and I could not but hope that they were reformed in some measure from the sin of drunkenness. They likewise manifested a regard to the Lord's-day; and not only behaved soberly themselves, but took care also to keep their children in order.

'Yet, after all, I must confess, that, as there were many hopeful appearances among them, so there were some things more discouraging: and, while I rejoiced to observe any seriousness and concern among them about the affairs of their souls, still I was not without continual fear and concern, lest such encouraging appearances might prove" like a morning cloud that passeth away.”

CHAPTER V.

The second year of his Missionary Labours; from April 1744, to April 1745.

THE Correspondents for the Indian Mission having directed Brainerd, as we have stated, to remove from Kaunaumeek, where he spent the first year of his missionary labours, he took leave of his Indians on the 29th of April, and set forward on a journey to his original destination, among the Indians at the Forks of the Delaware.

Of his feelings during this journey he says:—

'I spent much of my time, while riding, in prayer, that God would go with me to the Delaware. My heart was sometimes ready to sink with the thoughts of my work, and of going alone into the wilderness, I knew not where; but still it was comfortable to think, that others of God's children had wandered about in caves and dens of the earth; and that Abraham, when he went forth, went out, not knowing whither he went. Oh that I might follow after God!'

After crossing Hudson's River, he traversed the woods from that river to the Delaware, about a hundred miles through a desolate and frightful country,

above New Jersey, where there were then very few habitations. In this journey he endured great hardships and fatigue.

About 140 miles from Kaunaumeek, at a place called Minissinks, he fell in with a number of Indians, of his intercourse with whom he says:

'With these Indians I spent some time. I first addressed their king in a friendly manner; and, after some discourse, and attempts to contract a friendship with him, I told him I had a desire, for their benefit and happiness, to instruct them in Christianity; at which he laughed, turned his back upon me, and went away. I then addressed another principal man in the same manner, who said he was willing to hear me. After some time, I followed the king into his house, and renewed my discourse to him; but he declined talking, and left the affair to another, who appeared to be a rational man. He began, and talked very warmly near a quarter of an hour together; he inquired why I desired the Indians to become Christians, seeing the Christians were so much worse than the Indians are in their present state. The Christians, he said, would lie, steal, and drink, worse than the Indians. It was they who first taught the Indians to be drunk; and they stole from one another to that degree, that their rulers were obliged to hang them for it; and that was not sufficient to deter others from the like practice. But the Indians, he added, were none of them ever hanged for stealing,and yet they did not steal half so much; and he supposed that if the Indians should become Christians, they would then be as bad as these. And hereupon he said, that they would live as their fathers lived, and go where their fathers were when they died. I then

joined with him in condemning the ill conduct of some who are called Christians. I told him that these were not Christians in heart; that I hated such wicked practices, and did not desire the Indians to become such as these; and when he appeared calmer, I asked him if he was willing that I should come and see them again; he replied, he should be willing to see me again, as a friend, if I would not desire them to become Christians.'

He then bid these Indians farewell; and, prosecuting his journey to the Delaware, arrived, on the 13th of May, at a place called, by the Indians, Sakhauwotung, within the Forks of the Delaware, in Pennsylvania.

Here he entered on his work, but not with very animated expectations:

'Lord's-day, May 13, 1744. Rose early-felt very poorly after my long journey, and after being wet and fatigued, was very melancholy; have scarce ever seen such a gloomy morning in my life, there appeared to be no Sabbath: the children were all at play; I a stranger in the wilderness, and knew not where to go; and all circumstances seemed to conspire to render my affairs dark and discouraging: was disappointed respecting an interpreter, and heard that the Indians were much scattered. I mourned after the presence of God, and seemed like a creature banished from his sight: yet he was pleased to support my sinking soul, amidst all my sorrows; so that I never entertained any thought of quitting my business among the poor Indians; but was comforted to think that death would, ere long, set me free from these distresses.'

Writing, however, some months afterward, he

K

shews that his melancholy did not repress his exertions:

'Here, also, when I came to the Indians, I saluted their king, and others, in the manner that I thought most engaging: and, soon after, informed the king of my desire to instruct them in the Christian religion. After he had consulted two or three old men, he told me he was willing to hear. I then preached to those few that were present; who appeared very attentive, and well-disposed: and the king, in particular, seemed both to wonder and to be well pleased with what I taught them respecting the Divine Being, &c. and, since that time, he has ever shewn himself friendly to me, giving me free liberty to preach in his house whenever I think fit. Here, therefore, I have spent the greater part of the summer, preaching usually in the king's house.'

After Brainerd had thus given full evidence of his peculiar fitness for the work of a missionary, he was directed to proceed to Newark, in New Jersey, to receive ordination. He left his Indians, in consequence, on the 28th of May, about a fortnight after his arrival, and reached Newark the next day. On the 11th of June he preached his Probation Sermon, from Acts xxvi. 17, 18.

I was much tired,' he says, and my mind burdened with the greatness of that charge which I was, in the most solemn manner, about to take upon me. My mind was so oppressed with the weight of the work, that I could not sleep this night, though very weary, and in great want of rest.'

On the 12th of June, he was solemnly dedicated to his work among the heathen; Mr. Pemberton preaching the Ordination Sermon, from the appro