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The Life and Diary of David Brainerd

Edited by Jonathan Edwards

Other titles: The Diary of David Brainerd · An Account of the Life of the Late Reverend Mr. David Brainerd

David Brainerd · 1718–1747

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About this book

The life and diary of David Brainerd, the young missionary to the American Indians in the 1740s, prepared for publication by Jonathan Edwards. Its pages trace his conversion, his labours and hardships in the wilderness, and above all his extraordinary life of prayer and longing after God. It has stirred generations of readers to deeper devotion and missionary sacrifice.

David Brainerd was born April 20, 1718, at Haddam, Connecticut. His father was Hezekiah Brainerd, Esq. and his mother, Dorothy Hobart, daughter of the Rev. Jeremiah Hobart. He was the third son of his parents, who had five sons and four daughters. The oldest son was a respectable citizen of Haddam; the second was
From From his birth to the time when he began to study for the Ministry—containing his own narrative of his conversion, his connection with Yale-College, and the grounds of his expulsion
  1. 1 From President Edwards’ Preface 6 min
  2. 2 From his birth to the time when he began to study for the Ministry—containing his own narrative of his conversion, his connection with Yale-College, and the grounds of his expulsion 37 min
  3. 3 From about the time when he began the study of Theology, till he was licensed to preach 19 min
  4. 4 From his being licensed to preach, till he was commissioned as a Missionary 12 min
  5. 5 From his appointment as a Missionary, to his commencing his Mission among the Indians at Kaunaumeek, in New-York 13 min
  6. 6 His labors for nearly a year among the Indians at Kaunaumeek—temporal deprivations and sufferings—establishes a school—confession offered to the faculty of Yale College—days of fasting—methods of instructing the Indians—visit to New-Jersey and Connecticut—commencement of labor among the Indians at t 53 min
  7. 7 Labors for the Indians at and near the Forks of Delaware—idolatrous feast and dance—journey through the wilderness to Opeholhaupung or the Susquehanna—erects a cottage at Forks of the Delaware—some evidences of a work of the Spirit among the Indians—journey to New-England to obtain money to support 57 min
  8. 8 Being part 1st of his public journal of the Rise and Progress of a remarkable work of grace among the Indians in New-Jersey and Pennsylvania, kept by order of the Society in Scotland for propagating Christian knowledge.—Commencement of his labors at Crossweeksung.—Renewal of labor at the Forks of De 94 min
  9. 9 Being part 2d of his public journal of the Continuance and Progress of a remarkable work of grace among the Indians in New-Jersey and Pennsylvania kept by order of the Society in Scotland for propagating Christian knowledge.—Renewal of labor at Crossweeksung—outpouring of the spirit—remarkable case— 101 min
  10. 10 General Remarks on the Preceding Narrative 26 min
  11. 11 From the close of his Public Journal, June 19, 1746, to his death—continuance of labor at Crossweeksung and Cranberry—journey with six Christian Indians to the Susquehanna, and labors there—return to Crossweeksung—compelled by prostration of health to have the Indians—confinement by sickness at Eliz 104 min
  12. 12 Reflection I 24 min

Worthington Whittredge, “The Brook in the Woods” (ca. 1885–90). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open Access.