Christmas 1745 among the Indians

From the Life of David Brainerd, 1745

Monday and Tuesday, December 23 and 24. Spent these days in writing with the utmost diligence. Felt in the main a sweet mortification to the world, and a desire to live and labor only for God; but wanted more warmth and spirituality, a more sensible and affectionate regard to the glory of God.

{Journal. December 25. The Indians having been used upon Christmas days to drink and revel among some of the white people in these parts, I thought it proper this day to call them together and discourse to them upon divine things: which I accordingly did from the parable of the barren fig tree, Luke 13:6-9. 

A divine influence, I'm persuaded, accompanied the Word at this season. The power of God appeared in the assembly, not by producing any remarkable cries, but by shocking and rousing at heart (as it seemed) several stupid creatures that were scarce ever moved with any concern before. The power attending divine truths seemed to have the influence of the earthquake rather than the whirlwind upon them. 

Their passions were not so much alarmed as has been common here in times past, but their judgments appeared to be powerfully convinced by the masterly and conquering influence of divine truths. The impressions made upon the assembly in general seemed not superficial but deep and heart affecting. Oh, how ready did they now appear universally to embrace and comply with everything they heard and were convinced was duty! 

God was in the midst of us of a truth, bowing and melting stubborn hearts! 

How many tears and sobs were then to be seen and heard among us! What liveliness and strict attention! What eagerness and intenseness of mind appeared in the whole assembly in the time of divine service! They seemed to watch and wait for the dropping of God's Word as the thirsty earth for the "former and latter rain".

Afterwards I discoursed to them on the duty of husbands and wives, from Ephesians 5:22-33. And have reason to think this was a "word in season". Spent some time further in the evening in inculcating the truths I had insisted upon in my former discourse respecting the barren fig tree, and observed a powerful influence still accompany what was spoken.}

Thursday and Friday, December 26 and 27. Labored in my studies to the utmost of my strength: And though I felt a steady disposition of mind to live to God, and that I had nothing in this world to live for; yet I did not find that sensible affection in the service of God that I wanted to have; my heart seemed barren, though my head and hands were full of labor.