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
_Lord’s day, March 2._—“Preached from John, 15:16. The assembly appeared
not so lively in their attention as usual, nor so much affected with
divine truth in general as has been common. Some of my people who went
up to the Forks of the Delaware with me, being now returned, were
accompanied by two of the Indians belonging to the Forks who had
promised me a speedy visit. May the Lord meet with them here. They can
scarcely go into a house now but they will meet with Christian
conversation, whereby it is to be hoped they may be both instructed and
awakened.
“Discoursed to the Indians again in the afternoon, and observed among
them some animation and engagedness in divine service, though not equal
to what has often appeared here. I know of no assembly of Christians
where there seems to be so much of the presence of God, where brotherly
love so much prevails, and where I should take so much delight in the
public worship of God in general, as in _my own congregation_; although
not more than nine months ago, they were worshipping _devils_ and _dumb
idols_ under the power of Pagan darkness and superstition. Amazing
change this! effected by nothing less than divine power and grace. This
is the doing of the Lord, and it is justly marvellous in our eyes.
_March 5._—“Spent some time just at evening in prayer, singing and
discoursing to my people upon divine things; and observed some agreeable
tenderness and affection among them. Their present situation is so
compact and commodious, that they are easily and quickly called together
with only the sound of a conch-shell, (a shell like that of a
periwinkle,) so that they have frequent opportunities of attending
religious exercises publicly. This seems to be a great means, under God,
of keeping alive the impression of divine things in their minds.
_March 8._—“Catechised in the evening. My people answered the questions
proposed to them well. I can perceive their knowledge in religion
increases daily. And, what is still more desirable, the divine
influence, which has been so remarkable among them, appears still to
continue, in some good measure. The divine presence seemed to be in the
assembly this evening.
“Some, who I have good reason to think are Christians indeed, were
melted with a sense of divine goodness and their own barrenness and
ingratitude, and seemed to _hate themselves_, as one of them afterward
expressed it. Convictions also appeared to be revived in several
instances; and divine truth was attended with such influence upon the
assembly in general, that it might justly be called an evening of divine
power.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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