David Brainerd

Born in Haddam, Connecticut on 20 April 1718, David Brainerd experienced salvation in July 1739. Two months after his conversion, Brainerd enrolled at Yale. In 1740, Yale experienced an evangelical revival, but the administration was not supportive of student enthusiasm. In 1741, following a rude remark made by Brainerd concerning a professor, he was expelled. Although Brainerd later regretted and apologized for this action he was not accepted back at Yale. This was particularly distressing to Brainerd, because a recent Connecticut law required ministers to possess a degree from Harvard, Yale or a European Institution. The loss for the clergy however, turned out to be a blessing for Missions.

David Brainerd, was commissioned in November 1742 and supported by the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge and started his work among the Native Americans in the Delaware area in 1743. He was later sent to the Crossweeksung Indian Reserve in New Jersey and served this community until November 1746. There was a great awakening and significant revival in this community.

Failing health as a result of tuberculosis necessitated Brainerd to retire from the mission field and return to Boston to the home of Jonathan Edwards, a puritan minister. Brainerd died on Oct 9, 1747 at the age of 29.

Brainerd kept a journal of his christian walk and prayer life. He was a man who lived life as an alien committed to the calling of God.

What does the life of David Brainerd provide fellow Christians:

• An extraordinary example of absolute devotion to God;
• Helps us distinguish between superficial piety and authentic christian experience
• Inspiration to engage in missionary service
• Instills compassion and empathy for the forgotten and dispossessed people of the world

Legacy:

• Motivation: Jonathan Edwards published an account of David Brainerd’s biography, which served to inspire many to consider missions and recommend the biography of Brainerd to all missionaries (John Wesley, Clyde Kilby, Gideon Hawley, Henry Martyn, William Carey, Jim Elliot and Adoniram Judson).
• Inspiration: Princeton College and Dartmouth College were started during Brainerd’s lifetime, because of Yale’s refusal to re-admit Brainerd. Yale later named a building in Brainerd’s honour, “Brainerd Hall” - the only example of a building named after an expelled student.