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David Brainerd
David Brainerd (1718–1747). Born on April 20, 1718, in Haddam, Connecticut, to Hezekiah and Dorothy Brainerd, David Brainerd was an American missionary and preacher whose brief life profoundly influenced evangelical missions. Orphaned by 14—his father died in 1727, his mother in 1732—he was raised by relatives, inheriting a modest estate. Converted at 21 in 1739 during a spiritual awakening, he sensed a call to ministry and enrolled at Yale College in 1739, but was expelled in 1742 for criticizing a tutor’s faith, aligning with New Light revivalists. Licensed by the New York Presbytery in 1742, he began preaching to Native Americans under the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge. From 1743 to 1747, he ministered to tribes in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, notably the Delaware Indians at Crossweeksung, where his fervent sermons, translated by Moses Tunda Tatamy, led to a 1745–1746 revival with over 100 conversions. Battling tuberculosis and depression, Brainerd kept a diary, later published by Jonathan Edwards as The Life and Diary of David Brainerd (1749), which inspired missionaries like William Carey and Jim Elliot. His books, Mirabilia Dei inter Indicos (1746) and Divine Grace Displayed (1746), detailed his work. Unmarried, he died at 29 on October 9, 1747, in Edwards’ home in Northampton, Massachusetts, saying, “I am going into eternity, and it is sweet to me to think of eternity.”
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David Brainerd reflects on a moment of divine encouragement during secret prayer, where he found peace and assurance in God's plan for his future service. He prayed fervently for the salvation of souls and the expansion of Christ's kingdom, feeling calm and fully surrendered to God's will. Brainerd's faith in God's favor lifted him above worldly concerns and obstacles, allowing him to trust in God's wisdom and guidance for his life and ministry.
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 countenance upon me in secret prayer, and made the season very precious to my soul. Though I have been so depressed of late, respecting my hopes of future serviceableness in the cause of God, yet now I had much encouragement respecting that matter. I was especially assisted to intercede and plead for poor souls and for the enlargement of Christ's kingdom in the world, and for special grace for myself to fit me for special services. I felt exceedingly calm and quite resigned to God, respecting my future employment, when and where He pleased. My faith lifted me above the world and removed all those mountains that I could not look over of late. I wanted not the favor of man to lean upon; for I knew Christ's favor was infinitely better, and that it was no matter when, nor where, nor how Christ should send me, nor what trials He should still exercise me with, if I might be prepared for His work and will. I now found revived, in my mind, the wonderful discovery of infinite wisdom in all the dispensations of God towards me, which I had a little before I met with my great trial at college; everything appeared full of divine wisdom.
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David Brainerd (1718–1747). Born on April 20, 1718, in Haddam, Connecticut, to Hezekiah and Dorothy Brainerd, David Brainerd was an American missionary and preacher whose brief life profoundly influenced evangelical missions. Orphaned by 14—his father died in 1727, his mother in 1732—he was raised by relatives, inheriting a modest estate. Converted at 21 in 1739 during a spiritual awakening, he sensed a call to ministry and enrolled at Yale College in 1739, but was expelled in 1742 for criticizing a tutor’s faith, aligning with New Light revivalists. Licensed by the New York Presbytery in 1742, he began preaching to Native Americans under the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge. From 1743 to 1747, he ministered to tribes in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, notably the Delaware Indians at Crossweeksung, where his fervent sermons, translated by Moses Tunda Tatamy, led to a 1745–1746 revival with over 100 conversions. Battling tuberculosis and depression, Brainerd kept a diary, later published by Jonathan Edwards as The Life and Diary of David Brainerd (1749), which inspired missionaries like William Carey and Jim Elliot. His books, Mirabilia Dei inter Indicos (1746) and Divine Grace Displayed (1746), detailed his work. Unmarried, he died at 29 on October 9, 1747, in Edwards’ home in Northampton, Massachusetts, saying, “I am going into eternity, and it is sweet to me to think of eternity.”