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
_Sept. 5._—“Discoursed to the Indians from the parable of the sower.
Afterward I conversed particularly with a number of persons; which
occasioned them to weep, and even to cry out in an affecting manner, and
seized others with surprise and concern. I doubt not but that a divine
power accompanied what was then spoken. Several of these persons had
been with me to Crossweeksung, and there had seen, and some of them, I
trust _felt_, the power of God’s word in an affecting and saving manner.
I asked one of them, who had obtained comfort, and given hopeful
evidence of being truly religious, ‘Why he now cried?’ He replied, ‘When
he thought how Christ was slain like a lamb, and spilt his blood for
sinners, he could not help crying when he was alone;’ and thereupon
burst into tears and cried again. I then asked his wife, who had
likewise been abundantly comforted, why she cried? She answered, ‘that
she was grieved that the Indians _here_ would not come to Christ, as
well as those at Crossweeksung.’ I asked her if she found a heart to
pray for them, and whether Christ had seemed _to be near her of late in
prayer_, as in times past, which is my usual method of expressing a
sense of the divine presence. She replied, ‘Yes, he had been near to
her, and at times when she had been praying alone, her heart loved to
pray so that she could not bear to leave the place, but wanted to stay
and pray longer.’
_Lord’s day, Sept. 8._—“Discoursed to the Indians in the afternoon from
Acts, 2:36-39. The word of God at this time seemed to fall with weight
and influence upon them. There were but few present; but most that were,
were in tears, and several cried out in distressing concern for their
souls. There was one man considerably awakened, who never before
discovered any concern for his soul. There appeared a remarkable work of
the Divine Spirit among them generally, not unlike what has been of late
at Crossweeksung. It seemed as if the divine influence had spread thence
to this place, although something of it appeared here before in the
awakening of my interpreter, his wife, and some few others. Several of
the careless white people now present were awakened, or at least
startled, seeing the power of God so prevalent among the Indians. I then
made a particular address to them, which seemed to make some impression
upon them, and excite some affection in them.
“There are some Indians in these parts who have always refused to hear
me preach, and have been enraged against those who have attended on my
preaching. But of late they are more bitter than ever; scoffing at
christianity, and sometimes asking my hearers ‘How often they have
cried,’ and ‘whether they have not now cried enough to do their turn,’
&c. So that they have already trial of cruel mockings.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account