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than a breath of wind. I longed exceedingly, that God would glorify his name among the heathen. I appealed to him with the greatest freedom, that he knew I preferred him above my chief joy.' Indeed, I had no idea of joy from this world I cared not where or how I lived, or what hardships I might have to endure, if I might only gain souls to Christ.".

will make heaven the sweeter. Formerly, when I have been exposed to cold and rain, I was ready to please myself with the hope of a comfortable lodging, a warın fire, and other external accommodations; but now, through divine grace, such things as these have less place in my heart, and my eye is directed more to God for comfort. In this world, I lay my account with tribulation; it does not now appear strange to me. On meeting with difficulties I do not flatter myself it will afterwards be better, but rather think how much worse it might be with me; how much greater trials many of God's children have endured; how much greater, perhaps, are yet in reserve for myself. Blessed be God, he makes the prospect of my journey's end a comfort to me under my sharpest trials; and instead of allowing the thought of my dissolution to excite terror or melancholy, he often accompanies it with exquisite joy."

Many were the fatigues, the dangers, and the distresses which Mr. Brainerd endured in the course of his frequent journeys among the Indians; and no less singular were the faith, the patience, and the self-denial he manifested under trials of this description. A few weeks after his return from the Susquehannah, in travelling from the place of Mr. Byram's residence to the Forks of Delaware, a distance of about forty miles, he lost his way in the wilderness, wandered over rocks and mountains, down hideous declivities, through dreadful swamps, and other places no less dangerous. The night was dark and cold; and to add to his misfortune, he was troubled with a severe pain in his head, accompanied with sickness at stomach, which rendered every step he took distressing to him. He had little or no expectation for several hours but that he would have to lie out all night in the woods in this melancholy condition. Providential-residing in the same place. He ly, however, about nine o'clock, he discovered a house, and was kindly received by the people. Yet distressing as was his situation, no expression of discontent, no murmur of complaint, dropt from his lips. His reflections on this occasion are reflections not unworthy of an apostle. Thus," says he, I have been frequently exposed, and sometimes have lain out the whole night; but hitherto, God has preserved me. Such fatigues and hardships serve to wean me from the earth, and, I trust,

Having heard of a number of Indians at a place called Crosweek-. sung, in New-Jersey, about eighty miles from the Forks of Delaware, he proceeded to visit them about the middle of June; but, on his arrival, he found them scattered in small settlements, six, ten, twenty, and even thirty miles distant from each other, and not more than two or three families

So

preached, however, to the few he found, consisting only of four women and several children: inconsiderable was the congregation, and so inauspicious seemed the spot which was soon to be the scene of a most remarkable work

of divine grace. After hearing Mr. Brainerd, these poor people set off and travelled ten or fifteen miles to give notice to their friends that a minister had arrived among them, by which means their little company was in a few days increased to between forty and fifty,

would necessarily lose much of its force and meaning, yet now Mr. Brainerd's sermons did not ordinarily lose any thing of their original energy, unless it was sometimes owing to the want of suitable expressions in the Indian tongue, a defect which his own knowledge of the language could not have supplied. His interpreter addressed the Indians with admirable fervency; he scarce knew when to give over; and sometimes when Mr. Brainerd had concluded his discourse, and was returning home, he would stay behind to repeat and enforce what had been spoken; nor did this appear to arise from spiritual pride, or from an affectation of being a publick teacher; but from a spirit of faithfulness, and an honest concern for their souls.

including both old and young. No objection, no cavilling, no murmur of opposition was heard among them, though in time past they had manifested as strong a dislike to the gospel as any Indians what ever, and even lately several of them had been much enraged at his interpreter for telling them something about christianity. Now however they were extremely anxious to obtain instruction; they asked Mr. Brainerd to preach to them twice a day, that so they might learn as much as possible during his stay; and they appeared to listen to his discourses with the utmost seriousness and attention. This favourable disposition in these Indians he attributed to the exertions of one or two of their own people, who having heard him some time before, at the Forks of Delaware, had on their return endeavoured to show their friends the evil of idolatry, and of other practices common among them a circumstance which may afford the Christian missionary some con-bly disposed toward Christianity, solation under the hardest of all his trials, the want of success; for though no success should, for a season, crown his labours in his own neighbourhood, yet, perhaps, some who have heard the gospel from his lips, may, in the meanwhile, be instrumental in preparing the way for its introduction even among distant tribes..

In the beginning of August, Mr. Brainerd paid a second visit to the Indians at Crosweeksung; and, on his arrival, was happy to find them not only still favoura

but a number of them under serious concern for their souls, their convictions of their sinfulness and misery having been much promoted by the labours of the Rev. William Tennant, to whom he had advised them to make application. Scarcely had he returned among them, when these impressions increased and spread in a surprising manner. In two three days, the inquiry was general among them, "What they should do to be saved?" Such was their sensibility of heart, that a few words concerning their souls would make the tears flow in

or

After spending about a fortnight at Crosweeksung, Mr. Brainerd returned to the Forks of Delaware, and from this period these two places were alternately the principal scene of his labours. Soon after his arrival, he had the pleasure of baptizing his interpre-streams down their cheeks; in ter, together with his wife, the first of the Indians whom he received into the bosom of the church.

Though it might naturally be supposed, that a discourse, in passing to the audience, through the medium of a second person,

their publick assemblies, a dry eye was often scarcely to be seen; it was astonishing how they were melted with the love of the Redeemer, and with the invitations of the gospel, when not a word of terror was spoken to them.

One day after Mr. Brainerd had

the most fervent manner, and neither took notice of others, nor returned them any answer when they spoke to her. The burden of her cry was, "Have mercy on me, O God, and help me to give thee my heart.” In this manner she continued most importunate in supplication for several hours together; and thus she who came to mock, returned to pray.

preached on the parable of the Great Supper, (Luke xiv. 16—23.) when he was speaking with such individuals as were under concern about their souls, the Spirit of God appeared to descend on the whole assembly, and with astonishing energy overpowered all opposition, like a mighty torrent, which, with irresistible force sweeps before it whatever comes in its way. It seemed as if he now beheld a second Pentecost. Almost the whole congregation, the old, the middleaged, and the young, were over-crying for mercy, either within or whelmed with its influence. Even the most stubborn hearts were

The whole assembly, indeed, appeared as it were, transfixed to the heart with concern for their souls. Almost all of them were

without the house. So overwhelmed were they with a sense of sin, so absorbed in serious reflection, that none appeared to cbserve another; but each prayed as freely,

made to bow. One of the principal Indians, who previously had felt secure in the armour of selfrighteousness, because he possess-and, probably, in his own appre

ed more knowledge than most of his countrymen, and who only the day before had asserted, with the utmost assurance, that he had been a Christian for upwards of ten years, was now impressed

hension, as secretly, as if he had been in the midst of a desert, far removed from every human eye. Such as had been awakened for some time, it was observed, complained chiefly of the corruption of their heart; those who were newly impressed, of the wickedness of their life. It is also worthy of notice, that they who had lately ob tained relief, appeared, on this occasion, calm and composed, rejoic

with deep concern on account of his sinful miserable state; his self-confidence vanished like a vision of the night; his tears flowed in streams down his cheeks. There was also a young woman who was so thoughtless and igno-ing in Christ Jesus as their God and rant, that she seemed scarcely to Saviour. Some of them took their know she had a soul, but who having weeping friends by the hand, tellheard of something strange among ing them of the love of Christ, the Indians, came to see what was and of the comfort which is enjoythe matter. Having called at Mr.ed in him; and on this ground inBrainerd's lodgings by the way,vited them to come and give him he informed her of his design to their hearts. preach immediately, at which she laughed, and seemed to mock. She came, however, to hear him, and before he had concluded his discourse, not only felt she had a soul, but was so impressed with her sinfulness and misery, that she seemed like one pierced through with a dart; she could neither walk, nor sit, nor stand, without being supported. When publick in heaven, which await the faithworship was over, she lay pros-ful followers of the Lamb. trate on the ground, praying in all of them, this was a most in

He reminded such as had made a publick profession of religion, of the solemn obligations under which they had come, to live devoted to God; he gave them some directions respecting their conduct in life; encouraged them watchfulness, steadfastness, and devotion; and set before them the comfort on earth, and the glory

to

To

teresting and delightful season. in heaven. Scarcely had he be

The baptized Indians appeared to gun to speak in this strain, when rejoice in the solemn dedication the Christian Indians appeared to they had that day made of them- dissolve in love to the Redeemer, selves to the service of God; their mingled with desire after the full hearts were engaged, and cheer- enjoyment of Him, and of a state ful in duty; love reigned among of perfect holiness of heart and them, and displayed itself in the life. They wept affectionately, most simple unaffected manner. yet joyfully. Their tears, and Several of the other Indians, when sobs, and sighs, were accompanithey saw and heard these things, ed with inward peace and comwere much affected, weeping most fort; a circumstance which seembitterly, and longing to be par-ed to manifest that the whole was the effect of a spirit of adoption, not of that spirit of bondage, under which many of them had so lately groaned. The sacred influence spread over the whole assembly, which now consisted of nearly one hundred Indians, including both old and young, almost all of whom were either animated with joy in Christ Jesus, or impressed with concern for an interest in him.

takers of that comfort and joy they discerned in the countenance, as well as in the language of their countrymen.

On the following day, Mr. Brainerd, after discoursing some time to the Indians, addressed himself to those in particular, who hoped they were partakers of divine grace, representing to them the happiness which Christ confers on his people here on earth, and the glory he prepares for them

(To be continued.)

RELIGIOUS COMMUNICATIONS.

ON THE CONNEXION BETWEEN A

The same principle is fixed upon

PREACHER'S PRIVATE LIFE, AND by rhetoricians, both ancient and

HIS OFFICIAL MINISTRATIONS.

THE first direction which the apostle Paul gave to the elders of Ephesus, in his parting address to them, was, "Take heed unto yourselves." This it would seem he thought to be the most important thing which demanded their] attention; and the most effectual way of securing their faithfulness and success as overseers of the church of God.

modern. They lay it down as a leading truth, that no man can be truly eloquent without being eminently virtuous. Cicero, notwithstanding the rare endowments of nature-the extensive knowledge of philosophy, and of ethics, of poetry, and of logic, and the long and laborious study which he thought essential to success in his art, makes virtue the chief and most essential quality of an orator.

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But no orator, perhaps, is so much In his instructions to Timothy, affected by his moral character as and to Titus, he attaches the same the preacher. Its influence will importance to personal character.attend him throughout every de"A bishop must be blameless; an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

partment of his office, and affect him in the discharge of every duty, whether publick or private.

It will affect him in his prepara

Barrenness of mind, is another evil which afflicts the cold-hearted preacher in his preparations for

tions for the pulpit. You may see it in the very selection of his subjects. If his heart be unaffected with the great truths of religion-the pulpit. Seldom blessed with

the softening dews of heaven, his
soul is parched with moral drought,
and barren as the mountains of
Gilboa. With all the treasures of
the gospel before him-with all
the unsearchable riches and love
of Christ to
bear upon his

soul, he is alike destitute of
thought, and of feeling.

And

vain to find something of his own to give to his people, he is driven, as his last resort, to "annotations," and to commentaries ;" to printed "skeletons," and to pulpit assistants."

if, through the dimness of his moral vision, he has lost sight of the worth of the soul and the powers of the world to come," when he sits down to prepare for the labours of the Sabbath, instead of inquiring what subject will bear with the greatest weight upon the conscience, and find the readiest access to the heart, he will inquire what sub-after struggling for a while, in ject will afford him the widest scope for the display of his talents. And in the whole investigation and treatment of his subject, he will discover the same spirit of vanity and of selfishness. Instead of aiming to preach for the benefit of immortal souls-instead of striving to breathe into every sentence a holy energy, and to shape every thought, and every word, so as to make it tell upon the heart, he is searching for figures, and tropes, and flowers. Now he is striving to charm by the elegance of his style, and the smoothness of his periods-now to dazzle by his genius-and now to astonish by the extent of his learning, and the acuteness of his reasoning. In short, he is labouring to preach himself, instead of Christ Jesus

the Lord.

But let this same man who is thus hobbling upon crutches, and tortured to find materials for a sermon, be deeply imbued with the spirit of his sacred office-let him daily taste the heavenly gift, and the good word of God, and live and breathe in the atmosphere of heaven, and his whole soul will be moved, and filled with "thoughts that breathe and words that burn." His mind will dilate and expand, his conceptions will brighten and increase, and a current of warm and apposite thoughts will pour forth to astonish and to delight his soul.

Under the influence of such feelings, his pulpit-preparations, so far from being dreaded, and en|| tered upon with aversion, will be among the most pleasant duties of his office.

Or if indolence has so paralyzed the energies of his soul, as to have weakened the springs of his ambition, he seeks for a subject which shall cost him the least effort. And the highest object at which he aims, is to find some- Nor will a preacher be less afthing to fill up his discourse. fected by his moral character in However solemn, and warning, his ministrations in the sanctuary. and animating may be his subject, It will be seen and felt in his suphe feels no kindlings in his soul-plications at the throne of grace. no yearnings of compassion, no As prayer is an expression of feelmeltings of tenderness. Every ing, rather than an effort of the sentence, and every thought is understanding, every thing in the marked with apathy and feebleness; discharge of this duty will depend and amidst truths the most affect upon the state of the heart. And ing and tremendous, all is slug-if a preacher's heart be cold and insensible, how will it be possible

gish, and vapid, and frozen! Nov. 1826.

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