Edwards’ classic

Perhaps no missionary biography has been more impactful than Jonathan Edwards’ ‘Account of the Life of the Late Rev. David Brainerd’ (missionary to the native American Indians of New England).

First published in 1749, it became the best-selling religious book in nineteenth century America, and is still in print today, nearly three centuries later.

William Carey regarded it as a ‘sacred text’. Such evangelical statesmen as Robert Murray McCheyne, David Livingstone and Andrew Murray all drew great inspiration from it. John Wesley told his brother Charles that all Methodist preachers should read it. More recently, Leonard Ravenhill said the book was a life-changing influence for him – acting as a spiritual jolt to his soul.

Fresh and engaging

Mack Tomlinson has engaged in further research to provide a fresh, concise, and eminently readable account of the life of David Brainerd, along with the little-known story of his brother John, who carried on David’s work for several decades, but whose story, sadly, has been almost totally overlooked.

Mack Tomlinson has engaged in further research to provide a fresh, concise, and eminently readable account of the life of David Brainerd, along with the little-known story of his brother John

The author is no stranger to evangelical biography; Mack Tomlinson penned a remarkable, 600+ page life-story of revivalist intercessor Leonard Ravenhill a decade or so ago (read the review here). Mack writes well and has an eye for historical detail.

Early life and ministry

In ‘The Indomitable Brainerds’, Tomlinson has produced a beautiful, heart-stirring account, providing details of David and John’s family history, their childhood, and their years spent at Yale College. David was actually, embarrassingly, expelled from the College for making an offhand remark about a tutor – a rather harsh discipline given David’s wholehearted remorse. Undaunted, the young believer was determined to pursue God’s will.

Tomlinson provides the details of each of David’s three subsequent missions to the native Indians, – a phenomenal and virtually unprecedented endeavour given the near impossibility of the task: the language barrier was immense, cultural differences were extreme, and conflict over possession of land and resources embittered Native Americans against anything offered to them by the white men.

his efforts were eventually to bear fruit, for, during his third mission, at Crossweeksung, a beautiful move of God’s Spirit ensued.

Spiritual outpouring

But David had heard the call of God, and he battled on, despite facing serious ill-health (tuberculous), loneliness and serious bouts of depression. But, despite various further hardships, his efforts were eventually to bear fruit, for, during his third mission, at Crossweeksung, a beautiful move of God’s Spirit ensued. In his own words:

“The power of God seemed to descend upon the assembly like a rushing mighty wind with astonishing energy and bore down all before it. I stood amazed at the influence that seized the audience and could compare it to nothing more than the irresistible force of a mighty torrent ….”

Sadly, months after these wonderful events, David’s health had deteriorated greatly, and he passed away in October 1747, aged just 29. Incidentally, I can think of several other Christian worthies who received their heavenly calling at that same youthful age – Robert Murray McCheyne and Jim Elliot being among them, while Christian musician Keith Green died in a plane crash just months shy of his 29th birthday.

Continued legacy

But David’s ministry was to continue, being carried on quietly by his younger brother, John. Tomlinson shares much information on the more significant events of John’s missionary life over the course of the following three decades – most of which will almost certainly be new to nearly all readers.

This is a fascinating and truly faith-inspiring study

The names of several more well-known eighteenth-century preachers crop up in the narrative – Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, Samuel Davies and James Davenport being among them. John Brainerd died in 1761, aged 61.

Indomitable faith

Mack adds various Appendices to his narrative, in which he discusses the Brainerds’ doctrine and preaching, the brothers’ legacy, and David’s flawed views of himself (he had the habit of seeing himself as unprofitable and unfruitful, and once described himself as “the worst creature that God had made”).

This is a fascinating and truly faith-inspiring study, which serves to show the possibilities achievable by a life of devotion, self-denial and indomitable faith.

During their lives – one of which, as we’ve observed, was only too fleeting – David and John Brainerd earnestly sought to do everything “to the glory of God”. May we, as fellow believers in Christ, have the resolution to do likewise.

‘The Indomitable Brainerds’ is published by Reformation Heritage Books, and is available from ICM Books Direct for £18.99 (plus p&p).