He remained determined, however, to continue the work among Native Americans despite the difficulties, writing in his diary: '[I] could have no freedom in the thought of any other circumstances or business in life: All my desire was the conversion of the heathen, and all my hope was in God: God does not suffer me to please or comfort myself with hopes of seeing friends, returning to my dear acquaintance, and enjoying worldly comforts'.[12]. This 57-minute documentary answers the questions, Who was David Brainerd, and why has he had such a lasting international influence? It emphasizes Davids sufferings and weaknesses, demonstrating that God loves to use weak things to The abridgement was partly to remove the Calvinism. Let every preacher read carefully over the life of David Brainerd. Henry Martyn said that perusing the life of David Brainerd, his soul was filled with a holy emulation of that extraordinary man; and after deep consideration and fervent prayer, he was at length fixed in a resolution to imitate his example. William Carey regarded Edwards Life of Brainerd as a sacred text. This led to the college trustees passing a decree in 1741 that 'if any student of this College shall directly or indirectly say, that the Rector, either of the Trustees or tutors are hypocrites, carnal or unconverted men, he shall for the first offense make a public confession in the hall, and for the second offense be expelled'. During his short life he was beset by many difficulties. For Carey, Brainerd exemplified the missionary life. The Life and Diary of David Brainerd. Quoted in Piper, p. 159. london: t. nelson and sons, paternoster row; edinburgh; and new york. As a result, he gained the attention of Jonathan Dickinson, the leading Presbyterian in New Jersey, who unsuccessfully attempted to reinstate Brainerd at Yale. During his lifetime he became perhaps the greatest preacher in the English-speaking world, of his []. The friendship that grew between them was of a kind that has led some to suggest they were romantically attached. Edwards rewrote parts of Brainerds testimony and diary, which can be tedious in its repetitions. He too saw Pearce as another Brainerd and, according to Michael Haykin, clearly modelled it on Edwards life of Brainerd. The Life and Diary of David Brainerd (177 pages) with Notes and Reflections by Jonathan Edwards. It can also be studied with a companion devotional booklet written by Joe Tyrpak. In this he explained in detail Indian customs and manners, what he preached to them and the difficulties and successes he knew. [14] He died from tuberculosis on 9 October 1747, at the age of 29. David Brainerd was an 18th Century American missionary of Reformed beliefs. His name was immortalised by the pen of the great Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), in whose home he died. David Brainerd". While Brainerd's life was short (he lived only 29 years) 1718-1747, it was extremely fruitful. His life provides a powerful source of instruction and inspiration for those who desire to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Page numbers refer to the Yale Edition which reinserts missing entries. Horton was another pioneer missionary to Native Americans. An Account of the life of the late Reverend Mr. David Brainerd was published in 1749. The Life Of David Brainerd. It will do something for you spiritually. [10] After this, he moved to Crossweeksung in New Jersey, where he had his most fruitful ministry. David Brainerd, an early missionary to the American Indians in New York, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania, died in 1747 at the age of twenty-nine at the home of his long-time friend and supporter, the eminent Puritan theologian and preacher Jonathan Edwards. The Life of David Brainerd. John Wesley (1703-1781) included the Life in abridged form in Volume 12 of his collected works (Bristol, 1771-1774). The Life of David Brainerd: Missionary to the Indians; with an Abridgment of His Diary and Journal. The Life of David Brainerd: Missionary to the Indians; with an Abridgment of His Diary and Journal. This led to the publishing of An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians, to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens. During his short life he was beset by many difficulties. Edwards believed that a biography about Brainerd would have great value and set aside the anti-Arminian treatise he was writing (later published as Freedom of the Will) in order to create one. In 1924 the preacher Frank W. Boreham (1871-1959) wrote, Have a good look at him. David Brainerd, Missionary to the Indians, from the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge. Weight: 3 oz: Dimensions: 7.5 5.25 0.5 in: Running Time: 57 minutes. It doesnt matter how sick, how discouraged, how weary, how lonely we may be, God uses His saints who cry out to Him to use them for His glory and His kingdom. No uninspired writer ever did me so much good. William Crow was judged to be a good candidate after his initial examination and was subsequently given a copy of the Life and a month to read it and write an essay on his perspective on the character, difficulties, and privations of a Christian Missionary. There are also frequent references to Brainerd in the writings of missionaries and mission candidates. [26] In 1902, they constructed a building known as Brainerd Hall (now Hogg Hall) to house their religious meetings, and serve as a recreational facility on campus.[27]. David Brainerd. The impact of The Life and Diary of David Brainerd has come as ministers have identified themselves with Brainerd's life. Show More. Josiah Pratt's 1834 biography uses Brainerd's own journal and letters to examine the character of an extraordinary man and expose the discrepancy between Brainerd's self-lacerating writings and the exceptional fortitude made evident by his deeds. The diary continues to be in print in various forms. He made a handful of converts, but became widely known in the 1800s due to books about him. by David Brainerd (Author), Jonathan Edwards (Editor) 4.6 out of 5 stars 146 ratings. An Account of the life of the late Reverend Mr. David Brainerd was published in 1749. Student-led mission societies at Scottish universities encouraged their members to read the Life of Brainerd (along with those of other missionaries) and even to present papers on their readings. I have been reading the life of excellent Mr. Brainerd, he writes, and it has greatly humbled and quickened me. He recommended it widely and went on to publish parts of the diary. It is important for believers to reflect on the legacy of David Brainerd. We all have a year full of examples of that, dont we? He had a fruitful ministry primarily to the Delaware Indians of New Jersey, although he ministered to many in the New England area. Let the gospel empower your parenting! In 1843 the Presbyterian Board of Publications printed an abridgement entitled The Missionary in the Wilderness or Grace displayed among the heathen. When we think of the life of Brainerd we are really thinking of at least two things. When Samuel Pearce (1766-1799) another godly man who died young, read part of the biography in 1793 he wrote that the exalted devotion of that dear man almost made me question mine. His first publication in 1731 was God Glorified in Mans Dependence on 1 Corinthians 1:29-31. David Brainerd was an 18th Century American missionary of Reformed beliefs.