Results of David Brainerd's Ministry

David Brainerd (1718-47) was a missionary to the Indians in New York,Pennsylvania,and New Jersey. Have you ever wondered what happened to the many Indians converted in the revival spoken of in his biography written by Jonathan Edwards? Not much is recorded, but there is an interesting paragraph in the book, The Light in Dark Ages by V. Raymond Edman published in 1949. He writes:

“The American frontiersmen, on their part, vented their wrath against Christian Indians, who had done them only good, by brutal outrages such as that at Gnadenhütten on the Muskingum in March 1782. Taken unawares by those who were considered to be friends, the Indians were condemned to the tomahawk. The Christians begged for a short delay, that they might prepare themselves for death. "Then asking pardon for whatever offense they had given, or grief they had occasioned to each other, they kneeled down, offering fervent prayers to God their Savior—and kissing one another, under a flood of tears fully resigned to his will, they sang praises unto him, in the joyful hope, that they would soon be relieved from their pains, and join their redeemer in everlasting bliss. Ninety-six believers in all were massacred, sixty-two adults including five native leaders and thirty-four children. Two of the natives, Samuel and Tobias, WERE CONVERTS OF DAVID BRAINERD in New Jersey long years before. Two lads escaped, one Thomas, after being scalped and left for dead, and the other by hiding in the cellar of the house where took place the slaughter of the women. Defenseless, offenseless, these Indians followed the lowly Lamb of God, Who Himself gave up His life because of man's greed and perverted sense of nationalism.” (The Light in Dark Ages by Dr. V. Raymond Edman, published 1949, page 365.)