. The former sweetly melted and refreshed with
divine invitations; the latter much concerned for their souls, that they
might obtain an interest in these glorious gospel provisions which were
set before them. There were numbers of poor impotent souls that waited
at the pool for healing; and the angel seemed, as at other times of
late, to trouble the waters, so that there was yet a most desirable and
comfortable prospect of the spiritual recovery of diseased perishing
sinners.
_Aug 23._—“Spent some time with the Indians in private discourse; and
afterward preached to them from John, 6:44-50. There was, as has been
usual, a great attention, and some affection among them. Several
appeared deeply concerned for their souls, and could not but express
their inward anguish by tears and cries. But the amazing divine
influence, which has been so powerfully among them in general, seems at
present in some degree abated: at least in regard to its universality;
though many who have obtained no special comfort still retain deep
impressions of divine things.
_Aug. 24._—“Spent the forenoon in discoursing to some of the Indians in
reference to their publicly professing Christ. Numbers of them seemed to
be filled with love to God, delighted with the thoughts of giving
themselves up to him, and melted and refreshed with the hopes of
enjoying the blessed Redeemer. Afterward I discoursed publicly from 1
Thess. 4:13-17. There was a solemn attention, and some visible concern
and affection in the time of public service; which was afterward
increased by some further exhortations given to them to come to Christ,
and give up their hearts to him, that they might be fitted to ‘ascend up
and meet him in the air,’ when he shall ‘descend with a shout, and the
voice of the archangel.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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