own accord they assembled in the church, to pray for his restoration to health. But such was not the will of God. With a hope full of immortality, he died July 27, 1749, in the thirty ninth year of his age, and fif teenth of his labours among the Indians.

In the course of his labours, Mr. Sergeant had baptized 182 Indians, of whom there were alive and residing at Stockbridge, 129, besides nearly 100 with them, not baptized. The care of this congregation devolved on Mr. Woodbridge, teacher of the school, until that distinguished man, Rev. Jonathan Edwards, was settled over them in 1751. The Indians did not long enjoy the labours of this great divine. Having been with them about six years, he was appointed to the presidency of Princeton College, in New Jersey, from which he was soon removed by death. It does not appear that the exertions of President Edwards at Stockbridge, were attended with any remarkable success, which is doubtless to be attributed to some unhappy differences existing at that time between those who had the management of Indian affairs, and to the war with France.

President Edwards was succeeded, for a short time, by Mr. West; and he in turn, having resigned the station, by Mr. John Sergeant, son of the original founder of the settlement. Little is known concerning the state of the mission for several subsequent years. During the American war, the Indians suffered much. Most of their young men were killed in battle; and those who survived were nearly ruined by their connexion with the army. The whole settlement was in a languishing state. At length a removal was determined on; nearly all the Indians proceeded to the country of the Oneidas, where they built a town called New Stockbridge. Their pastor, Mr. Sergeant, accompani ed them. It appears he has been useful. The con gregation, at the commencement of the present centu ry, amounted to about 400, who were partially civilized, and who possessed so much knowledge of Christianity, as, probably, to rank with the white inhabi

ants of many of our new settlements. In a late communication from Mr. Sergeant we are informed, there has been during the present year, a more general reformation than in any preceding year of his ministry. Seventy or eighty of the tribe have lately emigrated to the West to join the Delawares. Stopping to spend the Sabbath at a town in Ohio, they inquired if there was to be a meeting. Being told that there was, and that the Lord's Supper would be administered, they expressed great joy, asking if they could be admitted. Their chief and five others, who were regular mempers of a church, came to the table. They conducted with the utmost propriety and solemnity. When a psalm was named they all took their books and turn. ed to it. Some were bathed in tears. *

CHAPTER IV.

LABOURS OF BRAINERD--Kaunameek-Forks of the Delaware-Journey through the wilderness to the Susque hannah-Crosweeksung-Interpreter and wife baptized-Success at Crosweeksung-Pentecost season--many baptized-Experience of a female Indian-Brainerd's character and death-Mr. John Brainard-He takes charge of the Indians—his death—Congregation dispersed.

We now come to that mission, which, though of short duration, exhibited in the self denial, the patience, the perseverance of the missionary; and in the change effected on the Indians a most remarkable display of divine grace. The history of Brainerd is so well known that it will be proper to confine ourselves entirely to his missionary labours. He entered on these at Kaunameek, in the wilderness, about 18 miles east of Albany, in the 25th year of his age. He was patronized by the Society in Scotland for Propagating. Christian Knowledge. Here, alone, among savages, of whose language he had but a slight acquaintance, and, *Panoplist, Vol. XIV. p. 252.

to use his own words, "destitute of most of the conveniences of life, at least of all its pleasures, without a friend to whom I may unbosom my sorrows, and sometimes, without a place of retirement, where I may unburden my soul before God," he suffered all the depression of constitutional melancholy.

Still he was enabled to prosecute his work. Though feeble in health, and destitute of those comforts which were necessary to recruit his strength, being obliged to lie in a wigwam on a bundle of straw, to live on the coarsest food, and at the same time to labour hard from day to day to procure forage for his horse, he continued about a year to exert himself incessantly, for the salvation of the poor Indians. But, their number being small, and little fruit appearing, it was thought advisable, by the commissioners who-employed him, that he should take some other station. He therefore proceeded to the Forks of the Delaware. It ought to be remarked, however, that Mr. Brainerd's labour at Kaunameek was not in vain. Its good effects were seen, in an outward reformation of the Indians, and in some serious concern among them on the subject of religion. They were grieved at his departure.

At the Forks of the Delaware, he remained but a short time, having found but few Indians, and those much prejudiced against Christianity. "Every thing" to borrow his own expression" concerning the conversion of the heathen looked dark as midnight." But he trusted in God; and, with fasting and constant prayer, still went forward. With incredible ardour and perseverance, he made, before leaving the Delaware, two long and dismal journies to some Indians on the Susquehannah river. From the last after having rode 340 miles in the wilderness, where he had been overtaken by storms, and obliged to sleep on the ground without a covering, he returned weak and emaciated, the mere shadow of a man. Concerning one of these journies he remarks; "I have been frequently exposed, and sometimes have lain out all night, but

hitherto God has preserved me. Such fatigues and hardships serve to wean me from the earth h; and I trust will make heaven the sweeter. Formerly, when I have been exposed to cold and rain, I was ready to please myself with the hope of a comfortable lodging, a warm fire, and other external accommodations; but now, through divine grace, such things as these have less place in my heart, and my eye is directed more to God for comfort. In this world, I lay my account with tribulation. It does not now appear strange to me."* The love of Christ constrained him, and though he had now laboured and suffered two years almost in vain, he was not discouraged. Having heard there were a number of Indians at Crosweeksung, in New Jersey,he resolved to visit them. Here we are to see the missionary putting on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Here we are to learn that the conversion of uncivi. lized, untutored pagans to Christianity, by the simple preaching of the word, is not a wild or imaginary thing.

When Mr. Brainerd first arrived at Crosweeksung he found but few persons. The Indians were much scattered, not more than two or three families in a place, and these from six to thirty miles from the spot on which he had pitched to commence his labours. He however preached to about ten. They appeared attentive and well disposed. When he informed them he would preach again the next day, the women immediately travelled ten or fifteen miles to give notice to their friends. The number of hearers speedily increased. At the end of a week, forty or fifty were together, who of their own accord urged him to preach twice a day that they might hear all they could. No opposition appeared. When, a few days after, he left them, they earnestly desired him to return. Before going he spent some time in talking to them, individually, upon which

Brainerd's Life, p. 186.

he remarks, “It was amazing to see how they had received and retained the instructions given them; and what a measure of knowledge some of them had acquired in a few days." Their hearts too were touched. One woman said, "I wish God would change my heart;" another, "I want to find Christ ;" and an old man, who had been one of their chiefs, wept bitterly.

During his journey Mr. Brainerd visited his former station at the Forks of the Delaware. He now saw some effect of his labour. On discoursing to the Indians many appeared to be convinced of their sin and misery, and wept much the whole time of service. His interpreter, whom he had employed for more than a year, had been for some time the subject of a hopeful change. He was awakened first by a discourse which Mr. Brainerd addressed to an assembly of white people, and though his impressions wore off for a time, he af terwards became deeply convinced of sin, and was in great distress of mind until he found relief in Christ. The change was very evident, from the manner in which he performed his duty as an interpreter, and from the fervency with which he himself addressed his countrymen, as well as from a thorough reformation in his life. His wife, likewise, gave evidence of a saving change. Mr. Brainerd therefore proceeded to baptize them. The ordinance made a deep impression on the Indians. Some said that "seeing the baptism made them more concerned than any thing they had ever seen or heard." After staying here two or three weeks, and being animated with the prospect of some fruit, Mr. Brainerd returned to Crosweeksung.

On arriving at this place he found the Indians serious, and a number of them under deep concern. On his speaking to them from the text, "And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely" a surprising effect appeared. Of about twenty adults, not above two could be seen with dry eyes. At another time when he preached from the words, "Herein is