Firstly Brainerd reports how he found it difficult to find the time to learn the language and so found it best to use an interpreter.
Secondly he outlines his catechising of the Indians and includes some of his questions as examples.
Thirdly Brainerd speaks about the difficulties he experienced from the Indians to the gospel:
(i) bad impressions of Christianity from nominal Christians;
(ii) poor communication in the Indian language;
(iii) sinful living;
(iv) people deliberating frustrating the work.
Finally we have the reports from several witnesses attesting to the validity of Brainerd's claims.
I enjoyed the way Brainerd explained the truth of original sin to the Indians by pointing out the behaviour of small children: 'The method I take to convince them “we are sinners by nature,” is, to lead them to an observation of their little children, how they will appear in a rage, fight and strike their mothers, before they are able to speak or walk, while they are so young that it is plain they are incapable of learning such practices. And the light of nature in the Indians condemning such behaviour in children towards their parents, they must own these tempers and actions to be wrong and sinful. And the children having never learned these things, they must have been in their natures, and consequently they must be allowed to be “by nature the children of wrath.” The same I observe to them with respect to the sin of lying, which their children seem much inclined to. They tell lies without being taught so to do, from their own natural inclination, as well as against restraints, and after corrections for that vice, which proves them sinners by nature, &c.'
So true. I have an 18 month old who I've never taught to be selfish (and I'm pretty sure his mother hasn't either!) - he knows how to be selfish all on his own.
Read the Third Appendix.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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