David Brainerd – Beloved Yankee by DAVID WYNBEEK Eerdmans, 1961, 256 pages. Price $3.75
David Brainerd (1718–1747) is remembered especially as missionary to the Indians who lived in Pennsylvania and New Jersey during Colonial days. He was a younger contemporary of Jonathan Edwards, who edited Brainerd’s diaries. His life was cast in the period of “The Great Awakening” and he was in sympathy with the so-called “New Lights” of that era. This fact appears to have contributed to his “unjust” expulsion from Yale College. Wynbeek’s biography is not the first written about this saintly missionary, yet he has attempted to produce a “more complete story of Brainerd than has been previously attempted.”
I think that tile author has succeeded in that attempt. Of course, the accounts of the work and experiences of Brainerd cause one to put questions. There is, however, no room for doubt concerning the piety, the zeal, and the sincerity of Brainerd. But one does wonder whether the spiritual life of this saintly missionary was well-balanced and as such wholly Scriptural. The missionary methods employed likewise elicit questions. EvidentIy it has not been the intent of Mr. Wynbeek to supply us with such analyses or evaluations. That, of course, is perfectly proper—every author has the right to restrict himself. But it seems to me that such restrictions do make this biography into somewhat of a source-book. This does not diminish the value of the book. In fact, the restrictions which the author has placed upon himself have their menu. Many of the facts related “speak for themselves” they are self-explanatory and evaluations might be considered interferences and intertaptions. Though the book is an excellent source of information concerning Brainerd, that does not mean that it satisfies scholarly curiosity only; I feel that it may be used by God as a mighty stimulus to consecrated living. Doubtless Brainerd’s life was Christ and, therefore, his early and to us untimely death was gain. TIle book should be read widely. The present generation should learn to know the rock whence it was hewn and the hole of the pit whence it was digged.
NICHOLAS J. MONSMA
Sharing His Suffering by PETER H. ELDERSVELD William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI, 99 pages, price $2.50, 1961
Many of us regard Dr. Eldersvcld as the number one radio pulpiteer in America today. Millions listen to his weekly broadcasts on The Back-to-God Hour.
He has succeeded in cultivating a style of writing which makes the reading of his messages as pleasant and as profItable an experience as the hearing of them.
The book under review is in three sootions: The Christian Faith. The Christian Way, and The Christian Hope. Four chapten make up each of the three sections. These chapters are adaptations of his radio messages.
This book is not just for Lenten reading. Meditating on the sufferings of Christ is not a spiritual exercise to be restricted to one season of the year. Paul’s desire to know Christ in “the fellowship of his sufferings” (Philippians 3:10) was not just a springtime aspiration. Nor should it be with us. By all means read tllis book and encourage others to read it.
LEONARD CREENWAY