in his diary, there is scarcely an instance of one which was not either attended or soon followed with apparent success, and a remarkable blessing in special influences and consolations of God's Spirit, and very often before the day was ended." And we may add yet more. The record of these fastings and prayers of Brainerd, and of the power of God which followed, written only for himself, but wisely published by Edwards after his death, has brought rich blessing to the world. William Carey read it on his shoemaker's bench, and asked, "If God can do such things among the Indians of America, why not among the pagans of India?" Henry Martyn, the thoughtful student in Cambridge, England, read it, and was moved by it to consecrate his life to missionary service in the East. Edward Payson pondered it, and when twenty-two years of age wrote in his diary: "In reading Mr. Brainerd's life, I seemed to feel a most earnest desire after some portion of his spirit." Considering the vast results which have followed the labors of these servants of God, who shall say that Brainerd has not wrought even more since his death, than in his life?* And who, look "JUNE 27, 1832.- Life of David Brainerd. Most wonderful man! What ing at the great sum total, can question whether or not it is profitable for one to wait upon the Lord with prayer, and fasting, and intercession, for the renewal of his spiritual strength? O Holy Spirit, quicken us by thy mighty power, so that we may "put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of our mind; and that we may put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." conflicts, what depressions, desertions, strength, advancement, victories within thy torn bosom ! I cannot express what I think when I think of thee. To-night more set on missionary enterprise than ever."-McCheyne's Journal. "I MUST say that I never have had so close and satisfactory a view of the gospel salvation, as when I have been led to contemplate it in the light of a simple offer on the one side, and a simple acceptance on the other." - Thomas Chalmers. "FULL consecration may in one sense be the act of a moment and in another the work of a lifetime. It must be complete to be real, and yet, if real it is always incomplete; a point of rest, and yet a perpetual progression. Suppose you make over a piece of ground to another person. From the moment of giving the title deed, it is no longer your possession; it is entirely his. But his practical occupation of it may not appear all at once. There may be waste land which he will take into cultivation only by degrees. Just so it is with our lives. The transaction of, so to speak, making them over to God is definite and complete. But then begins the practical development of consecration." -Frances Ridley Havergal. |