The Life and Diary of David Brainerd with Notes and Reflections by Jonathan Edwards (Illustrated)

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The book is a good one to read and share with those in need of what it contains. He was a great and tireless saint. The book reflects his struggles with his own sinfulness. Nearly every day's entry contained expressions like "gloomy", "without hope", "distressed", and "depressed". Certainly these are tools the Almighty uses to turn us to the glory of the cross. And we should all look upon our wickedness with disgust and despair, but where is the joy of living as a forgiven sinner; one who has been washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Well, it is there, just not in the abundance we have come to expect. Of course, he and Jonathan Edwards lived in another time which was more serious minded and soul searching. Today we want whipped cream and multi-colored sprinkles to hide the truth from us. This covers the life of one of the greatest of God's servants. I am happy with this particular edition because it includes the Journal which is essential to get the full story of the great work God did through this much tried saint. He battled melancholy and depression most of his life and had physical infirmities that greatly hindered him, but he persevered!

I have found myself returning to this book over and over, whenever I feel discouraged in my Christian walk, or sad, or doubtful, but also when I've felt joyful.

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It's hard to describe how one book can fill all these needs but I think it's because David Brainerd writes so movingly of both his highs and lows as missionary to the Indians in the s. Here he is on a good day: I felt a sweet longing in my soul after holiness. My soul seemed to reach and stretch towards the mark of perfect sanctity it was ready to break with longings. None know, but those who feel it, what the soul endures that is sensibly shut out from the presence of God: It is that passion, that longing to be holy, that joy in spending hours in fasting and prayer.

Whenever I read it, I feel a deep desire to live as he did, solely to God, though I confess, it does not last. Perhaps if I keep reading it will. By the standards of today, he was not a success: It is nothing but the power of God that keeps me from all manner of wickedness. I see I am nothing and can do nothing without help from above. Oh, for divine grace!

The one may cause some unnecessary distress, true, but the other is quite possibly a mask for outright unbelief. As such, it is much easier to read, though no less interesting or inspiring. While Brainerd is mostly concerned with his missionary work — he often references the Scriptures from which he preached and describes its effects among his hearers — there are also many details of historical interest. His main concern here is to detail the remarkable spiritual breakthrough he experienced in the population of Indians at Crossweeksung in New Jersey.

After failing to reach the native populations in several other places, his preaching here led to the conversion and baptism of a sizable number of persons.

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It is obvious to him, and should be as well to us, that God works when and how He pleases, ordering His creation and equipping His servants to carry out that work in a manner that shows His majestic holiness and infinite mercy. Jul 12, Edgar Soltero-flores rated it liked it. I really really liked the truth expressed in the collections of journal entries, thoughts, reflections, and Jonathan Edwards' reflections.

But a large portion of the writings were not meant to be read by public audience it is a diary after all. Yet for any man or woman of God, to enter these thoughts is refreshing to the soul and promotes ardent desires of God and His enjoyment. I took about 2 years to start and stop this book. But it was worth reading every time I set my mind to it.

I am conv I really really liked the truth expressed in the collections of journal entries, thoughts, reflections, and Jonathan Edwards' reflections. The details and examples of the work of God's Spirit through this man and to those who observed him encouraged me to pray more, confess my sin more, and expect God to act more. Reading this man's life, was like watching a tea kettle boil under a never ending fire.

It was consistently hot, not loud and fiery, but definitely true and perseverant and changing the atmosphere, so long as the Chief kept a fire under it. One preacher said, "anyone who wants to be a missionary or a preacher ought to read the Life and Diary of David Brainerd! Aug 14, Joy rated it it was amazing Shelves: I chose to read this book because I read that it had deeply influenced so many great men of God e. Now I am one who has also been deeply influenced by it.

I read it slowly, over a period of over 7 months, as part of my devotional reading each week. That way I could let it sink in. It's not simply David Brainerd's life that affects you, but what he wrote out of his daily walk with God. I've thanked the Lord over and over that He led I chose to read this book because I read that it had deeply influenced so many great men of God e.

I've thanked the Lord over and over that He led me to read this book, as it has been life-impacting. I also appreciated John Piper's review of David Brainerd, as it summarizes his life and why it was so important. Few books have blessed me like this one. Jul 07, Kaysie Campbell rated it really liked it Shelves: So this took me a while to get through. I wouldn't say I really enjoyed reading it, but it was interesting to read the personal journal of a puritan missionary from the 's. He was very effective in his ministry to the Native Americans and so that made me look inward and compare much of my life and ministry to others.

If you want to see wholehearted, single-minded, fiery, zealous devotion to Jesus Christ, David Brainerd, an 18th c. American evangelist to the Indians, is the cover boy. His kind are few and far between - his mission a calling in the truest sense of the word, completely abandoned to Christ and without desire for that which this ephemeral world has to offer.

May 22, Roy Bartle rated it really liked it. The intense piety and self-examination of Brainerd emerges most clearly from these pages. Whilst one wonders whether he could be prone to too much introspection, and indeed some pages of his diary read very much like others, yet in a day of practical antinomianism Brainerd's spirituality is a lesson to us.

One of the holiest men who ever lived was also one constantly depressed. For those reasons this is both a wonderful and dreadful account since he goes from soaring glory to the most miserable depths. A good read David Branerd's devotion to God and His kingdom are very inspirational. His constant self-loathing did become quite redundant and tedious.

I read the first pages, and found it very tiresome and almost annoying. I skipped to the journal section, and will start reading that sometime. Aug 15, Grace Mazzola rated it it was amazing. A good Sunday afternoon read. Jun 12, Richard Mounce rated it it was amazing. Brainerd lived to God. May his tribe increase. Jun 12, Brian rated it it was amazing Shelves: The book is composed of two sections, Brainerd's personal, daily diary and his journal of evangelistic activity among the Indians to whom he ministered.

Though only twenty-nine years old when he died of consumption probably some type of respiratory disease , God worked through this man to make many disciples of Jesus among the Delaware Indians in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. His diary speaks of his passionate love for God and the gospel which he gave his life to.

The Life and Diary of David Brainerd by David Brainerd

But h The book is composed of two sections, Brainerd's personal, daily diary and his journal of evangelistic activity among the Indians to whom he ministered. But he also repeatedly writes of his "extreme vileness" his favorite term to describe himself. Oh, my inward pollution! Oh, my guilt and shame before God! I know not what to do. Oh, I longed ardently to be cleansed and washed from the stains of inward pollution!

Oh, to be made like God, or rather to be made fit for God to own! It is true that many of Brainerd's entries indicate a deep depression that would last sometimes for weeks or months.

The Life and Diary of David Brainerd

There were days such as January 6, where he found relief by relishing in God's mercy: My soul intensely longed, that the dreadful spots and stains of sin might be washed away from it. Saw something of the power and all-sufficiency of God. My soul seemed to rest on his power and grace; longed for resignation to his will, and mortification to all things here below. My mind was greatly fixed on divine things: He was confined to his bed in the home of Jonathan Edwards while Jerusha, Edwards' daughter, cared for him.

Brainerd admitted on his deathbed that he was finally able to take his focus off his vileness and to satisfy himself with Christ's righteousness. 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. His request was honored. It was appropriate that a couple of years later, Jerusha Edwards who also succumbed to consumption was laid to rest next to Brainerd's grave.

An attachment had developed between them while Brainerd was confined to bed. Brainerd's entries hint at this and Jonathan Edwards confirms this. An excellent and highly recommended read. This account of David Brainerd's exploits among the American Indians in the s does not belong on your light-reading list.

The style is typical for the 18th century -- long sentences, longer paragraphs, familiar words which don't mean what you would expect The content is even murkier. Jonathan Edwards warns in a preface that Brainerd is "prone to melancholy and dejection of spirit.

Brainerd begins his entries by recording the utter despondence he feels beca This account of David Brainerd's exploits among the American Indians in the s does not belong on your light-reading list. Brainerd begins his entries by recording the utter despondence he feels because he does not trust that he is truly "saved. He perhaps had a hard time accepting the grace for himself. If interested in my journal of this time in Brainerd's life, read my blog: After having an experience in which Brainerd receives "assurance of salvation," Brainerd seems to spend the rest of his life oscillating between states of dejection and rapture.

He continues to have periods of serious depression and feelings of worthlessness on regular bases. His spirituality when he is feeling "high" is very serious and outward focused.

He often states that he longs for heaven not so that he can be in a better place, but so that he can better give glory to God. He seems to save little room in his diary for anything other than thoughts of a spiritual nature. Those who knew him stated he was a very spiritual person. The diary takes a long time in getting to any accounts with American Indians, focusing primarily on the author's inner spiritual life.

But once it starts recording encounters with the American Indians it does not disappoint. Brainerd had many thoughts concerning the indigenous which would be very improper for today. He hardly references the natives without calling them "poor Indians" and other somewhat patronizing terms.

He does not respect the American Indian culture, expressing thoughts to Europeanize them after they convert to Christianity. However, for his time Brainerd displays amazing tolerance and progressive thinking. His decision to live among the so-called "heathens" was unprecedented, and he gives an account of helping one tribe to save their land from unfair treaties. He also describes an account of a shaman whom he first fears, but later learns to respect as the shaman shares many of the same values as he. They follow the same God, but may worship him in different ways.

The account may be read at my blog here: I am a little sorry to rate this book down. It is due to the book's old writing style, slow start, my distaste for Brainerd's constant depression and seriousness, and his disrespect of the Indians. I did enjoy interacting with the book very much, and there were certainly parts which will be quite memorable. But I would not be eager to read books very similar to this one, and so I must leave the rating at a 2 out of 5. This was an interesting book, but not an easy one to read or digest. The worst part of the edition that I read was a short introductory biography of Jonathan Edwards by Philip E.

Howard written in That text was dry and dreary. After managing to complete it, I doubted if I could ever finish the book. Thankfully, the text written by Jonathan Edwards years earlier was considerably more pleasant to read.

The book includes a short description on the early life of David Brainerd, which is This was an interesting book, but not an easy one to read or digest. The book includes a short description on the early life of David Brainerd, which is quick reading, following by the often daily entries into his diary. Nearly the first half of his diary entries are painful reading. Basically, Brainerd repeatedly writes how sinful and how lost he is, and how he is clearly the most evil person around. As I read this, it seemed like he was overly self-absorbed.

This the second half of the book starts with his accounting of the work of God that was done in the Indian community. Editorial Reviews From the Back Cover Taken from Jonathan Edwards's edited versions of David Brainerd's 'Diary' and 'Journal', this compilation makes available a 'fairly complete' record of the self-denying life and strenuous labors of David Brainerd as he presented the gospel to American Indians.

Jonathan Edwards was a Colonial New England minister. Product details File Size: June 4, Sold by: Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a customer review. Read reviews that mention david brainerd jonathan edwards new jersey among the indians highly recommend diary of david sin nature jesus christ great awakening good read great book must read holy spirit seek god brainerd diary christian walk life changing american indians read this book glory of god.

Showing of 81 reviews. Top Reviews Most recent Top Reviews. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. This is an intense spiritual journey. This diary reading is not for beginner believers, as it is intensely deep, a spiritual gem. Edwards will take to you a spiritual height that will bless you beyond words. He was a man of constant prayer, desiring God every minute of every day. It's hard to believe that such a person ever existed. His words will leap off of the page and thrill your heart and soul with insights into God's character, His holiness and His love.

Not for the average believer. Only those who dare to become spiritual giants. Next to the Bible, it's the best book I've ever read. It is a big book and I read it in small bits so am not finished it yet. It is not a book to hurry through, but to savour in small doses depending, of course, on one's personal reading habits.

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In some parts there are consecutive days of diary and the young minister seems to be emotionally or spiritually up and down, too. Then follows some fill in notes by Jonathon Edwards. This is David's personal diary of course and his writing is I believe of a very private nature, so we have a peak into days of doubt, fear, and ecstasy, and hope in the day-to-day notes. It is like visiting a person who is somewhat troubled, and that can only be taken in small doses, but we still keep going back for more. Surely it will have a happier ending.

The book is a good one to read and share with those in need of what it contains. He was a great and tireless saint. The book reflects his struggles with his own sinfulness. Nearly every day's entry contained expressions like "gloomy", "without hope", "distressed", and "depressed". Certainly these are tools the Almighty uses to turn us to the glory of the cross. And we should all look upon our wickedness with disgust and despair, but where is the joy of living as a forgiven sinner; one who has been washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Well, it is there, just not in the abundance we have come to expect. Of course, he and Jonathan Edwards lived in another time which was more serious minded and soul searching. Today we want whipped cream and multi-colored sprinkles to hide the truth from us. One person found this helpful. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase.

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