We witness a marvellous change in the Indians and at the end of the section Brainerd provides six 'general hints' about the work which are a nice summary:
(i) It is remarkable that God began this work among the Indians at a time when I had the least hope, and, to my apprehension, the least rational prospect of, seeing a work of grace propagated amongst them;
(ii) It is remarkable how God providentially, and in a manner almost unaccountable, called these Indians together to be instructed in the great things that concerned their souls;
(iii) It is remarkable how God preserved these poor ignorant Indians from being prejudiced against me, and the truths I taught them, by those that were used with them for that purpose by ungodly people;
(iv) Nor is it less wonderful how God was pleased to provide a remedy for my want of skill and freedom in the Indian language, by remarkably fitting my interpreter for, and assisting him in, the performance of his work;
(v) It is further remarkable, that God has carried on his work by such means, and in such a manner, as tended to obviate, and leave no room for, those prejudices and objections that have often been raised against such a work;
(vi) The effects of this work have likewise been very remarkable: doctrinal knowledge; rejection of idolatrous practices; improved marriages; steady hearers; and love.
So an encouraging section - can see why it has been published on its own.
Particularly enjoyed hearing how the result was clearly beyond the means of man: 'When I first came into these in June, I found not one man at the place I visited, but only four women and a few children, but before I had been here many days they gathered from all quarters, some from more than twenty miles distant; and when I made them a second visit in the beginning of August, some came more than forty miles to hear me. And many came without any intelligence of what was going on here, and consequently without any design of theirs, so much as to gratify their curiosity; so that it seemed as if God had summoned them together from all quarters for nothing else but to deliver his message to them; and he did this, with regards to some of them, without marking use of any human means; although there were pains taken by some of them to give notice to others at remote places.'
I pray that God may similarly summon people in my area to hear his word!
Read Part II (From AD 1745 Nov 24th to June 19th 1746).
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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