more free from party spirit. I hope some good will follow, that Christians will be freed from false joy, and party zeal, and censuring one another.

Friday, Jan. 28. Rode to New-London. Here I found some fallen into extravagances, too much carried away with false zeal and bitterness: oh, the want of a gospel temper is greatly to be lamented. Spent the evening in conversing about some points of conduct in both ministers and private Christians; but we did not agree. God had not taught them with briars and thorns to be of a kind disposition toward mankind.

[On Saturday he rode to East-Haddam, and spent the three following days there. He speaks of his weanedness from the world, a sense of the nearness of eternity, special assistance in praying for the enlargement of Christ's kingdom, and times of spiritual comfort.]

Wednesday, February 2. Preached my farewell-sermon last night at the house of an aged man, who had been unable to attend public worship for some time; and this morning spent the time in prayer, almost wherever I went. Having taken leave of friends, I set out on my journey towards the Indians; though by the way I was to spend some time at East-Hampton on Long-Island, by the leave of the commissioners who employed me in the Indian affair; and being accompanied by a messenger from East-Hampton, we travelled to Lyme. On the road I felt an uncommon pressure of mind. I seemed to struggle hard for some pleasure in something here below, and loth to give up all for gone. I saw that I was evidently throwing myself into hardships and distresses in my present undertaking, and thought it would be less difficult to lie down in the grave; still I chose to go, rather than stay.-Came to Lyme that night.

[He waited the two next days for a passage over the Sound, and spent much of the time in inward conflicts

The reason why the commissioners or correspondents did not order Mr Brainerd to go immediately to the Indians, and enter on his business as a Missionary to them, was, that the Winter was not judged to be a convenient season for him first to go out into the wilderness, and enter on the difficulties and hardships he must there endure.

On Saturday he

and dejection, but had some comfort. crossed the Sound, landed at Oyster-Ponds on LongIsland, and travelled from thence to East-Hampton. He spent the seven following days, under extreme dejec tion, with great complaints of darkness and ignorance; yet his heart appears to have been constantly engaged in the great business of religion, praying and labouring much to promote it.]

Saturday, Feb. 12. Enjoyed a little more comfort, was enabled to meditate with some composure of mind; and especially in the evening, found my soul more refreshed in prayer than at any time of late. I seemed to "take hold of God's strength," and was comforted with his consolations. How sweet are the glimpses of divine glory; how strengthening and quickening!

Lord's 's day, Feb. 13. At noon, laboured under great discouragement; knew not how it was possible for me to preach in the afternoon, was ready to give up all for gone; but God was pleased to assist me in some mea sure. In the evening, my heart was sweetly drawn out after God, and devoted to him.

Tuesday, Feb. 15. Early in the day I felt some comfort; afterwards walked into a neighbouring grove, and felt as a stranger on earth; as dead to the enjoyments of the world, as if I had been literally dead. In the evening, had divine sweetness in secret duty: God was then my portion, and my soul rose above those deep waters, into which I have sunk so low of late. My soul then cried for Zion, and had great pleasure in so doing.

Thursday, Feb. 17. In the morning, found myself comfortable, and rested on God in some measure. Preached this day at a little village belonging to East Hampton; and God was pleased to give me his gracious presence and assistance, so that I spake with freedom and boldness. In the evening, spent some time with a dear Christian friend; felt sweetly serious, as on the brink of eternity; my soul enjoyed some lively apprehensions of standing before the glorious God: prayed with my dear friend, and discoursed with the utmost solemnity. Truly it was a little emblem of heaven itself. I find my soul

is more refined and weaned from a dependance on my frames and spiritual feelings.

Friday, Feb. 18. Felt calm and happy most of the day, and found access to the throne of grace. Blessed be the Lord for any intervals of heavenly delight and composure, while I am engaged in the field of battle. Oh that I might be serious, solemn, and always vigilant, while in an evil world! Had an opportunity alone today, and found some freedom in study. Oh I long to

live to God.

Saturday, Feb. 19. Was exceeding infirm to-day, greatly troubled with pain in my head and dizziness, scarcely able to sit up. However, enjoyed something of God in prayer, and performed some necessary studies. I exceedingly long to die; and yet, through divine good.. ness, have felt very willing to live, for two or three days past.

Lord's day, Feb. 20. Perplexed on account of my carelessness; thought I could not be suitably concerned about the important work of the day, and so was restless with my easiness. Was exceeding infirm again to-day; but the Lord strengthened me, both in the outward and inward man, so that I preached with some life and spirituality, especially in the afternoon. I was enabled to speak closely against selfish religion that loves Christ for his benefits, but not for himself.

[During the next fortnight, it appears that he enjoyed much spiritual peace and comfort. In his diary for this space of time, are expressed such things as these; mourning over indwelling sin and unprofitableness; deadness to the world; longing after God, and to live to his glory; heart-melting desires after his eternal home; fixed reliance on God for his help; experience of much divine assistance both in the private and public exercises of religion; inward strength and courage in the service of God; very frequent refreshment, consolation, and divine sweetness in meditation, prayer, preaching, and Christian conversation. And it appears by his account, that this space of time was filled up with great diligence and earnestness in serving God, in study, prayer, meditation, preaching, and private instructing and counselling.]

Monday, March 7. This morning when I arose, I found my heart go forth after God in longing desires of conformity to him, and in secret prayer found myself quickened and drawn out in praises to God for all he had done for me, and for all my inward trials and distresses. My heart ascribed glory, glory, glory to the blessed God; and bid welcome all inward distress again, if God saw meet to exercise me with them. Time appeared but an inch long, and eternity at hand; and I thought I could with patience and cheerfulness bear any thing for the cause of God; for I saw that a moment would bring me to a world of peace and blessedness. By the strength of the Lord I rose far above this lower world, and all the vain amusements and frightful disappointments of it. Afterwards, was visited by some friends, but lost some sweetness by it. After that, had some delightful meditation on Gen v. 24, " And Enoch walked with God."

Wednesday, March 9. Endeavoured to commit myself and all my concerns to God. Rode sixteen miles to Mantauk, and had some inward sweetness on the road; but something of flatness and deadness after I came there and had seen the Indians. I withdrew, and endeavoured to pray, but found myself awfully deserted and left, and had an afflicting sense of my vileness and meanness. However, I went and preached from Isaiah. liii. 10. Had some assistance, and I trust something of the divine presence was among us. In the evening also I prayed and exhorted among them, after having had a season alone, when I was so pressed with the blackness of my nature, that I thought it was not fit for me to speak so much as to Indians.

Lord's day, March 13. At noon I thought it impossible for me to preach, by reason of bodily weakness and inward deadness; and in the first prayer, was so weak I could hardly stand; but in sermon, God strengthened me, so that I spake near an hour and half with free

Mantauk is the eastern cape or end of Long-Island, inhabited chiefly by Indians.

dom, clearness, and energy, from Gen v. 24. "And Enoch walked with God." I was sweetly assisted to insist on a close walk with God, and to leave this as my parting advice to God's people here, that they should walk with God. May the God of all grace succeed my poor labours in this place.

Monday, March 14. In the morning, was very busy in preparing for my journey, and was almost continually engaged in ejaculatory prayer. About ten, took leave of the dear people of East-Hampton; my heart grieved and mourned, and rejoiced at the same time; rode near fifty miles to a part of Brook-Haven, and lodged there, and had refreshing conversation with a Christian friend.

[In two days more he reached New-York; but complains of much desertion and deadness on the road. He stayed one day in New-York, and on Friday went to Mr Dickinson's at Elizabeth-Town. His complaints are the same as on the two preceding days.]

Saturday, March 19. Was bitterly distressed under a sense of my ignorance, darkness and unworthiness; got alone, and poured out my complaint to God in the bitterness of my soul. In the afternoon, rode to Newark, and had some comfort in conversation with Mr Burr, and in praying together. Blessed be God for ever and ever, for any enlivening and quickening.

Lord's day, March 20. Preached in the forenoon : God gave me some assistance, and enabled me to speak with real tenderness, love, and impartiality. In the evening preached again; and of a truth, God was pleased to assist a poor worm. Blessed be God, I was enabled to speak with life, power, and passionate desire for the edification of God's people, and with some power to sinners. In the evening, I felt in a measure spiritual and watchful, lest my heart should by any means be drawn away from God. Oh, when shall I come to that blessed world, where every power of my soul will be incessantly and eternally wound up, in heavenly employments and enjoyments, to the highest degree.

[On Monday he went to Woodbridge, where he speaks