During one of his trips, Brainerd preached in an Indian village. Among the Indians who had gathered was a young, 20-year-old Native American, the daughter of a notable chief. Her family had been horribly mistreated by white settlers. Yet upon hearing Brainerd preach, the Spirit began to move, and she came to faith in Christ. Later she would recall to her children that Brainerd was the first white person she ever loved.

One of her grandchildren wrote this about her attitude toward the missionary, 

She loved David Brainerd very much because he loved his Heavenly Father so much that he was willing to endure hardships, traveling over mountains, suffering hunger, lying on the ground, that he might do her people good.

The conversion of this woman marked a turning point in David’s ministry.

Within days, Brainerd observed a spiritual sensitivity among the Indians of that tribe. As he preached, he observed an overwhelming sense of conviction in response to his message. Soon there was a sort of great awakening among the Native Americans. Many came to Christ and were eager for spiritual growth. When David was not preaching, the villagers would line up for his spiritual counsel.

The final days of Brainerd

But in 1746, David’s health began to decline dramatically, with the rigors of his traveling ministry speeding the advance of his tuberculosis. Brainerd started to record growing anticipations for heaven in his diary as he realized the inevitable was approaching. On September the 21st, 1746, he writes, “Oh how blessed it is to be habitually prepared for death.”

March 20th, 1747 was the last day David Brainerd would spend with his precious Indian believers—his illness forced him to leave the frontier. Brainerd headed east and stopped at Jonathan Edwards’ home in Northampton, Massachusetts. An experienced doctor visited Brainerd and gave him the news. There would be no recovery. Still, he mustered up the strength to travel yet another 100 miles to Boston to report on his work among the Native Americans.

After near death in Boston, David returned to the home of Jonathan Edwards for his final months of life. Edwards gathered his entire family at Brainerd’s bedside to reflect on the glory and goodness of God. He would later recount how Brainerd spoke about his dear congregation with such tenderness that his speech was interrupted with tears. Then, on Friday, October the 9th, 1747, Brainerd’s suffering ended. That great wish for which he had so longed was finally granted. Brainerd was in the presence of his Savior.

Jonathan Edwards was impacted by the life and ministry of this young man who had only been a believer for eight years prior to his death. He took Brainerd’s diary and other personal writings and added his own commentary that he gleaned from his friendship with Brainerd. An Account of the life of the late Reverend Mr. David Brainerd was published in 1749. According to Vance Christie, this is the first full-length missionary biography ever written, and it became the most popular of the works of Jonathan Edwards. It is important for believers to reflect on the legacy of David Brainerd. May this be a reminder for us to increasingly abandon the pleasures of this world and keep the glory of God ever before us.