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 5._—“After a sermon had been preached by another minister, I
preached, and concluded the public work of the solemnity from John,
7:37; and in my discourse addressed the Indians in particular, who sat
in a part of the house by themselves; at which time one or two of them
were struck with deep concern, as they afterward told me, who had been
little affected before; and others had their concern increased to a
considerable degree. In the evening, the greater part of them being at
the house where I lodged, I discoursed to them, and found them
universally engaged about their soul’s concerns; inquiring ‘what they
should do to be saved.’ All their conversation among themselves turned
upon religious matters, in which they were assisted by my Interpreter,
who was with them day and night.
“This day there was one woman, who had been much concerned for her soul
ever since she first heard me preach in June last, who obtained comfort,
I trust, solid and well grounded. She seemed to be filled with love to
Christ. At the same time she behaved humbly and tenderly, and appeared
afraid of nothing so much as of offending and grieving him whom her soul
loved.
_Aug. 6._—“In the morning I discoursed to the Indians at the house where
we lodged. Many of them were much affected, and appeared surprisingly
tender; so that a few words about the concerns of their souls would
cause the tears to flow freely, and produce many sobs and groans. In the
afternoon they being returned to the place where I had usually preached
among them, I again discoursed to them there. There were about
_fifty-five_ persons in all; about _forty_ that were capable of
attending Divine service with understanding. I insisted on 1 John, 4:10.
‘Herein is love.’ &c. They seemed eager of hearing; but there appeared
nothing very remarkable, except their attention, till near the close of
my discourse; and then Divine truth was attended with a surprising
influence, and produced a great concern among them. There were scarcely
_three_ in _forty_ who could refrain from tears and bitter cries. They
all as one seemed in an agony of soul to obtain an interest in Christ;
and the more I discoursed of the love and compassion of God in sending
his Son to suffer for the sins of men; and the more I invited them to
come and partake of his love; the more their distress was aggravated,
because they felt themselves unable to come. It was surprising to see
how their hearts seemed to be pierced with the tender and melting
invitations of the Gospel, when there was not a word of terror spoken to
them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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