*Again, Never expect happiness from the world. If you hope for happiness in the world, hope for it from God, and not _from_ the world. Do not think you shall be more happy, if you live to such or such a state of life, if you live to be for yourself, to be settled in the world, or if you should gain an estate in it: but look upon it that you shall then be _happy_, when you can be constantly employed for God, and not for yourself; and desire to live in this world, only to _do_ and _suffer_ what God allots to you. When you can be of the spirit and temper of angels, who are willing to come down into this lower world, to perform what God commands them, though their desires are _heavenly_, and not set on _earthly_ things, then you will be of that temper that you ought to have. Once more, Never think that you can live to God by _your own_ strength; but always look to, and rely on _him_ for assistance, yea, for all strength and grace. There is no greater _truth_ than this, that “we can do nothing of ourselves;” yet nothing but our own _experience_ can effectually teach it to us. Indeed we are a long time in learning, that all our strength and salvation is in God. This is a life, that no _unconverted_ man can live; yet it is a life that every godly soul is pressing after. Let it then be your great concern to devote yourself and your all to God. I long to see you, that I may say much more to you than I now can, but I desire to commit you to the _Father of mercies_, and _God of all grace_; praying that you may be directed safely through an _evil world_, to God’s _heavenly kingdom_. _I am your affectionate loving brother_, DAVID BRAINERD. * * * * * To a special Friend. _The Forks of Delaware, July 31, 1744._