Excerpts from David Brainerd

Such fatigues and hardships as these serve to wean me from the earth; and, I trust, will make heaven the sweeter. Formerly, when I was thus exposed to rain, cold, etc.,
I was ready to please myself with the thoughts of enjoying a comfortable house, a warm fire, and other outward comforts; but now these have less place in my heart (through the grace of God), and my eye is more to God for comfort.

Death and Eternity are just before us; a few tossing billows more will waft us into the world of spirits, and we hope, through infinite grace, into endless pleasures, and uninterrupted rest and peace. Let us then 'run, with patience, the race set before us.' (Heb xii.1,2) And, O, that we could depend more upon the living God, and less upon our own wisdom and strength!