The Diary and Journal of David Brainerd (Banner of Truth Trust, 2007) is a record of David Brainerd's missionary work among the American Indians from 1742–1747. Brainerd's
Diary reveals his innermost life during his childhood, preparation for ministry, beginning of his mission, his instruction to the Indians, his most remarkable successes in ministry, and his return, followed by the circumstances that led to his death. However, the narrative in Brainerd's
Journal of his missionary work among the Red Indians is the principal attraction.
Brainerd is a feeling man. He writes from day to day of his prayers, reservations about ministry, the texts he preached, his ambition for the Gospel effectiveness, the pain in the hardships, the joys in seeing people responding to God's Word, the turmoil, and the successes that God provided in his work with the Gospel. His diary and journal read much like the psalmist who continually dialogues honestly and openly and dependently on God.
Below are excerpts from the missionary work and heart of Brainerd from his journal:
The design of this publication is to give God the glory of His distinguishing grace, and gratify the pious curiosity of those who are waiting and praying for that blessed time, when the Son of God, in a more extensive sense that has yet been accomplished, shall receive the heathen for His inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for His possession.
As these poor ignorant pagans stood in need of having line upon line and precept upon precept, in order to their being instructed and grounded in the principles of Christianity; so I preached publicly, and taught from house to house, almost every day for whole weeks together, when I was with them. And my public discourses did not then make up one half of my work, while so many were constantly coming up to me with that important inquiry, What must we do to be saved? and opening to me the various exercises of their minds.
November 26--I discoursed publicly among them from John 5:1–9. I was favoured with some special freedom and fervency in my discourse, and a powerful energy accompanied the Word. Many wept, and scarcely any appeared unconcerned in the whole assembly.
The persons lately awakened were deeply distressed for their souls, and appeared earnestly solicitous to obtain an interest in Christ; and some of them, after public worship was over, in anguish of spirit said, "They knew not what to do, nor how to get their wicked hearts changed."
Lord's Day, December 8--Such have been the doings of the Lord here in awakening sinners, and affecting the hearts of those who are brought to solid comfort with a fresh sense of divine things from time to time, that it is now strange to see the assembly sit with dry eyes, and without sobs and groans.
Lord's Day, December 22--Several of the Indians newly come here had frequently lived among Quakers...they had imbibed some of the Quakers' errors, especially this fundamental one, That if men will but live soberly and honestly, according to the dictates of their own consciences, or the light within, there is then no danger or doubt of their salvation. I found these persons much worse to deal with than those who are wholly under pagan darkness, who make no pretences to knowledge in Christianity at all, nor have any self-righteous foundation to stand on.
May we too desire for God to be glorified above all things. May we too labor in the harvest that the Lord has called us to. May we too find joy when sinners repent and find their soul's ultimate joy in Christ. May we too proclaim God's Word boldly with great expectancy of the Spirit's work in our hearer's lives.
