Download full Termination of Employment 3rd Edition Alastair. Purdy ebook all chapters

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 50

Get ebook downloads in full at ebookmeta.

com

Termination of Employment 3rd Edition Alastair.


Purdy

https://ebookmeta.com/product/termination-of-employment-3rd-
edition-alastair-purdy/

OR CLICK BUTTON

DOWNLOAD NOW

Explore and download more ebook at https://ebookmeta.com


Recommended digital products (PDF, EPUB, MOBI) that
you can download immediately if you are interested.

Termination of Employment 3rd Edition Alastair Purdy

https://ebookmeta.com/product/termination-of-employment-3rd-edition-
alastair-purdy-2/

ebookmeta.com

Historical Dictionary of Denmark 3rd Edition Alastair H


Thomas

https://ebookmeta.com/product/historical-dictionary-of-denmark-3rd-
edition-alastair-h-thomas/

ebookmeta.com

Labour And Employment Law Manual 3rd Edition Joydeep Hor

https://ebookmeta.com/product/labour-and-employment-law-manual-3rd-
edition-joydeep-hor/

ebookmeta.com

Ecological Poetics or Wallace Stevens s Birds 1st Edition


Cary Wolfe

https://ebookmeta.com/product/ecological-poetics-or-wallace-stevens-s-
birds-1st-edition-cary-wolfe/

ebookmeta.com
Soul of A Demon Brothers of Scrim Hall Book 5 1st Edition
Andie Fenichel

https://ebookmeta.com/product/soul-of-a-demon-brothers-of-scrim-hall-
book-5-1st-edition-andie-fenichel-2/

ebookmeta.com

Theorizing Images 1st Edition Žarko Pai■

https://ebookmeta.com/product/theorizing-images-1st-edition-zarko-
paic/

ebookmeta.com

The Forager s Calendar A Seasonal Guide to Nature s Wild


Harvests John Wright

https://ebookmeta.com/product/the-forager-s-calendar-a-seasonal-guide-
to-nature-s-wild-harvests-john-wright/

ebookmeta.com

Reliable Machine Learning: Applying SRE Principles to ML


in Production (Eighth Early Release) 1 / 2022-07-08:
Eighth Early Release Edition Cathy Chen
https://ebookmeta.com/product/reliable-machine-learning-applying-sre-
principles-to-ml-in-production-eighth-early-
release-1-2022-07-08-eighth-early-release-edition-cathy-chen/
ebookmeta.com

Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic Flat faced Companion


Animals A Complete Guide for Veterinary and Animal
Professionals 1st Edition Rowena Packer
https://ebookmeta.com/product/health-and-welfare-of-brachycephalic-
flat-faced-companion-animals-a-complete-guide-for-veterinary-and-
animal-professionals-1st-edition-rowena-packer/
ebookmeta.com
Introduction to Statistics Through Resampling Methods and
R 2nd Edition Phillip I Good

https://ebookmeta.com/product/introduction-to-statistics-through-
resampling-methods-and-r-2nd-edition-phillip-i-good/

ebookmeta.com
Termination of Employment
ii
Termination of Employment
Third Edition

by
Alastair Purdy
Solicitor, SC
BLOOMSBURY PROFESSIONAL
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
50 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3DP, UK
1385 Broadway, New York, NY 10018, USA
29 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, Ireland

BLOOMSBURY and the Diana logo are trademarks of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
© Bloomsbury Professional Limited 2023
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form (including ­
photocopying or storing it in any medium by electronic means and whether or not transiently or
incidentally to some other use of this publication) without the written permission of the copyright owner
except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 or under the
terms of a licence issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd., Saffron House, 6–10 Kirby Street, London,
EC1N 8TS, England. Applications for the copyright owner’s written permission to reproduce
any part of this publication should be addressed to the publisher.
Warning: The doing of an unauthorised act in relation to a copyright work may result
in both a civil claim for damages and criminal prosecution.
While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this work, no responsibility
for loss or damage occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result
of any statement in it can be accepted by the authors, editors or publishers.
All UK Government legislation and other public sector information used in the work
is Crown Copyright ©. All House of Lords and House of Commons information used in the
work is Parliamentary Copyright ©. This information is reused under the terms of the
Open Government Licence v3.0 (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-
government-licence/version/3) except where otherwise stated.
All Eur-lex material used in the work is © European Union,
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/, 1998–2023.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data


A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN: PB: 978 1 52652 450 8
ePDF: 978 1 52652 449 2
ePub: 978 1 52652 451 5
Typeset by Compuscript Ltd, Shannon

To find out more about our authors and books visit


www.bloomsburyprofessional.com. Here you will find extracts, author information,
details of forthcoming events and the option to sign up for our newsletters
To Jessica.
vi
Preface

Dear readers,
It is with great pleasure and a profound sense of fulfillment that I present to you the
third edition of Termination of Employment. This book is the culmination of over three
decades of study, personal experience and unwavering commitment to understand,
insofar as is possible, the intricacies concerned with and related to the termination of
employment in Ireland.
As I reflect on my journey through this intricate landscape, it becomes clear that the
path to understanding and mastery is a continuous one. With each passing year, the
dynamics of the workplace evolve, new laws are passed, new legal precedents emerge
and the complexities of the employee-employer relationship deepens.
The prominent audience for this book has always been the practitioners, legal
professionals, HR specialists, managers and all those who grapple with the multifaceted
issues concerning the termination of employment. It is my sincere hope that the
knowledge and insights contained within these pages will serve as a valuable resource
to your daily work. Whether you are a seasoned expert or just starting out in this
field, the aim of the book is to provide you with practical guidance and real world
examples that will enhance your ability to navigate the challenges of the termination of
employment effectively.
In this third edition, you will find updated information that reflects the latest
developments and case law examples that illustrate complex scenarios and an overview
of what is expected. I have drawn upon my own experiences and those of colleagues
as well as the invaluable feedback from readers of the previous editions to create what
I hope is a relevant resource for you.
I want to express my deep appreciation to my colleagues in the firm of Alastair
Purdy & Co, mentors and fellow practitioners who have supported me throughout
my career. Your insights, discussions and shared experiences have enriched my
understanding of this subject immeasurably. A special mention in the compilation of
this third edition must go to my colleague Robin Hyde, without whom I would have
struggled to get this done. A mention must also go to Jessica Purdy, who assisted me
greatly with research and in particular with chapter 12. I owe a great deal of thanks
to many colleagues in this area but most especially, I would like to thank Brendan
Kirwan SC for his insights in respect of the chapter on employment injunctions, whose
thoughts and perceptions into this difficult area were invaluable. I also extend my
gratitude to my family and in particular, my wife Orla, whose unwavering support
has allowed me to dedicate the time and effort required to undertake this work. Lastly
I would like to thank Gavin Sheridan CEO and Co-founder of Vizlegal for introducing
me to Vizlegal without which the research for this book would have been profoundly
more difficult.

vii
Preface

As you delve into the pages of this book, I encourage you to approach it not just
as a reference but to use it to inform your decisions, ignite discussions and inspire
innovative approaches to the challenges you encounter in this area.

Alastair Purdy
October 2023

viii
Contents

Preface�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������vii
Table of Cases������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ xvii
Table of Statutes���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������xliii
Table of Statutory Instruments�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������lxiii
Table of European Legislation���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� lxvii

Chapter 1: The Institutional Framework������������������������������������������������������������������1


Workplace Relations Commission���������������������������������������������������������������������������������1
Public hearings��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������2
Rules for Hearings���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5
Non-statutory rules��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5
Dismissal of frivolous and vexatious complaints by adjudication officer��������������6
Disposal by written submission only����������������������������������������������������������������������7
Striking out cases that are not pursued��������������������������������������������������������������������8
Process of hearing���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8
Findings�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������21
Enforcement of WRC decisions����������������������������������������������������������������������������21
Labour Court����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������22
Role in termination of employment cases�������������������������������������������������������������22
Structure����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������23
Operational structure���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������23
Investigation methods�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������24
Labour Court Rules�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������24
Appeals������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������25
Labour Court submission��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������28
Withdrawal of claims��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������28
Enforcement of Labour Court decisions���������������������������������������������������������������28
Circuit Court����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������29
High Court�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������29
Costs/Fees/Charges/Refunds����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������30

Chapter 2: Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts 1973–2005�����������41


Purpose�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������41
Application�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������41
Notice Period���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������42
Continuous Service������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������42
Computable Service�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������43
What Constitutes ‘Pay’?����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������43
Notice to Employers����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������44

ix
Contents

Waiver and Payment in Lieu of Notice������������������������������������������������������������������������44


Calculation of pay in lieu of notice�����������������������������������������������������������������������46
No Entitlement to Notice���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������46
Misconduct������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������46
Constructive dismissal������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������48
Resignation������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������49
Fixed-term/specified purpose contracts����������������������������������������������������������������50
Retirement�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������50
Incapability and notice������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������51
Lay-off/short-time working�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������51
Minimum Notice and the Payment of Wages Act 1991�����������������������������������������������52
Leave and Minimum Notice����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������53
Annual leave���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������53
Protective leave�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������53
Extending the Notice Period����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������54
Rights and Duties of Employees During the Notice Period����������������������������������������55
Notice must be Specific�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������56
Withdrawal of Notice���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������57
Disputes and Redress���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������57
Disputes�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������57
Redress������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������57
Wrongful Dismissal and Notice�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������58
Minimum Notice and Redundancy������������������������������������������������������������������������������58
Minimum notice in practice����������������������������������������������������������������������������������58

Chapter 3: Unfair Dismissal��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������61


Preliminary Requirements�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������62
The complainant must be an employee�����������������������������������������������������������������62
Contract of employment����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������62
The contract must be enforceable�������������������������������������������������������������������������75
Continuous service������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������78
Six-month/12-month time limit����������������������������������������������������������������������������81
The complainant must have been dismissed���������������������������������������������������������83
Exclusions��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������90
Persons who have reached normal retirement age������������������������������������������������90
Persons employed by a close relative in a private house or on
a farm where both reside���������������������������������������������������������������������������������91
Members of the Defence Forces���������������������������������������������������������������������������91
Members of An Garda Siochána���������������������������������������������������������������������������92
SOLAS trainees and statutory apprentices������������������������������������������������������������92
Employees dismissed during a period of probation or training�����������������������������93
Persons on fixed-term/specified purpose contracts�����������������������������������������������94
Persons covering for persons on protective leave or natal care����������������������������95
Persons covering for persons on adoptive leave���������������������������������������������������95
Persons ordinarily working outside the State��������������������������������������������������������96
Employees dismissed while working for foreign embassies in Ireland����������������98

x
Contents

Onus of Proof���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������99
Exceptions where the onus of proof shifts to the employee��������������������������������100
Unfair Dismissals�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������102
Membership of a trade union or involvement in trade union activities��������������102
Strikes and lockouts��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������103
Religious or political opinions����������������������������������������������������������������������������107
Race, colour or sexual orientation�����������������������������������������������������������������������107
Age����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������107
Pregnancy or connected matters�������������������������������������������������������������������������109
Dismissals contrary to the Adoptive Leave Acts 1995 and 2005������������������������ 110
Membership of the Traveller community������������������������������������������������������������ 110
Civil or criminal proceedings������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 111
Dismissals in Accordance with Acts Other than the Unfair Dismissals Act�������������� 111
Persons reporting child abuse����������������������������������������������������������������������������� 111
Dismissals and the Employees (Provision of Information and
Consultation) Act 2006���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 111
Dismissals and the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act 2005��������������������� 111
Dismissals and the Parental Leave Acts 1998 and 2006 and the Carer’s
Leave Act 2001���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 115
Dismissals contrary to the National Minimum Wage Act 2000�������������������������� 115
Dismissals contrary to the Standards in Public Office Act 2001������������������������ 115
Dismissals Deemed Not to be Unfair������������������������������������������������������������������������� 115
Capability, competence or qualifications of the employee���������������������������������� 116
Conduct���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������128
Redundancy���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������153
Heat-of-the-moment resignations�����������������������������������������������������������������������156
Constructive Dismissal����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������158
And/or test�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������158
Unequivocal words���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������159
The contract test��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������159
The reasonableness test���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������161
Obligation to utilise the grievance procedure�����������������������������������������������������163
Surveillance of Employees/Use of Private Investigators�������������������������������������������166
Covert cameras����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������166
Covert recording of conversations����������������������������������������������������������������������171
Use of private investigators for employment law and ‘crossover’ with
personal injury litigation��������������������������������������������������������������������������������173
Importance of Procedures������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������175
Reasonableness of the Employer’s Decision�������������������������������������������������������������175
Remedies��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������176
Compensation������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������177
Minimum four weeks������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������179
Ability to mitigate loss����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������180
Illness resulting from dismissal���������������������������������������������������������������������������182

xi
Contents

Chapter 4: Fair Procedures and Natural Justice: Investigations


and Disciplinary Hearings in the Workplace��������������������������������������������������������185
Procedural Fairness����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������185
The employer’s disciplinary procedure���������������������������������������������������������������185
Rights to natural and constitutional justice���������������������������������������������������������187
Suspensions����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������191
Delay and suspensions����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������195
Investigations�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������195
Terms of reference�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������196
Distinction between informal and formal investigations������������������������������������197
Conflation of investigation and disciplinary procedures�������������������������������������198
Independent investigators�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������199
Disciplinary Hearings������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������200
Final written warnings����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������200
Representation�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������201
Expert witnesses��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������203
Probationary employees��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������203
Appeals����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������205

Chapter 5: Redundancy������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������209
Statutory Definition of ‘Redundancy’������������������������������������������������������������������������209
Entitlement to a Redundancy Payment����������������������������������������������������������������������209
Continuous service���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 211
Insurable employment�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������213
Aged over 16�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������214
Genuine redundancy�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������214
The right to a redundancy lump-sum payment by reason of lay-off
or short time (Form RP9)������������������������������������������������������������������������������214
Employees wishing to leave their employment before their notice
of proposed dismissal expires������������������������������������������������������������������������216
Disentitlement to a Redundancy Payment�����������������������������������������������������������������217
Alternative work�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������217
Misconduct����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������218
Refusal to take alternative employment��������������������������������������������������������������218
Change of location����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������219
Calculation of Statutory Entitlement�������������������������������������������������������������������������220
Calculation of a week’s pay for purposes of the Act�������������������������������������������220
Reckonable and non-reckonable service�������������������������������������������������������������222
Maternity leave and additional maternity leave for redundancy
calculation purposes��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������224
Parental leave for redundancy calculation purposes�������������������������������������������224
Calculating ‘excess days’ in respect of redundancies notified/declared
on or after 10 April 2005�������������������������������������������������������������������������������225
Adoptive leave for redundancy calculation purposes�����������������������������������������225
Parent’s leave for redundancy calculation purposes�������������������������������������������225

xii
Contents

Paternity leave for redundancy calculation purposes������������������������������������������225


Carer’s leave for redundancy calculation purposes��������������������������������������������225
Career break leave�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������226
Collective Redundancies��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������226
Legislation�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������226
Collective redundancies and insolvency�������������������������������������������������������������227
Consultation��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������228
Failure to consult�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������230
Notification to the Minister���������������������������������������������������������������������������������231
Records����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������232
Information and Consultation Act 2006 and redundancies���������������������������������232
Redundancy and Unfair Dismissal�����������������������������������������������������������������������������232
The redundancy must be genuine������������������������������������������������������������������������232
‘Impersonality requirement’��������������������������������������������������������������������������������234
Reasonableness of the conduct of the employer�������������������������������������������������237
Selection procedure (or criteria)?������������������������������������������������������������������������243
Redundancy and a change of ownership�������������������������������������������������������������253
Practical Considerations���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������256
Time limit for claim��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������256
Notification timeline�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������256
Negotiations��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������261
Methods of calculating ex gratia redundancy payments�������������������������������������263
Labour Court – what should be discussed����������������������������������������������������������263
Refusal to accept redundancy notice�������������������������������������������������������������������264
Forms������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������265

Chapter 6: Taxation of Lump-Sum Payments�������������������������������������������������������269


Introduction����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������269
Taxation of Lump Sums (Excluding Settlements and Awards Payable
in Employment Cases)����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������269
Lump-sum payments exempt from tax���������������������������������������������������������������269
Lump-sum payments that qualify for tax relief��������������������������������������������������269
Standard capital superannuation benefit�������������������������������������������������������������272
Subsequent claims�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������273
Taxation of lump sums by employers�����������������������������������������������������������������273
Time limits for claiming tax reliefs���������������������������������������������������������������������273
Taxation Exemption for Settlements and Awards in Employment Cases������������������273
Exemption�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������274
Fire and rehire�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������275
Practical Advice for Employers���������������������������������������������������������������������������������275
Structure of settlements���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������276
Importance of apportionment������������������������������������������������������������������������������277
Tax Treatment of Legal Fees in Employment Cases�������������������������������������������������278
Summary�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������279
Appendix I�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������279

xiii
Contents

Chapter 7: Wrongful Dismissal and the Employment Injunction�����������������������283


Introduction����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������283
Wrongful Dismissal and Unfair Dismissal����������������������������������������������������������������283
Wrongful Dismissal and the Industrial Relations Acts����������������������������������������������284
The Employment Injunction��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������285
What is an injunction?�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������285
Principles applied by the courts��������������������������������������������������������������������������286
Interlocutory Injunctions in Employment Cases – Their Development��������������������292
When are employment injunctions sought?��������������������������������������������������������294
When will an injunction be granted?������������������������������������������������������������������302
When will an injunction not be granted?������������������������������������������������������������304
Practical Considerations – Proceedings for Injunctive Relief�����������������������������������309
Where there is a statutory remedy�����������������������������������������������������������������������310
Interim injunctions���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 311
Interlocutory injunctions�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������312
Statutory injunctions�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������313
Plenary summons������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������314
Notice of motion�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������317
Grounding affidavit���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������320

Chapter 8: Discriminatory Dismissal: The Employment Equality


Legislation�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������323
Introduction����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������323
Legislation������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������323
Employment Equality Acts 1998–2021��������������������������������������������������������������324
Practical Considerations���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������357
Referral forms�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������357
Defending a discrimination claim�����������������������������������������������������������������������357
Awards in discriminatory dismissal claims���������������������������������������������������������359
Employees’ right to certain information�������������������������������������������������������������359
The Circuit Court������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������359
Appeals����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������360
Costs��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������360
Forms�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������361
Form EE2������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������361
Form EE3������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������366
Form 1 Circuit Court Employment Law Civil Bill���������������������������������������������370
Form 4 Circuit Court Motion on Notice�������������������������������������������������������������371
Form 2 Defence to Circuit Court Civil Bill��������������������������������������������������������373

Chapter 9: Dismissal and Employer Insolvency���������������������������������������������������377


Introduction����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������377
Effects of Various Types of Insolvency on the Employment Contract����������������������378
Bankruptcy����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������378
Voluntary liquidation�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������379

xiv
Other documents randomly have
different content
October 19. I was willing either to die or live; but found it hard to
think of living useless. Oh that I might never live to be a burden to
God’s creation; but that I might be allowed to repair home, when my
sojourning work is done!

Friday, October 24. I spent the day in overseeing and directing


my people about mending their fence, and securing their wheat. I
was somewhat refreshed in the evening, having been able to do
something valuable in the day time. Oh, how it pains me, to see
time pass away, when I can do nothing to any purpose!

Saturday, October 25. I visited some of my people: spent some


time in writing, and felt much better in body than usual: when it was
near night I felt so well, that I had thoughts of expounding: but in
the evening was much disordered again, and spent the night in
coughing, and spitting of blood.

Lord’s-day, October 26. In the morning I was exceeding weak,


and spent the day till near night, in pain to see my poor people
wandering as sheep not having a shepherd. But towards night
finding myself a little better, I called them together to my house and
sat down, and read and expounded Matthew v. 1‒16. This discourse,
though delivered in much weakness, was attended with power;
especially what was spoken upon the last of these verses, where I
insisted on the infinite wrong done to religion, by having our light
become darkness, instead of shining before men. As many were
deeply affected with a sense of their deficiency, in regard of spiritual
conversation, and a spirit of concern and watchfulness seemed to be
excited in them; so there was one that had fallen into drunkenness,
sometime before, who was now deeply convinced of his sin, and
discovered a great degree of concern on that account. My soul was
refreshed to see this. And though I had no strength to speak so
much as I would have done, but was obliged to lie down on the bed:
yet I rejoiced to see such an humble melting in the congregation;
and that divine truths, though faintly delivered, were attended with
so much efficacy.
Monday, October 27. I spent the day in directing the Indians,
about mending the fence round their wheat: and was able to walk
with them, and contrive their business all the forenoon. In the
afternoon I was visited by two dear friends, and spent some time in
conversation with them. Towards night I was able to walk out, and
take care of the Indians again.

October 28. I rode to Prince-Town, in a very weak state: had


such a violent fever, by the way, that I was forced to alight at a
friend’s house, and lie down for some time. Near night I was visited
by Mr. Treat, Mr. Beaty, and his wife, and another friend: my spirits
were refreshed to see them: but I was surprized, and even
ashamed, that they had taken so much pains as to ride thirty or
forty miles to see me.

Saturday, November 1. I took leave of my friends and returned


home.

Lord’s-day, November 2. I was unable to preach and scarcely


able to sit up the whole day. I was almost sunk, to see my poor
people destitute of the means of grace; and especially considering
they could not read, and so were under great disadvantages for
spending the sabbath comfortably. Oh, methought, I could be
contented to be sick, if my poor flock had a faithful pastor to feed
them. A view of their want of this was more afflictive to me, than all
my bodily illness.
Monday, November 3. Being now in so low a state, that I was
utterly uncapable of performing my work, and having little hope of
recovery, unless by much riding, I thought it my duty to take a
journey into New-England, I accordingly took leave of my
congregation this day.—Before I left my people, I visited them all in
their respective houses, and discoursed to each, as I thought most
suitable for their circumstances, and found great freedom in so
doing: I scarce left one house but some were in tears, not only
affected with my being about to leave them, but with the solemn
addresses I made; for I was helped to be fervent in spirit. When I
had thus gone through my congregation, (which took me most of
the day) and had taken leave of them, and of the school, I rode
about two miles, to the house where I lived in the summer past, and
there lodged.

Tuesday, November 4. I rode to Woodbridge, and lodged with Mr.


Pierson.

Wednesday, November 5. I rode to Elisabeth-Town, intending as


soon as possible to prosecute my journey. But I was in an hour or
two taken much worse.—For near a week I was confined to my
chamber, and most of the time to my bed; and then so far revived as
to be able to walk about the house; but was still confined within
doors.

I was enabled to maintain a calm, composed, and patient spirit,


as I had from the beginning of my weakness. After I had been in
Elisabeth-Town about a fortnight, and had so far recovered that I
was able to walk about the house, upon a day of thanksgiving kept
in this place, I was enabled to recount the mercies of God, in such a
manner as greatly affected me, and filled me with thankfulness to
God; especially for his work of grace among the Indians, and the
enlargement of his kingdom. “Lord, glorify thyself,” was the cry of
my soul. Oh that all people might love and praise the blessed God!
After this comfortable season, I frequently enjoyed enlargement
of soul in prayer for my dear congregation, very often for every
family, and every person in particular; and it was a great comfort to
me, that I could pray heartily to God for those whom I was not
allowed to see.

In the latter end of December, I grew still weaker, and continued


to do so, till the latter end of January 1746‒7. And having a violent
cough, a considerable fever, and no appetite for any manner of food,
I was reduced to so low a state, that my friends generally despaired
of my life; and for some time together, thought I could scarce live a
day to an end.

On Lord’s-day, February 1. “If ye, being evil, know how to give


good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly
Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him?” This text I was
helped to plead, and saw the divine faithfulness engaged for dealing
with me better than any earthly parent can do with his child. This
season so refreshed my soul, that my body seemed also to be a
gainer by it. And from this time, I began gradually to amend. And as
I recovered some strength, vigour, and spirit, I found at times some
life in the exercises of devotion, and longings after spirituality and a
life of usefulness.

On Tuesday, February 24. I was able to ride as far as Newark,


(having been confined within Elisabeth-Town almost four months,)
and the next day returned to Elisabeth-Town. My spirits were
somewhat refreshed with the ride, though my body was weary.

On Saturday, February 28. I was visited by an Indian of my own


congregation, who brought me letters, and good news of the
behaviour of my people in general. This refreshed my soul, I could
not but retire and bless God for his goodness.
Wednesday, March 11, being kept in Elisabeth-Town ♦as a day of
fasting and prayer, I was able to attend public worship, which was
the first time since December 21. Oh, how much distress did God
carry me through in this space of time! But having obtained help
from him, I yet live: Oh that I could live to his glory!

♦ “at” replaced with “as”

Thursday, March 18. I rode to my people: and on Friday morning


walked about among them and inquired into their state and
concerns; and found an additional weight on my spirits upon hearing
some things disagreeable. I endeavoured to go to God with my
distresses: but notwithstanding, my mind continued very gloomy.
About ten o’clock, I called my people together, and after having
explained and sung a psalm, I prayed with them. There was a
considerable deal of affection among them; I doubt not, that which
was more than merely natural.

[This was the last interview that he ever had with his people.
About eleven o’clock the same day, he left them: and the next day
came to Elisabeth-Town.]

Saturday, March 28. I was taken this morning with a violent


griping. These pains were extreme and constant, for several hours:
so that it seemed impossible for me, without a miracle, to live
twenty-four hours. I lay confined to my bed, the whole day: but it
pleased God to bless means for the abatement of my distress. I was
exceedingly weakened by this pain, and continued so for several
days following. In this distressed case, death appeared agreeable to
me: as an entrance into a place “where the weary are at rest;” and,
I had some relish of the entertainments of the heavenly state; so
that by these I was allured and drawn, as well as driven by the
fatigues of life. Oh, how happy it is, to be drawn by desires of a
state of perfect holiness!
Saturday, April 4. I was uneasy, by reason of the misemployment
of time: and yet knew not what to do: I longed to spend time in
fasting and prayer; but alas, I had not bodily strength! Oh, how
blessed a thing is it, to enjoy peace of conscience! How dreadful is a
want of inward peace! It is impossible, I find, to enjoy this happiness
without redeeming time, and maintaining a spiritual frame of mind.

Lord’s-day, April 5. It grieved me, to find myself so inconceivably


barren. My soul thirsted for grace; but, alas, how far was I from
obtaining what I saw so excellent! I was ready to despair of ever
being holy; and yet my soul was desirous of following hard after
God; but never did I see myself so far from having apprehended, or
being already perfect. The Lord’s supper being this day
administered, in the season of communion, I enjoyed warmth of
affection, and felt a tender love to the brethren; and, to the glorious
Redeemer, the first-born among them. I endeavoured then to bring
forth mine and his enemies, and slay them before him; and found
great freedom in begging deliverance from this spiritual death, as
well as in asking favours for my friends and congregation, and the
church of Christ in general.

Friday, April 17. In the evening, God helped me to “draw near to


the throne of grace,” and gave me a sense of his favour, which gave
me inexpressible support and encouragement; I could not but
rejoice, that ever God should discover his reconciled face to such a
vile sinner. Shame and confusion, at times, covered me; and then
hope, and joy, and admiration of the divine goodness.

Tuesday, April 21. I set out on my journey for New-England; I


travelled to New-York, and there lodged.

[This proved his final departure from New-Jersey.—He travelled


slowly, and arrived among his friends at East-Haddam, about the
beginning of May.]
Lord’s-day, May 10. (At Had-Lime) I could not but feel gratitude
to God, that he had always disposed me, in my ministry, to insist on
the great doctrines of regeneration, a new creature, faith in Christ,
progressive sanctification, supreme love to God, living entirely to the
glory of God, being not our own, and the like. God has helped me to
see, from time to time, that these, and the like doctrines, necessarily
connected with them, are the only foundation of safety and salvation
for perishing sinners; and that those divine dispositions, which are
consonant hereto, are that holiness, “without which no man shall
see the Lord:” the exercise of these God-like tempers, wherein the
soul acts in a kind of concert with God, and would be and do every
thing that is pleasing to God; this, I saw, would stand by the soul in
a dying hour; for God must deny himself, if he cast away his own
image, even the soul that is one in desires with himself.

Lord’s-day, May 17. Though I felt much dulness this week; yet I
had some glimpses of the excellency of divine things; and especially
one morning, the beauty of holiness, as a likeness to the glorious
God, was so discovered to me, that I longed earnestly to be in that
world where holiness dwells in perfection, that I might please God,
live entirely to him, and glorify him to the utmost stretch of my
capacities.

*Lord’s-day. May 24. (At Long-Meadow in Springfield) I could not


but think, as I have often remarked to others, that much more of
true religion consists in deep humility, brokenness of heart, and an
abasing sense of want of holiness, than most who are called
Christians imagine.

[On Thursday, May 28. He came from Long-Meadow to


Northampton, appearing vastly better than he had been in the
winter; indeed so well, that he was able to ride twenty-five miles in a
day, and to walk half a mile; but yet he was undoubtedly, at that
time, in a confirmed, incurable consumption.
*I had much opportunity before this, of particular information
concerning him, but now I had opportunity for a more full
acquaintance with him. I found him remarkably sociable, pleasant,
and entertaining in his conversation; yet solid, savoury, spiritual, and
very profitable; appearing meek, modest, and humble, far from any
stiffness, moroseness, superstitious demureness, or affected
singularity in speech or behaviour. We enjoyed not only the benefit
of his conversation, but had the comfort of hearing him pray in the
family, from time to time. His manner of praying was becoming a
worm of the dust, and a disciple of Christ addressing an infinitely
great and holy God, and Father of mercies; not with florid
expressions, or a studied eloquence; not with any intemperate
vehemence, or indecent boldness; at the greatest distance from any
appearance of ostentation, and from every thing that might look as
though he meant to recommend himself to those that were about
him, or set himself off to their acceptance, free from vain repetitions,
without impertinent excursions, or needless multiplying of words. He
expressed himself with the strictest propriety, with weight and
pungency; and yet what his lips uttered seemed to flow from the
fulness of his heart, deeply impressed with a great and solemn sense
of our necessities, unworthiness, and dependence, of God’s infinite
greatness, excellency, and sufficiency, rather than merely from a
warm and fruitful brain. And I know not, that ever I heard him so
much as ask a blessing or return thanks at table, but there was
something remarkable to be observed both in the matter and
manner of the performance. In his prayers he insisted much on the
prosperity of Zion, the advancement of Christ’s kingdom in the
world, and the flourishing and propagation of religion among the
Indians. And he generally made it one petition in his prayer, “that we
might not outlive our usefulness.”]
[This week he consulted Dr. Mather, at my house, concerning his
illness; who plainly told him there were great evidences of his being
in a confirmed consumption, and that he could give him no
encouragement, that he should ever recover. But it seemed not to
occasion the least discomposure in him, nor to make any alteration
as to the freedom or pleasantness of his conversation.]

*Lord’s-day, June 7. My soul was so drawn forth, this day, by


what I heard of the “exceeding preciousness of the grace of God’s
Spirit,” that it almost overcame my body: I saw that true grace is
exceeding precious indeed; that it is very rare; and that there is but
a very small degree of it, even where the reality of it is to be found.

In the preceeding week, I enjoyed some comfortable seasons of


meditation. One morning the cause of God appeared exceeding
precious to me: I saw also, that God has an infinitely greater
concern for it, than I could possibly have; that if I have any true love
to this blessed interest, it is only a drop derived from that ocean.
Hence I was ready to “lift up my head with joy;” and conclude,
“Well, if God’s cause be so dear and precious to him, he will promote
it.”

[He was advised by physicians still to continue riding as what


would tend to prolong his life. He was at a loss for some time which
way to bend his course; but finally determined to ride to Boston; we
having concluded that one of this family should go with him and be
helpful to him in his low state.]

Tuesday, June 9. I set out on a journey from Northampton to


Boston.
Having now continued to ride for some considerable time, I felt
myself much better, and I found that in proportion to the prospect I
had of being restored to a state of usefulness, I desired the
continuance of life: but death appeared inconceivably more desirable
to me, than a useless life; yet blessed be God, I found my heart fully
resigned to this greatest of afflictions, if God saw fit thus to deal
with me.

Friday, ♦June 12. I arrived in Boston this day, somewhat fatigued


with my journey. There is no rest but in God; fatigues of body, and
anxieties of mind, attend us, both in town and country.

♦ “July” replaced with “June”

On Thursday, June 18. I was taken exceeding ill, and brought to


the gates of death, by the breaking of some small ulcers in my
lungs, as my physician supposed. In this weak state I continued
several weeks, and was frequently so low, as to be utterly
speechless; and even after I had so far revived as to step out of
doors, I was exercised every day with a faint turn, which continued
usually four or five hours; at which times, though I could say Yes or
No, yet I could not speak one sentence, without making stops for
breath; and divers times in this season, my friends gathered round
my bed to see me breathe my last.

How I was, the first day or two of my illness, with regard to the
exercise of reason, I scarcely know; but the third day, and constantly
afterwards, for four or five weeks together, I enjoyed as much
serenity of mind, and clearness of thought, as perhaps I ever did in
my life. And I think my mind never penetrated with so much ease
and freedom into divine things, and I never felt so capable of
demonstrating the truth of many important doctrines of the gospel
as now.
As God was pleased to afford me clearness of thought almost
continually, for several weeks together; so he enabled me in some
measure, to employ my time to valuable purposes. I was enabled to
write a number of important letters, to friends in remote places; and
sometimes I wrote I was speechless, i. e. unable to maintain
conversation with any body.—*Besides this I had many visitants;
with whom when I was able to speak, I always conversed of the
things of religion: and was peculiarly assisted in distinguishing
between true and false religion. And especially I discoursed
repeatedly on the nature and necessity of that humiliation, self-
emptiness, or full conviction of a person’s being utterly undone in
himself, which is necessary in order to a saving faith, and the
extreme difficulty of being brought to this, and the great danger
there is of persons taking up with some self-righteous appearances
of it. The danger of this I especially dwelt upon, being persuaded
that multitudes perish in this hidden way; because so little is said
from most pulpits to discover any danger here: so that persons
being never effectually brought to die to themselves, are never truly
united to Christ. I also discoursed much on what I take to be the
essence of true religion, that God-like temper and disposition of soul,
and that holy conversation and behaviour, that may justly claim the
honour of having God for its original pattern. And I have reason to
hope God blessed my discoursing to some, both ministers and
people; so that my time was not wholly lost.

[Also the honourable Commissioners in Boston, of the


incorporated society in London for ♦propagating the gospel in New-
England, and parts adjacent, having a legacy of the late Dr. Daniel
Williams of London, for the support of two missionaries to the
Heathen, were pleased, while he was at Boston, to consult him
about a mission to those Indians called the Six Nations; and were so
satisfied with his sentiments on this head, and had that confidence
in his faithfulness, and judgment, that they desired him to
recommend a couple of persons fit to be employed in this business.
♦ “propogating” replaced with “propagating”

Mr. Brainerd’s restoration from his extreme low state in Boston,


so as to go abroad again and to travel, was very unexpected to him
and his friends. My daughter who was with him writes thus
concerning him in a letter dated June 23.—“On Thursday he was
very ill of a violent fever, and extreme pain in his head and breast,
and at turns, delirious. So he remained till Saturday evening, when
he seemed to be in the agonies of death: the family was up with him
’till one or two o’clock, expecting every hour would be his last. On
sabbath day he was a little revived, his head was better, but very full
of pain, and exceeding sore at his breast, much put to it for breath.
Yesterday he was better upon all accounts. Last night he slept but
little. This morning he is much worse.――Dr. Pynchon says, he has
no hopes of his life; nor does he think it likely he will ever come out
of his chamber.”

His physician, the honourable Joseph Pynchon, Esq. when he


visited him in Boston, attributed his sinking so suddenly into a state
so nigh unto death, to the breaking of ulcers, that had been long
gathering in his lungs, and there discharging and diffusing their
purulent matter; which, while nature was labouring and struggling to
throw off, (that could be done no otherwise, than by a gradual
straining of it through the small vessels of those vital parts,) this
occasioned an high fever and violent coughing, and threw the whole
frame of nature into the utmost disorder; but supposed if the state
of nature held till the lungs had gradually cleared themselves of this
putrid matter, he might revive, and continue better, till new ulcers
gathered and broke; but then he would surely sink again; and that
there was no hope of his recovery; but (as he expressed himself to
one of my neighbours) he was as certainly a dead man, as if he was
shot through the heart.
But so it was ordered by divine Providence, that the strength of
nature held out through this great conflict, and then he revived, to
the astonishment of all that knew his case.

After he began to revive, he was visited by his youngest brother


Mr. Israel Brainerd, a student at Yale-college; who having heard of
his extreme illness, came to Boston to see him.

This visit was attended with a mixture of joy and sorrow to Mr.
Brainerd. He greatly rejoiced to see his brother, especially because
he had desired an opportunity of some religious conversation with
him before he died. But this meeting was attended with sorrow, as
his brother brought to him the tidings of his sister Spencer’s death at
Haddam: a sister, between whom and him had long subsisted a
peculiar dear affection, and much intimacy in spiritual matters. He
had heard nothing of her sickness. But he had these comforts
together with the tidings, a confidence of her being gone to heaven,
and an expectation of soon meeting her there.—His brother
continued with him till he left the town, and came with him from
thence to Northampton.

[Concerning the last Sabbath Mr. Brainerd spent at Boston, he


writes in his diary as follows.]

Lord’s-day, July 19. I was just able to attend public worship,


being carried to the house of God in a chaise. I heard Dr. Sewall
preach in the forenoon; partook of the Lord’s supper at this time. In
the sacrament, I saw astonishing wisdom displayed; such wisdom as
required the tongues of angels and glorified saints to celebrate. It
seemed to me I never should do any thing at adoring the infinite
wisdom of God discovered in the contrivance of man’s redemption,
until I arrived at a world of perfection. Yet I could not help striving
to “call upon my soul, and all within me, to bless the name of God.”
[The next day he set out in the cool of the afternoon, for
Northampton, attended by his brother, and my daughter that went
with him to Boston; and would have been accompanied out of the
town by a number of gentlemen, had not his aversion to any thing
of pomp and shew prevented it.]

Saturday, July 25. I arrived at Northampton, having set out from


Boston on Monday. In this journey, I rode about sixteen miles a day,
one day with another. I was sometimes extremely tired, so that it
seemed impossible for me to proceed any further: at other times I
was considerably better, and felt some freedom both of body and
mind.

Lord’s-day, July 26. This day, I saw clearly, that God himself could
not make me happy unless I could be in a capacity to “please and
glorify him for ever.” Take away this, and admit me into all the fine
heavens that can be conceived by men or angels, and I should still
be miserable for ever.

Though he had revived, so as to be able to travel thus far, yet he


manifested no expectation of recovery: he supposed as his physician
did, that his being brought so near to death at Boston, was owing to
the breaking of ulcers in his lungs. He told me that he had had
several such ill turns before, only not to so high a degree, but as he
supposed owing to the same cause; and that he was brought lower
and lower every time; and it appeared to him, that in his last
sickness (in Boston) he was brought as low as possible, and yet
alive; and that he had not the least expectation of surviving the next
return of this breaking of ulcers; but still appeared perfectly calm.

On Wednesday morning, the week after he came to


Northampton, he took leave of his brother Israel, never expecting to
see him again in this world.
When Mr. Brainerd came hither, he had so much strength as to
be able, from day to day, to ride out two or three miles, and to
return; and sometimes to pray in the family; but from this time he
sensibly decayed, and became weaker and weaker.

*While he was here, his conversation from first to last was much
on the same subjects as it had been in Boston. He was much in
speaking of the nature of true religion, as distinguished from its
various counterfeits; expressing his great concern, that the latter did
so much prevail in so many places. He often manifested his great
abhorrence of all such doctrines and principles, as in any wise
savoured of, and had any (though but a remote) tendency to
Antinomianism; of all such notions as seemed to diminish the
necessity of holiness of life, or to abate men’s regard to the
commands of God, and a strict, diligent, and universal practice of
virtue, under a pretence of depreciating our works, and magnifying
God’s free grace. He spake often with much detestation, of such
discoveries and joys as have nothing of the nature of sanctification
in them, and do not tend to strictness, tenderness, and diligence in
religion, and meekness and benevolence toward mankind: and he
also declared, that he looked on such pretended humility as worthy
of no regard, that was not manifested by modesty of conduct and
conversation.
*After he came hither, as long as he lived, he was much in
speaking of the future prosperity of Zion that is so often promised in
scripture: and his mind seemed to be carried forth with intense
desires, that religion might speedily revive and flourish; yea, the
nearer death advanced, still the more did his mind seem to be taken
up with this subject. He told me, when near his end, that “he never
in all his life had his mind so led forth in desires and earnest prayers
for the flourishing of Christ’s kingdom on earth, as since he was
brought so exceeding low at Boston.” He seemed much to wonder,
that there appeared no more of a disposition in ministers and people
to pray for the flourishing of religion through the world; that so little
a part of their prayers was generally taken up about it, in their
families, and elsewhere; and particularly, he several times expressed
his wonder, that there appeared no more forwardness to comply
with the proposal lately made in a memorial from a number of
ministers in Scotland, and sent over into America, for united
extraordinary prayer, among Christ’s ministers and people, for the
coming of Christ’s kingdom: and he sent as his dying advice to his
own congregation, that they should practise agreeably to that
proposal. ¹

¹ His congregation, since this, have with great chearfulness


and unanimity fallen in with this advice, and have
practised agreeably to the proposal from Scotland; and
have at times appeared with uncommon engagedness and
fervency of spirit in their united devotions, pursuant to
that proposal. Also the presbyteries of New-York, and
New-Brunswick, since this, have with one consent, fallen
in with the proposal, as likewise some others of God’s
people in those parts.
*Though he was exceeding weak, yet there appeared in him a
continual care well to employ time, and fill it up with something that
might be profitable; either profitable conversation, or writing letters
to absent friends, or noting something in his diary, or looking over
his former writings, correcting them, and preparing them to be left
in the hands of others at his death, or giving some directions
concerning a future management of his people, or employment in
secret devotions. He seemed never to be easy, however ill, if he was
not doing something for God, or in his service.

In his diary for Lord’s-day, August 16, he speaks of his having so


much refreshment of soul in the house of God, that it seemed also
to refresh his body. And this is not only noted in his diary, but was
very observable to others: it was very apparent, not only, that his
mind was exhilarated with inward consolation, but also that his
animal spirits and bodily strength were remarkably restored.――But
this was the last time that ever he attended public worship on the
sabbath.

On Tuesday morning that week (I being absent on a journey) he


prayed with my family: but not without much difficulty; and this was
the last family prayer that ever he made.

He had been wont, till now, frequently to ride out, two or three
miles; but this week, on Thursday, was the last time he ever did so.]

Lord’s-day, August 23. This morning I was considerably refreshed


with the thought, yea, the expectation of the enlargement of Christ’s
kingdom; and I could not but hope, the time was at hand, when
Babylon the Great would fall, and rise no more. I was unable to
attend public worship: but God was pleased to afford me satisfaction
in divine thoughts. Nothing so refreshes my soul, as when I can go
to God, yea, to God my exceeding joy.
*In this week past, I had divers turns of inward refreshing,
though my body was inexpressibly weak. Sometimes my soul
centered in God, as my only portion; and I felt that I should be for
ever unhappy, if he did not reign: I saw the sweetness and
happiness of being his subject, at his disposal. This made all my
difficulties quickly vanish.

[Till this week he had been wont to lodge in a room above stairs;
but he now grew so weak, that he was no longer able to go up stairs
and down. Friday, August 28, was the last time he ever went above
stairs, henceforward he betook himself to a lower room.

On Wednesday, September 2. Being the day of our public lecture,


he seemed to be refreshed with seeing the neighbouring ministers,
and expressed a great desire once more to go to the house of God:
and accordingly rode to the meeting, and attended divine service,
while the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge of Hatfield preached. He signified that
he supposed it to be the last time that ever he should attend the
public worship, as it proved. And indeed it was the last time that
ever he went out at our gate alive.

On the Saturday evening next following, he was unexpectedly


visited by his brother Mr. John Brainerd. He was much refreshed by
this unexpected visit, this brother being peculiarly dear to him: and
he seemed to rejoice in a devout manner, to see him, and to hear
the comfortable tidings he brought concerning the state of his dear
Indians: and a circumstance of this visit, that he was exceeding glad
of, was, that his brother brought him some of his private writings
from New-Jersey, and particularly his diary that he had kept for
many years past.]

Lord’s-day, September 6. I began to read some of my private


writings, which my brother brought me; and was considerably
refreshed with what I met with in them.
Monday, September 7. I proceeded further in reading my old
private writings, and found they had the same effect upon me as
before: I could not but rejoice and bless God for what passed long
ago, which without writing had been entirely lost.

*This evening when I was in great distress of body, my soul


longed that God should be glorified: I saw there was no heaven but
this. I could not but speak to the by-standers then of the only
happiness, viz. pleasing God. Oh that I could ever live to God! The
day, I trust, is at hand, the perfect day: Oh, the day of deliverance
from all sin!

Lord’s-day, September 13. I was much refreshed and engaged in


meditation and writing, and found a heart to act for God. My spirits
were refreshed, and my soul delighted to do something for God.

[On the evening following that Lord’s-day, his feet began to swell,
which thenceforward swelled more and more. A symptom of his
dissolution coming on.

The next day his brother left him, being obliged to return to
New-Jersey on some business of great importance, intending to
return again with all possible speed, hoping to see his brother yet
once more in the land of the living.

Mr. Brainerd having now with much deliberation considered the


important affair before-mentioned, left with him by the honourable
commissioners in Boston, viz. the recommending two persons proper
to be employed as missionaries to the six nations, he about this time
wrote a letter, recommending two young gentlemen of his
acquaintance Mr. Elihu Spencer of East-Haddam, and Mr. Job Strong
of Northampton. The commissioners on the receipt of this letter,
unanimously agreed to accept of the persons he had recommended.
He also this week, wrote a letter to a gentleman in Boston,
relating to the growth of the Indian school, and the need of another
school-master. The gentlemen, on the receipt of this letter, had a
meeting, and agreed with chearfulness to give 200l. (in bills of the
old tenor) for the support of another school-master; and desired the
Rev. Mr. Pemberton of New-York, as soon as possible to procure a
suitable person for that service: and also agreed to allow 75l. to
defray some special charges that were requisite to encourage the
mission to the six Nations.

Mr. Brainerd spent himself much in writing those letters, being


exceeding weak: but it seemed to be much to his satisfaction, that
he had been enabled to do it; hoping that it was something done for
God, and which might be for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom
and glory. In writing the last of these letters, he was obliged to use
the hand of another, not being able to write himself.

On the Thursday of this week (September 17.) was the last time
that ever he went out of his lodging-room. That day, he was again
visited by his brother Israel, who continued with him thenceforward
till his death. *On that evening he was taken with something of a
diarrhea; which he looked upon as another sign of his approaching
death: whereupon he expressed himself thus; “Oh, the glorious time
is now coming! I have longed to serve God perfectly: now God will
gratify those desires!” And from time to time, at the several new
symptoms of his dissolution, he was so far from being damped, that
he seemed to be animated; as being glad at the appearances of
death’s approach. He often used the epithet, glorious, when
speaking of the day of his death, calling it that glorious day. And as
he saw his dissolution gradually approaching, he was much in talking
about it, and also settling all his affairs, very particularly and
minutely giving directions concerning what he would have done. And
the nearer death approached, the more desirous he seemed to be of
it. He several times spake of the different kinds of willingness to die;
and spoke of it as a mean kind of willingness to die, to be willing to
leave the body only to get rid of pain.]
*Saturday, September 19. While I attempted to walk a little, my
thoughts turned thus; “How infinitely sweet it is, to love God, and be
all for him!” Upon which it was suggested to me, “You are not an
angel, lively and active.” To which my soul immediately replied, I as
sincerely desire to love and glorify God, as any angel in heaven.”
Upon which it was suggested again, “But you are filthy, and not fit
for heaven.” Hereupon instantly appeared the blessed robes of
Christ’s righteousness, which I could not but exult and triumph in;
and I viewed the infinite excellency of God, and my soul even broke
out with longings, that God should be glorified. I thought of dignity
in heaven: but instantly the thought returned, “I do not go to
heaven to get honour, but to give all ♦possible glory and praise.” Oh,
how I longed that God should be glorified on earth also! Bodily pains
I cared not for: though I was then in extremity, I never felt easier; I
felt willing to glorify God in that state, as long as he pleased. The
grave appeared really sweet, and I longed to lodge my weary bones
in it: but Oh, that God might be glorified! this was the burden of all
my cry. Oh, I knew, I should be active as an angel, in heaven; and
that I should be stripped of my filthy garments!――But Oh, to love
and praise God more, to please him for ever! this my soul panted
after, and even now pants for while I write. Oh that God might be
glorified in the whole earth! “Lord, let thy kingdom come.” I longed
for a spirit of preaching to descend and rest on ministers, that they
might address the consciences of men with closeness and power. I
saw God, had the residue of the spirit; and my soul longed it should
be “poured from on high.” I could not but plead with God for my
dear congregation, that he would preserve it, and not suffer his
great name to lose its glory in that work; my soul still longing, that
God might be glorified.

♦ “possibly” replaced with “possible” per Errata


*[In the evening, his mouth spake out of the abundance of his
heart, expressing in a very affecting manner much the same things
as are written in his diary: and among many other extraordinary
expressions, were these; “My heaven is to please God, and glorify
him, and to give all to him, and to be wholly devoted to his glory;
that is the heaven I long for; this is my religion, and that is my
happiness, and always was, ever since I had any true religion; and
all those that are of that religion shall meet me in heaven—I do not
go to heaven to be advanced, but to give honour to God. It is no
matter where I shall be stationed in heaven, whether I have a high
or a low seat there; but to love, and please, and glorify God is all:
had I a thousand souls, if they were worth any thing, I would give
them all to God; but I have nothing to give, when all is done.――It
is impossible for any rational creature to be happy without acting all
for God; God himself could not make him happy any other way.――I
long to be in heaven, praising and glorifying God with the holy
angels: all my desire is to glorify God.――My heart goes out to the
burying-place; it seems to me a desirable place; but Oh to glorify
God! that is it; that is above all.――It is a great comfort to me, to
think that I have done a little for God in the world: Oh! it is but a
very small matter; yet I have done a little, and I lament it, that I
have done no more for him.――There is nothing in the world worth
living for, but doing good and finishing God’s work. I see nothing
else in the world, that can yield any satisfaction, besides living to
God, pleasing him, and doing his whole will.――My greatest joy and
comfort has been, to do something for promoting the interest of
religion, and the souls of particular persons: and now, in my illness,
while I am full of pain and distress from day to day, all the comfort I
have, is in being able to do some little char (or small piece of work)
for God; either by something that I say, or by writing, or some other
way.”
He intermingled with these and other like expressions, many
pathetic counsels to those that were about him; particularly to my
children and servants. He applied himself to some of my younger
children at this time; calling them to him, and speaking to them one
by one; setting before them in a very plain manner, the nature of
true piety, and its great importance; earnestly warning them not to
rest in any thing short of that true and thorough change of heart,
and a life devoted to God; counselling them not to be slack in the
great business of religion, nor in the least to delay it; enforcing his
counsels with this, that his words were the words of a dying man;
said he, “I shall die here, and here shall I be buried, and here you
will see my grave, and do you remember what I have said to you. I
am going into eternity: the endlessness of it makes it sweet: but Oh,
what shall I say to the eternity of the wicked! I cannot mention it,
nor think of it; the thought is too dreadful. When you see my grave,
then remember what I said to you when I was alive; then think with
yourself how the man that lies in that grave, counselled and warned
me to prepare for death.”

His body seemed to be marvelously strengthened, through the


inward vigour of his mind; so that, although before he was so weak
he could hardly utter a sentence, yet now he continued his most
affecting discourse for more than an hour, with scarce any
intermission; and said of it, when he had done, “it was the last
sermon that ever he should preach.”
[It appears by what is noted in his diary, both of this day and the
evening preceeding, that his mind was at this time much impressed
with a sense of the importance of the work of the ministry, and the
need of the grace of God, and his special assistance in this work;
and it also appeared in what he expressed in conversation;
particularly in his discourse to his brother Israel, who was then a
member of Yale-college at New-Haven, and had been prosecuting
his studies there, to the end that he might be fitted for the work of
the ministry, and was now with him. He now, and from time to time,
recommended to his brother a life of self-denial, of weanedness from
the world, and devotedness to God, and an earnest endeavour to
obtain much of the grace of God’s Spirit, and God’s gracious
influences on his heart; representing the great need which ministers
stand in of them, and the unspeakable benefit of them from his own
experience. Among many other expressions he said, *“When
ministers feel these gracious influences on their hearts, it
wonderfully assists them to come at the consciences of men, and as
it were to handle them with their hands; whereas, without them,
whatever reason and oratory we make use of, we do but make use
of stumps instead of hands.”]

Monday, September 21. I began to correct a little volume of my


private writings: God, I believe, remarkably helped me in it: my
strength was ♦ surprisingly lengthened out, my thoughts quick and
lively, and my soul refreshed, hoping it might be a work for God. Oh,
how good, how sweet it is to labour for God!

♦ “suprisingly” replaced with “surprisingly”

Tuesday, September 22. I was again employed in reading and


correcting, and had the same success, as the day before. I was
exceeding weak; but it seemed to refresh my soul thus to spend my
time.
Wednesday, September 23. I finished my corrections of the little
piece forementioned, and felt uncommonly peaceful: it seemed as if
I had now done all my work in this world, and stood ready for my
call to a better. *As long as I see any thing to be done for God, life is
worth having: but Oh, how vain and unworthy it is, to live for any
lower end!

Friday, September 25. This day I was unspeakably weak, and


little better than speechless all the day: however, I was able to write
a little, and felt comfortably. Oh, it refreshed my soul, to think of
former things, of desires to glorify God, of the pleasures of living to
him! “Oh my dear God, I am speedily coming to thee, I hope!
Hasten the day, O Lord, if it be thy blessed will: Oh come, Lord
Jesus, come quickly. Amen.” ¹

¹ This was the last that ever he wrote in his diary with his
own hand: though it is continued a little farther, in a
broken manner; written by his brother Israel, but indited
by his mouth.

September 27. He felt an unusual appetite to food; with which


his mind seemed to be exhilarated, as a sign of the very near
approach of death. He said upon it, “I was born on a sabbath-day;
and I have reason to think I was new-born on a sabbath-day; and I
hope I shall die on this sabbath-day; I shall look upon it as a favour,
if it may be the will of God that it should be so: I long for the time.
Oh, why is the chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of
his chariot? I am very willing to part with all: I am willing to part
with my dear brother John, and never to see him again, to go to be
for ever with the Lord. Oh, when I go there, how will God’s dear
church on earth be upon my mind!”
*Afterwards the same morning, being asked how he did? he
answered, “I am almost in eternity: I long to be there. My work is
done: I have done with all my friends; all the world is nothing to me.
I long to be in heaven, praising and glorifying God with the holy
angels: all my desire is to glorify God.”

During the whole of these last two weeks of his life, he seemed
to continue loose from all the world, as having done his work, and
done with all things here below, having nothing to do but to die, and
abiding in an earnest desire and expectation of the happy moment,
when his soul should take its flight, and go to a state of perfection,
of holiness, and perfect glorying and enjoying God. He said, “That
the consideration of the day of death, and the day of judgment, had
a long time been peculiarly sweet to him.” He from time to time
spake of his being willing to leave the body and the world
immediately, if it was the will of God. He also was much in
expressing his longing that the church of Christ on earth might
flourish, and Christ’s kingdom here might be advanced,
notwithstanding he was about to leave the earth, and should not
with his eyes behold the desirable event. He said to me, one
morning, “My thoughts have been employed on the old dear theme,
the prosperity of God’s church on earth. As I waked out of sleep, I
was led to cry for the pouring out of God’s Spirit, and the
advancement of Christ’s kingdom, which the dear Redeemer did, and
suffered so much for. It is that especially makes me long for it.”

He once told me, that “he had formerly longed for the out-
pouring of the Spirit of God, and the glorious times of the church,
and hoped they were coming: and should have been willing to have
lived to promote religion at that time, if that had been the will of
God: but (says he) I am willing it should be as it is: I would not have
the choice to make for myself, for ten thousand worlds.” He
expressed on his death-bed a full persuasion that he should in
heaven see the prosperity of the church on earth, and should rejoice
with Christ therein; and the consideration of it seemed to be highly
pleasing to his mind.
He also still dwelt much on the great importance of the work of
ministers; and expressed his longings, that they might be filled with
the Spirit of God; and manifested much desire to see some of the
neighbouring ministers, whom he had some acquaintance with, that
he might converse freely with them on that subject before he died.
And it so happened, that he had opportunity with some of them,
according to his desire.

Another thing that lay much on his heart, and that he spake of,
from time to time, in these near approaches of death, was the
spiritual prosperity of his own congregation: and when he spake of
them, it was with peculiar tenderness, so that his speech would be
presently interrupted and drowned with tears.

*He also expressed much satisfaction in the disposals of


Providence, with regard to the circumstances of his death;
particularly that God had before his death given him the opportunity
he had in Boston, with so many considerable persons, ministers, and
others, to give in his testimony for God, and against false religion;
and there to lay before charitable gentlemen, the state of the
Indians, to so good effect; and that God had since given him an
opportunity to write to them farther concerning these affairs; and to
write other letters of importance, that he hoped might be of good
influence with regard to the state of religion among the Indians, and
elsewhere, after his death. He also mentioned it as what he
accounted a merciful circumstance of his death, that he should die
here. And speaking of these things, he said, “God had granted him
all his desire;” and signified, that now he could with the greater
alacrity leave the world.]
Monday, September 28. I was able to read, and make some few
corrections in my private writings; but found I could not write as I
had done; I found myself sensibly declining in all respects. It has
been only from a little while before noon, till about one or two
o’clock, that I have been able to do any thing for some time past:
yet this refreshed my heart, that I could do any thing, either public
or private for God.

[This evening, he was supposed to be dying: he thought so


himself, and was thought so by those who were about him. He
seemed glad at the appearance of death. He was almost speechless,
but his lips appeared to move: and one that sat very near him,
heard him utter, “Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.—Oh, why is his
chariot so long in coming!”—After he revived, he blamed himself for
having been too eager to be gone. *And in expressing what he
found in his mind at that time, he said, he then found an
inexpressibly sweet love to those that he looked upon as belonging
to Christ, beyond all that ever he felt before; so that it “seemed (to
use his own words) like a little piece of heaven to have one of them
near him.” And being asked, whether he heard the prayer that was
(at his desire) made with him; he said, “Yes, he heard every word,
and had an uncommon sense of the things that were uttered in that
prayer, and that every word reached his heart.”
On the evening of Tuesday, September 29, as he lay in his bed,
his mind seemed greatly engaged concerning the prosperity of Zion:
there being present at that time two candidates for the ministry, he
desired us all to unite in singing a psalm on that subject, even Zion’s
prosperity. And on his desire we sung a part of the 102d Psalm. This
seemed much to refresh him, and gave him new strength; so that,
though before he could scarce speak at all, now he proceeded, with
some freedom of speech, to give his dying counsels to those two
young gentlemen, relating to the great work of the ministry they
were designed for. In particular, he earnestly recommended to them
frequent secret fasting and prayer: and enforced his counsel with
regard to this, from his own experience of the great comfort and
benefit of it; which (said he) I should not mention, were it not that I
am a dying person. And after he had finished his counsel, he made a
prayer, in the audience of us all; wherein, besides praying for his
family, for his brethren, and those candidates for the ministry, and
for his own congregation, he earnestly prayed for the reviving and
flourishing of religion in the world.

Till now, he had every day sat up part of the day; but after this
he never rose from his bed.]

Wednesday, September 30. I was obliged to keep my bed the


whole day, through weakness. However I redeemed a little time, and
with the help of my brother, read and corrected about a dozen pages
in my M. S. giving an account of my conversion.

Friday, October 2. My soul was this day, at turns, sweetly set on


God: I longed to be with him, that I might behold his glory: I felt
sweetly disposed to commit all to him, even my dearest friends; my
dearest flock, and my absent brother, and all my concerns for time
and eternity. Oh that his kingdom might come into the world; that
they might all love and glorify him; and that the blessed Redeemer
might “see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied! Oh, come, Lord
Jesus, come quickly! Amen.” ¹
¹ Here ends his diary: these are the last words, that are
written in it, either by his own hand, or from his mouth.

[The next evening we much expected his brother John from


New-Jersey; it being about a week after the time that he proposed
for his return. And though our expectations were still disappointed;
yet Mr. Brainerd seemed to continue unmoved, in the same calm
frame, that he had before manifested; as having resigned all to God,
and having done with his friends, and with all things here below.

*On the morning of the next day, being Lord’s-day, October 4, as


my daughter Jerusha (who chiefly tended him) came into the room,
he looked on her very pleasantly, and said, “Dear Jerusha, are you
willing to part with me?—I am quite willing to part with you; I am
willing to part with all my friends: I am willing to part with my dear
brother John, although I love him the best of any creature living; I
have committed him and all my friends to God, and can leave them
with God. Though, if I thought I should not see you, and be happy
with you in another world I could not bear to part with you. But we
shall spend an happy eternity together!” ¹ In the evening, as one
came into the room with a bible in her hand, he said, “Oh, that dear
book! that lovely book! I shall soon see it opened! the mysteries that
are in it, and the mysteries of God’s providence, will be all unfolded!”

You might also like