In the autumn of 1739, Mr. Brainerd entered at Yale College, in Newhaven; and began his academical course, under salutary apprehensions of the temptations which were likely to beset him therein.

After he had been a few months at college he caught the measles; and returned home in consequence to Haddam. His life was in imminent danger ; but he was spared for future services.

On his return to college, his ardour in study was such, that it injured his health, and ‘greatly wronged,’ to use his own words, ‘the activity and vigour of his spiritual life.’ He had enjoyed much of the presence of God ; and, in his sickness, had rather longed for death than dreaded its approach. Such was the elevation of his piety, that he could say of certain states of his mind, ‘Oh, how much more refreshing was this one season, than all the pleasures and delights that earth can afford!’ Yet, though he could continue to say of the habit of his mind, “ In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul,” he felt and lamented the deadening influence of ambition and eagerness in his studies.

In the autumn of 1740, his severe application had reduced him to such a state of debility, that his tutor advised him to retire from college, and to disengage his mind, for a season, from its customary pursuits. He recovered strength by this suspension of his labour, and returned to college in the beginning of November.