Meaning: This quote is from the journal of David Brainerd, a Christian missionary to the Native Americans in the 18th century. The quote reflects Brainerd's deep sense of despair and longing for spiritual fulfillment. In this entry, Brainerd expresses his feeling of emptiness and dissatisfaction with the world around him, and his yearning for a deeper connection with spiritual matters.

David Brainerd was born in Haddam, Connecticut in 1718. He was deeply influenced by the Great Awakening, a religious revival that swept through the American colonies in the 1730s and 1740s. Inspired by the preaching of figures like Jonathan Edwards, Brainerd felt called to become a missionary to the Native American tribes in the region.

Brainerd's missionary work was marked by personal hardship and struggle. He faced significant challenges in his efforts to spread the Christian faith among the Native Americans, including opposition from both the indigenous communities and the colonial authorities. Despite these obstacles, Brainerd remained committed to his mission and dedicated himself to preaching and teaching among the tribes.

The quote reflects Brainerd's inner turmoil and his ongoing battle with feelings of desolation and spiritual emptiness. He describes the world as a "huge vacuum, a vast empty space," from which he cannot derive anything desirable or satisfactory. This sense of disillusionment with the world around him is palpable in his words, as he expresses a deep longing to detach himself from earthly concerns and to draw closer to spiritual matters.

Brainerd's longing for spiritual fulfillment is a central theme in his journal entries. Despite his fervent desire for comfort and solace from spiritual things, he acknowledges that he does not always find the solace he seeks. This internal struggle is a recurring motif in Brainerd's writings, as he grapples with his own spiritual doubts and the challenges he faces in his missionary work.

It is important to understand the historical and cultural context in which Brainerd lived and worked. The 18th century was a time of significant religious fervor in the American colonies, and Brainerd was deeply influenced by the evangelical spirit of the Great Awakening. His personal struggles and his deep sense of spiritual longing were shaped by the religious climate of his time, as well as by the specific challenges he faced as a missionary to the Native American tribes.

Despite his struggles, Brainerd's missionary efforts had a lasting impact. His dedication to the Native American communities and his commitment to spreading the Christian faith laid the groundwork for future missionary work among indigenous peoples in North America. Brainerd's journal, which was published posthumously, continues to be studied and admired for its candid portrayal of the inner life of a missionary.

In conclusion, David Brainerd's quote reflects his profound sense of despair and longing for spiritual fulfillment. His words convey a deep inner struggle and a yearning for solace from the emptiness he perceives in the world around him. Brainerd's journal entries provide a window into the challenges and hardships faced by a missionary in the 18th century, as well as the enduring human quest for meaning and spiritual connection.