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David Brainerd

David Brainerd (1718 - 1747)

Read freely text sermons and articles by the speaker David Brainerd in text and pdf format. Was an American missionary to the Native Americans who had a particularly fruitful ministry among the Delaware Indians of New Jersey. During his short life he was beset by many difficulties. As a result, his biography has become a source of inspiration and encouragement to many Christians, including missionaries such as William Carey and Jim Elliot, and Brainerd's cousin, the Second Great Awakening evangelist James Brainerd Taylor (1801–1829).

On 1 April 1743, after a brief period serving a church on Long Island, Brainerd began working as a missionary to Native Americans, which he would continue until late 1746 when worsening illness prevented him from working. This illness, generally considered to be tuberculosis, had begun to affect him at Yale, but worsened when he entered the mission field. In his final years, he also suffered from a form of depression that was sometimes immobilising and which, on at least twenty-two occasions, led him to wish for death. He was also affected by difficulties faced by other missionaries of the period, such as loneliness and lack of food. 'Let every preacher read carefully over the Life of David Brainerd'. - John Wesley

showing from 1 to 21 of 21 articles

Conformity to God
      "…conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29) How I was, the first day or two of my illness, with regard to the exercise of reason, I scarcely know; I believe I was somewhat shattered with the vi ... read more

David Brainerd Missionary
      David Brainerd, missionary, was born at Haddam, Connecticut, April 20, 1718. His father, Hezekiah, was one of His Majesty's counsel for the colony, and his maternal grandfather was the son of Rev. Peter Hobart, first minister of the gospel at Hingham, Eng ... read more

David Brainerd's Life Text
      "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink." John 7:37 It is a thickly-wooded solitude beside a graceful inlet of the Susquehanna. The dense and matted vegetation sta ... read more

It's All Worth It
      "... and we beheld his glory ... full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Monday March 7. This morning when I arose, I found my heart go forth after God in longing desires of conformity to Him, and in secret prayer found myself sweetly quickened and dra ... read more

Journal Excerpts Part 1
      CROSSWEEKSUNG, in New Jersey, June, 1745. June 19. Having spent most of my time for more than a year past amongst the Indians in the Forks of Delaware in Pennsylvania; and having in that time made two journeys to Susquehannah river, far back in that pr ... read more

Journal Excerpts Part 10
      CROSSWEEKSUNG, Oct. 28. Discoursed from Matt. xxii, 1-13. I was enabled to open the Scripture, and adapt my discourse and expressions to the capacities of my people, I know not how, in a plain, easy, and familiar manner, beyond all that I could, have d ... read more

Journal Excerpts Part 11
      GENERAL REMARKS ON PART FIRST. I MIGHT now justly make many remarks on a work of grace so very remarkable as this has been in divers respects; but shall confine myself to a few general hints only. 1st, It is remarkable that God began this work among ... read more

Journal Excerpts Part 2
      FORKS OF DELAWARE, in Pennsylvania, July, 1745. Lord's day, July 14. Discoursed to the Indians twice, several of whom appeared concerned, and were, I have reason to think, in some measure convinced by the divine Spirit of their sin and misery; so that ... read more

Journal Excerpts Part 3
      July 23. Preached to the Indians, but had few hearers: those who are constantly at home seem of late to be under some serious impressions of a religious nature. July 26. Preached to my people, and afterwards baptized my interpreter's children. Lord' ... read more

Journal Excerpts Part 4
      Aug. 9. Spent almost the whole day with the Indians, the former part of it in discoursing to many of them privately, and especially to some who had lately received comfort, and endeavouring to inquire into the grounds of it, as well as to give them some p ... read more

Journal Excerpts Part 5
      Aug. 14. Spent the day with the Indians. There was one of them who had some time since put away his wife, (as is common among them,) and taken another woman, and being now brought under some serious impressions, was much concerned about that affair in par ... read more

Journal Excerpts Part 6
      Lord's day, Aug. 25. Preached in the forenoon from Luke xv. 3-7. There being a multitude of white people present, I made an address to them, at the close of my discourse to the Indians: but could not so much as keep them orderly; for scores of them kept w ... read more

Journal Excerpts Part 7
      FORKS OF DELAWARE, in Pennsylvania, Sept. 1745. Lord's day, Sept. 1. Preached to the Indians here from Luke xiv. 16-23. The word appeared to be attended with some power, and caused some tears in the assembly. - Afterwards preached to a number of white ... read more

Journal Excerpts Part 8
      Sept. 16. Spent the forenoon with the Indians, endeavouring to instruct them from house to house, and to engage them, as far as I could, to be friendly to Christianity. Towards night went to one part of the town where they were sober, and got together nea ... read more

Journal Excerpts Part 9
      Sept. 22. Made some further attempts to instruct and christianize the Indians on this island, but all to no purpose. They live so near the white people, that they are always in the way of strong liquor, as well as the ill examples of nominal Christians; w ... read more

Keep Hoping
      "... I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously…" (Exod. 15:1). Thursday, November 3. Spent this day in secret fasting and prayer, from morning till night. Early in the morning, I had some small degree of assistance in prayer. Afterw ... read more

Missionary to American Indians
      Missionary to the American Indians; born at Haddam, Connecticut, [United States], April 20, 1718; died at the home of Jonathan Edwards (to whose daughter [Jerusha] he was engaged), Northampton, Massachusetts, October 9, 1747. He entered Yale College i ... read more

Passionate Prayer
      "They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God" (Ps. 84:7). Lord's Day, April 25. This morning I spent about two hours in secret duties and was enabled more than ordinarily to agonize for immortal souls. Though it ... read more

Pray Constantly
      "Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart" (Ps. 119:2). Thursday, August 4. Was enabled to pray much, through the whole day; and through divine goodness found some intenseness of soul in the duty, as I used t ... read more

Renewal
      "Why art thou cast down, 0 my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance" (Ps. 42:5). Monday, April 12. This morning the Lord was pleased to lift up the fight of His countenan ... read more

Useful to God
      "Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:6). Tuesday, October 26. (At West Suffield) Underwent the most dreadful distresses, under a sense of my own unworthiness. It seemed to me I deserved rather to be driven out of the place ... read more

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