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
[We are now come to that part of Brainerd’s Life, when he had the
greatest success in his labors for the good of souls, and in his
particular business as a missionary to the Indians. After all his
agonizing in prayer, and travailing in birth for their conversion—his
raised hopes and expectations, disappointments and encouragements; after
panting in a way of persevering prayer, labor, and suffering, as it were
through a long night; at length the day dawns: “Weeping continues for a
night, but joy comes in the morning.” He went forth weeping, “bearing
precious seed,” but now he comes “with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves
with him.” The desired event is brought to pass at last; but at a time,
in a place, and upon subjects, that scarce ever entered his heart.]
“_Crossweeksung, in New-Jersey, June 17, 1745._
_June 19._—“I had spent most of my time for more than a year past among
the Indians at the Forks of Delaware, in Pennsylvania. During that time
I made two journies to the Susquehanna, to treat with the Indians on
that river respecting Christianity; and not having had any considerable
appearance of special success in either of those places, my spirits were
depressed, and I was not a little discouraged. Hearing that there were a
number of Indians at a place called _Crossweeksung_, in New-Jersey,
nearly eighty miles south east from the Forks of Delaware, I determined
to make them a visit, and see what might be done toward christianizing
them; and accordingly arrived among them this day.
“I found very few persons at the place I visited, and perceived that the
Indians in these parts were very much scattered. There were not more
than two or three families in a place; and these small settlements were
six, ten, fifteen, twenty, or thirty miles, and some more from that
place. However, I preached to those few I found; who appeared well
disposed, serious and attentive, and not inclined to cavil and object,
as the Indians had done elsewhere. When I had concluded my discourse, I
informed them (there being none but a few women and children) that I
would willingly visit them again the next day. Whereupon they readily
set out and traveled ten or fifteen miles, in order to give notice to
some of their friends at that distance. These women, like the woman of
Samaria, seemed desirous that others should see the man who had told
them what they had done in their past lives, and the misery that
attended their idolatrous ways.
_June 20._—“Visited and preached to the Indians again as I proposed.
Numbers were gathered at the invitations of their friends, who had heard
me the day before. These also appeared as attentive, orderly and well
disposed, as the others: and none made any objections, as Indians in
other places have usually done.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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