The First Appendix contains four reflections from Brainerd about the work.
Firstly Brainerd speaks about the doctrine which he preached to the Indians. He preached to them the following doctrines in this order:
(i) the perfections of God;
(ii) the depravity of man;
(iii) the inability of man to reform himself;
(iv) the sufficiency of Christ to save the chief of sinners;
(v) their need to betake themselves to Christ without delay.
Great to see how they follow logically on from one another.
Secondly we hear of the morality, sobriety and other changes in behaviour that were promoted by the preaching of Christ crucified.
Thirdly Brainerd comments on the continuance, the renewal and the quickness of the work that God poured out upon the people.
Finally, Brainerd makes some remarks about how little false religion appeared among them. The Indians appeared to have a genuine comfort and joy in the beauty and excellency of Christ.
I love how Brainerd keeps coming back to the fact that the revival was utterly God's work, not his: 'But what I principally designed by this remark, was to discover plain matter of fact, viz. That the reformation, the sobriety, and external compliance with the rules and duties of Christianity, appearing among my people, are not the effect of any mere doctrinal instruction, or merely rational view of the beauty of morality, but from the internal power and influence that divine truths (the soul-humbling doctrine of grace) have had upon their hearts.'
Yes, ministers have a responsibility to preach right doctrine, but without the Spirit's application of the doctrine to hearts, there will be no revival.
Read the Second Appendix.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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