Two hundred fifty years ago...
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Two hundred fifty years ago David Brainerd (1718-1747), a young missionary to Native Americans during the colonial period, died before his thirtieth birthday. In a day when many people thought the only good Indian was a "dead" Indian, Brainerd, after a painful period of acculturation, came to identify with the Delaware, to love them, and eventually to call them "my dear flock." His missionary activity lasted only a few short years. He suffered ill health most of his life. His successes in terms of numbers of converts were meager. But, when Jonathan Edwards, New England's leading theologian and avid supporter of the Great Awakening revival, published Brainerd's journal after the young man's death, it became a best-seller. Later, in the nineteenth century this same journal inspired many of the leaders of the modern missionary movement, including William Carey, Henry Martyn, David Livingstone, Samuel Marsden, to name just a few. Why such influence? Like his Lord, Brainerd spent much of his time alone in a "deserted place" in prayer. Other Christian leaders detected the motive springs of Brainerd's personal devotion and sacrificial service in his constant periods of silence, prayer, and meditation upon the scriptures. Few people have thirsted after God as Brainerd did, and his extraordinary example motivated others to do the same. Time spent in the "deserted place" with God is never wasted time. -- Hasler
