Boston, June 30, 1747.
My dear brother,
IT is from the sides of eternity I now address you. I am heartily sorry, that I have so little strength to write what I long to communicate to you. But let me tell you, my brother, eternity is another thing than we ordinarily take it to be. Oh, how vast and boundless! Oh, how fixed and unalterable! Oh, of what infinite importance is it, that we be prepared for eternity! I have been just dying for more than a week; and all around me have thought so: in this time I have had clear views of eternity: have seen the blessedness of the godly; and have longed to share their happy state; as well as been comfortably satisfied, that I shall do so; but Oh, what anguish is raised in my mind, to think of an eternity for those who are Christless, for those who bring their false hopes to the grave with them! The sight was so dreadful, I could by no means bear it: my thoughts recoiled, and I said, “Who can dwell with everlasting burnings!” Oh, methought, that I could now see my friends, that I might warn them, to see to it, they lay their foundation for eternity sure. And you my dear brother, I have been particularly concerned for; and have wondered I so much neglected conversing with you about your spiritual state at our last meeting. Oh, let me beseech you now to examine, whether you are indeed a new creature? Whether the glory of God has ever been the highest concern with you? Whether you have ever been reconciled to all the perfections of God? In a word, whether God has been your portion, and a holy conformity to him your chief delight? If you have reason to think you are graceless, Oh, give yourself no rest, till God arise and save. But if the case should be otherwise, bless God for his grace, and press after holiness.
Oh, my dear brother, flee fleshly lusts, and the inchanting amusements, as well as corrupt doctrines of the present day; and strive to live to God. Take this as the last line from
Your affectionate dying brother,
David Brainerd.
To a young Gentleman, a Candidate for the Ministry, written at the same time.
Very dear Sir,
HOW amazing it is, that the living who know they must die, should notwithstanding “put far away the evil day,” in a season of health and prosperity: and live at such an awful distance from the grave, and the great concerns beyond it! And especially, that any whose minds have been divinely [♦]enlightened, to behold the important things of eternity should live in this manner. And yet, how [♠]frequently is this the case? *How rare are the instances of those who live and act, from day to-day, as on the verge of eternity; striving to fill up all their remaining moments, in the service of their great Master? We insensibly trifle away time, while we seem to have enough of it; and are so strangely amused, as in a great measure to lose a sense of the holiness, necessary to prepare us to be inhabitants of the heavenly paradise. But, Oh, dear Sir, a dying bed, if we enjoy our reason, will give another view of things. I have now, far more than three weeks, lain under the greatest weakness; the greater part of the time, expecting daily and hourly to enter into the eternal world. And Oh, of what vast importance has a holy, spiritual life, appeared to me to be in this season! I have longed to call upon all my friends, to make it their business to live to God; and especially all that are designed for, or engaged in the service of the sanctuary. O dear Sir, do not think it enough, to live at the rate of common Christians. Alas, to how little purpose do they often converse, when they meet together! The visits, even of those who are called Christians indeed, are frequently quite barren; and conscience cannot but condemn us for the misemployment of time, while we have been conversant with them. But the way to enjoy the divine presence, and be fitted for his service, is to live a life of great devotion and constant self-dedication to him; observing the motions and dispositions of our own hearts, whence we may learn the corruptions that lodge there, and our constant need of help from God for the performance of the least duty. And Oh, dear Sir, let me beseech you frequently to attend the great and precious duties of secret fasting and prayer.