Even in this unfavourable situation he was enabled to maintain the life of religion in his own soul, and to exert a good influence on those around him. It was while he was thus encompassed by the ungodly, and daily witnessing their levity and sin, that he often enjoyed such seasons of sweet communion with God, as we find related in his diary, in the following extracts:

In January, 1740, while I was walking alone, and engaged in meditation and prayer, I enjoyed a sweet refreshing visit from above, so that I was raised far above the fear of death. O how much more refreshing was this season, than all the pleasures that earth can afford!" Again he says, "I walked forth into the fields, and found such unspeakable sweetness in God, that I thought, if I must continue still in this evil world, I wanted always to be there to behold God's glory. My soul dearly loved all mankind, and longed exceedingly that they should enjoy what I enjoyed. It seemed to be a little resemblance of heaven." At another time he writes, My soul was exceedingly melted for, and

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bitterly mourned over, my sinfulness and vileness. I never before felt so deep a sense of the odious nature of sin, and I had a lively sense of God's love to me." In another place he writes, "My soul longed to wing away for the paradise of God: I longed to be conformed to God in all things." And again, "O! one hour with God infinitely exceeds all the pleasures of this lower world.” But

although he thus lived a life of piety, in communion with his God and Saviour, he did not neglect his studies; the object of his collegiate life was kept in full view, and pursued with unwearied attention.

While Mr. Brainerd was in college, Mr. Whitefield, that very successful servant of God, whose labours had been so much blessed in England, came over to America, and, from one end of the country to the other, awakened a general attention to religion. among all classes of society. New-Haven, and Yale College, with other places, shared in the rich blessings of which he was the instrument, and witnessed the amazing power and efficacy of the word preached by him.

Yale College now presented a new and interesting scene. There was an almost universal inquiry of "what shall I do to be saved?" among those who had before been careless and indifferent to the concerns of their souls. This was a state of things which filled the soul of Brainerd with holy delight. He most earnestly and diligently improved the precious season, to warn and counsel his fellow-sinners, and exhort them to seek an interest in Christ. He conversed and prayed with them, and was a very useful instrument in advancing the good work.

About this time, a circumstance took place, which to him was ever after a source of sorrow and regret. One hasty expression which fell from his lips in a private conversation with some friends, was overheard, and told to the rector of the college, and Brainerd was expelled; and, although he afterwards. offered to make acknowledgments, they were not accepted. Owing to a cruel and unremitting hostility, he was never suffered to enter college again, which was a bitter disappointment to him, as he was soon to have

taken his degree, and would have been the first in his class. But perhaps God permitted it for the very purpose of humbling him more and more, and to prepare him more effectually for the work he had for him to do.

After leaving college, he continued his studies with the Rev. Mr. Mills of Ripton. While in this situation, we find, from his diary, that he felt earnest desires to become a missionary to the heathen. He writes, "I cried unto God to wash my soul, and cleanse me from my exceeding filthiness, and (if God should so order) to be banished from my native land, and go among the heathen, that I might do something for their salvation, even in distresses and deaths of every kind. Then God gave me to wrestle earnestly for others, for the kingdom of Christ in the world, and for my dear Christian friends. I felt weaned from the world, and was willing to be despised, and be a gazing stock for the world." Again he wrote, " I had hopes respecting the heathen. O that God would bring in numbers of them to Christ! I cannot but hope I shall see that glorious day."

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"Lord's day, April 18.—I retired early this morning into the woods for prayer, and was enabled to plead with fervency for the advancement of Christ's kingdom. At night, I saw myself infinitely indebted to God, and had a view of my short comings. It seemed to me that I had done nothing for God, and that I had lived to him but a few hours of my life." April 20, 1742, he writes, “I am this day twenty-four years of age. O how much mercy have I received the year past! how often has God caused his goodness to pass before me! and how poorly have I answered to the vows I made one year ago, to be wholly the Lord's, to be for ever devoted to his service the Lord help me to live more to his glory!" At another time he writes, "O the near access that God sometimes gives us in our addresses to him! this may well be called appearing before God. I have not had such power of intercession these many months, both for God's children and for poor sinners. I longed for the coming of my dear Lord; I longed to join the hosts. of angels in praises wholly free from imper