In our two previous posts concerning the work of John Eliot, we noted that the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay were concerned with the evangelization of the Indians. We briefly traced Eliot’s work and the publication of the Algonquian Bible. However, Eliot was not the only missionary to the Indians, the Mayhew family labored for several generations with the Indians who inhabited the island of Martha’s Vineyard.

This interest was both maintained and intensified during the revival that came to be known as the Great Awakening in the American Colonies from c. 1740 to 1745. Much of the attention has been devoted to the spiritual awakening among the white colonists but an equally important work was done among the Indians.

The person most closely allied with the work was David Brainerd although others such as David Zeisberger and Azariah Horton carried on very effective ministries. However, this blog will seek to summarize the ministry of Brainerd.

Brainerd was born in 1718 in Connecticut and matriculated at Yale College in 1739. This was the period of Great Awakening and the legitimacy of the revival divided the college in two. The President, Thomas Clap, and the majority of the teaching staff stood aloof from the spiritual awakening while the student body enthusiastically supported it. In fact, Clap expelled two brothers who attended one of the revival meetings although they went at the urging of their parents.

One day Brainerd remarked to another student that he was of the opinion that his tutor had no more grace than the chair in which he was sitting. In other words, Brainerd did not believe he was converted. Another student overheard the remark and informed President Clap. Although Brainerd offered to apologize, he was not permitted to do so and was expelled from the College. Even the intercession of Jonathan Edwards and Jonathan Dickinson, both well-known ministers and themselves graduates of the school, were unavailing.

For a period of time, Brainerd continued private studies and was ordained in July 1742. He supported himself by itinerant preaching.

Through the assistance of Jonathan Dickinson, Aaron Burr, Sr., and Ebenezer Pemberton, Brainerd was appointed a missionary to the Red Indians. Interestingly enough, his financial support came from Scotland through the Society in Scotland for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge.

At the time, some considered this to be an interim appointment until Brainerd’s appeal would be reconsidered for reinstatement at Yale or one of the churches in the colonies would express interest in his services as a minister.

As events unfolded, Brainerd would continue in this ministry for the five remaining years of his life.

In our next blog we will note the impact of his ministry among the Indians and the legacy of his life.