West Port Experiment

Thought catechism was just for the baptized children of the church? Think again. The extracts below are taken from The Memoirs of the Rev. David Brainerd:

1746

Jan..4. “Prosecuted my catechetical method of instructing. Found my people able to answer questions with propriety, beyond what could have been expected from persons so lately brought out of Heathenish darkness. In the improvement of my discourse, there appeared some concern and affection in the assembly : and especially in those of whom I entertained hopes as being truly gracious, at least several of them were much affected and refreshed.

Lord’s day, Jan. 5. “Discoursed from Matt. xii. 10—13. There appeared not so much liveliness and affection in divine service as usual. The same truths which have often produced many tears and sobs in the assembly, seemed now to have no special influence upon any in it. Near night, I proposed to have proceeded in my usual method of catechising; but while we were engaged in the first prayer, the power of God seemed to descend upon the assembly in such a remarkable manner, and so many appeared under pressing concern for their souls that I thought it much more expedient to insist upon the plentiful provision made by divine grace for the redemption of perishing sinners, and to press them to a speedy acceptance of the great salvation, than to ask them questions about doctrinal points. What was most practical, seemed most seasonable to be insisted upon, while numbers appeared so extraordinarily solicitous to obtain an interest in the great Redeemer. Baptized two persons this day : one adult, the woman particularly mentioned in my Journal of Dec. 22, and one child” (268-69).

Jan. 11. ” Discoursed in a catechetical method, as usual, of late. Having opened our first parents’ primitive apostasy from God, and our fall in him; I proceeded to apply my discourse by shewing the necessity we stood in of an Almighty Redeemer, and the absolute need every sinner has of an interest in his merits and mediation. There was some tenderness and affectionate concern apparent in the assembly.

Lord’s day, Jan. 12.« “Preached from Isaiah I v. 6. The word of God seemed to fall upon the audience with a divine weight and influence, and evidently appeared to be’not the word of man.’ The blessed Spirit 1 am persuaded accompanied what was spoken, to the hearts of many ; so that there was a powerful revival of conviction in numbers who were under spiritual exercise before.

“Toward night, catechised in my usual method. Near the close of my discourse, there appeared a great concern, and much affection in the audience ; which increased while I continued to invite them to come to-an all-sufficient Redeemer, for eternal salvation. The spirit of God seems, from time to time to be atriving with souls here. They are so frequently and repeatedly roused, that they seem unable at present, to lull themselves asleep.

Jan. 13. “Was visited by several persons under deep concern for their souls ; one of whom was newly awakened. It is a most agreeable work to treat with souls who are solicitously inquiring, what they shall do to be saved.’ As we are never to be ‘weary in well doing,’ so the obligation seems to be peculiarly strong when the work is so very desirable. Yet I must say, my health is so much impaired, and my spirits so wasted with my labours and solitary manner of living ; there being no human creature in the house with me ; that their repeated and almost incessant applications to me for help and direction, are sometimes exceedingly burdensome; and so exhaust my spirits, that I become fit for nothing at all, entirely unable to prosecute my business, sometimes for days together. What contributes much towards this difficulty is, that I am obliged to spend much time in communicating a little matter to them: there being oftentimes many things to be premised before I can speak directly to what I principally aim at; which things would readily be taken for granted, where there was a competency of doctrinal knowledge” (270-71).

April 26. ” Toward noon prayed with a dying child, and gave a word of exhortation to the bystanders to prepare for death; which seemed to take effect upon some. In the afternoon discoursed to my people from Matthew xxvi. 26—30 of the author, the nature, and designs of the Lord’s supper; and endeavoured to point out the worthy receivers of that ordinance.

“The religious people were affected, and even melted, with divine truths,—with a view of the dying love of Christ. Several others, who had been for some months under convictions of their perishing state, appeared now to be much moved with concern, and afresh engaged in seeking after an interest in Christ; although I cannot say that the word of God appeared so quick and powerful, so sharp and piercing to the assembly as it had sometimes formerly done. Baptized two adult persons; both serious and exemplary in their lives, and I hope truly religious. One of them was the man particularly mentioned in my journal of the 6th instant; who, although he was greatly distressed, because ‘he had never done the will of God,’ has since, it is hoped, obtained spiritual comfort upon good grounds.

“In the evening I catechised those, who were designed to partake of the Lord’s supper the next day, upon the institution, nature and end of that ordinance; and had abundant satisfaction respecting their doctrinal knowledge and fitness in that respect for an attendance upon it. They likewise appeared in general to have an affecting sense of the solemnity of this sacred ordinance, and to be humbled under a sense of their own unworthiness to approach to God in it; and to be earnestly concerned that they might be duly prepared for an attendance upon it.— Their hearts were full of love one toward another, and that was the frame of mind which they seemed concerned to maintain and bring to the Lord’s table with them. In the singing and prayer after catechising, there appeared an agreeable tenderness and melting among them; and such tokens of brotherly love and affection, as would even constrain one to say ‘Lord, it is good to be here;’  it is good to dwell where such an heavenly influence distils” (299).

[The following letter was addressed to] Praeses of the Society in Scotland, dated –]

“Bethel, Oct. 22, 1753.

“Since my last to your Lordship, which bears date March 2, 1753, I have steadily attended to the business of the Mission, and have not been absent from my charge except on some necessary occasions, and then only for a short space. I have endeavoured to attend strictly to my commissions and instructions; preaching the gospel; administering the sacraments; catechising both the grown people and the children; visiting my people; praying and conversing with the sick; attending funerals; and watching all opportunities to do them good.—I have constantly attended public worship three times on the Lord’s day ; steadily once, and sometimes more, in the rest of the week. Besides I have advised the people, especially of late, to meet, at least one evening in a week at a private house, which they do in the several parts of their town; sometimes at one house and sometimes at another. This meeting I have generally attended; and carry it on by prayer, singing of psalms or hymns and religious conversation. At these meetings I address myself to particular persons; inquire into the state of their souls; warn, exhort, encourage, &ic. as I see occasion. When I am absent, the meeting is carried on by religious conversation, together with prayer and singing. My endeavours, through the blessing of heaven, have been, I hope attended with some degree of success. I have had the satisfaction of admitting one adult person to baptism, who I trust is a true convert to God, and savingly acquainted with Jesus Christ; and sundry children have been the subjects of that divine ordinance. I can also inform your Lordship and the Society that many of our former converts adorn their profession by a sober virtuous life. But some, I must needs say, have grievously backslidden; which has been matter of unspeakable grief to me, and done more to exhaust my spirits and wear me out, than all the bodily fatigues I have ever undergone in the prosecution of this mission” (470-71).