old paths where the good way is timeless truth from the bible christian teaching thought and meditations from prior times read by missionary to africa james robinette Thoughts by David Brainerd from Jonathan Edwards, The Life and Diary of David Brainerd, Thursday, January 3, 1745. Being sensible of the great need of divine influences and the outpourings of God's Spirit, I spent this day in fasting and prayer to seek so great a mercy for myself my poor people in particular, and the Church of God in general. In the morning, I was very lifeless in prayer, and could scarce get any sense of God. Near noon, I enjoyed some sweet freedom to pray that the will of God might in every respect become mine, and I am persuaded it was so at that time in some good degree. In the afternoon I was exceedingly weak and could not enjoy much fervency in prayer, but felt a great degree of dejection which, I believe, was very much owing to my bodily weakness and disorder. Friday, January 4th. I rode up to the Indians near noon and spent some time under great disorder. My soul was sunk down into deep waters, and I was almost overwhelmed with melancholy. Lord's Day, January 6th. was still distressed with vapoury disorders, preached to my poor Indians but had little heart or life. Towards night my soul was pressed under a sense of my unfaithfulness. Oh, the joy and peace that arises from a sense of having obtained mercy of God to be faithful! And oh, the misery and anguish that spring from an apprehension of the contrary!