There the impression Brainerd made was of a singularly social, entertaining person, meek and unpretending, but manly and independent.

Probably rest and brightness had come when the terrible struggle of his early years had ceased, and morbid despondency had given way to Christian hope, for he became at once a bright and pleasant member of any society where he formed a part, and to the Edwards family he was like a son or brother.

When he was able, Mr.Edwards wished him to lead the family devotions, and was always greatly impressed by the manner and matter of his prayers, but one petition never failed, _i.e._ "that we might not outlive our usefulness." Even in saying grace there was always something about him that struck the attention.
His purpose in coming to Northampton had been to consult Dr.Mather, whose verdict was that he was far gone in decline, and who gave him no advice but to ride as much as possible.

So little difference did this sentence make to him that he never noted it in his diary, though he spoke of it cheerily in the Edwards family--a large household of young people--where he was so much beloved, that when he decided to go to Boston, Jerusha, the second daughter, entreated to be allowed to accompany him, to nurse him as his sister would have done.
The pure, severe simplicity of those early American manners was such, that no one seems to have been surprised at a girl of eighteen becoming the attendant of a man of twenty-nine.

Jerusha had the full consent and approbation of her parents, and she was a great comfort and delight to him.