Brainerd was now hastening to the close of his labours, and rapidly maturing for his crown. On the 20th of April, 1746, he entered into the twenty-ninth year of his age, and the last complete year of his ministry. His Public Journal was continued but for about two months of this year; his last record in it being made on the 19th of June. From that time he grew gradually more infirm, and was occasionally wholly disabled from public duty. His private journal was regularly continued till Sept. 20th of this year ; after which it was greatly interrupted by the rapid progress of his disease.

About this time, a great clamour was raised against the Indians, in various parts of the country; and insinuations propagated against Brainerd, that he was training them up to become formidable and injurious to others. Many persons wished to have them banished entirely from those parts ; and some threatened loudly, in order to deter the Indians from settling on the best and most convenient tracts of their own lands ; pretending a claim to these lands themselves, though never purchased of the Indians.

Brainerd watched, as we have already seen, with parental anxiety, over the temporal comfort, as well as spiritual growth of his Indians. With a view to both these objects, he set apart a day for solemn fasting and prayer.