labours of an Indian mission, and to be banished from his friends, that he might instruct the poor, ignorant Indians, and tell them of Jesus Christ, that their souls might be saved.

Nor did this self-denying man feel that it was enough for him to devote his time, his strength, his comfort, his health, and his life, to save the souls of these savages; his little property was also devoted to the service of the Lord. We have before mentioned his giving an education to a young man of piety destined to be a minister of the gospel. In his diary, Jan. 1, 1744, he writes, "Of a truth God has been gracious to me the past year, though he has caused me to pass through many sorrows. He has provided for me bountifully, so that I have been enabled in about fifteen months to bestow to charitable uses one hundred pounds. Blessed be the Lord, that he has so far used me as his steward, to distribute a portion of his goods. May I always remember that all I have comes from God." How does this spirit put to shame the conduct of those who roll in

wealth, who have all the conveniences of life, and do little or nothing to advance the welfare of their fellow-men, and to extend the kingdom of Jesus Christ in the world. Let the minister who is disposed to glory in the abundance of his labours, remember the conduct of Brainerd, and be humbled; let the discontented view his sufferings, and complain no more; let the idle and careless contemplate his intense and unwearied application, and be ashamed; and let all who enjoy the good things of God behold his liberality, and follow his example.

May 1, 1744. He set out for the river Delaware, in Pennsylvania, and rode several hours in the rain, through the wilderness, although he was labouring under severe and alarming bodily disorder. While on this solitary journey, his heart was sometimes ready to sink at the thoughts of his work, and of going alone in the wilderness he knew not where; but still found comfort in thinking that others of God's children had "wandered about in caves and dens of the earth;"

and that Abraham, "when he was called to go forth, went out, not knowing whither he

went."

On the 10th of May he met a number of Indians at a place called Minissinks. With these Indians he continued some time in conversation. After talking with their king a little while, he told him he had a desire to instruct the Indians in Christianity; but the king laughed, turned his back upon him, and went away.

He then spoke to one of the chiefs, who spoke very warmly, and inquired why he wanted the Indians to become Christians; for the Christians (the Indians call all white men Christians) were much worse than the Indians, and would lie, and steal, and drink, worse than they. He said the Christians first taught the Indians to get drunk, and they stole from one another, so that their rulers had to hang them for it, and that this would not keep others from the same pracBut the Indians, he said, were never hung for stealing, and he supposed, if they became Christians, they would become as

tices.

bad as these.

Mr. Brainerd then freely

owned and lamented, and joined in condemning the ill conduct of some who were called Christians, and told him these were not Christians in heart; and that he hated such practices, and did not wish the Indians to become such as these. After some more conversation, he left them, and continued his journey.

May 12. He arrived at a place, called by the Indians Sakhaurotung, within the forks of the Delaware. Here also he saluted their king, and, entering into conversation, informed him of his desire to instruct them in the Christian religion. After the king had consulted a few minutes with two or three old men, he said he was willing to hear; and Mr. Brainerd preached to the few who were present. They appeared very attentive; the king, in particular, seemed to wonder, and to be well pleased with what he was taught about the Divine Being; and after that time always showed himself friendly, and gave liberty to preach in his house whenever it was wanted.

Here he continued to preach and instruct most of the summer. The number of hearers was at first only about twenty-five; but, towards the latter part of the summer, increased to forty or more; and the effects of preaching among them very soon appeared. Some were induced to renounce idolatry, and to refuse

partake of those feasts which they offered in sacrifice to their supposed deities. A few of them manifested a serious concern for their soul's eternal welfare, and inquired what they should do to be saved, with much diligence, affection, and solicitude; and not only sought salvation for their own souls, but were very desirous that others should feel the same, and took much pains to accomplish this object.

Lord's day, May 13.-He says, “I rose very early, and felt very poorly after my long journey, and being wet and fatigued. I have scarce ever seen so gloomy a morning in my life; there appeared to be no Sabbath, the children were all at play, (poor heathen children, who knew nothing about the Sabbath,) I was a stranger in the wilderness, and knew

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