Quotes from David Brainerd

My disorder has been attended with several symptoms of a consumption; and I have been at times apprehensive that my great change was at hand: yet blessed be God, I have never been affrighted; but, on the contrary, at times much delighted with a view of its approach.

Give yourself to prayer, to reading and meditation on divine truths: strive to penetrate to the bottom of them and never be content with a superficial knowledge.

As long as I see anything to be done for God, life is worth having; but O how vain and unworthy it is to live for any lower end!

God enabled me to so agonize in prayer that I was quite wet with perspiration, though in the shade and the cool wind. My soul was drawn out very much from the world, for multitudes of souls.

Again, Be careful to make a good improvement of precious time.

All my desire was the conversion of the heathen... I declare, now I am dying, I would not have spent my life otherwise for the whole world.

First, Resolve upon, and daily endeavour to practise, a life of seriousness and strict sobriety.

I am more weary of life, I think, than ever I was.

As to my success here I cannot say much as yet: the Indians seem generally kind, and well-disposed towards me, and are mostly very attentive to my instructions, and seem willing to be taught further.

When you cease from labour, fill up your time in reading, meditation, and prayer: and while your hands are labouring, let your heart be employed, as much as possible, in divine thoughts.

My soul often mourned of more time and opportunity to be alone with God.

Be careful to make a good improvement of precious time.