Emphasis Preaching Journal

Two hundred fifty years ago David Brainerd (1718-1747), a young missionary to Native Americans during the colonial period, died before his thirtieth birthday. In a day when many people thought the only good Indian was a "dead" Indian, Brainerd, after a painful period of acculturation, came to identify with the Delaware, to love them, and eventually to call them "my dear flock." His missionary activity lasted only a few short years. He suffered ill health most of his life. His successes in terms of numbers of converts were meager.