The Life of Rev. David Brainerd, Chiefly Extracted from His Diary

This intimate portrait follows a young minister’s journey from his restless youth in New England through a dramatic conversion that sent him to Yale and ultimately to the frontier. Drawing directly from his diary, the narrative records his daily “walking with God,” revealing a mind both fervently devoted and often shadowed by melancholy. The early sections trace his theological studies, the pain of expulsion, and the fierce resolve that propelled him toward a life of service.

The story then moves to Brainerd’s pioneering missionary work among the Native peoples of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Readers encounter his relentless travels through wilderness, the establishment of schools, and the heartfelt, sometimes painful, attempts to share his faith with communities far from the settled colonies. Through vivid entries, the book captures both the physical hardships of frontier life and the profound spiritual moments that marked his brief but impactful ministry.