Consecration | Example | Missions | Risk | Zeal

BRAINERD INFLUENCE
David Brainerd was born in Massachusetts in 1718. Although he lived only twenty-nine years, young Brainerd walked with God. Brainerd was a missionary to the Indians along the Hudson and Delaware rivers in early-day America. Although he preached only three or four years, Brainerd served God in an unusual way. When William Carey in England read about David Brainerd’s life of hardship as a missionary to the Indians, Brainerd’s influence moved Carey toward India. Robert Murray McCheyne also read young Brainerd’s biography, and it led him into the ministry in his native Scotland. Jonathan Edwards was also touched by Brainerd. He was Brainerd’s father-in-law, and he watched the young preacher die. Later he said: “I praise God that in his providence, Brainerd should die in my house so that I might hear his prayers, so that I might witness his consecration and be inspired by his example.” John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was also deeply affected by Brainerd. Even as Brainerd…