Anglesea that were under my care. I embraced in my supplications all the churches of the saints, and nearly all the ministers of the principality by their names. This struggle lasted for three hours; it rose again and again, like one wave after another, or a high-flowing tide driven by a strong wind, until my nature became faint by weeping and crying. Thus I resigned myself to Christ, body and soul, gifts and labours, all my life-every day and every hour that remained for me; and all my cares I committed to Christ. The road was mountainous and lonely, and I was wholly alone, and suffered no interruption in my wrestling with God. From this time I was led to expect the goodness of God to the churches and to myself. . . . The result was, when I returned home the first thing that arrested my attention was that the Spirit was working also in the brethren in Anglesea, inducing in them a spirit of prayer, especially in two of the deacons, who were particularly importunate that God would visit us in mercy, and render the Word of His grace effectual amongst us for the conversion of sinners." *

What is especially to be noticed in this experience is its relation to the Church of God. When the ice was melted from his own soul, then he began to plead for all the saints and all the ministers. And, as afterwards appears, at the same time that the Spirit fell on him it was falling on his brethren in distant places. So it is always. God never makes half a providence any more than man makes half a pair of shears. If He fits a preacher to declare His Word, He fits a hearer to receive that Word; if He moves one soul to cry, "What must I do?" He has

*"Life and Sermons," p. 28.

always moved some other servant of His to direct him what to do. Let us ponder the story of Paul and Ananias, of Peter and Cornelius, of Philip and the eunuch, if we would observe the mystery of the Spirit-His twofold ministry, to preacher and to hearer, to counsellor and to inquirer. And noting this, we shall understand the intimate relationship between the season of renewal in the heart of the individual believer and the time of reviving in the Church. If two harp-strings are in perfect tune, you cannot smite the one without causing the other to vibrate; and if one Christian is touched and agitated by the Spirit of God, think it not strange that all who are like-minded in the Church are moved by the same divine impulse. Not for ourselves, and that we may enjoy the holy luxury of communion with God, are we to seek for the times of refreshing. If so, doubtless we shall fail of them, for even spiritual blessings we may ask and receive not, if we only ask that we may consume them upon ourselves.

No biography to which we have been introduced seems to us more instructive on this point than that of David Brainerd. From time to time he sought and obtained the holiest intimacies with God, yet never for himself. Trace, line by line, the following remarkable passage from his diary:—

"APRIL 19, 1742.—I set apart this day for fasting and prayer to God for His grace; especially to prepare me for the work of the ministry, to give me divine aid and

direction in my preparations for that great work, and in His own time to send me into His harvest. Accordingly, in the morning I endeavoured to plead for the Divine Presence for the day, and not without some life. In the forenoon I felt the power of intercession for precious, immortal souls, for the advancement of the kingdom of my dear Lord and Saviour in the world, and, withal, a most sweet resignation and even consolation and joy in the thought of suffering hardships, distresses, and even death itself, in the promotion of it; and had special enlargement in pleading for the enlightening and conversion of the poor heathen. In the afternoon God was with me of a truth. Oh, it was blessed company indeed! God enabled me so to agonize in prayer that I was quite wet with sweat, though in the shade and the cool wind. My soul was drawn out very much for the world; I grasped for multitudes of souls. I think I had more enlargement for sinners than for the children of God, though I felt as if I could spend my life in cries for both. I had great enjoyment in communion with my dear Saviour. I think I never in my life felt such an entire weanedness from this world, and so much resigned to God in everything. Oh that I may always live to and upon my blessed God! Amen, amen.

Here, certainly, is something very high and remote from ordinary experience-this praying one's self into fellowship with Christ's sufferings, and into partnership with His garden sweat. But we are writing now for those who wish to know concerning the highest attainments. Yet what we are especially emphasizing is the relation of these extraordinary experiences to the furtherance of the gospel and the salvation of souls.

He who in thus interceding grasped not for some ecstatic vision or revelation of God, but "for multitudes of souls," gained what he sought; for marvellous power attended his preaching. There were days in which the Spirit of God fell upon those stolid, hard-hearted Indians with such demonstration that scores of them bowed before the preacher like grass before the mower's scythe; so that even the ambassador himself was astonished, and exclaimed, "And there was no day like that before it or after it."

Brainerd had many seasons of this uncommon renewing of his spiritual life through prayer and fasting; and and in summing them up, President Edwards records this noteworthy conclusion: "Among all the many days he spent in secret prayer and fasting, of which he gives an account 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 labours of these servants of God, who shall say that Brainerd has not wrought even more since his death than in his life ?*

And who, looking 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."

# 66

"JUNE 27, 1832.-Life of David Brainerd. Most wonderful man! What 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.