that the volume will prove an acceptable addition to the devotional library of younger Christians and students for the ministry. If any thing will quicken diligence, animate zeal, and spiritualize the affections, the diary and journal of Mr. Brainerd will not fail of success. His early departure from the field of labor, is an affecting consideration, and may teach the ministers of Christ the importance of doing immediately whatsoever their hands find to do; we may have but little time to live, and we have much to perform. Souls are perishing; every moment they are rushing in multitudes to that world "where there is no reviving Spirit, and where the blood of Christ has no efficacy."

The remarks of President Edwards, at the close of his narrative, form so valuable a portion of his work, that I could not persuade myself to close this volume without subjoining them, somewhat abridged, as an Appendix. His observations on the "Witness of the Spirit," should, in this age of antinomian delusion, be seriously read and deeply considered by Christians of all denominations: and that class in the religious world, who think themselves at the farthest possible remove from the immoral influence of antinomian heresy, would do well to examine how far their notions of distinct and immediate testimony have the same tendency with the principles of those whose spirit and conduct they so justly abhor. The sentiments of President Edwards, on this subject, are the sentiments of all rational an consistent Calvinists; and if ever the preachers of this ɔmination in the Christian church, abandon these views of the nature of Divine operations upon the mind, they will throw wide open the floodgates of fanaticism and licentiousness..

J. S.

West Cowes, Isle of Wight.

THE

LIFE OF BRAINERD.

CHAPTER I.

His birth. His early concern about religion. The peculiar exercises of his mind. His desire to become a student for the ministry.

VARIOUS are the methods which wise and good men have employed in defence of Christianity; the infidel has been assailed by a body of evidence, which nothing but determined hostility to the Christian cause could enable him to resist. One champion has chosen this weapon, another has preferred that: each has been excellent of its kind, and with respect to its particular object, has vanquished the ignorance of foolish men. But the vital influence of Divine principles on the heart and life. of a real Christian, is with me an argument of matchless power; which defends not a fact or individual circumstance only, but which is an adamantine shield to the entire system. It protects not merely a single entrance, it renders, on every side, the citadel secure. In this view, the life of David Brainerd, the missionary of the Cross, has always appeared to me to contain the most luminous proofs of the divine reality, and incalculable worth of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This distinguished man, an apostle in labors and in "Infirmities," was a descendant of pious and respectable parents: he was born at Haddam, in Connecticut, one of the American colonies, on April 20, 1718. From his earliest youth he was remark

ably serious and thoughtful. His natural constitution was tinctured with melancholy, which, notwithstanding the power and influence of Christianity in his heart, often embittered his life, and covered his mind with a veil of doubt and gloom: against this natural infirmity he had to struggle to his dying day; and when this is considered, his abundant labors, indefatigable application, and ardent zeal, are indeed surprising; they forcibly illustrate the truth of the Divine promise-"My strength is made perfect in weakness." It does not appear that this excellent man was, by his parents, designed for the work of the ministry. The pursuits of husbandry occupied his attention, and he labored with his hands for one year upon his own farm at Durham. But the employment of a farmer was not congenial with his disposition: his mind thirsted for intellectual improvement, and at the age of twenty he commenced a life of study, attending at the same time with the greatest punctuality to the duties of religion, in the performance of which he thought a minister, and a candidate for the ministerial office, should be remarkably strict; and it were to be wished, that all who assume the sacred character felt thus concerned to maintain its real dignity.

Perhaps no person ever presented a more striking instance of the subtlety and influence of a selfrighteous spirit, and the bondage and misery into which it brings the soul than David Brainerd: numerous and painful were his struggles with this adversary; this was the canker-worm at the root of all his religion; and long did he retain "A secret latent hope of recommending himself to God by his religious duties. It was no easy thing to

sweep away this refuge of lies; his heart clung to it till he had been nearly involved in its ruins. Like a drowning creature, yet disdaining to accept any offer of assistance, he made every effort to reach the shore in his own strength; and it was not till he was "Wearied in the greatness of his way," till his own weakness, and entire helplessness stared him in the face, and pressed upon him on every side, that he could say there is no hope, "Save, Lord, or I perish.

The account which he has himself given of the manner in which he was brought to acquiesce, with all his heart, in the Gospel-method of salvation, and the mental difficulties with which he struggled previous to this, is striking and affecting.

"I was, I think, from my youth something sober, and inclined to melancholy, but do not remember any conviction of sin, worthy of remark, until I was seven or eight years of age, when I grew terrified at the thoughts of death and was driven to the performance of duties; this religious concern was short-lived. However, I sometimes attended secret prayer; and thus lived at "Ease in Zion, though without God in the world," till I was above thirteen years of age. But in the winter, 1732, I was something roused by the prevailing of a mortal sickness in Haddam. I was frequent, constant, and something fervent, in duties, and took delight in reading, especially Mr. Janeway's "Token for Children;" I was sometimes much melted in duties, and took great delight in the performance of them. The Spirit of God at this time proceeded far with me; I was remarkably dead to the world, and my thoughts were almost wholly employed. about my soul's concerns; I may indeed say, "Al

most I was persuaded to be a Christian." I also exceedingly distressed at the death of my ther, in March, 1732. But afterwards, my religi concern declined, and I, by degrees, fell back security, though I still attended to secret prayer

"About the 15th of April, 1733, I removed fi my father's house to East-Haddam, where I sp four years. Here I went in a round of secret d I was not much addicted to young company; when I did go into it, I never returned with good a conscience as I went; it always added guilt to me, and made me afraid to come to throne of grace.

"About the latter end of April, 1737, being nineteen, I removed to Durham, and began to w on my farm, and so continued till I was twe years old, though frequently longing after a lib education. When I was about twenty, I app myself to study, and was engaged more than in the duties of religion. I became very watc over my thoughts, words, and actions; and thou I must be so, because I designed to devote my to the ministry.

"Some time in April, 1738, I went to Mr. Fish and lived with him during his life. And I rem ber he advised me wholly to abandon young c pany, and associate myself with grave elderly I ple: which counsel I followed; and my manne life was now exceeding regular. I read my B more than twice through in less than a year. spent much time every day in secret prayer, other secret duties: Lgave great attention to