Rise and Progress of a Remarkable Work of Grace among the Indians in New Jersey and Pennsylvania (Brainerd's Journal) (part 1 of 6)
RISE AND PROGRESS
OP A
Wemarkable werk of grace amongst a number of Indians in the Wrevinces of Mete-Jersey and Wensylbania,
Justly represented in a
JOURNAL,
KEPT BY THE HONOURABLE SOCIETY IN SCOTLAND FOR PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE 5
With some general Remarks,
Minister of the Gospel, and Missionary from the said Society.
PUBLISHED BY THE REVEREND AND WORTHY CORRESPONDENTS OF THE SAID SOCIETY WITH A PREFACE BY THEM,
' 320 PREFACE.
reader will take peculiar pleasure in seeing this work described in its native simplicity, and the operations of the Spirit upon the minds of these poor benighted Pagans laid down just in the method and order in which they happened. ‘This it must be confessed, will occasion frequent repetitions; but as they tend to give a fuller view of this amazing dispensation of divine grace in its rise and progress, we trust they wilt easily be forgiven.
When we see such numbers of the most ignorant and bar-
_barons of mankind in the space of a few months, “turned from darkness to light, and from the power of sin and Satan unto God,” it gives us encouragement to wait and pray for that blessed time, when our victorious Redeemer shall, in a more signal manner than he has yet done, display the “banner of his cross, march on from conquering to conquer, till the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.” Yea, we cannot but lift up our heads with joy, and hope that it may be the dawn of that bright and glorious day, when the SuN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS shall arise and shine from one end of the earth to the other; when, to use the language of the inspired prophets, the “ Gentiles shall come to his light, and kings to the brightness of his rising ;” in consequence of which, “the wilderness and solitary places shall be glad, and the desert rejoice and blossom as the rose.”
It is doubtless the duty of all in their different stations and according to their respective capacities, to use their utmost endeavours to bring forward this promised, this desired day.——There is a great want of schoolmasters among these Christianized Indians, to instruct their youth in the English language and the principles of the Christian faith. There is no certain provision made for this at present: if any therefore are inclined to contribute to so good a design, we are persuaded they will do an acceptable service to the kingdom of the Redeemer. And we earnestly desire the most indigent to join, at least in their wishes and prayers, that this work ma prosper more and more, till the “ whole earth is filled wit the glory of the Lord.”.
The CORRESPONDENTS.
RISE AND PROGRESS
REMARKABLE WORK OF GRACE, “ge.
Crosweeksung, in New-Jersey, June 19. 1745.
Havine spent most of my time for more than a year past amongst the Indians in the Forks of Delaware in Pensylvania, and having in that time made two journeys to ’ Susquahannah river, far back in that province, in order to treat with the Indians respecting Christianity; and not having had. any considerable appearance of special success in either of those places, which damped my spirits, and was not a little discouraging to me; upon hearing that there was a number of Indians in and about a place called by the In. dians, Crosweeksung in New-Jersey, near fourscore miles south-east from the Forks of Delaware, I determined to make them a visit, and see what might be done towards their conversion. 1 accordingly arrived among them this Day.
Found very few persons at the place 1 visited, and perceived the Indians in these parts were very much scattered, there being not more than two or three families in a place, from six to thirty miles-distant. However, I preached to those few I found, who appeared well disposed, and not inclined to object and cavil, as the Ividians had frequently done elsewhere.
When I had concluded my discourse, I informed them, there being none but a few women arid children) that E would willingly visit them again the next day. They accordingly set out and travelled ten or fifteen miles, in order to give notice to some of their friends at that distance. These females, like the woman of Samaria, seemed desirous that. others might “see the man that told them what they had done” in their lives past, and the misery that attended their idolatrous ways.
June 20. Visited and preached to the Indians again as I proposed. Numbers more were gathered at the invitation of their friends, who heard me the day before. These also appeared as attentive, orderly, and well disposed as the others.
June 22. Preached to the Indians again. Their number which at first consisted of about seven or eight persons, was now increased to near thirty. There was not only a solemn attention among them, but some considerable impressions (it was apparent) were made upon their minds by divine truth. Some began to fee] their misery and perishing state, and appeared concerned for a deliverance from it.
Lord’s day, June 23. Preached to the Indians, and spent the day with them. Their number still increased, and all with one consent seemed to rejoice in my coming among them. Not a word of opposition was heard from any of them against Christianity, although in times past they had been as opposite to any thing of that nature, as any Indians whatsoever. And some of them not many months before, were enraged with my interpreter because he attempted to teach them something of Christianity.
June 24. Preached to the Indians at their own desire. To see poor Pagans desirous of hearing the gospel of Christ, animated me to discourse to them, although I was now very weakly, and my spirits much exhausted. They attended with the greatest seriousness and diligence, and some concern for their souls’ salvation appeared among them.
June 27. Visited and preached to the Indians again. Their number now amounted to about forty persons. Their solemnity and attention. still continued, and a considerable concern for their souls became evident.
June 28. The Indians being now gathered, a considerable number of them from their several and distant habitations, requested me to preach twice a-day, being desirous to hear as much as they possibly could while I was with them. EF cheerfully complied with their motion, and could not but admire the goodness of God, who I was persuaded, had inclined them thus to inquire after the way of salvation.
June 29. Preached again twice to the Indians. Saw, as I thought, the hand of God very evidently, and in a manner somewhat remarkable, making provision for their subsistence. together, in order to their being instructed in divine things. For this day and the day before, with only walking a little way from the place of our daily meeting, they killed. three
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deer, which were a seasonable supply for their wants, and without which it seems they could not have subsisted together in order to attend the means of grace...
Lord’s day, June 30. Preached twice this day also. Observed yet more concern and affection among the poor heathens than ever, so that they even constrained me to tarry yet longer with them; although my constitution was exceedingly worn out, and my health much impaired by my late. fatigues and labours, and especially by my journey to Sus~ quahannah in May last, in which I lodged on the ground for several weeks together.
July 1. Preached again twice to a very serious and attentive assembly of. Indians, they having now learned in. all respects to attend the worship of God with Christian decency, Between forty and fifty of them, old and young, were now present. I spent some considerable time in discoursing with them in a more private way, inquiring what they remembered of the great truths that had been taught them from. day to day: and may justly say, it was amazing to see how they had received and retained the instructions given them,. and what a measure of knowledge some of them had acquired in a few days.
July 2. Was obliged to leave these Indians at Crosweeksung, thinking it my duty as soon as health would admit, again to visit those at the Forks of Delaware. When I came to take leave of them, and spoke something particularly to ' each of them, they all earnestly inquired when I would come again, and expressed a great desire of being further instructed. And of their own accord agreed that when I should come again, they would all meet and live together during my continuance with them; and that they would do their utmost endeavours to gather all the other Indians in these parts that were yet further remote. When I parted, one told me with many tears, “She wished God would change her heart:” another, that “she wanted to find Christ :” and an old man that had been one of their chiefs, wept bitterly with concern for his soul. I then promised them to return as speedily as my health and business would ~ admit, and felt not a little concerned at parting, lest the good impressions then apparent upon numbers of them, might decline and wear off, when the means came to cease; and: yet could pot but hope that he who, I trusted, had
¥ 2 begun a good work among them, and who I knew did not stand in need of means to carry it on, would maintain and’ promote it in the absence of them, although at the same time I must confess that I had so often seen such encouraging appearances among the Indians in other places prove wholly abortive. It appeared also the favour would be so great, if God should now, after I had passed through so considerable a series of almost fruitless labours and fatigues, and after my rising hopes had been so often frustrated among these poor Pagans, give me any special success in wy labours with them, that I could not believe and scarcely dared to hope that the event would be so happy. 1 never found myself more suspended between hope and fear, than on this occasion.
' The encouraging disposition and readiness to receive instruction, apparent among the Indians seem to have been produced by the conviction that one or two of them met with some time since at the Forks of Delaware, and who have since endeavoured to shew their friends the evil of idolatry.. And although the other Indians seemed but little to regard, but rather to deride them, yet this perhaps has put them into a thinking postire of mind, or at least given them some thoughts about Christianity, and excited in some -of them a curiosity to hear, and so made way for the present encouraging attention. An apprehension that this might be the case here, has given me encouragement that God may in such a manner bless the means | have used with Indians in other places, where there is as yet no appearance of it. If so, may his name have the glory of it; for | have learned by experience that he only can open the ear, engage the attention, and incline the heart of poor benignted prejudiced Pagans to receive instruction.
Forks of Delaware, in Pensylvania, 1745.
Lord’s day, July 14. Discoursed to the Indians twice, several of whom appeared concerned, aud were I hope in some measure convinced by the divine Spirit of their sin and misery. They wept much the whole time of divine service. —I afterwards discoursed to a number of white people then present.
July 18. Preache@ to my people, who attended diligempy,
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beyond what had been common among these Indians; and some of them appeared concerned for their souls.
Lord’s day, July 21. Preached to the Indians first, then
to a number of white people, and in the afternoon to the Indians again —Divine truth seemed to make considerable impressions upon several of them, and caused the tears to, flow freely— Afterwards I baptized my Interpreter and his wife, who were the first | baptized among the Indians. They are both persons of some experimental knowledge in religion; have both. been awakened to a solemn concern for their souls; have apparently been brought to a sense of their guilt and misery, been comforted with divine consolations, have evidently passed under a great change, and I cannot but hope a saving one.. It may perhaps be satisfactory and agreeable that I should give some brief relation of the man’s exercise and experience since he has been with me, especially seeing he acts as my Interpreter to others. —When | first employed him in this business in the beginning of sammer 1744, he was well fitted for his work in regard to his acquaintance with the Indian and English language, as well as with the manners of both nations; and in regard to his desire that the Indians should conform to the customs and manners of the English, especially their manner of living. But he seemed to have little or no impression of religion upon his mind, and in that respect was very unfit for his work, being incapable of understanding and’ communicating to others many things of importance; so that I laboured under great disadvantages in addressing the Indians, for want of his having an experimental, as well asa more doctrinal acquaintance with divine truths. At times my spirits sank, and were much discouraged under this difficulty, especially when 1 observed that divine truth made little or no impression upon his mind for many weeks together.
He indeed behaved soberly after I employed him although before he had been a hard drinker; and seemed honestly engaged as far as he was capable jn the performance of his work. He appeared especially desirous that the Indians
,should renounce their Heathenish notions and practices, and conform to the customs of the Christian world. But still he'seemed to have no concern about his own soul, till he had. bee. with me a considerable time...
xy 8 Near the latter end of July 1744, I preached to an assembly of white people, with more freedom and fervency than I could possibly do to the Indians, without their having first ' attained a greater measure of doctrinal knowledge: at which time he was present, and was somewhat awakened to a concern for his soul. The next day he discoursed freely with me about his spiritual concerns, and gave me an opportunity to use further endeavours to fasten the irfpression of his perishing state upon his mind: and I could plainly perceive for some time after, that he addressed the Indians with more concern and fervency than he had formerly done.
These impressions however, seemed quickly to decline, and he remained in a great measure careless and secure, until some time late in the fall of the year following, when he fell into a weak and languishing state of body, and continued much disordered for several weeks. At this season divine truth took hold of him, and made deep impressions upon his mind. He was brought under great concern for his soul, and his exercise was not now transient and unsteady, but constant and abiding, so that his mind was burdened from day to day; and it was now his great inquiry, “What he should do to be saved?” His spiritual trouble prevailed, till at length his sleep ina measure departed from him, and he had little rest day or night; but walked about under great distress. His neighbours could not but observe a wonderful change in his behaviour.
After he had been some time under this exercise, while he was striving for mercy, he says, there seemed to be an impassable mountain before him. He was pressing towards heaven, as he thought, but “ his way was hedged up with thorns, that he could not stir an inch further.” He looked this way and that way, but could find no way at all. He thought if he could but make his way through these thorns and briers, and climb up the first “steep pitch” of the mountain, that then there might be hope for him; but no way or means could he find to accomplish this. Here he laboured for a time, but all in vain; he saw it was “impossible,” he says, ever to help himself through this insupportable difficulty. He felt it signified nothing, “it signified just nothing at all for him to strive and struggle any more.” And here he says he gave over striving, and felt that it was a lost case with him, as to his own power, and that all his attempts were and
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for ever would be vain and friitless. Yet he was more calm and composed under this’ view of things, than he had been while striving to help himself.
While he was giving me this account of his exercise, I was not without fears that what he related was only the working of his own imagination, and not the effect of any divine illumination. But before I had time to discover my fears, he added, that at this time he felt himself in a miserable and perishing condition; that he saw plainly what he had been doing all his days, and that he had never done one good thing. He knew, he said, that he was not guilty of some wicked actions which he knew some others were guilty of. He had not been used to steal, quarrel, and murder; the latter of which vices are common among the Indians. He likewise knew that he had done many things that were right; he had been kind to his neighbours, &¢. But still his ery was, “that he had never done one good thing.” I knew, said he, that 1 had not been so bad as some others in some things, and that I had done many things which folks call good; but all this did me no good now. I saw that “ all was bad, and that I never had done one good thing,” (meaning that he had never done any thing from a right principle, and with a right view, though he had done many things that were materially good and right.) And now I thought, said he, that I must sink down to hell; that there was no hope for me, “ because I never could do any thing that was good; and if God let me alone ever so long, and L should try ever so much, still 1 should do nothing but what is bad.”
This further account of his exercise satisfied me that it. was not the mere working of his imagination, since he appeared so evidently to die to himself, and to be divorced from all dependence upon his own righteousness and good deeds, which mankind in a fallen state are so much attached to, and upon which they are inclined to place their hope of salvation.
’ There was one thing more in his view of things at this time that was very remarkable. He not only saw, he says, what a miserable state he himself was in, but he likewise saw the world around him, in general, were in the same perishing circumstances, notwithstanding the profession many of them made of Christianity, and the hope they entertained
x4 of obtaining everlasting happiness. This he saw clearly, ‘as if he was now awaked out of sleep, or had a cloud taken from before his eyes.” He saw that the life he had lived, was the wav to eternal death, that he was now on the brink of endless. misery; and when he looked round, he saw multitudes of others who had lived the same life with himself; had no more goodness than he, and yet dreamed that they. were safe enough, as he nad formerly done. He was fully persuaded by their conversation and behaviour, that they had never felt their sin and misery as he now felt his.
After he had been for some time in this condition, sensible of the impossibility of his helping himself by any thing he. could do, or of being delivered by any created arm, so that he “had given up all for lost,” as to his own attempts, and was become more calm and composed; then he says it was borne in upon his mind as if it had been audibly spoken to him, “ There is hope, there is hope.” His soul then seemed to rest and be in some measure satisfied, though he had no considerable joy. He cannot here remember distinctly any views he had of Christ, or give any clear account of his soul’s © acceptance of him, which makes his experience appear the more doubtful, and renders it less satisfactory to himself and others, than perhaps it might be, if he could remember distinctly the apprehensions and actings of his mind at this season.
But these exercises were attended and followed with a very great change in the man, so that it might justly be. said, he was become “ another man,” if not a “ new man.” His conversation and deportment were much altered, and even the careless world could not but admire what had. befallen him, to make so great a change in his temper and behaviour. Especially there was a surprising alteration in. his public performances. He now addressed the Indians with admirable fervency, and scarcely knew when to leave off. Sometimes when 1 had concluded my discourse, and was returning homeward, he would tarry behind to repeat and inculcate what had been spoken. ‘
' His change is abiding, and his life, so far as 1 know, unblemished to this day, though it is now more than six months. since he experienced this change. During this time he has been as much exposed to strong drink as possible, in divers places where it has been moving free as water; and yet he has never that I know of discovered any hankering desire,
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after it.. He seems to have a considerable degree of spiritual exercise, and discourses feelingly of the conflicts and consolations of a real Christian. His heart echoes to the humbling doctrines of grace, and he never appears better pleased than when he hears of the absolute sovereignty of God, and the salvation of sinners. in a way of mere free grace. He has likewise of late had more satisfaction respecting his own state, has been much enlivened and assisted in his work, and been a great comfort to me.
Upon a strict observation of his serious and savoury conversation, his Christian temper, and unblemished behaviour for so considerable a time, as well as his experience which I have mentioned, I think there is reason to hope that he is “ created anew in Christ Jesus to good works.” > His name is Moses Tinda Tautamy. He is about fifty years of age, is pretty well acquainted with the Pagan notions and customs of his countrymen, and therefore the. better able now to expose them. I am persuaded he has. already been, and will yet be a blessing to the other [ndians. - July 23. Preached to the Indians, but had few hearers. Those who are constantly at home seem of late to be under some serious impressions.,
July 26. Preached to my people, and afterwards baptized. my Interpreter’s children.
Lords day, July 28. Preached again, and perceived some ef the people more thoughtful than ever about their souls. I was told by some, that seeing my Interpreter and others baptized made them more concerned than any thing they had ever seen or heard before. There was ind.ed a considerable appearance of divine power amongst them at the time that ordinance was administered. May that divine influence spread and increase more abundantly!
- July 30. Discoursed to a number of my people, and gave. them some particular advice and direction, being now about to leave them for the present, in order to renew my visit to. the Indians in New-Jersey. They were very attentive, and earnestly desirous to know when | designed to return to
them again. Crosweeksung in Ne - rsey, 1743.
August $. Having visited the Indians in t se parts in. June last, and tarried with them some considerable time preaching almost daily; at which season God was pleased to. pour upon them a spirit of awakening and concern for their souls, and surprisingly to engage their attention to divine truths, I now found them serious, and a number of them under deep concern for an interest in Christ. Their convictions of their sinful and perishing state, during my absence, “ have been much promoted by the labours and endeavours .of the Rev. William Tennent, to whom I had advised them to - apply for direction, and whose house they frequented much while I was gone.——] preached to them this day with some view to Rev. xxii. 17. “‘ And whosoever will, let him take .- the water of life freely ;” though I could ‘not pretend to handle the subject methodically among them.
The Lord I am persuaded enabled me, in a manner somewhat uncommon, to set before them the Lord Jesus Christ as a kind and compassionate Saviour, inviting distressed and perishing sinners to accept everlasting mercy; and a sure prising concern soon became apparent among them. There were about twenty adult persons together, (many of the Indians at remote places not having had time to come since my return hither,) and not above two that I could see with dry eyes. Some were much concerned, and discovered vehement longings of soul after Christ, to save them from the misery they felt and feared.
Lord’s day, Aug. 4. Being invited by a neighbouring minister to assist in the administration of the Lord’s supper, I complied with his request, and took the Indians along with me; not only those that were together the day before, but many more that were coming to hear me; so that there were near fifty in all, old and young. They attended the several discourses of the day; some of them that could understand English were much affected, and all seemed to have their concern in some measure raised. Now a change in their manners began to appear very visible. In the evening when they came to sup together, they would not taste a morsel till they had sent to me to come and ask a blessing on their food; at which time several of them wept, especially when I reminded them how they had in times past eat their feasts in honour to devils, and neglected to thank God for them.
Aug. 5. After a sermon had been preached by another minister, I preached, and concluded the solemnity, from John vii. 37. In my discourse I addressed the Indians in particular, who sat by themselves in a part of the house.
One or two of them were struck with deep concern, who had been little affected before: others had their concern increased to a considerable degree. In the evening (the greater part of them being at the house where I lodged) I discoursed to them, and found them universally engaged about their soul’s concern, inquiring, “ What they should do to be saved *”
All their conversation among themselves turned upon religious matters, in which they were much assisted by my Interpreter, who was with them day and night. A woman who had been much concerned for her soul, ever since she first heard me preach in June last, obtained I trust some solid and well grounded comfort. She seemed to be filled with love to Christ, at the same time behaved humbly and tenderly, and appeared afraid of nothing so much as of gtieving and offending him whom her soul loved.
' Aug. 6. In the morning [ discoursed to the Indians at the house where we lodged. Many of them were tenderly affected, so that a few. words about their souls would cause the tears to flow freely, and produce many sobs and groans.— In the afternoon, they teing returned to the place where { have usually preached among them, I again discoursed to them there. There were about fifty-five persons in all, about forty that were capable of attending divine service with understanding. I insisted upon 1 John iv. 10. “ Herein is Jove,” &c. They seemed eager of hearing; but there appeared nothing very remarkable, except their attention, till near the close of my discourse; and then divine truths were attended with a surprising influence, and produced a great concern among them. ‘here was scarcely three in forty that could refrain from tears and bitter cries. All seemed in an agony to obtain an interest in Christ; and the more I discoursed of the love and compassion of God in sending his Son to suffer for the sins of men, and the more I invited them to come and partake of his love, the more their distress was aggravated, because they felt themselves unable to come. It was surprising to see how their hearts seemed to be pierced with the tender and melting invitations of the gospel, when there was not a word of terror spoken to them.
This day two persons obtained relief and comfort, which appeared solid, rational and scriptural. After I had inquired into the grounds of their comfort, and said many things to them, I enquired what they wanted God to do more for them? They replied, “ They wanted Christ should wipe their hearts quite clean.”—I can say no less of this day, and I need say no more of it, than that “ the arm of the Lord” was powerfully and marvellously “ revealed.”
Aug. 7. Preached to the Indians from Isai. lili. 3—10. There was a remarkable influence attending the word, and great concern in the assembly; but scarcely equal to what appeared the day before, that is not quite so universal. However. most were much affected, and many in great distress for their souls. Some few could neither go nor stand _ but lay flat on the ground, as if pierced at heart, crying incessantly for mercy. Several were newly awakened, and it was remarkable that as fast as they came from remote places round about, the Spirit of God seemed to fill them with concern about their souls.—After public service was concluded, | found two other persons who had newly met with comfort, of whom I had good hopes; and a third that. I could not but entertain some hopes of, whose case did not appear so clear as the other. Here were now six in all who had got some relief from their spiritual distresses, and five whose experience appeared very clear and _ satisfactory. And it is worthy of remark that those who obtained comfort first, were in general deeply affected with concern for their souls when I preached to them in June last.
Aug. 8. In the afternoon I preached to the Indians, their number was now about sixty-five persons, men, women, and children. I discoursed from Luke xiv. 16—23, and was favoured with uncommon freedom in my discourse. There was much visible concern among them while I was discoursing pubi.cly; but afterwards when I spoke to one and another more particularly, whom I perceived under much concern, the power of God seemed to descend upon the assembly “ like a rushing mighty wind,” and with an’ astonishing energy bore down all before it.
I stood amazed at the influence which seized the audience almost universally, and could compare it to nothing more aptly, than the irresistible force of a mighty torrent or swelling deluge, that with its insupportable weight and pres-_ sure bears down and sweeps before it whatever is in its way. ‘ Almost all persons of all ages were bowed down with concern together, and scarcely one was able to withstand the shock of this surprising: operation. Old men and women, who had been drunken wretches for many years, and some little children, not more than six or seven years of age, appeared in distress about their-souls, as well as persons of middle age. And it was apparent that these children, some of them at least, were not merely frighted with seeing the general concern; but were made sensible of their danger, the _ badness of their hearts, and their misery. without Christ, as some of them expressed it. The most stubborn hearts were now obliged to bow. A principal man among the Indians,’who before was most secure and self-righteous, and thought his state good because he knew more than the generality of the Indians had formerly done, and who with a great degree of confidence the day before, told me, “ he had been a Christian more than ten years,” was now brought under solemn concern for his soul, and wept bitterly. Another man considerable in years, who had been a murderer, a powwpw, (or conjurer) and a notorious drunkard, was likewise brought to cry for mercy with many tears, and to complain much that he could be no more concerned when _he saw his danger to be so great.
They were almost universally praying and crying for mercy in every part of the house, and many out of doors, and numbers could neither go nor stand. Their concern was so great, each one for himself, that none seemed to take any notice of those about them, but each prayed as freely for themselves, and appeared to their own apprehension as much retired as if they had been every one by themselves in the thickest desart. [I believe they thought nothing about any one but themselves, and their own state, and so were every one praying apart, although all together.
It seemed to me there was now an exact fulfilment of that prophecy, Zech. xii.—12. There was now “ a great mourning, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon ;” and each seemed to “mourn apart.” I thought this had a near resemblance to the day of God’s power, mentioned in Josh. x. 14. I never saw any day like it in all respects: it was a day wherein I am persuaded the Lord did much to destroy the kingdom of darkness among this people.
. This concern in general was most rational and just. Those who had been awakened any considerable time, complained more especially of the badness of their hearts; those newly