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The Life and Diary of David Brainerd
"He was one of distinguished natural abilities, as all are sensible who had acquaintance with him. As a minister of the gospel, he was called to unusual services in that work; and his ministry was attended by very remarkable and unusual events ... He had a peculiar opportunity of acquaintance with the false appearances and counterfeits of religion; was the instrument of a most remarkable awakening ...In the following account, the reader will have an opportunity to see not only what were the external circumstances and remarkable incidents of the life of this person, and how he spent his time from day to day, as to his external behavior; but also what passed in his own heart."
--Jonathan Edwards
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. It is thanks to Edwards' careful preservation and thoughtful editing of his friend's Diary and Journal that Brainerd has influenced Christians all over the world for over 250 years.
As he labored in what was still the untamed American frontier to bring the Gospel to the Indians, Brainerd faced many challenges, including depression, loneliness, and physical illness. Yet his genuine piety and single-minded devotion to God, both in heart and in practice, form a consistent backdrop to his turbulent inner world. This compilation offers a rare glimpse into the life of a man compelled by God to share His love with others in the most difficult of circumstances.
--Jonathan Edwards
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. It is thanks to Edwards' careful preservation and thoughtful editing of his friend's Diary and Journal that Brainerd has influenced Christians all over the world for over 250 years.
As he labored in what was still the untamed American frontier to bring the Gospel to the Indians, Brainerd faced many challenges, including depression, loneliness, and physical illness. Yet his genuine piety and single-minded devotion to God, both in heart and in practice, form a consistent backdrop to his turbulent inner world. This compilation offers a rare glimpse into the life of a man compelled by God to share His love with others in the most difficult of circumstances.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1749
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About the author
Jonathan Edwards
1,611 books527 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database named Jonathan Edwards.
Jonathan Edwards was the most eminent American philosopher-theologian of his time, and a key figure in what has come to be called the First Great Awakening of the 1730s and 1740s.
The only son in a family of eleven children, he entered Yale in September, 1716 when he was not yet thirteen and graduated four years later (1720) as valedictorian. He received his Masters three years later. As a youth, Edwards was unable to accept the Calvinist sovereignty of God. However, in 1721 he came to what he called a "delightful conviction" though meditation on 1 Timothy 1:17. From that point on, Edwards delighted in the sovereignty of God. Edwards later recognized this as his conversion to Christ.
In 1727 he was ordained minister at Northampton and assistant to his maternal grandfather, Solomon Stoddard. He was a student minister, not a visiting pastor, his rule being thirteen hours of study a day. In the same year, he married Sarah Pierpont, then age seventeen, daughter of Yale founder James Pierpont (1659–1714). In total, Jonathan and Sarah had eleven children.
Stoddard died on February 11th, 1729, leaving to his grandson the difficult task of the sole ministerial charge of one of the largest and wealthiest congregations in the colony. Throughout his time in Northampton his preaching brought remarkable religious revivals.
Yet, tensions flamed as Edwards would not continue his grandfather's practice of open communion. Stoddard believed that communion was a "converting ordinance." Surrounding congregations had been convinced of this, and as Edwards became more convinced that this was harmful, his public disagreement with the idea caused his dismissal in 1750.
Edwards then moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, then a frontier settlement, where he ministered to a small congregation and served as missionary to the Housatonic Indians. There, having more time for study and writing, he completed his celebrated work, The Freedom of the Will (1754).
Edwards was elected president of the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University) in early 1758. He was a popular choice, for he had been a friend of the College since its inception. He died of fever at the age of fifty-four following experimental inoculation for smallpox and was buried in the President's Lot in the Princeton cemetery beside his son-in-law, Aaron Burr.
Jonathan Edwards was the most eminent American philosopher-theologian of his time, and a key figure in what has come to be called the First Great Awakening of the 1730s and 1740s.
The only son in a family of eleven children, he entered Yale in September, 1716 when he was not yet thirteen and graduated four years later (1720) as valedictorian. He received his Masters three years later. As a youth, Edwards was unable to accept the Calvinist sovereignty of God. However, in 1721 he came to what he called a "delightful conviction" though meditation on 1 Timothy 1:17. From that point on, Edwards delighted in the sovereignty of God. Edwards later recognized this as his conversion to Christ.
In 1727 he was ordained minister at Northampton and assistant to his maternal grandfather, Solomon Stoddard. He was a student minister, not a visiting pastor, his rule being thirteen hours of study a day. In the same year, he married Sarah Pierpont, then age seventeen, daughter of Yale founder James Pierpont (1659–1714). In total, Jonathan and Sarah had eleven children.
Stoddard died on February 11th, 1729, leaving to his grandson the difficult task of the sole ministerial charge of one of the largest and wealthiest congregations in the colony. Throughout his time in Northampton his preaching brought remarkable religious revivals.
Yet, tensions flamed as Edwards would not continue his grandfather's practice of open communion. Stoddard believed that communion was a "converting ordinance." Surrounding congregations had been convinced of this, and as Edwards became more convinced that this was harmful, his public disagreement with the idea caused his dismissal in 1750.
Edwards then moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, then a frontier settlement, where he ministered to a small congregation and served as missionary to the Housatonic Indians. There, having more time for study and writing, he completed his celebrated work, The Freedom of the Will (1754).
Edwards was elected president of the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University) in early 1758. He was a popular choice, for he had been a friend of the College since its inception. He died of fever at the age of fifty-four following experimental inoculation for smallpox and was buried in the President's Lot in the Princeton cemetery beside his son-in-law, Aaron Burr.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
January 10, 2014
This is the most life changing book I have ever read. However, I have only recommended it to a select few people. The reason being is that this book is so morose and introspective the impact on one's soul can be significant. Brainerd was clearly a man that knew his God intimately, and he also knew his own heart. Brainerd's accomplishments in the early American frontier are almost a sub-plot to the main story which is Brainerd's own growth in the faith. If someone decides to read this book, they need to determine from the beginning that they are not going to stop until they have completed it. The book requires you to consume it all, and then meditate on the whats and whys of this man's life. For those that are willing to invest themselves this book is a life changer.
October 4, 2018
If you think you have it hard -- well, you might. But read this.
April 30, 2025
I was challenged by David Brainerd's shortened life and spiritual testimony. His brokenness over sin, his love for the lost, and his passion to know God and seek Him were all inspiring and challenging to me
however, I found this diary repetitive and ultimately unsatisfactory. There wasn't a great deal of biographical information or historical context; it's really only his inner spiritual life. As compelling and challenging as that is, I'd really like to have a fuller understanding of his life and his place in time, and his work in God's kingdom. looking for a good biography of him now....
however, I found this diary repetitive and ultimately unsatisfactory. There wasn't a great deal of biographical information or historical context; it's really only his inner spiritual life. As compelling and challenging as that is, I'd really like to have a fuller understanding of his life and his place in time, and his work in God's kingdom. looking for a good biography of him now....
August 15, 2019
I would certainly call this book a must-read. It had been on my TBR list for 15 years, ever since reading a biography of Jonathan Edwards. It is not a “perfect” read, in that there is more repetition than necessary, particularly in the first half of the book. (The repetition could be expected, as this is a diary, but I believe it would have been better to edit some of it out). That, however, is the only problem I had with the book. After reading this, David Brainerd will forever be a man I love and admire for his passionate commitment to the Lord, for his humility, his servant’s heart, and for his deep love for the Native Americans he ministered to, for his family, for the Church, and most of all, for his Savior and King, Jesus Christ. I am thankful to have read of his craving for time alone with God and his continual pleas to the Lord to make him useful to the kingdom and to cause him to live only and always to God’s glory.
David Brainerd has encouraged me to a higher standard of excellence, to live a life of vision and purpose, forgoing all triviality. His continual determination to make profitable use of his time, to make every hour count for the kingdom of God, convicted me of how much time I waste and encouraged me to change. His willingness to examine himself to be sure he was in the faith (2 Cor 13:5), without ever making excuses for himself or condoning his own sinful thoughts, attitudes, words, or actions, is inspiring. And the self-examination he submitted himself to also provides a much needed antidote to today’s “easy believe-ism.”
Very early in his Christian walk, David Brainerd prayed, “The Lord help me to live more to his glory for the time to come.” He continued his diary, “I…longed to live to God, and to be altogether devoted to him; I wanted to wear out my life in his service, and for his glory.” The Lord surely answered his prayers.
These are just a few quotes I liked (I hope to add more as time permits):
“At this time, the way of salvation opened to me with such infinite wisdom, suitableness, and excellency, that I wondered I should ever think of any other way of salvation; was amazed that I had not dropped my own contrivances, and compiled with this lovely, blessed, and excellent way before. If I could have been saved by my own duties, or any other way that I had formerly contrived, my whole soul would now have refused it. I wondered that all the world did not see and comply with this way of salvation, entirely by the righteousness of Christ."
“…nothing grieves me so much, as that I cannot live constantly to God’s glory. I could bear an desertion or spiritual conflicts, if I could but have my heart all the while burning within me with love to God and desires of his glory…for when I feel these, I cannot be dejected in my soul, but only rejoice in my Saviour, who has delivered me from the reigning power, and will shortly deliver me from the indwelling of sin.”
“In the evening, being a little better in health, I walked into the woods and enjoyed a sweet season of meditation and prayer. My thoughts ran upon Ps xvii. 15 ‘I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness.’ And it was indeed a precious text to me. I longed to preach to the whole world; and it seemed to me that they must needs all be melted in hearing such precious, divine truths, as I had then a view and relish of.”
“Oh, I longed that the remaining part of my life might be filled up with more fervency and activity in the things of God!”
David Brainerd has encouraged me to a higher standard of excellence, to live a life of vision and purpose, forgoing all triviality. His continual determination to make profitable use of his time, to make every hour count for the kingdom of God, convicted me of how much time I waste and encouraged me to change. His willingness to examine himself to be sure he was in the faith (2 Cor 13:5), without ever making excuses for himself or condoning his own sinful thoughts, attitudes, words, or actions, is inspiring. And the self-examination he submitted himself to also provides a much needed antidote to today’s “easy believe-ism.”
Very early in his Christian walk, David Brainerd prayed, “The Lord help me to live more to his glory for the time to come.” He continued his diary, “I…longed to live to God, and to be altogether devoted to him; I wanted to wear out my life in his service, and for his glory.” The Lord surely answered his prayers.
These are just a few quotes I liked (I hope to add more as time permits):
“At this time, the way of salvation opened to me with such infinite wisdom, suitableness, and excellency, that I wondered I should ever think of any other way of salvation; was amazed that I had not dropped my own contrivances, and compiled with this lovely, blessed, and excellent way before. If I could have been saved by my own duties, or any other way that I had formerly contrived, my whole soul would now have refused it. I wondered that all the world did not see and comply with this way of salvation, entirely by the righteousness of Christ."
“…nothing grieves me so much, as that I cannot live constantly to God’s glory. I could bear an desertion or spiritual conflicts, if I could but have my heart all the while burning within me with love to God and desires of his glory…for when I feel these, I cannot be dejected in my soul, but only rejoice in my Saviour, who has delivered me from the reigning power, and will shortly deliver me from the indwelling of sin.”
“In the evening, being a little better in health, I walked into the woods and enjoyed a sweet season of meditation and prayer. My thoughts ran upon Ps xvii. 15 ‘I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness.’ And it was indeed a precious text to me. I longed to preach to the whole world; and it seemed to me that they must needs all be melted in hearing such precious, divine truths, as I had then a view and relish of.”
“Oh, I longed that the remaining part of my life might be filled up with more fervency and activity in the things of God!”
January 3, 2020
“My heaven is to please God, and glorify him, and to give all to him, and to be wholly devoted to his glory: that is the heaven I long for; that is my religion, and that is my happiness.”
Other than the Bible, The Life and Diary of David Brainerd is the most important book I have ever read. My meager 5-star rating and review hardly do it justice.
This is not an easy book to read, for a host of reasons. For some, the eighteenth-century language will present a challenge (but oh, is it beautiful). For most (more like all), David Brainerd’s persistent struggles with melancholy/depression, permeating many of his diary entries, are temptation to back away from the book, perhaps permanently. For every spiritual mountaintop Brainerd ascends, there would seem to be valley upon discouraging valley. But press on, reader. This book stands ready to transform and encourage you like you wouldn’t believe.
Credit C.S. Lewis for this wonderful gem about reading: “One of the things we feel after reading a great work is 'I have got out'. Or from another point of view, 'I have got in' [emphasis added].” Although Lewis was speaking specifically about literature, the principle holds true for other types of books, especially biography. If being able to say “I have got in” is the measure of greatness, then The Life and Diary of David Brainerd is without question one of the greatest books ever written. You can “get in” to Brainerd’s life, experiencing every victory and defeat with him. You can taste his agony over indwelling sin and the days when God seems nowhere to be found. You can catch his remarkable passion to spend and be spent for God’s glory in every waking moment. You can walk with him in pilgrimage, finding no lasting pleasure in this world, because an infinitely better world and an infinitely beautiful God await you.
If you can “get in” to this book, I promise you, you will never be the same.
Original review, written 11/19/2015:
In all the reading I have done thus far in my life, I have never encountered an individual more consumed with living for God's glory than David Brainerd. When the world starts to creep in or temporal pursuits start to take over or sin starts to look desirable, Mr. Brainerd's diary is a phenomenal reminder of what life is really all about. I wept tears of joy for him at the end, as I read Jonathan Edwards's remarks about his death. After facing so many spiritual and physical struggles in his brief life on earth, what joy he must have now that he is in heaven with God and able to behold His glory.
Other than the Bible, The Life and Diary of David Brainerd is the most important book I have ever read. My meager 5-star rating and review hardly do it justice.
This is not an easy book to read, for a host of reasons. For some, the eighteenth-century language will present a challenge (but oh, is it beautiful). For most (more like all), David Brainerd’s persistent struggles with melancholy/depression, permeating many of his diary entries, are temptation to back away from the book, perhaps permanently. For every spiritual mountaintop Brainerd ascends, there would seem to be valley upon discouraging valley. But press on, reader. This book stands ready to transform and encourage you like you wouldn’t believe.
Credit C.S. Lewis for this wonderful gem about reading: “One of the things we feel after reading a great work is 'I have got out'. Or from another point of view, 'I have got in' [emphasis added].” Although Lewis was speaking specifically about literature, the principle holds true for other types of books, especially biography. If being able to say “I have got in” is the measure of greatness, then The Life and Diary of David Brainerd is without question one of the greatest books ever written. You can “get in” to Brainerd’s life, experiencing every victory and defeat with him. You can taste his agony over indwelling sin and the days when God seems nowhere to be found. You can catch his remarkable passion to spend and be spent for God’s glory in every waking moment. You can walk with him in pilgrimage, finding no lasting pleasure in this world, because an infinitely better world and an infinitely beautiful God await you.
If you can “get in” to this book, I promise you, you will never be the same.
Original review, written 11/19/2015:
In all the reading I have done thus far in my life, I have never encountered an individual more consumed with living for God's glory than David Brainerd. When the world starts to creep in or temporal pursuits start to take over or sin starts to look desirable, Mr. Brainerd's diary is a phenomenal reminder of what life is really all about. I wept tears of joy for him at the end, as I read Jonathan Edwards's remarks about his death. After facing so many spiritual and physical struggles in his brief life on earth, what joy he must have now that he is in heaven with God and able to behold His glory.
December 27, 2025
This book is a wonderful compilation of Brainerd's diary and inner thoughts and life. At first, reading the diary was a little rough to get through, as we experience the deep emotional experiences he sought after and the constant ups and downs based on his feelings. But, like the life of any believer, if you read on about half way he has a revelation that it is not our feelings of closeness to God that give us assurance but the complete work of Christ! From then on we see a steadfast assurance, focus on Christ, passion for the lost and desire to be with Him. I was truly inspired, especially to read of his steadfastness even through his prolonged and agonizing death over about 4 years.
I can't wait to meet this brother in heaven.
I can't wait to meet this brother in heaven.
October 11, 2024
This biography was highly influential to many godly saints. I also enjoyed it, yet would recommend other examples of how to overcome despondency. As Edwards notes in the biographical sketch, this weakness was pronounced throughout Brainerd's life. Still, it gives me hope to see other weak people like me being used by God.
July 30, 2022
The much older edition I read was from the Wycliffe Series of Christian Classics by Moody Press. This book is a collection of journals and diaries of David Brainerd, early 18th century apostle to the indigenous peoples of New England (specifically the Delaware Indians) who died in his 29th year. It's annotated by his friend and fellow Puritan Jonathan Edwards.
This collection seems especially suitable for someone researching and/or writing about Brainerd. It might be a bit more than the average reader (me) is really looking for. But it's invaluable and a worthwhile read nonetheless.
About the first half consists of diaries that Brainerd never intended to be read by a larger audience, and generally runs something like this:
1. I am so unworthy.
2. I'm also very sick.
3. But I have had sweet times with the Lord.
4. But I am so unworthy.
Roughly the third quarter consists of Brainerd's journal during the height of his ministry among the Native Americans, intended for wider reading, and it is the real gold of the book. Brainerd typically refers to the people he ministered to as "my poor people" or "my poor Indians" or occasionally as "my poor pagans." Although he uses the word "savage" as a modifier in a couple of places, he never calls the people "savages," and clearly develops great respect and love for the people. He marvels, in fact, at the faithfulness and depth of understanding among the Delaware who come to faith in Christ. Many do as he preaches to them and lives among them.
Brainerd seems to have been unwell throughout most of his life, and despite this took long journeys by horseback to reach indigenous settlements. In roughly the final quarter of the book, Brainerd has developed consumption -- what we would call tuberculosis -- and is dying. On a number of occasions, he and others believe he is within a day or even within an hour of death. Somehow, time after time he revives -- not to complete health but to a more stable state.
During this time when he is able to speak or write his words are all for God's glory.
Edwards quotes many of his spoken words, including these:
There is nothing in the world worth living for but doing good and finishing God's work, doing the work that Christ did. I see nothing else in the world that can yield any satisfaction besides living to God, pleasing Him, and doing His whole will.
This collection seems especially suitable for someone researching and/or writing about Brainerd. It might be a bit more than the average reader (me) is really looking for. But it's invaluable and a worthwhile read nonetheless.
About the first half consists of diaries that Brainerd never intended to be read by a larger audience, and generally runs something like this:
1. I am so unworthy.
2. I'm also very sick.
3. But I have had sweet times with the Lord.
4. But I am so unworthy.
Roughly the third quarter consists of Brainerd's journal during the height of his ministry among the Native Americans, intended for wider reading, and it is the real gold of the book. Brainerd typically refers to the people he ministered to as "my poor people" or "my poor Indians" or occasionally as "my poor pagans." Although he uses the word "savage" as a modifier in a couple of places, he never calls the people "savages," and clearly develops great respect and love for the people. He marvels, in fact, at the faithfulness and depth of understanding among the Delaware who come to faith in Christ. Many do as he preaches to them and lives among them.
Brainerd seems to have been unwell throughout most of his life, and despite this took long journeys by horseback to reach indigenous settlements. In roughly the final quarter of the book, Brainerd has developed consumption -- what we would call tuberculosis -- and is dying. On a number of occasions, he and others believe he is within a day or even within an hour of death. Somehow, time after time he revives -- not to complete health but to a more stable state.
During this time when he is able to speak or write his words are all for God's glory.
Edwards quotes many of his spoken words, including these:
There is nothing in the world worth living for but doing good and finishing God's work, doing the work that Christ did. I see nothing else in the world that can yield any satisfaction besides living to God, pleasing Him, and doing His whole will.
July 14, 2024
Beautiful heart and life! “there are two ways of representing and recommending true religion and virtue to the world; the one, by doctrine and precept; the other, by instance and example…”
August 6, 2016
David Brainerd was a remarkable character. At times I was inspired by his example, but at other times I was scratching my head wondering, “Is this guy for real?” He was an earnest, devoted, super-intense Christian, and I need to have more of his kind of serious devotion to Jesus. Likewise, I could do with a little less “interest in worldly conversation” (although I think the kind of absolute focus he had was probably a unique gift) and a lot more Brainerd-like commitment to “prayer and secret duties”. Although it seems like he was reckless with his personal health for the sake of ministry, and died young as a result.
A few things particularly encouraged me.
- At one stage Brainerd wrote, “Am I becoming more spiritual by means of my late inward conflicts?” I don’t think many humans have matched Brainerd for inward conflicts, but nonetheless, am I growing through my various struggles, or am I simply going around in circles struggling with the same old issues?
- Brainerd described a friend training for ministry, saying "he was much inclined to devote himself to the ministry, if God should grant success to his attempts to qualify himself for so great a work". I love this attitude, (and I often don’t have it!): I desire to be useful in the great work of gospel ministry, and I am working to better qualify myself for that task, but the success of my efforts rests with God, and I can be content with the outcome he brings.
- Brainerd was a massive introvert. It seems like he couldn’t really enjoy life or genuinely connect with God when the busyness of ministry made “frequent and extended periods of seclusion” impossible. I feel the same tension, and it’s encouraging to know that someone like Brainerd had the same struggle.
A few things particularly encouraged me.
- At one stage Brainerd wrote, “Am I becoming more spiritual by means of my late inward conflicts?” I don’t think many humans have matched Brainerd for inward conflicts, but nonetheless, am I growing through my various struggles, or am I simply going around in circles struggling with the same old issues?
- Brainerd described a friend training for ministry, saying "he was much inclined to devote himself to the ministry, if God should grant success to his attempts to qualify himself for so great a work". I love this attitude, (and I often don’t have it!): I desire to be useful in the great work of gospel ministry, and I am working to better qualify myself for that task, but the success of my efforts rests with God, and I can be content with the outcome he brings.
- Brainerd was a massive introvert. It seems like he couldn’t really enjoy life or genuinely connect with God when the busyness of ministry made “frequent and extended periods of seclusion” impossible. I feel the same tension, and it’s encouraging to know that someone like Brainerd had the same struggle.
May 31, 2022
I wouldn’t say that journals are my preferred form of Christian literature, but I can’t deny that this was a good one.
Very convincing and thought provoking for anyone not working out their faith with fear and trembling to the degree that David Brainerd was (hint: that’s basically everyone).
In living and in dying, Brainerd was an awe inspiring example of living out your faith, even in times of fear and doubt.
Very convincing and thought provoking for anyone not working out their faith with fear and trembling to the degree that David Brainerd was (hint: that’s basically everyone).
In living and in dying, Brainerd was an awe inspiring example of living out your faith, even in times of fear and doubt.
December 5, 2023
BLUF: The Life and Diary of David Brainerd focuses not on "what" he did, but on "how he felt" while doing it. And it is for this reason that this was such a difficult read, especially since David Brainerd struggled significantly with anxiety and depression.
The constant themes of his journal are an almost unhealthy degree of self-depreciation, lack of confidence in ministry, guilt over idleness, and an unending zeal to be weaned from this world. Jonathan Edwards writes that Brainerd "seemed never to be easy, however ill, if he was not doing something for God, or in his service." Brainerd journaled that "nothing lies heavier upon me, than the misimprovement of time."
However, this book was personally meaningful to me in light of a recent trip to historic Northampton where I got to visit his grave (he was buried next to Edwards' daughter Jerusha, who nursed Brainerd in his final weeks and died of the same disease a few months later).
Here's what Brainerd wrote in his journal over 300 years ago for people like myself visiting his grave: "When you see my grave, then remember what I said to you while I was alive; then think with yourself, how the man who lies in that grave counselled and warned me to prepare for death."
So... what counsel did the faithful pilgrim David Brainerd give us while he was alive to prepare us for our death? Here are 7x counsels from his journal:
1. "My heaven is to please God, and glorify Him, and to give all to Him, and to be wholly devoted to His glory: that is the heaven I long for; that is my religion, and that is my happiness ... it is impossible for any rational creature to be happy without acting all for God: God Himself could not make him happy any other way."
2. "O, I love to live on the brink of eternity, in my views and meditations! This gives me a sweet, awful, and reverential sense and apprehension of God and divine things, when I see myself as it were standing before the judgment-seat of Christ."
3. "Oh, if ever I get to heaven, it will be because God will, and nothing else; for I never did anything of myself, but get away from God!"
4. "Whenever my mind is taken off from the things of this world, and set on God, my soul is then at rest."
5. "O that God would enable me to 'pass the time of my sojourning here in his fear,' and always live to Him!"
6. "As long as I see anything to be done for God, life is worth having: but oh, how vain and unworthy it is, to live for any lower end!"
7. "So I saw with no less clearness, that the essence of religion consisted in the soul's conformity to God, and acting above all selfish views, for His glory, longing to be for Him, to live to Him, and please and honor Him in all things; and this from a clear view of His infinite excellency and worthiness in Himself, to be loved, adored, worshipped, and served by all intelligent creatures. Thus I saw, that when a soul loves God with a supreme love, he therein acts like the blessed God Himself, who most justly loves Himself in that manner. So when God's interest and his are become one, and he longs that God should be glorified, and rejoices to think that he is unchangeably possessed of the highest glory and blessedness, herein also he acts in conformity to God. In like manner, when the soul is fully resigned to, and rests satisfied and contented with, the divine will, here it is also conformed to God."
The constant themes of his journal are an almost unhealthy degree of self-depreciation, lack of confidence in ministry, guilt over idleness, and an unending zeal to be weaned from this world. Jonathan Edwards writes that Brainerd "seemed never to be easy, however ill, if he was not doing something for God, or in his service." Brainerd journaled that "nothing lies heavier upon me, than the misimprovement of time."
However, this book was personally meaningful to me in light of a recent trip to historic Northampton where I got to visit his grave (he was buried next to Edwards' daughter Jerusha, who nursed Brainerd in his final weeks and died of the same disease a few months later).
Here's what Brainerd wrote in his journal over 300 years ago for people like myself visiting his grave: "When you see my grave, then remember what I said to you while I was alive; then think with yourself, how the man who lies in that grave counselled and warned me to prepare for death."
So... what counsel did the faithful pilgrim David Brainerd give us while he was alive to prepare us for our death? Here are 7x counsels from his journal:
1. "My heaven is to please God, and glorify Him, and to give all to Him, and to be wholly devoted to His glory: that is the heaven I long for; that is my religion, and that is my happiness ... it is impossible for any rational creature to be happy without acting all for God: God Himself could not make him happy any other way."
2. "O, I love to live on the brink of eternity, in my views and meditations! This gives me a sweet, awful, and reverential sense and apprehension of God and divine things, when I see myself as it were standing before the judgment-seat of Christ."
3. "Oh, if ever I get to heaven, it will be because God will, and nothing else; for I never did anything of myself, but get away from God!"
4. "Whenever my mind is taken off from the things of this world, and set on God, my soul is then at rest."
5. "O that God would enable me to 'pass the time of my sojourning here in his fear,' and always live to Him!"
6. "As long as I see anything to be done for God, life is worth having: but oh, how vain and unworthy it is, to live for any lower end!"
7. "So I saw with no less clearness, that the essence of religion consisted in the soul's conformity to God, and acting above all selfish views, for His glory, longing to be for Him, to live to Him, and please and honor Him in all things; and this from a clear view of His infinite excellency and worthiness in Himself, to be loved, adored, worshipped, and served by all intelligent creatures. Thus I saw, that when a soul loves God with a supreme love, he therein acts like the blessed God Himself, who most justly loves Himself in that manner. So when God's interest and his are become one, and he longs that God should be glorified, and rejoices to think that he is unchangeably possessed of the highest glory and blessedness, herein also he acts in conformity to God. In like manner, when the soul is fully resigned to, and rests satisfied and contented with, the divine will, here it is also conformed to God."
May 11, 2024
“O that I may never loiter on my heavenly journey!”
There is an article about David Brainerd with this same quote as its title, but I have included it in my review as well because it is the perfect description of Mr. Brainerd’s attitude of life. The diary of Mr. Brainerd’s life is a beautiful picture of what devotion to Christ, even through hardship and suffering, looks like.
Through this book, you get the opportunity to walk with David Brainerd through the last few years of his life and ministry. You get to experience his prayers and petitions throughout his struggling existence as a missionary and man oppressed by depression. In reading his prayerful reflections you see what it looks like to have Christ as an anchor to your faith as it rides the swells and breakers of life. Mr. Brainerd’s life is full of great suffering and great joy, but the one constant is devotion to God.
I was struck (and deeply convicted) by the faith and devotion of Mr. Brainerd. Throughout his diary he expressed desires to be more “weaned of the world”, he despised any action that wasn’t done to the Lord. He mourns time wasted in his life that wasn’t given unto God. When bedridden with illness (which was often), he was afflicted most by “misimprovement of time”. He was not bothered most by the physical pains of disease, but he hurt because he felt he could not do anything for God while laid up with illness! The Bible tells us that we should “seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1. David Brainerd is an excellent example of what seeking the things that are above looks like. Throughout his life, Mr. Brainerd always sought the glory of God first and foremost. He often longed for death, not to be free from pain or to gain reward in heaven. No, he longed for death so that he might be free from sin in order to better praise God with all of his heart, soul, and strength. He shunned any earthly praise or fortune because his heart was so firmly set on the joy of being in God’s presence.
This book is a slower read, most due to the fact that the language and grammar is slightly archaic, but don’t let that discourage you from finishing this book! Praise God that Mr. Brainerd’s diary has been preserved for us, and may we all learn to not loiter on our journey Home.
There is an article about David Brainerd with this same quote as its title, but I have included it in my review as well because it is the perfect description of Mr. Brainerd’s attitude of life. The diary of Mr. Brainerd’s life is a beautiful picture of what devotion to Christ, even through hardship and suffering, looks like.
Through this book, you get the opportunity to walk with David Brainerd through the last few years of his life and ministry. You get to experience his prayers and petitions throughout his struggling existence as a missionary and man oppressed by depression. In reading his prayerful reflections you see what it looks like to have Christ as an anchor to your faith as it rides the swells and breakers of life. Mr. Brainerd’s life is full of great suffering and great joy, but the one constant is devotion to God.
I was struck (and deeply convicted) by the faith and devotion of Mr. Brainerd. Throughout his diary he expressed desires to be more “weaned of the world”, he despised any action that wasn’t done to the Lord. He mourns time wasted in his life that wasn’t given unto God. When bedridden with illness (which was often), he was afflicted most by “misimprovement of time”. He was not bothered most by the physical pains of disease, but he hurt because he felt he could not do anything for God while laid up with illness! The Bible tells us that we should “seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1. David Brainerd is an excellent example of what seeking the things that are above looks like. Throughout his life, Mr. Brainerd always sought the glory of God first and foremost. He often longed for death, not to be free from pain or to gain reward in heaven. No, he longed for death so that he might be free from sin in order to better praise God with all of his heart, soul, and strength. He shunned any earthly praise or fortune because his heart was so firmly set on the joy of being in God’s presence.
This book is a slower read, most due to the fact that the language and grammar is slightly archaic, but don’t let that discourage you from finishing this book! Praise God that Mr. Brainerd’s diary has been preserved for us, and may we all learn to not loiter on our journey Home.
April 3, 2023
At first I was baffled by the inward struggles that Brainerd recounted in his diary. I felt like I couldn’t relate. But the more I read, the more I realized just how in tune he was to the Spirit. While he did deal with depression, he just had a daily sense of his spiritual need and was very sensitive to even a small drift away from communion with God day to day. I was very inspired and convicted. In summary, I haven’t read about another person who seemed so in step with the Spirit.
Yet he says, “My soul was pained to think of my barrenness and deadness; that I have lived so little to the glory of the eternal God.”
Well Mr. Brainerd is now living fully to the glory of our eternal God, and his story has revived me to press on for the same.
Yet he says, “My soul was pained to think of my barrenness and deadness; that I have lived so little to the glory of the eternal God.”
Well Mr. Brainerd is now living fully to the glory of our eternal God, and his story has revived me to press on for the same.
Read
December 20, 2023The introduction was amazing! All fifty+ pages of it. The introduction inspired me to dive into the almost eight-hundred pages of Brainerd's journals. It's the reason I made it as far as I did.
However, almost every entry, spanning years of Brainerd's life, includes the exact same thing. It's been almost non-stop self-defecation or the same seldom jubilation.
I started the book because I wanted to see what life was like for a young pastor in the 1800s, and then a missionary. Perhaps musings upon scriptures.
Because he's my brother, I ache for him and what life was like for him. But, I don't have the will to continue any longer, especially when it's not fulfilling the reasons I started to read.
I will not be finishing at this time.
However, almost every entry, spanning years of Brainerd's life, includes the exact same thing. It's been almost non-stop self-defecation or the same seldom jubilation.
I started the book because I wanted to see what life was like for a young pastor in the 1800s, and then a missionary. Perhaps musings upon scriptures.
Because he's my brother, I ache for him and what life was like for him. But, I don't have the will to continue any longer, especially when it's not fulfilling the reasons I started to read.
I will not be finishing at this time.
May 20, 2023
David Brainerd’s life was one of incredible humility. Through mainly trials and sufferings he persevered and lived righteously by entrusting himself and the work of ministry to the Lord. His personal walk was one of ups and downs. He wrestled with his sin and his suffering. His life portrays a raw view of a faithful but difficult Christian life. It was encouraging to hear of a faithful and righteous man who simultaneously struggled with hopelessness and weakness of various sorts.
His love for not just the lost but for specifically those who are hard of heart and reject God convicted me. It can be easy to love the idea of a lost person who simply needs to find their way. But it is much more difficult to be compassionate like Brainerd was for the people who reject God. Yet God showed himself faithful in Brainerd’s ministry to soften those hearts and bring about repentance and belief in the Native Americans. His life is one that gives glory to God.
His love for not just the lost but for specifically those who are hard of heart and reject God convicted me. It can be easy to love the idea of a lost person who simply needs to find their way. But it is much more difficult to be compassionate like Brainerd was for the people who reject God. Yet God showed himself faithful in Brainerd’s ministry to soften those hearts and bring about repentance and belief in the Native Americans. His life is one that gives glory to God.
May 2, 2024
Phenomenal book. It was very encouraging and inspiring to see the inner thoughts and actions of an early American missionary and how faithful he was in his short time. I think one of the best things was how joyful he became as he got more sick, even after struggling with depression and mental health since childhood, because he knew he was about to be with the Lord. I also appreciated that Jonathan Edwards was the one to organize and publish his diary since he knew him personally.
October 22, 2025
Tough slog, but worthy of reflection.
March 22, 2022
(Visit this review on my website.)
Few men have inspired worldwide missions work as much as David Brainerd. David Brainerd was a missionary to the Indians of the New World between the years of 1742-1747. Brainerd’s flame burned brightly among those native souls for five years and then was quickly snuffed out at the young age of twenty-nine. Mirroring his short life is the ministry of Jim Elliot, who died a martyr at twenty-eight and drew inspiration from Brainerd’s sacrificial life.
One of the reasons for Brainerd’s lasting and considerable impact is the publishing of his diary by Jonathan Edwards. Brainerd was engaged to be married to Edward’s daughter, Jerusha, at his death. Edwards edited Brainerd’s diary of any nonrelevant information and added his own notes separately from Brainerd’s entries among the diary, resulting in the story of a man’s life that has impacted countless missions’ endeavors for many years to follow.
The edition used in this review was published by Moody Press in 1949 and includes a helpful sketch of Jonathan Edwards’ life that gives perspective to Brainerd’s ministry. This specific edition was very satisfying to read from, with its vintage build and thick creamy pages.
Brainerd often expresses his passion for evangelizing the lost Indians and expanding God’s Kingdom throughout the book, but surprisingly, it is not his primary focus. The primary theme of David Brainerd’s life was his devotion to God.
David Brainerd was obsessed with his own spiritual need and longing for God. His evangelistic zeal was a result of his nearness to his Savior. He was keenly aware of his weaknesses and sin, “No poor creature stands in need of divine grace more than I, and none abuse it more than I have done, and still do.”
To Brainerd, everything in his life pointed to the divine grace of God. Even his suffering was a signpost to God’s grace. Frequently ill because of a pandemic in his younger years, Brainerd was often in severe pain, yet he beautifully writes, “It is good for me to be afflicted that I may die wholly to this world and all that is in it.”
Soon after being licensed to preach and two years before his ordination, David Brainerd received his first missionary assignment to the Indians on December 15, 1742. He would travel to those living near the forks of the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, where he would struggle for two and a half years without any fruit to show for his labor.
This period of Brainerd’s life was filled with discouragement, doubt, sadness, and frustration. Yet, through the strength of God, Brainerd persevered in the ministry given him to steward. And at the moment of His most significant doubt, when he almost resigned to quit, God powerfully awakened the Indians of Crossweeksung.
For those two discouraging years, while Brainerd studied the Indian languages, he had used an interpreter, an Indian by the name of Moses Tinda Tautamy. While Brainerd suffered doubts and fears, God was convicting Moses of his lost state through Brainerd’s preaching.
Moses, his wife, and his children became aware of their need for salvation and accepted Christ’s gift. Their baptisms proved to be a hammer that shattered the stony hearts of the Crossweeksung Indians. The other influence towards their conversion was David Brainerd’s preaching focus on grace rather than judgment, “But still, this great awakening, this surpassing concern, was never excited by any harangues of terror, but always appeared most remarkable when I insisted upon the compassions of a dying Saviour, the plentiful provisions of the gospel, and the free offers of divine grace to needy distressed sinners.”
Missionaries can learn many practices and attitudes from David Brainerd’s ministry, both positive and negative. Positive methods of Brainerd’s ministry missionaries might find helpful to implement include:
1. David Brainerd was intensely conscious of his relationship with God. He realized his weaknesses and sought God’s power in all his ministry. He was daily aware of his need for God and would often spend whole days praying and fasting. Daily devotion fueled his everyday evangelism.
2. Though he used an interpreter for much of his ministry, he fervently studied to learn the Indian languages. Towards the end of his ministry, he connected with his Indians using their language, which impacted his ministry greatly. He was even able to translate many prayers into the Crossweeksung language.
3. All people long for experiential meaning, perhaps the Indians more so with their idolatrous feasts and dances. David Brainerd found that the Sacraments had an evangelistic pull on the Indians. As Brainerd practiced Baptism and the Lord’s Supper more frequently, it seemed more Indians were convicted of their sin and began to trust in Christ’s gift of salvation.
4. David Brainerd did not leave new believers undiscipled. He began to catechize them immediately. A system of discipleship based on theology was a must, and the catechistical system seemed to work wonderfully.
5. The Crossweeksung Indians had accepted the Gospel. The Fords of Delaware Indians had not in times past. David Brainerd solicited the aid of the discipled Crossweeksung Indians to spread the Gospel to the Fords of Delaware. The preaching was now listened to with much gravity, and the Crossweeksung Indians conversed about Christ and evangelized other Indians. He also employs this practice later among the Susquehannah Indians.
Harmful methods of Brainerd’s ministry missionaries might find helpful to avoid include:
1. One of David Brainerd’s greatest strengths was his perseverance. Perhaps his perseverance also became one of his most significant weaknesses. He often worked long weeks without much rest or care for his body. One wonders how much longer his life could have impacted the ministry to the Indians had he taken more care of himself.
2. In conjunction with the previous point, David Brainerd went alone. He realized later in ministry that he should have gone with a companion, but by that point, he was too deep in ministry to make an intense search for one. Going two by two would have helped Brainerd bear the ministry load and provided the Crossweeksung Indians continued discipleship had his life still been so short.
3. Brainerd longed for the Indians to become Christians, but he also desired that they be civilized in the European sense. There is often a redeeming factor in a people group widely grasping salvation that lifts the society towards general success, but this is not to say that such corporate redemption is from one humanistic culture converting to another humanistic culture. Missionaries should be careful to focus on Gospel change within a culture, not cultural change for personal preference’s sake.
David Brainerd’s life is inspirational. His death is perhaps even more so. Jonathan Edwards noted that Brainerd would often pray that “we might not outlive our usefulness.” His life was a life of ultimate surrender to the God he loved more deeply than anyone else. He “longed to spend and be spent for God.” In the end, God gave him his request, and now Brainerd worships at the feet of his loving Savior, praising Him Whom he sought for with all his life and strength.
All Christians can learn from David Brainerd’s devotion. Any aspiring or experienced missionary should especially make such books frequent reads. Theology is not merely systematic, and such biographical theology can enlighten and break stony hearts as cold systems could never do. Like the Indians who grasped the truths of the Gospel through the portrait of Christ found in the sacraments, may the hearts of Christians burn from the stories of faithful men and women who express the Gospel through their devoted lives.
Few men have inspired worldwide missions work as much as David Brainerd. David Brainerd was a missionary to the Indians of the New World between the years of 1742-1747. Brainerd’s flame burned brightly among those native souls for five years and then was quickly snuffed out at the young age of twenty-nine. Mirroring his short life is the ministry of Jim Elliot, who died a martyr at twenty-eight and drew inspiration from Brainerd’s sacrificial life.
One of the reasons for Brainerd’s lasting and considerable impact is the publishing of his diary by Jonathan Edwards. Brainerd was engaged to be married to Edward’s daughter, Jerusha, at his death. Edwards edited Brainerd’s diary of any nonrelevant information and added his own notes separately from Brainerd’s entries among the diary, resulting in the story of a man’s life that has impacted countless missions’ endeavors for many years to follow.
The edition used in this review was published by Moody Press in 1949 and includes a helpful sketch of Jonathan Edwards’ life that gives perspective to Brainerd’s ministry. This specific edition was very satisfying to read from, with its vintage build and thick creamy pages.
Brainerd often expresses his passion for evangelizing the lost Indians and expanding God’s Kingdom throughout the book, but surprisingly, it is not his primary focus. The primary theme of David Brainerd’s life was his devotion to God.
David Brainerd was obsessed with his own spiritual need and longing for God. His evangelistic zeal was a result of his nearness to his Savior. He was keenly aware of his weaknesses and sin, “No poor creature stands in need of divine grace more than I, and none abuse it more than I have done, and still do.”
To Brainerd, everything in his life pointed to the divine grace of God. Even his suffering was a signpost to God’s grace. Frequently ill because of a pandemic in his younger years, Brainerd was often in severe pain, yet he beautifully writes, “It is good for me to be afflicted that I may die wholly to this world and all that is in it.”
Soon after being licensed to preach and two years before his ordination, David Brainerd received his first missionary assignment to the Indians on December 15, 1742. He would travel to those living near the forks of the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, where he would struggle for two and a half years without any fruit to show for his labor.
This period of Brainerd’s life was filled with discouragement, doubt, sadness, and frustration. Yet, through the strength of God, Brainerd persevered in the ministry given him to steward. And at the moment of His most significant doubt, when he almost resigned to quit, God powerfully awakened the Indians of Crossweeksung.
For those two discouraging years, while Brainerd studied the Indian languages, he had used an interpreter, an Indian by the name of Moses Tinda Tautamy. While Brainerd suffered doubts and fears, God was convicting Moses of his lost state through Brainerd’s preaching.
Moses, his wife, and his children became aware of their need for salvation and accepted Christ’s gift. Their baptisms proved to be a hammer that shattered the stony hearts of the Crossweeksung Indians. The other influence towards their conversion was David Brainerd’s preaching focus on grace rather than judgment, “But still, this great awakening, this surpassing concern, was never excited by any harangues of terror, but always appeared most remarkable when I insisted upon the compassions of a dying Saviour, the plentiful provisions of the gospel, and the free offers of divine grace to needy distressed sinners.”
Missionaries can learn many practices and attitudes from David Brainerd’s ministry, both positive and negative. Positive methods of Brainerd’s ministry missionaries might find helpful to implement include:
1. David Brainerd was intensely conscious of his relationship with God. He realized his weaknesses and sought God’s power in all his ministry. He was daily aware of his need for God and would often spend whole days praying and fasting. Daily devotion fueled his everyday evangelism.
2. Though he used an interpreter for much of his ministry, he fervently studied to learn the Indian languages. Towards the end of his ministry, he connected with his Indians using their language, which impacted his ministry greatly. He was even able to translate many prayers into the Crossweeksung language.
3. All people long for experiential meaning, perhaps the Indians more so with their idolatrous feasts and dances. David Brainerd found that the Sacraments had an evangelistic pull on the Indians. As Brainerd practiced Baptism and the Lord’s Supper more frequently, it seemed more Indians were convicted of their sin and began to trust in Christ’s gift of salvation.
4. David Brainerd did not leave new believers undiscipled. He began to catechize them immediately. A system of discipleship based on theology was a must, and the catechistical system seemed to work wonderfully.
5. The Crossweeksung Indians had accepted the Gospel. The Fords of Delaware Indians had not in times past. David Brainerd solicited the aid of the discipled Crossweeksung Indians to spread the Gospel to the Fords of Delaware. The preaching was now listened to with much gravity, and the Crossweeksung Indians conversed about Christ and evangelized other Indians. He also employs this practice later among the Susquehannah Indians.
Harmful methods of Brainerd’s ministry missionaries might find helpful to avoid include:
1. One of David Brainerd’s greatest strengths was his perseverance. Perhaps his perseverance also became one of his most significant weaknesses. He often worked long weeks without much rest or care for his body. One wonders how much longer his life could have impacted the ministry to the Indians had he taken more care of himself.
2. In conjunction with the previous point, David Brainerd went alone. He realized later in ministry that he should have gone with a companion, but by that point, he was too deep in ministry to make an intense search for one. Going two by two would have helped Brainerd bear the ministry load and provided the Crossweeksung Indians continued discipleship had his life still been so short.
3. Brainerd longed for the Indians to become Christians, but he also desired that they be civilized in the European sense. There is often a redeeming factor in a people group widely grasping salvation that lifts the society towards general success, but this is not to say that such corporate redemption is from one humanistic culture converting to another humanistic culture. Missionaries should be careful to focus on Gospel change within a culture, not cultural change for personal preference’s sake.
David Brainerd’s life is inspirational. His death is perhaps even more so. Jonathan Edwards noted that Brainerd would often pray that “we might not outlive our usefulness.” His life was a life of ultimate surrender to the God he loved more deeply than anyone else. He “longed to spend and be spent for God.” In the end, God gave him his request, and now Brainerd worships at the feet of his loving Savior, praising Him Whom he sought for with all his life and strength.
All Christians can learn from David Brainerd’s devotion. Any aspiring or experienced missionary should especially make such books frequent reads. Theology is not merely systematic, and such biographical theology can enlighten and break stony hearts as cold systems could never do. Like the Indians who grasped the truths of the Gospel through the portrait of Christ found in the sacraments, may the hearts of Christians burn from the stories of faithful men and women who express the Gospel through their devoted lives.
March 12, 2017
I am SO GLAD I didn't give up on this book, as I almost did. I personally found the diary (roughly first half) "rough sledding" and might even recommend skipping it altogether. But the second half was so good that it completely obliterated the struggles I had with the first. The account of his work with the Native Americans is amazing, and then the accounts of his last few months are so stirring. Well worth pushing through. I hope to end as he did, all on fire with devotion to Christ.
Reminded me of the Faber couplet:
"Oh that we may die languishing, burning, and sighing;
For God’s last grace and best is to die all on fire."
I have never seen a better picture of that than here, although many come close (CT Studd, Hudson Taylor, etc); the difference is 1) how certainly all knew that he was dying and 2) how well documented his thoughts and attitude during those days is.
Reminded me of the Faber couplet:
"Oh that we may die languishing, burning, and sighing;
For God’s last grace and best is to die all on fire."
I have never seen a better picture of that than here, although many come close (CT Studd, Hudson Taylor, etc); the difference is 1) how certainly all knew that he was dying and 2) how well documented his thoughts and attitude during those days is.
October 19, 2023
Brainerd's journals could be repetitive. He seemed overly preoccupied with how he felt from movement to moment. Yet, I came away blessed by a man who struggled with what would be labeled today as moderate to severe depression who poured out his life for others.
I don't agree with all his theology or all his choices. Yet, I admire his devotion to God and to sharing the gospel.
I don't agree with all his theology or all his choices. Yet, I admire his devotion to God and to sharing the gospel.
August 1, 2020
One of those encouraging books that makes you doubt whether you're a real Christian. Terrific. Really well edited by Jonathan Edwards. Can we address this by the way? Imagine Jonathan Edwards thinking your diary was worth compiling. A classic Christian book.
December 2, 2024
A mentor of mine told me a long time ago to just keep reading missionary biographies all the time. This biography has a very special place in my heart.
David Brainerd was a missionary to the Native Americans of New England in the early 1740s. This work is a compilation of Brainerd’s diaries and journals as well as commentary from his dear friend and contemporary… Jonathan Edwards.
It’s a pretty long read to sit through, but if you can buy it just to have on your shelf to read every once in a while, you won’t regret it. The middle 100pg excerpt from Brainard’s journal recounting the “remarkable work of grace” that happened between 1745-1746 is worth owning the book alone. From the devotional life of Brainerd to him reounting conversion story after conversion story of different indigenous pagan worshippers this book is a goldmine.
Brainerd kept a diary all the way up until the night of his death. I’ve had the privilege of spending time with this old saint and having him mentor my heart over the past month.
It’s important to have dead mentors. David Brainard will be a dead mentor to my ministry. I’ll think of Brainerd often as I pray through ministering to the same land this giant first ministered long ago.
David Brainerd was a missionary to the Native Americans of New England in the early 1740s. This work is a compilation of Brainerd’s diaries and journals as well as commentary from his dear friend and contemporary… Jonathan Edwards.
It’s a pretty long read to sit through, but if you can buy it just to have on your shelf to read every once in a while, you won’t regret it. The middle 100pg excerpt from Brainard’s journal recounting the “remarkable work of grace” that happened between 1745-1746 is worth owning the book alone. From the devotional life of Brainerd to him reounting conversion story after conversion story of different indigenous pagan worshippers this book is a goldmine.
Brainerd kept a diary all the way up until the night of his death. I’ve had the privilege of spending time with this old saint and having him mentor my heart over the past month.
It’s important to have dead mentors. David Brainard will be a dead mentor to my ministry. I’ll think of Brainerd often as I pray through ministering to the same land this giant first ministered long ago.
May 31, 2018
Es un placer adentrarse a los pensamientos de un gran hombre de Dios como es David Brainerd, para ser sincera no fue hasta ahora que he escuchado sobre él pero conocer su relación con Dios es de gran edificación.
Brainerd es el claro ejemplo de que la juventud es el tiempo perfecto para tener hábitos y crear una relación con Jesús , una relación que te motiva a cumplir tu propósito invirtiendo tu vida por el llamado.
Lo que más me ha impresionado es su corazón y el amor por el reino, cada que leía las páginas en definitiva pensaba que Brainerd ya no tenia los ojos fijos en la tierra sino en el cielo...
"Hoy cumplo veinticuatro años. ¡Oh cuantas misericordias he recibido en el pasado!, el señor me ayude a vivir para su gloria en el futuro.Nunca he deseado tanto vivir para Dios y dedicarme totalmente a Él, Quisiera usar mi vida en su servicio y para su gloria." (20/04/1742)
Esta es la historia del joven que siempre oraba y que orando logro alcanzar almas muchas en tan poco tiempo, un ejemplo de servicio , de alguien lleno del espíritu santo.
Brainerd es el claro ejemplo de que la juventud es el tiempo perfecto para tener hábitos y crear una relación con Jesús , una relación que te motiva a cumplir tu propósito invirtiendo tu vida por el llamado.
Lo que más me ha impresionado es su corazón y el amor por el reino, cada que leía las páginas en definitiva pensaba que Brainerd ya no tenia los ojos fijos en la tierra sino en el cielo...
"Hoy cumplo veinticuatro años. ¡Oh cuantas misericordias he recibido en el pasado!, el señor me ayude a vivir para su gloria en el futuro.Nunca he deseado tanto vivir para Dios y dedicarme totalmente a Él, Quisiera usar mi vida en su servicio y para su gloria." (20/04/1742)
Esta es la historia del joven que siempre oraba y que orando logro alcanzar almas muchas en tan poco tiempo, un ejemplo de servicio , de alguien lleno del espíritu santo.
October 14, 2024
This was an excellent autobiography. His love for the Lord's work is very convicting. It was a slow read simply because I needed time to ruminate and meditate on every page, and the beauty of his devotion often brought me to tears. In his conversion story, his self-righteousness and belief that he could earn God's favor, and his belief that he could bring himself to faith if he prepared enough for mercy, gave way to an understanding that all attempts to keep God's law will fail and he could never strive earnestly enough. This belief, he decided, was based on the desire man has to save himself because he cannot bear that it should be wholly at God's pleasure to save or damn him. From his early struggles with self-salvation, the rest of his diary is replete with acknowledgement that it was God who enabled him to do anything at all. To live his life for the glory of God was all that mattered..."nothing grieves me so much, as that I cannot live constantly to God's glory." For anyone who enjoys and benefits spiritually from a missionary biography, this one should not be missed.
January 11, 2026
I hate to give this 3 stars, but I feel like that's what it deserves. It is mostly just the direct diary entries from David Brainerd. Edwards doesn't frequently interject to give more context. And Brainerd's diary was primarily a spiritual diary. We don't learn much about what he was doing through these years, but a lot about how he was feeling on a spiritual level. There is value in that, but it gets real repetitive real fast. David never knew these things would be published. He might have taken a different approach if he'd known there'd be an audience. He uses very spiritual language, heavy with Biblical references, but 70% of this boils down to "today was a good day" or "today was a bad day." You do see a trend of the good days becoming more frequent gradually over time.
David Brainerd was a 5 star man. But this book was a 3 star experience.
David Brainerd was a 5 star man. But this book was a 3 star experience.
October 12, 2022
Amazing to hear the heart of a genuinely converted man whom God got a hold of. Amazing to hear the stories of what God did through him and totally made me rethink all of what those history class books taught with regards to “everyone being Christian” back then despite having a lot of bad atrocities happen during that time. David preached to native Americans and fellow colonials alike because so many of them were lost. Amazing to hear what God does through prayer and powerful preaching that led people to tears.
December 27, 2020
This is largely an account of personal spiritual ups and downs, but contains a great story of revival among Native Americans as well.
July 25, 2025
His life and ministry are so amazing, lowest lows and highest spiritual highs by this saint of God. Love reading something from Jonathan Edwards.
July 12, 2023
Man, it’s tough to read! He went through it!! This makes me even more appreciative of the work my wife does to prepare missionaries before they go and to encourage / love them as they serve overseas. It’s inspiring to read of Brainerd’s discipline and devotion even when he was struggling so much emotionally.
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