love God more, and to please him forever! This my soul panted after. Oh, that God might be glorified in all the earth! Lord, let thy kingdom coine! I saw that God had the residue of the Spirit; and my soul longed that it should be poured from on high. I could not but plead with God for my dear congregation, that he would preserve it, and not suffer his great name to lose its glory in that work." His conversation at this time was heavenly; and he would break out in sweet expressions of love to God, and desires for his glory. "My heaven," said he, "is to please God, and glorify him: to give all to him, and be wholly devoted to his glory: that is the heaven I long for. It is no matter where I am stationed in heaven; whether I have a high or low seat there, but to love and please and glorify God, that is all. Had I a thousand souls, if they were worth any thing, I would give them all to God: but I have nothing to give when all is done. It is a great comfort to me to think that I have done a little for God in the world; oh! it is but a very small matter; yet I have done a little; and I lament that I have done no more for him." With such expressions he mingled counsels to those around him; especially to the children. He told them, in a plain manner, what religion was, and its great importance, earnestly warning them to be satisfied with nothing but a thorough change of heart, and a life devoted to God; and not to delay this great business. He said to them, "I shall die here, and here I shall be buried; and here you will see my grave; and do you remember what I have said to you. When you see my grave, then remember what I have said to you when I was alive: then think how that man, who lies in that grave, counselled you, and warned you, to prepare for death. I am going into eternity, and it is sweet to me to think of eternity; but oh, what shall I say to the eternity of the wicked! I cannot think of it; the thought is too dreadful." With perfect composure of mind, this servant of God saw the approaches of death, and earnestly longed for the hour to come. Death to him was not an enemy, but a friend; it was the long expected messenger, sent to call him home to his heavenly Father's house, and he would exclaim, "Oh! why is the chariot so long in coming! Why tarry the wheels of his chariot! Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly." In this happy, expecting frame, he continued until October 9th, 1747, when his soul was received by his dear and beloved Lord and Saviour; and he entered into the full and perfect enjoyment of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem. There he now lives in the presence of his God; and there, my young friends, we shall see him, if we love and serve the same God. Thus lived and laboured, and thus died, David Brainerd, at the early age of thirty years. How few, during a long life, have done so much to extend the kingdom of Christ. What joy will fill his soul forever, when he beholds the happy spirits around the throne of God, who were turned to Christ through his labours; while he joins with them in songs of praise and gratitude to God for his blessing, which made his efforts successful in their salvation. Oh! that the hearts of many, who read this account, may burn with a desire to go and do likewise; that many may catch his spirit, be the faithful disciples of Jesus on earth, and enjoy for ever and ever, the holy joys of those who turn many to righteousness: "they that turn many to righteousness, shall shine as the stars for ever and ever." THE END. |