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LIBRARY  OF 

WELLES  LEY  COLLEGE 


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LIBRARY  FUNDS 


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Everyman,  I  will  go  with  thee,  and  be  thy  guide, 
In  thy  most  need  to  go  by  thy  side. 


This  is  No.  402  of  Everyman's  Library.  A 
list  of  authors  and  their  works  in  this  series 
will  be  found  at  the  end  of  this  volume.  The 
publishers  will  be  pleased  to  send  freely  to  all 
applicants  a  separate,  annotated  list  of  the 
Library. 

J.  M.  DENT  &  SONS  LIMITED 

10-13    BEDFORD    STREET    LONDON    W.C.2 

E.  P.  DUTTON  &  CO.  INC. 

286-302    FOURTH    AVENUE 
NEW    YORK 


EVERYMAN'S    LIBRARY 
EDITED    BY, ERNEST   RHYS 


BIOGRAPHY 


THE  JOURNAL  AND  OTHER 
WRITINGS  OF  JOHN  WOOLMAN 
INTRODUCTION  BY  VIDA  D.  SCUDDER 


JOHN  WOOLMAN,  bom  in  1720  at  Nor- 
thampton, New  Jersey,  America,  of  Quaker 
parentage.  Became  a  Quaker  preacher 
about  the  age  of  twenty- two,  especially  in- 
veighing against  slavery.  Came  to  England 
in  1772,  but  died  of  smallpox  at  York  in 
the  same  year. 


THE  JOURNAL 
AND  OTHER  WRITINGS 


JOHN  WOOLMAN 


LONDON:   J.   M.   DENT  &  SONS  LTD. 
NEW  YORK:  E.  P.  DUTTON  &  CO.  INC. 


PEG  b     1937 


All  rights  reserred 

Made  in  Great  Britain 

at  The  Temple  Press  Letchworth 

and  decorated  by  Eric  Ravilious 

for 

J.  M.  Dent  Sc  Sons  Ltd. 

Aldine  House  Bedford  St.  London 

First  Published  in  this  Edition  igiO 

Reprinted  1922,  19  36 


V07A3 


INTRODUCTION 

From  the  days  of  Charles  Lamb  to  those  of  Dr.  Eliot  of 
Harvard,  the  unique  charm  and  worth  of  the  Journal  of 
John  Woolman  have  been  signalled  by  a  thinker  of  dis- 
tinction here  and  there,  and  the  book,  if  not  widely  known, 
has  quietly  found  its  way  to  many  hearts  and  been  re- 
printed in  sundry  editions.  The  more  formal  works,  how- 
ever, in  which  this  gentle  and  audacious  eighteenth-century 
Quaker-preacher  spoke  out  his  whole  careful  mind  have 
been  for  the  most  part  neglected.  These  works  are  some- 
times prosy,  always  indifferent  to  style  in  their  unflinching 
quest  for  "  pure  wisdom,"  often  concerned  with  the  dead 
issue  of  negro  slavery.  Yet  even  in  this  last  case  they 
have  much  value  as  historic  documents ;  no  full  knowledge 
of  Woolman's  spirit  is  possible  without  them ;  and  not  to 
know  that  spirit  in  its  entirety  is  a  distinct  loss. 

The  present  edition,  while  making  no  claim  to  critical 
completeness,  presents  the  main  accessible  body  of  Wool- 
man's  writings.  Here  is  a  well  of  purest  water,  "  dug 
deep,"  to  use  the  Quaker  phrase.  The  mere  limpidity  of 
the  water  will  be  joy  enough  for  some:  others  gazing  into 
it  may  feel  that  they  see  down  to  the  proverbial  Truth — 
the  very  origin  of  things,  the  foundations  of  the  moral 
universe. 

A  studious  moderation  of  utterance  is  the  first  quality  to 
make  itself  felt  in  Woolman's  works.  To  casual  or  jaded 
readers  who  crave  the  word-embroidery,  the  heightened 
note,  of  the  romanticist  in  style,  the  result  may  seem 
colourless.  Here  is  a  lack  of  adjectives,  an  entire  absence 
of  emphasis,  a  systematic  habit  of  under-statement  that,  in 
the  climax  of  a  paragraph  or  the  crisis  of  an  emotion,  seems 
at  times  almost  ludicrous.  Yet  to  the  reader  of  severer 
taste,  this  very  absence  of  emphasis,  so  quaintly  sober,  so 
sensitive  in  its  unfaltering  reticence,  becomes  the  choicest 
grace  of  Woolman's  style.     As  is  the  style,  so  is  the  man. 

vil 


viii  John  Woolman's  Journal 

Woolman  **  studied  to  be  quiet,"  and  his  steady  self- 
discipline  was  rewarded  by  a  scrupulous  yet  instinctive 
control  over  the  finest  shades  of  verity  in  speech  and  life. 
In  the  youthful  trouble  of  deep  religious  feeling,  when  he 
"  went  to  meetings,"  as  he  expressively  tell  us,  "in  an 
awful  frame  of  mind,"  he  spoke  a  few  words  one  day,  under 
"  a  strong  exercise  of  spirit."  "  But  not  keeping  close  to 
the  divine  opening,  I  said  more  than  was  required  of  me, 
and  being  soon  sensible  of  my  error,  I  was  afflicted  in  mind 
some  weeks,  without  any  light  or  comfort,  even  to  such  a 
degree  that  I  could  not  take  satisfaction  in  anything." 
The  mistake  was  not  often  repeated;  for  as  he  writes  in 
memorable  words:  "  As  I  was  thus  humbled  and  disci- 
plined under  the  Cross,  my  understanding  became  more 
strengthened  to  distinguish  the  pure  spirit  that  inwardly 
moves  upon  the  heart,  and  taught  me  to  wait  in  silence, 
sometimes  for  many  weeks  together,  till  I  felt  that  rise 
which  prepares  the  creature  to  stand  like  a  trumpet  through 
which  the  Lord  speaks  to  His  flock."  A  fine  passage  to- 
wards the  end  of  the  Journal  shows  that  the  danger  of 
speaking  without  this  "  pure  spirit  "  was  ever  present  to 
him.  "  Many  love  to  hear  eloquent  orations,  and  if  there 
is  not  a  careful  attention  to  the  Gilt,  men  who  have  once 
laboured  in  the  pure  Gospel  ministry,  growing  weary  of 
suffering  and  ashamed  of  appearing  weak,  may  kindle  a 
fire,  compass  themselves  about  with  sparks,  and  walk  in 
the  light,  not  of  Christ  who  is  under  suffering,  but  of  that 
fire  which  they  going  from  the  Gift  have  kindled ;  and  that 
in  hearers  which  has  gone  from  the  meek  suffering  state 
into  the  worldly  wisdom,  may  be  warmed  with  this  fire 
and  speak  highly  of  these  labours.  In  this  journey,  a 
labour  hath  attended  my  mind  that  the  ministers  amongst 
us  may  be  preserved  in  the  meek,  feeling  life  of  truth." 
No  man  could  so  keenly  analyse  the  snare  of  fluency  and 
popularity,  who  had  not  spent  a  life  on  guard.  The  reserve 
of  his  writings  is  a  natural  consequence.  One  searches 
these  pages  in  vain,  often  controversial  though  they  be, 
for  a  single  point  in  which  the  note  is  forced  or  emotion 
escapes  control. 

Yet    the    emotional    intensity    concealed    beneath    this 


Introduction  ix 

equable  habit  of  soul,  is  evident  from  the  first  line  to  the 
last.  In  the  fine  phrase  of  the  Friends  after  his  death, 
Woolman  "  underwent  many  deep  baptisms;  "  how  deep, 
the  Journal  reveals.  He  was  a  man  of  impassioned  tender- 
ness. Even  as  a  child  he  saw  "  that  as  the  mind  is  moved 
by  an  inward  principle  to  love  God  as  an  invisible,  incom- 
prehensible Being,  so  by  the  same  principle  it  is  moved  to 
love  Him  in  all  his  manifestations  in  the  visible  world. 
That  as  by  his  breath  the  flame  of  life  has  kindled  in  all 
sensible  creatures,  to  say  that  we  love  God  £is  unseen  and 
at  the  same  time  exercise  cruelty  toward  the  least  creature 
moving  by  his  life,  or  by  life  derived  from  Him,  is  a  contra- 
diction in  itself."  Woolman  did  not  only  say  these  things, 
he  felt  them.  He  is  among  the  great  lovers  of  the  world. 
His  tenderness  for  animals  was  always  keen,  from  the  days 
in  which,  as  he  has  told  us,  he  suffered  childish  remorse 
from  having  killed  a  robin,  to  his  last  voyage,  when  in  the 
midst  of  personal  suffering,  he  noted  pityingly  the  dull  and 
pining  appearance  of  the  "  dunghill  fowls  "  on  board.  "  I 
believe,"  he  writes,  "  where  the  love  of  God  is  verily  per- 
fected, a  care  will  be  felt  that  we  do  not  lessen  that  sweet- 
ness of  life  in  the  animal  creation  which  the  great  Creator 
intends  for  them  under  our  government." 

He  who  so  sympathised  with  the  robin  and  the  cock 
was  filled  with  a  yearning  compassion  for  the  sorrows  of 
humanity.  Of  him  as  of  Shelley  it  might  well  be  said, 
"  He  was  as  a  nerve  o'er  which  do  creep  the  else  unfelt 
oppressions  of  the  earth."  We  read  of  his  appetite  failing 
through  the  agitation  of  his  mind  over  human  pain  and  his 
relations  to  it.  In  his  last  illness  he  broke  forth  in  words 
that  might  have  been  uttered  by  S.  Catherine  of  Siena: 
"  O  Lord  my  God !  The  amazing  horrors  of  darkness  were 
gathered  around  me  and  covered  me  all  over,  and  I  saw  no 
way  to  go  forth.  I  felt  the  misery  of  my  fellow-beings 
separated  from  the  divine  harmony,  and  it  was  heavier 
than  I  could  bear;  I  was  crushed  down  under  it."  All 
great  lovers  are  great  sufferers :  Woolman  was  no  exception 
to  the  rule. 

If  he  knew  deep  sorrow  he  knew  deep  joy  also,  as  all 
must  do  who  like  him  "  live  under  the  Cross  and  simply 


X  John  Woolman's  Journal 

follow  the  operations  of  Truth."  More  is  unuttered  than 
uttered  in  the  Journal,  yet  through  its  silences  we  may 
read  an  inner  experience  akin  to  that  of  Bunyan  or  Pascal. 
Like  these  great  protagonists  of  the  Spirit,  he  knew  a  peace 
given  "  not  as  the  world  giveth."  For  peace  can  be  where 
ease  is  not.  Decorous  son  of  an  unillumined  century,  John 
Woolman  is  of  the  company  of  the  Mystics.  He  is  of 
those  led  by  the  Shepherd  of  Souls  beside  the  still  waters. 
He  has  suggested  his  own  secret:  "  Some  glances  of  real 
beauty  may  be  seen  in  their  faces  who  dwell  in  true  meek- 
ness. There  is  a  harmony  in  the  sound  of  that  voice  to 
which  Divine  love  gives  utterance,  and  some  appearance  of 
right  order  in  their  temper  and  conduct  whose  passions  are 
regulated.  Yet  all  these  do  not  fully  show  forth  that 
inward  life  to  those  who  have  not  felt  it;  but  this  white 
stone  and  new  name  are  known  rightly  only  to  such  as 
have  them."  "  Pure  "  is  the  central  word  of  the  Journal, 
and  the  beauty  of  pure  contemplative  quietude  is  the  final 
impression  conveyed  by  this  record  so  full  of  anguish  over 
the  sorrows  of  humanity  and  of  unflinching  witness  against 
wickedness,  borne  at  the  expense  of  the  crucifixion  of  the 
natural  man. 

A  chief  value  of  Woolman's  works  consists  in  his  serene 
application  of  his  mystical  intuitions  to  the  affairs  of  this 
world.  He  who  "  dwelt  deep  in  an  inward  stillness " 
studied  his  age  with  a  penetrating  sagacity  that  allowed 
no  evasions.  The  man  so  carefully  on  his  guard  against 
extravagance  was  a  reformer  who  pushed  his  demands,  as 
some  would  think,  almost  beyond  the  border  of  sanity. 
No  temper  was  ever  more  opposed  to  fanaticism :  yet  many 
readers  may  question  whether  he  escaped  the  doom  of  the 
fanatic.  And  the  most  pertinent  reason  for  a  re-issue  of 
his  works  at  this  juncture  is,  that  in  our  own  day  so  many 
hearts  are  troubled  like  his  own.  A  generation  seeking 
guidance  on  the  path  of  social  duty  will  find  here  a  pre- 
cursor of  Ruskin  and  Tolstoi,  a  man  whose  thought,  despite 
the  quaintness  of  his  diction,  has  a  quite  extraordinary 
modernness,  and  whose  searchings  of  conscience  are  none 
of  them  familiar. 


Introduction  xi 

The  main  contemporary  issue  that  agitated  Woolman 
was  of  course  the  slave-trade,  and  he  was  long  regarded  all 
but  exclusively  as  a  herald  of  the  anti-slavery  movement. 
But  the  Fabian  Society  did  well  to  suggest,  in  reprinting 
one  of  his  tracts,  the  broader  scope  of  his  thinking.  It  will 
be  evident  from  this  edition  that  his  horror  of  chattel 
slavery  was  one  incident  only  in  that  general  attitude 
toward  civilisation  which  drew  from  him  the  bitter  cry: 
"  Under  a  sense  of  deep  revolt  and  an  overflowing  stream 
of  unrighteousness,  my  life  has  often  been  a  life  of  mourn- 
ing." The  central  evil  which  he  opposed  was,  in  brief,  the 
exploitation  of  labour:  the  ideal  which  he  sought  was  a 
society  in  which  no  man  should  need  to  profit  by  the  de- 
gradation of  his  fellow-men.  For  economic  analysis  of  the 
modern  t5rpe  one  naturally  looks  in  vain ;  moral  analysis  of 
social  relations  has,  however,  rarely  been  carried  farther. 
These  Uttle  essays  "  On  Labour,"  "  On  the  Right  Use  of 
the  Lord's  Outward  Gifts,"  "  On  Loving  our  Neighbour," 
these  "  Considerations  on  the  True  Harmony  of  Mankind," 
this  "  Word  of  Remembrance  and  Caution  to  the  Rich," 
reveal  through  their  quaint  formalities  of  phrase  a  searching 
spirit  not  to  be  outdone  to-day. 

Woolman  felt  "  a  concern  in  the  spring  of  pure  love,  that 
all  who  have  plenty  of  outward  substance  may  example 
others  in  the  right  use  of  things,  may  carefully  look  into 
the  condition  of  poor  people,  and  beware  of  exacting  of 
them  in  regard  to  their  wages."  He  was  solicitous,  as 
many  have  been  since  his  day,  over  the  perplexities  of 
those  who  seek  to  combine  a  due  care  for  their  own  families 
with  consideration  for  the  wage-earner,  "  in  a  fruitful  land 
where  the  wages  bear  so  small  a  proportion  to  the  neces- 
saries of  life.  "  There  are  few  if  any,"  he  says  truly, 
"  could  behold  their  fellow-creatures  lie  long  in  distress  and 
forbear  to  help  them  when  they  could  do  it  without  any 
inconvenience;  but  customs,  requiring  much  labour  to 
support  them,  do  often  lie  heavy  upon  the  poor,  while  they 
who  live  in  these  customs  are  so  entangled  in  a  multitude 
of  unnecessary  concerns  that  they  think  but  little  of  the 
hardships  the  poor  people  go  through."  To  lessen  these 
"  concerns,"  thus  to  emancipate  the  labourer  from  a  part 


xii  John  Woolman's  Journal 

of  the  crushing  burden  of  production,  became  his  central 
thought.  "  In  beholding  that  unnecessary  toil  which  many 
go  through  in  supporting  outward  greatness,  and  procuring 
delicacies;  in  beholding  how  the  true  calmness  of  life  is 
changed  into  hurry,  and  that  many,  by  eagerly  pursuing 
outward  treasure,  are  in  danger  of  withering  as  to  the 
inward  state  of  the  mind;  in  meditating  on  the  works  of 
this  spirit,  and  the  desolations  it  makes  among  the  pro- 
fessors of  Christianity,  I  may  thankfully  acknowledge  that 
I  often  feel  pure  love  beget  longings  in  my  mind  for  the 
exaltation  of  the  peaceable  Kingdom  of  Christ,  and  an 
engagement  to  labour  according  to  the  Gift  bestowed  upon 
me  for  promoting  an  humble,  plain,  temperate  way  of 
living." 

The  Simple  Life  is  then  Woolman's  plea,  and  the  neces- 
sity for  social  sacrifice  the  burden  of  his  teaching.  This 
plea  he  presents  with  no  vagueness  or  Wagnerian  senti- 
mentality, but  with  ar  alarming  precision  of  outline. 

No  man  ever  described  better  the  insensible  growth  of 
worldly  convention  into  that  custom  which  "  lies  upon  us 
with  a  weight  heavy  as  frost  and  deep  almost  as  life," 
Noting  the  gradual  lapse  of  the  Friends  from  their  earlier 
standards  of  unwordliness,  he  says:  "  These  things,  though 
done  in  calmness  without  any  show  of  disorder,  do  yet 
deprave  the  mind  in  like  manner  and  with  as  great  cer- 
tainty as  prevailing  cold  congeals  water."  And  again, 
"  Though  the  change  from  day  to  night  is  by  a  motion  so 
gradual  as  scarcely  to  be  perceived,  yet  when  night  is  come 
we  behold  it  very  different  from  the  day;  and  thus  as 
people  become  wise  in  their  own  eyes  and  prudent  in  their 
own  sight,  customs  rise  up  from  the  spirit  of  this  world  and 
spread,  by  little  and  little,  till  a  departure  from  the  sim- 
plicity that  is  in  Christ  becomes  as  distinguishable  as  light 
from  darkness  to  such  who  are  crucified  to  the  world." 
So  the  generations  as  they  pass  slip  further  and  further 
from  "  pure  wisdom,"  for  "  the  customs  of  their  parents, 
and  their  neighbours,  working  upon  their  minds,  and  they 
from  thence  conceiving  ideas  of  things  and  modes  of  con- 
duct, the  entrance  into  their  hearts  becomes  in  a  great 
measure  shut  up  against  the  gentle  movings  of  Uncreated 


Introduction  xiii 

Purity."  Woolman  is  too  wise  to  feel  resentment  against 
those  so  hardened;  rather  he  says,  "  Compassion  hath  filled 
my  heart  toward  my  fellow-creatures  involved  in  customs, 
grown  up  in  the  wisdom  of  this  world,  which  is  foolishness 
with  God." 

To  his  own  spirit,  we  may  weU  apply  the  description  in 
the  little  essay  on  "  Merchandising,"  of  the  growing  sensi- 
tiveness among  the  faithful  friends  of  Christ,  who  "  in- 
wardly breathe  that  His  Kingdom  may  come  on  earth  " 
and  "  learn  to  be  very  attentive  to  the  means  He  may 
appoint  for  promoting  pure  righteousness."  His  ideal  is 
"  that  state  in  which  Christ  is  the  Light  of  our  life,"  so 
that  "  our  labours  stand  in  the  true  harmony  of  society." 
"  In  this  state,"  he  writes,  '*  a  care  is  felt  for  a  reformation 
in  general,  that  our  own  posterity,  with  the  rest  of  mankind 
in  succeeding  ages,  may  not  be  entangled  by  oppressive 
customs,  transmitted  to  them  through  our  hands."  When 
we  consider  the  deepening  desire  in  our  own  day  to  lessen 
for  the  next  generation  that  intolerable  burden  of  social 
compunction  which  rests  upon  ourselves,  may  we  perhaps 
dare  to  hope  that  this  blessed  "  state,"  in  which  John 
Woolman  himself  constantly  abode,  is  becoming  common  ? 

The  definite  issues  suggested  in  these  pages  are  often 
surprisingly  modern.  Now  the  fine  old  Quaker  is  per- 
turbed over  the  question  of  tainted  money:  "  Have  the 
gifts  and  possessions  received  by  me  from  others  been  con- 
veyed in  a  way  free  from  all  unrighteousness  so  far  as  I 
have  seen?"  Now  he  notes  the  evils  of  over- work:  "I 
have  observed  that  too  much  labour  not  only  makes  the 
understanding  dull,  but  so  intrudes  upon  the  harmony  of 
the  body  that,  after  ceasing  from  our  toil,  we  have  another 
to  pass  through  before  we  can  enjoy  the  sweetness  of  rest," 
and  proceeds  to  plead  with  energy  for  mercy  and  modera- 
tion in  the  standard  of  toil  exacted  from  the  poor.  "  The 
condition  of  many  who  dwell  in  cities,"  had  "  afiected  him 
with  brotherly  sympathy."  Again  we  find  him  touching 
on  the  problem  of  dangerous  trades,  or  analysing  wdth  the 
puzzle  of  the  pioneer  the  ancient  fallacy  that  the  produc- 
tion of  luxuries  relieves  economic  distress — a  fallacy  to 
which  he  gives  in  quaint  phrase  a  sound  refutal.     In  the 


xiv  John  Woolman's  Journal 

fifth  chapter  of  the  "  Word  of  Remembrance/*  the  in- 
terested reader  will  find  a  remarkable  and  very  beautiful 
prophecy  of  the  central  principle  of  the  settlement  move- 
ment.    And  so  we  might  go  on. 

In  the  twelfth  century  Woolman's  solution  would  pro- 
bably have  been  found  in  withdrawal  from  the  evil  world 
to  the  purity  of  desert  or  convent.  Not  so  in  the 
eighteenth.  He  remained  among  his  brethren,  bearing 
on  his  heart  the  burden  of  the  common  guilt:  he  was  one  of 
the  first  people  to  perceive  that  the  moral  sense  must  control 
not  only  our  obvious  but  also  our  hidden  relations  with 
our  fellows.  And  his  experience  may  be  said  to  mark  the 
exact  point  where  the  individualism  of  the  Puritan  age  broke 
down,  unable  to  stand  the  strain  of  the  growing  sense  of 
social  solidarity.  The  intense  but  often  naively  self-centred 
conception  of  the  religious  life  common  to  a  Bunyan  and 
an  Edwardes  had  proved  inadequate,  and  a  new  demand 
for  an  extension  of  Christianity  to  the  remotest  reaches  of 
practical  life,  till  human  society  be  transformed  in  its  depth 
and  its  breadth  by  a  supernatural  power,  was  consciously 
born. 

Yet  if  Woolman's  problem  be  social,  his  solution  is  indi- 
vidualistic. It  is  found  in  a  resolute  endeavour  to  clear 
his  own  life  of  any  dependence  on  evil.  Among  the  many 
experiments  on  the  same  lines,  none  more  thorough-going 
is  recorded ;  he  pushed  consistency  to  a  farther  point  than 
Tolstoi  or  Thoreau.  It  is  the  story  of  this  experiment  that 
he  tells  us  in  the  Journal,  with  a  rare  sincerity.  See  him 
as  a  lad,  starting  out  peaceably  at  his  tirade  of  tailor,  easily 
reaching  commercial  success — for  Woo^an  possessed  prac- 
tical ability, — but  "  perceiving  merchandise  to  be  attended 
with  much  cumber,"  and  deciding  accordingly  not  to 
develop  his  business.  Watch  from  this  time  the  interaction 
of  two  co-operating  forces,  a  craving  for  personal  purity, 
and  a  horror  of  profiting  by  human  pain, — and  note  that 
while  the  first  impulse  never  waned,  the  second  became 
more  and  more  constraining.  The  record  of  his  various 
"  concerns "  is  delightfully  human  and  appealing.  He 
hated  to  be  morally  fussy,  and  the  necessity  of  violating 
good  breeding  at  the  call  of  conscience  caused  him  acute 


Introduction  xv 

distress,  for  he  had  an  ingrained  instinct  of  good  manners. 
Yet  though  "  the  exercise  was  heavy,"  he  bravely  took  his 
elders  to  task  on  occasion :  refused  to  accept  free  hospitaUty 
from  slave-holders,  forcing  money  on  them  for  his  enter- 
tainment; and,  what  is  still  harder,  laboured  with  his 
friends.  "  Thou  who  travels  in  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
and  art  made  very  welcome  by  thy  friends,  it  is  good  for 
thee  to  dwell  deep  that  thou  mayest  feel  and  understand 
the  spirits  of  people.  ...  I  have  seen  that  in  the  midst  of 
kindness  and  smooth  conduct,  to  speak  close  and  home  to 
them  who  entertain  us  on  points  that  relate  to  their  out- 
ward interest,  is  hard  labour,  and  sometimes  when  I  have 
felt  Truth  lead  toward  it  I  have  found  myself  disqualified 
by  a  superficial  friendship.  .  .  .  To  see  the  failings  of  our 
friends  and  think  hard  of  them  without  opening  that  which 
we  ought  to  open,  and  still  carry  a  face  of  friendship,  this 
tends  to  undermine  the  foundation  of  true  unity."  A 
man,  sensitive,  humble,  and  well-bred  as  Woolman  evidently 
was,  who  can  write  thus,  is  pretty  sure  to  know  "  deep 
exercises  that  are  mortifying  to  the  creaturely  will."  Some 
of  his  concerns,  as  those  relating  to  the  payment  of  taxes 
and  the  entertainment  of  soldiers,  were  common  to  the 
Friends ;  others  are  apparently  inventions  of  his  own.  As 
time  went  on  they  increased  and  multiplied,  all  practically 
springing  from  the  common  root,  the  desire  to  avoid  the 
oppression  of  the  poor.  Greed  and  the  wish  for  ease  came 
to  seem  a  root  of  all  evil.  Travelling  among  the  Indians, 
he  felt  the  intimate  relation  of  their  misfortunes  to  the 
hunger  of  the  English  race  for  luxury  and  land. .  The  use 
of  dyes  harmful  to  the  worker  forced  him  to  wear  undyed 
garments,  even  though  to  his  meek  distress  a  passing 
fashion  of  white  hats  made  him  run  the  danger  of  being 
confounded  with  the  children  of  this  world.  A  concern 
came  upon  him  to  go  on  foot  in  his  preaching  journeys: 
at  first  apparently  that  he  might,  like  his  Master,  appear  in 
the  form  of  a  servant;  later,  that  he  might  have  no  com- 
phcity  in  the  miseries  suffered  by  the  little  post-boys 
employed  in  the  chaises.  Nothing  is  clearer  to  the  reader 
of  the  Journal  than  the  rapid  increase  of  this  holy  or  foolish 
sensitiveness.     Seeking  not  to  trade  with  oppressors,   he 


xvi  John  Woolman's  Journal 

refuses  to  gratify  his  palate  with  sugars  prepared  by  the 
slave  labour:  under  inward  pressure  to  visit  the  West 
Indies,  he  has  anxious  scruples  about  taking  passage  on  a 
ship  owned  by  the  West  India  Company,  but  decides  that 
he  may  do  so  if  he  pays  a  sum  sufficiently  larger  than  that 
demanded  to  compensate  the  labour  involved  on  another 
basis  than  that  of  slavery.  At  last — and  here  the  crisis  of 
his  experience  draws  near — he  feels  himself  inwardly  bound 
to  go  to  England ;  and  decides  that  it  is  his  duty  to  travel 
in  the  steerage,  because  forsooth  the  adornmenttj  of  the 
cabin  have  cost  vain  and  degrading  labour.  The  horrors 
of  a  steerage  passage  in  those  days  are  well  known  to  us 
from  other  sources ;  and  among  our  visions  of  the  martyrs 
of  Truth  we  may  well  preserve  the  picture  of  John  Wool- 
man,  his  patient  Quaker  face  upturned  at  midnight  through 
the  hatch,  panting  for  a  breath  of  air.  Through  the 
studied  quiet  of  the  narrative,  the  shrinking  of  the  flesh 
can  plainly  be  felt.  The  whole  story  at  this  point  palpi- 
tates with  a  solemn  pain  and  an  exceeding  peace.  As 
usual,  the  sufferings  of  others  form  the  larger  part  of  his 
pain:  he  is  wracked  with  sympathy  for  the  sailors,  and 
moved  to  a  grieved  indignant  study  of  their  temptations 
and  afflictions  which  is  good  reading  still  to-day.  Arrived 
in  England,  his  experience  deepens.  As  usual,  he  writes 
without  emphasis:  but  his  distress  and  tenderness  are  in 
every  line.  In  a  passage  that  reads  as  if  penned  by  Engels 
or  Rowntree,  he  makes  careful  pitying  note  of  the  scale  of 
wages  and  cost  of  living,  and  cries  out  sharply,  "Oh,  may 
the  wealthy  consider  the  poor!  May  those  who  have 
plenty  lay  these  things  to  heart!  "  We  perceive  that  he  is 
realising  with  increasing  perplexity  the  extraordinary  in- 
tricacy with  which  "  the  spirit  of  oppression  "  is  entwined 
with  the  most  innocent  and  necessary  pursuits.  "  Silence 
as  to  every  motion  proceeding  from  the  love  of  money  and 
an  humble  waiting  upon  God  to  know  his  will  concerning 
us  appear  necessary:  *  He  alone  is  able  '  so  to  direct  us  in 
our  outward  employments  that  pure  universal  love  may 
shine  forth  in  our  proceedings."  In  "  bowedness  of  spirit  " 
he  proceeds  northward,  and  it  is  evident  that  the  body  is 
growing  weaker  as  he  makes  his  silent  laborious  way  on 


Introduction  xvii 

foot,  bearing  from  town  to  town  the  message  of  his  Lord. 
He  is  offered  to  drink  when  thirsty,  in  silver  vessels,  and 
declines,  "  telling  his  case  with  weeping."  Disgusted, 
**  being  but  weakly,"  with  "  the  scent  arising  from  that 
filth  which  more  or  less  infects  the  air  of  all  closely  settled 
towns,"  he  feels  distress  both  in  body  and  mind  with  that 
which  is  impure,  and  a  longing  "  that  people  might  come 
in  to  cleanness  of  spirit,  cleanness  of  person,  and  cleanness 
about  their  houses  and  garments:  "  noting  at  the  same 
time,  with  his  accustomed  sagacity,  that  "  some  who  are 
great  carry  delicacy  to  a  great  height  themselves,  and  yet 
real  cleanUness  is  not  generally  promoted."  So  continues 
his  travail  of  soul,  recorded  in  these  pathetic  and  illumined 
pages,  and  before  long  the  fatal  disorder  small-pox,  seizes 
upon  him.  He  dies  among  strangers  after  lying  patiently 
through  his  illness  in  the  spirit  of  prayer,  still  saying  char- 
acteristically to  the  young  apothecary  Friend  with  whom 
he  had  "  found  a  freedom  to  confer,"  "  that  if  anything 
should  be  proposed  as  to  medicine  that  did  not  come 
through  defiled  channels  or  oppressive  hands,  he  should  be 
willing  to  consider  and  take  it  so  far  as  he  found  freedom." 
Almost  his  last  words,  when  already  he  could  hardly  be 
understood,  are  charged  with  his  steady  social  compunction. 
Dear  John  Woolman!  Pure  and  high  spirit,  incapable 
of  evasion,  noteworthy  no  less  for  restraint  and  gentleness 
than  for  the  resolute  determination  to  translate  the  un- 
dimmed  vision  of  the  Perfect  Right  into  terms  of  our  daily 
existence!  Whither  would  his  "concerns"  have  carried 
him,  had  not  the  Angel  of  Small-Pox  ended  his  wistful  and 
unrelenting  quest?  He  died  in  1772,  having  lived  his  life 
before  the  industrial  revolution,  in  days  which  we  are  wont 
to  envy  as  simpler  and  less  beset  by  social  problems  than 
our  own.  Certainly  they  were  days  in  which  the  network 
of  human  relations  was  far  less  intricate  than  now.  Yet 
the  process  in  which  he  was  engaged  reached  out  to  limits 
beyond  our  power  to  scan,  and  his  experience  is  in  one 
point  of  .view  an  heroic  reductio  ad  absurdum.  No  more 
instructive  attempt  was  ever  made  to  attain  personal  purity 
while  neither  withdrawing  from  the  world  nor  transforming 
it.  To-day  the  number  is  on  the  increase  of  persons  who 
B  402 


xviii         John  Woolman's  Journal 

suffer  under  the  sense  of  social  guilt.  All  who  know 
such  suffering  and  are  inchned  to  think  the  conversion  of 
individuals  adequate  as  an  ultimate  remedy,  will  do  well 
to  ponder  these  pages.  For  the  conclusion  is  forced  on  us 
that  Woolman  was  in  an  impasse :  and  while  we  love  and 
reverence  the  heavenly  sturdiness  of  soul  possessed  by 
this  eighteenth  -  century  saint,  we  must  recognise  with 
amusement  touched  by  tenderness  the  hopelessness  of  his 
efforts  to  attain  personal  purity,  the  ridiculous  extremes  of 
isolation  into  which  such  a  conscientious  effort,  if  logically 
carried  out,  would  lead  us.  The  definite  inference  from 
Woolman's  life  and  thought  will  be  for  most  modern  people 
the  conviction  of  the  hopelessness  of  the  attempt  to  achieve, 
by  individual  means  and  private  effort,  a  satisfying  social 
righteousness  in  an  unchanged  world. 

After  all,  Woolman's  trouble  and  sorrow  and  tumult  of 
spirit,  so  suggestive,  so  helpful  to  modern  souls,  were 
transitory.  At  the  heart  of  his  "  endless  agitation  "  sub- 
sisted a  "  central  peace."  His  was  the  grace  to  know  that 
"  deep  humility  is  a  strong  bulwark,"  and  to  "  look  less  at 
the  effects  of  the  labour  than  at  the  pure  motion  and 
reality  of  the  concern."  The  gentleness  with  which  he 
delivered  his  fiery  message  was  more  than  a  manner  due  to 
Quaker  training,  or  even  than  a  result  of  resolute  self- 
discipline  :  it  was  the  index  of  an  inward  stillness  in  which 
his  soul  dwelt  undisturbed.  Let  us  hope  that  the  days 
may  come  when  the  "  concern  "  about  profiting  by  the 
painful  or  degrading  labour  of  others  will  have  an  interest 
as  exclusively  historic  as  the  "  concern  "  about  holding 
slaves  has  already  attained.  Tremulously  it  may  be,  yet 
soberly  and  joyously,  many  clear-minded  and  practical 
people  are  beginning  to  hope  for  such  a  day.  When  it 
comes,  the  immediate  message  of  Woolman  will  be  less 
cogent,  but  he  will  still  continue  to  be  read  by  those  who 
care  for  the  revelations  of  a  beautiful  soul.  These  pages 
offer  more  than  light  on  the  path  of  social  duty;  they 
offer  fellowship  with  a  spirit  that  "  dwelt  deep,"  and 
attained  an  abiding  loveliness  because  responsive  through 
all  turmoil  of  spirit  and  all  outward  suffering,  to  the  "  gentle 
movings  of  Uncreated   Purity."     "  That  purity  of  hfe," 


Introduction  xix 

wrote  he,  **  which  proceeds  from  faithfulness  in  following 
the  Spirit  of  Truth,  this  habitation  has  often  been  opened 
before  me  as  a  place  of  retirement  for  the  children  of  the 
light,  where  we  may  stand  separated  from  that  which  dis- 
ordereth  and  confuseth  the  affairs  of  society."  Such  a 
"  place  of  retirement  for  the  Children  of  the  Light,"  this 
book  affords. 

VIDA  D.  SCUDDER. 


The  following  is  a  hst  of  the  works  of  John  Woolman: — 

Some  Considerations  on  the  Keeping  of  Negroes,  recommended  to 
the  Professors  of  Christianity  of  every  Denomination,  Part  I.,  1754; 
Part  II.,  1762;  many  later  issues  of  both  parts;  Considerations  on 
Pure  Wisdom  and  Human  Policy,  on  Labour,  Schools,  and  the  Right 
Use  of  the  Lord's  Outward  Gifts,  1768,  and  numerous  later  reprints; 
Considerations  on  the  True  Harmony  of  Mankind,  and  how  it  is  to  be 
Maintained,  1770,  and  later  reprints;  an  Epistle  to  the  Quarterly  and 
Monthly  Meetings  of  Friends,  1772;  Remarks  on  Sundry  Subjects, 
1773,  and  later  reprints;  Serious  Considerations  on  Various  Subjects  of 
Importance  (containing  the  four  above  works,  and  some  expressions  of 
John  Woolman  in  his  last  illness),  1773;  A  First  Book  for  Children, 
1774  (?);  A  Journal  of  the  Life,  Gospel,  Labomrs,  and  Christian  Ex- 
periences of  John  Woolman,  1774,  and  many  later  editions;  with  Intro- 
duction by  John  Greenleaf  Whittier,  1871;  with  Introduction  by  A. 
Smellie,  and  Appreciation  by  J.  G.  Whittier  {Books  of  the  Heart),  1898; 
new  century  edition,  with  bibliography,  etc.,  1900;  with  foreword  by 
Rev.  R.  J.  Campbell,  1903 ;  A  Word  of  Remembrance  and  Caution  to 
the  Rich,  1793;  later  editions,  published  by  Fabian  Society,  1898,  1908. 

Letters  :  Edited  by  J.  Kendall  (Letters  on  Religious  Subjects,  vol. 
ii.),  1820;  by  J.  and  I.  Comly  {Friends'  Miscellany,  vol.  i.),  1834;  in 
Journal,  and  in  Friends'  Review,  vols,  v.-xxviii. 

Works:    1774;    3th  edition,  181 8. 

Life:  Saint  John  Woolman  {Eclectic  Review),  1861;  David  Dimcan, 
paper  read  at  Manchester  Friends'  Institute,  1871;  Dora  Greenwell, 
1871;  W.  Garrett  Horder,  A  Quaker  Saint  {The  Young  Man),  1874; 
reprinted  in  Quaker  Worthies,  1896;  T.  Green,  1885,  with  Introduction 
by  H.  C.  G.  Moule,  1897;  Sketdi  of  the  Life  of  John  Woolman  (Booklet 
Series,  No.  6),  1896;  in  Present  Day  Papers,  vol.  iii.,  1900;  a  poem  by 
Bernard  Barton,  "  A  Tribute  to  the  Memory  of  John  Woolman," 
appeared  in  vol.  iii.  of  The  Friend,  and  references  to  Woolman  are 
found  in  Lamb,  and  in  H.  Crabb  Robinson's  Diary. 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 
Advertisement  to  the  Reader       .....         3 

The  Testimony  of  Friends  in  Yorkshire      ...         5 

A  Testimony  of  the  Monthly -Meeting  of  Friends        .         9 

A  Journal  of  the  Life  and  Travels  of  John  Woolman       i? 


The  Last  Epistle  and  Other  Writings 

Considerations  on  the  True  Harmony  of  Mankind 

An  Epistle  to  the  Quarterly  and  Monthly-Meetings 
OF  Friends       ....... 


159 
177 

203 
219 


Remarks  on  Sundry  Subjects        .... 

Some  Expressions  of  John  Woolman  in  his  Last  Illness     245 


THE  JOURNAL 


ADVERTISEMENT 

TO   THE 

READER 

The  manuscript  JOURNAL  of  our  late  Friend  John 
WooLMAN,  was  ended  in  England  ;  where  he  also  finished 
all  his  Labours.  It  appears,  by  a  Letter  which  he  sent^ 
in  his  last  Illness,  to  a  Friend  in  London,  that  he  did  not 
intend  the  whole  should  be  printed,  and  that  he  desired 
the  said  Friend  to  revise  what  he  had  written  in  this 
Nation,  and  leave  out  such  Parts  as  he  should  think 
proper.  It  was,  notwithstanding,  sent  entire,  without 
any  Alteration,  to  America;  where  it  was  soon  after 
printed,  together  with  several  Tracts  which  had  been 
published  in  his  Life-time.  But,  as  some  Passages  in  the 
Journal  contain  Observations  which  appear  to  have  been 
intended  as  private  Memorandums  only,  and  others  relate 
to  Circumstances  which  happened  in  his  native  Country, 
not  expedient  to  be  preserved  on  Record  in  this  Naticn, 
it  is  apprehended  that  the  following  Abridgement  of  it 
will  be  acceptable  to  Friends,  and  may  be  of  general 
Service;  and,  as  many  weighty  Arguments  and  pertinent 
Advices,  relative  to  Slavery  and  the  Oppression  of  the 
Negroes  in  the  Plantations,  are  contained  in  the  Journal, 
it  was  therefore  apprehended  that  two  small  Tracts  on 
that  Subject  might  be  omitted  in  this  Abridgement. 


THE 

TESTIMONY 

OF 

FRIENDS   IN   YORKSHIRE 

At  their  Quarterly-meeting  held  at  York^  the  24th  and  2^th 
of  the  third  Month  1773,  concerning 

JOHN  WOOLMAN 

Of  Mount-Holly,  in  the  Province  of  New- Jersey,  in  America; 
who  departed  this  Life  at  the  House  of  our  Friend,  Thomas 
Priestman,  in  the  Suburbs  of  this  City,  the  jth  of  the 
tenth  month  1772,  and  was  interred  in  the  Burying-ground 
of  Friends,  the  gth  of  the  same,  aged  about  fifty-two  Years 

This  our  valuable  Friend,  having  been  under  a  religious 
Engagement  for  some  Time  to  visit  Friends  in  this  Nation, 
and  more  especially  us  in  the  northern  Parts,  undertook 
the  same  in  full  Concurrence  and  near  Sympathy  with  his 
Friends  and  Brethren  at  home,  as  appeared  by  Certificates 
from  the  monthly  and  quarterly  Meetings  to  which  he 
belonged,  and  from  the  Spring-meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders,  held  at  Philadelphia  for  Pennsylvania  and  New- 
Jersey. 

He  arrived  in  the  City  of  London  the  beginning  of  the 
last  Yearly-meeting,  and,  after  attending  that  Meeting, 
travelled  northward,  visiting  the  Quarterly-meetings  of 
Hertfordshire,  Buckinghamshire,  Northamptonshire,  Oxford- 
shire, and  Worcestershire,  and  divers  particular  Meetings 
in  his  Way. 

He  visited  many  Meetings  on  the  West  Side  of  this 
County ;  also  some  in  Lancashire  and  Westmorland  ;  from 
whence  he  came  to  our  Quarterly-meeting  in  the  last 

5 


6  John  Woolman's  Journal 

ninth  Month;  and  though  much  out  of  Health,  yet  was 
enabled  to  attend  all  the  Sittings  of  that  Meeting  except 
the  last. 

His  Disorder,  then,  which  proved  the  Small-pox, 
increased  speedily  upon  him,  and  was  very  afflicting; 
under  which  he  was  supported  in  much  Meekness, 
Patience,  and  Christian  Fortitude.  To  those  who 
attended  him  in  his  Illness  his  Mind  appeared  to  be 
centered  in  divine  Love;  under  the  precious  Influence 
whereof,  we  believe,  he  finished  his  Course,  and  entered 
into  the  Mansions  of  everlasting  Rest. 

In  the  early  Part  of  his  Illness  he  requested  a  Friend 
to  write,  and  he  broke  forth  thus : 

"  0  Lord,  my  God!  the  amazing  Horrors  of  Darkness 
were  gathered  around  me  and  covered  me  all  over, 
and  I  saw  no  Way  to  go  forth:  I  felt  the  Misery  of  my 
Fellow-creatures  separated  from  the  divine  Harmony, 
and  it  was  heavier  than  I  could  bear,  and  I  was  crushed 
down  under  it:  I  lifted  up  my  Hand,  and  stretched  out 
my  Arm,  but  there  was  none  to  help  me :  I  looked  round 
about,  and  was  amazed:  In  the  Depths  of  Misery,  0 
Lord!  I  remembered  that  thou  art  omnipotent;  that 
I  had  called  thee  Father;  and  I  felt  that  I  loved  thee, 
and  I  was  made  quiet  in  thy  Will,  and  I  waited  for 
Deliverance  from  thee;  thou  hadst  Pity  upon  me  when 
no  Man  could  help  me :  I  saw  that  Meekness  under  suffer- 
ing was  shewed  to  us  in  the  most  affecting  Example  of 
thy  Son,  and  thou  wast  teaching  me  to  follow  him,  and 
I  said,  Thy  Will,  0  Father,  be  done." 

Many  more  of  his  weighty  Expressions  might  have 
been  inserted  here,  but  it  was  deemed  unnecessary,  they 
being  already  published  in  Print. 

He  was  a  Man  endued  with  a  large  natural  Capacity; 
and,  being  obedient  to  the  Manifestations  of  divine  Grace, 
having  in  Patience  and  Humility  endured  many  deep 
Baptisms,  he  became  thereby  sanctified  and  fitted  for 
the  Lord's  Work,  and  was  truly  serviceable  in  his  Church : 
Dwelling  in  awful  Fear  and  Watchfulness,  he  was  careful, 
in  his  public  Appearances,  to  feel  the  putting  forth  of 
the  divine  Hand,  so  that  the  Spring  of  the  Gospel-ministry 


John  Woolman's  Journal  7 

often  flowed  through  him  with  great  Sweetness  and  Purity, 
as  a  refreshing  Stream  to  the  weary  Travellers  toward 
the  City  of  God:  Skilful  in  dividing  the  Word,  he  was 
furnished  by  Him,  in  whom  are  hid  all  the  Treasures  of 
Wisdom  and  Knowledge,  to  communicate  freely  to  the 
several  States  of  the  People  where  his  Lot  was  cast.  His 
Conduct  at  other  Times  was  seasoned  with  the  like 
watchful  Circumspection  and  Attention  to  the  Guidance 
of  divine  Wisdom,  which  rendered  his  whole  Conversation 
uniformly  edifying. 

He  was  fully  perswaded  that  as  the  Life  of  Christ  comes 
to  reign  in  the  Earth,  all  Abuse  and  unnecessary  Oppres- 
sion, both  of  the  human  and  brute  Creation,  will  come 
to  an  End;  but,  under  the  Sense  of  a  deep  Revolt  and 
overflowing  Stream  of  Unrighteousness,  his  Life  has  been 
often  a  Life  of  mourning. 

He  was  deeply  concerned  on  account  of  that  inhuman 
and  iniquitous  Practice  of  making  Slaves  of  the  People 
of  Africa,  or  holding  them  in  that  State;  and,  on  that 
Account,  we  understand  he  hath  not  only  written  some 
Books,  but  travelled  much  on  the  Continent  of  America, 
in  order  to  make  the  Negro-masters  (especially  those  in 
Profession  with  us)  sensible  of  the  evil  of  such  a  Practice; 
and  though,  in  his  Journey  to  England,  he  was  far  removed 
from  the  outward  Sight  of  their  Sufferings,  yet  his  deep 
Exercise  of  Mind  remained,  as  appears  by  a  short  Treatise 
he  wrote  in  this  Journey,  and  his  frequent  Concern  to 
open  the  miserable  State  of  this  deeply-injured  People. 
His  Testimony  in  the  last  Meeting  he  attended  was  on 
this  Subject;  wherein  he  remarked,  that  as  we,  as  a 
Society,  when  under  outward  Sufferings,  had  often  found 
it  our  Concern  to  lay  them  before  those  in  Authority, 
and  thereby,  in  the  Lord's  Time,  had  obtained  Relief, 
so  he  recommended  this  oppressed  Part  of  the  Creation 
to  our  Notice,  that  we  may,  as  way  may  open,  represent 
their  Sufferings,  in  an  Individual,  if  not  a  Society  Capacity, 
to  those  in  Authority. 

Deeply  sensible  that  the  Desire  to  gratify  People's 
Inclinations  in  Luxury  and  Superfluities  is  the  principal 
Ground  of  Oppression,  and  the  Occasion  of  many  un- 


8  John  Woolman's  Journal 

necessary  Wants,,  he  believed  it  to  be  his  Duty  to  be  a 
Pattern  of  great  Self-denial  with  Respect  to  the  Things 
of  this  Life,  and  earnestly  to  labour  with  Friends  in  the 
Meekness  of  Wisdom,  to  impress  on  their  Minds  the  great 
Importance  of  our  Testimony  in  these  Things,  recom- 
mending to  the  Guidance  of  the  blessed  Truth  in  this  and 
all  other  Concerns,  and  cautioning  such  as  are  experienced 
therein  against  contenting  themselves  with  acting  up  to 
the  Standard  of  others,  but  to  be  careful  to  make  the 
Standard  of  Truth,  manifested  to  them,  the  Measure  of 
their  Obedience;  for,  said  he,  "  that  Purity  of  Life  which 
proceeds  from  Faithfulness  in  following  the  Spirit  of 
Truth,  that  State  where  our  Minds  are  devoted  to  serve 
God,  and  all  our  Wants  are  bounded  by  his  Wisdom, — 
this  Habitation  has  often  been  opened  before  me,  as  a 
Place  of  retirement  for  the  Children  of  the  Light,  where 
they  may  stand  separated  from  that  which  disordereth 
and  confuseth  the  Affairs  of  Society,  and  where  we  may 
have  a  Testimony  of  our  Innocence  in  the  Hearts  of  those 
who  behold  us." 

We  conclude  with  fervent  Desires  that  we,  as  a  People, 
may  thus,  by  our  Example,  promote  the  Lord's  Work  in 
the  Earth;  and,  our  Hearts  being  prepared,  may  unite 
in  Prayer  to  the  great  Lord  of  the  Harvest,  that  as,  in 
his  infinite  Wisdom,  he  hath  greatly  stripped  the  Church, 
by  removing  of  late  divers  faithful  Ministers  and  Elders, 
he  may  be  pleased  to  send  forth  many  more  faithful 
Labourers  into  his  Harvest. 

Signed  in,  by  Order,  and  on  Behalf  of,  said  Meeting : 

Thomas  Bennett,  Samuel  Briscoe, 

John  Storr,  John  Turner, 

Joseph  Eglin,  Joshua  Robinson, 

Thomas  Perkinson,  Thomas   Priestman,  and 
Joseph  Wright,  divers  other  Friends. 


A 
TESTIMONY 

OF   THE 

MONTHLY-MEETING   OF  FRIENDS 

Held  in  Burlington,  the  first  Day  of  the  eighth  Month,  in 
the  Year  of  our  Lord  i'j'j4,  concerning  our  esteemed 
Friend, 

JOHN  WOOLMAN,  deceased 

He  was  born  in  Northampton,  in  the  County  of  Burlington, 
and  Province  of  West-New- Jersey,  in  the  eighth  Month, 
1720,  of  rehgious  Parents,  who  instructed  him  very  early 
in  the  Principles  of  the  Christian  Religion,  as  professed  by 
the  People  called  Quakers,  which  he  esteemed  a  Blessing 
to  him,  even  in  his  young  Years,  tending  to  preserve  him 
from  the  Infection  of  wicked  Children;  but,  through  the 
Workings  of  the  Enemy,  and  Levity  incident  to  Youth, 
he  frequently  deviated  from  those  parental  Precepts, 
by  which  he  laid  a  renewed  Foundation  for  Repentance, 
that  was  finally  succeeded  by  a  godly  Sorrow  not  to  be 
repented  of,  and  so  became  acquainted  with  that  sanctify- 
ing Power  which  qualifies  for  true  Gospel  Ministry,  into 
which  he  was  called  about  the  twenty-second  year  of  his 
Age;  and,  by  a  faithful  Use  of  the  Talents  committed  to 
him,  he  experienced  an  Increase,  until  he  arrived  at  the 
State  of  a  Father,  capable  of  dividing  the  Word  aright 
to  the  different  States  he  ministered  unto;  dispensing 
Milk  to  Babes,  and  Meat  to  those  of  riper  Years.  Thus 
he  found  the  Efficacy  of  that  Power  to  arise,  which,  in  his 
own  Expressions,  "  prepares  the  Creature  to  stand  like 
a  Trumpet  through  which  the  Lord  speaks  to  his  People." 

9 


lo  John  Woolman's  Journal 

— He  was  a  loving  Husband,  a  tender  Father,  and  very 
humane  to  every  Part  of  the  Creation  under  his  Care. 

His  Concern  for  the  Poor  and  those  in  Affliction  was 
evident  by  his  Visits  to  them;  whom  he  frequently 
relieved  by  his  Assistance  and  Charity.  He  was  for  many 
Years  deeply  exercised  on  Account  of  the  poor  enslaved 
Africans,  whose  Cause,  as  he  sometimes  mentioned,  lay 
almost  continually  upon  him,  and  to  obtain  Liberty  to 
those  Captives,  he  laboured  both  in  public  and  private; 
and  was  favoured  to  see  his  Endeavours  crowned  with 
considerable  Success.  He  was  particularly  desirous  that 
Friends  should  not  be  instrumental  to  lay  Burthens  on 
this  oppressed  People,  but  remember  the  Days  of  suffer- 
ing from  which  they  had  been  providentially  delivered; 
that,  if  Times  of  Trouble  should  return,  no  Injustice  dealt 
to  those  in  Slavery  might  rise  in  Judgment  against  us, 
but,  being  clear,  we  might  on  such  Occasions  address  the 
Almighty  with  a  degree  of  Confidence,  for  his  Inter- 
position and  Relief;  being  particularly  careful,  as  to 
himself,  not  to  countenance  Slavery  even  by  the  Use  of 
those  Conveniences  of  Life  which  were  furnished  by  their 
Labour. 

He  was  desirous  to  have  his  own,  and  the  Minds  of 
others,  redeemed  from  the  Pleasures  and  immoderate 
Profits  of  this  World,  and  to  fix  them  on  those  Joys 
which  fade  not  away;  his  principal  Care  being  after  a 
Life  of  Purity,  endeavouring  to  avoid  not  only  the  grosser 
Pollutions,  but  those  also  which,  appearing  in  a  more 
refined  Dress,  are  not  sufficiently  guarded  against  by 
some  well-disposed  People.  In  the  latter  Part  of  his 
Life  he  was  remarkable  for  the  Plainness  and  Simplicity  of 
his  Dress,  and,  as  much  as  possible,  avoided  the  Use  of 
Plate,  costly  Furniture,  and  feasting;  thereby  endeavour- 
ing to  become  an  Example  of  Temperance  and  Self-denial, 
which  he  believed  himself  called  unto,  and  was  favoured 
with  Peace  therein,  although  it  carried  the  Appearance 
of  great  Austerity  in  the  View  of  some.  He  was  very 
moderate  in  his  Charges  in  the  Way  of  Business,  and  in 
his  Desires  after  Gain;  and,  though  a  Man  of  Industry, 
avoided,  and  strove  much  to  lead  others  out  of  extreme 


John  Woolman's  Journal  1 1 

Labour  and  Anxiousness  after  perishable  Things;  being 
desirous  that  the  Strength  of  our  Bodies  might  not  be 
spent  in  procuring  Things  unprofitable,  and  that  we 
might  use  Moderation  and  Kindness  to  the  brute  Animals 
under  our  Care,  to  prize  the  Use  of  them  as  a  great 
Favour,  and  by  no  Means  abuse  them;  that  the  Gifts  of 
Providence  should  be  thankfully  received  and  applied  to 
the  Uses  they  were  designed  for. 

He  several  Times  opened  a  School  at  Mount-Holly,  for 
the  Instruction  of  poor  Friends  Children  and  others,  being 
concerned  for  their  Help  and  Improvement  therein:  His 
Love  and  Care  for  the  rising  Youth  among  us  were  truly 
great,  recommending  to  Parents  and  those  who  have  the 
Charge  of  them,  to  chuse  conscientious  and  pious  Tutors, 
saying,  "  It  is  a  lovely  Sight  to  behold  innocent  Children," 
and  that  "  to  labour  for  their  Help  against  that  which 
would  mar  the  Beauty  of  their  Minds,  is  a  Debt  we  owe 
them." 

His  Ministry  was  sound,  very  deep  and  penetrating, 
sometimes  pointing  out  the  dangerous  Situation  which 
Indulgence  and  Custom  lead  into;  frequently  exhorting 
others,  especially  the  Youth,  not  to  be  discouraged  at  the 
Difficulties  which  occur,  but  press  after  Purity.  He  often 
expressed  an  earnest  Engagement  that  pure  Wisdom 
should  be  attended  to,  which  would  lead  into  Lowliness 
of  Mind  and  Resignation  to  the  divine  Will,  in  which 
State  small  Possessions  here  would  be  sufficient. 

In  transacting  the  Affairs  of  Discipline,  his  Judgment 
was  sound  and  clear,  and  he  was  very  useful  in  treating 
with  those  who  had  done  amiss;  he  visited  such  in  a 
private  Way  in  that  Plainness  which  Truth  dictates, 
shewing  great  Tenderness  and  Christian  Forbearance. 
He  was  a  constant  Attender  of  our  Yearly-meeting,  in 
which  he  was  a  good  Example,  and  particularly  useful; 
assisting  in  the  Business  thereof  with  great  Weight  and 
Attention.  He  several  Times  visited  most  of  the  Meetings 
of  Friends  in  this  and  the  neighbouring  Provinces,  with 
the  Concurrence  of  the  Monthly-meeting  to  which  he 
belonged,  and,  we  have  Reason  to  believe,  had  good 
Service  therein,  generally  or  always  expressing,  at  his 
c  402 


12  John  Woolman's  Journal 

Return,  how  it  had  fared  with  him,  and  the  Evidence  of 
Peace  in  his  Mind  for  thus  performing  his  Duty.  He  was 
often  concerned  with  other  Friends  in  the  important 
Service  of  visiting  Families,  which  he  was  enabled  to  go 
through  to  Satisfaction. 

In  the  Minutes  of  the  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders 
for  this  Quarter,  at  the  Foot  of  a  List  of  the  Members  of 
that  Meeting,  made  about  five  Years  before  his  Death, 
we  find  in  his  Hand-writing  the  following  Observations 
and  Reflections.  "  As  looking  over  the  Minutes,  made 
by  Persons  who  have  put  ofl  this  Body,  hath  sometimes 
revived  in  me  a  Thought  how  Ages  pass  away;  so  this 
List  may  probably  revive  a  like  Thought  in  some,  when 
I  and  the  rest  of  the  Persons  above-named  are  centered 
in  another  State  of  Being. — The  Lord,  who  was  the  Guide 
of  my  Youth,  hath  in  tender  Mercies  helped  me  hitherto ; 
he  hath  healed  me  of  Wounds,  he  hath  helped  me  out  of 
grievous  Entanglements;  he  remains  to  be  the  Strength 
of  my  Life;  to  whom  I  desire  to  devote  myself  in  Time 
and  in  Eternity." — Signed,  John  Woolman. 

In  the  twelfth  Month,  1 771,  he  acquainted  this  Meeting 
that  he  found  his  Mind  drawn  towards  a  religious  Visit 
to  Friends  in  some  Parts  of  England,  particularly  in  York- 
shire. In  the  first  Month,  1772,  he  obtained  our  Certificate, 
which  was  approved  and  endorsed  by  our  Quarterly-meet- 
ing, and  by  the  Half-year's-meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders 
at  Philadelphia.  He  embarked  on  his  Voyage  in  the  fifth, 
and  arrived  in  London  in  the  sixth.  Month  following,  at 
the  Time  of  their  annual  Meeting  in  that  City.  During 
his  short  Visit  to  Friends  in  that  Kingdom,  we  are  in- 
formed that  his  Services  were  acceptable  and  edifying. 
In  his  last  Illness  he  uttered  many  lively  and  comfortable 
Expressions,  being  "  perfectly  resigned,  having  no  Will 
either  to  live  or  die,"  as  appears  by  the  Testimony  of 
Friends  at  York  in  Great-Britain,  in  the  Suburbs  whereof, 
at  the  House  of  our  Friend,  Thomas  Priesiman,  he  died 
of  the  Small-pox,  on  the  seventh  Day  of  the  tenth  Month, 
1772,  and  was  buried  in  Friends  Burying-ground  in  that 
City,  on  the  ninth  of  the  same,  after  a  large  and  solid 
Meeting  held  on  the  Occasion  at  their  great  Meeting- 


John  Woolman's  Journal  1 3 

house,  aged  near  fifty-two  Years;  a  Minister  upwards  of 
thirty  Years,  during  which  Time  he  belonged  to  Mount- 
Holly  Particular-meeting,  which  he  diligently  attended 
when  at  Home  and  in  Health  of  Body,  and  his  Labours  of 
Love,  and  pious  Care  for  the  Prosperity  of  Friends  in  the 
blessed  Truth,  we  hope  may  not  be  forgotten,  but  that 
his  good  Works  may  be  remembered  to  Edification. 

Signed  in,  and  by  Order  of,  the  said  Meeting,  by 

Samuel  Allinson,  Clerk. 

Read  and  approved  at  our  Quarterly-meeting,  held  at 
Burlington  the  29th  of  the  eighth  Month,  1774. 

Signed,  by  Order  of  said  Meeting, 

Daniel  Smith,  Clerk. 


A 

JOURNAL 

OF  THE 

LIFE,   GOSPEL -LABOURS, 

AND 

CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCES, 

OF  THAT 

FAITHFUL  MINISTER 

OF 

JESUS   CHRIST, 
JOHN     WOOL  MAN; 

Late  of  Mount-Holly,  in  the  Province  of 
New-Jersey. 


Isaiah  xxxii.   17. 

"  The  Work  of  Righteousness  shall  be  Peace;  and 
the  Effect  of  Righteousness,  Quietness  and 
Assurance  for  ever." 


LONDON: 

Printed  and  sold  by  James   Phillips,  in 
George- Yard,  Lombard-Street. 

M.DCC.LXXV. 


A    JOURNAL 

OF 

THE    LIFE    AND    TRAVELS 

OF 

JOHN    WOOLMAN, 

In  the  Service  of  the  Gospel 


CHAPTER  I 

His  Birth  and  Parentage,  with  some  Account  of  the  Operations 
of  divine  Grace  on  his  Mind  in  his  Youth — His  first 
Appearance  in  the  Ministry — And  his  Considerations, 
while  young,  on  the  keeping  of  Slaves 

I  HAVE  often  felt  a  Motion  of  Love  to  leave  some  Hints 
in  Writing  of  my  Experience  of  the  Goodness  of  God ;  and 
now,  in  the  thirty-sixth  Year  of  my  Age,  I  begin  this 
Work. 

I  was  bom  in  Northampton,  in  Burlington  County,  West- 
Jersey,  in  the  Year  1720;  and  before  I  was  seven  Years 
old  I  began  to  be  acquainted  with  the  Operations  of  divine 
Love.  Through  the  Care  of  my  Parents,  I  was  taught 
to  read  nearly  as  soon  as  I  was  capable  of  it;  and,  as  I 
went  from  School  one  seventh  Day,  I  remember,  while 
my  Companions  went  to  play  by  the  Way,  I  went  forward 
out  of  Sight,  and,  sitting  down,  I  read  the  22d  Chapter 
of  the  Revelations :  "He  shewed  me  a  pure  River  of 
Water  of  Life,  clear  as  Chrystal,  proceeding  out  of  the 
Throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb,  etc."  and,  in  reading  it, 
my  Mind  was  drawn  to  seek  after  that  pure  Habitation, 
which,  I  then  believed,  God  had  prepared  for  his  Servants. 

17 


1 8  John  Woolman's  Journal 

The  Place  where  I  sat,  and  the  Sweetness  that  attended 
my  Mind,  remain  fresh  in  my  Memory. 

This,  and  the  Hke  gracious  Visitations,  had  that  Effect 
upon  me,  that  when  Boys  used  ill  Language  it  troubled 
me;  and,  through  the  continued  Mercies  of  God,  I  was 
preserved  from  it. 

The  pious  Instructions  of  my  Parents  were  often  fresh 
in  my  Mind  when  I  happened  to  be  among  wicked 
Children,  and  were  of  Use  to  me.  My  Parents,  having  a 
large  Family  of  Children,  used  frequently,  on  first  Days 
after  Meeting,  to  put  us  to  read  in  the  holy  Scriptures, 
or  some  religious  Books,  one  after  another,  the  rest  sitting 
by  without  much  Conversation;  which,  I  have  since 
often  thought,  was  a  good  Practice.  From  what  I  had 
read  and  heard,  I  believed  there  had  been,  in  past  Ages, 
People  who  walked  in  Uprightness  before  God,  in  a 
Degree  exceeding  any  that  I  knew,  or  heard  of,  now 
living:  And  the  Apprehension  of  there  being  less  Steadi- 
ness and  Firmness,  amongst  People  in  this  Age  than  in 
past  Ages,  often  troubled  me  while  I  was  a  Child. 

A  Thing  remarkable  in  my  Childhood  was,  that  once, 
going  to  a  Neighbour's  House,  I  saw,  on  the  Way,  a 
Robin  sitting  on  her  Nest,  and  as  I  came  near  she  went 
off,  but,  having  young  ones,  flew  about,  and  with  many 
Cries  expressed  her  Concern  for  them;  I  stood  and  threw 
Stones  at  her,  till,  one  striking  her,  she  fell  down  dead: 
At  first  I  was  pleased  with  the  Exploit,  but  after  a  few 
Minutes  was  seized  with  Horror,  as  having,  in  a  sportive 
Way,  killed  an  innocent  Creature  while  she  was  careful 
for  her  Young:  I  beheld  her  lying  dead,  and  thought 
these  young  ones,  for  which  she  was  so  careful,  must 
now  perish  for  want  of  their  Dam  to  nourish  them;  and, 
after  some  painful  Considerations  on  the  Subject,  I 
climbed  up  the  Tree,  took  all  the  young  Birds,  and 
killed  them;  supposing  that  better  than  to  leave  them 
to  pine  away  and  die  miserably:  And  believed,  in  this 
Case,  that  Scripture-proverb  was  fulfilled,  "  The  tender 
Mercies  of  the  Wicked  are  cruel."  I  then  went  on  my 
Errand,  but,  for  some  Hours,  could  think  of  little  else 
but  the    Cruelties   I   had    committed,   and    was    much 


John  Woolman's  Journal  1 9 

troubled.  Thus  he,  whose  tender  Mercies  are  over  all 
his  Works,  hath  placed  a  Principle  in  the  human  Mind, 
which  incites  to  exercise  Goodness  towards  every  living 
Creature;  and  this  being  singly  attended  to,  People 
become  tender  hearted  and  sympathising;  but  being 
frequently  and  totally  rejected,  the  Mind  becomes  shut 
up  in  a  contrary  Disposition. 

About  the  twelfth  Year  of  my  Age,  my  Father  being 
abroad,  my  Mother  reproved  me  for  some  Misconduct, 
to  which  I  made  an  undutiful  Reply;  and,  the  next 
first  Day,  as  I  was  with  my  Father  returning  from  Meet- 
ing, he  told  me  he  understood  I  had  behaved  amiss  to 
my  Mother,  and  advised  me  to  be  more  careful  in  future. 
I  knew  myself  blameable,  and  in  Shame  and  Confusion 
remained  silent.  Being  thus  awakened  to  a  Sense  of  my 
Wickedness,  I  felt  Remorse  in  my  Mind,  and,  getting 
home,  I  retired  and  prayed  to  the  Lord  to  forgive  me; 
and  do  not  remember  that  I  ever,  after  that,  spoke  un- 
handsomely to  either  of  my  Parents,  however  foolish  in 
some  other  Things. 

Having  attained  the  Age  of  sixteen  Years,  I  began  to 
love  wanton  Company ;  and  though  I  was  preserved  from 
prophane  Language,  or  scandalous  Conduct,  still  I  per- 
ceived a  Plant  in  me  which  produced  much  wild  Grapes; 
yet  my  merciful  Father  forsook  me  not  utterly,  but,  at 
Times,  through  his  Grace,  I  was  brought  seriously  to 
consider  my  Ways;  and  the  Sight  of  my  Backslidings 
affected  me  with  Sorrow;  but,  for  want  of  rightly  attend- 
ing to  the  Reproofs  of  Instruction,  Vanity  was  added  to 
Vanity,  and  Repentance  to  Repentance :  Upon  the  whole, 
my  Mind  was  more  and  more  alienated  from  the  Truth, 
and  I  hastened  toward  Destruction.  While  I  meditate 
on  the  Gulph  towards  which  I  travelled,  and  reflect  on 
my  youthful  Disobedience,  for  these  Things  I  weep,  mine 
Eyes  run  down  with  Water. 

Advancing  in  Age,  the  Number  of  my  Acquaintances 
increased,  and  thereby  my  Way  grew  more  difficult; 
though  I  had  found  Comfort  in  reading  the  holy  Scrip- 
tures, and  thinking  on  heavenly  Things,  I  was  now 
estranged  therefrom:   I  knew  I  was  going  from  the  Flock 


20  John  Woolman's  Journal 

of  Christ,  and  had  no  Resolution  to  return;  hence  serious 
Reflections  were  uneasy  to  me,  and  youthful  Vanities 
and  Diversions  my  greatest  Pleasure.  Running  in  this 
Road  I  found  many  like  myself;  and  we  associated  in 
that  which  is  the  reverse  of  true  Friendship. 

But  in  this  swift  Race  it  pleased  God  to  visit  me  with 
Sickness,  so  that  I  doubted  of  recovering;  and  then  did 
Darkness,  Horror,  and  Amazement,  with  full  Force,  seize 
me,  even  when  my  Pain  and  Distress  of  Body  was  very 
great.  I  thought  it  would  have  been  better  for  me  never 
to  have  had  a  Being,  than  to  see  the  Day  which  I  now 
saw.  I  was  filled  with  Confusion;  and  in  great  Affliction, 
both  of  Mind  and  Body,  I  lay  and  bewailed  myself.  I 
had  not  Confidence  to  lift  up  my  Cries  to  God,  whom 
I  had  thus  offended ;  but,  in  a  deep  Sense  of  my  great 
Folly,  I  was  humbled  before  him;  and,  at  length,  that 
Word  which  is  as  a  Fire  and  a  Hammer,  broke  and  dis- 
solved my  rebellious  Heart,  and  then  my  Cries  were  put 
up  in  Contrition;  and  in  the  multitude  of  his  Mercies  I 
found  inward  Relief,  and  felt  a  close  Engagement,  that, 
if  he  was  pleased  to  restore  my  Health,  I  might  walk 
humbly  before  him. 

After  my  Recovery,  this  Exercise  remained  with  me 
a  considerable  Time;  but,  by  Degrees,  giving  Way  to 
youthful  Vanities,  they  gained  Strength,  and,  getting  with 
wanton  young  People,  I  lost  Ground.  The  Lord  had 
been  very  gracious,  and  spoke  Peace  to  me  in  the  Time 
of  my  Distress;  and  I  now  most  ungratefully  turned 
again  to  Folly;  on  which  Account,  at  Times,  I  felt  sharp 
Reproof.  I  was  not  so  hardy  as  to  commit  Things  scan- 
dalous; but  to  exceed  in  Vanity,  and  promote  Mirth, 
was  my  chief  Study.  Still  I  retained  a  Love  for  pious 
People,  and  their  Company  brought  an  Awe  upon  me. 
My  dear  Parents,  several  Times,  admonished  me  in  the 
Fear  of  the  Lord,  and  their  Admonition  entered  into  my 
Heart,  and  had  a  good  Effect  for  a  Season;  but,  not 
getting  deep  enough  to  pray  rightly,  the  Tempter,  when 
he  came,  found  Entrance.  I  remember  once,  having 
spent  a  Part  of  the  Day  in  Wantonness,  as  I  went  to 
Bed  at  Night,  there  lay  in  a  Window,  near  my  Bed,  a 


John  Woolman's  Journal  2 1 

Bible,  which  I  opened,  and  first  cast  my  Eye  on  this 
Text,  "  We  lie  down  in  our  Shame,  and  our  Confusion 
covers  us:  "  This  I  knew  to  be  my  Case;  and,  meeting 
with  so  unexpected  a  Reproof,  I  was  somewhat  affected 
with  it,  and  went  to  Bed  under  Remorse  of  Conscience; 
which  I  soon  cast  off  again. 

Thus  Time  passed  on:  My  Heart  was  replenished  with 
Mirth  and  Wantonness,  and  pleasing  Scenes  of  Vanity 
were  presented  to  my  Imagination,  till  I  attained  the  Age 
of  eighteen  Years ;  near  which  Time  I  felt  the  Judgments 
of  God,  in  my  Soul,  like  a  consuming  Fire;  and,  looking 
over  my  past  Life,  the  Prospect  was  moving. — I  was 
often  sad,  and  longed  to  be  delivered  from  those  Vanities ; 
then  again,  my  Heart  was  strongly  inclined  to  them,  and 
there  was  in  me  a  sore  Conflict:  At  Times  I  turned  to 
Folly,  and  then  again.  Sorrow  and  Confusion  took  hold  of 
me.  In  a  while,  I  resolved  totally  to  leave  off  some  of 
my  Vanities;  but  there  was  a  secret  Reserve,  in  my 
Heart,  of  the  more  refined  Part  of  them,  and  I  was  not 
low  enough  to  find  true  Peace.  Thus,  for  some  Months, 
I  had  great  Troubles;  there  remaining  in  me  an  unsub- 
jected  Will,  which  rendered  my  Labours  fruitless,  till  at 
length,  through  the  merciful  Continuance  of  heavenly 
Visitations,  I  was  made  to  bow  down  in  Spirit  before  the 
Lord.  I  remember  one  Evening  I  had  spent  some  Time 
in  reading  a  pious  Author;  and  walking  out  alone,  I 
humbly  prayed  to  the  Lord  for  his  Help,  that  I  might  be 
delivered  from  all  those  Vanities  which  so  ensnared  me. 
Thus,  being  brought  low,  he  helped  me ;  and,  as  I  learned 
to  bear  the  Cross,  I  felt  Refreshment  to  come  from  his 
Presence;  but,  not  keeping  in  that  Strength  which  gave 
Victory,  I  lost  Ground  again;  the  Sense  of  which  greatly 
affected  me;  and  I  sought  Desarts  and  lonely  Places,  and 
there,  with  Tears,  did  confess  my  Sins  to  God,  and 
humbly  craved  Help  of  him.  And  I  may  say  with 
Reverence,  he  was  near  to  me  in  my  Troubles,  and  in 
those  Times  of  Humiliation  opened  my  Ear  to  Discipline. 
I  was  now  led  to  look  seriously  at  the  Means  by  which  I 
was  drawn  from  the  pure  Truth,  and  learned  this,  that, 
if  I  would  live  in  the  Life  which  the  faithful  Servants  of 


22  John  Woolman's  Journal 

God  lived  in,  I  must  not  go  into  Company  as  heretofore 
in  my  own  Will;  but  all  the  Cravings  of  Sense  must  be 
governed  by  a  divine  Principle.  In  Times  of  Sorrow  and 
Abasement  these  Instructions  were  sealed  upon  me,  and 
I  felt  the  Power  of  Christ  prevail  over  selfish  Desires,  so 
that  I  was  preserved  in  a  good  degree  of  Steadiness ;  and, 
being  young,  and  believing  at  that  Time  that  a  single 
Life  was  best  for  me,  I  was  strengthened  to  keep  from 
such  Company  as  had  often  been  a  Snare  to  me. 

I  kept  steadily  to  Meetings;  spent  First-day  After- 
noons chiefly  in  reading  the  Scriptures  and  other  good 
Books;  and  was  early  convinced  in  Mind,  that  true 
Religion  consisted  in  an  inward  Life,  wherein  the  Heart 
doth  love  and  reverence  God  the  Creator,  and  learns  to 
exercise  true  Justice  and  Goodness,  not  only  toward  all 
Men,  but  also  toward  the  brute  Creatures. — That  as  the 
Mind  was  moved,  by  an  inward  Principle,  to  love  God  as 
an  invisible  incomprehensible  Being,  by  the  same  Prin- 
ciple it  was  moved  to  love  him  in  all  his  Manifestations 
in  the  visible  World. — That,  as  by  his  Breath  the  Flame 
of  Life  was  kindled  in  all  animal  sensible  Creatures,  to 
say  we  love  God,  and,  at  the  same  Time  exercise  Cruelty 
toward  the  least  Creature,  is  a  Contradiction  in  itself. 

I  found  no  Narrowness  respecting  Sects  and  Opinions; 
but  believed,  that  sincere  upright-hearted  People,  in  every 
Society,  who  truly  love  God,  were  accepted  of  him. 

As  I  lived  under  the  Cross,  and  simply  followed  the 
Openings  of  Truth,  my  Mind,  from  Day  to  Day,  was  more 
enlightened;  my  former  Acquaintance  were  left  to  judge 
of  me  as  they  would,  for  I  found  it  safest  for  me  to  live 
in  private,  and  keep  these  Things  sealed  up  in  my  own 
Breast.  While  I  silently  ponder  on  that  Change  wrought 
in  me,  I  find  no  Language  equal  to  it,  nor  any  Means  to 
convey  to  another  a  clear  Idea  of  it.  I  looked  on  the 
Works  of  God  in  this  visible  Creation,  and  an  Awfulness 
covered  me;  my  Heart  was  tender  and  often  contrite, 
and  universal  Love  to  my  Fellow-creatures  increased  in 
me:  This  will  be  understood  by  such  as  have  trodden 
the  same  Path.  Some  Glances  of  real  Beauty  may  be 
seen  in  their  Faces,  who  dwell  in  true  Meekness.    There 


John  Woolman's  Journal  23 

is  a  Harmony  in  the  Sound  of  that  Voice  to  which  divine 
Love  gives  Utterance,  and  some  Appearance  of  right 
Order  in  their  Temper  and  Conduct,  whose  Passions  are 
regulated;  yet  all  these  do  not  fully  shew  forth  that 
inward  Life  to  such  as  have  not  felt  it:  But  this  white 
Stone  and  new  Name  is  known  rightly  to  such  only  as 
have  it. 

Though  I  had  been  thus  strengthened  to  bear  the 
Cross,  I  still  found  myself  in  great  Danger,  having  many 
Weaknesses  attending  me,  and  strong  Temptations  to 
wrestle  with;  in  the  feeling  whereof  I  frequently  with- 
drew into  private  Places,  and  often  with  Tears  besought 
the  Lord  to  help  me,  whose  gracious  Ear  was  open  to 
my  Cry. 

All  this  Time  I  lived  with  my  Parents,  and  wrought  on 
the  Plantation;  and,  having  had  Schooling  pretty  well 
for  a  Planter,  I  used  to  improve  it  in  Winter  Evenings, 
and  other  leisure  Times;  and,  being  now  in  the  twenty- 
first  Year  of  my  Age,  a  Man,  in  much  Business  at  shop- 
keeping  and  baking,  asked  me,  if  I  would  hire  with  him 
to  tend  Shop  and  keep  Books.  I  acquainted  my  Father 
with  the  Proposal;  and,  after  some  Deliberation,  it  was 
agreed  for  me  to  go. 

At  Home  I  had  lived  retired;  and  now,  having  a 
Prospect  of  being  much  in  the  Way  of  Com.pany,  I  felt 
frequent  and  fervent  Cries  in  my  Heart  to  God,  the 
Father  of  Mercies,  that  he  would  preserve  me  from  all 
Corruption;  that  in  this  more  publick  Employment,  I 
might  serve  him,  my  gracious  Redeemer,  in  that  Humility 
and  Self-denial,  with  which  I  had  been,  in  a  small  Degree, 
exercised  in  a  more  private  Life.  The  Man,  who  employed 
me,  furnished  a  Shop  in  Mount-Holly,  about  five  Miles 
from  my  Father's  House,  and  six  from  his  own;  and 
there  I  lived  alone,  and  tended  his  Shop.  Shortly  after 
my  Settlement  here  I  was  visited  by  several  young  People, 
my  former  Acquaintance,  who  knew  not  but  Vanities 
would  be  as  agreeable  to  me  now  as  ever;  and,  at  these 
Times,  I  cried  to  the  Lord  in  secret,  for  Wisdom  and 
Strength;  for  I  felt  myself  encompassed  with  Difficulties, 
and  had  fresh  Occasion  to  bewail  the  Follies  of  Time  past, 


24  John  Woolman's  Journal 

in  contracting  a  Familiarity  with  libertine  People;  and, 
as  I  had  now  left  my  Father's  House  outwardly,  I  found 
my  heavenly  Father  to  be  merciful  to  me  beyond  what 
I  can  express. 

By  Day  I  was  much  amongst  People,  and  had  many 
Trials  to  go  through;  but,  in  the  Evenings,  I  was  mostly 
alone,  and  may  with  Thankfulness  acknowledge,  that, 
in  those  Times,  the  Spirit  of  Supplication  was  often 
poured  upon  me;  under  which  I  was  frequently  exercised, 
and  felt  my  Strength  renewed. 

In  a  few  Months  after  I  came  here,  my  Master  bought 
several  Scotchmen,  Servants,  from  on-board  a  Vessel,  and 
brought  them  to  Mount-Holly  to  sell;  one  of  which  was 
taken  sick,  and  died. 

In  the  latter  Part  of  his  Sickness,  he,  being  delirious, 
used  to  curse  and  swear  most  sorrowfully;  and,  the  next 
Night  after  his  Burial,  I  was  left  to  sleep  alone  in  the 
same  Chamber  where  he  died;  I  perceived  in  me  a 
Timorousness;  I  knew,  however,  I  had  not  injured  the 
Man,  but  assisted  in  taking  Care  of  him  according  to  my 
Capacity;  and  was  not  free  to  ask  any  one,  on  that 
Occasion,  to  sleep  with  me:  Nature  was  feeble ;  but  every 
Trial  was  a  fresh  Incitement  to  give  myself  up  wholly  to 
the  Service  of  God,  for  I  found  no  Helper  like  him  in 
Times  of  Trouble. 

After  a  While,  my  former  Acquaintance  gave  over 
expecting  me  as  one  of  their  Company;  and  I  began  to 
be  known  to  some  whose  Conversation  was  helpful  to  me : 
And  now,  as  I  had  experienced  the  Love  of  God,  through 
Jesus  Christ,  to  redeem  me  from  many  Pollutions,  and 
to  be  a  Succour  to  me  through  a  Sea  of  Conflicts,  with 
which  no  Person  was  fully  acquainted;  and  as  my  Heart 
was  often  enlarged  in  this  heavenly  Principle,  I  felt  a 
tender  Compassion  for  the  Youth,  who  remained  en- 
tangled in  Snares,  like  those  which  had  entangled  me 
from  one  Time  to  another:  This  Love  and  Tenderness 
increased;  and  my  Mind  was  more  strongly  engaged  for 
the  Good  of  my  Fellow-creatures.  I  went  to  Meetings  in 
an  awful  Frame  of  Mind,  and  endeavoured  to  be  inwardly 
acquainted  with  the  Language  of  the  true  Shepherd ;  and, 


John  Woolman's  Journal  25 

one  Day,  being  under  a  strong  Exercise  of  Spirit,  I  stood 
up,  and  said  some  Words  in  a  Meeting;  but,  not  keeping 
close  to  the  divine  Opening,  I  said  more  than  was  required 
of  me;  and  being  soon  sensible  of  my  Error,  I  was  afflicted 
in  Mind  some  Weeks,  without  any  Light  or  Comfort,  even 
to  that  Degree  that  I  could  not  take  Satisfaction  in  any 
Thing:  I  remembered  God,  and  was  troubled,  and,  in  the 
Depth  of  my  Distress,  he  had  Pity  upon  me,  and  sent 
the  Comforter:  I  then  felt  Forgiveness  for  my  Offence, 
and  my  Mind  became  calm  and  quiet,  being  truly  thank- 
ful to  my  gracious  Redeemer  for  his  Mercies;  and,  after 
this,  feeling  the  Spring  of  divine  Love  opened,  and  a 
Concern  to  speak,  I  said  a  few  Words  in  a  Meeting,  in 
which  I  found  Peace;  this,  I  believe,  was  about  six  Weeks 
from  the  first  Time:  And,  as  I  was  thus  humbled  and 
disciplined  under  the  Cross,  my  Understanding  became 
more  strengthened  to  distinguish  the  pure  Spirit  which 
inwardly  moves  upon  the  Heart,  and  taught  me  to  wait 
in  Silence  sometimes  many  Weeks  together,  until  I  felt 
that  rise  which  prepares  the  Creature. 

From  an  inward  purifying,  and  stedfast  abiding  under 
it,  springs  a  lively  operative  Desire  for  the  Good  of  others : 
All  the  Faithful  are  not  called  to  the  public  Ministry; 
but  whoever  are,  are  called  to  minister  of  that  which 
they  have  tasted  and  handled  spiritually.     The  outward  V/ 

Modes  of  Worship  are  various;  but,  wherever  any  are 
true  Ministers  of  Jesus  Christ,  it  is  from  the  Operation  of 
his  Spirit  upon  their  Hearts,  first  purifying  them,  and 
thus  giving  them  a  just  Sense  of  the  Conditions  of  others. 

This  Truth  was  clearly  fixed  in  my  Mind;  and  I  was 
taught  to  watch  the  pure  Opening,  and  to  take  Heed, 
lest,  while  I  was  standing  to  speak,  my  own  Will  should  \y 
get  uppermost,  and  cause  me  to  utter  Words  from  worldly 
Wisdom,  and  depart  from  the  Channel  of  the  true  Gospel- 
Ministry. 

In  the  Management  of  my  outward  Affairs,  I  may  say, 
with  Thankfulness,  I  found  Truth  to  be  my  Support; 
and  I  was  respected  in  my  Master's  Family,  who  came 
to  live  in  Mount-Holly  within  two  Years  after  my  going 
there* 


26  John  Woolman's  Journal 

About  the  twenty-third  Year  of  my  Age,  I  had  many 
fresh  and  heavenly  Openings,  in  respect  to  the  Care  and 
Providence  of  the  Almighty  over  his  Creatures  in  general, 
and  over  Man  as  the  most  noble  amongst  those  which 
•are  visible.  And  being  clearly  convinced  in  my  Judg- 
ment, that  to  place  my  whole  Trust  in  God  was  best  for 
me,  I  felt  renewed  Engagements,  that  in  all  Things  I 
might  act  on  an  inward  Principle  of  Virtue,  and  pursue 
worldly  Business  no  farther,  than  as  Truth  opened  my 
Way  therein. 

About  the  Time  called  Christmas,  I  observed  many 
People  from  the  Country,  and  Dwellers  in  Town,  who, 
resorting  to  Public-Houses,  spent  their  Time  in  drinking 
and  vain  Sports,  tending  to  corrupt  one  another;  on 
which  Account  I  was  much  troubled.  At  one  House,  in 
particular,  there  was  much  Disorder;  and  I  believed  it 
was  a  Duty  incumbent  on  me  to  go  and  speak  to  the 
Master  of  that  House.  I  considered  I  was  young,  and 
that  several  elderly  Friends  in  town  had  Opportunity  to 
see  these  Things;  but  though  I  would  gladly  have  been 
•excused,  yet  I  could  not  feel  my  Mind  clear. 

The  Exercise  was  heavy;  and  as  I  was  reading  what 
the  Almighty  said  to  Ezekiel,  respecting  his  Duty  as  a 
Watchman,  the  Matter  was  set  home  more  clearly  ;  and 
then,  with  Prayers  and  Tears,  I  besought  the  Lord  for  his 
Assistance,  who,  in  Loving-kindness,  gave  me  a  resigned 
Heart:  Then,  at  a  suitable  Opportunity,  I  went  to  the 
Public-house,  and,  seeing  the  Man  amongst  much  Com- 
pany, I  went  to  him,  and  told  him,  I  wanted  to  speak 
with  him ;  so  we  went  aside,  and  there,  in  the  Fear  of  the 
Almighty,  I  expressed  to  him  what  rested  on  my  Mind; 
which  he  took  kindly,  and  afterward  shewed  more  Regard 
to  me  than  before.  In  a  few  Years  afterwards  he  died, 
middle-aged;  and  I  often  thought  that,  had  I  neglected 
my  Duty  in  that  Case,  it  would  have  given  me  great 
Trouble;  and  I  was  humbly  thankful  to  my  gracious 
Father,  who  had  supported  me  herein. 

My  Employer  having  a  Negro  Woman,  sold  her,  and 
desired  me  to  write  a  Bill  of  Sale,  the  Man  being  waiting 
who  bought  her:    The  Thing  was  sudden;   and,  though 


John  Woolman's  Journal  27 

the  Thoughts  of  writing  an  Instrument  of  Slavery  for  one 
of  my  Fellow-creatures  felt  uneasy,  yet  I  remembered  I 
was  hired  by  the  Year,  that  it  was  my  Master  who  directed 
me  to  do  it,  and  that  it  was  an  elderly  Man,  a  Member  of 
our  Society,  who  bought  her;  so,  through  Weakness,  I 
gave  way,  and  wrote;  but,  at  the  executing  it,  I  was  so 
afflicted  in  my  Mind,  that  I  said,  before  my  Master  and 
the  Friend,  that  I  believed  Slave-keeping  to  be  a  Practice 
inconsistent  with  the  Christian  Religion:  This  in  some 
Degree  abated  my  Uneasiness;  yet,  as  often  as  I  reflected 
seriously  upon  it,  I  thought  I  should  have  been  clearer, 
if  I  had  desired  to  have  been  excused  from  it,  as  a  Thing 
against  my  Conscience;  for  such  it  was.  And,  some 
Time  after  this,  a  young  Man,  of  our  Society,  spoke  to 
me  to  write  a  Conveyance  of  a  Slave  to  him,  he  having 
lately  taken  a  Negro  into  his  House:  I  told  him  I  was 
not  easy  to  write  it;  for,  though  many  of  our  Meeting 
and  in  other  Places  kept  Slaves,  I  still  believed  the 
Practice  was  not  right,  and  desired  to  be  excused  from 
the  writing.  I  spoke  to  him  in  Good- will;  and  he  told 
me  that  keeping  Slaves  was  not  altogether  agreeable  to 
his  Mind;  but  that  the  Slave  being  a  Gift  to  his  Wife^  he 
had  accepted  of  her. 


D  402 


CHAPTER  II 

His  first  Journey,  on  a  religious  Visit,  into  East- Jersey,  in 
Company  with  Abraham  Farrington — His  Thoughts  on 
merchandizing,  and  his  learning  a  Trade — His  second 
Journey,  with  Isaac  Andrews,  into  Pennsylvania,  Mary- 
land, Virginia,  and  North  Carolina — His  third  Journey, 
with  Peter  Andrews,  through  Part  of  West  and  East- 
Jersey — Some  Account  of  his  Sister  Elizabeth,  and  her 
Death — His  fourth  Journey,  with  Peter  Andrews, 
through  New-York  and  Long-Island,  to  New-England — 
And  his  fifth  Journey,  with  John  Sykes,  to  the  eastern 
Shore  of  Marj^-land,  and  the  lower  Counties  on  Delaware 

My  esteemed  Friend^  Abraham  Farrington,  being  about 
to  make  a  Visit  to  Friends  on  the  eastern  Side  of  this 
Province,  and  having  no  Companion,  he  proposed  to  me  to 
go  with  him;  and,  after  a  Conference  with  some  elderly 
Friends,  I  agreed  to  go:  We  set  out  the  fifth  Day  of  the 
ninth  Month,  in  the  Year  1743;  had  an  Evening-meeting 
at  a  Tavern  in  Brunswick,  a  Town  in  which  none  of  our 
Society  dwelt;  the  Room  was  full,  and  the  People  quiet. 
Thence  to  Amboy,  and  had  an  Evening-meeting  in  the 
Court-house;  to  which  many  People  came,  amongst 
whom  were  several  Members  of  the  Assembly,  they  being 
in  Town  on  public  Affairs  of  the  Province:  In  both  these 
Meetings  my  ancient  Companion  was  enlarged  to  preach, 
in  the  Love  of  the  Gospel.  Thence  we  went  to  Wood- 
bridge,  Raway,  and  Plai?tfield ;  and  had  six  or  seven 
Meetings  in  Places  where  Meetings  of  Friends  are  not 
usually  held,  being  made  up  chiefly  of  Presbyterians  ;  and 
my  beloved  Companion  was  frequently  strengthened  to 
publish  the  Word  of  Life  amongst  them:  As  for  me,  I 
was  often  silent;  and,  when  I  spake,  it  was  with  much 
Care,  that  I  might  speak  only  what  Truth  opened:  And 
I  learned  some  profitable  Lessons. — We  were  out  about 
two  Weeks. 

Near  this  Time,  being  on  some  outward  Business  in 

28 


John  Woolman's  Journal  29 

which  several  Families  were  concerned,  and  which  was 
attended  with  Difficulties,  some  Things  relating  thereto 
not  being  clearly  stated,  nor  rightly  understood  by  all, 
there  arose  some  Heat  in  the  Minds  of  the  Parties,  and 
one  valuable  Friend  got  off  his  Watch;  I  had  a  great 
Regard  for  him,  and  felt  a  strong  Inclination,  after 
Matters  were  settled,  to  speak  to  him  concerning  his 
Conduct  in  that  case:  But  I  being  a  Youth,  and  he  far 
advanced  in  Age  and  Experience,  my  Way  appeared 
difficult;  but,  after  some  Days  Deliberation,  and  inward 
seeking  to  the  Lord  for  Assistance,  I  was  made  subject; 
so  that  I  expressed  what  lay  upon  me  in  a  Way  which 
became  my  Youth  and  his  Years:  And,  though  it  was  a 
hard  Task  to  me,  it  was  well  taken,  and,  I  believe,  useful 
to  us  both. 

Having  now  been  several  Years  with  my  Employer, 
and  he  doing  less  at  Merchandize  than  heretofore,  I  was 
thoughtful  of  some  other  Way  of  Business;  perceiving 
Merchandize  to  be  attended  with  much  Cumber,  in  the 
Way  of  trading  in  these  Parts. 

My  mind,  through  the  Power  of  Truth,  was  in  a  good 
degree  weaned  from  the  Desire  of  outward  Greatness, 
and  I  was  learning  to  be  content  with  real  Conveniences, 
that  were  not  costly;  so  that  a  Way  of  Life,  free  from 
much  Entanglement,  appeared  best  for  me,  though  the 
Income  might  be  small.  I  had  several  Offers  of  Business 
that  appeared  profitable,  but  did  not  see  my  Way  clear 
to  accept  of  them;  as  believing  the  Business  proposed 
would  be  attended  with  more  outward  Care  than  was 
required  of  me  to  engage  in. 

I  saw  that  a  humble  Man,  with  the  blessing  of  the  Lord, 
might  live  on  a  little;  and  that  where  the  Heart  was  set 
on  Greatness,  Success  in  Business  did  not  satisfy  the 
craving;  but  that  commonly,  with  an  Increase  of  Wealth, 
the  Desire  of  Wealth  increased.  There  was  a  Care  on 
my  Mind  so  to  pass  my  Time,  that  nothing  might  hinder 
me  from  the  most  steady  Attention  to  the  Voice  of  the 
true  Shepherd. 

My  Employer,  though  now  a  Retailer  of  Goods,  was  by 
Trade  a  Taylor,  and  kept  a  Servant-man  at  that  Busi- 


30  John  Woolman's  Journal 

ness;  and  I  began  to  think  about  learning  the  Trade, 
expecting  that,  if  I  should  settle,  I  might,  by  this  Trade 
and  a  little  retailing  of  Goods,  get  a  Living  in  a  plain 
Way,  without  the  Load  of  great  Business:  I  mentioned 
it  to  my  Employer,  and  we  soon  agreed  on  Terms;  and 
then,  when  I  had  Leisure  from  the  Affairs  of  Merchandize, 
I  worked  with  his  Man.  I  believed  the  Hand  of  Provi- 
dence pointed  out  this  Business  for  me;  and  was  taught 
to  be  content  with  it,  though  I  felt,  at  Times,  a  Disposi- 
tion that  would  have  sought  for  something  greater:  But, 
through  the  Revelation  of  Jesus  Christ,  I  had  seen  the 
Happiness  of  Humility,  and  there  was  an  earnest  Desire 
in  me  to  enter  deep  into  it;  and,  at  Times,  this  Desire 
arose  to  a  Degree  of  fervent  Supplication,  wherein  my 
Soul  was  so  environed  with  heavenly  Light  and  Consola- 
tion, that  Things  were  made  easy  to  me  which  had  been 
otherwise. 

After  some  Time,  my  Employer's  Wife  died;  she  was 
a  virtuous  Woman,  and  generally  beloved  of  her  Neigh- 
bours; and,  soon  after  this,  he  left  shop-keeping,  and  we 
parted.  I  then  wrought  at  my  Trade,  as  a  Taylor;  care- 
fully attended  Meetings  for  Worship  and  Discipline;  and 
found  an  Enlargement  of  Gospel-love  in  my  Mind,  and 
therein  a  Concern  to  visit  Friends  in  some  of  the  Back- 
settlements  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia;  and,  being 
thoughtful  about  a  Companion,  I  expressed  it  to  my 
beloved  Friend,  Isaac  Andrews,  who  then  told  me  that 
he  had  Drawings  to  the  same  Places;  also  to  go  through 
Maryland,  Virginia,  and  Carolina.  After  considerable 
Time  past,  and  several  Conferences  with  him,  I  felt  easy 
to  accompany  him  throughout,  if  Way  opened  for  it.  I 
opened  the  Case  in  our  Monthly-meeting;  and,  Friends 
expressing  their  Unity  therewith,  we  obtained  Certificates 
to  travel  as  Companions ;  his  from  Haddonfield,  and  mine 
from  Burlington. 

We  left  our  Province  on  the  twelfth  Day  of  the  third 
Month,  in  the  Year  1746,  and  had  several  Meetings  in  the 
upper  Part  of  Chester  County,  and  near  Lancaster;  in 
some  of  which,  the  Love  of  Christ  prevailed,  uniting  us 
together   in   his   Service.     Then   we   crossed   the   River 


John  Woolman's  Journal  3 1 

SusqueJiannah,  and  had  several  Meetings  in  a  new  Settle- 
ment, called  the  Red-Lands ;  the  oldest  of  which,  as  I 
was  informed,  did  not  exceed  ten  Years.  It  is  the  poorer 
Sort  of  People  that  commonly  begin  to  improve  remote 
Desarts:  With  a  small  Stock  they  have  Houses  to  build, 
Lands  to  clear  and  fence.  Com  to  raise,  Clothes  to  provide, 
and  Children  to  educate;  that  Friends,  who  visit  such, 
may  well  sympathise  with  them  in  their  Hardships  in  the 
Wilderness ;  and  though  the  best  Entertainment  such  can 
give  may  seem  coarse  to  some  who  are  used  to  Cities,  or 
old  settled  Places,  it  becomes  the  Disciples  of  Christ  to 
be  content  with  it.  Our  Hearts  were  sometimes  enlarged 
in  the  Love  of  our  heavenly  Father  amongst  these  People ; 
and  the  sweet  Influence  of  his  Spirit  supported  us  through 
some  Difficulties :  To  him  be  the  Praise ! 

We  passed  on  to  Monoquacy,  Fairfax,  Hopewell,  and 
Shanando,  and  had  Meetings;  some  of  which  were  com- 
fortable and  edifying.  From  Shanando  we  set  off  in  the 
Afternoon  for  the  old  Settlements  of  Friends  in  Virginia  ; 
and,  the  first  Night,  we,  with  our  Pilot,  lodged  in  the 
Woods,  our  Horses  feeding  near  us;  but  he  being  poorly 
provided  with  a  Horse,  and  we  young  and  having  good 
Horses,  were  free  the  next  Day  to  part  with  him;  and 
did  so.  In  two  Days  after,  we  reached  to  our  Friend 
]ohn  Cheagle's,  in  Virginia  ;  so  we  took  the  Meetings  in 
our  Way  through  Virginia  ;  were,  in  some  Degree,  bap- 
tized into  a  feeling  Sense  of  the  Conditions  of  the  People ; 
and  our  Exercise  in  general  was  more  painful  in  these  old 
Settlements,  than  it  had  been  amongst  the  back  Inhabi- 
tants :  But,  through  the  Goodness  of  our  heavenly  Father, 
the  Well  of  living  Waters  was,  at  Times,  opened  to  our 
Encouragement  and  the  Refreshment  of  the  sincere- 
hearted.  We  went  on  to  Perquimons,  in  North-Carolina, 
had  several  Meetings,  which  were  large,  and  found  some 
Openness  in  those  Parts,  and  a  hopeful  Appearance 
amongst  the  young  People.  So  we  turned  again  to  Vir- 
ginia, and  attended  most  of  the  Meetings  which  we  had 
not  been  at  before,  labouring  amongst  Friends  in  the 
Love  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  Ability  was  given;  and  thence 
went  to  the  Mountains,  up  James-River,  to  a  new  Settle- 


32  John  Woolman's  Journal 

ment,  and  had  several  Meetings  amongst  the  People, 
some  of  whom  had  lately  joined  in  Membership  with  our 
Society. 

In  our  journeying  to  and  fro,  we  found  some  honest- 
hearted  Friends^  who  appeared  to  be  concerned  for  the 
Cause  of  Truth  among  a  backsliding  People. 

From  Virginia,  we  crossed  over  the  River  Patowmac, 
at  Hoe's  Ferry^  and  made  a  general  Visit  to  the  Meetings 
of  Friends  on  the  Western  Shore  of  Maryland  ;  and  were 
at  their  Quarterly-meeting.  We  had  some  hard  Labour 
amongst  them,  endeavouring  to  discharge  our  Duty 
honestly  as  Way  opened,  in  the  Love  of  Truth:  And 
thence  taking  sundry  Meetings  in  our  Way,  we  passed 
homeward;  where,  through  the  Favour  of  divine  Provi- 
dence we  reached  the  sixteenth  Day  of  the  sixth  Month, 
in  the  Year  1746;  and  I  may  say  that,  through  the 
Assistance  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  my  Companion  and  I 
travelled  in  Harmony,  and  parted  in  the  Nearness  of  true 
brotherly  Love. 

--  Two  Things  were  remarkable  to  me  in  this  Journey; 
first,  in  Regard  to  my  Entertainment,  when  I  ate,  drank, 
and  lodged  at  free-cost,  with  People  who  lived  in  Ease  on 
the  hard  Labour  of  their  Slaves,  I  felt  uneasy;  and,  as 
my  Mind  was  inward  to  the  Lord,  I  found,  from  Place  to 
Place,  this  LTneasiness  return  upon  me,  at  Times,  through 
the  whole  Visit.  Where  the  Masters  bore  a  good  Share 
of  the  Burthen,  and  lived  frugally,  so  that  their  Servants 
were  well  provided  for,  and  their  Labour  moderate,  I  felt 
more  easy;  but  where  they  lived  in  a  costly  Way,  and 
laid  heavy  Burthens  on  their  Slaves,  my  Exercise  was 
often  great,  and  I  frequently  had  Conversation  with 
them,  in  private,  concerning  it.  Secondly;  this  Trade 
of  importing  Slaves  from  their  native  Country  being  much 
encouraged  amongst  them,  and  the  white  People  and 
their  Children  so  generally  living  without  much  Labour, 
was  frequently  the  Subject  of  my  serious  Thoughts:  And 
I  saw  in  these  southern  Provinces  so  many  Vices  and 
Corruptions,  increased  by  this  Trade  and  this  Way  of 
Life,  that  it  appeared  to  me  as  a  Gloom  over  the  Land ; 
and  though  now  many  willingly  run  into  it,  yet,  in  future, 


John  Woolman's  Journal  33 

the  Consequence  will  be  grievous  to  Posterity:  I  express 
it  as  it  hath  appeared  to  me^  not  at  once  nor  twice^  but 
as  a  Matter  fixed  on  my  Mind. 

Soon  after  my  Return  Home^  I  felt  an  increasing  Con- 
cern for  Friends  on  our  Sea-coast;  and^  on  the  eighth 
Day  of  the  eighth  Month,  in  the  Year  1746,  with  the 
Unity  of  Friends,  and  in  Company  with  my  beloved 
Friend  and  Neighbour,  Peter  Andrews,  Brother  to  my 
Companion  before-mentioned,  we  set  forward,  and  visited 
Meetings  generally  about  Salem,  Cape  May,  Great  and 
Little  Egg- Harbour ;  and  had  Meetings  at  Barnagat, 
Mannahocking,  and  Mane-Squan,  and  so  to  the  Yearly- 
meeting  at  Shrewsbury.  Through  the  Goodness  of  the 
Lord  Way  was  opened,  and  the  Strength  of  divine 
Love  was  sometimes  felt  in  our  Assemblies,  to  the  Com- 
fort and  Help  of  those  who  were  rightly  concerned  before 
him.  We  were  out  twenty-two  Days,  and  rode,  by  Com- 
putation, three  hundred  and  forty  Miles.  At  Shrewsbury 
Yearly-meeting,  we  met  with  our  dear  Friends  Michael 
LiGHTFOOT  and  Abraham  Farrington,  who  had  good 
Service  there. 

The  Winter  following  my  eldest  Sister,  Elizabeth 
WooLMAN,  jun.  died  of  the  Small-pox,  aged  thirty-one 
Years.  She  was,  from  her  Youth,  of  a  thoughtful  Dis- 
position; and  very  compassionate  to  her  Acquaintance 
in  their  Sickness  or  Distress,  being  ready  to  help  as  far 
as  she  could.  She  was  dutiful  to  her  Parents;  one 
Instance  whereof  follows: — It  happened  that  she,  and 
two  of  her  Sisters,  being  then  near  the  Estate  of  young 
Women,  had  an  Inclination,  one  First-day  after  Meeting, 
to  go  on  a  Visit  to  some  other  young  Women  at  some 
Distance  off;  whose  Company,  I  believe,  would  have 
done  themi  no  Good.  They  expressed  their  Desire  to  our 
Parents;  who  were  dissatisfied  with  the  Proposal,  and 
stopped  them.  The  same  Day,  as  my  Sisters  and  I  were 
together,  and  they  talking  about  their  Disappointment, 
Elizabeth  expressed  her  Contentment  under  it;  signifying, 
she  believed  it  might  be  for  their  Good. 

A  few  Years  after  she  attained  to  mature- Age,  through 
the  gracious  Visitations  of  God's  Love,  she  was  strengthened 


34  John  Woolman's  Journal 

to  live  a  self-denying  exemplary  Life,  giving  herself  much 
to  Reading  and  Meditation. 

The  following  Letter  may  shew,  in  some  Degree,  her 
Disposition. 

Haddonfield,  ist  Day,  nth  Month,  1743. 

Beloved  Brother,  John  Woolman, — In  that  Love 
which  desires  the  Welfare  of  all  Men,  I  write  unto  thee: 
I  received  thine,  dated  second  Day  of  the  tenth  Month 
last,  with  which  I  was  comforted.  My  Spirit  is  bowed 
with  Thankfulness  that  I  should  be  remembered,  who  am 
unworthy;  but  the  Lord  is  full  of  Mercy,  and  his  Good- 
ness is  extended  to  the  meanest  of  his  Creation;  there- 
fore, in  his  infinite  Love,  he  hath  pitied,  and  spared,  and 
shewed  Mercy,  that  I  have  not  been  cut  off  nor  quite 
lost;  but,  at  Times,  I  am  refreshed  and  comforted  as 
with  the  Glimpse  of  his  Presence,  which  is  more  to  the 
immortal  Part,  than  all  which  this  World  can  afford:  So, 
with  Desires  for  thy  Preservation  with  my  own,  I  remain 

Thy  affectionate  Sister, 

Eliz.  Woolman,  jun. 

In  the  fore  Part  of  her  Illness  she  was  in  great  Sadness 
and  Dejection  of  Mind,  of  which  she  told  one  of  her 
intimate  Friends,  and  said.  When  I  was  a  young  Girl  I 
was  wanton  and  airy,  but  I  thought  I  had  thoroughly 
repented  of  it;  and  added,  I  have  of  late  had  great 
Satisfaction  in  Meetings.  Though  she  was  thus  dis- 
consolate, still  she  retained  a  Hope,  which  was  as  an 
Anchor  to  her:  And  sometime  after,  the  same  Friend 
came  again  to  see  her,  to  whom  she  mentioned  her  former 
Expressions,  and  said.  It  is  otherwise  now,  for  the  Lord 
hath  rewarded  me  seven  fold;  and  I  am  unable  to  express 
the  Greatness  of  his  Love  manifested  to  me.  Her  Dis- 
order appearing  dangerous,  and  our  Mother  being  sorrow- 
ful, she  took  Notice  of  it,  and  said.  Dear  Mother,  weep 
not  for  me;  I  go  to  my  God:  And,  many  Times,  with  an 
audible  Voice,  uttered  Praise  to  her  Redeemer. 

A  Friend,  coming  some  Miles  to  see  her  the  Morning 
before  she  died,  asked  her,  how  she  did?  She  answered, 
I  have  had  a  hard  Night,  but  shall  not  have  another  such. 


John  Woolman's  Journal  35 

for  I  shall  die,  and  it  will  be  well  with  my  Soul;   and 
accordingly  died  the  next  Evening. 

The  following  Ejaculations  were  found  amongst  her 
Writings ;  written,  I  believe,  at  four  Times : 

I.  Oh !  that  my  Head  were  as  Waters,  and  mine  Eyes 
as  a  Fountain  of  Tears,  that  I  might  weep  Day  and 
Night,  until  acquainted  with  my  God. 

II.  0  Lord,  that  I  may  enjoy  thy  Presence!  or  else 
my  Time  is  lost,  and  my  Life  a  Snare  to  my  Soul. 

III.  0  Lord,  that  I  may  receive  Bread  from  thy  Table, 
and  that  thy  Grace  may  abound  in  me ! 

IV.  0  Lord,  that  I  may  be  acquainted  with  thy  Pre- 
sence, that  I  may  be  seasoned  with  thy  Salt,  that  thy 
Grace  may  abound  in  me ! 

Of  late  I  found  Drawings  in  my  Mind  to  visit  Friends 
in  New-England,  and,  having  an  Opportunity  of  joining 
in  Company  with  my  beloved  Friend,  Peter  Andrews, 
we,  having  obtained  Certificates  from  our  Monthly-meet- 
ing, set  forward  on  the  sixteenth  Day  of  the  third 
Month,  in  the  Year  1747,  and  reached  the  Yearly-meet- 
ing at  Long-Island  ;  at  which  were  our  Friends  Samuel 
Nottingham,  from  England,  John  Griffith,  Jane 
HosKiNS,  and  Elizbeth  Hudson,  from  Pennsylvania, 
and  Jacob  Andrews,  from  Chesterfield.  Several  of  whom 
were  favoured  in  their  publick  Exercise;  and,  through 
the  Goodness  of  the  Lord,  we  had  some  edifying  Meetings. 
After  this,  my  Companion  and  I  visited  Friends  on  Long- 
Island  ;  and,  through  the  Mercies  of  God  we  were  helped 
in  the  Work. 

Besides  going  to  the  settled  Meetings  of  Friends,  we 
were  at  a  general  Meeting  at  Setawket,  chiefly  made  up 
of  other  Societies;  and  had  a  Meeting  at  Oyster-Bay 
in  a  Dwelling-house,  at  which  were  many  People:  At 
the  first  of  which  there  was  not  much  said  by  way  of 
Testimony;  but  it  was  I  believe,  a  good  Meeting:  At 
the  latter,  through  the  springing  up  of  living  Waters,  it 
was  a  Day  to  be  thankfully  remembered.  Having  visited 
the  Island,  we  went  over  to  the  Main,  taking  Meetings  in 
our  Way,  to  Oblong,  Nine  Partners,  and  New-Milford. — 
In  these  back  Settlements  we  met  with  several  People, 


36  John  Woolman's  Journal 

who,  through  the  immediate  Workings  of  the  Spirit  of 
Christ  in  their  Minds,  were  drawn  from  the  Vanities  of 
the  World,  to  an  inward  Acquaintance  with  him:  They 
were  educated  in  the  Way  of  the  Presbyterians.  A  con- 
siderable Number  of  the  Youth,  Members  of  that  Society, 
used  to  spend  their  Time  often  together  in  merriment; 
but  some  of  the  principal  young  Men  of  that  Company 
being  visited  by  the  powerful  Workings  of  the  Spirit  of 
Christ,  and  thereby  led  humbly  to  take  up  his  Cross, 
could  no  longer  join  in  those  Vanities;  and,  as  these 
stood  stedfast  to  that  inward  Convincement,  they  were 
made  a  Blessing  to  some  of  their  former  Companions; 
so  that,  through  the  Power  of  Truth,  several  were  brought 
into  a  close  Exercise  concerning  the  eternal  Well-being 
of  their  Souls.  These  young  People  continued  for  a  Time 
to  frequent  their  publick  Worship;  and,  besides  that, 
had  Meetings  of  their  own;  which  Meetings  were  a  while 
allowed  by  their  Preacher,  who,  sometimes,  met  with 
them:  But,  in  Time,  their  Judgment,  in  Matters  of 
Religion,  disagreeing  with  some  of  the  Articles  of  the 
Presbyterians,  their  Meetings  were  disapproved  by  that 
Society;  and  such  of  them  as  stood  firm  to  their  Duty, 
as  it  was  inwardly  manifested,  had  many  Difficulties  to 
go  through.  And  their  Meetings  were  in  a  while  dropped; 
some  of  them  returning  to  the  Presbyterians  ;  and  others 
of  them,  after  a  Time,  joined  our  religious  Society.  I 
had  Conversation  with  some  of  the  latter,  to  my  Help  and 
Edification;  and  believe  several  of  them  are  acquainted 
with  the  Nature  of  that  Worship,  which  is  performed  in 
Spirit  and  in  Truth. 

From  hence,  accompanied  by  Amos  Powel,  a  Friend 
from  hong-Island,  we  rode  through  Connecticut,  chiefly 
inhabited  by  Presbyterians,  who  were  generally  civil  to 
us;  and,  after  three  Days  riding,  we  came  amongst 
Friends  in  the  Colony  of  Rhode-Island.  We  visited 
Friends  in  and  about  Newport,  and  Dartmouth,  and 
generally  in  those  Parts ;  and  then  to  Boston  ;  and  pro- 
ceeded eastward  as  far  as  Dover ;  and  then  returned  to 
Newport;  and,  not  far  from  thence,  we  met  our  Friend, 
Thomas  Gawthrop,  from  England,  who  was  then  on  a 


John  Woolman's  Journal  37 

Visit  to  these  Provinces.  From  Newport  we  sailed  to 
Nantucket;  were  there  near  a  Week;  and  from  thence 
came  over  to  Dartmouth :  And  having  finished  our  Visit 
in  these  Parts,  we  crossed  the  Sound  from  New-London  to 
Long-Island ;  and,  taking  some  Meetings  on  the  Island, 
proceeded  homeward;  where  we  reached  the  thirteenth 
Day  of  the  seventh  Month,  in  the  Year  1747,  having  rode 
about  fifteen  hundred  Miles,  and  sailed  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty. 

In  this  Journey,  I  may  say,  in  general,  we  were  some- 
times in  much  Weakness,  and  laboured  under  Discourage- 
ments; and  at  other  Times,  through  the  renewed  Mani- 
festations of  divine  Love,  we  had  seasons  of  Refreshment, 
wherein  the  Power  of  Truth  prevailed. 

We  were  taught,  by  renewed  Experience,  to  labour  for 
an  inward  Stillness;  at  no  Time  to  seek  for  Words,  but 
to  live  in  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  and  utter  that  to  the  People 
which  Truth  opened  in  us.  My  beloved  Companion  and  I 
belonged  to  one  Meeting,  came  forth  in  the  Ministry  near 
the  same  Time,  and  were  inwardly  united  in  the  Work;  he 
was  about  thirteen  Years  older  than  I,  bore  the  heaviest 
Burthen,  and  was  an  Instrument  of  the  greatest  Use. 

Finding  a  Concern  to  visit  Friends  in  the  lower  Counties 
on  Delaware,  and  on  the  eastern  Shore  of  Maryland,  and 
having  an  Opportunity  to  join  with  my  well-beloved 
ancient  Friend,  John  Sykes,  we  obtained  Certificates, 
and  set  off  the  seventh  Day  of  the  eighth  Month,  in  the 
Year  1748;  were  at  the  Meetings  of  Friends  in  the  lower 
Counties,  attended  the  Yearly-meeting  at  Little-Creek, 
and  made  a  Visit  to  the  chief  of  the  Meetings  on  the 
eastern  Shore;  and  so  Home  by  Way  of  Nottingham : 
Were  abroad  about  six  Weeks,  and  rode,  by  Computation, 
about  five  hundred  and  fifty  Miles. 

Our  Exercise,  at  Times,  was  heavy;  but,  through  the 
Goodness  of  the  Lord,  we  were  often  refreshed;  and  I 
may  say,  by  Experience,  He  is  a  strong  Hold  in  the  Day 
of  Trouble.  Though  our  Society,  in  these  Parts,  appeared 
to  me  to  be  in  a  declining  Condition;  yet,  I  believe,  the 
Lord  hath  a  People  amongst  them,  who  labour  to  serve 
him  uprightly,  but  have  many  Difficulties  to  encounter. 


CHAPTER  III 

His  Marriage — The  Death  of  his  Father — His  Journies  into 
the  upper  Part  of  New-Jersey,  and  afterwards  into  Penn- 
sylvania— Considerations  on  keeping  Slaves,  and  his 
Visits  to  the  Families  of  Friends  at  several  Times  and 
Places — An  Epistle  from  the  General  Meeting — His 
Journey  to  Long-Island — Considerations  on  Trading,  and 
on  the  Use  of  spirituous  Liquors  and  costly  Apparel — And 
his  Letter  to  a  Friend 

About  this  Time^  believing  it  good  for  me  to  settle,  and 
thinking  seriously  about  a  Companion,  my  Heart  was 
turned  to  the  Lord  with  Desires  that  he  would  give  me 
Wisdom  to  proceed  therein  agreeable  to  his  Will;  and 
fie  was  pleased  to  give  me  a  well-inclined  Damsel,  Sarah 
Ellis;  to  whom  I  was  married  the  eighteenth  Day  of 
the  eighth  Month,  in  the  Year  1749. 

In  the  fall  of  the  Year  1750  died  my  Father,  Samuel 
WooLMAN,  with  a  Fever,  aged  about  sixty  Years. 

In  his  Life-time  he  manifested  much  Care  for  us  his 
Children,  that  in  our  Youth  we  might  learn  to  fear  the 
Lord;  often  endeavouring  to  imprint  in  our  Minds  the 
true  Principles  of  Virtue,  and  particularly  to  cherish  in 
us  a  Spirit  of  Tenderness,  not  only  towards  poor  People, 
but  also  towards  all  Creatures  of  which  we  had  the 
Command. 

After  my  Return  from  Carolina,  in  the  Year  1746,  I 
made  some  Observations  on  keeping  Slaves,  which  some 
Time  before  his  Decease  I  shewed  him;  and  he  perused 
the  Manuscript,  proposed  a  few  Alterations,  and  appeared 
well  satisfied  that  I  found  a  Concern  on  that  Account: 
And  in  his  last  Sickness,  as  I  was  watching  with  him  one 
Night,  he  being  so  far  spent  that  there  was  no  Expecta- 
tion of  his  Recovery,  but  having  the  perfect  Use  of  his 
Understanding,  he  asked  me  concerning  the  Manuscript, 
whether  I  expected  soon  to  proceed  to  take  the  Advice 

38 


John  Woolman*s  Journal  39 

of  Friends  in  publishing  it?  And,  after  some  Conversa- 
tion thereon,  said,  I  have  all  along  been  deeply  affected 
with  the  Oppression  of  the  poor  Negroes;  and  now,  at 
last,  my  Concern  for  them  is  as  great  as  ever. 

By  his  Direction  I  had  wrote  his  Will  in  a  Time  of 
Health,  and  that  Night  he  desired  me  to  read  it  to  him, 
which  I  did;  and  he  said  it  was  agreeable  to  his  Mind. 
He  then  made  mention  of  his  End,  which  he  believed 
was  near;  and  signified,  that,  though  he  was  sensible  of 
many  Imperfections  in  the  Course  of  his  Life,  yet  his 
Experience  of  the  Power  of  Truth,  and  of  the  Love  and 
Goodness  of  God  from  Time  to  Time,  even  till  now,  was 
such,  that  he  had  no  Doubt  but  that,  in  leaving  this 
Life,  he  should  enter  into  one  more  happy. 

The  next  Day  his  Sister  Elizabeth  came  to  see  him,  and 
told  him  of  the  Decease  of  their  Sister  Ann,  who  died  a 
few  Days  before:  He  then  said,  I  reckon  Sister  Ann  was 
free  to  leave  this  World:  Elizabeth  said,  she  was.  He 
then  said,  I  also  am  free  to  leave  it;  and,  being  in  great 
Weakness  of  Body,  said,  I  hope  I  shall  shortly  go  to 
Rest.  He  continued  in  a  weighty  Frame  of  Mind,  and 
was  sensible  till  near  the  last. 

On  the  second  Day  of  the  ninth  Month,  in  the  Year  1751, 
feeling  Drawings  in  my  Mind  to  visit  Friends  at  the  Great- 
Meadows,  in  the  upper  Part  of  West-Jersey,  with  the 
Uraty  of  our  Monthly-meeting,  I  went  there;  and  had 
some  searching  laborious  Exercise  amongst  Friends  in 
those  Parts,  and  found  inward  Peace  therein. 

In  the  ninth  Month  of  the  Year  1753,  in  Company  with 
my  well  -  esteemed  Friend  John  Sykes,  and  with  the 
Unity  of  Friends,  we  travelled  about  two  Weeks,  visiting 
Friends  in  Bucks-County.  We  laboured  in  the  Love  of 
the  Gospel,  according  to  the  Measure  received;  and, 
through  the  Mercies  of  him,  who  is  Strength  to  the  Poor 
who  trust  in  him,  we  found  Satisfaction  in  our  Visit: 
And,  in  the  next  Winter,  Way  opening  to  visit  Friends 
Families  within  the  Compass  of  our  Monthly-meeting, 
partly  by  the  Labours  of  two  Friends  from  Pennsylvania, 
I  joined  in  some  Part  of  the  Work;  having  had  a  Desire 
some  Time  that  it  might  go  forward  amongst  us. 


40  John  Woolman's  Journal 

T  .     .  ... 

i  About  this  Time,  a  Person  at  some  Distance  lying  sick, 
his  Brother  came  to  me  to  write  his  Will :  I  knew  he  had 
Slaves;  and,  asking  his  Brother,  was  told  he  intended  to 
leave  them  as  Slaves  to  his  Children.  As  Writing  is  a 
profitable  Employ,  and  as  offending  sober  People  was 
disagreeable  to  my  Inclination,  I  was  straitened  in  my 
Mind ;  but,  as  I  looked  to  the  Lord,  he  inclined  my  Heart 
to  his  Testimony:  And  I  told  the  Man,  that  I  believed 
the  Practice  of  continuing  Slavery  to  this  People  was  not 
right;  and  had  a  Scruple  in  my  Mind  against  doing 
Writings  of  that  Kind ;  that,  though  many  in  our  Society 
kept  them  as  Slaves,  still  I  was  not  easy  to  be  concerned 
in  it;  and  desired  to  be  excused  from  going  to  write  the 
Will.  I  spake  to  him  in  the  Fear  of  the  Lord;  and  he 
made  no  Reply  to  what  I  said,  but  went  away:  He,  also, 
had  some  Concerns  in  the  Practice;  and  I  thought  he 
was  displeased  with  me.  In  this  Case  I  had  a  fresh 
Confirmation,  that  acting  contrary  to  present  outward 
Interest,  from  a  Motive  of  divine  Love,  and  in  Regard 
to  Truth  and  Righteousness,  opens  the  Way  to  a  Treasure 
better  than  Silver^  and  to  a  Friendship  exceeding  the 
■  Friendship  of  Men._4 

The  Manuscript  before-mentioned  having  lain  by  me 
several  Years,  the  Publication  of  it  rested  weightily  upon 
me;  and  this  Year  I  offered  it  to  the  Revisal  of  Friends, 
who,  having  examined  and  made  some  small  Alterations 
in  it,  directed  a  Number  of  Copies  thereof  to  be  published, 
and  dispersed  amongst  Friends. 

In  the  Year  1754,  I  found  my  Mind  drawn  to  join 
in  a  Visit  to  Friends  Families  belonging  to  Chesterfield 
Monthly-meeting;  and  having  the  Approbation  of  our 
own,  I  went  to  their  Monthly-meeting  in  order  to  confer 
with  Friends,  and  see  if  Way  opened  for  it:  I  had  Con- 
ference with  some  of  their  Members,  the  Proposal  having 
been  opened  before  in  their  Meeting,  and  one  Friend 
agreed  to  join  with  me  as  a  Companion  for  a  Beginning; 
but,  when  Meeting  was  ended,  I  felt  great  Distress  of 
JMind,  and  doubted  what  Way  to  take,  or  whether  to  go 
Home  and  wait  for  greater  Clearness :  I  kept  my  Distress 
secret;    and,  going  with  a  Friend  to  his  House,  my  De- 


John  Woolman's  Journal  41 

sires  were  to  the  great  Shepherd  for  his  heavenly  Instruc- 
tion; and  in  the  Morning  I  felt  easy  to  proceed  on  the 
Visit,  being  very  low  in  my  Mind :  And  as  mine  Eye  was 
turned  to  the  Lord,  waiting  in  FamiHes  in  deep  Reverence 
before  him,  he  was  pleased  graciously  to  afford  Help;  so 
that  we  had  many  comfortable  Opportunities,  and  it 
appeared  as  a  fresh  Visitation  to  some  young  People.  I 
spent  several  Weeks  this  Winter  in  the  Service,  Part  of 
which  Time  was  employed  near  Home.  And  again,  in 
the  following  Winter,  I  was  several  Weeks  in  the  same 
Service;  some  Part  of  the  Time  at  Shrewsbury,  in  Com- 
pany with  my  beloved  Friend,  John  Sykes;  and  have 
Cause  humbly  to  acknowledge,  that,  through  the  Good- 
ness of  the  Lord,  our  Hearts  were,  at  Times,  enlarged  in 
his  Love;  and  Strength  was  given  to  go  through  the 
Trials  which,  in  the  Course  of  our  Visit,  attended  us. 

From  a  Disagreement  between  the  Powers  of  England 
and  France,  it  was  now  a  Time  of  Trouble  on  this  Con- 
tinent; and  an  Epistle  to  Friends  went  forth  from  our 
General  Spring-meeting,  which  I  thought  good  to  give  a 
Place  in  this  Journal. 


An  EPISTLE  from  our  General  Spring  -  meeting  of 
Ministers  and  Elders  for  Pennsylvania  and  New- 
Jersey,  held  at  Philadelphia,  from  the  29th  of  the 
third  Month,  to  the  first  of  the  fourth  Month, 
inclusive,  1755. 

To  Friends  on  the  Continent  of  America. 

Dear  Friends, — In  an  humble  Sense  of  divine  Goodness, 
and  the  gracious  Continuation  of  God's  Love  to  his  People, 
we  tenderly  salute  you;  and  are  at  this  Time  therein 
engaged  in  Mind,  that  all  of  us  who  profess  the  Truth,  as 
held  forth  and  published  by  our  worthy  Predecessors  in 
this  latter  Age  of  the  World,  may  keep  near  to  that  Life 
which  is  the  Light  of  Men,  and  be  strengthened  to  hold 
fast  the  Profession  of  our  Faith  without  wavering,  that 


^ 


42  John  Woolman's  Journal 

our  Trust  may  not  be  in  Man  but  in  the  Lord  alone,  who 
ruleth  in  the  Army  of  Heaven,  and  in  the  Kingdoms  of 
Men,  before  whom  the  Earth  is  as  the  Dust  of  the  Balance, 
and  her  Inhabitants  as  Grasshoppers.     Isa.  xl.  22. 

We  (being  convinced  that  the  gracious  Design  of  the 
Almighty  in  sending  his  Son  into  the  World,  was  to  repair 
the  Breach  made  by  Disobedience,  to  finish  Sin  and 
Transgression,  that  his  Kingdom  might  come,  and  his 
Will  be  done  on  Earth  as  it  is  in  Heaven)  have  found  it 
to  be  our  Duty  to  cease  from  those  national  Contests  pro- 
ductive of  Misery  and  Bloodshed,  and  submit  our  Cause 
to  him,  the  Most  High,  whose  tender  Love  to  his  Children 
exceeds  the  most  warm  Affections  of  natural  Parents, 
and  who  hath  promised  to  his  Seed  throughout  the  Earth, 
as  to  one  Individual,  "  I  will  never  leave  thee,  nor  forsake 
thee."  Heb.  xiii.  5.  And  as  we,  through  the  gracious 
Dealings  of  the  Lord  our  God,  have  had  Experience  of 
that  Work  which  is  carried  on,  "  not  by  earthly  Might, 
nor  by  Power,  but  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts:" 
Zech.  iv.  6.  By  which  Operation,  that  spiritual  Kingdom 
is  set  up,  which  is  to  subdue  and  break  in  pieces  all 
Kingdoms  that  oppose  it,  and  shall  stand  for  ever;  in 
a  deep  Sense  thereof,  and  of  the  Safety,  Stability,  and 
Peace,  there  is  in  it,  we  are  desirous  that  all  who  profess 
the  Truth,  may  be  inwardly  acquainted  with  it,  and 
thereby  be  qualified  to  conduct  ourselves  in  all  Parts  of 
our  Life  as  becomes  our  peaceable  Profession:  And  we 
trust,  as  there  is  a  faithful  Continuance  to  depend  wholly 
upon  the  Almighty  Arm,  from  one  Generation  to  another, 
the  peaceable  Kingdom  will  gradually  be  extended  "  from 
Sea  to  Sea,  and  from  the  River  to  the  Ends  of  the  Earth." 
Zech,  ix.  10.  to  the  Completion  of  those  Prophecies 
already  begun,  that  "  Nation  shall  not  lift  up  a  Sword 
against  Nation,  nor  learn  War  any  more."  Isa.  ii.  4. 
Micah  iv.  3. 

And,  dearly  beloved  Friends,  seeing  we  have  these 
Promises,  and  believe  that  God  is  beginning  to  fulfil 
them,  let  us  constantly  endeavour  to  have  our  Minds 
sufficiently  disintangled  from  the  surfeiting  Cares  of  this 
Life,  and  redeemed  from  the  Love  of  the  World,  that  no 


John  Woolman's  Journal  43 

earthly  Possessions  nor  Enjoyments  may  bias  our  Judg- 
ments, or  turn  us  from  that  Resignation,  and  entire  Trust 
in  God,  to  which  his  Blessing  is  most  surely  annexed; 
then  may  we  say,  "  Our  Redeemer  is  mighty,  he  will 
plead  our  Cause  for  us."  Jer.  1.  34.  And  if,  for  the  farther 
promoting  his  most  gracious  Purposes  in  the  Earth,  he 
should  give  us  to  taste  of  that  bitter  Cup  which  his 
faithful  Ones  have  often  partaken  of;  0!  that  we  may 
be  rightly  prepared  to  receive  it. 

And  now,  dear  Friends,  with  Respect  to  the  Commo- 
tions and  Stirrings  of  the  Powers  of  the  Earth  at  this 
Time  near  us,  we  are  desirous  that  none  of  us  may  be 
moved  thereat;  "  but  repose  ourselves  in  the  Munition 
of  that  Rock  that  all  these  Shakings  shall  not  move,  even 
in  the  Knowledge  and  Feeling  of  the  eternal  Power  of 
God,  keeping  us  subjectly  given  up  to  his  heavenly  Will, 
and  feel  it  daily  to  mortify  that  which  remains  in  any  of 
us  which  is  of  this  World;  for  the  worldly  Part,  in  any, 
is  the  changeable  Part,  and  that  is  up  and  down,  full  and 
empty,  joyful  and  sorrowful,  as  Things  go  well  or  ill  in 
this  World;  for  as  the  Truth  is  but  one,  and  many  are 
made  Partakers  of  its  Spirit,  so  the  World  is  but  one, 
and  many  are  made  Partakers  of  the  Spirit  of  it;  and 
so  many  as  do  partake  of  it,  so  many  will  be  straitened 
and  perplexed  with  it:  But  they  who  are  single  to  the 
Truth,  waiting  daily  to  feel  the  Life  and  Virtue  of  it  in 
their  Hearts,  these  shall  rejoice  in  the  midst  of  Adver- 
sity," and  have  to  experience,  with  the  Prophet,  that 
"  Although  the  Fig-tree  shall  not  blossom,  neither  shall 
Fruit  be  in  the  Vines;  the  Labour  of  the  Olive  shall  fail, 
and  the  Fields  shall  yield  no  Meat;  the  Flock  shall  be 
cut  off  from  the  Fold,  and  there  shall  be  no  Herd  m  the 
Stalls;  yet  will  they  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  and  joy  in  the 
God  of  their  Salvation."     Kah.  iii.  17,  18. 

If,  contrary  to  this,  we  profess  the  Truth,  and,  not 
living  under  the  Power  and  Influence  of  it,  are  producing 
Fruits  disagreeable  to  the  Purity  thereof,  and  trust  to 
the  Strength  of  Man  to  support  ourselves,  therein  our 
Confidence  will  be  vain.  For  he,  who  removed  the  Hedge 
from  his  Vineyard,  and  gave  it  to  be  trodden  under  Foot, 
E  402 


44  John  Woolman's  Journal 

by  reason  of  the  wild  Grapes  it  produced,  {Is a.  v.  5.) 
remains  unchangeable;  And  if,  for  the  Chastisement  of 
Wickedness,  and  the  farther  promoting  his  own  Glory,  he 
doth  arise,  even  to  shake  terribly  the  Earth,  who  then 
may  oppose  him,  and  prosper! 

We  remain,  in  the  Love  of  the  Gospel,  your  Friends 
and  Brethren. 

Signed  by  fourteen  Friends. 

^  Scrupling  to  do  Writings,  relative  to  keeping  Slaves, 

having  been  a  Means  of  sundry  small  Trials  to  me,  in 

which  I  have  so  evidently  felt  my  own  Will  set  aside,  I 

think  it  good  to  mention  a  few  of  them. — Tradesmen  and 

Retailers  of  Goods,  who  depend  on  their  Business  for  a 

Living,  are  naturally  inclined  to  keep  the  Good-will  of 

their  Customers;    nor  is  it  a  pleasant  Thing  for  young 

Men  to  be  under  any  Necessity  to  question  the  Judgment 

or  Honesty  of  elderly  Men,  and  more  especially  of  such 

as  have  a  fair  Reputation.     Deep-rooted  Customs,  though 

wrong,  are  not  easily  altered;  but  it  is  the  Duty  of  every 

one  to  be  firm  in  that  which  they  certainly  know  is  right 

for  them.    A  charitable  benevolent  Man,  well  acquainted 

with  a  Negro,  may,  I  believe,  under  some  Circumstances, 

keep  him  in  his  Family  as  a  Servant,  from  no  other 

Motives  than  the  Negro's  Good ;  but  Man,  as  Man,  knows 

not  what  shall  be  after  him,  nor  hath  Assurance  that  his 

Children  will  attain  to  that  Perfection  in  Wisdom  and 

Goodness  necessary  rightly  to  exercise  such  Power:   It  is 

clear  to  me,  that  I  ought  not  to  be  the  Scribe  where  Wills 

are  drawn,  in  which  some  Children  are  made  absolute 

Masters  over  others  during  Life. 

About  this  Time,  an  ancient  Man,  of  good  Esteem  in 
the  Neighbourhood,  came  to  my  House  to  get  his  Will 
written;  he  had  young  Negroes;  and  I  asked  him 
privately,  how  he  purposed  to  dispose  of  them  ?  He  told 
me:  I  then  said,  I  cannot  write  thy  Will  without  break- 
ing my  own  Peace ;  and  respectfully  gave  him  my  Reasons 
for  it:  He  signified  that  he  had  a  Choice  that  I  should 
have  written  it;  but  as  I  could  not,  consistent  with  my 
Conscience,  he  did  not  desire  it :   And  so  he  got  it  written 


John  Woolman's  Journal  45 

by  some  other  Person.  And,  a  few  Years  after,  there 
being  great  Alterations  in  his  Family,  he  came  again  to 
get  me  to  write  his  Will:  His  Negroes  were  yet  young; 
and  his  Son,  to  whom  he  intended  to  give  them,  was, 
since  he  first  spoke  to  me,  from  a  Libertine,  become  a 
sober  young  Man;  and  he  supposed,  that  I  would  have 
been  free,  on  that  Account,  to  write  it.  We  had  much 
friendly  Talk  on  the  Subject,  and  then  deferred  it:  A 
few  Days  after,  he  came  again,  and  directed  their  Free- 
dom; and  then  I  wrote  his  Will. 

Near  the  Time  the  last-mentioned  Friend  first  spoke  to 
me,  a  Neighbour  received  a  bad  Bruise  in  his  Body,  and 
sent  for  meYto  bleed  him;  which  being  done,  he  desired 
meto  write  his  Will:  I  took  Notes;  and,  amongst  other 
Things,  he  told  me  to  which  of  his  Children  he  gave  his 
young  Negro:  I  considered  the  Pain  and  Distress  he  was 
in,  and  knew  not  how  it  would  end;  so  I  wrote  his  Will, 
save  only  that  Part  concerning  his  Slave,  and  carrying  it 
to  his  Bed  side,  read  it  to  him;  and  then  told  him,  in  a 
friendly  Way,  that  I  could  not  write  any  Instruments  by 
which  my  Fellow-creatures  were  made  Slaves,  without 
bringing  Trouble  on  my  own  Mind:  I  let  him  know  that 
I  charged  nothing  for  what  I  had  done;  and  desired  to 
be  excused  from  doing  the  other  Part  in  the  Way  he 
proposed:  We  then  had  a  serious  Conference  on  the 
Subject;  at  length  he  agreeing  to  set  her  free,  I  finished 
his  Will.  J 

Having  found  Drawings  in  my  Mind  to  visit  Friends 
on  Long-Island,  after  obtaining  a  Certificate  from  our 
Monthly-meeting,  I  set  off  on  the  twelfth  Day  of  the 
fifth  Month,  in  the  Year  1756.  When  I  reached  the 
Island,  I  lodged  the  first  Night  at  the  House  of  my  dear 
Friend,  Richard  Hallet;  the  next  Day,  being  the  first 
of  the  Week,  I  was  at  the  Meeting  in  New-town  ;  in  which 
we  experienced  the  renewed  Manifestations  of  the  Love 
of  Jesus  Christ,  to  the  Comfort  of  the  honest-hearted.  I 
went  that  Night  to  Flushing;  and  the  next  Day,  in 
Company  with  my  beloved  Friend,  Matthew  Franklin, 
we  crossed  the  Ferry  at  White-stone  ;  were  at  three  Meet- 
ings on  the  Main,  and  then  returned  to  the  Island;  where 


46  John  Woolman's  Journal 

I  spent  the  Remainder  of  the  Week  in  visiting  Meetings. 
The  Lord,  I  believe,  hath  a  People  in  those  Parts,  who 
are  honestly  inclined  to  serve  him;  but  many,  I  fear,  are 
too  much  clogged  with  the  Things  of  this  Life,  and  do 
not  come  forward  bearing  the  Cross  in  such  Faithfulness 
as  he  calls  for. 

My  Mind  was  deeply  engaged  in  this  Visit,  both  in 
publick  and  private;  and,  at  several  Places,  observing 
that  they  had  Slaves,  I  found  myself  under  a  Necessity 
in  a  friendly  Way,  to  labour  with  them  on  that  Subject; 
expressing,  as  Way  opened,  the  Inconsistency  of  that 
Practice  with  the  Purity  of  the  Christian  Religion,  and 
the  ill  Effects  of  it  manifested  amongst  us. 

The  Latter-end  of  the  Week,  their  Yearly-meeting 
began;  at  which  were  our  Friends  John  Scarborough, 
Jane  Hoskins,  and  Susanna  Brown,  from  Pennsyl- 
vania :  The  publick  Meetings  were  large,  and  measurably 
favoured  with  divine  Goodness. 

The  Exercise  of  my  Mind,  at  this  Meeting,  was  chiefly 
on  Account  of  those  who  were  considered  as  the  foremost 
Rank  in  the  Society;  and,,  in  a  Meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders,  Way  opened,-  that  I  expressed  in  some  Measure 
what  lay  upon  me;  and,  at  a  Time  when  Friends  were 
met  for  transacting  the  Affairs  of  the  Church,  having  set 
a  while  silent,  I  felt  a  Weight  on  my  Mind,  and  stood 
up;  and,  through  the  gracious  Regard  of  our  heavenly 
Father,  Strength  was  given  fully  to  clear  myself  of  a 
Burthen,  which,  for  some  Days,  had  been  increasing 
upon  me. 

^  Through  the  humbling  Dispensations  of  divine  Provi- 
dence, Men  are  sometimes  fitted  for  his  Service.  The 
Messages  of  the  Prophet  Jeremiah,  were  so  disagreeable 
to  the  People,  and  so  reverse  to  the  Spirit  they  lived  in, 
that  he  became  the  Object  of  their  Reproach;  and,  in 
the  Weakness  of  Nature,  thought  of  desisting  from  his 
prophetic  Office;  but,  saith  he,  "  His  Word  was  in  my 
Heart  as  a  burning  Fire  shut  up  in  my  Bones ;  and  I  was 
weary  with  forbearing,  and  could  not  stay."  I  saw  at 
this  Time,  that  if  I  was  honest  in  declaring  that  which 
Truth  opened  in  me,  I  could  not  please  all  Men;    and 


John  Woolman's  Journal  47 

laboured  to  be  content  in  the  Way  of  my  Duty,  however 
disagreeable  to  my  own  Inclination  .T  After  this  I  went 
homeward,  taking  Woodbridge,  a.ndPtatnfield  in  my  Way  ; 
in  both  which  Meetings,  the  pure  Influence  of  divine  Love 
was  manifested;  in  an  humbling  Sense  whereof  I  went 
Home,  having  been  out  about  twenty-four  Days,  and 
rode  about  three  hundred  and  sixteen  Miles. 

While  I  was  out  on  this  Journey,  my  Heart  was  much 
affected  with  a  Sense  of  the  State  of  the  Churches  in  our 
southern  Provinces;  and,  believing  the  Lord  was  calling 
me  to  some  farther  Labour  amongst  them,  I  was  bowed 
in  Reverence  before  him,  with  fervent  Desires  that  I 
might  find  Strength  to  resign  myself  up  to  his  heavenly 
Will. 

Until  this  Year,  1756,  I  continued  to  retail  Goods, 
besides  following  my  Trade  as  a  Taylor;  about  which 
Time,  I  grew  uneasy  on  Account  of  my  Business  growing 
too  cumbersome:  I  had  begun  with  selling  Trimmings 
for  Garments,  and  from  thence  proceeded  to  sell  Cloths 
and  Linens;  and,  at  length,  having  got  a  considerable 
Shop  of  Goods,  my  Trade  increased  every  Year,  and  the 
Road  to  large  Business  appeared  open;  but  I  felt  a  Stop 
in  my  Mind. 

Through  the  Mercies  of  the  Almighty,  I  had,  in  a  good 
degree,  learned  to  be  content  with  a  plain  Way  of  Living : 
I  had  but  a  small  Family ;  and,  on  serious  Consideration, 
I  believed  Truth  did  not  require  me  to  engage  in  much 
cumbering  Affairs:  It  had  been  my  general  Practice  to 
buy  and  sell  Things  really  useful:  Things  that  served 
chiefly  to  please  the  vain  Mind  in  People,  I  was  not  easy 
to  trade  in;  seldom  did  it;  and,  whenever  I  did,  I  found 
it  weaken  me  as  a  Christian. 

The  Increase  of  Business  became  my  Burthen;  for, 
though  my  natural  Inclination  was  toward  Merchandize, 
yet  I  believed  Truth  required  me  to  live  more  free  from 
outward  Cumbers:  and  there  was  now  a  Strife  in  my 
Mind  between  the  two;  and  in  this  Exercise  my  Prayers 
were  put  up  to  the  Lord,  who  graciously  heard  me,  and 
gave  me  a  Heart  resigned  to  his  holy  Will:  Then  I 
lessened  my  outward  Business;    and,  as  I  had  Oppor- 


48  John  Woolman*s  Journal 

tunity,  told  my  Customers  of  my  Intention,  that  they 
might  consider  what  Shop  to  turn  to:  And,  in  a  while, 
wholly  laid  down  Merchandize,  following  my  Trade,  as  a 
Taylor,  myself  only,  having  no  Apprentice.  I  also  had 
a  Nursery  of  Appletrees;  in  which  I  employed  some  of 
my  Time  in  hoeing,  grafting,  trimming,  and  inoculating. 
In  Merchandize  it  is  the  Custom,  where  I  lived,  to  sell 
chiefly  on  Credit,  and  poor  People  often  get  in  Debt; 
and  when  Payment  is  expected,  not  having  wherewith  to 
pay,  their  Creditors  often  sue  for  it  at  Law.  Having 
often  observed  Occurrences  of  this  Kind,  I  found  it  good 
for  me  to  advise  poor  People  to  take  such  Goods  as  were 
most  useful  and  not  costly. 

In  the  Time  of  Trading,  I  had  an  Opportunity  of 
seeing,  that  the  too  liberal  Use  of  spirituous  Liquors,  and 
the  Custom  of  wearing  too  costly  Apparel,  led  some 
People  into  great  Inconveniences;  and  these  two  Things 
appear  to  be  often  connected;  for,  by  not  attending  to 
that  Use  of  Things  which  is  consistent  with  universal 
Righteousness,  there  is  an  Increase  of  Labour  which 
extends  beyond  what  our  heavenly  Father  intends  for  us : 
And  by  great  Labour,  and  often  by  much  Sweating,  there 
is,  even  among  such  as  are  not  Drunkards,  a  craving  of 
some  Liquors  to  revive  the  Spirits;  that,  partly  by  the 
luxurious  Drinking  of  some,  and  partly  by  the  Drinking 
of  others  (led  to  it  through  immoderate  Labour),  very 
great  Quantities  of  Rum  are  every  Year  expended  in  our 
Colonies;  the  greater  Part  of  which  we  should  have  no 
Need  of,  did  we  steadily  attend  to  pure  Wisdom. 

Where  Men  take  Pleasure  in  feeling  their  Minds  elevated 
with  Strong-drink,  and  so  indulge  their  Appetite  as  to 
disorder  their  Understandings,  neglect  their  Duty  as 
Members  in  a  Family  or  Civil  Society,  and  cast  off  all 
Regard  to  Religion,  their  Case  is  much  to  be  pitied;  and 
where  such,  whose  Lives  are  for  the  most  Part  regular, 
and  whose  Examples  have  a  strong  Influence  on  the 
Minds  of  others,  adhere  to  some  Customs  which  power- 
fully draw  to  the  Use  of  more  Strong-liquor  than  pure 
Wisdom  allows;   this  alsOj  as  it  hinders  the  spreading  of 


John  Woolman's  Journal  49 

the  Spirit  of  Meekness,  and  strengthens  the  Hands  of  the 
more  excessive  Drinkers,  is  a  Case  to  be  lamented. 

As  every  Degree  of  Luxury  hath  some  Connection  with 
Evil,  those  who  profess  to  be  Disciples  of  Christ,  and  are 
looked  upon  as  Leaders  of  the  People,  should  have  that 
Mind  in  them  which  was  also  in  Christ,  and  so  stand 
separate  from  every  wrong  Way,  as  a  Means  of  Help 
to  the  Weaker.  As  I  have  sometimes  been  much  spent 
in  the  Heat,  and  taken  Spirits  to  revive  me,  I  have  found,  ' 
by  Experience,  that  in  such  Circumstances  the  Mind  is 
not  so  calm,  norjso  fitly  disposed  for  divine  Meditation, 
as  when  all  such  Extremes  are  avoided;  and  I  have  felt 
an  increasing  Care  to  attend  to  that  holy  Spirit  which 
sets  Bounds  to  our  Desires,  and  leads  those,  who  faith- 
fully follow  it,  to  apply  all  the  Gifts  of  divine  Providence 
to  the  Purposes  for  which  they  were  intended.  Did  such, 
as  have  the  Care  of  great  Estates,  attend  with  Singleness 
of  Heart  to  this  heavenly  Instructor,  which  so  opens  and 
enlarges  the  Mind,  that  Men  love  their  Neighbours  as 
themselves,  they  would  have  Wisdom  given  them  to 
manage,  without  finding  Occasion  to  employ  some  People  ^ 
in  the  Luxuries  of  Life,  or  to  make  it  necessary  for  others 
to  labour  too  hard;  but,  for  want  of  steadily  regarding 
this  Principle  of  divine  Love,  a  selfish  Spirit  takes  Place 
in  the  Minds  of  People,  which  is  attended  with  Darkness 
and  manifold  Confusion  in  the  World. 

Though  trading  in  Things  useful  is  an  honest  Employ; 
yet,  through  the  great  Number  of  Superfluities  which 
are  bought  and  sold,  and  through  the  Corruption  of  the  . 

Times,  they,  who  apply  to  merchandize  for  a  Living,       V 
have  great  Need  to  be  well  experienced  in  that  Precept 
which  the  Prophet  Jeremiah  laid  down  for  his  Scribe: 
"  Seekest  thou  great  Things  for  thyself?  seek  them  not." 

In  the  Winter,  this  Year,  I  was  engaged  with  Friends 
in  visiting  Families;  and,  through  the  Goodness  of  the 
Lord,  we  had  oftentimes  Experience  of  his  Heart-tender- 
ing Presence  amongst  us. 


50  John  Woolman's  Journal 


A  Copy  of  a  Letter  written  to  a  Friend. 

In  this  thy  late  Affliction  I  have  found  a  deep  Fellow- 
feeling  with  thee;  and  had  a  secret  Hope  throughout^ 
that  it  might  please  the  Father  of  Mercies  to  raise  thee 
up,  and  sanctify  thy  Troubles  to  thee;  that  thou,  being 
more  fully  acquainted  with  that  Way  which  the  World 
esteems  foolish,  mayst  feel  the  Clothing  of  divine  Forti- 
tude, and  be  strengthened  to  resist  that  Spirit  which  leads 
from  the  Simplicity  of  the  everlasting  Truth. 

We  may  see  ourselves  crippled  and  halting,  and,  from 
a  strong  Bias  to  Things  pleasant  and  easy,  find  an  Im- 
possibility to  advance  forward;  but  Things  impossible 
with  Men  are  possible  with  God;  and,  our  Wills  being 
made  subject  to  his,  all  Temptations  are  surmountable. 

This  Work  of  subjecting  the  Will  is  compared  to  the 
Mineral  in  the  Furnace;  "He  refines  them  as  Silver  is 
refined. — He  shall  sit  as  a  Refiner  and  Purifier  of  Silver." 
By  these  Comparisons  we  are  instructed  in  the  Necessity 
of  the  Operation  of  the  Hand  of  God  upon  us,  to  prepare 
our  Hearts  truly  to  adore  him,  and  manifest  that  Adora- 
tion, by  inwardly  turning  away  from  that  Spirit,  in  all 
its  Workings,  which  is  not  of  him.  To  forward  this  Work, 
the  all-wise  God  is  sometimes  pleased,  through  outward 
Distress,  to  bring  us  near  the  Gates  of  Death;  that.  Life 
being  painful  and  afflicting,  and  the  Prospect  of  Eternity 
open  before  us,  all  earthly  Bonds  may  be  loosened,  and 
the  Mind  prepared  for  that  deep  and  sacred  Instruction, 
which  otherwise  would  not  be  received.  If  Parents  love 
their  Children  and  delight  in  their  Happiness,  then  he, 
who  is  perfect  Goodness,  in  sending  abroad  mortal  Con- 
tagions, doth  assuredly  direct  their  Use:  Are  the 
Righteous  removed  by  it?  Their  Change  is  happy:  Are 
the  Wicked  taken  away  in  their  Wickedness?  The 
Almighty  is  clear:  Do  we  pass  through  with  Anguish 
and  great  Bitterness,  and  yet  recover,  he  intends  that 
we  should  be  purged  from  Dross,  and  our  Ears  opened 
to  Discipline. 

And  now  that,  on  thy  Part,  after  thy  sore  Affliction 


John  Woolman's  Journal  5 1 

and  Doubts  of  Recovery,  thou  art  again  restored,  forget 
not  him  who  hath  helped  thee;  but  in  humble  Gratitude 
hold  fast  his  Instructions,  thereby  to  shun  those  By- 
paths which  lead  from  the  firm  Foundation.  I  am 
sensible  of  that  Variety  of  Company,  to  which  one  in  thy 
Business  must  be  exposed:  I  have  painfully  felt  the 
Force  of  Conversation  proceeding  from  Men  deeply  rooted 
in  an  earthly  Mind,  and  can  sympathize  with  others  in 
such  Conflicts,  in  that  much  Weakness  still  attends  me. 

I  find  that  to  be  a  Fool  as  to  worldly  Wisdom,  and 
commit  my  Cause  to  God,  not  fearing  to  offend  Men, 
who  take  Ofifence  at  the  Simplicity  of  Truth,  is  the  only 
Way  to  remain  unmoved  at  the  Sentiments  of  others. 

The  Fear  of  Man  brings  a  Snare;  by  halting  in  our 
Duty,  and  giving  back  in  the  Time  of  Trial,  our  Hands  ■ 
grow  weaker,  our  Spirits  get  mingled  with  the  People, 
our  Ears  grow  dull  as  to  hearing  the  Language  of  the  true 
Shepherd;  that  when  we  look  at  the  Way  of  the  Righteous, 
it  seems  as  though  it  was  not  for  us  to  follow  them. 

There  is  a  Love  clothes  my  Mind,  while  I  write,  which 
is  superior  to  all  Expressions;  and  I  find  my  Heart  open 
to  encourage  a  holy  Emulation,  to  advance  forward  in 
Christian  Firmness.  Deep  Humility  is  a  strong  Bulwark; 
and,  as  we  enter  into  it,  we  find  Safety:  The  Foolishness 
of  God  is  wiser  than  Man,  and  the  Weakness  of  God  is 
stronger  than  Man.  Being  unclothed  of  our  own  Wisdom, 
and  knowing  the  Abasement  of  the  Creature,  therein  we 
find  that  Power  to  arise,  which  gives  Health  and  Vigour 
to  us. 


CHAPTER  IV 

His  Journey  to  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  North- 
Carolina:  Considerations  on  the  State  of  Friends  there  ; 
and  the  Exercise  he  was  under  in  travelling  among  those 
so  generally  concerned  in  keeping  Slaves  :  With  some 
Observations  in  Conversation,  at  several  Times,  on  this 
Subject — His  Epistle  to  Friends  at  New-Garden  and  Cane- 
Creek — His  Thoughts  on  the  Neglect  of  a  religious  Care  in 
the  Education  of  the  Negroes 

Feeling  an  Exercise  in  Relation  to  a  Visit  to  the  southern 
Provinces,  I  acquainted  our  Monthly-meeting  therewith, 
and  obtained  their  Certificate:  Expecting  to  go  alone, 
one  of  my  Brothers,  who  lived  in  Philadelphia,  having 
some  Business  in  North-Carolina,  proposed  going  with  me 
Part  of  the  Way;  but,  as  he  had  a  View  of  some  outward 
Affairs,  to  accept  of  him  as  a  Companion  seemed  some 
Difficulty  with  me,  whereupon  I  had  Conversation  with 
him  at  sundry  Times;  and,  at  length,  feeling  easy  in  my 
Mind,  I  had  Conversation  with  several  elderly  Friends 
of  Philadelphia  on  the  Subject;  and  he  obtaining  a 
Certificate  suitable  to  the  Occasion,  we  set  off  in  the  fifth 
Month  of  the  Year  1757;  and,  coming  to  Nottingham 
Week-day  Meeting,  lodged  at  John  Churchman's;  and 
here  I  met  with  our  Friend  Benjamin  Buffington,  from 
New-England,  who  was  returning  from  a  Visit  to  the 
southern  Provinces.  Thence  we  crossed  the  River  Susgue- 
hannah,  and  lodged  at  William  Cox's  in  Maryland  ;  and, 
soon  after  I  entered  this  Province,  a  deep  and  painful 
Exercise  came  upon  me,  which  I  often  had  some  Feeling 
of  since  my  Mind  was  drawn  towards  these  Parts,  and 
with  which  I  had  acquainted  my  Brother  before  we 
agreed  to  join  as  Companions. 

As  the  People  in  this  and  the  southern  Provinces  live 
much  on  the  Labour  of  Slaves,  many  of  whom  are  used 
hardly,  my  Concern  was,  that  I  might  attend  with  Single- 

52 


John  Woolman's  Journal  53 

ness  of  Heart  to  the  Voice  of  the  true  Shepherd,  and  be 
so  supported  as  to  remain  unmoved  at  the  Faces  of  Men. 

The  Prospect  of  so  weighty  a  Work  brought  me  very- 
low;  and  such  were  the  Conflicts  of  my  Soul,  that  I  had 
a  near  Sympathy  with  the  Prophet,  in  the  Time  of  his 
Weakness,  when  he  said,  "  If  thou  deal  thus  with  me, 
kill  me,  I  pray  thee,  if  I  have  found  Favour  in  thy  Sight," 
Numb.  xi.  15.  But  I  soon  saw  that  this  proceeded  from 
the  Want  of  a  full  Resignation  to  the  divine  Will.  Many 
were  the  Afflictions  which  attended  me;  and  in  great 
Abasement,  with  many  Tears,  my  Cries  were  to  the 
Almighty,  for  his  gracious  and  Fatherly  Assistance;  and 
then,  after  a  Time  of  deep  Trial,  I  was  favoured  to  under- 
stand the  State  mentioned  by  the  Psalmist,  more  clearly 
than  ever  I  had  before;  to  wit:  "  My  Soul  is  even  as  a 
weaned  Child."  Psalm  cxxxi.  2.  Being  thus  helped  to 
sink  down  into  Resignation,  I  felt  a  Deliverance  from 
that  Tempest  in  which  I  had  been  sorely  exercised,  and 
in  Calmness  of  Mind  went  forward,  trusting  that  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  as  I  faithfully  attended  to  him,  would  be  a 
CounseUor  to  me  in  all  Difficulties. 

The  seventh  Day  of  the  fifth  Month,  in  the  Year  1757, 
I  lodged  at  a  Friend's  House;  and  the  next  Day,  being 
the  first  of  the  Week,  was  at  Potapsco  Meeting;  then 
crossed  Patuxeni  River,  and  lodged  at  a  Public-house. 
On  the  ninth  breakfasted  at  a  Friend's  House ;  who,  after- 
ward, putting  us  a  little  on  our  Way,  I  had  Conversation 
with  him,  in  the  Fear  of  the  Lord,  concerning  his  Slaves ; 
in  which  my  Heart  was  tender,  and  I  used  much  Plain- 
ness of  Speech  with  him,  which  he  appeared  to  take 
kindly.  We  pursued  our  Journey  without  appointing 
Meetings,  being  pressed  in  Mind  to  be  at  the  Yearly- 
meeting  in  Virginia;  and,  in  my  travelling  on  the  Road, 
I  often  felt  a  Cry  rise  from  the  Center  of  my  Mind,  thus: 
O  Lord,  I  am  a  Stranger  on  the  Earth,  hide  not  thy  Face 
from  me. 

On  the  eleventh  Day  of  the  fifth  Month,  we  crossed 
the  Rivers  Patowmack  and  Rapahannock,  and  lodged  at 
Port-Royal;  and  on  the  Way  we  happening  in  Com- 
pany with  a  Colonel  of  the  Militia,  who  appeared  to 


54  John  Woolman's  Journal 

be  a  thoughtful  Man,  I  took  Occasion  to  remark  on  the 
Difference  in  general  betwixt  a  People  used  to  labour 
moderately  for  their  Living,  training  up  their  Children 
in  Frugality  and  Business,  and  thooc  who  live  on  the 
Labour  of  Slaves ;  the  former,  in  my  View,  being  the  most 
happy  Life :  With  which  he  concurred,  and  mentioned  the 
Trouble  arising  from  the  untoward,  slothful.  Disposition 
of  the  Negroes;  adding,  that  one  of  our  Labourers  would 
do  as  much  in  a  Day  as  two  of  their  Slaves.  I  replied, 
that  free  Men,  whose  Minds  were  properly  on  their 
Business,  found  a  Satisfaction  in  improving,  cultivating, 
and  providing  for  their  Families;  but  Negroes,  labouring 
to  support  others  who  claim  them  as  their  Property,  and 
expecting  nothing  but  Slavery  during  Life,  had  not  the 
like  Inducement  to  be  industrious. 

After  some  farther  Conversation,  I  said,  that  Men 
having  Power  too  often  misapplied  it;  that  though  we 
made  Slaves  of  the  Negroes,  and  the  Turks  made  Slaves 
of  the  Christians,  I  believed  that  Liberty  was  the  natural 
Right  of  all  Men  equally:  Which  he  did  not  deny;  but 
said,  the  Lives  of  the  Negroes  were  so  wretched  in  their 
own  Country,  that  many  of  them  lived  better  here  than 
there:  I  only  said,  there  are  great  odds,  in  regard  to  us, 
on  what  Principle  we  act;  and  so  the  Conversation  on 
that  Subject  ended:  And  I  may  here  add,  that  another 
Person,  some  Time  afterward,  mentioned  the  Wretched- 
ness of  the  Negroes,  occasioned  by  their  intestine  Wars, 
as  an  Argument  in  Favour  of  our  fetching  them  away 
for  Slaves :  To  which  I  then  replied,  if  Compassion  on  the 
Africans,  in  Regard  to  their  domestic  Troubles,  were  the 
real  Motive  of  our  purchasing  them,  that  Spirit  of  Tender- 
ness, being  attended  to,  would  incite  us  to  use  them 
kindly ;  that,  as  Strangers  brought  out  of  Affliction,  their 
Lives  might  be  happy  among  us;  and  as  they  are  human 
Creatures,  whose  Souls  are  as  precious  as  ours,  and  who 
may  receive  the  same  Help  and  Comfort  from  the  holy 
Scriptures  as  we  do,  we  could  not  omit  suitable  En- 
^  deavours  to  instruct  them  therein :  But  while  we  manifest, 
^  by  our  Conduct,  that  our  Views  in  purchasing  them  are 
to  advance  ourselves ;    and  while  our  buying  Captives 


John  Woolman's  Journal  55 

taken  in  War  animates  those  Parties  to  push  on  that 
War,  and  increase  Desolation  amongst  them,  to  say  they 
live  unhappy  in  Africa,  is  far  from  being  an  Argument  in 
our  Favour:    And  I  farther  said,  the  present  Circum- 
stances of  these  Provinces  to  me  appear  difficult;    that 
the  Slaves  look  like  a  burthensome  Stone  to  such  who 
burthen  themselves  with  them;    and  that  if  the  white 
People    retain   a   Resolution    to   prefer    their   outward 
Prospects  of  Gain  to  all  other  Considerations,  and  do  ' 
not  act  conscientiously  toward  them  as  fellow  Creatures,     ^ 
I  believe  that  Burthen  will  grow  heavier  and  heavier,  till         , 
Times  change  in  a  Way  disagreeable  to  us :  At  which  the         \y 
Person  appeared  very  serious,  and  owned,  that,  in  con- 
sidering their  Condition,  and  the  Manner  of  their  Treat- 
ment in  these  Provinces,  he  had  sometimes  thought  it 
might  be  just  in  the  Almighty  so  to  order  it. 

Having  thus  travelled  through  Maryland,  we  came 
amongst  Friends  at  Cedar-Creek  in  Virginia,  on  the 
12th  Day  of  the  fifth  Month;  and  the  next  Day  rode, 
in  Company  with  several  Friends,  a  Day's  Journey  to 
Camp-Creek.  As  I  was  riding  along  in  the  Morning,  my 
Mind  was  deeply  affected  in  a  Sense  I  had  of  the  Want  of 
divine  Aid  to  support  me  in  the  various  Difficulties  which 
attended  me;  and,  in  an  uncommon  Distress  of  Mind, 
I  cried  in  secret  to  the  Most  High,  0  Lord,  be  merciful,  I 
beseech  thee,  to  thy  poor  afflicted  Creature.  After  some 
Time,  I  felt  inward  Relief;  and,  soon  after,  a  Friend  in 
Company  began  to  talk  in  Support  of  the  Slave-Trade, 
and  said,  the  Negroes  were  understood  to  be  the  Off- 
spring of  Cain,  their  Blackness  being  the  Mark  God  set 
upon  him  after  he  murdered  Abel  his  Brother;  that  it 
was  the  Design  of  Providence  they  should  be  Slaves,  as  a 
Condition  proper  to  the  Race  of  so  wicked  a  Man  as  Cain 
was:  Then  another  spake  in  Support  of  what  had  been 
said.  To  all  which,  I  replied  in  Substance  as  follows: 
That  Noah  and  his  Family  were  all  who  survived  the 
Flood,  according  to  Scripture;  and,  as  Noah  was  of  Sethis 
Race,  the  Family  of  Cain  was  wholly  destroyed.  One 
of  them  said,  that  after  the  Flood  Ham  went  to  the  Land 
of  Nod,  and  took  a  Wife;  that  Nod  was  a  Land  far  distant, 


56  John  Woolman's  Journal 

inhabited  by  Cain's  Race,  and  that  the  Flood  did  not 
reach  it;  and  as  Ham  was  sentenced  to  be  a  Servant  of 
Servants  to  his  Brethren,  these  two  FamiHes,  being  thus 
joined,  were  undoubtedly  fit  only  for  Slaves.  I  replied, 
the  Flood  was  a  Judgment  upon  the  World  for  its 
Abominations;  and  it  was  granted,  that  Cain^s  Stock 
was  the  most  wicked,  and  therefore  unreasonable  to 
suppose  they  were  spared:  As  to  Ham^s  going  to  the 
Land  of  Nod  for  a  Wife,  no  Time  being  fixed.  Nod  might 
be  inhabited  by  some  of  Noah's  Family,  before  Ham 
married  a  second  Time;  moreover  the  Text  saith,  "  That 
all  Flesh  died  that  moved  upon  the  Earth."  Gen.  vii.  21. 
I  farther  reminded  them,  how  the  Prophets  repeatedly 
declare,  "  That  the  Son  shall  not  suffer  for  the  Iniquity 
of  the  Father;  but  every  one  be  answerable  for  his  own 
Sins."  I  was  troubled  to  perceive  the  Darkness  of  their 
Imaginations;  and  in  some  Pressure  of  Spirit  said,  the 
Love  of  Ease  and  Gain  is  the  Motive  in  general  for 
keeping  Slaves,  and  Men  are  wont  to  take  hold  of  weak 
Arguments  to  support  a  Cause  which  is  unreasonable; 
and  added,  I  have  no  Interest  on  either  Side,  save  only 
the  Interest  which  I  desire  to  have  in  the  Truth:  And  as 
I  believe  Liberty  is  their  Right,  and  see  they  are  not 
only  deprived  of  it,  but  treated  in  other  Respects  with 
Inhumanity  in  many  Places,  I  believe  he,  who  is  a  Refuge 
for  the  Oppressed,  will,  in  his  own  Time,  plead  their 
Cause;  and  happy  will  it  be  for  such  as  walk  in  Up- 
rightness before  him:  And  thus  our  Conversation  ended. 
On  the  fourteenth  Day  of  the  fifth  Month  I  was  at 
Camp-Creek  Monthly-meeting,  and  then  rode  to  the 
Mountains  up  James-River,  and  had  a  Meeting  at  a 
Friend's  House;  in  both  which  I  felt  Sorrow  of  Heart, 
and  my  Tears  were  poured  out  before  the  Lord,  who  was 
pleased  to  afford  a  Degree  of  Strength,  by  which  Way  was 
opened  to  clear  my  Mind  amongst  Friends  in  those  Places. 
From  thence  I  went  to  Fort-Creek,  and  so  to  Cedar-Creek 
again;  at  which  Place  I  had  a  Meeting;  here  I  found  a 
tender  Seed:  And  as  I  was  preserved  in  the  Ministry  to 
keep  low  with  the  Truth,  the  same  Truth  in  their  Hearts 
answered  it,  that  it  was  a  Time  of  mutual  Refreshment 


John  Woolman's  Journal  57 

from  the  Presence  of  the  Lord.  I  lodged  at  James 
Standley's,  Father  of  William  Standley,  one  of  the 
young  Men  who  suffered  Imprisonment  at  Winchester, 
last  Summer,  on  Account  of  their  Testimony  against 
Fighting;  and  I  had  some  satisfactory  Conversation  with 
him  concerning  it.  Hence  I  went  to  the  Swamp  Meeting, 
and  to  Wayanoke  Meeting;  and  then  crossed  James- 
River,  and  lodged  near  Burleigh.  From  the  Time  of  my 
entering  Maryland  I  had  been  much  under  Sorrow,  which 
so  increased  upon  me,  that  my  Mind  was  almost  over- 
whelmed; and  I  may  say  with  the  Psalmist,  "  In  my 
Distress  I  called  upon  the  Lord,  and  cried  to  my  God;  " 
who,  in  infinite  Goodness,  looked  upon  my  Affliction,  and 
in  my  private  Retirement  sent  the  Comforter  for  my 
Relief:  For  which  I  humbly  bless  his  holy  Name. 

The  Sense  I  had  of  the  State  of  the  Churches  brought 
a  Weight  of  Distress  upon  me :  The  Gold  to  me  appeared 
dim,  and  the  fine  Gold  changed;  and  though  this  is  the 
Case  too  generally,  yet  the  Sense  of  it  in  these  Parts 
hath,  in  a  particular  Manner,  borne  heavy  upon  me.  It 
appeared  to  me,  that,  through  the  prevailing  of  the 
Spirit  of  this  World,  the  Minds  of  many  were  brought  to 
an  inward  Desolation;  and,  instead  of  the  Spirit  of  Meek- 
ness, Gentleness,  and  heavenly  Wisdom,  which  are  the 
necessary  Companions  of  the  true  Sheep  of  Christ,  a 
Spirit  of  Fierceness,  and  the  Love  of  Dominion,  too 
generally  prevailed.  From  small  Beginnings  in  Errors, 
great  Buildings,  by  degrees,  are  raised;  and  from  one 
Age  to  another  are  more  and  more  strengthened  by  the 
general  Concurrence  of  the  People:  and,  as  Men  obtain 
Reputation  by  their  Profession  of  the  Truth,  their  Virtues 
are  mentioned  as  Arguments  in  Favour  of  general  Error, 
and  those  of  less  Note,  to  justify  themselves,  say,  such 
and  such  good  Men  did  the  like.  By  what  other  Steps 
could  the  People  of  Judah  arise  to  that  Height  in  Wicked- 
ness, as  to  give  just  Ground  for  the  Prophet  Isaiah  to 
declare,  in  the  Name  of  the  Lord,  "  that  none  calleth  for 
Justice,  nor  any  pleadeth  for  Truth."  Isaiah  lix.  4.  Or 
for  the  Almighty  to  call  upon  the  great  City  of  Jerusalem, 
just  before  the  Babylonish  Captivity :   "If  ye  can  find  a 


58  John  Woolman's  Journal 

Man,  if  there  be  any  who  executeth  Judgment,  that 
seeketh  the  Truth,  and  I  will  pardon  it."  Jer.  v.  i. 
The  Prospect  of  a  Road  lying  open  to  the  same  De- 
generacy, in  some  Parts  of  this  newly-settled  Land  of 
America,  in  Respect  to  our  Conduct  toward  the  Negroes, 
deeply  bowed  my  Mind  in  this  Journey;  and,  though, 
to  briefly  relate  how  these  People  are  treated  is  no  agree- 
able Work;  yet,  after  often  reading  over  the  Notes  I 
made  as  I  travelled,  I  find  my  Mind  engaged  to  preserve 
them.  Many  of  the  white  People  in  those  Provinces  take 
little  or  no  Care  of  Negro  Marriages;  and,  when  Negroes 
marry  after  their  own  Way,  some  make  so  little  Account 
■of  those  Marriages,  that,  with  Views  of  outward  Interest, 
they  often  part  Men  from  their  Wives  by  selling  them  far 
asunder;  which  is  common  when  Estates  are  sold  by 
Executors  at  Vendue.  Many,  whose  Labour  is  heavy, 
being  followed,  at  their  Business  in  the  Field,  by  a  Man 
with  a  Whip,  hired  for  that  Purpose,  have,  in  common, 
little  else  allowed  but  one  Peck  of  Indian  Corn  and  some 
Salt  for  one  Week,  with  a  few  Potatoes;  the  Potatoes 
they  commonly  raise  by  their  Labour  on  the  first  Day  of 
the  Week. 

The  Correction,  ensuing  on  their  Disobedience  to  Over- 
:seers,  or  Slothfulness  in  Business,  is  often  very  severe, 
and  sometimes  desperate. 

The  Men  and  Women  have  many  Times  scarce  Clothes 
enough  to  hide  their  Nakedness,  and  Boys  and  Girls,  ten 
and  twelve  Years  old,  are  often  quite  naked  amongst 
their  Master's  Children:  Some  of  our  Society,  and  some 
of  the  Society  called  New-Lights,  use  some  Endeavours 
to  instruct  those  they  have  in  reading;  but,  in  common, 
this  is  not  only  neglected,  but  disapproved.  These  are 
the  People  by  whose  Labour  the  other  Inhabitants  are  in 
a  great  Measure  supported,  and  many  of  them  in  the 
Luxuries  of  Life:  These  are  the  People  who  have  made 
no  Agreement  to  serve  us,  and  who  have  not  forfeited 
their  Liberty  that  we  know  of :  These  are  Souls  for  whom 
Christ  died,  and,  for  our  Conduct  toward  them,  we  must 
answer  before  him  who  is  no  Respecter  of  Persons. 

They  who  know  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ 


John  Woolman's  Journal  59 

whom  he  hath  sent,  and  are  thus  acquainted  with  the 
merciful,  benevolent  Gospel  Spirit,  will  therein  perceive 
that  the  Indignation  of  God  is  kindled  against  Oppression 
and  Cruelty;  and,  in  beholding  the  great  Distress  of  so 
numerous  a  People,  will  find  Cause  for  Mourning. 

From  my  Lodging  I  went  to  Burleigh  Meeting,  where  I 
felt  my  Mind  drawn  into  a  quiet  resigned  State;  and, 
after  long  Silence,  I  felt  an  Engagement  to  stand  up; 
and,  through  the  powerful  Operation  of  divine  Love,  we 
were  favoured  with  an  edifying  Meeting.  The  next  Meet- 
ing we  had  was  at  Black-Water  ;  and  so  to  the  Yearly- 
meeting  at  the  western  Branch:  When  Business  began, 
some  Queries  were  considered,  by  some  of  their  Members, 
to  be  now  produced;  and,  if  approved,  to  be  answered 
hereafter  by  their  respective  Monthly-meetings.  They 
were  the  Pennsylvania  Queries,  which  had  been  examined 
by  a  Committee  of  Virginia  Yearly-meeting  appointed 
the  last  Year,  who  made  some  Alterations  in  them;  one 
of  which  Alterations  was  made  in  Favour  of  a  Custom 
which  troubled  me.  The  Query  was,  "  Are  there  any 
concerned  in  the  Importation  of  Negroes,  or  buying  them 
after  imported  ?  "  Which  they  altered  thus :  "  Are  there 
any  concerned  in  the  Importation  of  Negroes,  or  buying 
them  to  trade  in?  "  As  one  Query  admitted  with  Un- 
animity was,  "  Are  any  concerned  in  buying  or  vending 
Goods  unlawfully  imported,  or  prize  Goods  ?  "  I  found 
my  Mind  engaged  to  say,  that  as  we  professed  the  Truth, 
and  were  there  assembled  to  support  the  Testimony 
of  it,  it  was  necessary  for  us  to  dwell  deep,  and  act  in 
that  Wisdom  which  is  pure,  or  otherwise  we  could  not 
prosper.  I  then  mentioned  their  Alteration;  and,  refer- 
ring to  the  last-mentioned  Query,  added,  as  purchasing 
any  Merchandize,  taken  by  the  Sword,  was  always 
allowed  to  be  inconsistent  with  our  Principles;  Negroes 
being  Captives  of  War,  or  taken  by  Stealth,  those 
Circumstances  make  it  inconsistent  with  our  Testimony 
to  buy  them;  and  their  being  our  Fellow-creatures, 
who  are  sold  as  Slaves,  adds  greatly  to  the  Iniquity. 
Friends  appeared  attentive  to  what  was  said;  some 
expressed  a  Care  and  Concern  about  their  Negroes ;  none 

F  402 


6o  John  Woolman's  Journal 

made  any  Objection,  by  Way  of  Reply  to  what  I  said; 
but  the  Query  was  admitted  as  they  had  altered  it.  As 
some  of  their  Members  have  heretofore  traded  in  Negroes, 
as  in  other  Merchandize,  this  Query  being  admitted,  will 
be  one  Step  farther  than  they  have  hitherto  gone:  And 
I  did  not  see  it  my  Duty  to  press  for  an  Alteration;  but 
felt  easy  to  leave  it  all  to  him,  who  alone  is  able  to  turn 
the  Hearts  of  the  Mighty,  and  make  Way  for  the  spread- 
ing of  Truth  on  the  Earth,  by  Means  agreeable  to  his 
infinite  Wisdom.  But,  in  Regard  to  those  they  already 
had,  I  felt  my  Mind  engaged  to  labour  with  them;  and 
said,  that,  as  we  believe  the  Scriptures  were  given  forth 
by  holy  Men,  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  many  of  us  know  by  Experience  that  they  are  often 
helpful  and  comfortable,  and  believe  ourselves  bound  in 
Duty  to  teach  our  Children  to  read  them,  I  believe,  that, 
if  we  were  divested  of  all  selfish  Views,  the  same  good 
Spirit,  that  gave  them  forth,  would  engage  us  to  teach 
the  Negroes  to  read,  that  they  might  have  the  Benefit  of 
them:  Some,  amongst  them,  at  this  Time,  manifested  a 
Concern  in  Regard  to  taking  more  Care  in  the  Education 
of  their  Negroes. 

On  the  twenty-ninth  Day  of  the  fifth  Month,  at  the 
House  where  I  lodged,  was  a  Meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders,  at  the  ninth  Hour  in  the  Morning;  at  which  Time 
I  found  an  Engagement  to  speak  freely  and  plainly  to 
them  concerning  their  Slaves;  mentioning,  how  they,  as 
the  first  Rank  in  the  Society,  whose  Conduct  in  that  Case 
was  much  noticed  by  others,  were  under  the  stronger 
Obligations  to  look  carefully  to  themselves:  Expressing 
how  needful  it  was  for  them,  in  that  Situation,  to  be 
thoroughly  divested  of  all  selfish  Views;  that  living  in 
the  pure  Truth,  and  acting  conscientiously  toward  those 
People  in  their  Education  and  otherwise,  they  might  be 
instrumental  in  helping  forward  a  Work  so  necessary,  and 
so  much  neglected  amongst  them.  At  the  twelfth  Hour 
the  Meeting  of  Worship  began,  which  was  a  solid  Meeting. 

On  the  thirtieth  Day,  about  the  tenth  Hour,  Friends 
met  to  finish  their  Business,  and  then  the  meeting  for 
Worship  ensued,  which  to  me  was  a  laborious  Time ;  but, 


John  Woolman's  Journal  6i 

through  the  Goodness  of  the  Lord,  Truth,  I  believe, 
gained  some  Ground;  and  it  was  a  strengthening  Oppor- 
tunity to  the  Honest-hearted. 

About  this  Time  I  wrote  an  Epistle  to  Friends  in  the 
Back-settlements  of  North-Carolina,  as  follows : 

To  Friends  at  their  Monthly-meeting  at  New-Garden 
and  Cane-Creek,  in  North-Carolina. 

Dear  Friends, — It  having  pleased  the  Lord  to  draw  me 
forth  on  a  Visit  to  some  Parts  of  Virginia  and  Carolina, 
you  have  often  been  in  my  Mind;  and  though  my  Way 
is  not  clear  to  come  in  Person  to  visit  you,  yet  I  feel  it 
in  my  Heart  to  communicate  a  few  Things,  as  they  arise 
in  the  Love  of  Truth.  First,  my  dear  Friends,  dwell  in 
Humility,  and  take  Heed  that  no  Views  of  outward  Gain 
get  too  deep  hold  of  you,  that  so  your  Eyes  being  single 
to  the  Lord,  you  may  be  preserved  in  the  Way  of  Safety. 
Where  People  let  loose  their  Minds  after  the  Love  of 
outward  Things,  and  are  more  engaged  in  pursuing  the 
Profits,  and  seeking  the  Friendships,  of  this  World,  than 
to  be  inwardly  acquainted  with  the  Way  of  true  Peace; 
such  walk  in  a  vain  Shadow,  while  the  true  Comfort  of 
Life  is  wanting:  Their  Examples  are  often  hurtful  to 
others;  and  their  Treasures,  thus  collected,  do  many 
Times  prove  dangerous  Snares  to  their  Children. 

But  where  People  are  sincerely  devoted  to  follow 
Christ,  and  dwell  under  the  Influence  of  his  holy  Spirit, 
their  Stability  and  Firmness,  through  a  divine  Blessing, 
is  at  Times  like  Dew  on  the  tender  Plants  round  about 
them,  and  the  Weightiness  of  their  Spirits  secretly  works 
on  the  Minds  of  others;  and  in  this  Condition,  through 
the  spreading  Influence  of  divine  Love,  they  feel  a  Care 
over  the  Flock;  and  Way  is  opened  for  maintaining  good 
Order  in  the  Society:  And  though  we  meet  with  Opposi- 
tion from  another  Spirit,  yet,  as  there  is  a  dwelling  in 
Meekness,  feeling  our  Spirits  subject,  and  moving  only 
in  the  gentle  peaceable  Wisdom,  the  inward  Reward  of 
Quietness  will  be  greater  than  all  our  Difficulties.  Where 
the  pure  Life  is  kept  to,  and  Meetings  of  Discipline  are 


62  John  Woolman's  Journal 

held  in  the  Authority  of  it^  we  find  by  Experience  that 
they  are  comfortable^  and  tend  to  the  Health  of  the  Body. 

While  I  write^  the  Youth  come  fresh  in  my  Way: — ■ 
Dear  young  People,  choose  God  for  your  Portion;  love 
his  Truth,  and  be  not  ashamed  of  it:  Choose  for  your 
Company  such  as  serve  him  in  Uprightness ;  and  shun,  as 
most  dangerous,  the  Conversation  of  those  whose  Lives 
are  of  an  ill  Savour;  for,  by  frequenting  such  Company, 
some  hopeful  young  People  have  come  to  great  Loss,  and 
have  been  drawn  from  less  Evils  to  greater,  to  their  utter 
Ruin.  In  the  Bloom  of  Youth  no  Ornament  is  so  lovely 
as  that  of  Virtue,  nor  any  Enjoyments  equal  to  those 
which  we  partake  of,  in  fully  resigning  ourselves  to  the 
divine  Will:  These  Enjoyments  add  Sweetness  to  all 
other  Comforts,  and  give  true  Satisfaction  in  Company 
and  Conversation,  where  People  are  mutually  acquainted 
with  it;  and,  as  your  Minds  are  thus  seasoned  with  the 
Truth,  you  will  find  Strength  to  abide  stedfast  to  the 
Testimony  of  it,  and  be  prepared  for  Services  in  the 
Church. 

And  now,  dear  Friends  and  Brethren,  as  you  are  im- 
proving a  Wilderness,  and  may  be  numbered  amongst 
the  first  Planters  in  one  Part  of  a  Province,  I  beseech 
you,  in  the  Love  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  wisely  consider  the 
Force  of  your  Examples,  and  think  how  much  your 
Successors  may  be  thereby  affected:  It  is  a  Help  in  a 
Country,  yea,  and  a  great  Favour  and  a  Blessing,  when 
Customs,  first  settled,  are  agreeable  to  sound  Wisdom; 
so,  when  they  are  otherwise,  the  Effect  of  them  is  grievous ; 
and  Children  feel  themselves  encompassed  with  Diffi- 
culties prepared  for  them  by  their  Predecessors. 

As  moderate  Care  and  Exercise,  under  the  Direction  of 
true  Wisdom,  are  useful  both  to  Mind  and  Body;  so  by 
this  Means  in  general,  the  real  Wants  of  Life  are  easily 
supplied:  Our  gracious  Father  having  so  proportioned 
one  to  the  other,  that  keeping  in  the  true  Medium  we 
may  pass  on  quietly.  Where  Slaves  are  purchased  to  do 
our  Labour,  numerous  Difficulties  attend  it.  To  rational 
Creatures  Bondage  is  uneasy,  and  frequently  occasions 
Sourness  and   Discontent   in   them;    which   affects   the 


John  Woolman's  Journal  63 

Family,  and  such  as  claim  the  Mastery  over  them:  And 
thus  People  and  their  Children  are  many  Times  encom- 
passed with  Vexations,  which  arise  from  their  applying 
to  wrong  Methods  to  get  a  Living. 

I  have  been  informed  that  there  is  a  large  Number 
of  Friends  in  your  Parts,  who  have  no  Slaves;  and  in 
tender  and  most  affectionate  Love,  I  beseech  you  to  keep 
clear  from  purchasing  any.  Look,  my  dear  Friends,  to 
divine  Providence;  and  follow  in  Simplicity  that 
Exercise  of  Body,  that  Plainness  and  Frugality,  which 
true  Wisdom  leads  to;  so  will  you  be  preserved  from 
those  Dangers  which  attend  such  as  are  aiming  at  out- 
ward Ease  and  Greatness. 

Treasures,  though  small,  attained  on  a  true  Principle 
of  Virtue,  are  sweet  in  the  Possession,  and,  while  we  walk 
in  the  Light  of  the  Lord,  there  is  true  Comfort  and  Satis- 
faction. Here,  neither  the  Murmurs  of  an  oppressed 
People,  nor  an  uneasy  Conscience,  nor  anxious  Thoughts 
about  the  Events  of  Things,  hinder  the  Enjoyment  of  it. 

When  we  look  toward  the  End  of  Life,  and  think  on 
the  Division  of  our  Substance  among  our  Successors;  if 
we  know  that  it  was  collected  in  the  Fear  of  the  Lord,  in 
Honesty,  in  Equity,  and  in  Uprightness  of  Heart  before 
him,  we  may  consider  it  as  his  Gift  to  us;  and  with  a 
single  Eye  to  his  Blessing,  bestow  it  on  those  we  leave 
behind  us.  Such  is  the  Happiness  of  the  plain  Ways 
of  true  Virtue.  "  The  Work  of  Righteousness  shall  be 
Peace;  and  the  Effect  of  Righteousness,  Quietness  and 
Assurance  for  ever."     Isa.  xxxii.  17. 

Dwell  here,  my  dear  Friends ;  and  then,  in  remote  and 
solitary  Desarts,  you  may  find  true  Peace  and  Satisfac- 
tion. If  the  Lord  be  our  God,  in  Truth  and  Reality, 
there  is  Safety  for  us;  for  he  is  a  Stronghold  in  the  Day 
of  Trouble,  and  knoweth  them  that  trust  in  him. 

Isle  of  Wight  County,  in  Virginia, 
2gth  of  the  5th  Month,  1757. 

From  the  Yearly-meeting  in  Virginia^  I  went  to 
Carolina  ;  and,  on  the  first  Day  of  the  sixth  Month,  was 
at  Wells  Monthly-meeting,  where  the  Spring  of  the  Gospel 


64  John  Woolman's  Journal 

Ministry  was  opened,  and  the  Love  of  Jesus  Christ  ex- 
perienced amongst  us :  To  his  Name  be  the  Praise ! 

Here  my  Brother  joined  with  some  Friends  from  New- 
Garden,  who  were  going  homeward;  and  I  went  next  to 
Simond's  Creek  Monthly-meeting,  where  I  was  silent 
during  the  Meeting  for  Worship:  When  Business  came 
on,  my  Mind  was  exercised  concerning  the  poor  Slaves; 
but  did  not  feel  my  Way  clear  to  speak:  In  this  Condi- 
tion I  was  bowed  in  Spirit  before  the  Lord;  and  with 
Tears  and  inward  Supplication  besought  him  so  to  open 
my  Understanding,  that  I  might  know  his  Will  concern- 
ing me;  and,  at  length,  my  mind  was  settled  in  Silence: 
Near  the  End  of  their  Business,  a  Member  of  their  Meet- 
ing expressed  a  Concern,  that  had  some  Time  lain  upon 
him,  on  Account  of  Friends  so  much  neglecting  their 
Duty  in  the  Education  of  their  Slaves;  and  proposed 
having  Meetings  sometimes  appointed  for  them  on  a 
Week-day,  to  be  only  attended  by  some  Friends  to  be 
named  in  their  Monthly-meetings :  Many  present  appeared 
to  unite  with  the  Proposal:  One  said,  he  had  often 
wondered  that  they,  being  our  Fellow-creatures,  and 
capable  of  religious  Understanding,  had  been  so  exceed- 
ingly neglected :  Another  expressed  the  like  Concern,  and 
appeared  zealous,  that  Friends,  in  future,  might  more 
closely  consider  it:  At  length  a  Minute  was  made;  and 
the  farther  Consideration  of  it  referred  to  their  next 
Monthly-meeting.  The  Friend  who  made  this  Proposal 
had  Negroes:  He  told  me,  that  he  was  at  New-Garden, 
about  two  hundred  and  fifty  Miles  from  Home,  and  came 
back  alone;  and  that  in  this  solitary  Journey,  this  Exer- 
cise, in  Regard  to  the  Education  of  their  Negroes,  was, 
from  Time  to  Time,  renewed  in  his  Mind.  A  Friend  of 
some  Note  in  Virginia,  who  had  Slaves,  told  me,  that  he 
being  far  from  Home  on  a  lonesome  Journey,  had  many 
serious  Thoughts  about  them;  and  that  his  Mind  was  so 
impressed  therewith,  that  he  believed  that  he  saw  a  Time 
coming,  when  divine  Providence  would  alter  the  Circum- 
stances of  these  People,  respecting  their  Condition  as 
Slaves. 

From   hence  I  went  to  Newhegun  Creek,  and  sat  a 


John  Woolman's  Journal  65 

considerable  Time  in  much  Weakness;  then  I  felt  Truth 
open  the  Way  to  speak  a  little  in  much  Plainness  and 
Simplicity,  till,  at  length,  through  the  Increase  of  divine 
Love  amongst  us,  we  had  a  seasoning  Opportunity. 
From  thence  to  the  Head  of  Little-River ,  on  a  First-day, 
where  was  a  crowded  Meeting;  and,  I  believe,  it  was, 
through  divine  Goodness,  made  profitable  to  some. 
Thence  to  the  Old-Neck;  where  I  was  led  into  a  careful 
searching  out  the  secret  Workings  of  the  Mystery  of 
Iniquity,  which,  under  a  Cover  of  Religion,  exalts  itself 
against  that  pure  Spirit,  which  leads  in  the  Way  of  Meek- 
ness and  Self-denial.  From  thence  to  Pineywoods  :  This 
was  the  last  Meeting  I  was  at  in  Carolina,  and  was  large ; 
and,  my  Heart  being  deeply  engaged,  I  was  drawn  forth 
into  a  fervent  Labour  amongst  them. 

From  hence  I  went  back  into  Virginia,  and  had  a 
Meeting  near  James  Cowpland's;  it  was  a  Time  of 
inward  Suffering;  but,  through  the  Goodness  of  the 
Lord,  I  was  made  content:  Then  to  another  Meeting; 
where,  through  the  Renewings  of  pure  Love,  we  had  a 
very  comfortable  Season. 

Travelling  up  and  down  of  late,  I  have  had  renewed 
Evidences,  that  to  be  faithful  to  the  Lord,  and  con- 
tent with  his  Will  concerning  me,  is  a  most  necessary 
and  useful  Lesson  for  me  to  be  learning;  looking 
less  at  the  Effects  of  my  Labour,  than  at  the  pure 
Motion  and  Reality  of  the  Concern,  as  it  arises  from 
heavenly  Love.  In  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  everlasting 
Strength;  and  as  the  Mind,  by  a  humble  Resignation,  is 
united  to  him;  and  we  utter  Words  from  an  inward 
Knowledge  that  they  arise  from  the  heavenly  Spring, 
though  our  Way  may  be  difficult,  and  require  close  Atten- 
tion to  keep  in  it;  and  though  the  Manner  in  which  we 
may  be  led  may  tend  to  our  own  Abasement;  yet,  if  we 
continue  in  Patience  and  Meekness,  heavenly  Peace  is 
the  Reward  of  our  Labours. 

From  thence  I  went  to  Curies  Meeting;  which,  though 
small,  was  reviving  to  the  Honest-hearted.  Thence  to 
Black-Creek  and  Caroline  Meetings;  from  whence,  accom- 
panied by  William  Standley,  before-mentioned,  we  rode 


66  John  Woolman's  Journal 

to  Goose-Creek,  being  much  through  the  Woods,  and  about 
one  hundred  Miles. — We  lodged  the  first  Night  at  a 
Publick-house ;  the  second,  in  the  Woods;  and,  the  next 
Day,  we  reached  a  Friend's  House,  at  Goose-Creek.  In 
the  Woods  we  lay  under  some  Disadvantage,  having  no 
Fire-works  nor  Bells  for  our  Horses;  but  we  stopped  a 
little  before  Night,  and  let  them  feed  on  the  wild  Grass 
which  was  in  plenty;  in  the  mean  Time  cutting  with  our 
Knives  a  Store  against  Night,  and  then  tying  them,  and 
gathering  some  Bushes  under  an  Oak,  we  lay  down;  but, 
the  Musquettoes  being  plenty,  and  the  Ground  damp,  I 
slept  but  little :  Thus,  lying  in  the  Wildnemess,  and  look- 
ing at  the  Stars,  I  was  led  to  contemplate  on  the  Condi- 
tion of  our  first  Parents,  when  they  were  sent  forth  from 
the  Garden;  but  the  Almighty,  though  they  had  been 
disobedient,  continued  to  be  a  Father  to  them,  and 
shewed  them  what  tended  to  their  Felicity,  as  intelli- 
gent Creatures,  and  was  acceptable  to  him.  To  provide 
Things  relative  to  our  outward  Living,  in  the  Way  of 
true  Wisdom,  is  good;  and  the  Gift  of  improving  in 
Things  useful  is  a  good  Gift,  and  comes  from  the  Father 
of  Lights.  Many  have  had  this  Gift;  and,  from  Age  to 
Age,  there  have  been  Improvements  of  this  Kind  made 
in  the  World:  But  some,  not  keeping  to  the  pure  Gift, 
have,  in  the  creaturely  Cunning  and  Self-Exaltation, 
sought  out  many  Inventions;  which  Inventions  of  Men 
are  distinct  from  that  Uprightness  in  which  Man  was 
created;  as  the  first  Motion  to  them  was  evil,  so  the 
Effects  have  been  and  are  evil.  At  this  Day,  it  is  as 
necessary  for  us  constantly  to  attend  on  the  heavenly 
Gift,  to  be  qualified  to  use  rightly  the  good  Things  in 
this  Life  amidst  great  Improvements,  as  it  was  for  our 
first  Parents,  when  they  were  without  any  Improvements, 
without  any  Friend  or  Father  but  God  only. 

I  was  at  a  Meeting  at  Goose-Creek ;  and  next  at  a 
Monthly-meeting  at  Fairfax ;  where,  through  the  gracious 
Dealing  of  the  Almighty  with  us,  his  Power  prevailed 
over  many  Hearts.  Thence  to  Manoquacy  and  Pipe- 
Creek,  in  Maryland;  at  both  which  Places  I  had  Cause 
humbly  to  adore  him,  who  supported  me  through  many 


John  Woolman*s  Journal  67 

Exercises,  and  by  whose  Help  I  was  enabled  to  reach  the 
true  Witness  in  the  Hearts  of  others:  There  were  some 
hopeful  young  People  in  those  Parts.  Thence  I  had 
Meetings  at  John  Everit^s  in  Monalen,  and  at  Huntingdon  ; 
and  I  was  made  humbly  thankful  to  the  Lord,  who  opened 
my  Heart  amongst  the  People  in  these  new  Settlements, 
so  that  it  was  a  Time  of  Encouragement  to  the  Honest- 
minded. 

At  Monalen,  a  Friend  gave  me  some  Account  of  a 
religious  Society  among  the  Dutch,  called  Mennonists  ; 
and,  amongst  other  Things,  related  a  Passage  in  Substance 
as  follows: — One  of  the  Mennonists  having  Acquaintance 
with  a  Man  of  another  Society  at  a  considerable  Distance, 
and  being  with  his  Waggon  on  Business  near  the  House 
of  his  said  Acquaintance,  and  Night  coming  on,  he  had 
Thoughts  of  putting  up  with  him;  but  passing  by  his 
Fields,  and  observing  the  distressed  Appearance  of  his 
Slaves,  he  kindled  a  Fire  in  the  Woods  hard  by,  and  lay 
there  that  Night:  His  said  Acquaintance  hearing  where 
he  lodged,  and  afterward  meeting  the  Mennonist,  told 
him  of  it;  adding,  he  should  have  been  heartily  welcome 
at  his  House;  and,  from  their  Acquaintance  in  former 
Time,  wondered  at  his  Conduct  in  that  Case.  The  Men- 
nonist replied.  Ever  since  I  lodged  by  thy  Field,  I  have 
wanted  an  Opportunity  to  speak  with  thee:  The  Matter 
was;  I  intended  to  have  come  to  thy  House  for  Enter- 
tainment, but,  seeing  thy  Slaves  at  their  Work,  and 
observing  the  Manner  of  their  Dress,  I  had  no  liking  to 
come  to  partake  with  thee :  Then  admonished  him  to  use 
them  with  more  Humanity ;  and  added.  As  I  lay  by 
the  Fire  that  Night,  I  thought  that,  as  I  was  a  Man  of 
Substance,  thou  wouldst  have  received  me  freely;  but, 
if  I  had  been  as  poor  as  one  of  thy  Slaves,  and  had  no 
Power  to  help  myself,  I  should  have  received  from  thy 
Hand  no  kinder  Usage  than  they. 

Hence  I  was  at  three  Meetings  in  my  Way;  and  so  I 
went  Home,  under  a  humbling  Sense  of  the  gracious 
Dealings  of  the  Lord  with  me,  in  preserving  me  through 
many  Trials  and  Afflictions  in  my  Journey.  I  was  out 
about  two  Months,  and  travelled  about  eleven  hundred 
and  fifty  Miles. 


CHAPTER  V 

The  draughting  of  the  Militia  in  New- Jersey  to  serve  in  the 
A  rmy  ;  with  some  Observations  on  the  State  of  the  Members 
of  our  Society  at  that  Time — His  Visit  to  Friends  in 
Pennsylvania,  accompanied  by  Benjamin  Jones — Pro- 
ceedings at  the  Monthly,  Quarterly,  and  Yearly -Meetings, 
in  Philadelphia,  respecting  those  who  heep  Slaves 

On  the  ninth  Day  of  the  eighth  Month^  in  the  Year 
1757,  at  Night,  Orders  came  to  the  military  Officers  in 
our  County  {Burlington)^  directing  them  to  draught  the 
Militia,  and  prepare  a  Number  of  Men  to  go  off  as  Soldiers, 
to  the  Relief  of  the  English  at  Fort-William-Henry j  in 
New-York  Government:  A  few  Days  after  which  there 
was  a  general  Review  of  the  Militia  at  Mount-Holly,  and 
a  Number  of  Men  chosen  and  sent  off  under  some  Officers. 
Shortly  after,  there  came  Orders  to  draught  three  Times 
as  many,  to  hold  themselves  in  Readiness  to  march  when 
fresh  Orders  came:  And,  on  the  17th  Day  of  the  eighth 
Month,  there  was  a  Meeting  of  the  military  Officers  at 
Mount-Holly,  who  agreed  on  a  Draught;  and  Orders  were 
sent  to  the  Men,  so  chosen,  to  meet  their  respective 
Captains  at  set  Times  and  Places ;  those  in  our  Township 
to  meet  at  Mount-Holly ;  amongst  whom  was  a  con- 
siderable Number  of  our  Society.  My  Mind  being  affected 
herewith,  I  had  fresh  Opportunity  to  see  and  consider  the 
Advantage  of  living  in  the  real  Substance  of  Religion, 
where  Practice  doth  harmonize  with  Principle.  Amongst 
the  Officers  are  Men  of  Understanding,  who  have  some 
Regard  to  Sincerity  where  they  see  it;  and  in  the  Exe- 
cution of  their  Office,  when  they  have  Men  to  deal  with 
whom  they  believe  to  be  upright-hearted,  to  put  them 
to  Trouble,  on  account  of  Scruples  of  Conscience,  is 
a  painful  Task,  and  likely  to  be  avoided  as  much  as 
easily  may  be:    But  where  Men  profess  to  be  so  meek 

68 


John  Woolman's  Journal  69 

and  heavenly-minded,  and  to  have  their  Trust  so  firmly 
settled  in  God,  that  they  cannot  join  in  Wars,  and  yet, 
by  their  Spirit  and  Conduct  in  common  Life,  manifest  a 
contrary  Disposition,  their  Difficulties  are  great  at  such 
a  Time. 

Officers,  in  great  Anxiety,  endeavouring  to  get  Troops 
to  answer  the  Demands  of  their  Superiors,  seeing  Men, 
who  are  insincere,  pretend  Scruple  of  Conscience  in  Hopes 
of  being  excused  from  a  dangerous  Employment,  such  are 
likely  to  be  roughly  handled.  In  this  Time  of  Commo- 
tion some  of  our  young  Men  left  the  Parts,  and  tarried 
abroad  till  it  was  over;  some  came,  and  proposed  to  go  as 
Soldiers;  others  appeared  to  have  a  real  tender  Scruple 
in  their  Minds  against  joining  in  Wars,  and  were  much 
humbled  under  the  Apprehension  of  a  Trial  so  near:  I 
had  Conversation  with  several  of  them  to  my  Satisfaction, 
At  the  set  Time  when  the  Captain  came  to  Town,  some 
of  those  last-mentioned  went  and  told  him  in  Substance 
as  follows : — ^That  they  could  not  bear  Arms  for  Conscience- 
sake  ;  nor  could  they  hire  any  to  go  in  their  Places,  being 
resigned  as  to  the  Event  of  it:  At  length  the  Captain 
acquainted  them  all,  that  they  might  return  Home  for 
the  present,  and,  required  them  to  provide  themselves 
as  Soldiers,  and  to  be  in  Readiness  to  march  when  called 
upon.  This  was  such  a  Time  as  I  had  not  seen  before; 
and  yet  I  may  say,  with  Thankfulness  to  the  Lord,  that 
I  believed  this  Trial  was  intended  for  our  Good;  and  I 
was  favoured  with  Resignation  to  him.  The  French 
Army,  taking  the  Fort  they  were  besieging,  destroyed  it 
and  went  away:  The  Company  of  Men  first  draughted, 
after  some  Days  march,  had  Orders  to  return  Home;  and 
those  on  the  second  Draught  were  no  more  called  upon 
on  that  Occasion. 

On  the  fourth  Day  of  the  fourth  Month,  in  the  Year 
1758,  Orders  came  to  some  Officers  in  Mount-Holly,  to 
prepare  Quarters,  a  short  Time,  for  about  one  hundred 
Soldiers:  And  an  Officer  and  two  other  Men,  all  In- 
habitants of  our  Town,  came  to  my  House;  and  the 
Officer  told  me,  that  he  came  to  speak  with  me,  to  provide 
Lodging  and  Entertainment  for  two  Soldiers,  there  being 


70  John  Woolman's  Journal 

six  Shillings  a  Week  per  Man  allowed  as  Pay  for  it.  The 
Case  being  new  and  unexpected,  I  made  no  Answer 
suddenly ;  but  sat  a  Time  silent,  my  Mind  being  inward : 
I  was  fully  convinced,  that  the  Proceedings  in  Wars  are 
inconsistent  with  the  Purity  of  the  Christian  Religion: 
And  to  be  hired  to  entertain  Men,  who  were  then  under 
Pay  as  Soldiers,  was  a  Difficulty  with  me.  I  expected 
they  had  legal  Authority  for  what  they  did;  and,  after 
a  short  Time,  I  said  to  the  Officer,  If  the  Men  are  sent 
here  for  Entertainment,  I  believe  I  shall  not  refuse  to 
admit  them  into  my  House;  but  the  Nature  of  the  Case 
is  such,  that  I  expect  I  cannot  keep  them  on  Hire:  One 
of  the  Men  intimated,  that  he  thought  I  might  do  it 
consistent  with  my  religious  Principles;  To  which  I 
made  no  Reply;  as  believing  Silence  at  that  Time  best 
for  me.  Though  they  spake  of  two,  there  came  only  one, 
who  tarried  at  my  House  about  two  Weeks,  and  behaved 
himself  civilly;  and  when  the  Officer  came  to  pay  me, 
I  told  him  I  could  not  take  Pay  for  it,  having  admitted 
him  into  my  House  in  a  passive  Obedience  to  Authority. 
I  was  on  Horseback  when  he  spake  to  me:  And,  as  I 
turned  from  him,  he  said,  he  was  obliged  to  me :  To  which 
I  said  nothing;  but,  thinking  on  the  Expression,  I  grew 
uneasy;  and  afterwards,  being  near  where  he  lived,  I 
went  and  told  him  on  what  Grounds  I  refused  taking  Pay 
for  keeping  the  Soldier. 

Near  the  Beginning  of  the  Year  1758,  I  went  one 
Evening,  in  Company  with  a  Friend,  to  visit  a  sick 
Person;  and,  before  our  Return,  we  were  told  of  a 
Woman  living  near,  who,  of  late,  had  several  Days  been 
disconsolate,  occasioned  by  a  Dream;  wherein  Death, 
and  the  Judgments  of  the  Almighty  after  Death,  were 
represented  to  her  Mind  in  a  moving  Manner:  Her  Sad- 
ness on  that  Account,  being  worn  off,  the  Friend,  with 
whom  I  was  in  Company,  went  to  see  her,  and  had  some 
religious  Conversation  with  her  and  her  Husband:  With 
this  Visit  they  were  somewhat  affected;  and  the  Man, 
with  many  Tears,  expressed  his  Satisfaction;  and,  in  a 
short  Time  after,  the  poor  Man  being  on  the  River  in  a 
Storm  of  Wind,  he,  with  one  more,  was  drowned. 


John  Woolman's  Journal  71 

In  the  eighth  Month  of  the  Year  1758,  having  had 
Drawings  in  my  Mind  to  be  at  the  Quarterly-meeting 
in  Chester  County,  and  at  some  Meetings  in  the  County 
of  Philadelphia,  I  went  first  to  said  Quarterly-meeting, 
which  was  large,  and  several  weighty  Matters  came  under 
Consideration  and  Debate;  and  the  Lord  was  pleased  to 
qualify  some  of  his  Servants  with  Strength  and  Firmness 
to  bear  the  Burthen  of  the  Day :  Though  I  said  but  little, 
my  Mind  was  deeply  exercised;  and,  under  a  Sense  of 
God's  Love,  in  the  Anointing  and  fitting  some  young  Men 
for  his  Work,  I  was  comforted,  and  my  Heart  was 
tendered  before  him.  From  hence  I  went  to  the  Youth's 
Meeting  at  Darby,  where  my  beloved  Friend  and  Brother, 
Benjamin  Jones,  met  me,  by  an  Appointment  before  I 
left  Home,  to  join  in  the  Visit:  And  we  were  at  Radnor, 
Merion,  Richland,  North-Wales,  Plymouth,  and  Abington 
Meetings;  and  had  Cause  to  bow  in  Reverence  before 
the  Lord,  our  gracious  God,  by  whose  Help  Way  was 
opened  for  us  from  day  to  day.  I  was  out  about  two 
Weeks,  and  rode  about  two  hundred  Miles. 

The  Monthly-meeting  of  Philadelphia  having  been  under 
a  Concern  on  Account  of  some  Friends  who  this  Summer 
(1758)  had  bought  Negro  Slaves,  the  said  Meeting  moved 
it  to  their  Quarterly-meeting,  to  have  the  Minute  re- 
considered in  the  Yearly-meeting,  which  was  made  last 
on  that  Subject:  And  the  said  Quarterly-meeting  ap- 
pointed a  Committee  to  consider  it,  and  report  to  their 
next;  which  Committee  having  met  once  and  adjourned, 
I  going  to  Philadelphia  to  meet  a  Committee  of  the 
Yearly-meeting,  was  in  Town  the  Evening  on  which  the 
Quarterly-meeting's  Committee  met  the  second  Time; 
and,  finding  an  Inclination  to  sit  with  them,  was,  with 
some  others,  admitted;  and  Friends  had  a  weighty 
Conference  on  the  Subject:  And,  soon  after  their  next 
Quarterly-meeting,  I  heard  that  the  Case  was  coming  to 
our  Yearly-meeting;  which  brought  a  weighty  Exercise 
upon  me,  and  under  a  Sense  of  my  own  Infirmities,  and 
the  great  Danger  I  felt  of  turning  aside  from  perfect 
Purity,  my  Mind  was  often  drawn  to  retire  alone,  and  put 
up  my  Prayers  to  the  Lord,  that  he  would  be  graciously 


72  John  Woolman*s  Journal 

pleased  to  strengthen  me;  that,  setting  aside  all  Views 
of  Self-interest^  and  the  Friendship  of  this  World,  I  might 
stand  fully  resigned  to  his  holy  Will. 

In  this  Yearly-meeting,  several  weighty  Matters  were 
considered;  and,  toward  the  last,  that  in  Relation  to 
dealing  with  Persons  who  purchase  Slaves.  During  the 
several  Sittings  of  the  said  Meeting,  my  Mind  was  fre- 
quently covered  with  inward  Prayer,  and  I  could  say 
with  David,  that  Tears  were  my  Meat  Day  and  Night. 
The  Case  of  Slave-keeping  lay  heavy  upon  me;  nor  did 
I  find  any  Engagement  to  speak  directly  to  any  other 
Matter  before  the  Meeting.  Now,  when  this  Case  was 
opened,  several  faithful  Friends  spake  weightily  thereto, 
with  which  I  was  comforted;  and,  feeling  a  Concern  to 
cast  in  my  Mite,  I  said  in  Substance  as  follows : 

"  In  the  Difficulties  attending  us  in  this  Life,  nothing 
is  more  precious  than  the  Mind  of  Truth  inwardly  mani- 
fested; and  it  is  my  earnest  Desire  that,  in  this  weighty 
Matter  we  may  be  so  truly  humbled  as  to  be  favoured 
with  a  clear  Understanding  of  the  Mind  of  Truth,  and 
follow  it;  this  would  be  of  more  Advantage  to  the  Society, 
than  any  Medium  not  in  the  Clearness  of  divine  Wisdom. 
The  Case  is  difficult  to  some  who  have  them;  but  if  such 
set  aside  all  Self-interest,  and  come  to  be  weaned  from 
the  Desire  of  getting  Estates,  or  even  from  holding  them 
together,  when  Truth  requires  the  Contrary,  I  believe 
Way  will  open  that  they  will  know  how  to  steer  through 
those  Difficulties." 

Many  Friends  appeared  to  be  deeply  bowed  under  the 
Weight  of  the  Work;  and  manifested  much  Firmness  in 
their  Love  to  the  Cause  of  Truth  and  universal  Righteous- 
ness on  the  Earth:  And,  though  none  did  openly  justify 
the  Practice  of  Slave-keeping  in  general,  yet  some  appeared 
concerned,  lest  the  Meeting  should  go  into  such  Measures 
as  might  give  Uneasiness  to  many  Brethren;  alledging, 
that  if  Friends  patiently  continued  under  the  Exercise, 
the  Lord,  in  Time  to  come  might  open  a  Way  for  the 
Deliverance  of  these  People:  And,  I  finding  an  Engage- 
ment to  speak,  said,  "  My  Mind  is  often  led  to  consider 
the  Purity  of  the  divine  Being,  and  the  Justice  of  his 


John  Woolman's  Journal  73 

Judgments;  and  herein  my  Soul  is  covered  with  Awful- 
ness:  I  cannot  omit  to  hint  of  some  Cases,  where  People 
have  not  been  treated  with  the  Purity  of  Justice,  and 
the  Event  hath  been  lamentable:  Many  Slaves  on  this 
Continent  are  oppressed,  and  their  Cries  have  reached  the 
Ears  of  the  Most  High.  Such  are  the  Purity  and  Certainty 
of  his  Judgments,  that  he  cannot  be  partial  in  our  Favour. 
In  infinite  Love  and  Goodness,  he  hath  opened  our 
Understandings,  from  one  Time  to  another,  concerning 
our  Duty  towards  this  People;  and  it  is  not  a  Time  for 
Delay.  Should  we  now  be  sensible  of  what  he  requires 
of  us,  and,  through  a  Respect  to  the  private  Interest  of 
some  Persons,  or  through  a  Regard  to  some  Friendships 
which  do  not  stand  on  an  immutable  Foundation,  neglect 
to  do  our  Duty  in  Firmness  and  Constancy,  still  waiting 
for  some  extraordinary  Means  to  bring  about  their  Deliver- 
ance, it  may  be  by  terrible  Things  in  Righteousness  God 
may  answer  us  in  this  Matter.'* 

Many  faithful  Brethren  laboured  with  great  Firmness; 
and  the  Love  of  Truth,  in  a  good  Degree,  prevailed. 
Several  Friends,  who  had  Negroes,  expressed  their  Desire 
that  a  Rule  might  be  made,  to  deal  with  such  Friends 
as  Offenders  who  bought  Slaves  in  future :  To  this  it  was 
answered,  that  the  Root  of  this  Evil  would  never  be 
effectually  struck  at,  until  a  thorough  Search  was  made 
into  the  Circumstances  of  such  Friends  as  kept  Negroes, 
with  respect  to  the  Righteousness  of  their  Motives  in 
keeping  them,  that  impartial  Justice  might  be  administered 
throughout.  Several  Friends  expressed  their  Desire,  that 
a  Visit  might  be  made  to  such  Friends  as  kept  Slaves; 
and  many  Friends  said,  that  they  believed  Liberty  was 
the  Negroes  Right:  To  which,  at  length,  no  Opposition 
was  made  publickly.  A  Minute  was  made  more  full  on 
that  Subject  than  any  heretofore;  and  the  Names  of 
several  Friends  entered,  who  were  free  to  join  in  a  Visit 
to  such  as  kept  Slaves. 


CHAPTER  VI 

His  visiting  the  Quarterly-meetings  in  Chester  County  ;  and 
afterwards  joining  with  Daniel  Stanton  and  John  Scar- 
borough in  a  Visit  to  such  as  kept  Slaves  there — Some 
Observations  on  the  Conduct  such  should  maintain  as  are 
concerned  to  speak  in  Meetings  for  Discipline — Several 
more  Visits  to  such  as  kept  Slaves  ;  and  to  Friends  near 
Salem — Some  Account  of  the  Yearly-meeting  in  the  Year 
1759.'  ^wrf  of  the  increasing  Concern,  in  divers  Provinces, 
to  labour  against  buying  and  keeping  Slaves — The  Yearly- 
meeting  Epistle 

On  the  eleventh  Day  of  the  eleventh  Month^  in  the  Year 
1758^  I  set  out  for  Concord  ;  the  Quarterly-meeting,  here- 
tofore held  there,  was  now,  by  reason  of  a  great  Increase 
of  Members,  divided  into  two  by  the  Agreement  of 
Friends,  at  our  last  Yearly-meeting.  Here  I  met  with 
our  beloved  Friends,  Samuel  Spavold  and  Mary  Kirby, 
from  England,  and  with  Joseph  White,  from  Bucks 
County,  who  had  taken  Leave  of  his  Family  in  order  to 
go  on  a  religious  Visit  to  Friends  in  England;  and, 
through  divine  Goodness,  we  were  favoured  with  a 
strengthening  Opportunity  together. 

After  this  Meeting  I  joined  with  my  Friends,  Daniel 
Stanton  and  John  Scarborough,  in  visiting  Friends 
who  had  Slaves;  and  at  Night  we  had  a  Family-meeting 
at  William  Trimble's,  many  young  People  being  there; 
and  it  was  a  precious  reviving  Opportunity.  Next  Morn- 
ing we  had  a  comfortable  Sitting  with  a  sick  Neighbour; 
and  thence  to  the  Burial  of  the  Corpse  of  a  Friend  at 
Uwchland  Meeting,  at  which  were  many  People,  and  it 
was  a  Time  of  divine  Favour;  after  which,  we  visited 
some  who  had  Slaves ;  and,  at  Night,  had  a  Family-meet- 
ing at  a  Friend's  House,  where  the  Channel  of  Gospel- 
love  was  opened,  and  my  Mind  was  comforted  after  a 
hard  Day's  Labour.  The  next  Day  we  were  at  Goshen 
Monthly-meeting;   and  thence,  on  the  eighteenth  Day  of 

74 


John  Woolman's  Journal  75 

the  eleventh  Month,  in  the  Year  1758,  attended  the 
Quarterly-meeting  at  London-Grove,  it  being  the  first  held 
at  that  Place.  Here  we  met  again  with  all  the  before- 
mentioned  Friends,  and  had  some  edifying  Meetings: 
And,  near  the  Conclusion  of  the  Meeting  for  Business, 
Friends  were  incited  to  Constancy  in  supporting  the 
Testimony  of  Truth,  and  reminded  of  the  Necessity  which 
the  Disciples  of  Christ  are  under  to  attend  principally  to 
his  Business,  as  he  is  pleased  to  open  it  to  us:  And  to 
be  particularly  careful  to  have  our  Minds  redeemed  from 
the  Love  of  Wealth;  to  have  our  outward  Affairs  in  as 
little  Room  as  may  be;  that  no  temporal  Concerns  may 
entangle  our  Affections,  or  hinder  us  from  diligently 
following  the  Dictates  of  Truth,  in  labouring  to  promote 
the  pure  Spirit  of  Meekness  and  Heavenly-mindedness 
amongst  the  Children  of  Men  in  these  Days  of  Calamity 
and  Distress,  wherein  God  is  visiting  our  Land  with  his 
just  Judgments. 

Each  of  these  Quarterly-meetings  was  large,  and  sat 
near  eight  Hours.  Here  I  had  Occasion  to  consider,  that 
it  was  a  weighty  Thing  to  speak  much  in  large  Meetings 
for  Business :  First,  except  our  Minds  are  rightly  prepared, 
and  we  clearly  understand  the  Case  we  speak  to,  instead 
of  forwarding,  we  hinder.  Business,  and  make  more 
Labour  for  those  on  whom  the  Burthen  of  the  Work  is 
laid. 

If  selfish  Views,  or  a  partial  Spirit,  have  any  Room  in 
our  Minds,  we  are  unfit  for  the  Lord's  Work;  if  we  have 
a  clear  Prospect  of  the  Business,  and  proper  Weight 
on  our  Minds  to  speak,  it  behoves  us  to  avoid  useless 
Apologies  and  Repetitions:  Where  People  are  gathered 
from  far,  and  adjourning  a  Meeting  of  Business  is  attended 
with  great  Difficulty,  it  behoves  all  to  be  cautious  how 
they  detain  a  Meeting;  especially  when  they  have  sat 
six  or  seven  Hours,  and  have  a  great  Distance  to  ride 
Home.    After  this  Meeting  I  rode  Home. 

In  the  Beginning  of  the  twelfth  Month  of  the  Year  1758 
I  joined  in  Company  with  my  Friends,  John  Sykes  and 
Daniel  Stanton,  in  visiting  such  as  had  Slaves:  Some, 
whose  Hearts  were  rightly  exercised  about  them,  appeared 

G  402 


( 


76  John  Woolman's  Journal 

to  be  glad  of  our  Visit;  but  in  some  Places  our  Way  was 
more  difficult;  and  I  often  saw  the  Necessity  of  keeping 
down  to  that  Root  from  whence  our  Concern  proceeded; 
and  have  Cause,  in  reverent  Thankfulness,  humbly  to 
bow  down  before  the  Lord,  who  was  near  to  me,  and 
preserved  my  Mind  in  Calmness  under  some  sharp  Con- 
flicts, and  begat  a  Spirit  of  Sympathy  and  Tenderness 
in  me  toward  some  who  were  grievously  entangled  by 
the  Spirit  of  this  World. 

In  the  first  Month  of  the  Year  1759,  having  found  my 
Mind  drawn  to  visit  some  of  the  more  active  Members, 
in  our  Society  at  Philadelphia,  who  had  Slaves,  I  met  my 
Friend  John  Churchman  there,  by  an  Agreement:  And 
we  continued  about  a  Week  in  the  City.  We  visited 
some  that  were  sick,  and  some  Widows  and  their  Families ; 
and  the  other  Part  of  our  Time  was  mostly  employed  in 
visiting  such  as  had  Slaves. — It  was  a  Time  of  deep 
Exercise,  looking  often  to  the  Lord  for  his  Assistance; 
who,  in  unspeakable  Kindness,  favoured  us  with  the 
Influence  of  that  Spirit,  which  crucifies  to  the  Greatness 
and  Splendour  of  this  World,  and  enabled  us  to  go  through 
some  heavy  Labours,  in  which  we  found  Peace. 

On  the  twenty-fourth  Day  of  the  third  Month  of  this 
Year,  I  was  at  our  general  Spring-meeting  at  Philadelphia: 
After  which,  I  again  joined  with  John  Churchman  on 
a  Visit  to  some  more  who  had  Slaves  in  Philadelphia ; 
and,  with  Thankfulness  to  our  heavenly  Father,  I  may 
say,  that  divine  Love  and  a  true  sympathising  Tender- 
ness of  Heart  prevailed  at  Times  in  this  Service. 

Having,  at  Times,  perceived  a  Shyness  in  some  Friends, 
of  considerable  Note,  towards  me,  I  found  an  Engage- 
ment in  Gospel  Love  to  pay  a  Visit  to  one  of  them ;  and, 
as  I  dwelt  under  the  Exercise,  I  felt  a  Resignedness  in 
my  Mind  to  go;  So  I  went,  and  told  him,  in  private,  I 
had  a  Desire  to  have  an  Opportunity  with  him  alone; 
to  which  he  readily  agreed :  Ajid  then,  in  the  Fear  of  the 
Lord,  Things  relating  to  that  Shyness  were  searched  to 
the  Bottom;  and  we  had  a  large  Conference,  which,  I 
believe,  was  of  Use  to  both  of  us,  and  am  thankful  that 
Way  was  opened  for  it. 


John  Woolman's  Journal  jj 

On  the  fourteenth  Day  of  the  sixth  Month,  in  the  same 
Year,  having  felt  Drawings  in  my  Mind  to  visit  Friends 
about  Salem,  and  having  the  Approbation  of  our  Monthly- 
meeting  therein,  I  attended  their  Quarterly-meeting,  and 
was  out  seven  Days,  and  at  seven  Meetings;  in  some  of 
which  I  was  chiefly  silent,  and  in  others,  through  the 
baptizing  Power  of  Truth,  my  Heart  was  enlarged  in 
heavenly  Love,  and  found  a  near  Fellowship  with  the 
Brethren  and  Sisters,  in  the  manifold  Trials  attending 
their  Christian  Progress  through  this  World. 

In  the  seventh  Month,  I  found  an  increasing  Concern 
on  my  Mind  to  visit  some  active  Members  in  our  Society 
who  had  Slaves;  and,  having  no  Opportunity  of  the 
Company  of  such  as  were  named  on  the  Minutes  of  the 
Yearly-meeting,  I  went  alone  to  their  Houses,  and,  in 
the  Fear  of  the  Lord,  acquainted  them  with  the  Exercise 
I  was  under:  And  thus,  sometimes,  by  a  few  Words,  I 
found  myself  discharged  from  a  heavy  Burthen. 

After  this,  our  Friend  John  Churchman,  coming  into 
our  Province  with  a  View  to  be  at  some  Meetings,  and 
to  join  again  in  the  Visit  to  those  who  had  Slaves,  I  bore 
him  Company  in  the  said  Visit  to  some  active  Members, 
and  found  inward  Satisfaction. 

At  our  Yearly-meeting,  in  the  Year  1759,  we  had  some 
weighty  Seasons;  where  the  Power  of  Truth  was  largely 
extended,  to  the  strengthening  of  the  Honest-minded. 
As  Friends  read  over  the  Epistles,  to  be  sent  to  the 
Yearly-meetings  along  this  Continent,  I  observed  in  most 
of  them,  both  this  Year  and  last,  it  was  recommended 
to  Friends  to  labour  against  buying  and  keeping  Slaves; 
and  in  some  of  them  closely  treated  upon.  This  Practice 
had  long  been  a  heavy  Exercise  to  me,  and  I  have  often 
waded  through  mortifying  Labours  on  that  Account; 
and,  at  Times,  in  some  Meetings  been  almost  alone  therein. 
Now,  observing  the  increasing  Concern  in  our  religious 
Society,  and  seeing  how  the  Lord  was  raising  up  and 
qualifying  Servants  for  his  Work,  not  only  in  this  Respect, 
but  for  promoting  the  Cause  of  Truth  in  general,  I  was 
humbly  bowed  in  Thankfulness  before  him. 

This  Meeting  continued  near  a  Week;  and,  for  several 


78  John  Woolman's  Journal 

Days,  in  the  fore  Part  of  it,  my  Mind  was  drawn  into  a 
deep  inward  Stillness ;  and  being,  at  Times,  covered  with 
the  Spirit  of  Supplication,  my  Heart  was  secretly  poured 
out  before  the  Lord:  And,  near  the  Conclusion  of  the 
Meeting  for  Business,  Way  opened,  that,  in  the  pure 
Flowings  of  divine  Love,  I  expressed  what  lay  upon  me; 
which,  as  it  then  arose  in  my  Mind,  was  "  first  to  shew 
how  Deep  answers  to  Deep  in  the  Hearts  of  the  Sincere  and 
Upright;  though,  in  their  different  Growths,  they  may 
not  all  have  attained  to  the  same  Clearness  in  some  Points 
relating  to  our  Testimony:  And  I  was  led  to  mention 
the  Integrity  and  Constancy  of  many  Martyrs,  who  gave 
their  Lives  for  the  Testimony  of  Jesus;  and  yet,  in  some 
Points,  held  Doctrines  distinguishable  from  some  which 
we  hold :  And  that,  in  all  Ages,  where  People  were  faith- 
ful to  the  Light  and  Understanding  which  the  Most  High 
afforded  them,  they  found  Acceptance  with  him;  and 
^hat  now,  though  there  are  different  Ways  of  Thinking 
amongst  us  in  some  Particulars,  yet,  if  we  mutually  kept 
to  that  Spirit  and  Power  which  crucifies  to  the  World, 
which  teaches  us  to  be  content  with  Things  really  needful, 
and  to  avoid  all  Superfluities,  giving  up  our  Hearts  to 
fear  and  serve  the  Lord,  true  Unity  may  still  be  preserved 
amongst  us:  And  that  if  such,  as  were,  at  Times,  under 
Sufferings  on  Account  of  some  Scruples  of  Conscience, 
kept  low  and  humble,  and  in  their  Conduct  in  Life  mani- 
fested a  Spirit  of  true  Charity,  it  would  be  more  likely  to 
reach  the  Witness  in  others,  and  be  of  more  Service  in 
the  Church,  than  if  their  Sufferings  were  attended  with 
a  contrary  Spirit  and  Conduct."  In  which  Exercise  I 
was  drawn  into  a  sympathizing  Tenderness  with  the 
Sheep  of  Christ,  however  distinguished  one  from  another 
in  this  World ;  and  the  like  Disposition  appeared  to  spread 
over  others  in  the  Meeting.  Great  is  the  Goodness  of 
the  Lord  toward  his  poor  Creatures ! 

An  Epistle  went  forth  from  this  Yearly-meeting,  which 
I  think  good  to  give  a  Place  in  this  Journal;  being  as 
follows : 


John  Woolman's  Journal  79 


From  the  Yearly-meeting  held  at  Philadelphia,  for 
Pennsylvania  and  New-Jersey,  from  the  twenty- 
second  Day  of  the  ninth  Month,  to  the  twenty-eighth 
Day  of  the  same,  inclusive,  1759. 

To  the  Quarterly  and  Monthly-meetings  of  Friends 
belonging  to  the  said  Yearly-meeting. 

"  Dearly  beloved  Friends  and  Brethren, — In  an  awful 
Sense  of  the  Wisdom  and  Goodness  of  the  Lord  our  God, 
whose  tender  Mercies  have  long  been  continued  to  us  in 
this  Land,  we  affectionately  salute  you,  with  sincere  and 
fervent  Desires,  that  we  may  reverently  regard  the  Dis- 
pensations of  his  Providence,  and  improve  under  them. 

The  Empires  and  Kingdoms  of  the  Earth  are  subject 
to  his  almighty  Power:  He  is  the  God  of  the  Spirits  of 
all  Flesh,  and  deals  with  his  People  agreeable  to  that 
Wisdom,  the  Depth  whereof  is  to  us  unsearchable:  We, 
in  these  Provinces,  may  say,  he  hath,  as  a  gracious  and 
tender  Parent,  dealt  bountifully  with  us,  even  from  the 
Days  of  our  Fathers:  It  was  he  who  strengthened  them 
to  labour  through  the  Difficulties  attending  the  Improve- 
ment of  a  Wilderness,  and  made  Way  for  them  in  the 
Hearts  of  the  Natives;  so  that  by  them  they  were  com- 
forted in  Times  of  Want  and  Distress:  It  was  by  the 
gracious  Influences  of  his  holy  Spirit,  that  they  were 
disposed  to  work  Righteousness,  and  walk  uprightly 
one  towards  another,  and  towards  the  Natives,  and  in 
Life  and  Conversation  to  manifest  the  Excellency  of  the 
Principles  and  Doctrines  of  the  Christian  Religion;  and 
thereby  they  retain  their  Esteem  and  Friendship :  Whilst 
they  were  labouring  for  the  Necessaries  of  Life,  many  of 
them  were  fervently  engaged  to  promote  Piety  and  Virtue 
in  the  Earth,  and  educate  their  Children  in  the  Fear  of 
the  Lord. 

If  we  carefully  consider  the  peaceable  Measures  pursued 
in  the  first  Settlement  of  the  Land,  and  that  Freedom 
from  the  Desolations  of  Wars  which  for  a  long  Time  we 
enjoyed,  we  shall  find  ourselves  under  strong  Obligations 


8o  John  Woolman's  Journal 

to  the  Almighty,  who,  when  the  Earth  is  so  generally 
polluted  with  Wickedness,  gave  us  a  Being  in  a  Part  so 
signally  favoured  with  Tranquility  and  Plenty,  and  in 
which  the  Glad-tidings  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ  are  so 
freely  published,  that  we  may  justly  say  with  the  Psalmist, 
"  What  shall  we  render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  his  Benefits  ?" 

Our  own  real  Good,  and  the  Good  of  our  Posterity,  in 
some  Measure,  depend  on  the  Part  we  act;  and  it  nearly 
concerns  us  to  try  our  Foundations  impartially.  Such 
are  the  different  Rewards  of  the  Just  and  Unjust  in  a 
future  State,  that,  to  attend  diligently  to  the  Dictates  of 
the  Spirit  of  Christ,  to  devote  ourselves  to  his  Service, 
and  engage  fervently  in  his  Cause,  during  our  short  Stay 
in  this  World,  is  a  Choice  well  becoming  a  free  intelligent 
Creature;  we  shall  thus  clearly  see  and  consider  that  the 
Dealings  of  God  with  Mankind  in  a  national  Capacity, 
as  recorded  in  Holy  Writ,  do  sufficiently  evidence  the 
Truth  of  that  Saying,  "  It  is  Righteousness  which  exalte th 
a  Nation;  "  and  though  he  doth  not  at  all  Times  suddenly 
execute  his  Judgments  on  a  sinful  People  in  this  Life, 
yet  we  see,  by  many  Instances,  that  where  "  Men  follow 
lying  Vanities,  they  forsake  their  own  Mercies;  "  and  as 
a  proud  selfish  Spirit  prevails  and  spreads  among  a  People, 
so  partial  Judgment,  Oppression,  Discord,  Envy,  and 
Confusions,  increase,  and  Provinces  and  Kingdoms  are 
made  to  drink  the  Cup  of  Adversity  as  a  Reward  of  their 
own  Doings.  Thus  the  inspired  Prophet,  reasoning  with 
the  degenerated  Jews,  saith,  "  Thine  own  Wickedness 
shall  correct  thee,  and  thy  Backslidings  shall  reprove 
thee :  Know,  therefore,  that  it  is  an  evil  Thing  and  bitter, 
that  thou  hast  forsaken  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  that 
my  Fear  is  not  in  thee,  saith  the  Lord  God  of  Hosts." 
Jer.  ii.  19. 

The  God  of  our  Fathers,  who  hath  bestowed  on  us 
many  Benefits,  furnished  a  Table  for  us  in  the  Wilderness, 
and  made  the  Desarts  and  solitary  Places  to  rejoice;  he 
doth  now  mercifully  call  upon  us  to  serve  him  more 
faithfully. — We  may  truly  say,  with  the  Prophet,  "  It 
is  his  Voice  which  crieth  to  the  City,  and  Men  of  Wisdom 
see  his  Name:   They  regard  the  Rod,  and  him  who  hath 


John  Woolman's  Journal  8  i 

appointed  it." — ^People,  who  look  chiefly  at  Things  out- 
ward, too  little  consider  the  original  Cause  of  the  present 
Troubles;  but  such  as  fear  the  Lord,  and  think  often 
upon  his  Name,  see  and  feel  that  a  wrong  Spirit  is  spread- 
ing among  the  Inhabitants  of  our  Country;  that  the 
Hearts  of  many  are  waxed  fat,  and  their  Ears  dull  of 
hearing;  that  the  Most  High,  in  his  Visitations  to  us, 
instead  of  calling,  lifteth  up  his  Voice  and  crieth;  he 
crieth  to  our  Country,  and  his  Voice  waxeth  louder 
and  louder.  In  former  Wars  between  the  English  and 
other  Nations,  since  the  Settlement  of  our  Provinces,  the 
Calamities  attending  them  have  fallen  chiefly  on  other 
Places,  but  now  of  late  they  have  reached  to  our  Borders ; 
many  of  our  fellow  Subjects  have  suffered  on  and  near 
our  Frontiers,  some  have  been  slain  in  Battle,  some  killed 
in  their  Houses,  and  some  in  their  Fields,  some  wounded 
and  left  in  great  Misery,  and  others  separated  from  their 
Wives  and  little  Children,  who  have  been  carried  Captives 
among  the  Indians :  We  have  seen  Men  and  Women, 
who  have  been  Witnesses  of  these  Scenes  of  Sorrow,  and 
been  reduced  to  Want,  have  come  to  our  Houses  asking 
Relief. — It  is  not  long  since  it  was  the  Case  of  many 
young  Men,  in  one  of  these  Provinces,  to  be  draughted, 
in  order  to  be  taken  as  Soldiers;  some  were  at  that  Time 
in  great  Distress,  and  had  Occasion  to  consider  that  their 
Lives  had  been  too  little  conformable  to  the  Purity  and 
Spirituality  of  that  Religion  which  we  profess,  and  found 
themselves  too  little  acquainted  with  that  inward  Humility, 
in  which  true  Fortitude  to  endure  Hardness  for  the  Truth's 
Sake  is  experienced. — ^Many  Parents  were  concerned  for 
their  Children,  and  in  that  Time  of  Trial  were  led  to 
consider,  that  their  Care,  to  get  outward  Treasure  for 
them,  had  been  greater  than  their  Care  for  their  Settle- 
ment in  that  Religion  which  crucifieth  to  the  World,  and 
enableth  to  bear  a  clear  Testimony  to  the  peaceable 
Government  of  the  Messiah.  These  Trouble  s  are  removed, 
and  for  a  Time  we  are  released  from  them. 

Let  us  not  forget  that  "  The  Most  High  hath  his  Way 
in  the  Deep,  in  Clouds  and  in  thick  Darkness  " — that  it 
is  his  Voice  which  crieth  to  the  City  and  to  the  Country; 


82  John  Woolman's  Journal 

and  oh!  that  these  loud  and  awakening  Cries  may  have 
a  proper  Effect  upon  us,  that  heavier  Chastisement  may 
not  become  necessary!  For  though  Things,  as  to  the 
Outward,  may,  for  a  short  Time,  afford  a  pleasing  Prospect; 
yet,  while  a  selfish  Spirit,  that  is  not  subject  to  the  Cross 
of  Christ,  continueth  to  spread  and  prevail,  there  can  be 
no  long  Continuance  in  outward  Peace  and  Tranquility. 
If  we  desire  an  Inheritance  incorruptible,  and  to  be  at 
Rest  in  that  State  of  Peace  and  Happiness,  which  ever 
continues;  if  we  desire,  in  this  Life,  to  dwell  under  the 
Favour  and  Protection  of  that  almighty  Being,  whose 
Habitation  is  in  Holiness,  whose  Ways  are  all  equal,  and 
whose  Anger  is  now  kindled  because  of  our  Backslidings ; 
let  us  then  awfully  regard  these  Beginnings  of  his  fore 
Judgments,  and,  with  Abasement  and  Humiliation  turn 
to  him,  whom  we  have  offended. 

Contending  with  one  equal  in  Strength  is  an  uneasy 
Exercise;  but  if  the  Lord  is  become  our  Enemy,  if  we 
persist  to  contend  with  him  who  is  omnipotent,  our  Over- 
throw will  be  unavoidable. 

Do  we  feel  an  affectionate  Regard  to  Posterity;  and 
are  we  employed  to  promote  their  Happiness?  Do  our 
Minds,  in  Things  outward,  look  beyond  our  own  Dis- 
solution; and  are  we  contriving  for  the  Prosperity  of  our 
Children  after  us?  Let  us  then,  like  wise  Builders,  lay 
the  Foundation  deep;  and,  by  our  constant  uniform 
Regard  to  an  inward  Piety  and  Virtue,  let  them  see  that 
we  really  value  it :  Let  us  labour,  in  the  Fear  of  the  Lord, 
that  their  innocent  Minds,  while  young  and  tender,  may 
be  preserved  from  Corruptions;  that,  as  they  advance 
in  Age,  they  may  rightly  understand  their  true  Interest, 
may  consider  the  Uncertainty  of  temporal  Things,  and, 
above  all,  have  their  Hope  and  Confidence  firmly  settled 
in  the  Blessing  of  that  Almighty  Being,  who  inhabits 
Eternity,  and  preserves  and  supports  the  World. 

In  all  our  Cares,  about  worldly  Treasures,  let  us  steadily 
bear  in  Mind,  that  Riches,  possessed  by  Children  who  do 
not  truly  serve  God,  are  likely  to  prove  Snares  that  may 
more  grievously  entangle  them  in  that  Spirit  of  Selfish- 
ness and  Exaltation,  which  stands  in  Opposition  to  real 


John  Woolman's  Journal  83 

Peace  and  Happiness;  and  renders  them  Enemies  to  the 
Cross  of  Christy  who  submit  to  the  Influence  of  it. 

To  keep  a  watchful  eye  towards  real  Objects  of  Charity, 
to  visit  the  Poor  in  their  lonesome  Dwelling-places,  to 
comfort  them  who,  through  the  Dispensations  of  divine 
Providence,  are  in  strait  and  painful  Circumstances  in 
this  Life,  and  steadily  to  endeavour  to  honour  God  with 
our  Substance,  from  a  real  Sense  of  the  Love  of  Christ 
influencing  our  Minds  thereto,  is  more  likely  to  bring  a 
Blessing  to  our  Children,  and  will  afford  more  Satisfaction 
to  a  Christian  favoured  with  Plenty,  than  an  earnest 
Desire  to  collect  much  Wealth  to  leave  behind  us;  for 
"  Here  we  have  no  continuing  City;  "  may  we  therefore 
diligently  "  seek  one  that  is  to  come,  whose  Builder  and 
Maker  is  God." 

"  Finally,  Brethren,  whatsoever  Things  are  true, 
whatsoever  Things  are  just,  whatsoever  Things  are  pure, 
whatsoever  Things  are  lovely,  whatsoever  Things  are  of 
good  Report;  if  there  be  any  Virtue,  if  there  be  any 
Praise,  think  on  these  Things  and  do  them,  and  the  God 
of  Peace  shall  be  with  you." 

Signed,  by  Appointment,  and  on  Behalf  of  our  said 
Meeting,  by  seven  Friends. 

On  the  twenty-eighth  Day  of  the  eleventh  Month,  in 
the  Year  1759,  I  was  at  the  Quarterly-meeting  in  Bucks 
County:  This  Day  being  the  Meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders,  my  Heart  was  enlarged  in  the  Love  of  Jesus 
Christ;  and  the  Favour  of  the  Most  High  was  extended 
to  us  in  that  and  the  ensuing  Meeting. 

I  had  Conversation,  at  my  Lodging,  with  my  beloved 
Friend,  Samuel  Eastburn;  who  expressed  a  Concern  to 
join  in  a  Visit  to  some  Friends,  in  that  County,  who  had 
Negroes ;  and  as  I  had  felt  a  Draught  in  my  Mind  to  that 
Work  in  the  said  County,  came  Home  and  put  Things 
in  Order:  On  the  eleventh  Day  of  the  twelfth  Month 
following,  I  went  over  the  River;  and  on  the  next  Day 
was  at  Buckingham  Meeting ;  where,  through  the  Descend- 
ings  of  heavenly  Dew,  my  Mind  was  comforted,  and  drawn 
into  a  near  Unity  with  the  Flock  of  Jesus  Christ. 


84  John  Woolman's  Journal 

Entering  upon  this  Visit  appeared  weighty :  And  before 
I  left  Home  my  Mind  was  often  sad ;  under  which  Exercise 
I  felt,  at  Times,  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  helps  our  In- 
firmities; through  which,  in  private,  my  Prayers  were, 
at  Times,  put  up  to  God,  that  he  would  be  pleased  to 
purge  me  from  all  Selfishness,  that  I  might  be  strengthened 
to  discharge  my  Duty  faithfully,  how  hard  soever  to  the 
natural  Part.  We  proceeded  on  the  Visit  in  a  weighty 
Frame  of  Spirit,  and  went  to  the  Houses  of  the  most 
active  Members,  throughout  the  Country,  who  had 
Negroes;  and,  through  the  Goodness  of  the  Lord,  my 
Mind  was  preserved  in  Resignation  in  Times  of  Trial, 
and,  though  the  Work  was  hard  to  Nature,  yet  through 
the  Strength  of  that  Love  which  is  stronger  than  Death, 
Tenderness  of  Heart  was  often  felt  amongst  us  in  our 
Visits,  and  we  parted  from  several  Families  with  greater 
Satisfaction  than  we  expected. 

We  visited  Joseph  White's  Family,  he  being  in 
England;  and  also  a  Family-sitting  at  the  House  of  an 
Elder  who  bore  us  Company,  and  was  at  Makefield  on 
a  First-day:  At  all  which  Times  my  Heart  was  truly 
thankful  to  the  Lord,  who  was  graciously  pleased  to 
renew  his  Loving-kindness  to  us,  his  poor  Servants, 
uniting  us  together  in  his  Work. 


CHAPTER  VII 

His  Visit,  in  Company  with  Samuel  Eastburn,  to  Long- 
Island,  Rhode-Island,  Boston,  etc.  in  New-England — 
Remarks  on  the  Slave-Trade  at  Newport,  and  his  Exercise 
on  that  A  ccount  ;  also  on  Lotteries — Some  Observations 
on  the  Island  of  Nantucket 

Having,  for  some  Time  past,  felt  a  Sympathy  in  my 
Mind  with  Friends  Eastward,  I  opened  my  Concern  in 
our  Monthly-meeting;  and,  obtaining  a  Certificate,  set 
forward  on  the  seventeenth  Day  of  the  fourth  Month, 
in  the  Year  1760,  joining  in  Company,  by  a  previous 
Agreement,  with  my  beloved  Friend,  Samuel  Eastburn. 
We  had  Meetings  at  Woodbridge,  Rahaway,  and  Plain- 
field  ;  and  were  at  their  Monthly-meeting  of  Ministers 
and  Elders  in  Rahaway.  We  laboured  under  some  Dis- 
couragement; but,  through  the  invisible  Power  of  Truth, 
our  Visit  was  made  reviving  to  the  Lowly-minded,  with 
whom  I  felt  a  near  Unity  of  Spirit,  being  much  reduced 
in  my  Mind.  We  passed  on  and  visited  the  chief  of  the 
Meetings  on  Long-Island.  It  was  my  Concern,  from  Day 
to  Day,  to  say  no  more  nor  less  than  what  the  Spirit  of 
Truth  opened  in  me;  being  jealous  over  myself,  lest  I 
should  speak  any  Thing  to  make  my  Testimony  look 
agreeable  to  that  Mind  in  People,  which  is  not  in  pure 
Obedience  to  the  Cross  of  Christ. 

The  Spring  of  the  Ministry  was  often  low;  and,  through 
the  subjecting  Power  of  Truth,  we  were  kept  low  with  it; 
and  from  Place  to  Place,  such  whose  Hearts  were  truly 
concerned  for  the  Cause  of  Christ,  appeared  to  be  com- 
forted in  our  Labours;  and  though  it  was  in  general 
a  Time  of  Abasement  of  the  Creature,  yet,  through  his 
Goodness,  who  is  a  Helper  of  the  Poor,  we  had  some 
truly  edifying  Seasons,  both  in  Meetings,  and  in  Families 
where  we  tarried;  and  sometimes  found  Strength  to 
labour   earnestly   with   the   Unfaithful,   especially   with 

85 


86  John  Woolman's  Journal 

those  whose  Station  in  Families,  or  in  the  Society,  was 
such,  that  their  Example  had  a  powerful  Tendency  to 
open  the  Way  for  others  to  go  aside  from  the  Purity  and 
Soundness  of  the  blessed  Truth.  At  Jericho,  on  Long- 
Island,  I  wrote  Home  as  follows : 

2/^th  of  the  4th  Month,  1760. 

"  Dearly  beloved  Wife, — We  are  favoured  with  Health; 
have  been  at  sundry  Meetings  in  East- Jersey,  and  on  this 
Island :  My  Mind  hath  been  much  in  an  inward  watchful 
Frame  since  I  left  thee,  greatly  desiring  that  our  Proceed- 
ings may  be  singly  in  the  Will  of  our  heavenly  Father. 

"  As  the  present  Appearance  of  Things  is  not  joyous, 
I  have  been  much  shut  up  from  outward  Cheerfulness, 
remembering  that  Promise,  '  Then  shalt  thou  delight 
thyself  in  the  Lord:  ' — As  this,  from  Day  to  Day,  has 
been  revived  in  my  Memory,  I  have  considered  that  his 
internal  Presence  on  our  Minds  is  a  Delight,  of  all  others, 
the  most  pure;  and  that  the  Honest-hearted  not  only 
delight  in  this,  but  in  the  Effect  of  it  upon  them.  He 
regards  the  Helpless  and  Distressed,  and  reveals  his  Love 
to  his  Children  under  Affliction;  they  delight  in  behold- 
ing his  Benevolence,  and  feeling  divine  Charity  moving 
upon  them:  Of  this  I  may  speak  a  little;  for  though, 
since  I  left  you,  I  have  often  found  an  engaging  Love  and 
Affection  toward  thee  and  my  Daughter,  and  Friends 
about  Home,  that  going  out  at  this  Time,  when  Sickness 
is  so  great  amongst  you,  is  a  Trial  upon  me;  yet  I  often 
remember  there  are  many  Widows  and  Fatherless,  many 
who  have  poor  Tutors,  many  who  have  evil  Examples 
before  them,  and  many  whose  Minds  are  in  Captivity,  for 
whose  Sake  my  Heart  is,  at  Times,  moved  with  Com- 
passion; so  that  I  feel  my  Mind  resigned  to  leave  you 
for  a  Season,  to  exercise  that  Gift  which  the  Lord  hath 
bestowed  on  me;  which  though  small,  compared  with 
some,  yet  in  this  I  rejoice,  that  I  feel  Love  unfeigned 
toward  my  Fellow-creatures.  I  recommend  you  to  the 
Almighty,  who,  I  trust,  cares  for  you;  and,  under  a  Sense 
of  his  heavenly  Love,  remain, — Thy  loving  Husband, 

''  J.  W." 


John  Woolman's  Journal  87 

We  crossed  from  the  East  End  of  Long-Island  to  New- 
London,  about  thirty  Miles,  in  a  large  open  Boat;  while 
we  were  out,  the  Wind  rising  high,  the  Waves  several 
Times  beat  over  us,  so  that  to  me  it  appeared  dangerous ; 
but  my  Mind  was,  at  that  Time,  turned  to  him,  who  made 
and  governs  the  Deep,  and  my  Life  was  resigned  to  him: 
And,  as  he  was  mercifully  pleased  to  preserve  us,  I  had 
fresh  Occasion  to  consider  every  Day  as  a  Day  lent  to 
me ;  and  felt  a  renewed  Engagement  to  devote  my  Time, 
and  all  I  had,  to  him  who  gave  them. 

We  had  five  Meetings  in  Narraganset ;  and  went  thence 
to  Newport  on  Rhode-Island.  Our  gracious  Father  pre- 
served us  in  an  humble  Dependence  on  him  through  deep 
Exercises,  that  were  mortifying  to  the  creaturely  Will. 
In  several  Families  in  the  Country,  where  we  lodged,  I 
felt  an  Engagement  on  my  Mind  to  have  a  Conference 
with  them  in  private  concerning  their  Slaves;  and, 
through  divine  Aid,  I  was  favoured  to  give  up  thereto: 
Though,  in  this  Concern,  I  appeared  singular  from  many, 
whose  Service  in  Travelling,  I  believe,  is  greater  than 
mine;  I  do  not  think  hard  of  them  for  omitting  it;  I 
do  not  repine  at  having  so  unpleasant  a  Task  assigned 
me,  but  look  with  Awfulness  to  him,  who  appoints  to  his 
Servants  their  respective  Employments,  and  is  good  to 
all  who  serve  him  sincerely. 

We  got  to  Newport  in  the  Evening,  and  on  the  next  Day 
visited  two  sick  Persons,  and  had  comfortable  Sittings 
with  them;  and  in  the  Afternoon  attended  the  Burial  of 
a  Friend. 

The  next  Day  we  were  at  Meetings  at  Newport,  in 
the  Forenoon  and  Afternoon;  where  the  Spring  of  the 
Ministry  was  opened,  and  Strength  given  to  declare  the 
Word  of  Life  to  the  People. 

The  next  Day  we  went  on  our  Journey;  but  the  great 
Number  of  Slaves  in  these  Parts,  and  the  Continuance  of 
that  Trade  from  thence  to  Guinea,  made  deep  Impression 
on  me;  and  my  Cries  were  often  put  up  to  my  heavenly 
Father  in  secret,  that  he  would  enable  me  to  discharge  my 
Duty  faithfully,  in  such  Way  as  he  might  be  pleased  to 
point  out  to  me. 


88  John  Woolman's  Journal 

We  took  Swansea,  Freetown,  and  Tanton,  in  our  Way 
to  Boston;  where  also  we  had  a  Meeting;  our  Exercise 
was  deep,  and  the  Love  of  Truth  prevailed,  for  which  I 
bless  the  Lord.  We  went  Eastward  about  eighty  Miles 
beyond  Boston,  taking  Meetings,  and  were  in  a  good 
Degree  preserved  in  an  humble  Dependance  on  that  Arm 
which  drew  us  out;  and,  though  we  had  some  hard 
Labour  with  the  Disobedient,  laying  Things  home  and 
close  to  such  as  were  stout  against  the  Truth;  yet, 
through  the  Goodness  of  God,  we  had,  at  Times,  to 
partake  of  heavenly  Comfort  with  them  who  were  meek, 
and  were  often  favoured  to  part  with  Friends  in  the 
Nearness  of  true  Gospel-fellowship.  We  returned  to 
Boston,  and  had  another  comfortable  Opportunity  with 
Friends  there;  and  thence  rode  back  a  Day's  Journey 
Eastward  of  Boston :  Our  Guide  being  a  heavy  Man, 
and  the  Weather  hot,  and  my  Companion  and  I  consider- 
ing it,  expressed  our  Freedom  to  go  on  without  him,  to 
which  he  consented,  and  we  respectfully  took  our  Leave  of 
him;  this  we  did,  as  believing  the  Journey  would  have 
been  hard  to  him  and  his  Horse. 

We  visited  the  Meetings  in  those  Parts,  and  were 
measurably  baptized  into  a  feeling  of  the  State  of  the 
Society :  And  in  Bowedness  of  Spirit  went  to  the  Yearly- 
meeting  at  Newport;  where  I  understood  that  a  large 
Number  of  Slaves  were  imported  from  Africa  into  that 
Town,  and  then  on  Sale  by  a  Member  of  our  Society.  At 
this  Meeting  we  met  with  John  Storer  from  England, 
Elizabeth  Shipley,  Ann  Gaunt,  Hannah  Foster,  and 
Mercy  Redman,  from  our  Parts,  all  Ministers  of  the 
Gospel,  of  whose  Company  I  was  glad. 

At  this  Time  my  Appetite  failed,  and  I  grew  outwardly 
weak,  and  had  a  Feeling  of  the  Condition  of  Habakknk 
as  there  expressed:  "  When  I  heard,  my  Belly  trembled, 
my  Lips  quivered,  I  trembled  in  myself  that  I  might  rest 
in  the  Day  of  Trouble;"  I  had  many  Cogitations,  and 
was  sorely  distressed:  And  was  desirous  that  Friends 
might  petition  the  Legislature,  to  use  their  Endeavours 
to  discourage  the  future  Importation  of  Slaves;  for  I 
saw  that  this  Trade  was  a  great  Evil,  and  tended  to 


John  Woolman's  Journal  89 

multiply  Troubles,  and  bring  Distresses  on  the  People  in 
those  parts,  for  whose  Welfare  my  Heart  was  deeply 
concerned. 

But  I  perceived  several  Difficulties  in  Regard  to  petition- 
ing; and  such  was  the  Exercise  of  my  Mind,  that  I  had 
Thought  of  endeavouring  to  get  an  Opportunity  to  speak 
a  few  Words  in  the  House  of  Assembly,  then  sitting  in 
Town.  This  Exercise  came  upon  me  in  the  Afternoon, 
on  the  second  Day  of  the  Yearly-meeting,  and,  going  to 
Bed,  I  got  no  Sleep  till  my  Mind  was  wholly  resigned 
therein;  and  in  the  Morning  I  enquired  of  a  Friend  how 
long  the  Assembly  were  likely  to  continue  sitting;  who 
told  me,  they  were  expected  to  be  prorogued  that  Day 
or  the  next. 

As  I  was  desirous  to  attend  the  Business  of  the  Meeting, 
and  perceived  the  Assembly  were  likely  to  depart  before 
the  Business  was  over;  after  considerable  Exercise, 
humbly  seeking  to  the  Lord  for  Instruction,  my  Mind 
settled  to  attend  on  the  Business  of  the  Meeting;  on  the 
last  Day  of  which,  I  had  prepared  a  short  Essay  of  a 
Petition  to  be  presented  to  the  Legislature,  if  Way  opened : 
And  being  informed  that  there  were  some  appointed,  by 
that  Yearly-meeting,  to  speak  with  those  in  Authority, 
in  Cases  relating  to  the  Society,  I  opened  my  Mind  to 
several  of  them,  and  shewed  them  the  Essay  I  had  made; 
and  afterward  opened  the  Case  in  the  Meeting  for  Business, 
in  Substance  as  follows: 

"  I  have  been  under  a  Concern  for  some  Time,  on 
Account  of  the  great  Number  of  Slaves  which  are  im- 
ported in  this  Colony;  I  am  aware  that  it  is  a  tender 
Point  to  speak  to,  but  apprehend  I  am  not  clear  in  the 
Sight  of  Heaven  without  speaking  to  it.  I  have  prepared 
an  Essay  of  a  Petition,  if  Way  open,  to  be  presented  to 
the  Legislature;  and  what  I  have  to  propose  to  this 
Meeting  is,  that  some  Friends  may  be  named  to  withdraw 
and  look  over  it,  and  report  whether  they  believe  it 
suitable  to  be  read  in  the  Meeting;  if  they  should  think 
well  of  reading  it,  it  will  remain  for  the  Meeting,  after 
hearing  it,  to  consider,  whether  to  take  any  farther 
Notice  of  it  at  a  Meeting  or  not."    After  a  short  Con- 


go  John  Woolman's  Journal 

ference  some  Friends  went  out,  and,  looking  over  it, 
expressed  their  Willingness  to  have  it  read;  which  being 
done,  many  expressed  their  Unity  with  the  Proposal; 
and  some  signified,  that  to  have  the  Subjects  of  the 
Petition  enlarged  upon,  and  to  be  signed  out  of  Meeting 
by  such'  as  were  free,  would  be  more  suitable  than  to  do 
it  there:  Though  I  expected,  at  first,  that  if  it  was  done 
it  would  be  in  that  Way;  yet,  such  was  the  Exercise  of 
my  Mind,  that  to  move  it  in  the  hearing  of  Friends,  when 
assembled,  appeared  to  me  as  a  Duty;  for  my  Heart 
yearned  toward  the  Inhabitants  of  these  Parts ;  believing 
that  by  this  Trade  there  had  been  an  Increase  of  In- 
quietude amongst  them,  and  a  Way  made  easy  for  the 
spreading  of  a  Spirit  opposite  to  that  Meekness  and 
Humility,  which  is  a  sure  Resting-place  for  the  Soul: 
And  that  the  Continuance  of  this  Trade  would  not  only 
render  their  Healing  more  difficult,  but  increase  their 
Malady. 

Having  thus  far  proceeded,  I  felt  easy  to  leave  the 
Essay  among  Friends,  for  them  to  proceed  in  it  as  they 
believed  best.  And  now  an  Exercise  revived  on  my 
Mind  in  Relation  to  Lotteries,  which  were  common  in 
those  Parts:  I  had  once  moved  it  in  a  former  Sitting  of 
this  Meeting,  when  Arguments  were  used  in  Favour  of 
Friends  being  held  excused  who  were  only  concerned  in 
such  Lotteries  as  were  agreeable  to  Law:  And  now,  on 
moving  it  again,  it  was  opposed  as  before ;  but  the  Hearts 
of  some  solid  Friends  appeared  to  be  united  to  discourage 
the  Practice  amongst  their  Members;  and  the  Matter 
was  zealously  handled  by  some  on  both  Sides.  In  this 
Debate  it  appeared  very  clear  to  me,  that  the  Spirit  of 
Lotteries  was  a  Spirit  of  Selfishness,  which  tended  to 
Confusion  and  Darkness  of  Understanding;  and  that 
pleading  for  it  in  our  Meetings,  set  apart  for  the  Lord's 
Work,  was  not  right:  And,  in  the  Heat  of  Zeal,  I  once 
made  Reply  to  what  an  ancient  Friend  said,  though 
when  I  sat  down,  I  saw  that  my  Words  were  not  enough 
seasoned  with  Charity;  and,  after  this,  I  spake  no  more 
on  the  Subject.  At  length  a  Minute  was  made;  a  Copy 
of  which  was  agreed  to  be  sent  to  their  several  Quarterly- 


John  Woolman's  Journal  9  1 

meetings,  inciting  Friends  to  labour  to  discourage  the 
Practice  amongst  all  professing  with  us. 

Some  Time  after  this  Minute  was  made,  I,  remaining 
uneasy  with  the  Manner  of  my  speaking  to  the  ancient 
Friend,  could  not  see  my  Way  clear  to  conceal  my  Un- 
easiness, but  was  concerned  that  I  might  say  nothing  to 
weaken  the  Cause  in  which  I  had  laboured;  and  then, 
after  some  close  Exercise  and  hearty  Repentance,  for  that 
I  had  not  attended  closely  to  the  safe  Guide,  I  stood 
up,  and  reciting  the  Passage,  acquainted  Friends,  that, 
though  I  durst  not  go  from  what  I  had  said  as  to  the 
Matter,  yet  I  was  uneasy  with  the  Manner  of  my  speaking, 
as  believing  milder  Language  would  have  been  better. 
As  this  was  uttered  in  some  Degree  of  creaturely  Abase- 
ment, it  appeared  to  have  a  good  Savour  amongst  us, 
after  a  warm  Debate. 

The  Yearly-meeting  being  now  over,  there  yet  remained 
on  my  Mind  a  secret,  though  heavy.  Exercise  in  regard  to 
some  leading  active  Members  about  Newport,  being  in 
the  Practice  of  Slave-keeping.  This  I  mentioned  to  two 
ancient  Friends,  who  came  out  of  the  Country,  and 
proposed  to  them,  if  Way  opened,  to  have  some  Con- 
versation with  those  Friends:  And,  thereupon,  one  of 
those  Country  Friends  and  I  consulted  one  of  the  most 
noted  Elders  who  had  Slaves;  and  he,  in  a  respectful 
Manner,  encouraged  me  to  proceed  to  clear  myself  of 
what  lay  upon  me.  Now  I  had,  near  the  Beginning  of 
the  Yearly-meeting,  a  private  Conference  with  this  said 
Elder  and  his  Wife  concerning  theirs;  so  that  the  Way 
seemed  clear  to  me  to  advise  with  him  about  the  Manner 
of  proceeding :  I  told  him,  I  was  free  to  have  a  Conference 
with  them  all  together  in  a  private  House;  or,  if  he 
thought  they  would  take  it  unkind  to  be  asked  to  come 
together,  and  to  be  spoke  with  one  in  the  hearing  of 
another,  I  was  free  to  spend  some  Time  among  them,  and 
visit  them  all  in  their  own  Houses:  He  expressed  his 
Liking  to  the  first  Proposal,  not  doubting  their  Willing- 
ness to  come  together:  And,  as  I  proposed  a  Visit  to 
only  Ministers,  Elders,  and  Overseers,  he  named  some 
others,  who  he  desired  might  be  present  also:  And,  as 
H  402 


92  John  Woolman's  Journal 

a  careful  Messenger  was  wanted  to  acquaint  them  in  a 
proper  Manner,  he  offered  to  go  to  all  their  Houses  to 
open  the  Matter  to  them ;  and  did  so.  About  the  eighth 
Hour,  the  next  Morning,  we  met  in  the  Meeting-house 
Chamber,  and  the  last-mentioned  Country  Friend,  also 
my  Companion,  and  John  Storer,  with  us;  when,  after 
a  short  Time  of  Retirement,  I  acquainted  them  with  the 
Steps  I  had  taken  in  procuring  that  Meeting,  and  opened 
the  Concern  I  was  under;  and  so  we  proceeded  to  a  free 
Conference  upon  the  Subject.  My  Exercise  was  heavy, 
and  I  was  deeply  bowed  in  Spirit  before  the  Lord,  who 
was  pleased  to  favour  us  with  the  seasoning  Virtue  of 
Truth,  which  wrought  a  Tenderness  amongst  us ;  and  the 
Subject  was  mutually  handled  in  a  calm  and  peaceable 
Spirit:  And,  at  length,  feeling  my  Mind  released  from 
that  Burthen  which  I  had  been  under,  I  took  my  Leave 
of  them,  in  a  good  Degree  of  Satisfaction;  and,  by  the 
Tenderness  they  manifested  in  Regard  to  the  Practice, 
and  the  Concern  several  of  them  expressed  in  Relation 
to  the  Manner  of  disposing  of  their  Negroes  after  their 
Decease,  I  believed  that  a  good  Exercise  was  spreading 
amongst  them;  and  I  am  humbly  thankful  to  God,  who 
supported  my  Mind,  and  preserved  me  in  a  good  Degree 
of  Resignation  through  these  Trials. 

Thou,  who  sometimes  travellest  in  the  Work  of  the 
Ministry,  art  made  very  welcome  by  thy  Friends,  and 
seest  many  Tokens  of  their  Satisfaction,  in  having  thee 
for  their  Guest,  it  is  good  for  thee  to  dwell  deep,  that 
thou  mayst  feel  and  understand  the  Spirits  of  People: 
If  we  believe  Truth  points  towards  a  Conference  on  some 
Subjects,  in  a  private  Way,  it  is  needful  for  us  to  take 
heed  that  their  Kindness,  their  Freedom,  and  Affability, 
do  not  hinder  us  from  the  Lord's  Work.  I  have  seen 
that,  in  the  midst  of  Kindness  and  smooth  Conduct,  to 
speak  close  and  home  to  them  who  entertain  us,  on 
Points  that  relate  to  their  outward  Interest,  is  hard 
Labour;  and  sometimes,  when  I  have  felt  Truth  lead 
toward  it,  I  have  found  myself  disqualified  by  a  super- 
ficial Friendship;  and  as  the  Sense  thereof  hath  abased 
me,  and  my  Cries  have  been  to  the  Lord,  so  I  have  been 


John  Woolman's  Journal  93 

humbled  and  made  content  to  appear  weak,  or  as  a  Fool 
for  his  Sake;  and  thus  a  Door  hath  opened  to  enter  upon 
it.  To  attempt  to  do  the  Lord's  Work  in  our  own  Way, 
and  to  speak  of  that  which  is  the  Burthen  of  the  Word 
in  a  Way  easy  to  the  natural  Part,  doth  not  reach  the 
Bottom  of  the  Disorder.  To  see  the  Failings  of  our 
Friends  and  think  hard  of  them,  without  opening  that 
which  we  ought  to  open,  and  still  carry  a  Face  of  Friend- 
ship; this  tends  to  undermine  the  Foundation  of  true 
Unity. 

The  Office  of  a  Minister  of  Christ  is  weighty;  and  they, 
who  go  forth  as  Watchmen,  had  need  to  be  steadily  on 
their  Guard  against  the  Snares  of  Prosperity  and  an  out- 
side Friendship. 

After  the  Yearly-meeting,  we  were  at  Meetings  at  New- 
Town,  Cushnet,  Long-Plain,  Rochester,  and  Dartmouth  : 
From  thence  we  sailed  for  Nantucket,  in  Company  with 
Ann  Gaunt  and  Mercy  Redman,  and  several  other 
Friends:  The  Wind  being  slack,  we  only  reached  Tar- 
pawling-Cove  the  first  Day;  where,  going  on  Shore,  we 
found  Room  in  a  Publick-house,  and  Beds  for  a  few  of 
us,  the  rest  sleeping  on  the  Floor:  We  went  on  board 
again  about  Break  of  Day;  and,  though  the  Wind  was 
small,  we  were  favoured  to  come  within  about  four  Miles 
of  Nantucket;  and  then,  about  ten  of  us  getting  into 
our  Boat,  we  rowed  to  the  Harbour  before  dark;  where- 
upon a  large  Boat,  going  off,  brought  in  the  rest  of  the 
Passengers  about  Midnight:  The  next  Day  but  one  was 
their  Yearly-meeting,  which  held  four  Days;  the  last  of 
which  was  their  Monthly-meeting  for  Business.  We  had 
a  laborious  Time  amongst  them :  Our  Minds  were  closely 
exercised,  and  I  believe  it  was  a  Time  of  great  Searching 
of  Heart:  The  longer  I  was  on  the  Island,  the  more  I 
became  sensible  that  there  was  a  considerable  Number 
of  valuable  Friends  there,  though  an  evil  Spirit,  tending 
to  Strife,  had  been  at  Work  amongst  them :  I  was  cautious 
of  making  any  Visits,  but  as  my  Mind  was  particularly 
drawn  to  them;  and  in  that  Way  we  had  some  Sittings 
in  Friends  Houses,  where  the  heavenly  Wing  was,  at 
Times,  spread  over  us,  to  our  mutual  Comfort. 


94  John  Woolman's  Journal 

My  beloved  Companion  had  very  acceptable  Service 
on  this  Island. 

When  Meeting  was  over,  we  all  agreed  to  sail  the  next 
Day,  if  the  Weather  was  suitable  and  we  well ;  and,  being 
called  up  the  latter  Part  of  the  Night,  we  went  on  board 
a  Vessel,  being  in  all  about  fifty;  but,  the  Wind  changing, 
the  Seamen  thought  best  to  stay  in  the  Harbour  till  it 
altered;  so  we  returned  on  Shore;  and,  feeling  clear  as 
to  any  farther  Visits,  I  spent  my  Time  in  our  Chamber 
chiefly  alone;  and,  after  some  Hours,  my  Heart  being 
filled  with  the  Spirit  of  Supplication,  my  Prayers  and 
Tears  were  poured  out,  before  my  heavenly  Father,  for 
his  Help  and  Instruction  in  the  manifold  Difficulties 
which  attended  me  in  Life:  And,  while  I  was  waiting 
upon  the  Lord,  there  came  a  Messenger  from  the  Women 
Friends,  who  lodged  at  another  House,  desiring  to  confer 
with  us  about  appointing  a  Meeting,  which  to  me  appeared 
weighty,  as  we  had  been  at  so  many  before;  but,  after 
a  short  Conference,  and  advising  with  some  elderly 
Friends,  a  Meeting  was  appointed,  in  which  the  Friend, 
who  first  moved  it,  and  who  had  been  much  shut  up 
before,  was  largely  opened  in  the  Love  of  the  Gospel: 
And  the  next  Morning,  about  Break  of  Day,  going  again 
on  board  the  Vessel,  we  reached  Falmouth  on  the  Main 
before  Night;  where  our  Horses  being  brought,  we  pro- 
ceeded toward  Sandwich  Quarterly-meeting. 

Being  two  Days  in  going  to  Nantucket,  and  having  been 
there  once  before,  I  observed  many  Shoals  in  their  Bay, 
which  make  Sailing  more  dangerous,  especially  in  stormy 
Nights;  also,  that  a  great  Shoal,  which  encloses  their 
Harbour,  prevents  their  going  in  with  Sloops,  except 
when  the  Tide  is  up;  waiting  without  which,  for  the 
Rising  of  the  Tide,  is  sometimes  hazardous  in  Storms; 
waiting  within,  they  sometimes  miss  a  fair  Wind.  I  took 
Notice,  that  on  that  small  Island  was  a  great  Number 
of  Inhabitants,  and  the  Soil  not  very  fertile;  the  Timber 
so  gone,  that  for  Vessels,  Fences,  and  Firewood,  they 
depend  chiefly  on  the  buying  from  the  Main;  the  Cost 
whereof,  with  most  of  their  other  Expences,  they  depend 
principally  upon  the  Whale-fishery  to  answer.     I  con- 


John  Woolman's  Journal  95 

sidered,  that  as  Towns  grew  larger,  and  Lands  near 
navigable  Waters  more  cleared,  Timber  and  Wood  require 
more  Labour  to  get  it:  I  understood  that  the  Whales 
being  much  hunted,  and  sometimes  wounded  and  not 
killed,  grew  more  shy  and  difficult  to  come  at:  I  con- 
sidered that  the  Formation  of  the  Earth,  the  Seas,  the 
Islands,  Bays,  and  Rivers,  the  Motions  of  the  Winds  and 
great  Waters,  which  cause  Bars  and  Shoals  in  particular 
Places,  were  all  the  Works  of  him  who  is  perfect  Wisdom 
and  Goodness;  and,  as  People  attend  to  his  heavenly 
Instruction,  and  put  their  Trust  in  him,  he  provides  for 
them  in  all  Parts  where  he  gives  them  a  Being.  And  as, 
in  this  Visit  to  these  People,  I  felt  a  strong  Desire  for  their 
firm  Establishment  on  the  sure  Foundation,  besides  what 
was  said  more  publickly,  I  was  concerned  to  speak  with 
the  Women  Friends,  in  their  Monthly-meeting  of  Business, 
many  being  present;  and,  in  the  fresh  Spring  of  pure 
Love,  to  open  before  them  the  Advantage,  both  inward 
and  outward,  of  attending  singly  to  the  Guidance  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  therein  to  educate  their  Children  in  true 
Humility,  and  the  Disuse  of  all  Superfluities,  reminding 
them  of  the  Difficulties  their  Husbands  and  Sons  were 
frequently  exposed  to  at  Sea;  and  that,  the  more  plain 
and  simple  their  Way  of  Living  was,  the  less  Need  of 
running  great  Hazards  to  support  them  in  it;  encourag- 
ing the  young  Women  in  their  neat  decent  Way  of  attend- 
ing themselves  on  the  Affairs  of  the  House;  shewing,  as 
the  Way  opened,  that,  where  People  were  truly  humble, 
used  themselves  to  Business,  and  were  content  with  a 
plain  Way  of  Life,  it  had  ever  been  attended  with  more 
true  Peace  and  Calmness  of  Mind,  than  they  have  had 
who,  aspiring  to  Greatness  and  outward  Shew,  have 
grasped  hard  for  an  Income  to  support  themselves  in  it: 
And,  as  I  observed  they  had  few  or  no  Slaves  amongst 
them,  I  had  to  encourage  them  to  be  content  without 
them;  making  mention  of  the  numerous  Troubles  and 
Vexations  which  frequently  attend  the  Minds  of  People 
who  depend  on  Slaves  to  do  their  Labour. 

We  attended  the  Quarterly-meeting  at  Sandwich,  in 
Company  with  Ann  Gaunt  and  Mercy  Redman,  which 


96  John  Woolman's  Journal 

was  preceded  by  a  Monthly-meeting;  and  in  the  whole 
held  three  Days:  We  were  various  Ways  exercised 
amongst  them,  in  Gospel-love,  according  to  the  several 
Gifts  bestowed  on  us ;  and  were,  at  Times,  overshadowed 
with  the  Virtue  of  Truth,  to  the  Comfort  of  the  Sincere, 
and  stirring  up  of  the  Negligent.  Here  we  parted  with 
Ann  and  Mercy,  and  went  to  Rhode-Island,  taking  one 
Meeting  in  our  Way,  which  was  a  satisfactory  Time; 
and,  reaching  Newport  the  Evening  before  their  Quarterly- 
meeting,  we  attended  it;  and,  after  that,  had  a  Meeting 
with  our  young  People,  separated  from  those  of  other 
Societies.  We  went  through  much  Labour  in  this  Town; 
and  now,  in  taking  Leave  of  it,  though  I  felt  close  inward 
Exercise  to  the  last,  I  found  inward  Peace;  and  was,  in 
some  Degree,  comforted,  in  a  Belief,  that  a  good  Number 
remain  in  that  Place,  who  retain  a  Sense  of  Truth;  and 
that  there  are  some  young  People  attentive  to  the  Voice 
of  the  heavenly  Shepherd.  The  last  Meeting,  in  which 
Friends  from  the  several  Parts  of  the  Quarter  came 
together,  was  a  select  Meeting;  and,  through  the  renewed 
Manifestation  of  the  Father's  Love,  the  Hearts  of  the 
Sincere  were  united  together. 

That  Poverty  of  Spirit,  and  inward  Weakness,  with 
which  I  was  much  tried  the  fore  Part  of  this  Journey, 
have  of  late  appeared  to  me  as  a  Dispensation  of  Kind- 
ness. Appointing  Meetings  never  appeared  more  weighty 
to  me;  and  I  was  led  into  a  deep  Search,  whether  in  all 
Things  my  Mind  was  resigned  to  the  Will  of  God;  often 
querying  with  myself,  what  should  be  the  Cause  of  such 
inward  Poverty;  and  greatly  desired,  that  no  secret 
Reserve  in  my  Heart  might  hinder  my  Access  to  the 
divine  Fountain.  In  these  humbling  Times  I  was  made 
watchful,  and  excited  to  attend  the  secret  Movings  of 
the  heavenly  Principle  in  my  Mind,  which  prepared  the 
Way  to  some  Duties,  that  in  more  easy  and  prosperous 
Times,  as  to  the  Outward,  I  believe  I  should  have  been 
in  danger  of  omitting. 

From  Newport  we  went  to  Greenwich,  Shanticut,  and 
Warwick  ;  and  were  helped  to  labour  amongst  Friends 
in  the  Love  of  our  gracious  Redeemer:  And  then,  accom- 


John  Woolman's  Journal  97 

panied  by  our  Friend,  John  Casey,  from  Newport,  we 
rode  through  Connecticut  to  Oblong,  visited  the  Meetings 
of  Friends  in  those  Parts,  and  thence  proceeded  to  the 
Quarterly-meeting  at  Ryewoods  ;  and,  through  the  gracious 
Extendings  of  divine  Help,  had  some  seasoning  Oppor- 
tunities in  those  Places:  So  we  visited  Friends  at  New 
York  and  Flushing  ;  and  thence  to  Rahaway  :  And  here, 
our  Roads  parting,  I  took  Leave  of  my  beloved  Com- 
panion, and  true  Yoke-mate,  Samuel  Eastburn;  and 
reached  Home  on  the  tenth  Day  of  the  eighth  Month, 
1760,  where  I  found  my  Family  well :  And,  for  the  Favours 
and  Protection  of  the  Lord,  both  inward  and  outward, 
extended  to  me  in  this  Journey,  my  Heart  is  humbled  in 
grateful  Acknowledgments;  and  I  find  renewed  Desires 
to  dwell  and  walk  in  Resignedness  before  him. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

His  Visits  to  Pennsylvania,  Shrewsbury,  and  Squan — His 
publishing  the  second  Part  of  Considerations  on  keeping 
Negroes — His  visiting  the  Families  of  Friends  of  Ancocas 
and  Mount-Holly  Meetings — His  Visits  to  the  Indians  at 
Wehaloosing  on  the  River  Susquehannah 

Having  felt  my  Mind  drawn  toward  a  Visit  to  a  few 
Meetings  in  Pennsylvania,  I  was  very  desirous  to  be  rightly 
instructed  as  to  the  Time  of  setting  off:  And^  on  the  tenth 
Day  of  the  fifth  Month,  1761,  being  the  first  Day  of  the 
Week,  I  went  to  Haddonfield  Meeting,  concluding  to  seek 
for  heavenly  Instruction,  and  come  Home,  or  go  on,  as 
I  might  then  believe  best  for  me;  and  there,  through 
the  springing  up  of  pure  Love,  I  felt  Encouragement, 
and  so  crossed  the  River.  In  this  Visit  I  was  at  two 
Quarterly  and  three  Monthly-meetings ;  and,  in  the  Love 
of  Truth,  felt  my  Way  open  to  labour  with  some  noted 
Friends,  who  kept  Negroes:  And,  as  I  was  favoured  to 
keep  to  the  Root,  and  endeavoured  to  discharge  what 
I  believed  was  required  of  me,  I  found  inward  Peace 
therein,  from  Time  to  Time,  and  Thankfulness  of  Heart 
to  the  Lord,  who  was  graciously  pleased  to  be  a  Guide 
to  me. 

In  the  eighth  Month,  1761,  having  felt  Drawings  in 
my  Mind  to  visit  Friends  in  and  about  Shrewsbury,  I 
went  there,  and  was  at  their  Monthly-meeting,  and  their 
First-day-meeting;  and  had  a  Meeting  at  Squan,  and 
another  at  Squankum  ;  and,  as  Way  opened,  had  Con- 
versation with  some  noted  Friends  concerning  their  Slaves : 
And  I  returned  Home  in  a  thankful  Sense  of  the  Goodness 
of  the  Lord. 

From  the  Care  I  felt  growing  in  me  some  Years,  I  wrote 
Considerations  on  keeping  Negroes,  Part  the  Second; 
which  was  printed  this  Year,  1762.     When  the  Overseers 

98 


John  Woolman's  Journal  99 

of  the  Press  had  done  with  it,  they  offered  to  get  a  Number 
printed,  to  be  paid  for  out  of  the  Yearly-meeting  Stock, 
and  to  be  given  away;  but  I  being  most  easy  to  publish 
them  at  my  own  Expence,  and,  offering  my  Reasons,, 
they  appeared  satisfied. 

This  Stock  is  the  Contribution  of  the  Members  of  our 
religious  Society  in  general;  amongst  whom  are  some  who. 
keep  Negroes;  and,  being  inclined  to  continue  them  in 
Slavery,  are  not  likely  to  be  satisfied  with  those  Books 
being  spread  amongst  a  People  where  many  of  the  Slaves 
are  taught  to  read,  and  especially  not  at  their  Expence; 
and  such  often,  receiving  them  as  a  Gift,  conceal  them: 
But  as  they,  who  make  a  Purchase,  generally  buy  that 
which  they  have  a  Mind  for,  I  believe  it  best  to  sell  them ; 
expecting,  by  that  Means,  they  would  more  generally  be 
read  with  Attention.  Advertisements  being  signed  by 
Order  of  the  Overseers  of  the  Press,  directed  to  be  read 
in  Monthly-meetings  of  Business  within  our  own  Yearly- 
meeting,  informing  where  the  Books  were,  and  that  the 
Price  was  no  more  than  the  Cost  of  printing  and  binding 
them,  many  were  taken  off  in  our  Parts ;  some  I  sent  to . 
Virginia,  some  to  New-York,  and  some  to  Newport,  to 
my  Acquaintance  there;  and  some  I  kept,  expecting  to 
give  Part  of  them  away,  where  there  appeared  a  Prospect 
of  Service. 

In  my  Youth  I  was  used  to  hard  Labour;  and,  though 
I  was  middling  healthy,  yet  my  Nature  was  not  fitted 
to  endure  so  much  as  many  others:  So  that,  being  often 
weary,  I  was  prepared  to  sympathize  with  those  whose 
Circumstances  in  Life,  as  free  Men,  required  constant 
Labour  to  answer  the  Demands  of  their  Creditors,  and 
with  others  under  Oppression.  In  the  Uneasiness  of 
Body,  which  I  have  many  Times  felt  by  too  much  Labour, 
not  as  a  forced  but  as  a  voluntary  Oppression,  I  have 
often  been  excited  to  think  on  the  original  Cause  of  that 
Oppression,  which  is  imposed  on  many  in  the  World: 
And,  the  latter  Part  of  the  Time  wherein  I  laboured  on 
our  Plantation,  my  Heart,  through  the  fresh  Visitations 
of  heavenly  Love,  being  often  tender,  and  my  leisure 
Time  frequently  spent  in  reading  the  Life  and  Doctrines 


I  oo        John  Woolman*s  Journal 

of  our  blessed  Redeemer,  the  Account  of  the  Sufferings 
of  Martyrs,  and  the  History  of  the  first  Rise  of  our  Society, 
a  BeHef  was  gradually  settled  in  my  Mind,  that  if 
such,  as  had  great  Estates,  generally  lived  in  that 
Humility  and  Plainness  which  belongs  to  a  Christian  Life, 
and  laid  much  easier  Rents  and  Interests  on  their  Lands 
and  Monies,  and  thus  led  the  Way  to  a  right  Use  of 
Things,  so  great  a  Number  of  People  might  be  employed 
in  Things  useful,  that  Labour,  both  for  Men  and  other 
Creatures,  would  need  to  be  no  more  than  an  agreeable 
Employ;  and  divers  Branches  of  Business,  which  serve 
chiefly  to  please  the  natural  Inclinations  of  our  Minds, 
and  which,  at  present,  seem  necessary  to  circulate  that 
Wealth  which  some  gather,  might,  in  this  Way  of  pure 
Wisdom,  be  discontinued.  And,  as  I  have  thus  con- 
sidered these  Things,  a  Query,  at  Times,  hath  arisen: 
Do  I,  in  all  my  Proceedings,  keep  to  that  Use  of  Things 
which  is  agreeable  to  universal  Righteousness?  And 
then  there  hath  some  Degree  of  Sadness,  at  Times,  come 
over  me,  for  that  I  accustomed  myself  to  some  Things, 
which  occasioned  more  Labour  than  I  believe  divine 
Wisdom  intends  for  us. 

From  my  early  Acquaintance  with  Truth  I  have  often 
felt  an  inward  Distress,  occasioned  by  the  striving  of 
a  Spirit  in  me  against  the  Operation  of  the  heavenly 
Principle;  and  in  this  Circumstance  have  been  affected 
with  a  Sense  of  my  own  Wretchedness,  and  in  a  mourning 
Condition  felt  earnest  Longing  for  that  divine  Help,  which 
brings  the  Soul  into  true  Liberty ;  and  sometimes,  in  this 
State,  retiring  into  private  Places,  the  Spirit  of  Supplica- 
tion hath  been  given  me;  and,  under  a  heavenly  Cover- 
ing, I  have  asked  my  gracious  Father  to  give  me  a  Heart 
in  all  Things  resigned  to  the  Direction  of  his  Wisdom. 

In  visiting  People  of  Note  in  the  Society  who  had 
Slaves,  and  labouring  with  them  in  brotherly  Love  on 
that  Account,  I  have  seen,  and  the  Sight  hath  affected 
me,  that  a  Conformity  to  some  Customs,  distinguishable 
from  pure  Wisdom,  has  entangled  many;  and  the  Desire 
of  Gain,  to  support  these  Customs,  greatly  opposed  the 
Work  of  Truth:    And  sometimes,  when  the  Prospect  of 


John  Woolman's  Journal         loi 

the  Work  before  me  has  been  such,  that  in  Bowedness 
of  Spirit,  I  have  been  drawn  into  retired  Places,  and  be- 
sought the  Lord  with  Tears  that  he  would  take  me 
wholly  under  his  Direction,  and  shew  me  the  Way  in 
which  I  ought  to  walk,  it  hath  revived,  with  Strength 
of  Conviction,  that,  if  I  would  be  his  faithful  Servant,  I 
must,  in  all  Things,  attend  to  his  Wisdom,  and  be  teach- 
able; and  so  cease  from  all  Customs  contrary  thereto, 
however  used  amongst  religious  People. 

As  he  is  the  Perfection  of  Power,  of  Wisdom,  and  of 
Goodness,  so,  I  believe,  he  hath  provided,  that  so  much 
Labour  shall  be  necessary  for  Men's  Support,  in  this 
World,  as  would,  being  rightly  divided,  be  a  suitable 
Employment  of  their  Time;  and  that  we  cannot  go  into 
Superfluities,  or  grasp  after  Wealth  in  a  Way  contrary 
to  his  Wisdom,  without  having  Connection  with  some 
Degree  of  Oppression,  and  with  that  Spirit  which  leads 
to  Self-exaltation  and  Strife,  and  which  frequently  brings 
Calamities  on  Countries,  by  Parties  contending  about 
their  Claims. 

In  the  eleventh  Month  of  the  Year  1762,  feeling  an 
Engagement  of  Mind  to  visit  some  Families  in  Mansfield, 
I  joined  my  beloved  Friend,  Benjamin  Jones,  and  we 
spent  a  few  Days  together  in  that  Service.  In  the  second 
Month,  1763, 1  joined  in  Company  with  Elizabeth  Smith 
and  Mary  Noble  on  a  Visit  to  the  Families  of  Friends 
at  Ancocas  ;  in  both  which  Visits,  through  the  baptizing 
Power  of  Truth,  the  sincere  Labourers  were  often  com- 
forted, and  the  Hearts  of  Friends  opened  to  receive  us. 
And,  in  the  fourth  Month  following,  I  accompanied  some 
Friends  in  a  Visit  to  the  Families  of  Friends  in  Mount- 
Holly,  in  which  my  Mind  was  often  drawn  into  an  inward 
Awfulness,  wherein  strong  Desires  were  raised  for  the 
everlasting  Welfare  of  my  Fellow-creatures;  and,  through 
the  Kindness  of  our  heavenly  Father,  our  Hearts  were, 
at  Times,  enlarged,  and  Friends  invited,  in  the  Flowings 
of  divine  Love,  to  attend  to  that  which  would  settle  them 
on  the  sure  Foundation. 

Having  many  Years  felt  Love  in  my  Heart  towards  the 
Natives  of  this  Land,  who  dwell  far  back  in  the  Wilder- 


I02         John  Woolman's  Journal 

ness,  whose  Ancestors  were  the  Owners  and  Possessors 
of  the  Land  where  we  dwell;  and  who,  for  a  very  small 
Consideration,  assigned  their  Inheritance  to  us;  and, 
being  at  Philadelphia,  in  the  eighth  Month,  1761,  in  a 
Visit  to  some  Friends  who  had  Slaves,  I  fell  in  Company 
with  some  of  those  Natives  who  lived  on  the  East  Branch 
of  the  River  Susquehannah,  at  an  Indian  Town  called 
Wehaloosing,  two  hundred  Miles  from  Philadelphia,  and, 
in  Conversation  with  them  by  an  Interpreter,  as  also 
by  Observations  on  their  Countenances  and  Conduct,  I 
believed  some  of  them  were  measurably  acquainted  with 
that  divine  Power  which  subjects  the  rough  and  forward 
Will  of  the  Creature :  And,  at  Times,  I  felt  inward  Draw- 
ings toward  a  Visit  to  that  Place,  of  which  I  told  none 
except  my  dear  Wife,  until  it  came  to  some  Ripeness; 
and,  then,  in  the  Winter,  1762,  I  laid  it  before  Friends 
at  our  Monthly  and  Quarterly,  and  afterwards  at  our 
general  Spring-meeting;  and,  having  the  Unity  of  Friends, 
and  being  thoughtful  about  an  Indian  Pilot,  there  came 
a  Man  and  three  Women  from  a  little  beyond  that  Town 
to  Philadelphia  on  Business:  And  I,  being  informed 
thereof  by  Letter,  met  them  in  Town  in  the  fifth  Month, 
1763;  and,  after  some  Conversation,  finding  they  were 
sober  People,  I,  by  the  Concurrence  of  Friends  in  that 
Place,  agreed  to  join  with  them  as  Companions  in  their 
Return;  and,  on  the  seventh  Day  of  the  sixth  Month 
following,  we  appointed  to  meet  at  Samuel  Foulk's, 
at  Richland  in  Bucks  County.  Now,  as  this  Visit  felt 
weighty,  and  was  performed  at  a  Time  when  Travelling 
appeared  perilous,  so  the  Dispensations  of  divine  Pro- 
vidence, in  preparing  my  Mind  for  it,  have  been  memor- 
able; and  I  believe  it  good  for  me  to  give  some  Hints 
thereof. 

After  I  had  given  up  to  go,  the  Thoughts  of  the 
Journey  were  often  attended  with  unusual  Sadness;  in 
which  Times  my  Heart  was  frequently  turned  to  the 
Lord  with  inward  Breathings  for  his  heavenly  Support, 
that  I  might  not  fail  to  follow  him  wheresoever  he  might 
lead  me:  And,  being  at  our  Youths  Meeting  at  Chester- 
field, about  a  Week  before  the  Time  I  expected  to  set  ofif. 


John  Woolman's  Journal         103 

I  was  there  led  to  speak  on  that  Prayer  of  our  Redeemer 
to  his  Father:  "  I  pray  not  that  thou  shouldest  take 
them  out  of  the  World,  but  that  thou  shouldest  keep 
them  from  the  Evil."  And,  in  attending  to  the  pure 
Openings  of  Truth,  I  had  to  mention  what  he  elsewhere 
said  to  his  Father;  "  I  know  that  thou  hearest  me  at  all 
Times:  "  So  that,  as  some  of  his  Followers  kept  their 
Places,  and  as  his  Prayer  was  granted,  it  followed  neces- 
sarily that  they  were  kept  from  Evil:  And,  as  some  of 
those  met  with  great  Hardships  and  Afflictions  in  this 
World,  and  at  last  suffered  Death  by  cruel  Men,  it  appears, 
that  whatsoever  befals  Men  while  they  live  in  pure 
Obedience  to  God,  as  it  certainly  works  for  their  Good, 
so  it  may  not  be  considered  an  Evil  as  it  relates  to  them. 
As  I  spake  on  this  Subject,  my  Heart  was  much  tendered, 
and  great  Awfulness  came  over  me;  and  then,  on  the 
first  Day  of  the  next  Week,  being  at  our  own  Afternoon- 
meeting,  and  my  Heart  being  enlarged  in  Love,  I  was 
led  to  speak  on  the  Care  and  Protection  of  the  Lord  over 
his  People,  and  to  make  mention  of  that  Passage,  where 
a  Band  of  Assyrians  endeavouring  to  take  captive  the 
Prophet,  were  disappointed;  and  how  the  Psalmist  said, 
"  The  Angel  of  the  Lord  encampeth  round  about  them 
that  fear  him."  And  thus,  in  true  Love  and  Tenderness, 
I  parted  from  Friends,  expecting  the  next  Morning,  to 
proceed  on  my  Journey,  and,  being  weary,  went  early 
to  Bed;  and,  after  I  had  been  asleep  a  short  Time,  I  was 
awaked  by  a  Man  calling  at  my  Door;  and,  arising,  was 
invited  to  meet  some  Friends  at  a  Publick-house  in  our 
Town,  who  came  from  Philadelphia  so  late,  that  Friends 
were  generally  gone  to  Bed:  These  Friends  informed  me, 
that  an  Express  arrived  the  last  Morning  from  Pittsburgh, 
and  brought  News  that  the  Indians  had  taken  a  Fort 
from  the  English  Westward,  and  slain  and  scalped  English 
People  in  divers  Places,  some  near  the  said  Pittsburgh; 
and  that  some  elderly  Friends  in  Philadelphia,  know- 
ing the  Time  of  my  expecting  to  set  off,  had  conferred 
together,  and  thought  good  to  inform  me  of  these  Things, 
before  I  left  Home,  that  I  might  consider  them,  and  pro- 
ceed as  I  believed  best;   so  I,  going  again  to  Bed,  told 


1 04        John  Woolman*s  Journal 

not  my  Wife  till  Morning.  My  Heart  was  turned  to  the 
Lord  for  his  heavenly  Instruction ;  and  it  was  an  humbling 
Time  to  me.  When  I  told  my  dear  Wife,  she  appeared 
to  be  deeply  concerned  about  it;  but,  in  a  few  Hours 
Time,  my  Mind  became  settled  in  a  Belief,  that  it  was  my 
Duty  to  proceed  on  my  Journey;  and  she  bore  it  with  a 
good  Degree  of  Resignation.  In  this  Conflict  of  Spirit, 
there  were  great  Searchings  of  Heart,  and  strong  Cries 
to  the  Lord,  that  no  Motion  might  be,  in  the  least  Degree, 
attended  to,  but  that  of  the  pure  Spirit  of  Truth. 

The  Subjects  before-mentioned,  on  which  I  had  so 
lately  spoken  in  publick,  were  now  very  fresh  before  me; 
and  I  was  brought  inwardly  to  commit  myself  to  the  Lord, 
to  be  disposed  of  as  he  saw  best.  So  I  took  Leave  of  my 
Family  and  Neighbours,  in  much  Bowedness  of  Spirit, 
and  went  to  our  Monthly-meeting  at  Burlington;  and, 
after  taking  Leave  of  Friends  there,  I  crossed  the  River, 
accompanied  by  my  Friends,  Israel  and  John  Pem- 
berton;  and,  parting  the  next  Morning  with  Israel, 
John  bore  me  Company  to  Samuel  Foulk's,  where  I  met 
the  before-mentioned  Indians,  and  we  were  glad  to  see 
each  other :  Here  my  Friend,  Benjamin  Parvin,  met  me, 
and  proposed  joining  as  a  Companion,  we  having  passed 
some  Letters  before  on  the  Subject;  and  now,  on  his 
Account,  I  had  a  sharp  Trial ;  for,  as  the  Journey  appeared 
perilous,  I  thought,  if  he  went  chiefly  to  bear  me  Com- 
pany, and  we  should  be  taken  Captive,  my  having  been 
the  Means  of  drawing  him  into  these  Difficulties  would 
add  to  my  own  Afflictions :  So  I  told  him  my  Mind  freely, 
and  let  him  know  that  I  was  resigned  to  go  alone;  but, 
after  all,  if  he  really  believed  it  to  be  his  Duty  to  go  on, 
I  believed  his  Company  would  be  very  comfortable  to 
me :  It  was  indeed  a  Time  of  deep  Exercise,  and  Ben- 
jamin appeared  to  be  so  fastened  to  the  Visit,  that  he 
could  not  be  easy  to  leave  me;  so  we  went  on,  accom- 
panied by  our  Friends,  John  Pemberton,  and  William 
LiGHTFOOT  of  Pikeland,  and  lodged  at  Bethlehem ;  and 
there,  parting  with  John,  William  and  we  went  forward 
on  the  ninth  Day  of  the  sixth  Month,  and  got  Lodging 
on  the  Floor  of  a  House,  about  five  Miles  from  Fort-Allen  : 


John  Woolman's  Journal         105 

Here  we  parted  with  William;  and  at  this  Place  we  met 
with  an  Indian  Trader,  lately  come  from  Wioming  ;  and, 
in  Conversation  with  him,  I  perceived  that  many  white 
People  do  often  sell  Rum  to  the  Indians,  which,  I  believe, 
is  a  great  Evil;  first,  they  being  thereby  deprived  of 
the  Use  of  their  Reason,  and  their  Spirits  violently  agi- 
tated, Quarrels  often  arise,  which  end  in  Mischief;  and 
the  Bitterness  and  Resentments,  occasioned  hereby,  are 
frequently  of  long  Continuance;  Again,  their  Skins  and 
Furs,  gotten  through  much  Fatigue  and  hard  Travels  in 
Hunting,  with  which  they  intended  to  buy  Clothing, 
when  they  become  intoxicated,  they  often  sell  at  a  low 
Rate  for  more  Rum;  and  afterward,  when  they  suffer 
for  want  of  the  Necessaries  of  Life,  are  angry  with  those 
who,  for  the  Sake  of  Gain,  took  the  Advantage  of  their 
Weakness:  Of  this  their  Chiefs  have  often  complained, 
at  their  Treaties  with  the  English.  Where  cunning  People 
pass  Counterfeits,  and  impose  that  on  others  which  is 
good  for  nothing,  it  is  considered  as  a  Wickedness;  but, 
to  sell  that  to  People  which  we  know  does  them  Harm, 
and  which  often  works  their  Ruin,  for  the  Sake  of  Gain, 
manifests  a  hardened  and  corrupt  Heart,  and  is  an  Evil, 
which  demands  the  Care  of  all  true  Lovers  of  Virtue  to 
suppress:  And  while  my  Mind,  this  Evening,  was  thus 
employed,  I  also  remembered,  that  the  People  on  the 
Frontiers,  among  whom  this  Evil  is  too  common,  are 
often  poor;  who  venture  to  the  Outside  of  a  Colony,  that 
they  may  live  more  independent  on  such  as  are  wealthy, 
who  often  set  high  Rents  on  their  Land :  Being  renewedly 
confirmed  in  a  Belief,  that,  if  all  our  Inhabitants  lived 
according  to  sound  Wisdom,  labouring  to  promote  uni- 
versal Love  and  Righteousness,  and  ceased  from  every 
inordinate  Desire  after  Wealth,  and  from  all  Customs 
which  are  tinctured  with  Luxury,  the  Way  would  be  easy 
for  our  Inhabitants,  though  much  more  numerous  than 
at  present,  to  live  comfortably  on  honest  Employments, 
without  having  that  Temptation  they  are  often  under  of 
being  drawn  into  Schemes  to  make  Settlements  on  Lands 
which  have  not  been  purchased  of  the  Indians,  or  of  apply- 
ing to  that  wicked  Practice  of  selling  Rum  to  them. 


1 06         John  Woolman's  Journal 

On  the  tenth  Day  of  the  Month  we  set  out  early  in 
the  Morning,  and  crossed  the  Western  Branch  of  Delaware, 
called  the  Great  Lehie,  near  Fort- Allen ;  the  Water  being 
high,  we  went  over  in  a  Canoe:  Here  we  met  an  Indian, 
and  had  some  friendly  Conversation  with  him,  and  gave 
him  some  Biscuit;  and  he  having  killed  a  Deer,  gave  the 
Indians  with  us  some  of  it :  Then,  after  travelling  some 
Miles,  we  met  several  Indian  Men  and  Women  with  a 
Cow  and  Horse,  and  some  Household  Goods,  who  were 
lately  come  from  their  Dwelling  at  Wioming,  and  going 
to  settle  at  another  Place;  we  made  them  some  small 
Presents,  and,  some  of  them  understanding  English,  I 
told  them  my  Motive  in  coming  into  their  Country,  with 
which  they  appeared  satisfied:  And,  one  of  our  Guides 
talking  a  While  with  an  ancient  Woman  concerning  us, 
the  poor  old  Woman  came  to  my  Companion  and  me, 
and  took  her  Leave  of  us  with  an  Appearance  of  sincere 
Affection.  So,  going  on,  we  pitched  our  Tent  near  the 
Banks  of  the  same  River,  having  laboured  hard  in 
crossing  some  of  those  Mountains  called  the  Blue-Ridge; 
and,  by  the  Roughness  of  the  Stones,  and  the  Cavities 
between  them,  and  the  Steepness  of  the  Hills,  it  appeared 
dangerous;  but  we  were  preserved  in  Safety,  through 
the  Kindness  of  him,  whose  Works  in  those  mountainous 
Desarts  appeared  awful:  Toward  whom  my  Heart  was 
turned  during  this  Day's  Travel. 

Near  our  Tent,  on  the  Sides  of  large  Trees  peeled  for 
that  Purpose,  were  various  Representations  of  Men  going 
to,  and  returning  from  the  Wars,  and  of  some  killed  in 
Battle;  this  being  a  Path  heretofore  used  by  Warriours: 
And,  as  I  walked  about  viewing  those  Indian  Histories, 
which  were  painted  mostly  in  red,  but  some  in  black; 
and  thinking  on  the  innumerable  Afflictions  which  the 
proud,  fierce.  Spirit  produceth  in  the  World;  thinking 
on  the  Toils  and  Fatigues  of  Warriours,  travelling  over 
Mountains  and  Desarts;  thinking  on  their  Miseries  and 
Distresses  when  wounded  far  from  Home  by  their  Enemies ; 
and  of  their  Bruises  and  great  Weariness  in  chasing  one 
another  over  the  Rocks  and  Mountains;  and  of  their 
restless,  unquiet,  State  of  Mind,  who  live  in  this  Spirit; 


John  Woolman's  Journal         1 07 

and  of  the  Hatred  which  mutually  grows  up  in  the  Minds 
of  the  Children  of  those  Nations  engaged  in  War  with 
each  other:  During  these  Meditations,  the  Desire  to 
cherish  the  Spirit  of  Love  and  Peace  amongst  these 
People  arose  very  fresh  in  me.  This  was  the  first  Night 
that  we  lodged  in  the  Woods ;  and,  being  wet  with  travel- 
ling in  the  Rain,  the  Ground,  our  Tent,  and  the  Bushes, 
which  we  proposed  to  lay  under  our  Blankets,  being  also 
wet,  all  looked  discouraging;  but  I  believed,  that  it  was 
the  Lord  who  had  thus  far  brought  me  forward,  and  that 
he  would  dispose  of  me  as  he  saw  good;  and  therein  I 
felt  easy:  So  we  kindled  a  Fire,  with  our  Tent  open  to  it; 
and,  with  some  Bushes  next  the  Ground,  and  then  our 
Blankets,  we  made  our  Bed,  and,  lying  down,  got  some 
Sleep;  and,  in  the  Morning,  feeling  a  little  unwell,  I  went 
into  the  River;  the  Water  was  cold,  but  soon  after  I 
felt  fresh  and  well. 

The  eleventh  Day  of  the  sixth  Month,  the  Bushes  being 
wet,  we  tarried  in  our  Tent  till  about  eight  o' Clock; 
when,  going  on,  we  crossed  a  high  Mountain  supposed  to 
be  upwards  of  four  Miles  over;  the  Steepness  on  the 
North  Side  exceeding  all  the  others.  We  also  crossed 
two  Swamps,  and,  it  raining  near  Night,  we  pitched  our 
Tent  and  lodged. 

About  Noon,  on  our  Way,  we  were  overtaken  by  one 
of  the  Moravian  Brethren,  going  to  Wehaloosing,  and  an 
Indian  Man  with  him,  who  could  talk  English;  and  we, 
being  together  while  our  Horses  ate  Grass,  had  some 
friendly  Conversation;  but  they,  travelling  faster  than 
we,  soon  left  us.  This  Moravian,  I  understood,  had  spent 
lome  Time  this  Spring  at  Wehaloosing,  and  was,  by  some 
of  the  Indians,  invited  to  come  again. 

The  twelfth  Day  of  the  sixth  Month,  and  first  of  the 
Week,  it  being  a  rainy  Day,  we  continued  in  our  Tent; 
and  here  I  was  led  to  think  on  the  Nature  of  the  Exercise 
which  hath  attended  me:  Love  was  the  first  Motion,  and 
thence  a  Concern  arose  to  spend  some  Time  with  the 
Indians,  that  I  might  feel  and  understand  their  Life,  and 
the  Spirit  they  live  in,  if  haply  I  might  receive  some 
Instruction  from  them,  or  they  be  in  any  Degree  helped 
I  402 


io8         John  Woolman's  Journal 

forward  by  my  following  the  Leadings  of  Truth  amongst 
them:  And,  as  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  make  Way  for  my 
going  at  a  Time  when  the  Troubles  of  War  were  increasing, 
and  when,  by  Reason  of  much  wet  Weather,  Travelling 
was  more  difficult  than  usual  at  that  Season,  I  looked 
upon  it  as  a  more  favourable  Opportunity  to  season  my 
Mind,  and  bring  me  into  a  nearer  Sympathy  with  them: 
And,  as  mine  Eye  was  to  the  great  Father  of  Mercies, 
humbly  desiring  to  learn  what  his  Will  was  concerning 
me,  I  was  made  quiet  and  content. 

Our  Guide's  Horse,  though  hoppled,  went  away  in  the 
Night;  after  finding  our  own,  and  searching  some  Time 
for  him,  his  Footsteps  were  discovered  in  the  Path  going 
back  again,  whereupon  my  kind  Companion  went  off  in 
the  Rain,  and,  about  seven  Hours  after,  returned  with 
him:  And  here  we  lodged  again;  tying  up  our  Horses 
before  we  went  to  Bed,  and  loosing  them  to  feed  about 
Break  of  Day. 

On  the  thirteenth  Day  of  the  sixth  Month,  the  Sun 
appearing,  we  set  forward ;  and,  as  I  rode  over  the  barren 
Hills,  my  Meditations  were  on  the  Alterations  of  the 
Circumstances  of  the  Natives  of  this  Land  since  the 
Coming  in  of  the  English.  The  Lands  near  the  Sea  are 
conveniently  situated  for  fishing;  the  Lands  near  the 
Rivers,  where  the  Tides  flow,  and  some  above,  are  in 
many  Places  fertile,  and  not  mountainous;  while  the 
Running  of  the  Tides  makes  passing  up  and  down  easy 
with  any  Kind  of  Traffic.  Those  Natives  have,  in  some 
Places,  for  trifling  Considerations,  sold  their  Inheritance 
so  favourably  situated;  and,  in  other  Places,  been  driven 
back  by  superior  Force:  So  that  in  many  Places,  as  their 
Way  of  clothing  themselves  is  now  altered  from  what  it 
was,  and  they,  far  remote  from  us,  have  to  pass  over 
Mountains,  Swamps,  and  barren  Desarts,  Travelling  is 
very  troublesome,  in  bringing  their  Skins  and  Furs  to 
trade  with  us. 

By  the  extending  of  English  Settlements,  and  partly 
by  English  Hunters,  the  wild  Beasts,  they  chiefly  depend 
on  for  a  Subsistance,  are  not  so  plenty  as  they  were;  and 
People  too  often,  for  the  Sake  of  Gain,  open  a  Door  for 


John  Woolman's  Journal         109 

them  to  waste  their  Skins  and  Furs,  in  purchasing  a  Liquor 
which  tends  to  the  Ruin  of  them  and  their  FamiHes. 

My  own  Will  and  Desires  were  now  very  much  broken, 
and  my  Heart,  with  much  Earnestness,  turned  to  the 
Lord,  to  whom  alone  I  looked  for  Help  in  the  Dangers 
before  me.  I  had  a  Prospect  of  the  English  along  the 
Coast,  for  upwards  of  nine  hundred  Miles,  where  I  had 
travelled;  and  the  favourable  Situation  of  the  English, 
and  the  Difficulties  attending  the  Natives  in  many  Places, 
and  the  Negroes,  were  open  before  me;  and  a  weighty 
and  heavenly  Care  came  over  my  Mind,  and  Love  filled 
my  Heart  toward  all  Mankind,  in  which  I  felt  a  strong 
Engagement,  that  we  might  be  obedient  to  the  Lord, 
while,  in  tender  Mercies,  he  is  yet  calling  to  us;  and  so 
attend  to  pure  universal  Righteousness,  as  to  give  no 
just  Cause  of  Offence  to  the  Gentiles,  who  do  not  profess 
Christianity,  whether  the  Blacks  from  Africa,  or  the 
native  Inhabitants  of  this  Continent:  And  here  I  was 
led  into  a  close  laborious  Enquiry,  whether  I,  as  an 
Individual,  kept  clear  from  all  Things  which  tended  to 
stir  up,  or  were  connected  with  Wars,  either  in  this  Land 
or  Africa;  and  my  Heart  was  deeply  concerned,  that,  in 
future,  I  might  in  all  Things  keep  steadily  to  the  pure 
Truth,  and  live  and  walk  in  the  Plainness  and  Simplicity 
of  a  sincere  Follower  of  Christ.  And,  in  this  lonely 
Journey,  I  did,  this  Day,  greatly  bewail  the  Spreading 
of  a  wrong  Spirit,  believing,  that  the  prosperous,  con- 
venient. Situation  of  the  English,  requires  a  constant 
Attention  to  divine  Love  and  Wisdom  to  guide  and  support 
us  in  a  Way  answerable  to  the  Will  of  that  good,  gracious, 
and  almighty  Being,  who  hath  an  equal  Regard  to  all 
Mankind :  Aiid,  here.  Luxury  and  Covetousness,  with  the 
numerous  Oppressions,  and  other  Evils  attending  them, 
appeared  very  afflicting  to  me;  and  I  felt  in  that  which 
is  immutable,  that  the  Seeds  of  great  Calamity  and 
Desolation  are  sown  and  growing  fast  on  this  Continent: 
Nor  have  I  Words  sufficient  to  set  forth  that  Longing  I 
then  felt,  that  we,  who  are  placed  along  the  Coast,  and 
have  tasted  the  Love  and  Goodness  of  God,  might  arise 
in  his  Strength;   and,  like  faithful  Messengers,  labour  to 


I  lo        John  Woolman's  Journal 

check  the  Growth  of  these  Seeds,  that  they  may  not 
ripen  to  the  Ruin  of  our  Posterity. 

We  reached  the  Indian  Settlement  at  Wioming;  and 
here  we  were  told,  that  an  Indian  Runner  had  been  at  that 
Place  a  Day  or  two  before  us,  and  brought  News  of  the 
Indians  taking  an  English  Fort  westward,  and  destroying 
the  People,  and  that  they  were  endeavouring  to  take 
another;  and  also,  that  another  Indian  Runner  came 
there  about  the  Middle  of  the  Night  before  we  got  there, 
who  came  from  a  Town  about  ten  Miles  above  Wehaloo- 
singj  and  brought  News,  that  some  Indian  Warriours, 
from  distant  Parts,  came  to  that  Town  with  two  English 
Scalps,  and  told  the  People,  that  it  was  War  with  the 

+  En^ish. 
Our  Guides  took  us  to  the  House  of  a  very  ancient  Man; 
and,  soon  after  we  had  put  in  our  Baggage,  there  came  a 
Man  from  another  Indian  House  some  Distance  off;  and 
I,  perceiving  there  was  a  Man  near  the  Door,  went  out; 
and,  having  a  Tomahawk  wrapped  under  his  Matchcoat 
out  of  Sight,  as  I  approached  him,  he  took  it  in  his  Hand ; 
I,  however,  went  forward,  and,  speaking  to  him  in  a 
friendly  Way,  perceived  he  understood  some  English : 
My  Companion  then  coming  out,  we  had  some  Talk  with 
him  concerning  the  Nature  of  our  Visit  in  these  Parts; 
and  then  he  going  into  the  House  with  us,  and  talking 
with  our  Guides,  soon  appeared  friendly,  and  sat  down 
and  smoked  his  Pipe.  Though  his  taking  his  Hatchet 
in  his  Hand,  at  the  Instant  I  drew  near  to  him,  had 
a  disagreeable  Appearance,  I  believe  he  had  no  other 
Intent  than  to  be  in  Readiness  in  case  any  Violence  was 
offered  to  him. 

Hearing  the  News  brought  by  these  Indian  Runners, 
and  being  told  by  the  Indians  where  we  lodged,  that 
what  Indians  were  about  Wioming  expected,  in  a  few 
Days,  to  move  to  some  larger  Towns,  I  thought  that,  to 
all  outward  Appearance,  it  was  dangerous  Travelling  at 
this  Time ;  and  was,  after  a  hard  Day's  Journey,  brought 
into  a  painful  Exercise  at  Night,  in  which  I  had  to  trace 
back,  and  view  over  the  Steps  I  had  taken  from  my  first 
Moving  in  the  Visit;    and  though  I  had  to  bewail  some 


John  Woolman's  Journal         1 1 1 

Weakness  which,  at  Times,  had  attended  me,  yet  I  could 
not  find  that  I  had  ever  given  way  to  a  wilful  Disobedience : 
And  then,  as  I  believed  I  had,  under  a  Sense  of  Duty, 
come  thus  far,  I  was  now  earnest  in  Spirit,  beseeching 
the  Lord  to  shew  me  what  I  ought  to  do.  In  this  great 
Distress  I  grew  jealous  of  myself,  lest  the  Desire  of  Reputa- 
tion, as  a  Man  firmly  settled  to  persevere  through  Dangers, 
or  the  Fear  of  Disgrace  arising  on  my  returning  without 
performing  the  Visit,  might  have  some  Place  in  me:  Thus 
I  lay,  full  of  Thoughts,  great  Part  of  the  Night,  while 
my  beloved  Companion  lay  and  slept  by  me;  till  the 
Lord,  my  gracious  Father,  who  saw  the  Conflicts  of  my 
Soul,  was  pleased  to  give  Quietness:  Then  I  was  again 
strengthened  to  commit  my  Life,  and  all  Things  relating 
thereto,  into  his  heavenly  Hands;  and,  getting  a  little 
Sleep  toward  Day,  when  Morning  came  we  arose. 

On  the  fourteenth  Day  of  the  sixth  Month,  we  sought 
out  and  visited  all  the  Indians  hereabout  that  we  could 
meet  with;  they  being  chiefly  in  one  Place,  about  a  Mile 
from  where  we  lodged,  in  all  perhaps  twenty.  Here  I 
expressed  the  Care  I  had  on  my  Mind  for  their  Good; 
and  told  them,  that  true  Love  had  made  me  willing  thus 
to  leave  my  Family  to  come  and  see  the  Indians,  and 
speak  with  them  in  their  Houses.  Some  of  them  appeared 
kind  and  friendly.  So  we  took  our  Leave  of  these  Indians, 
and  went  up  the  River  Susquehannah,  about  three  Miles, 
to  the  House  of  an  Indian,  called  Jacob  January,  who 
had  killed  his  Hog;  and  the  Women  were  making  store 
of  Bread,  and  preparing  to  move  up  the  River.  Here 
our  Pilots  left  their  Canoe  when  they  came  down  in  the 
Spring,  which  lying  dry,  was  leaky;  so  that  we,  being 
detained  some  Hours,  had  a  good  deal  of  friendly  Con- 
versation with  the  Family;  and,  eating  Dinner  with  them, 
we  made  them  some  small  Presents.  Then,  putting  our 
Baggage  in  the  Canoe,  some  of  them  pushed  slowly  up  the 
Stream,  and  the  rest  of  us  rode  our  Horses;  and  swim- 
ming them  over  a  Creek,  called  Lahawahamunk,  we 
pitched  our  Tent  a  little  above  it,  there  being  a  Shower 
in  the  Evening:  And,  in  a  Sense  of  God's  Goodness  in 
helping  me  in  my  Distress,  sustaining  me  under  Trials, 


1 1 2         John  Woolman's  Journal 

and  inclining  my  Heart  to  trust  in  him,  I  lay  down  in  an 
humble  bowed  Fram'e  of  Mind,  and  had  a  comfortable 

Night's  Lodging. 

On  the  fifteenth  Day  of  the  sixth  Month,  we  proceeded 
forward  till  the  Afternoon;  when,  a  Storm  appearing, 
we  met  our  Canoe  at  an  appointed  Place;  and,  the  Rain 
continuing,  we  stayed  all  Night,  which  was  so  heavy,  that 
it  beat  through  our  Tent,  and  wet  us  and  our  Baggage. 

On  the  sixteenth  Day,  we  found,  on  our  Way,  abun- 
dance of  Trees  blown  down  with  the  Storm  the  Day 
before ;  and  had  Occasion  reverently  to  consider  the  kind 
Dealings  of  the  Lord,  who  provided  a  safe  Place  for  us 
in  a  Valley,  while  this  Storm  continued.  By  the  falling 
of  abundance  of  Trees  across  our  Path,  we  were  much 
hindered,  and  in  some  Swamps  our  Way  was  so  stopped, 
that  we  got  through  with  extreme  Difficulty. 

I  had  this  Day  often  to  consider  myself  as  a  Sojourner 
in  this  World;  and  a  Belief  in  the  All-sufficiency  of  God 
to  support  his  People  in  their  Pilgrimage  felt  comfortable 
to  me;  and  I  was  industriously  employed  to  get  to  a 
State  of  perfect  Resignation. 

We  seldom  saw  our  Canoe  but  at  appointed  Places, 
by  reason  of  the  Path  going  off  from  the  River;  and, 
this  Afternoon,  Job  Chilaway,  an  Indian  from  Wehaloo- 
sing,  who  talks  good  English,  and  is  acquainted  with 
several  People  in  and  about  Philadelphia,  met  our  People 
on  the  River;  and^  understanding  where  we  expected 
to  lodge,  pushed  back  about  six  Miles,  and  came  to  us 
after  Night;  and  in  a  While  our  own  Canoe  came,  it  being 
hard  Work  pushing  up  Stream.  Job  told  us,  that  an 
Indian  came  in  Haste  to  their  Town  yesterday,  and  told 
them,  that  three  Warriours,  coming  from  some  Distance, 
lodged  in  a  Town  above  Wehaloosing  a  few  Nights  past; 
and  that  these  three  Men  were  going  against  the  English 
at  Juniata.  Job  was  going  down  the  River  to  the  Pro- 
vince-store at  Shamokin.  Though  I  was  so  far  favoured 
with  Health  as  to  continue  travelling,  yet,  through  the 
various  Difficulties  in  our  Journey,  and  the  different  Way 
of  living  from  what  I  had  been  used  to,  I  grew  sick;  and 
the  News  of  these  Warriours  being  on  their  March  so 


John  Woolman's  Journal         113 

near  us,  and  not  knowing  whether  we  might  not  fall  in 
with  them,  was  a  fresh  Trial  of  my  Faith;  and  though, 
through  the  Strength  of  divine  Love,  I  had  several  Times 
been  enabled  to  commit  myself  to  the  divine  Disposal, 
I  still  found  the  Want  of  my  Strength  to  be  renewed, 
that  I  might  persevere  therein;  and  my  Cries  for  Help 
were  put  up  to  the  Lord,  who,  in  great  Mercy,  gave  me 
a  resigned  Heart,  in  which  I  found  Quietness. 
(,  On  the  seventeenth  Day,  parting  from  Job  Chilaway, 
we  went  on,  and  reached  Wehaloosing  about  the  Middle 
of  the  Afternoon,  and  the  first  Indian  that  we  saw  was 
a  Woman  of  a  modest  Countenance,  with  a  Bible,  who  first 
spake  to  our  Guide ;  and  then,  with  a  harmonious  Voice, 
expressed  her  Gladness  at  seeing  us,  having  before  heard 
of  our  Coming:  Then,  by  the  Direction  of  our  Guide,  we 
sat  down  on  a  Log;  and  he  went  to  the  Town,  to  tell  the 
People  we  were  come.  My  Companion  and  I  sitting  thus 
together,  in  a  deep  inv/ard  Stillness,  the  poor  Woman 
came  and  sat  near  us ;  and,  great  Awfulness  coming  over 
us,  we  rejoiced  in  a  Sense  of  God's  Love  manifested  to 
our  poor  Souls.  After  a  While,  we  heard  a  Conkshell 
blow  several  Times,  and  then  came  John  Curtis,  and 
another  Indian  Man,  who  kindly  invited  us  into  a  House 
near  the  Town,  where  we  found,  I  suppose,  about  sixty 
People  sitting  in  Silence;  and,  after  sitting  a  short  Time, 
I  stood  up,  and  in  some  Tenderness  of  Spirit  acquainted 
them  with  the  Nature  of  my  Visit,  and  that  a  Concern 
for  their  Good  had  made  me  willing  to  come  thus  far  to 
see  them;  all  in  a  few  short  Sentences,  which  some  of 
them  understanding  interpreted  to  the  others,  and  there 
appeared  Gladness  amongst  them.  Then  I  shewed  them 
my  Certificate,  which  was  explained  to  them;  and  the 
Moravian,  who  overtook  us  on  the  Way,  being  now  here, 
bade  me  welcome. 

On  the  eighteenth  Day:  We  rested  ourselves  this  Fore- 
noon; and  the  Indians,  knowing  that  the  Moravian  and 
I  were  of  different  religious  Societies,  and  as  some  of  their 
People  had  encouraged  him  to  come  and  stay  a  While 
with  them,  were,  I  believe,  concerned  that  no  Jarring 
or  Discord  might  be  in  their  Meetings:    And  they,   I 


1 14        John  Woolman's  Journal 

suppose,  having  conferred  together,  acquainted  me,  that 
the  People,  at  my  Request,  would,  at  any  Time,  come 
together,  and  hold  Meetings;  and  also  told  me,  that 
they  expected  the  Moravian  would  speak  in  their  settled 
Meetings,  which  are  commonly  held  Morning  and  near 
Evening.  So  I  found  Liberty  in  my  Heart  to  speak  to 
the  Moravian,  and  told  him  of  the  Care  I  felt  on  my 
Mind  for  the  Good  of  these  People;  and  that  I  believed 
no  ill  Effects  would  follow  it,  if  I  sometimes  spake  in  their 
Meetings  when  Love  engaged  me  thereto,  without  calling 
them  together  at  Times  when  they  did  not  meet  of  course : 
Whereupon  he  expressed  his  Good-will  toward  my  speak- 
ing, at  any  Time,  all  that  I  found  in  my  Heart  to  say: 
So,  near  Evening,  I  was  at  their  Meeting,  where  the  pure 
Gospel-love  was  felt,  to  the  tendering  some  of  our  Hearts ; 
and  the  Interpreters,  endeavouring  to  acquaint  the  People 
with  what  I  said  in  short  Sentences,  found  some  Difficulty, 
as  none  of  them  were  quite  perfect  in  the  English  and 
Delaware  Tongues;  so  they  helped  one  another,  and  we 
laboured  along,  divine  Love  attending:  And  afterwards, 
feeling  my  Mind  covered  with  the  Spirit  of  Prayer,  I 
told  the  Interpreters  that  I  found  it  in  my  Heart  to  pray 
to  God,  and  believed,  if  I  prayed  aright,  he  would  hear 
me,  and  expressed  my  Willingness  for  them  to  omit 
interpreting;  so  our  Meeting  ended  with  a  Degree  of 
divine  Love :  And,  before  the  People  went  out,  I  observed 
Papunehang  (the  Man  who  had  been  zealous  in  labour- 
ing for  a  Reformation  in  that  Town,  being  then  very 
tender)  spoke  to  one  of  the  Interpreters ;  and  I  was  after- 
wards told  that  he  said  in  Substance  as  follows:  "  I  love 
to  feel  where  Words  come  from." 

"^  On  the  nineteenth  Day,  and  first  of  the  Week:  This 
Morning,  in  the  Meeting,  the  Indian,  who  came  with  the 
Moravian,  being  also  a  Member  of  that  Society,  prayed; 
and  then  the  Moravian  spake  a  short  Time  to  the  People : 
And,  in  the  Afternoon,  they  coming  together,  and  my 
Heart  being  filled  with  a  heavenly  Care  for  their  Good, 
I  spake  to  them  a  While  by  Interpreters;  but  none  of 
them  being  perfect  in  the  Work,  and  I,  feeling  the  Current 
of  Love  run  strong,  told  the  Interpreters,  that  I  believed 


John  Woolman's  Journal         1 1 5 

some  of  the  People  would  understand  me,  and  so  I  pro- 
ceeded: In  which  Exercise  I  believe  the  Holy  Ghost 
wrought  on  some  Hearts  to  Edification,  where  all  the 
Words  were  not  understood,  I  looked  upon  it  as  a  Time 
of  divine  Favour,  and  my  Heart  was  tendered  and  truly 
thankful  before  the  Lord;  and,  after  I  sat  down,  one  of 
the  Interpreters  seemed  spirited  to  give  the  Indians  the 
Substance  of  what  I  had  said. 

Before  our  first  Meeting,  this  Morning,  I  was  led  to 
meditate  on  the  manifold  Difficulties  of  these  Indians, 
who,  by  the  Permission  of  the  six  Nations,  dwell  in  these 
Parts;  and  a  near  Sympathy  with  them  was  raised  in  me; 
and,  my  Heart  being  enlarged  in  the  Love  of  Christ,  I 
thought  that  the  affectionate  Care  of  a  good  Man  for  his 
only  Brother  in  Affliction  does  not  exceed  what  I  then 
felt  for  that  People. 

I  came  to  this  Place  through  much  Trouble;  and 
though,  through  the  Mercies  of  God,  I  believed,  that  if  I 
died  in  the  Journey,  it  would  be  well  with  me;  yet  the 
Thoughts  of  falling  into  the  Hands  of  Indian  Warriours 
were,  in  Times  of  Weakness,  afflicting  to  me ;  and,  being  of 
a  tender  Constitution  of  Body,  the  Thoughts  of  Captivity 
amongst  them  were,  at  Times,  grievous;  as  supposing, 
that  they  being  strong  and  hardy,  might  demand  Service 
of  me  beyond  what  I  could  well  bear;  but  the  Lord  alone 
was  my  Keeper;  and  I  believed,  if  I  went  into  Captivity, 
it  would  be  for  some  good  End :  And  thus,  from  Time  to 
Time,  my  Mind  was  centered  in  Resignation,  in  which  I 
always  found  Quietness.  And  now,  this  Day,  though  I  had 
the  same  dangerous  Wilderness  between  me  and  Home, 
I  was  inwardly  joyful  that  the  Lord  had  strengthened  me 
to  come  on  this  Visit,  and  manifested  a  fatherly  Care  over 
me  in  my  poor  lowly  Condition,  when  in  mine  own  Eyes 
I  appeared  inferior  to  many  amongst  the  Indians. 
:  When  the  last-mentioned  Meeting  was  ended,  it  being 
Night,  Papunehang  went  to  Bed;  and,  one  of  the  In- 
terpreters sitting  by  me,  I  observed  Papunehang  spoke 
with  an  harmonious  Voice,  I  suppose  a  Minute  or  two; 
and,  asking  the  Interpreter,  I  was  told,  that  "  He  was 
expressing  his  Thankfulness  to  God  for  the  Favours  he 


1 1 6         John  Woolman's  Journal 

had  received  that  Day;  and  prayed  that  he  would 
continue  to  favour  him  with  that  same,  which  he  had 
experienced  in  that  Meeting."  And  though  Papune- 
HANG  had  before  agreed  to  receive  the  Moravian,  and  join 
with  them,  he  still  appeared  kind  and  loving  to  us. 

On  the  twentieth  Day  I  was  at  two  Meetings,  and  silent 
in  them. 

The  twenty -first  Day:  This  Morning,  in  Meeting,  my 
Heart  was  enlarged  in  pure  Love  amongst  them,  and,  in 
short  plain  Sentences,  I  expressed  several  Things  that 
rested  upon  me,  which  one  of  the  Interpreters  gave  the 
People  pretty  readily;  after  which,  the  Meeting  ended 
in  Supplication,  and  I  had  Cause  humbly  to  acknowledge 
the  Loving-kindness  of  the  Lord  towards  us;  and  then 
I  believed  that  a  Door  remained  open  for  the  faithful 
Disciples  of  Jesus  Christ  to  labour  amongst  these  People. 

I  now  feeling  my  Mind  at  Liberty  to  return,  took  my 
Leave  of  them  in  general,  at  the  Conclusion  of  what  I 
said  in  Meeting;  and  so  we  prepared  to  go  homeward: 
But  some  of  their  most  active  Men  told  us,  that,  when 
we  were  ready  to  move,  the  People  would  choose  to  come 
and  shake  Hands  with  us ;  which  those  who  usually  come 
to  Meeting  did :  And,  from  a  secret  Draught  in  my  Mind, 
I  went  amongst  some  who  did  not  use  to  go  to  Meeting, 
and  took  my  Leave  of  them  also :  And  the  Moravian  and 
his  Indian  Interpreter  appeared  respectful  to  us  at  part- 
ing. This  Town  stands  on  the  Bank  of  Susquehannah, 
and  consists,  I  believe,  of  about  forty  Houses,  mostly 
compact  together;  some  about  thirty  feet  long,  and 
eighteen  wide,  some  bigger,  some  less;  mostly  built  of 
split  Plank,  one  End  set  in  the  Ground,  and  the  other 
pinned  to  a  Plate,  on  which  lay  Rafters,  and  covered  with 
Bark.  I  understand  a  great  Flood  last  Winter  overflowed 
the  chief  Part  of  the  Ground  where  the  Town  stands; 
and  some  were  now  about  moving  their  Houses  to  higher 
Ground. 

We  expected  only  two  Indians  to  be  our  Company; 
but,  when  we  were  ready  to  go,  we  found  many  of  them 
were  going  to  Bethlehem  with  Skins  and  Furs,  who  chose 
to  go  in  Company  with  us:   So  they  loaded  two  Canoes, 


John  Woolman's  Journal         117 

which  they  desired  us  to  go  in,  telling  us,  that  the  Waters 
were  so  raised  with  the  Rains,  that  the  Horses  should 
be  taken  by  such  as  were  better  acquainted  with  the 
Fording-places :  So  we,  with  several  Indians,  went  in  the 
Canoes,  and  others  went  on  Horses,  there  being  seven 
besides  ours.  And  we  meeting  with  the  Horsemen  once 
on  the  Way  by  Appointment,  and  that  near  Night,  a 
little  below  a  Branch  called  Tankhannah,  we  lodged  there; 
and  some  of  the  young  Men  going  out  a  little  before 
Dusk  with  their  Guns,  brought  in  a  Deer. 

On  the  twenty-second  Day,  through  Diligence,  we 
reached  Wioming  before  Night,  and  understood  the 
Indians  were  mostly  gone  from  this  Place :  Here  we  went 
up  a  small  Creek  into  the  Woods  with  our  Canoes,  and, 
pitching  our  Tent,  carried  out  our  Baggage;  and  before 
Dark  our  Horses  came  to  us. 

On  the  twenty-third  Day  in  the  Morning  their  Horses 
were  loaded,  and  we  prepared  our  Baggage,  and  so  set 
forward,  being  in  all  fourteen;  and  with  diligent  Travel- 
ling, were  favoured  to  get  near  half-way  to  Fort-Allen. 
The  Land  on  this  Road  from  Wioming  to  our  Frontier 
being  mostly  poor,  and  good  Grass  scarce,  they  chose  a 
Piece  of  low  Ground  to  lodge  on,  as  the  best  for  grazing; 
and  I,  having  sweated  much  in  Travelling,  and  being 
weary,  slept  sound;  I  perceived  in  the  Night  that  I  had 
taken  Cold,  of  which  I  was  favoured  to  get  better  soon. 

On  the  twenty-fourth  Day  we  passed  Fort-Allen,  and 
lodged  near  it  in  the  Woods. 

Having  forded  the  westerly  Branch  of  Delaware  three 
Times,  we  thereby  had  a  shorter  Way,  and  missed  going 
over  the  Top  of  the  Blue  Mountains,  called  the  second 
Ridge.  In  the  second  Time  fording,  where  the  River 
cuts  through  the  Mountain,  the  Waters  being  rapid,  and 
pretty  deep,  and  my  Companion's  Mare  being  a  tall, 
tractable  Animal,  he  sundry  Times  drove  her  back  through 
the  River,  and  they  loaded  her  with  the  Burthens  of  some 
small  Horses,  which  they  thought  not  sufficient  to  come 
through  with  their  Loads. 

The  Troubles  westward,  and  the  Difficulty  for  Indians 
to  pass   through  our  Frontier,   I  apprehend,   was   one 


1 1 8         John  Woolman's  Journal 

Reason  why  so  many  came;  as  expecting  that  our  being 
in  Company  would  prevent  the  outside  Inhabitants  from 
being  surprised. 

On  the  twenty-fifth  Day  we  reached  Bethlehem,  taking 
Care  on  the  Way  to  keep  foremost,  and  to  acquaint 
People  on  and  near  the  Road  who  these  Indians  were: 
This  we  found  very  needful;  for  the  Frontier  Inhabitants 
were  often  alarmed  at  the  Report  of  English  being  killed 
by  Indians  westward. 

Amongst  our  Company  were  some  whom  I  did  not 
remember  to  have  seen  at  Meeting,  and  some  of  these, 
at  first,  were  very  reserved;  but,  we  being  several  Days 
together,  and  behaving  friendly  toward  them,  and  making 
them  suitable  Returns  for  the  Services  they  did  us,  they 
became  more  free  and  social. 

On  the  twenty-sixth  Day  and  first  of  the  Week,  having 
carefully  endeavoured  to  settle  all  Affairs  with  the  Indians 
relative  to  our  Journey,  we  took  Leave  of  them,  and  I 
thought  they  generally  parted  with  us  affectionately;  so 
we,  getting  to  Richland,  had  a  very  comfortable  Meeting 
amongst  our  Friends :  Here  I  parted  with  my  kind  Friend 
and  Companion,  Benjamin  Parvin;  and,  accompanied 
by  my  Friend,  Samuel  Foulk,  we  rode  to  John  Cad- 
wallader's,  from  whence  I  reached  Home  the  next  Day, 
where  I  found  my  Family  middling  well;  and  they,  and 
my  Friends,  all  along  appeared  glad  to  see  me  return 
from  a  Journey  which  they  apprehended  dangerous: 
But  my  Mind,  while  I  was  out,  had  been  so  employed  in 
striving  for  a  perfect  Resignation,  and  I  had  so  often 
been  confirmed  in  a  Belief,  that  whatever  the  Lord  might 
be  pleased  to  allot  for  me,  would  work  for  Good,  I  was 
careful  lest  I  should  admit  any  Degree  of  Selfishness  in 
being  glad  over  much,  and  laboured  to  improve  by  those 
Trials  in  such  a  Manner  as  my  gracious  Father  and 
Protector  intends  for  me.  Between  the  English  In- 
habitants and  Wehaloosing  we  had  only  a  narrow  Path, 
which  in  many  Places  is  much  grown  up  with  Bushes, 
and  interrupted  by  abundance  of  Trees  lying  across  it; 
these,  together  with  the  Mountains,  Swamps,  and  rough 
Stones,  make  it  a  difficult  Road  to  travel :  and  the  more 


John  Woolman's  Journal         1 1 9 

so,  for  that  Rattle-snakes  abound  there,  of  which  we 
killed  four:  People,  who  have  never  been  in  such  Places, 
have  but  an  imperfect  Idea  of  them;  but  I  was  not  only- 
taught  Patience,  but  also  made  thankful  to  God,  who 
thus  led  me  about  and  instructed  me,  that  I  might  have 
a  quick  and  lively  Feeling  of  the  Afflictions  of  my  Fellow- 
creatures,  whose  Situation  in  Life  is  difficult. 


CHAPTER  IX 

His  religious  Conversation  with  a  Company  met  to  see  the 
Tricks  of  a  Juggler — His  Account  of  John  Smith's 
Advice,  and  of  the  Proceedings  of  a  Committee,  at  the 
Yearly-meeting  in  1764 — Contemplations  on  the  Nature 
of  true  Wisdom,  occasioned  by  hearing  of  the  Cruelty  of 
the  Indians  to  their  Captives — His  visiting  the  Families 
of  Friends  at  Mount-Holly,  Mansfield,  and  Burlington, 
in  1764,  and  the  Meetings  on  the  Sea-Coast,  from  Cape- 
May,  toward  Squan,  in  1765 — His  Visit  to  the  lower 
Counties  on  Delaware,  and  the  eastern  Shore  of  Maryland, 
in  1766,  in  Company  with  John  Sleeper;  with  some 
Account  of  Joseph  Nichols  and  his  Followers;  and 
Observations  on  the  different  State  of  the  first  Settlers  in 
Pennsylvania,  who  depended  on  their  own  Labour,  and 
those  of  the  southern  Provinces,  who  kept  Negroes — His 
visiting  the  northern  Parts  of  New-Jersey  the  same  Year, 
and  the  western  Parts  of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  in 
1767,  and  afterwards  other  Parts  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
the  Families  of  Friends  at  Mount-Holly;  and  again, 
several  Parts  of  Maryland  in  1768 — Farther  Considera- 
tions on  keeping  Slaves ;  and  his  Concern  for  having 
formerly,  as  an  Executor,  been  Party  to  the  Sale  of  one  ; 
and  what  he  did  in  Consequence  of  it — Thoughts  on 
Friends  exercising  Offices  in  civil  Government 

The  latter  Part  of  the  Summer,  1763;  there  came  a 
Man  to  Mount-Holly y  who  had  before  pubhshed,  by  a 
printed  Advertisement,  that,  at  a  certain  Pubhck-house, 
he  would  shew  many  wonderful  Operations,  which  he 
therein  enumerated. 

This  Man,  at  the  Time  appointed,  did,  by  slight  of  Hand, 
sundry  Things;  which,  to  those  gathered,  appeared 
strange. 

The  next  Day,  I,  hearing  of  it,  and  understanding  that 
the  Shew  was  to  be  continued  the  next  Night,  and  the 
People  to  meet  about  Sun-set,  felt  an  Exercise  on  that 
Account :  So  I  went  to  the  Publick-house  in  the  Evening, 
and  told  the  Man  of  the  House  that  I  had  an  Inclination 

120 


John  Woolman's  Journal         1 2 1 

to  spend  a  Part  of  the  Evening  there;  with  which  he 
signified  that  he  was  content.  Then,  sitting  down  by 
the  Door,  I  spake  to  the  People  as  they  came  together, 
concerning  this  Shew;  and,  more  coming  and  sitting 
down  with  us,  the  Seats  of  the  Door  were  mostly  filled; 
and  I  had  Conversation  with  them  in  the  Fear  of  the 
Lord,  and  laboured  to  convince  them  that,  thus  assem- 
bling to  see  those  Tricks  or  Slights  of  Hand,  and  bestowing 
their  Money  to  support  Men,  who,  in  that  Capacity,  were 
of  no  Use  in  the  World,  was  contrary  to  the  Nature  of 
the  Christian  Religion. 

There  was  one  of  the  Company,  who,  for  a  Time, 
endeavoured,  by  Arguments,  to  shew  the  Reasonableness 
of  their  Proceedings  herein;  but,  after  considering  some 
Texts  of  Scripture,  and  calmly  debating  the  Matter,  he 
gave  up  the  Point.  So,  having  spent  about  an  Hour 
amongst  them,  and  feeling  my  Mind  easy,  I  de- 
parted. 

At  our  Yearly-meeting  at  Philadelphia^  on  the  twenty- 
fifth  Day  of  the  ninth  Month,  1764,  John  Smith,  of 
Marlborough,  aged  upwards  of  eighty  Years,  a  faithful 
Minister,  though  not  eloquent,  stood  up  in  our  Meeting 
of  Ministers  and  Elders,  and,  appearing  to  be  under  a 
great  Exercise  of  Spirit,  informed  Friends  in  Substance 
as  follows:  to  wit,  "  That  he  had  been  a  Member  of  the 
Society  upwards  of  sixty  Years,  and  well  remembered, 
that  in  those  early  Times  Friends  were  a  plain  lowly- 
minded  People;  and  that  there  was  much  Tenderness 
and  Contrition  in  their  Meetings. — That,  at  twenty  Years 
from  that  Time,  the  Society,  increasing  in  Wealth,  and 
in  some  Degree  conforming  to  the  Fashions  of  the  World, 
true  Humility  was  less  apparent,  and  their  Meetings,  in 
general,  not  so  lively  and  edifying. — That,  at  the  End 
of  forty  Years,  many  of  them  were  grown  very  rich;  that 
wearing  of  fine  costly  Garments,  and  using  of  silver  (and 
other)  Watches,  became  customary  with  them,  their 
Sons  and  their  Daughters,  and  many  of  the  Society  made 
a  specious  Appearance  in  the  World;  which  Marks  of 
outward  Wealth  and  Greatness  appeared  on  some  in  our 
Meetings  of  Ministers  and  Elders;    and  as  these  Things 


122         John  Woolman's  Journal 

became  more  prevalent,  so  the  powerful  Overshadowings 
of  the  Holy  Ghost  were  less  manifest  in  the  Society. — 
That  there  had  been  a  continued  Increase  of  these  Ways 
of  Life  even  until  now;  and  that  the  Weakness  which 
hath  now  overspread  the  Society,  and  the  Barrenness 
manifest  amongst  us,  are  Matter  of  much  Sorrow."  He 
then  mentioned  the  Uncertainty  of  his  attending  these 
Meetings  in  future,  expecting  his  Dissolution  was  now 
near;  and,  having  tenderly  expressed  his  Concern  for  us, 
signified  that  he  had  seen  in  the  true  Light  that  the  Lord 
would  bring  back  his  People  from  these  Things  into 
which  they  were  thus  degenerated;  but  that  his  faithful 
Servants  must  first  go  through  great  and  heavy  Exercises 
therein. 

On  the  twenty-ninth  Day,  the  Committee,  appointed 
by  the  Yearly-meeting  to  visit  the  Quarterly  and  Monthly- 
meetings,  now  gave  an  Account  in  Writing  of  their  Pro- 
ceedings in  that  Service;  in  which  they  signified,  that, 
in  the  Course  of  it,  they  had  been  apprehensive  that  some 
Persons  holding  Offices  in  Government,  inconsistent  with 
our  Principles,  and  others,  who  kept  Slaves,  remaining 
active  Members  in  our  Meetings  of  Discipline,  had  been 
one  Means  of  Weakness  more  and  more  prevailing  in  the 
Management  thereof  in  some  Places.  After  this  Report 
was  read,  an  Exercise  revived  on  my  Mind,  which,  at 
Times,  had  attended  me  several  Years,  and  inward  Cries 
to  the  Lord  were  raised  in  me,  that  the  Fear  of  Man  might 
not  prevent  me  from  doing  what  he  required  of  me; 
and  standing  up,  I  spake  in  Substance  as  follows:  "I 
have  felt  a  Tenderness  in  my  Mind,  towards  Persons,  in 
two  Circumstances  mentioned  in  that  Report;  that  is, 
toward  such  active  Members  as  keep  Slaves,  and  such  as 
hold  Offices  in  civil  Government;  and  have  desired,  that 
Friends,  in  all  their  Conduct,  may  be  kindly  affectioned 
one  toward  another.  Many  Friends,  who  keep  Slaves, 
are  under  some  Exercise  on  that  Account;  and,  at  Times, 
think  about  trying  them  with  Freedom;  but  find  many 
Things  in  their  Way:  And  the  Way  of  Living,  and  annual 
Expences  of  some  of  them,  are  such,  that  it  seems  im- 
practicable for  them  to  set  their  Slaves  free,  without 


John  Woolman's  Journal         123 

changing  their  own  Way  of  Life.  It  has  been  my  Lot 
to  be  often  abroad;  and  I  have  observed  in  some  Places, 
at  Quarterly  and  Yearly-meetings,  and  at  some  Houses 
where  travelling  Friends  and  their  Horses  are  often 
entertained,  that  the  yearly  Expence  of  Individuals 
therein  is  very  considerable :  And  Friends,  in  some  Places, 
crouding  much  on  Persons  in  these  Circumstances  for 
Entertainment,  hath  often  rested  as  a  Burthen  on  my 
Mind  for  some  Years  past;  and  I  now  express  it  in  the 
Fear  of  the  Lord,  greatly  desiring  that  Friends  now 
present  may  duly  consider  it." 

In  the  Fall  of  this  Year,  having  hired  a  Man  to  work, 
I  perceived,  in  Conversation,  that  he  had  been  a  Soldier 
in  the  late  War  on  this  Continent;  and,  in  the  Evening, 
giving  a  Narrative  of  his  Captivity  amongst  the  Indians, 
he  informed  me  that  he  saw  two  of  his  Fellow-captives 
tortured  to  Death  in  a  very  cruel  Manner. 

This  Relation  affected  me  with  Sadness,  under  which 
I  went  to  Bed ;  and,  the  next  Morning,  soon  after  I  awoke, 
a  fresh  and  living  Sense  of  divine  Love  was  spread  over 
my  Mind;  in  which  I  had  a  renewed  Prospect  of  the 
Nature  of  that  Wisdom  from  above,  which  leads  to  a 
right  Use  of  all  Gifts,  both  spiritual  and  temporal,  and 
gives  Content  therein:  Under  a  Feeling  thereof,  I  wrote 
as  follows: 

"  Hath  he,  who  gave  me  a  Being  attended  with  many 
Wants  unknown  to  Brute-creatures,  given  me  a  Capacity 
superior  to  theirs ;  and  shewn  me,  that  a  moderate  Appli- 
cation to  Business  is  proper  to  my  present  Condition; 
and  that  this,  attended  with  his  Blessing,  may  supply  all 
outward  Wants,  while  they  remain  within  the  Bounds 
he  hath  fixed;  and  no  imaginary  Wants,  proceeding  from 
an  evil  Spirit,  have  any  Place  in  me?  Attend  then,  O 
my  Soul!  to  this  pure  Wisdom,  as  thy  sure  Conductor 
through  the  manifold  Dangers  in  this  World. 

"Doth  Pride  lead  to  Vanity?  Doth  Vanity  form 
imaginary  Wants?  Do  these  Wants  prompt  Men  to 
exert  their  Power  in  requiring  that  of  others,  which  they 
themselves  would  rather  be  excused  from,  were  the  same 
required  of  them? 

K  402 


1 24        John  Woolman's  Journal 

"  Do  these  Proceedings  beget  hard  Thoughts  ?  Do  hard 
Thoughts,  when  ripe,  become  Malice?  Does  Malice, 
when  ripe,  become  revengeful;  and,  in  the  End,  inflict 
terrible  Pains  on  their  Fellow  -  creatures,  and  spread 
Desolation  in  the  World  ? 

"  Doth  Mankind,  walking  in  Uprightness,  delight  in  each 
other's  Happiness?  And  do  these  Creatures,  capable 
of  this  Attainment,  by  giving  way  to  an  evil  Spirit, 
employ  their  Wit  and  Strength  to  afflict  and  destroy  one 
another  ? 

"  Remember  then,  0  my  Soul !  the  Quietude  of  those 
in  whom  Christ  governs,  and  in  all  thy  Proceedings  feel 
after  it. 

"  Doth  he  condescend  to  bless  thee  with  his  Presence? 
To  move  and  influence  to  Action?  To  dwell  in  thee, 
and  walk  in  thee?  Remember  then  thy  Station,  as  a 
Being  sacred  to  God;  accept  of  the  Strength  freely 
offered  thee;  and  take  heed  that  no  Weakness,  in  con- 
forming to  expensive,  unwise,  and  hard-hearted,  Customs, 
gendering  to  Discord  and  Strife,  be  given  way  to.  Doth 
he  claim  my  Body  as  his  Temple,  and  graciously  grant 
that  I  may  be  sacred  to  him  ?  0 !  that  I  may  prize  this 
Favour;  and  that  my  whole  Life  may  be  conformable 
to  this  Character ! 

"  Remember,  0  my  Soul !  that  the  Prince  of  Peace  is  thy 
Lord :  That  he  communicates  his  unmixed  Wisdom  to  his 
Family ;  that  they,  living  in  perfect  Simplicity,  may  give 
no  just  Cause  of  Offence  to  any  Creature,  but  may  walk 
as  he  walked." 

Having  felt  an  Openness  in  my  Heart  toward  visiting 
Families  in  our  own  Meeting,  and  especially  in  the  Town 
of  Mount-Holly,  the  Place  of  my  Abode,  I  mentioned  it 
in  our  Monthly-meeting  the  Fore-part  of  the  Winter, 
1764;  which  being  agreed  to,  and  several  Friends  of 
our  Meeting  being  united  in  the  Exercise,  we  proceeded 
therein;  and,  through  divine  Favour,  were  helped  in  the 
Work,  so  that  it  appeared  to  me  as  a  fresh  reviving 
of  godly  Care  amongst  Friends:  And,  the  latter  Part  of 
the  same  Winter,  I  joined  my  Friend  William  Jones, 
in  a  Visit  to  Friends  Families  in  Mansfield;  in  which 


John  Woolman's  Journal         125 

Labour  I  had  Cause  to  admire  the  Goodness  of  the  Lord 
towards  us. 

Having  felt  my  Mind  drawn  toward  a  Visit  to  Friends 
along  the  Sea-coast  from  Cape-May  to  near  Squan  ;  and 
also  to  visit  some  People  in  those  Parts,  amongst  whom 
there  is  no  settled  Worship;  I  joined  with  my  beloved 
Friend,  Benjamin  Jones,  in  a  Visit  there,  having  Friends 
Unity  therein:  And,  setting  off  the  twenty-fourth  Day 
of  the  tenth  Month,  1765,  we  had  a  prosperous  and 
very  satisfactory  Journey ;  feeling,  at  Times,  through  the 
Goodness  of  the  heavenly  Shepherd,  the  Gospel  to  flow 
freely  toward  a  poor  People  scattered  in  those  Places: 
And  soon  after  our  Return,  I  joined  my  Friends,  John 
Sleeper  and  Elizabeth  Smith,  in  visiting  Friends 
Families  at  Burlington,  there  being  at  this  Time  about 
fifty  Families  of  our  Society  in  that  City;  and  we  had 
Cause  humbly  to  adore  our  heavenly  Father,  who  bap' 
tized  us  into  a  Feeling  of  the  State  of  the  People,  and 
strengthened  us  to  labour  in  true  Gospel-love  amongst 
them. 

An  Exercise  having,  at  Times,  for  several  Years  attended 
me,  in  regard  to  paying  a  religious  Visit  to  Friends  on 
the  eastern  Shore  of  Maryland :  Such  was  the  Nature  of 
this  Exercise,  that  I  believed  the  Lord  moved  me  to 
travel  on  Foot  amongst  them,  that,  by  so  travelling,  I 
might  have  a  more  lively  Feeling  of  the  Condition  of  the 
oppressed  Slaves,  set  an  Example  of  Lowliness  before 
the  Eyes  of  their  Masters,  and  be  more  out  of  the  Way  of 
Temptation  to  unprofitable  Converse. 

The  Time  now  drawing  near  in  which  I  believed  it  my 
Duty  to  lay  my  Concern  before  our  Monthly-meeting,  I 
perceived,  in  Conversation  with  my  beloved  Friend,  John 
Sleeper,  that  he  was  under  a  Concern  to  travel  the  same 
Way,  and  also  to  travel  on  Foot  in  the  Form  of  a  Servant 
amongst  them,  as  he  expressed  it.  This  he  told  me  before 
he  knew  aught  of  my  Exercise. 

We,  being  thus  drawn  the  same  Way,  laid  our  Exercise 
and  the  Nature  of  it  before  Friends;  and,  obtaining 
Certificates,  we  set  off  the  sixth  Day  of  the  fifth  Month, 
1766;  and  were  at  Meetings  with  Friends  at  Wilmmgton, 


126         John  Woolman's  Journal 

Duck-Creek,  Little-Creek,  and  Motherkill ;  my  Heart  being 
sundry  Times  tendered  under  the  divine  Influence^  and 
enlarged  in  Love  toward  the  People  amongst  whom  we 
travelled. 

From  Motherkill,  we  crossed  the  Country  about  thirty- 
five  Miles  to  Friends  at  Tuckahoe  in  Maryland,  and  had 
a  Meeting  there  and  at  Marshy-Creek. 

At  these^  our  three  last  Meetings^  were  a  considerable 
Number  of  People,  Followers  of  one  Joseph  Nichols,  a 
Preacher;  who,  I  understand,  is  not  in  outward  Fellow- 
ship with  any  religious  Society  of  People,  but  professeth 
nearly  the  same  Principles  as  our  Society  doth,  and  often 
travels  up  and  down  appointing  Meetings,  to  which  many 
People  come,  I  heard  some  Friends  speaking  of  some 
of  their  Neighbours,  who  had  been  irreligious  People, 
that  were  now  his  Followers,  and  were  become  sober 
well-behaved  Men  and  Women. 

Some  Irregularities,  I  hear,  have  been  amongst  the 
People  at  several  of  his  Meetings;  but,  from  the  whole  of 
what  I  have  perceived,  I  believe  the  Man  and  some  of  his 
Followers  are  honestly  disposed,  but  that  skilful  Fathers 
are  wanting  amongst  them:  From  hence  we  went  to 
Choptank  and  Third-Haven ;  and  thence  to  Queen  Anne's. 
The  Weather  having  some  Days  past  been  hot  and  dry, 
and  we,  to  attend  Meetings  pursuant  to  Appointment, 
having  travelled  pretty  steadily,  and  had  hard  Labour 
in  Meetings,  I  grew  weakly,  at  which  I  was,  for  a  Time, 
discouraged;  but,  looking  over  our  Journey,  and  think- 
ing how  the  Lord  had  supported  our  Minds  and  Bodies, 
so  that  we  got  forward  much  faster  than  I  expected 
before  we  came  out,  I  now  saw  that  I  had  been  in  Danger 
of  too  strongly  desiring  to  get  soon  through  the  Journey, 
and  that  this  bodily  Weakness,  now  attending  me,  was 
a  Kindness  to  me;  and  then,  in  Contrition  of  Spirit,  I 
became  very  thankful  to  my  gracious  Father,  for  this 
Manifestation  of  his  Love;  and,  in  humble  Submission 
to  his  Will,  my  Trust  was  renewed  in  him. 

On  this  Part  of  our  Journey,  I  had  many  Thoughts 
on  the  different  Circumstances  of  Friends,  who  inhabit 
Pennsylvania  and  Jersey,  from  those  who  dwell  in  Mary- 


John  Woolman's  Journal         127 

land,  Virginia,  and  Carolina.  Pennsylvania  and  New- 
Jersey  were  settled  by  many  Friends^  who  were  convinced 
of  our  Principles  in  England  in  Times  of  Sufferings  and, 
coming  over,  bought  Lands  of  the  Natives,  and  applied 
themselves  to  Husbandry  in  a  peaceable  Way;  and 
many  of  their  Children  were  taught  to  labour  for  their 
Living. 

Few  Friends,  I  believe,  came  from  England  to  settle 
in  any  of  these  southern  Provinces;  but,  by  the  faithful 
Labours  of  travelling  Friends  in  early  Times,  there  were 
considerable  Convincements  amongst  the  Inhabitants  of 
these  Parts.  Here  I  remembered  my  reading  of  the  war- 
like Disposition  of  many  of  the  first  Settlers  in  those 
Provinces,  and  of  their  numerous  Engagements  with  the 
Natives,  in  which  much  Blood  was  shed,  even  in  the 
Infancy  of  those  Colonies.  These  People,  inhabiting  those 
Places,  being  grounded  in  Customs  contrary  to  the  pure 
Truth,  when  some  of  them  were  affected  with  the  powerful 
preaching  of  the  Word  of  Life,  and  joined  in  Fellowship 
with  our  Society,  they  had  a  great  Work  to  go  through. 
It  is  observable,  in  the  History  of  the  keformation  from 
Popery,  that  it  had  a  gradual  Progress  from  Age  to  Age: 
The  Uprightness  of  the  first  Reformers,  in  attending  to 
the  Light  and  Understanding  given  them,  opened  the 
Way  for  sincere-hearted  People  to  proceed  farther  after- 
ward ;  and  thus,  each  one  truly  fearing  God,  and  labouring 
in  those  Works  of  Righteousness  appointed  for  him  in 
his  Day,  findeth  Acceptance  with  him:  Though,  through 
the  Darkness  of  the  Times,  and  the  Corruption  of  Manners 
and  Customs,  some  upright  Men  have  had  little  more  for 
their  Day's  Work  than  to  attend  to  the  righteous  Principle 
in  their  Minds,  as  it  related  to  their  own  Conduct  in  Life, 
without  pointing  out  to  others  the  whole  Extent  of  that, 
which  the  same  Principle  would  lead  succeeding  Ages  into. 
Thus,  for  Instance,  amongst  an  imperious  warlike  People, 
supported  by  oppressed  Slaves,  some  of  these  Masters,  I 
suppose,  are  awakened  to  feel  and  see  their  Error;  and, 
through  sincere  Repentance,  cease  from  Oppression,  and 
become  like  Fathers  to  their  Servants;  shewing,  by  their 
Example,  a  Pattern  of  Humility  in  living,  and  Modera- 


128         John  Woolman's  Journal 

tion  in  governing,  for  the  Instruction  and  Admonition  of 
their  oppressing  Neighbours;  those,  without  carrying 
the  Reformation  farther,  I  believe,  have  found  Accept- 
ance with  the  Lord.  Such  was  the  Beginning;  and  those 
who  succeeded  them,  and  have  faithfully  attended  to  the 
Nature  and  Spirit  of  the  Reformation,  have  seen  the 
Necessity  of  proceeding  forward,  and  not  only  to  instruct 
others,  by  their  Example,  in  governing  well,  but  also  to 
use  Means  to  prevent  their  Successors  from  having  so 
much  Power  to  oppress  others. 

Here  I  was  renewedly  confirmed  in  my  Mind,  that 
the  Lord  (whose  tender  Mercies  are  over  all  his  Works, 
and  whose  Ear  is  open  to  the  Cries  and  Groans  of  the 
Oppressed)  is  graciously  moving  on  the  Hearts  of  People, 
to  draw  them  off  from  the  Desire  of  Wealth,  and  bring 
them  into  such  an  humble,  lowly,  Way  of  Living,  that 
they  may  see  their  Way  clearly,  to  repair  to  the  Standard 
of  true  Righteousness;  and  not  only  break  the  Yoke  of 
Oppression,  but  know  him  to  be  their  Strength  and 
Support  in  a  Time  of  outward  Affliction. 

We,  passing  on,  crossed  Chester-River;  and  had  a 
Meeting  there,  and  at  Cecil  and  Sassafras.  Through  my 
bodily  Weakness,  joined  with  a  heavy  Exercise  of  Mind, 
it  was  to  me  an  humbling  Dispensation,  and  I  had  a  very 
lively  Feeling  of  the  State  of  the  Oppressed;  yet  I  often 
thought,  that  what  I  suffered  was  little,  compared  with 
the  Sufferings  of  the  blessed  Jesus,  and  many  of  his 
faithful  Followers;  and  may  say,  with  Thankfulness,  I 
was  made  content. 

From  Sassafras  we  went  pretty  directly  Home,  where 
we  found  our  Families  well;  and,  for  several  Weeks  after 
our  Return,  I  had  often  to  look  over  our  Journey:  And 
though  it  appeared  to  me  as  a  small  Service,  and  that 
some  faithful  Messengers  will  yet  have  more  bitter  Cups 
to  drink  in  those  southern  Provinces,  for  Christ's  Sake, 
than  we  had;  yet  I  found  Peace  in  that  I  had  been 
helped  to  walk  in  Sincerity,  according  to  the  Under- 
standing and  Strength  given  me. 

On  the  thirteenth  Day  of  the  eleventh  Month,  1766, 
with  the  Unity  of  Friends  at  our  Monthly-meeting,  in 


John  Woolman's  Journal         129 

Company  with  my  beloved  Friend,  Benjamin  Jones,  I 
set  out  on  a  Visit  to  Friends  in  the  upper  Part  of  this 
Province,  having  had  Drawings  of  Love  in  my  Heart  that 
Way  a  considerable  Time:  We  travelled  as  far  as  Hard- 
wick  ;  and  I  had  inward  Peace  in  my  Labours  of  Love 
amongst  them. 

Through  the  humbling  Dispensations  of  divine  Pro- 
vidence, my  Mind  hath  been  brought  into  a  farther 
Feeling  of  the  Difficulties  of  Friends  and  their  Servants 
south-westward;  and  being  often  engaged  in  Spirit  on 
their  Account,  I  believed  it  my  Duty  to  walk  into  some 
Parts  of  the  western  Shore  of  Maryland,  on  a  religious 
Visit;  and,  having  obtained  a  Certificate  from  Friends  of 
our  Monthly-meeting,  I  took  my  Leave  of  my  Family 
under  the  heart- tendering  Operation  of  Truth;  and,  on 
the  twentieth  Day  of  the  fourth  Month,  1767,  I  rode  to 
the  Ferry  opposite  to  Philadelphia,  and  from  thence 
walked  to  William  Horne's,  at  Derby,  that  Evening; 
and  next  Day  pursued  my  journey  alone,  and  reached 
Concord  week-day  Meeting. 

Discouragements  and  a  Weight  of  Distress  had,  at 
Times,  attended  me  in  this  lonesome  Walk;  through 
which  Afflictions  I  was  mercifully  preserved:  And  now, 
sitting  down  with  Friends,  my  Mind  was  turned  toward 
the  Lord,  to  wait  for  his  holy  Leadings;  who,  in  infinite 
Love,  was  pleased  to  soften  my  Heart  into  an  humble 
Contrition,  and  did  renewedly  strengthen  me  to  go  forward; 
so  that  to  me  it  was  a  Time  of  heavenly  Refreshment  in 
a  silent  Meeting. 

The  next  Day  I  came  to  New-Garden  week-day  Meeting, 
in  which  I  sat  with  Bowedness  of  Spirit;  and,  being 
baptized  into  a  Feeling  of  the  State  of  some  present,  the 
Lord  gave  us  a  heart- tendering  Season;  to  his  Name  be 
the  Praise. 

I  passed  on,  and  was  at  Nottingham  Monthly-meeting; 
and  at  a  Meeting  at  Little-Britain  on  First-day:  And  in 
the  Afternoon  several  Friends  came  to  the  House  where 
I  lodged,  and  we  had  a  little  Afternoon-meeting;  and, 
through  the  humbling  Power  of  Truth,  I  had  to  admire 
the  Loving-kindness  of  the  Lord  manifested  to  usl 


130        John  Woolman's  Journal 

On  the  twenty-sixth  Day,  I  crossed  Susquehannah  ; 
and  coming  amongst  People  in  outward  Ease  and  Great- 
ness, chiefly  on  the  Labour  of  Slaves,  my  Heart  was 
much  affected;  and,  in  awful  Retiredness,  my  Mind  was 
gathered  inward  to  the  Lord,  being  humbly  engaged  that 
in  true  Resignation  I  might  receive  Instruction  from  him, 
respecting  my  Duty  amongst  this  People. 

Though  travelling  on  Foot  was  wearisome  to  my  Body ; 
yet  thus  travelling  was  agreeable  to  the  State  of  my 
Mind. 

I  went  gently  on,  being  weakly;  and  was  covered  with 
Sorrow  and  Heaviness,  on  Account  of  the  spreading  pre- 
vailing Spirit  of  this  World,  introducing  Customs  grievous 
and  oppressive  on  one  Hand,  and  cherishing  Pride  and 
Wantonness  on  the  other.  In  this  lonely  Walk,  and  State 
of  Abasement  and  Humiliation,  the  State  of  the  Church 
in  these  Parts  was  opened  before  me;  and  I  may  truly 
say  with  the  Prophet,  "  I  was  bowed  down  at  the  hear- 
ing of  it;  I  was  dismayed  at  the  seeing  of  it."  Under 
this  Exercise,  I  attended  the  Quarterly-meeting  at  Gun- 
powder ;  and,  in  Bowedness  of  Spirit,  I  had  to  open,  with 
much  Plainness,  what  I  felt  respecting  Friends  living  in 
Fullness,  on  the  Labours  of  the  poor  oppressed  Negroes; 
and  that  Promise  of  the  Most  High  was  now  revived: 
"  I  will  gather  all  Nations  and  Tongues;  and  they  shall 
come  and  see  my  Glory." — Here  the  Sufferings  of  Christ, 
and  his  tasting  Death  for  every  Man,  and  the  Travels, 
Sufferings,  and  Martyrdoms,  of  the  Apostles  and  primitive 
Christians,  in  labouring  for  the  Conversion  of  the  Gentiles, 
were  livingly  revived  in  me;  and,  according  to  the 
Measure  of  Strength  afforded,  I  laboured  in  some  Tender- 
ness of  Spirit,  being  deeply  affected  amongst  them:  And 
thus  the  Difference,  between  the  present  Treatment  which 
these  Gentiles,  the  Negroes,  receive  at  our  Hands,  and 
the  Labours  of  the  primitive  Christians  for  the  Conversion 
of  the  Gentiles  was  pressed  home,  and  the  Power  of  Truth 
came  over  us;  under  a  Feeling  of  which,  my  Mind  was 
united  to  a  tender-hearted  People  in  those  Parts;  and 
the  Meeting  concluded  in  a  Sense  of  God's  Goodness 
toward  his  humble  dependent  Children. 


John  Woolman's  Journal         1 3 1 

The  next  Day  was  a  general  Meeting  for  Worship, 
much  crouded;  in  which  I  was  deeply  engaged  in  inward 
Cries  to  the  Lord  for  Help,  that  I  might  stand  wholly 
resigned,  and  move  only  as  he  might  be  pleased  to  lead 
me:  And  I  was  mercifully  helped  to  labour  honestly 
and  fervently  amongst  them,  in  which  I  found  inward 
Peace;  and  the  Sincere  were  comforted. 

From  hence  I  turned  toward  Pipe-Creek,  and  passed 
on  to  the  Red-Lands  ;  and  had  several  Meetings  amongst 
Friends  in  those  Parts.  My  Heart  was  often  tenderly 
affected,  under  a  Sense  of  the  Lord's  Goodness,  in  sancti- 
fying my  Troubles  and  Exercises,  turning  them  to  my 
Comfort,  and,  I  believe,  to  the  Benefit  of  many  others; 
for,  I  may  say,  with  Thankfulness,  that  in  this  Visit,  it 
appeared  like  a  fresh  tendering  Visitation  in  most  Places. 

I  passed  on  to  the  western  Quarterly-meeting  in  Penn- 
sylvania ;  during  the  several  Days  of  this  Meeting,  I  was 
mercifully  preserved  in  an  inward  feeling  after  the  Mind 
of  Truth,  and  my  publick  Labours  tended  to  my  Humilia- 
tion, with  which  I  was  content :  And,  after  the  Quarterly- 
meeting  of  Worship  ended,  I  felt  Drawings  to  go  to  the 
Women's  Meeting  of  Business ;  which  was  very  full :  And 
here  the  Humility  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  a  Pattern  for  us  to 
walk  by,  was  livingly  opened  before  me;  and  in  treating 
on  it  my  Heart  was  enlarged;  and  it  was  a  baptizing 
Time.  From  hence  I  went  on;  and  was  at  Meetings  at 
Concord,  Middletown,  Providence,  and  Haddonfield,  and 
so  Home;  where  I  found  my  Family  well.  A  sense  of 
the  Lord's  merciful  Preservation,  in  this  my  Journey, 
excites  reverent  Thankfulness  to  him. 

On  the  second  Day  of  the  ninth  Month,  1767,  with  the 
Unity  of  Friends,  I  set  off  on  a  Visit  to  Friends  in  the 
upper  Part  of  Berks  and  Philadelphia  Counties;  was  at 
eleven  Meetings  in  about  two  Weeks;  and  have  renewed 
Cause  to  bow  in  Reverence  before  the  Lord,  who,  by  the 
powerful  Extendings  of  his  humbling  Goodness,  opened 
my  Way  amongst  Friends,  and  made  the  Meetings  (I 
trust)  profitable  to  us.  And,  the  Winter  following,  I 
joined  Friends  on  a  Visit  to  Friends  Families,  in  some 


132         John  Woolman's  Journal 

Part  of  our  Meeting ;  in  which  Exercise,  the  pure  Influence 
of  divine  Love  made  our  Visits  reviving. 

On  the  fifth  Day  of  the  fifth  Month,  1768,  I  left  Home 
under  the  humbhng  Hand  of  the  Lord,  having  obtained 
a  Certificate,  in  order  to  visit  some  Meetings  in  Maryland , 
and  to  proceed  without  a  Horse  looked  clearest  to  me. 
I  was  at  the  Quarterly-meetings  at  Philadelphia  and 
Concord  ;  and  then  went  on  to  Chester-River  ;  and,  cross- 
ing the  Bay  with  Friends,  was  at  the  Yearly-meeting  at 
West-River;  thence  back  to  Chester-River ;  and,  taking 
a  few  Meetings  in  my  Way,  proceeded  Home.  It  was 
a  Journey  of  much  inward  Waiting;  and,  as  my  Eye  was 
to  the  Lord,  Way  was,  several  Times,  opened  to  my 
humbling  Admiration,  when  Things  had  appeared  very 
difficult. 

In  my  Return,  I  felt  a  Relief  of  Mind,  very  comfortable 
to  me;  having,  through  divine  Help,  laboured  in  much 
Plainness,  both  with  Friends  selected,  and  in  the  more 
pubhck  Meetings;  so  that  (I  trust)  the  pure  Witness,  in 
many  Minds,  was  reached. 

The  eleventh  Day  of  the  sixth  Month,  1769.  Sundry 
Cases  have  happened,  of  late  Years,  within  the  Limits  of 
our  Monthly-meeting,  respecting  that  of  exercising  pure 
Righteousness  toward  the  Negroes ;  in  which  I  have  lived 
under  a  Labour  of  Heart,  that  Equity  might  be  steadily 
kept  to.  On  this  Account,  I  have  had  some  close  Exer- 
cises amongst  Friends;  in  which,  I  may  thankfully  say, 
I  find  Peace:  And,  as  my  Meditations  have  been  on 
universal  Love,  my  own  Conduct  in  Time  past  became 
of  late  very  grievous  to  me. 

As  Persons,  setting  Negroes  free  in  our  Province,  are 
bound  by  Law  to  maintain  them,  in  case  they  have  Need 
of  Relief,  some,  who  scrupled  keeping  Slaves  for  Term  of 
Life,  in  the  Time  of  my  Youth,  were  wont  to  detain  their 
young  Negroes  in  their  Service  till  thirty  Years  of  Age, 
without  Wages,  on  that  Account;  and  with  this  Custom 
I  so  far  agreed,  that  I,  being  joined  to  another  Friend, 
in  executing  the  Will  of  a  deceased  Friend,  once  sold  a 
Negro  Lad  till  he  might  attain  the  Age  of  thirty  Years, 
and  applied  the  Money  to  the  Use  of  the  Estate. 


John  Woolman's  Journal         1 3  3 

With  Abasement  of  Heart,  I  may  now  say,  that  some- 
times, as  I  have  sat  in  a  Meeting,  with  my  Heart  exercised 
toward  that  awful  Being,  who  respecteth  not  Persons  nor 
Colours,  and  have  looked  upon  this  Lad,  I  have  felt  that 
all  was  not  clear  in  my  Mind  respecting  him;  and  as  I 
have  attended  to  this  Exercise,  and  fervently  sought  the 
Lord,  it  hath  appeared  to  me,  that  I  should  make  some 
Restitution,  but  in  what  Way  I  saw  not  till  lately ;  when, 
being  under  some  Concern  that  I  may  be  resigned  to  go 
on  a  Visit  to  some  Part  of  the  West-Indies,  and  under  close 
Engagement  of  Spirit,  seeking  to  the  Lord  for  Counsel 
herein,  that  of  my  joining  in  the  Sale  aforesaid,  came 
heavily  upon  me ;  and  my  Mind,  for  a  Time,  was  covered 
with  Darkness  and  Sorrow;  and,  under  this  sore  Affliction, 
my  Heart  was  softened  to  receive  Instruction:  And  here 
I  first  saw,  that,  as  I  had  been  one  of  the  two  Executors, 
who  had  sold  this  Lad  nine  Years  longer  than  is  common 
for  our  own  Children  to  serve,  so  I  should  now  offer  a 
Part  of  my  Substance  to  redeem  the  last  Half  of  that 
nine  Years ;  but,  as  the  Time  was  not  yet  come,  I  executed 
a  Bond,  binding  me  and  my  Executors  to  pay  to  the 
Man,  he  was  sold  to,  what,  to  candid  Men,  might  appear 
equitable  for  the  last  four  Years  and  a  Half  of  his  Time, 
in  case  the  said  Youth  should  be  living,  and  in  a  Con- 
dition likely  to  provide  comfortably  for  himself. 

The  ninth  Day  of  the  tenth  Month,  1769.  My  Heart 
hath  often  been  deeply  afflicted  under  a  Feeling  I  have 
had,  that  the  Standard  of  pure  Righteousness  is  not  lifted 
up  to  the  People  by  us,  as  a  Society,  in  that  Clearness 
which  it  might  have  been,  had  we  been  so  faithful  to  the 
Teachings  of  Christ  as  we  ought  to  have  been:  And,  as 
my  Mind  hath  been  inward  to  the  Lord,  the  Purity  of 
Christ's  Government  hath  been  opened  in  my  Under- 
standing; and,  under  this  Exercise,  that  of  Friends  being 
active  in  civil  Society,  in  putting  Laws  in  force  which 
are  not  agreeable  to  the  Purity  of  Righteousness,  hath, 
for  several  Years,  been  an  increasing  Burthen  upon  me; 
having  felt,  in  the  Openings  of  universal  Love,  that  where 
a  People,  convinced  of  the  Truth  of  the  inward  Teachings 
of  Christ,  are  active  in  putting  Laws  in  Execution  which 


134         John  Woolman's  Journal 

are  not  consistent  with  pure  Wisdom,  it  hath  a  necessary 
Tendency  to  bring  Dimness  over  their  Minds:  And,  as 
my  Heart  hath  been  thus  exercised,  and  a  tender  Sym- 
pathy in  me  toward  my  Fellow-members,  I  have,  within 
a  few  Months  past,  in  several  Meetings  for  Discipline, 
expressed  my  Concern  on  this  Subject. 


CHAPTER  X 

His  preparing  to  visit  Friends  in  England — His  embarking  at 
Chester,  in  Company  with  Samuel  Emlen,  in  a  Ship 
hound  to  London — His  deep  Exercise,  in  observing  the 
Di^cuUies  and  Hardships  the  common  Sailors  are  exposed 
to—Considerations  on  the  Dangers  to  which  Youth  are  ex- 
posed, in  being  trained  to  a  sea-faring  Life  ;  and  its  In- 
consistency with  a  pious  Education — His  Thoughts  in  a 
Storm  at  Sea  :  With  many  instructive  Contemplations  on 
the  Voyage — And  his  Arrival  at  London 
T    ,  = . 

Having  been  some  Time  under  a  religious  Concern  to 
prepare  for  crossing  the  Seas,  in^der  to  visit  Friends 
in  the  northern  Parts  of  Englandjand  more  particularly 
Yorkshire;  after  weighty  Consideration,  I  thought  it 
expedient  to  inform  Friends,  at  our  Monthly-meeting  at 
Burlington  J  of  it;  who,  having  Unity  with  me  therein, 
gave  me  a  Certificate;  and  I  afterward  communicated 
the  same  to  our  Quarterly-meeting,  and  they  likewise 
certified  their  Concurrence  therewith.  Some  Time  after 
which,  at  the  general  Spring-meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders,  I  thought  it  my  Duty  to  acquaint  them  of  the 
religious  Exercise  which  attended  my  Mind;  with  which 
they  likewise  signified  their  Unity  by  a  Certificate,  dated 
the  twenty-fourth  Day  of  the  third  Month,  1772,  directed 
to  Friends  in  Great-Britain. 

In  the  fourth  Month  following,  I  thought  the  Time  was 
come  for  me  to  make  some  Enquiry  for  a  suitable  Con- 
veyance; being  apprehensive  that,  as  my  Concern  was 
principally  toward  the  northern  Parts  of  England,  it 
would  be  most  proper  to  go  in  a  Vessel  bound  to  Liver- 
pool or  Whitehaven :  And,  while  I  was  at  Philadelphia, 
deliberating  on  this  Occasion,  I  was  informed,  that  my 
beloved  Friend,  Samuel  Emlen,  jun.,  intending  to  go  to 
London,  and  having  taken  a  Passage  for  himself  in  the 
Cabbin  of  a  Ship,  called  Mary  and  Elizabeth,  of  which 


136        John  Woolman's  Journal 

James  Sparks  was  Master,  and  John  Head,  of  the  City 
of  Philadelphia,  one  of  the  Owners ;  and  I  feeling  a  Draught 
in  my  Mind  toward  the  Steerage  of  the  same  Ship,  went 
first  and  opened  to  Samuel  the  Feeling  I  had  concerning  it. 

My  beloved  Friend  appeared  glad  that  I  had  Thoughts 
of  going  in  the  Vessel  with  him,  though  my  Prospect  was 
toward  the  Steerage;  and  he,  offering  to  go  with  me, 
we  went  on  board,  first  in  the  Cabbin,  a  commodious 
Room,  and  then  into  the  Steerage;  where  we  sat  down 
on  a  Chest,  the  Sailors  being  busy  about  us:  Then  the 
Owner  of  the  Ship  came,  and  sat  down  with  us. 

Here  my  Mind  was  turned  toward  Christ,  the  heavenly 
Counsellor;  and  I  feeling,  at  this  Time,  my  own  Will 
subjected,  my  Heart  was  contrite  before  him. 

A  Motion  was  made,  by  the  Owner,  to  go  and  sit  in  the 
Cabbin,  as  a  Place  more  retired;  but  I  felt  easy  to  leave 
the  Ship,  and  made  no  Agreement  as  to  a  Passage  in  her; 
but  told  the  Owner,  if  I  took  a  Passage  in  the  Ship,  I 
believed  it  would  be  in  the  Steerage;  but  did  not  say 
much  as  to  my  Exercise  in  that  Case. 

I  went  to  my  Lodgings,  and  soon  after  went  to  Bed, 
and  my  Mind  was  under  a  deep  Exercise  before  the  Lord; 
whose  helping  Hand  was  manifested  to  me  as  I  slept 
that  Night,  and  his  Love  strengthened  my  Heart.  In  the 
Morning  I  went  with  two  Friends  on  board  the  Vessel 
again;  and,  after  a  short  Time  spent  therein,  I  went, 
with  Samuel  Emlen,  to  the  House  of  the  Owner;  to 
whom,  in  the  Hearing  of  Samuel  only,  I  opened  my 
Exercise,  in  relation  to  a  Scruple  with  regard  to  a  Passage 
in  the  Cabbin. 

^  After  this  I  agreed  for  a  Passage  in  the  Steerage;  and, 
hearing  in  Town  that  Joseph  White  had  a  Desire  to  see 
me,  I  felt  the  Reviving  of  a  Desire  to  see  him,  and  went 
then  to  his  House,  and  next  Day  Home;  where  I  tarried 
two  Nights;  and  then,  early  in  the  Morning,  I  parted 
with  my  Family,  under  a  Sense  of  the  humbling  Hand  of 
God  upon  me;  and  going  to  Philadelphia,  had  Opportunity 
with  several  of  my  beloved  Friends;  who  appeared  to  be 
concerned  for  me,  on  Account  of  the  unpleasant  Situation 
of  that  Part  of  the  Vessel  where  I  was  likely  to  lodge. 


John  Woolman's  Journal         137 

Having  stayed  two  Nights  in  Philadelphia,  I  went  the 
next  Day  to  IDerby  Monthly-meeting;  where,  through  the 
Strength  of  divine  Love,  my  Heart  was  enlarged  toward 
the  Youth  then  present;  under  which  I  was  helped  to 
labour  in  some  Tenderness  of  Spirit.  Then,  lodging  at 
William  Horne's,  I,  with  one  Friend,  went  to  Chester ; 
where,  meeting  with  Samuel  Emlen,  we  went  on  board, 
the  first  Day  of  the  fifth  Month,  1772;  and,  as  I  sat 
down  alone,  on  a  Seat  on  the  Deck,  I  felt  a  satisfactory 
Evidence  that  my  Proceedings  were  not  in  my  own  Will, 
but  under  the  Power  of  the  Cross  of  Christ. 

Seventh  Day  of  the  fifth  Month.  We  have  had  rough 
Weather  mostly  since  I  came  on  board;  and  the  Pas- 
sengers, James  Reynolds,  John  Till-Adams,  Sarah 
Logan  and  her  hired  Maid,  and  John  Bispham,  were  all 
sea-sick,  more  or  less,  at  Times;  from  which  Sickness, 
through  the  tender  Mercies  of  my  heavenly  Father,  I 
have  been  preserved;  my  Afflictions  now  being  of  another 
Kind^j 

There  appeared  an  Openness  in  the  Minds  of  the 
Master  of  the  Ship  and  of  the  Cabbin-Passengers  toward 
me:  We  were  often  together  on  the  Deck,  and  some- 
times in  the  Cabbin. 

My  Mind,  through  the  merciful  Help  of  the  Lord,  hath 
been  preserved  in  a  good  Degree,  watchful  and  inward; 
and  I  have,  this  Day,  great  Cause  to  be  thankful,  in  that 
I  remain  to  feel  Quietness  of  Mind. 
i^-  As  my  lodging  in  the  Steerage,  now  near  a  Week,  hath 
afforded  me  sundry  Opportunities  of  seeing,  hearing,  and 
feeling,  with  respect  to  the  Life  and  Spirit  of  many  poor 
Sailors,  an  inward  Exercise  of  Soul  hath  attended  me,  in 
regard  to  placing  our  Children  and  Youth  where  they 
may  be  likely  to  be  exampled  and  instructed  in  the  pure 
Fear  of  the  Lord;  and  I,  being  much  amongst  the  Sea- 
men, have,  from  a  Motion  of  Love,  sundry  Times  taken 
Opportunities,  with  one  of  them  at  a  Time  alone,  and  in 
a  free  Conversation  laboured  to  turn  their  Minds  toward 
the  Fear  of  the  Lord:  And  this  Day  we  had  a  Meeting  in 
the  Cabbin,  where  my  Heart  was  contrite  under  a  Feeling 
of  divine  Love. 


138         John  Woolman's  Journal 

Now,  concerning  Lads  being  trained  up  as  Seamen; 
I  believe  a  Communication  from  one  Part  of  the  World 
to  some  other  Parts  of  it,  by  Sea,  is,  at  Times,  consistent 
with  the  Will  of  our  heavenly  Father;  and  to  educate 
some  Youth  in  the  Practice  of  sailing,  I  believe,  may  be 
right:  But  how  lamentable  is  the  present  Corruption  of 
the  World!  how  impure  are  the  Channels  through  which 
Trade  hath  a  Conveyance!  how  great  is  that  Danger, 
to  which  poor  Lads  are  now  exposed,  when  placed  on 
shipboard  to  learn  the  Art  of  sailing ! 

O !  that  all  may  take  Heed  and  beware  of  Covetousness ! 
O  that  all  may  learn  of  Christ,  who  was  meek  and  low  of 
Heart!  Then,  in  faithfully  following  him,  he  will  teach 
us  to  be  content  with  Food  and  Raiment,  without  respect 
to  the  Customs  or  Honours  of  this  World. 

Men,  thus  redeemed,  will  feel  a  tender  Concern  for  their 
Fellow-creatures,  and  a  Desire  that  those  in  the  lowest 
Stations  may  be  assisted  and  encouraged;  and,  where 
Owners  of  Ships  attain  to  the  perfect  Law  of  Liberty, 
and  are  Doers  of  the  Word,  these  will  be  blessed  in  their 
Deeds. 

Rising  to  work  in  the  Night  is  not  commonly  pleasant 
in  any  case;  but,  in  dark  rainy  Nights,  it  is  very  dis- 
agreeable, even  though  each  Man  were  furnished  with  all 
•Conveniences:  But,  if  Men  must  go  out  at  Midnight,  to 
help  manage  the  Ship  in  the  Rain,  and,  having  small 
Room  to  sleep  and  lay  their  Garments  in,  are  often  beset 
to  furnish  themselves  for  the  Watch,  their  Garments  or 
something  relating  to  their  Business  being  wanting  and 
not  easily  found,  when,  from  the  Urgency  occasioned  by 
high  Winds,  they  are  hastened  and  called  up  suddenly, 
here  is  a  Trial  of  Patience  on  the  poor  Sailors  and  the 
poor  Lads  their  Companions. 

If,  after  they  have  been  on  Deck  several  Hours  in  the 
Night,  and  come  down  into  the  Steerage  soaking  wet, 
and  are  so  close  stowed  that  proper  Convenience  for 
change  of  Garment  is  not  easily  come  at,  but  for  Want 
of  proper  Room,  their  wet  Garments  are  thrown  in  Heaps, 
and  sometimes,  through  much  crouding,  are  trodden 
•under  Foot  in  going  to  their  Lodgings  and  getting  out  of 


John  Woolman's  Journal         139 

them,  and  they  have  great  Difficulties,  at  Times,  each 
one  to  find  his  own,  here  are  Trials  on  the  poor  Sailors. 

Now,  as  I  have  been  with  them  in  my  Lodge,  my  Heart 
hath  often  yearned  for  them,  and  tender  Desires  have 
been  raised  in  me,  that  all  Owners  and  Masters  of  Vessels 
may  dwell  in  the  Love  of  God,  and  therein  act  uprightly; 
and,  by  seeking  less  for  Gain,  and  looking  carefully  to 
their  Ways,  may  earnestly  labour  to  remove  all  Cause  of 
Provocation  from  the  poor  Seamen,, either  to  fret  or  use 
Excess  of  Strong-drink;  for,  indeed,  the  poor  Creatures, 
at  Times,  in  the  Wet  and  Cold,  seem  to  apply  to  Strong- 
drink  to  supply  the  Want  of  other  Convenience.  ; 
-  Great  Reformation  in  the  World  is  wanting;  and  the 
Necessity  of  it,  amongst  these  who  do  Business  on  great 
Waters,  hath,  at  this  Time,  been  abundantly  opened 
before  me.  ' 

The  eighth  Day  of  the  fifth  Month.  This  Morning  the 
Clouds  gathered,  the  Wind  blew  strong  from  South-east- 
ward, and  before  Noon  increased  to  that  Degree  that 
Sailing  appeared  dangerous.  The  Seamen  then  bound 
up  some  of  their  Sails,  and  took  down  some;  and,  the 
Storm  increasing,  they  put  the  Dead-lights,  so  called, 
into  the  Cabbin-Windows,  and  lighted  a  Lamp  as  at 
Night. 

The  Wind  now  blew  vehemently,  and  the  Sea  wrought 
to  that  Degree,  that  an  awful  Seriousness  prevailed  in 
the  Cabbin,  in  which  I  spent,  I  believe,  about  seventeen 
Hours;  for  I  believed  the  poor  wet  toiling  Seamen  had 
Need  of  all  the  Room  in  the  crouded  Steerage,  and  the 
Cabbin-Passengers  had  given  me  frequent  Invitations. 

They  ceased  now  from  Sailing,  and  put  the  Vessel  in 
the  Posture  called,  lying- to. 

My  Mind,  in  this  Tempest,  through  the  gracious  Assist- 
ance of  the  Lord,  was  preserved  in  a  good  Degree  of 
Resignation;  and  I  felt,  at  Times,  a  few  Words  in  his 
Love  to  my  Ship-mates,  in  regard  to  the  All-sufficiency 
of  him  who  formed  the  great  Deep,  and  whose  Care  is  so 
extensive,  that  a  Sparrow  falls  not  without  his  Notice; 
and  thus,  in  a  tender  Frame  of  Mind,  spake  to  them  of 
the  Necessity  of  our  yielding,  in  true  Obedience,  to  the 

L  40^ 


140        John  Woolman's  Journal 

Instructions   of  our  heavenly   Father^   who   sometimes, 
through  Adversities;,  intendeth  our  Refinement. 

About  eleven  at  Night  I  went  out  on  the  Deck^  when 
the  Sea  wrought  exceedingly,  and  the  high-foaming  Waves, 
all  round  about,  had  in  some  Sort  the  Appearance  of  Fire, 
but  did  not  give  much,  if  any,  Light. 

The  Sailor,  then  at  the  Helm,  said  he  lately  saw  a 
Corposant  at  the  Head  of  the  Mast. 

About  this  Time  I  observed  the  Master  of  the  Ship 
ordered  the  Carpenter  to  keep  on  the  Deck;  and,  though 
he  said  little,  I  apprehended  his  Care  was,  that  the 
Carpenter,  with  his  axe,  might  be  in  Readiness,  in  case 
of  any  Extremity. 

Soon  after  this,  the  Vehemency  of  the  Wind  abated; 
and,  before  Morning,  they  again  put  the  Ship  under  Sail. 

The  tenth  Day  of  the  Month,  and  first  of  the  Week, 
it  being  fine  Weather,  we  had  a  Meeting  in  the  Cabbin, 
at  which  most  of  the  Seamen  were  present:  This  Meet- 
ing to  me  was  a  strengthening  Time. 

The  thirteenth  Day  of  the  Month.  As  I  continue  to 
lodge  in  the  Steerage,  I  feel  an  Openness  this  Morning, 
to  express  something  farther  of  the  State  of  my  Mind, 
in  Respect  to  poor  Lads  bound  Apprentice  to  learn  the 
Art  of  Sailing.  As  I  believe  Sailing  is  of  some  Use  in 
the  World,  a  Labour  of  Soul  attends  me,  that  the  pure 
Counsel  of  Truth  may  be  humbly  waited  for  in  this  Case, 
by  all  concerned  in  the  Business  of  the  Seas. 

A  pious  Father,  whose  Mind  is  exercised  for  the  ever- 
lasting Welfare  of  his  Child,  may  not,  with  a  peaceable 
Mind,  place  him  out  to  an  Employment  amongst  a  People, 
whose  common  Course  of  Life  is  manifestly  corrupt  and 
prophane;  so  great  is  the  present  Defect  amongst  Sea- 
faring Men,  in  regard  to  Piety  and  Virtue :  And,  through 
an  abundant  Traffic,  and  many  Ships  of  War,  so  many 
People  are  employed  on  the  Sea,  that  this  Subject  of 
placing  Lads  to  the  Employment  appears  very  weighty. 

Prophane  Examples  are  very  corrupting,  and  very 
forcible.  And  as  my  Mind,  Day  after  Day,  and  Night 
after  Night,  hath  been  affected  with  a  sympathizing 
Tenderness  toward  poor  Children,  put  to  the  Employ- 


John  Woolman's  Journal         141 

ment  of  Sailors,  I  have  sometimes  had  weighty  Con- 
versation with  the  Sailors  in  the  Steerage,  who  were  mostly 
respectful  to  me,  and  more  and  more  so  the  longer  I  was 
with  them:  They  mostly  appeared  to  take  kindly  what 
I  said  to  them;  but  their  Minds  have  appeared  to  be  so 
deeply  impressed  with  that  almost  universal  Depravity 
amongst  Sailors,  that  the  poor  Creatures,  in  their  Answers 
to  me  on  this  Subject,  have  revived  in  my  Remembrance 
that  of  the  degenerate  Jews  a  little  before  the  Captivity, 
as  repeated  by  Jeremiah  the  Prophet,  "  There  is  no 
Hope." 

Now,  under  this  Exercise,  a  Sense  of  the  Desire  of  out- 
ward Gain  prevailing  amongst  us  hath  felt  grievous,  and 
a  strong  Call  to  the  professed  Followers  of  Christ  hath 
been  raised  in  me,  that  all  may  take  Heed,  lest,  through 
loving  this  present  World,  they  be  found  in  a  continued 
Neglect  of  Duty,  with  respect  to  a  faithful  Labour  for  a 
Reformation. 

Silence,  as  to  every  Motion  proceeding  from  the  Love 
of  Money,  and  an  humble  Waiting  upon  God  to  know 
his  Will  concerning  us,  has  now  appeared  necessary:  He 
alone  is  able  to  strengthen  us  to  dig  deep,  to  remove  all 
which  lies  between  us  and  the  safe  Foundation,  and  so 
direct  us  in  our  outward  Employments,  that  pure  universal 
Love  may  shine  forth  in  our  Proceedings. 

Desires  arising  from  the  Spirit  of  Truth  are  pure  Desires ; 
and  when  a  Mind,  divinely  opened  toward  a  young 
Generation,  is  made  sensible  of  corrupting  Examples, 
powerfully  working,  and  extensively  spreading  amongst 
them,  how  moving  is  the  Prospect! 

The  sixteenth  Day  of  the  Month.  Wind  for  several 
Days  past  often  high,  what  the  Sailors  call  squally,  rough 
Sea  and  frequent  Rains.  This  last  Night  a  very  trying 
Night  to  the  poor  Seamen:  The  Water,  chief  Part  of 
the  Night,  running  over  the  main  Deck,  and  sometimes 
Breaking-waves  came  on  the  Quarter-deck.  The  latter 
Part  of  the  Night,  as  I  lay  in  Bed,  my  Mind  was  humbled 
under  the  Power  of  divine  Love;  and  Resignedness  to 
the  great  Creator  of  the  Earth  and  Seas,  renewedly 
wrought  in  me;    whose  fatherly  Care  over  his  Children 


142         John  Woolman's  Journal 

feit  precious  to  my  Soul:  And  Desires  were  now  renewed 
in  me,  to  embrace  every  Opportunity  of  being  inwardly 
acquainted  with  the  Hardships  and  Difficulties  of  my 
Fellow-creatures,  and  to  labour  in  his  Love  for  the 
spreading  of  pure  universal  Righteousness  on  the  Earth. 
The  Opportunities  were  frequent  of  hearing  Conversation 
amongst  the  Sailors,  in  respect  to  the  Voyages  to  Africa, 
and  the  Manner  of  bringing  the  deeply-oppressed  Slaves 
into  our  Islands.  The  Thoughts  of  their  Condition,  fre- 
quently in  Chains  and  Fetters  on  board  the  Vessels,  with 
Hearts  loaded  with  Grief,  under  the  Apprehensions  of 
miserable  Slavery;  my  Mind  was  frequently  opened  to 
meditate  on  these  Things. 

On  the  seventeenth  Day  of  the  Month,  and  first  of  the 
Week,  we  had  a  Meeting  in  the  Cabbin;  to  which  the 
Seamen  generally  came.  My  Spirit  was  contrite  before 
the  Lord;  whose  Love,  at  this  Time,  affected  my  Heart. 

This  Afternoon  I  felt  a  tender  Sympathy  of  Soul  with 
my  poor  Wife  and  Family  left  behind;  in  which  State, 
my  Heart  was  enlarged  in  Desires  that  they  may  walk 
in  that  humble  Obedience  wherein  the  everlasting  Father 
may  be  their  Guide  and  Support,  through  all  the  Diffi- 
culties in  this  World ;  and  a  Sense  of  that  gracious  Assist- 
ance, through  which  my  Mind  hath  been  strengthened  to 
take  up  the  Cross  and  leave  them,  to  travel  in  the  Love 
of  Truth,  hath  begotten  Thankfulness  in  my  Heart  to 
our  great  Helper. 

On  the  twenty-fourth  Day  of  the  Month,  and  first  of 
the  Week,  a  clear  pleasant  Morning :  And,  as  I  sat  on  Deck, 
I  felt  a  Reviving  in  my  Nature;  which,  through  much 
rainy  Weather  and  high  Winds,  being  shut  up  in  a  close 
unhealthy  Air,  was  weakened. 

Several  Nights  of  late  I  felt  Breathing  difficult;  so 
that  a  little  after  the  rising  of  the  second  Watch  (which 
is  about  Midnight)  I  got  up,  and  stood,  I  believe,  near  an 
Hour,  with  my  Face  near  the  Hatchway,  to  get  the  fresh 
Air  at  the  small  Vacancy  under  the  Hatch-door;  which 
is  commonly  shut  down,  partly  to  keep  out  Rain,  and 
sometimes  to  keep  the  Breaking-waves  from  dashing 
into  the  Steerage. 


John  Woolman's  Journal         143 

I  may,  with  Thankfulness  to  the  Father  of  Mercies, 
acknowledge,  that,  in  my  present  weak  State,  my  Mind 
hath  been  supported  to  bear  the  Affliction  with  Patience ; 
and  have  looked  at  the  present  Dispensation  as  a  Kind- 
ness from  the  great  Father  of  Mankind,  who,  in  this  my 
floating  Pilgrimage,  is  in  some  Degree  bringing  me  to  feel 
that,  which  many  thousands  of  my  Fellow-creatures 
often  suffer  in  a  greater  Degree. 

My  Appetite  failing,  the  Trial  hath  been  the  heavier; 
and  I  have  felt  tender  Breathings  in  my  Soul  after  God, 
the  Fountain  of  Comfort,  whose  inward  Help  hath  sup- 
plied, at  Times,  the  Want  of  outward  Convenience:  And 
strong  Desires  have  attended  me,  that  his  Family,  who 
are  acquainted  with  the  Movings  of  his  holy  Spirit, 
may  be  so  redeemed  from  the  Love  of  Money,  and  from 
that  Spirit  in  which  Men  seek  Honour  one  of  another, 
that  in  all  Business,  by  Sea  or  Land,  we  may  constantly 
keep  in  View  the  coming  of  his  Kingdom  on  Earth,  as  it 
is  in  Heaven;  and,  by  faithfully  following  this  safe  Guide, 
shew  forth  Examples,  tending  to  lead  out  of  that  under 
which  the  Creation  groans ! 

This  Day  we  had  a  Meeting  in  the  Cabbin;  in  which 
I  was  favoured  in  some  Degree  to  experience  the  fulfilling 
of  that  Saying  of  the  Prophet,  "  The  Lord  hath  been  a 
Strength  to  the  Poor,  a  Strength  to  the  Needy  in  their 
Distress;  "  for  which,  my  Heart  is  bowed  in  Thankfulness 
before  him ! 

The  twenty-eighth  Day  of  the  Month. — Wet  Weather 
of  late,  small  Winds  inclining  to  Calms :  Our  Seamen  have 
cast  a  Lead,  I  suppose  about  one  hundred  Fathoms,  but 
find  no  Bottom:  Foggy  Weather  this  Morning. 

Through  the  Kindness  of  the  great  Preserver  of  Men 
my  Mind  remains  quiet;  and  a  Degree  of  Exercise,  from 
Day  to  Day,  attends  me,  that  the  pure  peaceable  Govern- 
ment of  Christ  may  spread  and  prevail  amongst  Man- 
kind. 

The  leading  on  of  a  young  Generation  in  that  pure  Way 
in  which  the  Wisdom  of  this  World  hath  no  Place;  where 
Parents  and  Tutors,  humbly  waiting  for  the  heavenly 
Counsellor,  may  example  them  in  the  Truth,  as  it  is  in 


144        John  Woolman's  Journal 

Jesus; — this,  for  several  Days,  hath  been  the  Exercise 
of  my  Mind.  0!  how  safe,  how  quiet,  is  that  State, 
where  the  Soul  stands  in  pure  Obedience  to  the  Voice  of 
Christ,  and  a  watchful  Care  is  maintained  not  to  follow 
the  Voice  of  the  Stranger ! 

Here  Christ  is  felt  to  be  our  Shepherd,  and,  under  his 
Leading,  People  are  brought  to  a  Stability;  and,  where 
he  doth  not  lead  forward,  we  are  bound,  in  the  Bonds 
of  pure  Love,  to  stand  still  and  wait  upon  him.  In  the 
Love  of  Money,  and  in  the  Wisdom  of  this  World,  Business 
is  proposed ;  then  the  Urgency  of  Affairs  pushes  forward ; 
nor  can  the  Mind  in  this  State,  discern  the  good  and 
perfect  Will  of  God  concerning  us. 

The  Love  of  God  is  manifested  in  graciously  calling  us 
to  come  out  of  that  which  stands  in  Confusion:  But,  if 
we  bow  not  in  the  Name  of  Jesus ;  if  we  give  not  up  those 
Prospects  of  Gain,  which,  in  the  Wisdom  of  this  World, 
are  open  before  us,  but  say,  in  our  Hearts,  I  must  needs 
go  on,  and,  in  going  on,  I  hope  to  keep  as  near  to  the 
Purity  of  Truth  as  the  Business  before  me  will  admit  of; 
here  the  Mind  remains  entangled,  and  the  Shining  of  the 
Light  of  Life  into  the  Soul  is  obstructed. 

In  an  entire  Subjection  of  our  Wills  the  Lord  graciously 
opens  a  Way  for  his  People,  where  all  their  Wants  are 
bounded  by  his  Wisdom;  and  here  we  experience  the 
Substance  of  what  Moses  the  Prophet  figured  out  in  the 
Water  of  Separation,  as  a  Purification  from  Sin. 

Esau  is  mentioned  as  a  Child  red  all  over,  like  a  hairy 
Garment:  In  Esau  is  represented  the  natural  Will  of 
Man.  In  preparing  the  Water  of  Separation,  a  red  Heifer, 
without  Blemish,  on  which  there  had  been  no  Yoke,  was 
to  be  slain,  and  her  Blood  sprinkled  by  the  Priest  seven 
Times  toward  the  Tabernacle  of  the  Congregation;  then 
her  Skin,  her  Flesh,  and  all  pertaining  to  her,  were  to 
be  burnt  without  the  Camp ;  and  of  her  Ashes  the  Water 
was  prepared.  Thus  the  crucifying  the  old  Man,  or 
natural  Will,  is  represented ;  and  hence  comes  a  Separation 
from  that  carnal  Mind,  which  is  Death, 

*'  He  who  toucheth  the  dead  Body  of  a  Man,  and 
purifieth  not  himself  with  the  Water  of  Separation,  he 


John  Woolman's  Journal         145 

defileth  the  Tabernacle  of  the  Lord;  he  is  unclean." 
Numb.  xix.  13. 

If  any,  through  the  Love  of  Gain,  go  forth  into  Business, 
wherein  they  dwell  as  amongst  the  Tombs,  and  touch  the 
Bodies  of  those  who  are  dead;  if  these,  through  the 
infinite  Love  of  God  feel  the  Power  of  the  Cross  of  Christ 
to  crucify  them  to  the  World,  and  therein  learn  humbly 
to  follow  the  divine  Leader; — here  is  the  Judgment  of 
this  World; — ^here  the  Prince  of  this  World  is  cast  out. 

The  Water  of  Separation  is  felt;  and,  though  we  have 
been  amongst  the  Slain,  and,  through  the  Desire  of 
Gain,  have  touched  the  dead  Body  of  a  Man,  yet,  in  the 
purifying  Love  of  Christ,  we  are  washed  in  the  Water  of 
Separation;  are  brought  off  from  that  Business,  from 
that  Gain,  and  from  that  Fellowship,  which  was  not 
agreeable  to  his  holy  Will:  And  I  have  felt  a  renewed 
Confirmation,  in  the  Time  of  this  Voyage,  that  the  Lord, 
in  his  infinite  Love,  is  calling  to  his  visited  Children,  so 
to  give  up  all  outward  Possessions  and  Means  of  getting 
Treasures,  that  his  holy  Spirit  may  have  free  Course  in 
their  Hearts,  and  direct  them  in  all  their  Proceedings. 

To  feel  the  Substance  pointed  at  in  this  Figure,  Man 
must  know  Death,  as  to  his  own  Will. 

"  No  Man  can  see  God,  and  live."  This  was  spoken 
by  the  Almighty  to  Moses  the  Prophet,  and  opened  by 
our  blessed  Redeemer. 

As  Death  comes  on  our  own  Wills,  and  a  new  Life  is 
formed  in  us,  the  Heart  is  purified  and  prepared  to  under- 
stand clearly.  "  Blessed  are  the  Pure  in  Heart;  for  they 
shall  see  God."  In  Purity  of  Heart  the  Mind  is  divinely 
opened  to  behold  the  Nature  of  universal  Righteousness, 
or  the  Righteousness  of  the  Kingdom  of  God.  "  No  Man 
hath  seen  the  Father,  save  he  that  is  of  God;  he  hath 
seen  the  Father." 

The  natural  Mind  is  active  about  the  Things  of  this 
Life;  and,  in  this  natural  Activity,  Business  is  proposed, 
and  a  Will  in  us  to  go  forward  in  it.  As  long  as  this 
natural  Will  remains  unsubjected,  so  long  there  remains 
an  Obstruction  against  the  Clearness  of  divine  Light 
operating  in  us;  but  when  we  love  God  with  all  our  Heart, 


1 46        John  Woolman's  Journal 

and  with  all  our  Strength,  then  in  this  Love,  we  love  our 
Neighbours  as  ourselves;  and  a  Tenderness  of  Heart  is 
felt  toward  all  People  for  whom  Christ  died,  even  such 
who,  as  to  outward  Circumstances,  may  be  to  us  as  the 
Jews  were  to  the  Samaritans.  Who  is  my  Neighbour? 
See  this  Question  answered  by  our  Saviour,  Luke 
X.  30. 

In  this  Love  we  can  say,  that  Jesus  is  the  Lord;  and 
the  Reformation  in  our  Souls  is  manifested  in  a  full 
Reformation  of  our  Lives,  wherein  all  Things  are  new,  and 
all  Things  are  of  God;  2  Cor.  v.  18.  in  this  the  Desire  of 
Gain  is  subjected. 

When  Employment  is  honestly  followed  in  the  Light 
of  Truth,  and  People  become  diligent  in  Business, "  fervent 
in  Spirit,  serving  the  Lord;  "  Rom.  xii.  11.  here  the  Name 
is  opened:  "This  is  the  Name  by  which  he  shall  be 
called,  THE  LORD  OUR  RIGHTEOUSNESS."  Jerem. 
xxiii.  6.  0 !  how  precious  is  this  Name !  it  is  like  Oint- 
ment poured  out.  The  chaste  Virgins  are  in  Love  with 
the  Redeemer;  and,  for  the  promoting  his  peaceable 
Kingdom  in  the  World,  are  content  to  endure  Hardness, 
like  good  Soldiers;  and  are  so  separated  in  Spirit  from 
the  Desire  of  Riches,  that  in  their  Employments  they 
become  extensively  careful  to  give  none  Offence,  neither 
to  Jews  nor  Heathen,  nor  the  Church  of  Christ. 

On  the  thirty-first  Day  of  the  Month,  and  first  of  the 
Week,  we  had  a  Meeting  in  the  Cabbin,  with  near  all 
the  Ship's  Company;  the  Whole  being  near  thirty.  In 
this  Meeting,  the  Lord,  in  Mercy,  favoured  us  with  the 
Extendings  of  his  Love. 

The  second  Day  of  the  sixth  Month.  Last  Evening 
the  Seamen  found  Bottom  at  about  seventy  Fathoms. 

This  Morning,  fair  Wind,  and  pleasant.  As  I  sat  on 
Deck,  my  Heart  was  overcome  with  the  Love  of  Christ, 
and  melted  into  Contrition  before  him ;  and,  in  this  State, 
the  Prospect  of  that  Work,  to  which  I  have  felt  my  Mind 
drawn  when  in  my  native  Land,  being  in  some  Degree 
opened  before  me,  I  felt  like  a  little  Child :  and  my  Cries 
were  put  up  to  my  heavenly  Father  for  Preservation,  that, 
in  a  humble  Dependence  on  him,  my  Soul  might  be 


John  Woolman's  Journal         147 

strengthened  in  his  Love^  and  kept  inwardly  waiting 
for  his  Counsel. 

This  Afternoon  we  saw  that  Part  of  England  called  the 
Lizard. 

Some  Dunghill-fowls  yet  remained  of  those  the  Pas- 
sengers took  for  their  Sea-store;  I  believe  about  fourteen 
perished  in  the  Storms  at  Sea,  by  the  Waves  breaking 
over  the  Quarter-deck;  and  a  considerable  Number  with 
Sickness,  at  different  Times.  I  observed  the  Cocks  crew, 
coming  down  the  Delaware,  and  while  we  were  near  the 
Land;  but  afterward  I  think  I  did  not  hear  one  of  them 
crow  till  we  came  near  the  Land  in  England,  when  they 
again  crowed  a  few  Times. 

In  observing  their  dull  Appearance  at  Sea,  and  the 
pining  Sickness  of  some  of  them,  I  often  remembered  the 
Fountain  of  Goodness,  who  gave  Being  to  all  Creatures, 
and  whose  Love  extends  to  that  of  caring  for  the  Sparrows ; 
and  believe,  where  the  Love  of  God  is  verily  perfected, 
and  the  true  Spirit  of  Government  watchfully  attended 
to,  a  Tenderness  toward  all  Creatures  made  subject  to  us 
will  be  experienced,  and  a  Care  felt  in  us,  that  we  do  not 
lessen  that  Sweetness  of  Life,  in  the  animal  Creation,  which 
the  great  Creator  intends  for  them  in  our  Government. 

The  fourth  Day  of  the  Month.  About  Noon  a  Pilot 
came  off  from  Dover  ;  where  my  beloved  Friend,  Samuel 
Emlen,  went  on  Shore,  and  thence  to  London  ;  but  I  felt 
easy  in  staying  in  the  Ship. 

The  seventh  Day  of  the  Month,  and  first  of  the  Week. 
Clear  Morning;  we  lay  at  Anchor  for  the  Tide,  and  had 
a  Parting-meeting  with  the  Ship's  Company;  in  which 
my  Heart  was  enlarged  in  a  fervent  Concern  for  them, 
that  they  may  come  to  experience  Salvation  through 
Christ.  We  had  a  Head- Wind  up  the  Thames  ;  lay  some- 
times at  Anchor;  saw  many  Ships  passing,  and  some  at 
Anchor  near;  and  had  large  Opportunity  of  feeling  the 
Spirit  in  which  the  poor  bewildered  Sailors  too  generally 
live. — That  lamentable  Degeneracy,  which  so  much  pre- 
vails on  the  People  employed  on  the  Seas,  so  affected  my 
Heart,  that  I  cannot  easily  convey  the  Feeling  I  have 
had  to  another. 


CHAPTER  XI 

His  attending  the  Yearly -meeting  in  London;  and,  after  it, 
proceeding  towards  Yorkshire,  visiting  several  Quarterly 
and  other  Meetings  in  the  Counties  of  Hertford,  Warwick, 
Oxford,  Nottingham,  York,  and  Westmoreland;  and 
thence  again  into  Yorkshire,  and  to  the  City  of  York;  with 
some  instructive  Thoughts  and  Observations,  and  Letters 
on  divers  Subjects — His  hearing  of  the  Decease  of  William 
Hunt;  and  some  Account  of  him — His  Sickness  at  York; 
and  End  of  his  Pilgrimage  there 

On  the  eighth  Day  of  the  sixth  Month,  1772,  we  landed 
at  London  ;  and  I  went  straightway  to  the  Yearly-meeting 
of  Ministers  and  Elders,  which  had  been  gathered  (I 
suppose)  about  half  an  Hour. 

In  this  Meeting  my  Mind  was  humbly  contrite:  In  the 
Afternoon  the  Meeting  of  Business  opened;  which,  by 
Adjournments,  held  near  a  Week.  In  these  Meetings  I 
often  felt  a  living  Concern  for  the  Establishment  of 
Friends  in  the  pure  Life  of  Truth;  and  my  Heart  was 
enlarged  in  the  Meeting  of  Ministers,  Meeting  of  Business, 
and  in  several  Meetings  of  publick  Worship;  and  I  felt 
my  Mind  united  in  true  Love  to  the  faithful  Labourers 
now  gathered  at  this  Yearly-meeting. 

On  the  fifteenth  Day  of  the  Month,  I  left  London,  and 
went  to  a  Quarterly-meeting  at  Hertford. 

The  first  Day  of  the  seventh  Month.  I  have  been  at 
Quarterly-meetings  at  SJierrington,  Nortfianipton,  Banbury, 
and  Shipston ;  and  had  sundry  Meetings  between :  My 
Mind  hath  been  bowed  under  a  Sense  of  divine  Goodness 
manifested  amongst  us;  my  Heart  hath  been  often  en- 
larged in  true  Love,  both  amongst  Ministers  and  Elders, 
and  in  publick  Meetings;  that  through  the  Lord's  Good- 
ness, I  believe  it  hath  been  a  fresh  Visitation  to  many, 
in  particular  to  the  Youth. 

The  seventeenth  Day  of  the  Month.     Was  this  Day 

148 


John  Woolman's  Journal         149 

at  Birmingham :  Have  been  at  Meetings  at  Coventry, 
Warwick,  in  Oxfordshire,  and  sundry  other  Places;  have 
felt  the  humbling  Hand  of  the  Lord  upon  me;  and 
through  his  tender  Mercies  find  Peace  in  the  Labours  I 
have  gone  through. 

The  twenty-sixth  Day  of  the  Month.  I  have  continued 
travelling  northward,  visiting  Meetings:  Was  this  Day 
at  Nottingham  ;  which,  in  the  Forenoon  especially,  was, 
through  divine  Love,  a  Heart- tendering  Season:  Next 
Day  had  a  Meeting  in  a  Friend's  House  with  Friends 
Children  and  some  Friends;  this,  through  the  strengthen- 
ing Arm  of  the  Lord,  was  a  Time  to  be  thankfully  remem- 
bered. 

The  second  Day  of  the  eighth  Month,  and  first  of  the 
Week.  Was  this  Day  at  Sheffield,  a  large  inland  Town: 
Have  been  at  sundry  Meetings  last  Week;  and  feel 
inward  Thankfulness  for  that  divine  Support,  which  hath 
been  graciously  extended  to  me. 

The  ninth  Day  of  the  Month,  and  first  of  the  Week, 
was  at  Rushworth  :  Have  lately  passed  through  some 
painful  Labour;  but  have  been  comforted,  under  a  Sense 
of  that  divine  Visitation,  which  I  feel  extended  toward 
many  young  People. 

The  sixteenth  Day  of  the  Month,  and  first  of  the  Week, 
I  was  at  Settle :  It  hath  of  late  been  a  Time  of  inward 
Poverty;  under  which  my  Mind  hath  been  preserved  in 
a  watchful  tender  State,  feeling  for  the  Mind  of  the  holy 
Leader,  and  I  find  Peace  in  the  Labours  I  have  passed 
through. 
V  I  have  felt  great  Distress  of  Mind,  since  I  came  on  this 
Island,  on  Account  of  the  Members  of  our  Society  being 
mixed  with  the  World  in  various  Sorts  of  Business  and 
Traffick,  carried  on  in  impure  Channels.  Great  is  the 
Trade  to  Africa  for  Slaves !  and,  in  loading  these  Ships, 
abundance  of  People  are  employed  in  the  Factories; 
amongst  whom  are  many  of  our  Society.  Friends,  in 
early  Times,  refused,  on  a  religious  Principle,  to  make, 
or  trade  in.  Superfluities;  of  which  we  have  many  large 
Testimonies  on  Record;  but,  for  Want  of  Faithfulness, 
some  gave  way;    even  some,  whose  Examples  were  of 


150         John  Woolman's  Journal 

Note  in  our  Society;  and  from  thence  others  took  more 
Liberty.  Members  of  our  Society  worked  in  Superfluities, 
and  bought  and  sold  them;  and  thus  Dimness  of  Sight 
came  over  many:  At  length,  Friends  got  into  the  Use  of 
some  Superfluities  in  Dress,  and  in  the  Furniture  of  their 
Houses;  and  this  hath  spread  from  less  to  more,  till 
Superfluity  of  some  Kinds  is  common  amongst  us. 

In  this  declining  State,  many  look  at  the  Example  one 
of  another,  and  too  much  neglect  the  pure  Feeling  of 
Truth.  Of  late  Years,  a  deep  Exercise  hath  attended 
my  Mind,  that  Friends  may  dig  deep,  may  carefully  cast 
forth  the  loose  Matter,  and  get  down  to  the  Rock,  the  sure 
Foundation,  and  there  hearken  to  that  divine  Voice  which 
gives  a  clear  and  certain  Sound;  and  I  have  felt  in  that 
which  doth  not  deceive,  that  if  Friends,  who  have  known 
the  Truth,  keep  in  that  Tenderness  of  Heart,  where  all 
Views  of  outward  Gain  are  given  up,  and  their  Trust  is 
only  on  the  Lord,  he  will  graciously  lead  some  to  be 
Patterns  of  deep  Self-denial  in  Things  relating  to  Trade 
and  Handicraft-labour;  and  that  some,  who  have  plenty 
of  the  Treasures  of  this  World,  will  example  in  a  plain 
frugal  Life,  and  pay  Wages,  to  such  as  they  may  hire, 
more  liberally  than  is  now  customary  in  some  Places.  ^ 

The  twenty-third  Day  of  the  Month.  Was  this  Day  at 
Preston-Patrick,  and  had  a  comfortable  Meeting.  I  have, 
several  Times,  been  entertained  at  the  Houses  of  Friends, 
who  had  sundry  Things  about  them  which  had  the 
Appearance  of  outward  Greatness;  and,  as  I  have  kept 
inward.  Way  hath  opened  for  Conversation  with  such  in 
private,  in  which  Divine  Goodness  hath  favoured  us 
together  with  heart-tendering  Times. 

I  rested  a  few  Days,  in  Body  and  Mind,  with  our  Friend 
Jane  Crosfield;  who  was  once  in  America  :  Was,  on  the 
sixth  Day  of  the  Week,  at  Kendal  in  Westmoreland  ;  and 
at  Greyrig  Meeting  the  thirtieth  Day  of  the  Month,  and 
first  of  the  Week. 

I  have  known  Poverty  of  late,  and  been  graciously 
supported  to  keep  in  the  Patience;  and  am  thankful, 
under  a  Sense  of  the  Goodness  of  the  Lord  toward  those 
that  are  of  a  contrite  Spirit. 


John  Woolman's  Journal         151 

The  sixth  Day  of  the  ninth  Month,  and  first  of  the 
Week.  Was  this  Day  at  Counterside,  a  large  Meeting- 
house, and  very  full;  and,  through  the  Opening  of  pure 
Love,  it  was  a  strengthening  Time  to  me,  and  (I  believe) 
to  many  more. 

The  thirteenth  Day  of  the  Month.  Was  this  Day  at 
Richmond,  a  small  Meeting;  but,  the  Town's  People 
coming  in,  the  House  was  crowded:  It  was  a  Time  of 
heavy  Labour;  and  (I  believe)  was  a  profitable  Meeting. 

At  this  Place  I  heard  that  my  Kinsman  William  Hunt, 
from  North-Carolina,  who  was  on  a  religious  Visit  to 
Friends  in  England,  departed  this  Life  on  the  ninth  Day 
of  the  ninth  Month,  Instant,  of  the  Small-pox,  at  New- 
castle.— He  appeared  in  the  Ministry  when  a  Youth;  and 
his  Labours  therein  were  of  good  Savour.  He  travelled 
much  in  that  Work  in  America.  I  once  heard  him  say, 
in  publick  Testimony,  that  his  Concern  was  (in  that 
Visit)  to  be  devoted  to  the  Service  of  Christ  so  fully,  that 
he  might  not  spend  one  Minute  in  pleasing  himself:  Which 
Words,  joined  with  his  Example,  were  a  Means  of  stirring 
up  the  pure  Mind  in  me. 

On  this  Visit  to  England  I  have  felt  some  Instructions 
sealed  on  my  Mind,  which  I  am  concerned  to  leave  in 
Writing,  for  the  Use  of  such  as  are  called  to  the  Station 
of  a  Minister  of  Christ. 

Christ  being  the  Prince  of  Peace,  and  we  being  no  more 
than  Ministers,  I  find  it  necessary  for  us,  not  only  to  feel 
a  Concern  in  our  first  going  forth,  but  to  experience  the 
renewing  thereof,  in  the  Appointment  of  Meetings. 

I  felt  a  Concern,  in  America,  to  prepare  for  this  Voyage; 
and,  being,  through  the  Mercy  of  God,  brought  safe  here, 
my  Heart  was  like  a  Vessel  that  wanted  Vent;  and  for 
several  Weeks,  at  first,  when  my  Mouth  was  opened  in 
Meetings,  it  often  felt  like  the  raising  of  a  Gate  in  a 
Water-course,  where  a  Weight  of  Water  lay  upon  it;  and 
in  these  Labours  there  appeared  a  fresh  Visitation  to 
many,  especially  the  Youth;  but  sometimes,  after  this, 
I  felt  empty  and  poor,  and  yet  felt  a  Necessity  to  appoint 
Meetings. 

In  this  State  I  was  exercised  to  abide  in  the  pure  Life 


152         John  Woolman's  Journal 

of  Truth,  and  in  all  my  Labours  to  watch  diligently 
against  the  Motions  of  Self  in  my  own  Mind. 

I  have  frequently  felt  a  Necessity  to  stand  up,  when 
the  Spring  of  the  Ministry  was  low;  and  to  speak  from 
the  Necessity,  in  that  which  subjecteth  the  Will  of  the 
Creature;  and  herein  I  was  united  with  the  suffering 
Seed,  and  found  inward  Sweetness  with  these  mortifying 
Labours. 

As  I  have  been  preserved  in  a  watchful  Attention  to 
the  divine  Leader,  under  these  Dispensations,  Enlarge- 
ment at  Times  hath  followed,  and  the  Power  of  Truth 
hath  risen  higher,  in  some  Meetings,  than  I  ever  knew 
it  before  through  me. 

Thus  I  have  been  more  and  more  instructed,  as  to  the 
Necessity  of  depending,  not  upon  a  Concern  which  I  felt 
in  America,  to  come  on  a  Visit  to  England,  but  upon  the 
fresh  Instructions  of  Christ,  the  Prince  of  Peace,  from 
Day  to  Day. 

Now,  of  late,  I  felt  a  Stop  in  the  Appointment  of 
Meetings,  not  wholly,  but  in  Part;  and  I  do  not  feel 
Liberty  to  appoint  them  so  quick  one  after  another  as 
I  have  heretofore. 

The  Work  of  the  Ministry  being  a  Work  of  divine 
Love,  I  feel  that  the  Openings  thereof  are  to  be  waited 
for,  in  all  our  Appointments. 

0!  how  deep  is  divine  Wisdom!  Christ  puts  forth 
his  Ministers,  and  goeth  before  them :  And  0 !  how  great 
is  the  Danger  of  departing  from  the  pure  Feeling  of  that 
which  leadeth  safely ! 

Christ  knoweth  the  State  of  the  People;  and,  in  the 
pure  Feeling  of  the  Gospel-Ministry,  their  States  are 
opened  to  his  Servants. 

Christ  knoweth  when  the  Fruit-bearing  Branches 
themselves  have  Need  of  purging. 

0!  that  these  Lessons  may  be  remembered  by  me! 
and  that  all  who  appoint  Meetings  may  proceed  in  the 
pure  Feeling  of  Duty. 

I  have  sometimes  felt  a  Necessity  to  stand  up;  but 
that  Spirit  which  is  of  the  World  hath  so  much  prevailed 
in  many,  and  the  pure  Life  of  Truth  been  so  pressed 


John  Woolman's  Journal         153 

down,  that  I  have  gone  forward,  not  as  one  travelling 
in  a  Road  cast  up  and  well  prepared,  but  as  a  Man  walking 
through  a  Miry  place,  in  which  are  Stones  here  and  there, 
safe  to  step  on,  but  so  situated,  that,  one  Step  being 
taken.  Time  is  necessary  to  see  where  to  step  next. 

Now  I  find  that,  in  the  pure  Obedience,  the  Mind  learns 
Contentment,  in  appearing  weak  and  foolish  to  that 
Wisdom  which  is  of  the  World;  and  in  these  lowly 
Labours,  they  who  stand  in  a  low  Place,  rightly  exercised 
under  the  Cross,  will  find  Nourishment. 

The  Gift  is  pure;  and,  while  the  Eye  is  single  in  attend- 
ing thereto,  the  Understanding  is  preserved  clear:  Self 
is  kept  out.  We  rejoice  in  filling  up  that  which  remains 
of  the  Afflictions  of  Christ,  for  his  Body's  Sake,  which  is 
the  Church. 

The  natural  Man  loveth  Eloquence,  and  many  love  to 
hear  eloquent  Orations;  and,  if  there  is  not  a  careful 
Attention  to  the  Gift,  Men  who  have  once  laboured  in  the 
pure  Gospel-ministry,  growing  weary  of  Suffering,  and 
ashamed  of  appearing  weak,  may  kindle  a  Fire,  compass 
themselves  about  with  Sparks,  and  walk  in  the  Light; 
not  of  Christ  who  is  under  Suffering;  but  of  that  Fire 
which  they,  going  from  the  Gift,  have  kindled;  and  that 
in  Hearers,  which  is  gone  from  the  meek  suffering  State, 
into  the  worldly  Wisdom,  may  be  warmed  with  this  Fire, 
and  speak  highly  of  these  Labours.  That  which  is  of 
God  gathers  to  God;  and  that  which  is  of  the  World 
is  owned  by  the  World. 

In  this  Journey  a  Labour  hath  attended  my  Mind,  that 
the  Ministers  amongst  us  may  be  preserved  in  the  meek 
feeling  Life  of  Truth,  where  we  may  have  no  Desire  but 
to  follow  Christ  and  be  with  him;  that,  when  he  is  under 
Suffering,  we  may  suffer  with  him,  and  never  desire  to 
rise  up  in  Dominion,  but  as  he,  by  the  Virtue  of  his  own 
Spirit,  may  raise  us. 

A  few  Days  after  writing  these  Considerations,  our  dear 
Friend,  in  the  Course  of  his  religious  Visits,  came  to  the 
City  of  York,  and  attended  most  of  the  Sittings  of  the 
Quarterly-meeting  there;    but,  before  it  was  over,  was 


I  54        John  Woolman's  Journal 

taken  ill  of  the  Small-pox.  Our  Friend,  Thomas  Priest- 
man,  and  others  who  attended  him,  preserved  the  follow- 
ing Minutes  of  his  Expressions  in  the  Time  of  his  Sickness 
and  of  his  Decease. 

First-day,  the  twenty-seventh  of  the  ninth  Month,  1772. 
His  Disorder  appeared  to  be  the  Small-pox. 

Second-day.  He  said  he  felt  the  Disorder  to  affect  his 
Head,  so  that  he  could  think  little,  and  but  as  a 
Child. 

Third-day  he  uttered  the  following  Prayer. — 0  Lord 
my  God !  the  amazing  Horrors  of  Darkness  were  gathered 
around  me  and  covered  me  all  over,  and  I  saw  no  Way  to 
go  forth;  I  felt  the  Depth  and  Extent  of  the  Misery  of 
my  Fellow-creatures  separated  from  the  divine  Harmony, 
and  it  was  heavier  than  I  could  bear,  and  I  was  crushed 
down  under  it;  I  lifted  up  my  Hand,  I  stretched  out  my 
Arm,  but  there  was  none  to  help  me;  I  looked  round 
about  and  was  amazed;  in  the  Depths  of  Misery,  O  Lord ! 
I  .remembered  that  thou  art  omnipotent,  that  I  had 
called  thee  Father,  and  I  felt  that  I  loved  thee,  and  I 
was  made  quiet  in  thy  Will,  and  I  waited  for  Deliver- 
ance from  thee;  thou  hadst  Pity  upon  me  when  no  Man 
could  help  me :  I  saw  that  Meekness  under  Suffering  was 
shewed  to  us  in  the  most  affecting  Example  of  thy  Son, 
and  thou  taughtest  me  to  follow  him,  and  I  said,  "  Thy 
Will,  0  Father!  be  done." 

Fourth-day-morning,  being  asked  how  he  felt  himself, 
he  meekly  answered,  I  do  not  know  that  I  have  slept 
this  Night,  I  feel  the  Disorder  making  its  Progress,  but 
my  Mind  is  mercifully  preserved  in  Stillness  and  Peace: 
Sometime  after  he  said  he  was  sensible  the  Pains  of  Death 
must  be  hard  to  bear;  but,  if  he  escaped  them  now,  he 
must  sometime  pass  through  them,  and  he  did  not  know 
that  he  could  be  better  prepared,  but  had  no  Will  in  it. 
He  said  he  had  settled  his  outward  Affairs  to  his  Mind, 
had  taken  Leave  of  his  Wife  and  Family  as  never  to 
return,  leaving  them  to  the  divine  Protection;  adding, 
and  though  I  feel  them  near  to  me  at  this  Time,  yet  I 
freely  give  them  up,  having  a  Hope  that  they  will  be 
provided  for.    And  a  little  after  said.  This  Trial  is  made 


John  Woolman's  Journal         155 

easier  than  I  could  have  thought,  my  Will  being  wholly 
taken  away;  for  if  I  were  anxious  for  the  Event,  it  would 
have  been  harder;  but  I  am  not,  and  my  Mind  enjoys 
a  perfect  Calm. 

In  the  Night  a  young  Woman  having  given  him  some- 
thing to  drink,  he  said.  My  Child,  thou  seemest  very  kind 
to  me,  a  poor  Creature,  the  Lord  will  reward  thee  for  it. 
A  While  after  he  cried  out  with  great  Earnestness  of 
Spirit,  0  my  Father !  my  Father !  and  soon  after  he  said, 

0  my  Father!  my  Father!  how  comfortable  art  thou 
to  my  Soul  in  this  trying  Season!  Being  asked  if  he 
could  take  a  little  Nourishment;  after  some  Pause  he 
replied,  my  Child,  I  cannot  tell  what  to  say  to  it;  I  seem 
nearly  arrived  where  my  Soul  shall  have  Rest  from  all 
its  Troubles.  After  giving  in  something  to  be  inserted 
in  his  Journal,  he  said,  I  believe  the  Lord  will  now  excuse 
me  from  Exercises  of  this  Kind;  and  I  see  no  Work  but 
one,  which  is  to  be  the  last  wrought  by  me  in  this  World ; 
the  Messenger  will  come  that  will  release  me  from  all 
these  Troubles ;  but  it  must  be  in  the  Lord's  Time,  which 

1  am  waiting  for.  He  said  he  had  laboured  to  do  what- 
ever was  required,  according  to  the  Ability  received,  in 
the  Remembrance  of  which  he  had  Peace;  and,  though 
the  Disorder  was  strong  at  Times,  and  would  like  a 
Whirlwind  come  over  his  Mind,  yet  it  had  hitherto  been 
kept  steady,  and  centered  in  everlasting  Love;  adding, 
and  if  that  be  mercifully  continued,  I  ask  nor  desire  no 
more.  Another  Time  he  said,  he  had  long  had  a  view 
of  visiting  this  Nation,  and,  sometime  before  he  came,  had 
a  Dream,  in  which  he  saw  himself  in  the  northern  Parts 
of  it,  and  that  the  Spring  of  the  Gospel  was  opened  in 
him  much  as  in  the  Beginning  of  Friends,  such  as  George 
Fox  and  William  Dewsberry,  and  he  saw  the  different 
States  of  the  People,  as  clear  as  he  had  ever  seen  Flowers 
in  a  Garden;  but  in  his  going  along  he  was  suddenly 
stopt,  though  he  could  not  see  for  what  End;  but,  look- 
ing towards  Home,  fell  into  a  Flood  of  Tears  which  waked 
him. 

At  another  Time  he  said.  My  Draught  seemed  strongest 
towards  the  North,  and  I  mentioned,  in  my  own  Monthly- 

M  402 


156         John  Woolman*s  Journal 

meeting,  that  attending  the  Quarterly-meeting  at  Yorky 
and  being  there,  looked  like  Home  to  me. 

Fifth-day-night,  having  repeatedly  consented  to  take 
Medicine  with  a  View  to  settle  his  Stomach,  but  without 
Effect,  the  Friend,  then  waiting  on  him,  said,  through 
Distress,  What  shall  I  do  now?  He  answered  with  great 
Composure,  Rejoice  evermore,  and  in  every  Thing  give 
Thanks;  but  added  a  little  after,  this  is  sometimes  hard 
to  come  at. 

Sixth-day-morning,  he  broke  forth  early  in  Supplica- 
tion on  this  wise :  0  Lord !  it  was  thy  Power  that  enabled 
me  to  forsake  Sin  in  my  Youth,  and  I  have  felt  thy 
Bruises  for  Disobedience;  but,  as  I  bowed  under  them, 
thou  didst  heal  me,  continuing  a  Father  and  a  Friend: 
I  feel  thy  Power  now,  and  I  beg  that,  in  the  approaching 
trying  Moment,  thou  wilt  keep  my  Heart  stedfast  unto 
thee. Upon  his  giving  Directions  to  a  Friend  concern- 
ing some  little  Things,  she  said,  I  will  take  Care,  but  hope 
thou  wilt  live  to  order  them  thyself.  He  replied.  My 
Hope  is  in  Christ;  and,  though  I  may  seem  a  little  better, 
a  Change  in  the  Disorder  may  soon  happen,  and  my  little 
Strength  be  dissolved;  and,  if  it  so  happen,  I  shall  be 
gathered  to  my  everlasting  Rest.  On  her  saying  she  did 
not  doubt  that,  but  could  not  help  mourning  to  see  so 
many  faithful  Servants  removed  at  so  low  a  Time,  he  said. 
All  Good  Cometh  from  the  Lord,  whose  Power  is  the  same, 
and  can  work  as  he  sees  best.  The  same  Day  he  had 
given  Directions  about  wrapping  his  Corpse,  perceiving 
a  Friend  to  weep,  he  said,  I  would  rather  thou  wouldst 
guard  against  weeping  for  me,  my  Sister;  I  sorrow  not, 
though  I  have  had  some  painful  Conflicts;  but  now  they 
seem  over,  and  Matters  well  settled,  and  I  look  at  the 
Face  of  my  dear  Redeemer;  for  sweet  is  his  Voice,  and 
his  Countenance  is  comely. 

First-day,  fourth  of  the  tenth  Month,  being  very  weak, 
and  in  general  difficult  to  be  understood,  he  uttered  a 
few  Words  in  Commemoration  of  the  Lord's  Goodness, 
and  added,  How  tenderly  have  I  been  waited  on  in  this 
Time  of  Affliction !  in  which  I  may  say,  in  Job's  Words, 
Tedious  Days  and  wearisome  Nights  are  appointed  unto 


John  Woolman's  Journal         157 

me:  And  how  many  are  spending  their  Time  and  Money 
in  Vanity  and  Superfluities,  while  thousands  and  tens  of 
thousands  want  the  Necessaries  of  Life,  who  might  be 
relieved  by  them,  and  their  Distresses,  at  such  a  Time 
as  this,  in  some  degree  softened,  by  the  administering 
suitable  Things! 

Second-day-morning,  the  Apothecary,  who  appeared 
very  anxious  to  assist  him,  being  present,  he  queried 
about  the  Probability  of  such  a  Load  of  Matter  being 
thrown  off  his  weak  Body;  and,  the  Apothecary  making 
some  Remarks  implying  he  thought  it  might,  he  spoke 
with  an  audible  Voice  on  this  wise: — My  Dependance  is 
on  the  Lord  Jesus,  who,  I  trust,  will  forgive  my  Sins, 
which  is  all  I  hope  for;  and,  if  it  be  his  Will  to  raise  up 
this  Body  again,  I  am  content;  and,  if  to  die,  I  am 
resigned;  and,  if  thou  canst  not  be  easy  without  trying 
to  assist  Nature,  I  submit.  After  which  his  Throat  was 
so  much  affected,  that  it  was  very  difficult  for  him  to 
speak  so  as  to  be  understood;  and  he  frequently  wrote 
when  he  wanted  any  Thing.  About  the  second  Hour, 
on  Fourth-day  Morning,  he  asked  for  Pen  and  Ink,  and, 
at  several  Times,  with  much  Difficulty,  wrote  thus:  I 
believe  my  being  here  is  in  the  Wisdom  of  Christ;  I 
know  not  as  to  Life  or  Death. 

About  a  Quarter  before  six,  the  same  Morning,  he 
seemed  to  fall  into  an  easy  Sleep,  which  continued  about 
Half  an  Hour;  when,  seeming  to  awake,  he  breathed  a 
few  Times  with  more  Difficulty,  and  expired,  without 
Sigh,  Groan,  or  Struggle! 


End  of  the  Journal 


THE    LAST    EPISTLE 
&  OTHER  WRITINGS 

OF 

JOHN  WOOLMAN 


THE    INTRODUCTION 

My  Mind  hath  often  been  affected  with  Sorrow,  on 
Account  of  the  prevaiUng  of  that  Spirit,  which  leads 
from  an  humble  waiting  on  the  inward  Teaching  of 
Christ,  to  pursue  Ways  of  Living,  attended  with  unneces- 
sary Labour,  and  which  draws  forth  the  Minds  of  many 
People  to  seek  after  outward  Power,  and  to  strive  for 
Riches,  which  frequently  introduce  Oppression,  and  bring 
forth  Wars  and  grievous  Calamities. 

It  is  with  Reverence  that  I  acknowledge  the  Mercies 
of  our  Heavenly  Father,  who,  in  Infinite  Love,  did  visit 
me  in  my  Youth,  and  wrought  a  Belief  in  me,  that 
through  true  Obedience  a  State  of  inward  Purity  may  be 
known  in  this  Life,  in  which  we  may  love  Mankind  in 
the  same  Love  with  which  our  Redeemer  loveth  us,  and 
therein  learn  Resignation  to  endure  Hardships,  for  the 
real  Good  of  others. 

While  the  Eye  is  single,  the  whole  Body  is  full  of  Light, 
Mat.  vi.  22.  but  for  want  of  this,  selfish  Desires,  and  an 
imaginary  Superiority,  darken  the  Mind;  hence  Injustice 
frequently  proceeds;  and  where  this  is  the  Case,  to 
convince  the  Judgment,  is  the  most  effectual  Remedy. 

Where  violent  Measures  are  pursued  in  opposing  In- 
justice, the  Passions,  and  Resentments,  of  the  Injured, 
frequently  operate  in  the  Prosecution  of  their  Designs; 
and  after  Conflicts  productive  of  very  great  Calamities, 
the  Minds  of  contending  Parties  often  remain  as  little 
acquainted  with  the  pure  Principle  of  Divine  Love,  as 
they  were  before;  but  where  People  walk  in  that  pure 
Light  in  which  all  their  Works  are  wrought  in  God,  John 
iii.  21.  and  under  Oppression  persevere  in  the  meek 
Spirit,  and  abide  firm  in  the  Cause  of  Truth,  without 
actively  complying  with  oppressive  Demands,  through 
those  the  Lord  hath  often  manifested  his  Power,  in  open- 

i6i 


1 62       John  Woolman's  Writings 

ing   the   Understandings   of   others,   to   the   promoting 
Righteousness  in  the  Earth. 

A  Time,  I  beHeve,  is  coming,  wherein  this  Divine  Work 
will  so  spread  and  prevail,  that  Nation  shall  not  Ivt  up 
Sword  against  Nation,  nor  learn  War  any  more,  Isaiah  ii.  4. 
And  as  we,  through  the  tender  Mercies  of  God,  do  feel 
that  this  precious  Work  is  begun,  I  am  concerned  to 
encourage  my  Brethren  and  Sisters  in  a  Holy  Care  and 
Diligence,  that  each  of  us  may  so  live,  under  the  sanctify- 
ing Power  of  Truth,  as  to  be  redeemed  from  all  unneces- 
sary Cares ;  that  our  Eye  being  single  to  him,  no  Customs, 
however  prevalent,  which  are  contrary  to  the  Wisdom 
from  above,  may  hinder  us  from  faithfully  following  his 
Holy  Leadings,  in  whatsoever  he  may  graciously  appoint 
for  us. 


CONSIDERATIONS 

ON 

PURE  WISDOM  AND  HUMAN 
POLICY 


To  have  our  Trust  settled  in  the  Lord,  and  not  to  seek 
after^  nor  desire  outward  Treasures,  any  further  than 
his  Holy  Spirit  leads  us  therein,  is  a  happy  State,  as  saith 
the  Prophet,  Blessed  is  the  Man  that  trusteth  in  the  Lord, 
and  whose  Hope  the  Lord  is. 

Pure  Wisdom  leads  People  into  Lowliness  of  Mind,  in 
which  they  learn  Resignation  to  the  Divine  Will,  and 
Contentment  in  suffering  for  his  Cause,  when  they  cannot 
keep  a  clear  Conscience  without  suffering. 

In  this  pure  Wisdom  the  Mind  is  attentive  to  the  Root, 
and  original  Spring  of  Motions  and  Desires;  and  as  we 
know  the  Lord  to  be  our  Refuge,  and  find  no  Safety  but  in 
humbly  walking  before  him,  we  feel  an  Holy  Engage- 
ment, that  every  Desire  which  leads  therefrom  may  be 
brought  to  Judgment. 

While  we  proceed  in  this  precious  Way,  and  find  ardent 
Longings  for  a  full  Deliverance  from  every  thing  which 
defiles,  all  Prospects  of  Gain,  that  are  not  consistent  with 
the  Wisdom  from  above,  are  considered  as  Snares,  and  an 
inward  Concern  is  felt,  that  we  may  live  under  the  Cross, 
and  faithfully  attend  to  that  Holy  Spirit,  which  is  sufficient 
to  preserve  out  of  them. 

When  I  have  considered  that  Saying  of  Christ,  Mat. 
vi.  19,  Lay  not  up  for  yourselves  Treasures  upon  Earth, 
his  Omnipotence  hath  often  occurred  to  my  Mind. 

While  we  believe  that  he  is  every  where  present  with 
his   People,   and  that  perfect   Goodness,   Wisdom   and 

163 


164       John  Woolman's  Writings 

Power  are  united  in  him,  how  comfortable  is  the  Con- 
sideration. 

Our  Wants  may  be  great,  but  his  Power  is  greater. 
We  may  be  oppressed  and  despised,  but  he  is  able  to  turn 
our  patient  Sufferings  into  Proiit- to. ourselves,  and  to  the 
Advancement  of  his  Work  on  Earth.  His  People,  who 
feel  the  Power  of  his  Cross,  to  crucify  all  that  is  selfish 
in  them,  who  are  engaged  in  outward  Concerns,  from  a 
Convincement  that  it  is  their  Duty,  and  resign  themselves, 
and  their  Treasures,  to  him ;  these  feel  that  it  is  dangerous 
to  give  way  to  that  in  us,  which  craves  Riches  and  Great- 
ness in  this  World. 

As  the  Heart  truly  contrite,  earnestly  desires  to  know 
Christ,  and  the  Fellowship  of  his  Sufferings,  Phil.  iii.  10. 
so  far  as  the  Lord  for  gracious  Ends  may  lead  into  them; 
as  such  feel  that  it  is  their  Interest  to  put  their  Trust  in 
God,  and  to  seek  no  Gain  but  that  which  he,  by  his  Holy 
Spirit,  leads  into;  so,  on  the  contrary,  they  who  do  not 
reverently  wait  for  this  Divine  Teacher,  and  are  not 
humbly  concerned,  according  to  their  Measure,  to  fill  up 
that  which  is  behind  of  the  Afflictions  of  Christ,  Col.  i.  24. 
in  patiently  suffering  for  the  promoting  Righteousness  in 
the  Earth;  but  have  an  Eye  toward  the  Power  of  Men, 
and  the  outward  Advantage  of  Wealth,  these  are  often 
attentive  to  those  Employments  which  appear  profitable, 
even  though  the  Gains  arise  from  such  Trade  and  Business 
which  proceeds  from  the  Workings  of  that  Spirit,  which 
is  estranged  from  the  self-denying  Life  of  an  humble 
contrite  Christian. 

While  I  write  on  this  Subject,  I  feel  my  Mind  tenderly 
affected  toward  those  honestly  disposed  People,  who  have 
been  brought  up  in  Employments  attended  with  those 
Difficulties. 

To  such  I  may  say,  in  the  feeling  of  our  Heavenly 
Father's  Love,  and  number  myself  with  you,  0  that  our 
Eyes  may  be  single  to  the  Lord!  May  we  reverently 
wait  on  him  for  Strength,  to  lay  aside  all  unnecessary 
Expence  of  every  Kind,  and  learn  Contentment,  in  a 
plain  simple  Life. 

May  we,  in  Lowliness,  submit  to  the  Leadings  of  his 


John  Woolman's  Writings       165 

Spirit,  and  enter  upon  any  outward  Employ  which  he 
graciously  points  out  to  us,  and  then  whatever  Difficulties 
arise,  in  Consequence  of  our  Faithfulness,  I  trust  they  will 
work  for  our  Good. 

Small  Treasure  to  a  resigned  Mind  is  sufficient.  How 
happy  is  it  to  be  content  with  a  little,  to  live  in  Humility, 
and  feel  that  in  us,  which  breathes  out  this  Language, 
Abba!   Father. 

If  that,  called  the  Wisdom  of  this  World,  had  no 
Resemblance  of  true  Wisdom,  the  Name  of  Wisdom,  I 
suppose,  had  not  been  given  to  it. 

As  wasting  outward  Substance,  to  gratify  vain  Desires, 
on  one  hand;  so  Slothfulness  and  Neglect,  on  the  other, 
do  often  involve  Men  and  their  Families  in  Trouble,  and 
reduce  them  to  Want  and  Distress;  to  shun  both  these 
opposite  Vices,  is  good  in  itself,  and  hath  a  Resemblance 
of  Wisdom;  but  while  People  thus  provident,  have  it 
principally  in  View  to  get  Riches,  and  Power,  and  the 
Friendship  of  this  World,  and  do  not  humbly  wait  for 
the  Spirit  of  Truth  to  lead  them  into  Purity;  these, 
through  an  anxious  Care  to  obtain  the  End  desired,  reach 
forth  for  Gain  in  worldly  Wisdom,  and,  in  regard  to  their 
inward  State,  fall  into  divers  Temptations  and  Snares. 
•<And  though  such  may  think  of  applying  Wealth  to  good 
Purposes,  and  to  use  their  Power  to  prevent  Oppression, 
yet  Wealth  and  Power  is  often  applied  otherwise;  nor 
can  we  depart  from  the  Leadings  of  our  Holy  Shepherd, 
without  going  into  Confusion. 

Great  Wealth  is  frequently  attended  with  Power,  which 
nothing  but  Divine  Love  can  qualify  the  Mind  to  use 
rightly;  and  as  to  the  Humility,  and  Uprightness  of  our 
Children  after  us,  how  great  is  the  Uncertainty!  If,  in 
acquiring  Wealth,  we  take  hold  on  the  Wisdom  which 
is  from  beneath,  and  depart  from  the  Leadings  of  Truth, 
and  Example  our  Children  herein,  we  have  great  Cause 
to  apprehend,  that  Wealth  may  be  a  Snare  to  them; 
and  prove  an  Injury  to  others,  over  whom  their  Wealth 
may  give  them  Power. 

To  be  redeemed  from  that  Wisdom  which  is  from 
beneath,  and  walk  in  the  Light  of  the  Lord,  is  a  precious 


v 


1 66       John  Woolman's  Writings 

Situation;  thus  his  People  are  brought  to  put  their  Trust 
in  him;  and  in  this  humble  Confidence  in  his  Wisdom, 
Goodness  and  Power,  the  Righteous  find  a  Refuge  in 
Adversities,  superior  to  the  greatest  outward  Helps,  and 
a  Comfort  more  certain  than  any  worldly  Advantages  can 
afford. 


ON  LABOUR 

Having  from  my  Childhood  been  used  to  Bodily  Labour 
for  a  Livings  I  may  express  my  Experience  therein. 

Right  Exercise  affords  an  innocent  Pleasure  in  the 
Time  of  it,  and  prepares  us  to  enjoy  the  Sweetness  of 
Rest;  but  from  the  Extremes  each  Way,  arise  Incon- 
veniences. 

Moderate  Exercise  opens  the  Pores,  gives  the  Blood 
a  lively  Circulation,  and  the  better  enables  us  to  judge 
rightly  respecting  that  Portion  of  Labour  which  is  the 
true  Medium. 

The  Fowls  of  the  Air  sow  not,  nor  gather  into  Barns,  yet 
our  Heavenly  Father  feedeth  them.  Mat.  vi.  26.  nor  do  I 
believe  that  Infinite  Goodness  and  Power  would  have 
allotted  Labour  to  us,  had  he  not  seen  that  Labour  was 
proper  for  us  in  this  Life. 

The  original  Design,  and  true  Medium  of  Labour,  is 
a  Subject  that,  to  me,  appears  worthy  of  our  serious 
Consideration. 

Idle  Men  are  often  a  Burden  to  themselves,  neglect 
the  Duty  they  owe  to  their  Families,  and  become  burden- 
some to  others  also. 

As  outward  Labour,  directed  by  the  Wisdom  from 
above,  tends  to  our  Health,  and  adds  to  our  Happiness 
in  this  Life;  so,  on  the  contrary,  entering  upon  it  in  a 
selfish  Spirit,  and  pursuing  it  too  long,  or  too  hard,  hath 
a  contrary  Effect. 

I  have  observed,  that  too  much  Labour  not  only  makes 
the  Understanding  dull,  but  so  intrudes  upon  the  Harmony 
of  the  Body,  that  after  ceasing  from  our  Toil,  we  have 
another  to  pass  through,  before  we  can  be  so  composed 
as  to  enjoy  the  Sweetness  of  Rest. 

From  too  much  Labour  in  the  Heat,  frequently  proceeds 
immoderate  Sweats,  which  do  often,  I  believe,  open  the 
Way  for  Disorders,  and  impair  our  Constitutions. 

When  we  go  beyond  the  true  Medium,  and  feel  Weari- 

167 


i68        John  Woolman's  Writings 

ness  approaching^  but  think  Business  may  suffer  it  we 
cease,  at  such  a  Time  spirituous  Liquors  are  frequently- 
taken,  with  a  View  to  support  Nature  under  these 
Fatigues. 

I  have  found  that  too  much  Labour  in  the  Summer 
heats  the  Blood,  that  taking  strong  Drink  to  support  the 
Body  under  such  Labour,  increaseth  that  Heat,  and 
though  a  Person  may  be  so  far  temperate  as  not  to 
manifest  the  least  Disorder,  yet  the  Mind,  in  such  a 
Circumstance,  doth  not  retain  that  Calmness  and  Serenity 
which  we  should  endeavour  to  live  in. 

Thus  toiling  in  the  Heat,  and  drinking  strong  Liquor, 
makes  Men  more  resolute,  and  less  considerate,  and  tends. 
very  much  to  disqualify  from  successfully  following  him 
who  is  meek  and  low  of  Heart. 

As  laying  out  Business,  more  than  is  consistent  with 
pure  Wisdom,  is  an  Evil,  so  this  Evil  frequently  leads 
into  more.  Too  much  Business  leads  to  Hurry.  In  the 
Hurry  and  Toil  too  much  strong  Drink  is  often  used, 
and  hereby  many  proceed  to  Noise  and  Wantonness,  and 
some,  though  more  considerate,  do  often  suffer  Loss,  as  to 
a  true  Composedness  of  Mind. 

I  feel  sincere  Desires  in  my  Heart  that  no  Rent,  nor 
Interest,  might  be  laid  so  high  as  to  be  a  Snare  to  Tenants. 
That  no  Desires  of  Gain  may  draw  any  too  far  in  Busi- 
ness. That  no  Cares  to  support  Customs,  which  have  not 
their  Foundation  in  pure  Wisdom,  may  have  Place  in  our 
Minds,  but  that  we  may  build  on  the  sure  Foundation, 
and  feel  our  Holy  Shepherd  to  lead  us,  who  alone  is  able 
to  preserve  us,  and  bring  forth  from  every  Thing  which 
defiles. 

Having  several  Times,  in  my  Travels,  had  Opportunity 
to  observe  the  Labour  and  Manner  of  Life  of  great 
Numbers  of  Slaves,  it  appears  to  me  that  the  true  Medium 
is  lamentably  neglected  by  many,  who  assign  them  their 
Portion  of  Labour. 

Without  saying  much  at  this  Time,  concerning  buying 
and  selling  Men  for  Term  of  Life,  who  have  as  just  a 
Right  to  Liberty  as  we  have;  nor  about  the  great  Miseries, 
and  Effusion  of  Blood,  consequent  to  promoting  the  Slave- 


John  Woolman's  Writings       169 

trade,  and  to  speak  as  favourably  as  may  be,  with  regard 
to  continuing  those  in  Bondage  who  are  amongst  us,  we 
cannot  say  there  is  no  Partiality  in  it;  for  whatever 
Tenderness  may  be  manifested  by  Individuals  in  their 
Life-time  towards  them,  yet  for  People  to  be  transmitted 
from  a  Man  to  his  Posterity,  in  the  helpless  Condition 
of  Slaves,  appears  inconsistent  with  the  Nature  of  the 
Gospel  Spirit.  From  such  Proceedings  it  often  follows, 
that  Persons  in  the  Decline  of  Life,  are  deprived  of  Monies 
equitably  due  to  them,  and  committed  to  the  Care,  and 
subjected  to  the  absolute  Power  of  young  unexperienced 
Men,  who  know  but  little  about  the  Weakness  of  old  Age, 
nor  understand  the  Language  of  declining  Life. 

Where  Parents  give  their  Estates  to  their  Children,  and 
then  depend  on  them  for  a  Maintainance,  they  sometimes 
meet  with  great  Inconveniences;  but  if  the  Power  of 
Possession,  thus  obtained,  doth  often  reverse  the  Obliga- 
tions of  Gratitude  and  filial  Duty,  and  makes  manifest, 
that  Youth  are  often  ignorant  of  the  Language  of  old 
Age,  how  hard  is  the  Case  of  ancient  Negroes,  who, 
deprived  of  the  Wages  equitably  due  to  them,  are  left  to 
young  People,  who  have  been  used  to  look  upon  them 
as  their  Inferiors. 

For  Men  to  behold  the  Fruits  of  their  Labour  with- 
held from  them,  and  possessed  by  others,  and  in  old  Age 
find  themselves  destitute  of  those  comfortable  Accom- 
modations, and  that  tender  Regard  which  their  Time  of 
Life  requires: 

When  they  feel  Pains  and  Stiffness  in  their  Joints  and 
Limbs,  Weakness  of  Appetite,  and  that  a  little  Labour 
is  wearisome,  and  still  behold  themselves  in  the  neglected 
uncomfortable  Condition  of  a  Slave,  and  oftentimes  to  a 
young  unsympathising  Man: 

For  Men  to  be  thus  treated  from  one  Generation  to 
another,  who,  besides  their  own  Distresses,  think  on  the 
Slavery  entailed  on  their  Posterity,  and  are  grieved: 
What  disagreeable  Thoughts  must  they  have  of  the 
professed  Followers  of  Jesus !  And  how  must  their  Groans 
ascend  to  that  Almighty  Being,  who  will  be  a  Refuge  for 
the  Oppressed,  Psalm  ix.  9. 


ON  SCHOOLS 

Su-ffer  the  little  Children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not, 
for  of  such  is  the  Kingdom  of  God,  Mark  x.  14 

To  encourage  Children  to  do  Things  with  a  View  to  get 
Praise  of  Men,  to  me  appears  an  Obstruction  to  their 
being  inwardly  acquainted  with  the  Spirit  of  Truth.  For 
it  is  the  Work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  direct  the  Mind  of 
God,  that  in  all  our  Proceedings  we  may  have  a  single 
Eye  to  him.  To  give  Alms  in  secret,  to  fast  in  secret, 
and  labour  to  keep  clear  of  that  Disposition  reproved 
by  our  Saviour,  All  their  Works  which  they  do  is  for  to  be 
seen  of  Men,  Mat.  xxiii.  5. 

That  Divine  Light  which  enlightens  all  Men,  I  believe, 
does  often  shine  in  the  Minds  of  Children  very  early,  and 
to  humbly  wait  for  Wisdom,  that  our  Conduct  toward 
them  may  tend  to  forward  their  Acquaintance  with  it, 
and  strengthen  them  in  Obedience  thereto,  appears  to 
me  to  be  a  Duty  on  all  of  us. 

By  cherishing  the  Spirit  of  Pride,  and  the  Love  of 
Praise  in  them,  I  believe  they  may  sometimes  improve 
faster  in  Learning,  than  otherwise  they  would;  but  to 
take  Measures  to  forward  Children  in  Learning,  which 
naturally  tend  to  divert  their  Minds  from  true  Humility, 
appears  to  me  to  savour  of  the  Wisdom  of  this  World. 

If  Tutors  are  not  acquainted  with  Sanctification  of 
Spirit,  nor  experienced  in  an  humble  waiting  for  the 
Leadings  of  Truth,  but  follow  the  Maxims  of  the  Wisdom 
of  this  World,  such  Children  who  are  under  their  Tuition, 
appear  to  me  to  be  in  Danger  of  imbibing  Thoughts,  and 
Apprehensions,  reverse  to  that  Meekness,  and  Lowliness 
of  Heart,  which  is  necessary  for  all  the  true  Followers  of 
Christ. 

Children  at  an  Age  fit  for  Schools,  are  in  a  Time  of  Life 
which  requires  the  patient  Attention  of  pious  People, 

170 


John  Woolman's  Writings       171 

and  if  we  commit  them  to  the  Tuition  of  such,  whose 
Minds  we  believe  are  not  rightly  prepared  to  train  them 
up  in  the  Nurture  and  Admonition  of  the  Lord,  we  are  in 
Danger  of  not  acting  the  Part  of  faithful  Parents  toward 
them;  for  our  Heavenly  Father  doth  not  require  us  to 
do  Evil,  that  Good  may  come  of  it;  and  it  is  needful  that 
we  deeply  examine  ourselves,  lest  we  get  entangled  in  the 
Wisdom  of  this  World,  and,  through  wrong  Apprehensions, 
take  such  Methods  in  Education,  as  may  prove  a  great 
Injury  to  the  Minds  of  our  Children. 

It  is  a  lovely  Sight  to  behold  innocent  Children;  and 
when  they  are  sent  to  such  Schools  where  their  tender 
Minds  are  in  imminent  Danger  of  being  led  astray  by 
Tutors,  who  do  not  live  a  self-denying  Life,  or  by  the 
Conversation  of  such  Children  who  do  not  live  in  Inno- 
cence, it  is  a  Case  much  to  be  lamented. 

While  a  pious  Tutor  hath  the  Charge  of  no  more 
Children  than  he  can  take  due  Care  of,  and  keeps  his 
Authority  in  the  Truth,  the  good  Spirit  in  which  he  leads 
and  governs,  works  on  the  Minds  of  such  who  are  not 
hardened,  and  his  Labours  not  only  tend  to  bring  them 
forward  in  outward  Learning,  but  to  open  their  Under- 
standings with  respect  to  the  true  Christian  Life;  but 
where  a  Person  hath  Charge  of  too  many,  and  his  Thoughts 
and  Time  are  so  much  employed  in  the  outward  Affairs  of 
his  School,  that  he  does  not  so  weightily  attend  to  the 
Spirit  and  Conduct  of  each  Individual,  as  to  be  enabled 
to  administer  rightly  to  all  in  due  Season;  through  such 
Omission  he  not  only  suffers,  as  to  the  State  of  his  own 
Mind,  but  the  Minds  of  the  Children  are  in  Danger  of 
suffering  also. 

To  watch  the  Spirit  of  Children,  to  nurture  them  in 
Gospel  Love,  and  labour  to  help  them  against  that  which 
would  mar  the  Beauty  of  their  Minds,  is  a  Debt  we  owe 
them;  and  a  faithful  Performance  of  our  Duty,  not  only 
tends  to  their  lasting  Benefit,  and  our  own  Peace,  but  also 
to  render  their  Company  agreeable  to  us. 

Instruction,  thus  administered,  reaches  the  pure  Witness 
in  the  Minds  of  such  Children  who  are  not  hardened,  and 
begets  Love  in  them  toward  those  who  thus  lead  them  on; 

N  402 


172       John  Woolman's  Writings 

but  where  too  great  a  Number  are  committed  to  a  Tutor, 
and  he,  through  much  Cumber,  omits  a  careful  Attention 
to  the  Minds  of  Children,  there  is  Danger  of  Disorders 
gradually  increasing  amongst  them,  till  the  Effects  thereof 
appear  in  their  Conduct,  too  strong  to  be  easily  remedied. 

A  Care  hath  lived  on  my  Mind,  that  more  Time  might 
be  employed  by  Parents  at  Home,  and  by  Tutors  at 
School,  in  weightily  attending  to  the  Spirit  and  Inclina- 
tions of  Children,  and  that  we  may  so  lead,  instruct,  and 
govern  them,  in  this  tender  Part  of  Life,  that  nothing 
may  be  omitted  in  our  Power,  to  help  them  on  their  Way 
to  become  the  Children  of  our  Father,  who  is  in  Heaven. 

Meditating  on  the  Situation  of  Schools  in  our  Provinces, 
my  Mind  hath,  at  Times,  been  affected  with  Sorrow,  and 
under  these  Exercises  it  hath  appeared  to  me,  that  if 
those  who  have  large  Estates,  were  faithful  Stewards,  and 
laid  no  Rent,  nor  Interest,  nor  other  Demands,  higher 
than  is  consistent  with  universal  Love;  and  those  in 
lower  Circumstances  would,  under  a  moderate  Employ, 
shun  unnecessary  Expence,  even  to  the  smallest  Article; 
and  all  unite  in  humbly  seeking  to  the  Lord,  he  would 
graciously  instruct  us,  and  strengthen  us,  to  relieve  the 
Youth  from  various  Snares,  in  which  many  of  them  are 
entangled. 


ON  THE  RIGHT  USE 
OF  THE  LORD'S  OUTWARD  GIFTS 

As  our  Understandings  are  opened  by  the  pure  Lights 
we  experience  that^  through  an  inward  approaching  to 
God,  the  Mind  is  strengthened  in  Obedience;  and  that 
by  gratifying  those  Desires  which  are  not  of  his  begetting, 
those  Approaches  to  him  are  obstructed,  and  the  deceivable 
Spirit  gains  Strength. 

These  Truths,  being  as  it  were  engraven  upon  our 
Hearts,  and  our  everlasting  Interest  in  Christ  evidently 
concerned  herein,  we  become  fervently  engaged,  that 
nothing  may  be  nourished  which  tends  to  feed  Pride  or 
Self-love  in  us.  Thus  in  pure  Obedience,  we  are  not  only 
instructed  in  our  Duty  to  God,  but  also  in  the  Affairs 
which  necessarily  relate  to  this  Life,  and  the  Spirit  of 
Truth  which  guides  into  all  Truth,  leavens  the  Mind  with 
a  pious  Co"cern,  that  whatsoever  we  do  in  Word  or  Deed, 
may  be  done  in  his  Name,  Col.  iii.  17. 

Hence  such  Buildings,  Furniture,  Food,  and  Raiment, 
as  best  answer  our  Necessities,  and  are  the  least  likely  to 
feed  that  selfish  Spirit  which  is  our  Enemy,  are  the  most 
acceptable  to  us. 

In  this  State  the  Mind  is  tender,  and  inwardly  watch- 
ful, that  the  Love  of  Gain  draw  us  not  into  any  Business, 
which  may  weaken  our  Love  to  our  Heavenly  Father, 
or  bring  unnecessary  Trouble  to  any  of  his  Creatures. 

Thus  the  Way  gradually  opens  to  cease  from  that 
Spirit  which  craves  Riches  and  Things  fetched  far,  which 
so  mixeth  with  the  Customs  of  this  World,  and  so  intrudes 
upon  the  true  Harmony  of  Life,  that  the  right  Medium 
of  Labour  is  very  much  departed  from.  And  as  the 
Minds  of  People  are  settled  in  a  steady  Concern,  not  to 
hold  nor  possess  any  Thing  but  what  may  be  held  con- 
sistent with  the  Wisdom  from  above,  they  consider  what 

173 


174       John  Woolman's  Writings 

they  possess  as  the  Gift  of  God,  and  are  inwardly  exercised, 
that  in  all  Parts  of  their  Conduct  they  may  act  agreeable 
to  the  Nature  of  the  peaceable  Government  of  Christ. 

A  little  supports  such  a  Life;  and  in  a  State  truly 
resigned  to  the  Lord,  the  Eye  is  single,  to  see  what  out- 
ward Employ  he  leads  into,  as  a  Means  of  our  Subsistence, 
and  a  lively  Care  is  maintained  to  hold  to  that  without 
launching  further. 

There  is  a  Harmony  in  the  several  Parts  of  this  Divine 
Work  in  the  Hearts  of  People;  he  who  leads  them  to 
cease  from  those  gainful  Employments,  carried  on  in  that 
Wisdom  which  is  from  beneath,  delivers  also  from  the 
Desire  after  worldly  Greatness,  and  reconciles  the  Mind 
to  a  Life  so  plain,  that  a  little  doth  suffice. 

Here  the  real  Comforts  of  Life  are  not  lessened.  Moder- 
ate Exercise,  in  the  Way  of  true  Wisdom,  is  pleasant 
both  to  Mind  and  Body. 

Food  and  Raiment  sufficient,  though  in  the  greatest 
Simplicity,  is  accepted  with  Content  and  Gratitude. 

The  mutual  Love,  subsisting  between  the  faithful 
Followers  of  Christ,  is  more  pure  than  that  Friendship 
which  is  not  seasoned  with  Humility,  how  specious  soever 
the  Appearance. 

Where  People  depart  from  pure  Wisdom  in  one  Case, 
it  is  often  an  Introduction  to  depart  from  it  in  many 
more;  and  thus  a  Spirit  which  seeks  for  outward  Great- 
ness, and  leads  into  worldly  Wisdom  to  attain  it,  and 
support  it,  gets  Possession  of  the  Mind. 

In  beholding  the  customary  Departure  from  the  true 
Medium  of  Labour,  and  that  unnecessary  Toil  which 
many  go  through,  in  supporting  outward  Greatness,  and 
procuring  Delicacies. 

In  beholding  how  the  true  Calmness  of  Life  is  changed 
into  Hurry,  and  that  many,  by  eagerly  pursuing  outward 
Treasure,  are  in  great  Danger  of  withering  as  to  the 
inward  State  of  the  Mind. 

In  meditating  on  the  Works  of  this  Spirit,  and  on  the 
Desolations  it  makes  amongst  the  Professors  of  Chris- 
tianity, I  may  thankfully  acknowledge,  that  I  often  feel 
pure  Love  beget  Longings  in  my  Heart,  for  the  Exalta- 


John  Woolman's  Writings       175 

tion  of  the  peaceable  Kingdom  of  Christ,  and  an  Engage- 
ment to  labour  according  to  the  Gift  bestowed  on  me, 
for  the  promoting  an  humble,  plain,  temperate  Way  of 
living.  A  Life  where  no  unnecessary  Care,  nor  Expences, 
may  incumber  our  Minds,  nor  lessen  our  Ability  to  do 
Good;  where  no  Desires  after  Riches,  or  Greatness,  may 
lead  into  hard  Dealing;  where  no  Connections  with 
worldly-minded  Men,  may  abate  our  Love  to  God,  nor 
weaken  a  true  Zeal  for  Righteousness.  A  Life  wherein 
we  may  diligently  labour  for  Resignedness  to  do,  and 
suffer,  whatever  our  Heavenly  Father  may  allot  for  us, 
in  reconciling  the  World  to  himself. 

When  the  Prophet  Isaiah  had  uttered  his  Vision,  and 
declared  that  a  Time  was  coming  wherein  Swords  should 
he  beat  into  Plowshares,  and  Spears  into  pruning  Hooks, 
and  that  Nation  shall  not  lift  up  Sword  against  Nation, 
nor  learn  War  any  more;  he  immediately  directs  the 
Minds  of  People  to  the  Divine  Teacher,  in  this  remarkable 
Language;  0  House  of  Jacob!  come  ye,  and  let  us  walk  in 
the  Light  of  the  Lord,  Isaiah  ii.  5. 

To  wait  for  the  Direction  of  this  Light,  in  all  temporal 
as  well  as  spiritual  Concerns,  appears  necessary;  for  if  in 
any  Case  we  enter  lightly  into  temporal  Affairs,  without 
feeling  this  Spirit  of  Truth  to  open  our  Way  therein,  and 
through  the  Love  of  this  World  proceed  on,  and  seek  for 
Gain  by  that  Business  or  Trafiick,  which  is  not  of  the 
Father,  but  of  the  World,  i  John  ii.  16  we  fail  in  our 
Testimony  to  the  Purity  and  Peace  of  his  Government, 
and  get  into  that  which  is  for  Chastisement. 

This  Matter  hath  lain  heavy  on  my  Mind,  it  being 
evident,  that  a  Life  less  humble,  less  simple  and  plain, 
than  that  which  Christ  leads  his  Sheep  into,  does  neces- 
sarily require  a  Support,  which  pure  Wisdom  does  not 
provide  for;  hence  there  is  no  Probability  of  our  being 
a  peculiar  People,  so  zealous  of  good  Works,  as  to  have  no 
Fellowship  with  Works  of  Darkness,  Titus  ii.  14.  Ephes. 
V.  II.  while  we  have  Wants  to  supply  which  have  their 
Foundation  in  Custom,  and  do  not  come  within  the  Mean- 
ing of  those  Expressions,  your  Heavenly  Father  knoweth 
that  ye  have  need  of  all  these  Things,  Mat.  vi.  32. 


176       John  Woolman's  Writings 

These  Things  which  he  beholds  necessary  for  his  People, 
he  fails  not  to  give  them  in  his  own  Way  and  Time;  but 
as  his  Ways  are  above  our  Ways,  and  his  Thoughts  above 
our  Thoughts,  so  imaginary  Wants  are  different  from 
these  Things  which  he  knoweth  that  we  have  need  of. 

As  my  Meditations  have  been  on  these  Things,  Com- 
passion hath  filled  my  Heart  toward  my  Fellow  Creatures, 
involved  in  Customs,  grown  up  in  the  Wisdom  of  this 
World,  which  is  Foolishness  with  God,  i  Cor.  iii.  19.  And 
0  that  the  Youth  may  be  so  thoroughly  experienced  in 
an  humble  Walking  before  the  Lord,  that  they  may  be 
his  Children,  and  know  him  to  be  their  Refuge,  their  safe 
unfailing  Refuge,  through  the  various  Dangers  attending 
this  uncertain  State  of  Being ! 

If  those  whose  Minds  are  redeemed  from  the  Love  of 
Wealth,  and  who  are  content  with  a  plain,  simple  Way  of 
living,  do  yet  find  that  to  conduct  the  Affairs  of  a  Family, 
without  giving  Countenance  to  unrighteous  Proceedings, 
or  having  Fellowship  with  Works  of  Darkness,  the  most 
diligent  Care  is  necessary. 

If  Customs,  distinguishable  from  universal  Righteous- 
ness, and  opposite  to  the  true  Self-denying  Life,  are  now 
prevalent,  and  so  mixed  with  Trade,  and  with  almost 
every  Employ,  that  it  is  only  through  humble  waiting 
on  the  inward  Guidance  of  Truth,  that  we  may  reasonably 
hope  to  walk  safely,  and  support  an  uniform  Testimony 
to  the  peaceable  Government  of  Christ: 

If  this  be  the  Case,  how  lamentably  do  they  expose 
themselves  to  Temptations,  who  give  way  to  the  Love  of 
Riches,  conform  to  expensive  Living,  and  reach  forth 
for  Gain,  to  support  Customs,  which  our  Holy  Shepherd 
leads  not  into. 


CONSIDERATIONS 


ON  THE 


TRUE    HARMONY 


OF 


MANKIND, 


AND 


How  it  is  to  be  maintained. 


By  JOHN    WOOLMAN 


And  the  Remnant  o/"  Jacob  shall  be  in  the  midst  of  many 
People,  as  the  Dew  from  the  Lord,  as  the  Showers  upon 
the  Grass,  that  tarrieth  not  for  Man,  nor  waitethfor  the 
Sons  of  Men,  Micah  v.  7. 


LONDON: 

Re-printed  by  Mary  Hinde. 


THE  INTRODUCTION 

As  Mankind  from  one  Parent  are  divided  into  many 
Families,  and  as  Trading  to  Sea  is  greatly  increased 
within  a  few  Ages  past;  amidst  this  extended  Commerce 
how  necessary  is  it  that  the  professed  Followers  of  Christ 
keep  sacred  his  Holy  Name,  and  be  employed  about 
Trade  and  Traffick  no  farther  than  Justice  and  Equity 
evidently  accompanies?  That  we  may  give  no  just 
Cause  of  Offence  to  any,  however  distant,  or  unable  to 
plead  their  own  Cause;  and  may  continually  keep  in 
View  the  Spreading  of  the  true  and  saving  Knowledge  of 
God,  and  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,  amongst  our  Fellow 
Creatures,  which  through  his  infinite  Love  some  feel  to 
be  more  precious  than  any  other  Treasure. 


179 


CONSIDERATIONS 

ON  THE 

TRUE  HARMONY  OF  MANKIND 

&c. 

CHAPTER  I 

On  serving  the  Lord  in  our  outward  Employments 

Under  the  humbling  Dispensations  of  the  Father  of 
Mercies,  I  have  felt  an  inward  Labour  for  the  Good  of 
my  Fellow  Creatures,  and  a  Concern  that  the  Holy  Spirit, 
which  alone  can  restore  Mankind  to  a  State  of  true 
Harmony,  may  with  Singleness  of  Heart  be  waited  for 
and  followed. 

I  trust  there  are  many  under  that  Visitation,  which 
if  faithfully  attended  to,  will  make  them  quick  of  Under- 
standing in  the  Fear  of  the  Lord,  and  qualify  with  Firm- 
ness to  be  true  Patterns  of  the  Christian  Life,  who  in 
Living  and  Walking  may  hold  forth  an  Invitation  to 
others,  to  come  out  of  the  Entanglements  of  the  Spirit 
of  this  World. 

And  that  which  I  feel  first  to  express  is,  a  Care  for 
those  who  are  in  Circumstances,  which  appear  difficult, 
with  respect  to  supporting  their  Families  in  a  Way  answer- 
able to  pure  Wisdom,  that  they  may  not  be  discouraged, 
but  remember  that  in  humbly  obeying  the  Leadings  of 
Christ,  he  owneth  us  as  his  Friends,  Ye  are  my  Friends 
if  ye  do  whatsoever  I  command  you  ;  and  to  be  a  Friend  to 
Christ,  is  to  be  united  to  him,  who  hath  all  Power  in 
Heaven  and  in  Earth;  and  though  a  Woman  may  forget 
her  sucking  Child,  yet  will  he  not  forget  his  faithful  Ones. 

i8i 


1 82       John  Woolman's  Writings 

The  Condition  of  many  who  dwell  in  Cities  hath  often 
affected  me  with  a  Brotherly  Sympathy,  attended  with  a 
Desire  that  Resignation  may  be  laboured  for;  and  where 
the  Holy  Leader  directeth  to  a  Country  Life,  or  some 
Change  of  Employ,  he  may  be  faithfully  followed;  for, 
under  the  refining  Hand  of  the  Lord,  I  have  seen  that  the 
Inhabitants  of  some  Cities  are  greatly  increased  through 
some  Branches  of  Business  which  the  Holy  Spirit  doth 
not  lead  into,  and  that  being  entangled  in  these  Things, 
tends  to  bring  a  Cloud  over  the  Minds  of  People  convinced 
of  the  Leadings  of  this  Holy  Leader,  and  obstructs  the 
coming  of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ  on  Earth  as  it  is  in 
Heaven. 

Now  if  we  indulge  a  Desire  to  imitate  our  Neighbours 
in  those  Things  which  harmonise  not  with  the  true 
Christian  Walking,  these  Entanglements  may  hold  fast 
to  us,  and  some,  who  in  an  awakening  Time,  feel  tender 
Scruples,  with  respect  to  their  Manner  of  Life,  may  look 
on  the  Example  of  others  more  noted  in  the  Church,  who 
yet  may  not  be  refined  from  every  Degree  of  Dross;  and 
by  looking  on  these  Examples,  and  desiring  to  support 
their  Families  in  a  Way  pleasant  to  the  natural  Mind, 
there  may  be  Danger  of  the  Worldly  Wisdom  gaining 
Strength  in  them,  and  of  their  Departure  from  that  pure 
Feeling  of  Truth,  which  if  faithfully  attended  to,  would 
teach  Contentment  in  the  Divine  Will,  even  in  a  very 
low  Estate. 

One  formerly  speaking  on  the  Profitableness  of  true 
Humility  saith,  "  He  that  troubles  not  himself  with 
anxious  Thoughts  for  more  than  is  necessary,  lives  little 
less  than  the  Life  of  Angels,  whilst  by  a  Mind  content 
with  little,  he  imitates  their  want  of  nothing."  Cavers 
Prim.  Christi.  Page  31. 

"It  is  not  enough,"  says  Teriullian,  "  that  a  Christian 
be  chaste  and  modest,  but  he  must  appear  to  be  so: 
A  Virtue  of  which  he  should  have  so  great  a  Store,  that 
it  should  flow  from  his  Mind  upon  his  Habit,  and  break 
from  the  Retirements  of  his  Conscience,  into  the  Super- 
ficies of  his  Life."    Same  Book,  Page  43. 

"  The  Garments  we  wear,"  says  Clemens,  "  ought  to 


John  Woolman's  Writings       183 

be  mean  and  frugal — that  is  true  Simplicity  of  Habit,  which 
takes  away  what  is  vain  and  superfluous,  that  the  best 
and  most  solid  Garment,  which  is  the  farthest  from 
Curiosity."     Page  49. 

Though  the  Change  from  Day  to  Night,  is  by  a  Motion 
so  gradual  as  scarcely  to  be  perceived,  yet  when  Night 
is  come  we  behold  it  very  different  from  the  Day;  and 
thus  as  People  become  wise  in  their  own  Eyes,  and  prudent 
in  their  own  Sight,  Customs  rise  up  from  the  Spirit  of 
this  World,  and  spread  by  little,  and  little,  till  a  Departure 
from  the  Simplicity  that  there  is  in  Christ  becomes  as 
distinguishable  as  Light  from  Darkness,  to  such  who  are 
crucified  to  the  World. 

Our  Holy  Shepherd,  to  encourage  his  Flock  in  Firmness 
and  Perseverance,  reminds  them  of  his  Love  for  them; 
As  the  Father  hath  loved  me,  so  have  I  loved  you  ;  continue 
ye  in  my  Love.  And  in  another  Place  graciously  points 
out  the  Danger  of  departing  therefrom,  by  going  into 
unsuitable  Employments;  this  he  represents  in  the 
Similitude  of  Offence  from  that  useful  active  Member, 
the  Hand;  and  to  fix  the  Instruction  the  deeper,  names 
the  right  Hand;  7/  thy  right  Hand  offend  thee,  cut  it  off 
and  cast  it  from  thee — If  thou  feelest  Offence  in  thy 
Employment,  humbly  follow  him  who  leads  into  all 
Truth,  and  is  a  strong  and  faithful  Friend  to  those  who 
are  resigned  to  him. 

Again,  he  points  out  those  Things  which  appearing 
pleasant  to  the  natural  Mind,  are  not  best  for  us,  in  the 
Similitude  of  Offence  from  the  Eye;  //  thy  right  Eye 
offend  thee,  pluck  it  out  and  cast  it  from  thee.  To  pluck 
out  the  Eye,  or  cut  off  the  Hand,  is  attended  with  sharp 
Pain;  and  how  precious  is  the  Instruction  which  our 
Redeemer  thus  opens  to  us,  that  we  may  not  faint  under 
the  most  painful  Trial,  but  put  our  Trust  in  him,  even 
in  him  who  sent  an  Angel  to  feed  Elijah  in  the  Wilderness; 
who  fed  a  Multitude  with  a  few  Barley  Loaves,  and  is 
now  as  attentive  to  the  Wants  of  his  People  as  ever. 

The  Prophet  Isaiah  represents  the  unrighteous  Doings 
of  the  Israelites  toward  the  Poor,  as  the  Fruits  of  an 
effeminate  Life;    As  for  my  People,  Children  are  their 


184       John  Woolman's  Writings 

Oppressors,  and  Women  rule  over  them :  What  mean  ye, 
that  ye  beat  my  People  to  pieces,  and  grind  the  Faces  of 
the  Poor  ?  saith  the  Lord  God.  Then  he  mentions  the 
Haughtiness  of  the  Daughters  of  Sion,  and  enumerates 
many  Ornaments,  as  Instances  of  their  Vanity;  to  up- 
hold which,  the  Poor  were  so  hardly  dealt  with,  that  he 
sets  forth  their  Poverty,  their  Leanness  and  Inability  to 
help  themselves,  in  the  Similitude  of  a  Man  maimed  by 
Violence,  or  beaten  to  pieces,  and  forced  to  endure  the 
painful  Operation  of  having  his  Face  gradually  worn 
away  in  the  manner  of  grinding. 

And  I  may  here  add,  that  at  Times,  when  I  have  felt 
true  Love  open  my  Heart  towards  my  Fellow  Creatures, 
and  being  engaged  in  weighty  Conversation  in  the  Cause 
of  Righteousness,  the  Instructions  I  have  received  under 
these  Exercises,  in  Regard  to  the  true  Use  of  the  outward 
Gifts  of  God,  have  made  deep  and  lasting  Impressions 
on  my  Mind. 

I  have  here  beheld,  how  the  Desire  to  provide  Wealth, 
and  to  uphold  a  delicate  Life,  hath  grievously  entangled 
many,  and  been  like  Snares  to  their  Offspring;  and 
tho'  some  have  been  affected  with  a  Sense  of  their 
Difficulties,  and  appeared  desirous,  at  Times,  to  be  helped 
out  of  them ;  yet  for  want  of  abiding  under  the  humbling 
Power  of  Truth,  they  have  continued  in  these  Entangle- 
ments; for  in  remaining  conformable  to  this  World,  and 
giving  Way  to  a  delicate  Life,  this  expensive  Way  of 
living,  in  Parents,  and  in  Children,  hath  called  for  a  large 
Supply,  and  in  answering  this  Call  the  Faces  of  the  Poor 
have  been  ground  away,  and  made  thin  through  hard 
Dealing. 

There  is  Balm,  there  is  a  Physician;  and  0  what 
Longings  do  I  feel!  that  we  may  embrace  the  Means 
appointed  for  our  Healing,  know  that  removed  which 
now  ministers  Cause  for  the  Cries  of  many  People  to 
ascend  to  Heaven  against  their  Oppressors,  and  that  we 
may  see  the  true  Harmony  restored. 

Behold  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is,  for  Brethren  to 
dwell  together  in  Unity.  The  Nature  of  this  Unity  is  thus 
opened  by  the  Apostle;  //  we  walk  in  the  Light,  as  Christ 


John  Woolman's  Writings       185 

is  in  the  Light,  we  shall  have  Fellowship  one  with  another, 
and  the  Blood  of  Christ  will  cleanse  us  from  all  Sin. 

The  Land  may  be  polluted  with  innocent  Blood,  which 
like  the  Blood  of  Abel  may  cry  to  the  Almighty;  but 
those  who  walk  in  the  Light,  as  Christ  is  in  the  Light, 
they  know  the  Lamb  of  God,  who  taketh  away  Sin. 

Walking  is  a  Phrase  frequently  used  in  Scripture,  to 
represent  our  Journey  thro'  Life,  and  appears  to  com- 
prehend the  various  Affairs  and  Transactions  properly 
relating  to  our  being  in  this  World. 

Christ  being  the  Light,  dwells  always  in  the  Light; 
and  if  our  walking  be  thus,  and  in  every  Affair  and 
Concern  we  faithfully  follow  this  Divine  Leader,  he  pre- 
serves from  giving  just  Cause  for  any  to  quarrel  with  us: 
And  where  this  Foundation  is  laid,  and  mutually  kept 
to,  by  Families  conversant  with  each  other,  the  Way  is 
open  for  these  Comforts  in  Society,  which  our  Heavenly 
Father  intends  as  a  Part  of  our  Happiness  in  this  World; 
and  then  we  may  experience  the  Goodness,  and  Pleasant- 
ness of  dwelling  together  in  Unity;  but  where  Ways  of 
Living  take  place,  which  tend  to  Oppression,  and  in  the 
Pursuit  of  Wealth,  People  do  that  to  others  which  they 
know  would  not  be  acceptable  to  themselves,  either  in 
exercising  an  absolute  Power  over  them,  or  otherwise 
laying  on  them  unequitable  Burdens;  here  a  Fear  lest 
that  Measure  should  be  meted  to  them,  which  they  have 
measured  to  others,  incites  a  Care  to  support  that  by 
Craft  and  cunning  Devices  which  stands  not  on  the  firm 
Foundation  of  Righteousness:  Thus  the  Harmony  of 
Society  is  broken,  and  from  hence  Commotions  and  Wars 
do  frequently  arise  in  the  World. 

Come  out  of  Babylon  my  People,  that  ye  be  not  Partakers 
of  her  Sins,  and  that  ye  receive  not  of  her  Plagues.  Rev. 
XV.  3,  4.  This  Babel,  or  Babylon,  was  built  in  the  Spirit 
of  Self-exaltation:  Let  us  build  us  a  City  and  a  Tower, 
whose  Top  may  reach  to  Heaven,  and  let  us  make  us  a 
Name.  Gen.  xi.  4.  In  departing  from  an  humble  Trust  in 
God,  and  following  a  selfish  Spirit,  People  have  Intentions 
to  get  the  upperhand  of  their  Fellow  Creatures,  privately 
meditate  on  Means  to  obtain  their  Ends,  have  a  Language 


i86       John  Woolman's  Writings 

in  their  Hearts  which  is  hard  to  understand.  In  Babel 
the  Language  is  confounded. 

This  City  is  represented  as  a  Place  of  Business,  and 
those  employed  in  it,  as  Merchants  of  the  Earth:  The 
Merchants  of  the  Earth  are  waxed  rich  through  the  Abund- 
ance of  her  Delicacies.    Rev.  xviii.  3. 

And  it  is  remarkable  in  this  Call,  that  the  Language 
from  the  Father  of  Mercies  is,  my  People,  Come  out  of 
Babylon  my  People.  Thus  his  tender  Mercies  are  toward 
us  in  an  imperfect  State;  and  as  we  faithfully  attend  to 
the  Call,  the  Path  of  Righteousness  is  more  and  more 
opened;  Cravings,  which  have  not  their  Foundation  in 
pure  Wisdom,  more  and  more  cease;  and  in  an  inward 
Purity  of  Heart,  we  experience  a  Restoration  of  that 
which  was  lost  at  Babel,  represented  by  the  inspired 
Prophet  in  the  returning  of  a  pure  Language.     Zeph.  iii.  9, 

Happy  for  them  who  humbly  attend  to  the  Call,  Come 
out  of  Babylon  my  People.  For  though  in  going  forth 
we  may  meet  with  Trials,  which  for  a  Time  may  be 
painful,  yet  as  we  bow  in  true  Humility,  and  continue 
in  it,  an  Evidence  is  felt  that  God  only  is  wise;  and  that 
in  weaning  us  from  all  that  is  selfish  he  prepares  the  Way 
to  a  quiet  Habitation,  where  all  our  Desires  are  bounded 
by  his  Wisdom.  And  an  Exercise  of  Spirit  attends  me, 
that  we  who  are  convinced  of  the  pure  Leadings  of  Truth, 
may  bow  in  the  deepest  Reverence,  and  so  watchfully 
regard  this  Leader,  that  many  who  are  grievously  en- 
tangled in  a  Wilderness  of  vain  Customs,  may  look  upon 
us  and  be  instructed.  And  0  that  such  who  have  Plenty 
of  this  World's  Goods,  may  be  faithful  in  that  with  which 
they  are  entrusted!  and  Example  others  in  the  true 
Christian  Walking. 

Our  blessed  Saviour,  speaking  on  Worldly  Greatness, 
compares  himself  to  one  waiting  and  attending  on  a 
Company  at  Dinner;  Whether  is  greater,  he  that  sitteth  at 
Meat  or  he  that  serveth  ?  Is  not  he  that  sitteth  at  Meat  ? 
But  I  am  amongst  you  as  he  that  serveth.    Luke  xxii.  27. 

Thus  in  a  World  greatly  disordered,  where  Men  aspiring 
to  outward  Greatness  were  wont  to  oppress  others  to 
support  their  Designs,  he  who  was  of  the  highest  Descent, 


John  Woolman's  Writings       187 

being  the  Son  of  God^  and  greater  than  any  amongst 
the  greatest  Famihes  of  Men,  by  his  Example  and  Doc- 
trines foreclosed  his  Followers  from  claiming  any  Shew 
of  outward  Greatness,  from  any  supposed  Superiority 
in  themselves,  or  derived  from  their  Ancestors. 

He  who  was  greater  than  Earthly  Princes,  was  not  only 
meek  and  low  of  Heart,  but  his  outward  Appearance  was 
plain  and  lowly,  and  free  from  every  Stain  of  the  Spirit 
of  this  World. 

Such  was  the  Example  of  our  blessed  Redeemer,  of 
whom  the  beloved  Disciple  said.  He  that  saith  he  abideth 
in  him,  ought  also  to  walk  even  as  he  walked. 

John  Bradford,  who  suffered  Martyrdom  under  Queen 
Mary,  wrote  a  Letter  to  his  Friends  out  of  Prison,  a  short 
Time  before  he  was  burnt,  in  which  are  these  Expressions ; 
"  Consider  your  Dignity  as  Children  of  God,  and  Temples 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  Members  of  Christ,  be  ashamed 
therefore  to  think,  speak,  or  do  any  Thing  unseemly,  for 
God's  Children,  and  the  Members  of  Christ."  Fox's  Acts 
and  Mon.  Page  11 77. 


o  402 


CHAPTER  II 

On  the  Example  of  CHRIST 

As  my  Mind  hath  been  brought  into  a  Brotherly  Feeling 
with  the  Poor,  as  to  the  Things  of  this  Life,  who  are  under 
Trials  in  regard  to  getting  a  Living  in  a  Way  answerable 
to  the  Purity  of  Truth ;  a  Labour  of  Heart  hath  attended 
me,  that  their  Way  may  not  be  made  difficult  through 
the  Love  of  Money  in  those  who  are  tried  with  plentiful 
Estates,  but  that  they  with  Tenderness  of  Heart  may 
sympathize  with  them. 

It  was  the  Saying  of  our  blessed  Redeemer,  Ye  cannot 
serve  God  and  Mammon.  There  is  a  deep  Feeling  of  the 
Way  of  Purity,  a  Way  in  which  the  Wisdom  of  the  World 
hath  no  Part,  but  is  opened  by  the  Spirit  of  Truth, 
and  is  called  the  Way  of  Holiness  ;  ^a  Way  in  which  the 
Traveller  is  employed  in  watching  unto  Prayer;  and  the 
outward  Gain  we  get  in  this  Journey  is  considered  as  a 
Trust  committed  to  us,  by  him  who  formed  and  supports 
the  World;  and  is  the  rightful  Director  of  the  Use  and 
Application  of  the  Product  of  it. 

Now  except  the  Mind  be  preserved  chaste,  there  is  no 
Safety  for  us ;  but  in  an  Estrangement  from  true  Resigna- 
tion, the  Spirit  of  the  World  casts  up  a  Way,  in  which 
Gain  is  many  Times  principally  attended  to,  and  in  which 
there  is  a  selfish  Application  of  outward  Treasures. 

How  agreeable  to  the  true  Harmony  of  Society,  is 
that  Exhortation  of  the  Apostle.?  Look  not  every  Man 
on  his  own  Things,  but  every  Man  also  on  the  Things  of 
others.  Let  this  Mind  be  in  you  which  was  also  in  Christ 
Jesus. 

A  Person"  in  outward  Prosperity  may  have  the  Power 
of  obtaining  Riches,  but  the  same  Mind  being  in  him 
which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  he  may  feel  a  Tenderness  of 
Heart  towards  those  of  low  Degree;  and  instead  of  setting 


John  Woolman*s  Writings       189 

himself  above  them,  may  look  upon  it  as  an  unmerited 
Favour,  that  his  Way  through  Life  is  more  easy  than  the 
Way  of  many  others;  may  improve  every  Opportunity 
of  leading  forth  out  of  those  Customs  which  have  en- 
tangled the  Family;  employ  his  Time  in  looking  into  the 
Wants  of  the  poor  Members,  and  hold  forth  such  a  perfect 
Example  of  Humiliation,  that  the  pure  Witness  may  be 
reached  in  many  Minds;  and  the  Way  opened  for  a 
harmonious  walking  together. 

Jesus  Christ,  in  promoting  the  Happiness  of  others, 
was  not  deficient  in  looking  for  the  Helpless,  who  lay  in 
Obscurity,  nor  did  he  save  any  Thing  to  render  himself 
honourable  amongst  Men,  which  might  have  been  of  more 
Use  to  the  weak  Members  in  his  Father's  Family;  of 
whose  Compassion  towards  us  I  may  now  speak  a  little. 
He  who  was  perfectly  happy  in  himself,  moved  with 
infinite  Love,  took  not  upon  him  the  Nature  of  Angels,  but 
our  imperfect  Natures,  and  therein  wrestled  with  the 
Temptations  which  attend  us  in  this  Life;  and  being  the 
Son  of  him  who  is  greater  than  Earthly  Princes,  yet 
became  a  Companion  to  poor,  sincere-hearted  Men;  and 
though  he  gave  the  clearest  Evidence  that  Divine  Power 
attended  him,  yet  the  most  unfavourable  Constructions 
were  framed  by  a  self-righteous  People;  those  Miracles 
represented  as  the  Effect  of  a  diabolical  Power,  and 
Endeavours  used  to  render  him  hateful,  as  having  his 
Mission  from  the  Prince  of  Darkness;  nor  did  their  Envy 
cease  till  they  took  him  like  a  Criminal,  and  brought  him 
to  Trial.  Though  some  may  affect  to  carry  the  Appear- 
ance of  being  unmoved  at  the  Apprehension  of  Distress, 
our  dear  Redeemer,  who  was  perfectly  sincere,  having 
the  same  human  Nature  which  we  have,  and  feeling,  a 
little  before  he  was  apprehended,  the  Weight  of  that  Work 
upon  him,  for  which  he  came  into  the  World,  was  sorrowful 
even  unto  Death  ;  here  the  human  Nature  struggled  to  be 
excused  from  a  Cup  so  bitter;  but  his  Prayers  centered 
in  Resignation,  Not  my  Will  hut  thine  he  done.  In  this 
Conflict,  so  great  was  his  Agony,  that  Sweat  like  Drops  of 
Blood  fell  from  him  to  the  Ground. 

Behold  now,  as  foretold  by  the  Prophet,  he  is  in  a 


190       John  Woolman's  Writings 

judicial  Manner  numbered  with  the  Transgressors  !  Behold 
him  as  some  poor  Man  of  no  Reputation,  standing  before 
the  High  Priest  and  Elders,  and  before  Herod  and  Pilate, 
where  Witnesses  appear  against  him,  and  he  mindful  of 
the  most  gracious  Design  of  his  Coming,  declineth  to  plead 
in  his  own  Defence,  but  as  a  Sheep  that  is  dumb  before 
the  Shearer,  so  under  many  Accusations,  Revilings,  and 
Buffetings,  remained  silent.  And  though  he  signified  to 
Peter,  that  he  had  Access  to  Power  sufficient  to  over- 
throw all  their  outward  Forces;  yet  retaining  a  Resigna- 
tion to  suffer  for  the  Sins  of  Mankind,  he  exerted  not  that 
Power,  but  permitted  them  to  go  on  in  their  malicious 
Designs,  and  pronounce  him  to  be  worthy  of  Death,  even 
him  who  was  perfect  in  Goodness ;  thus  in  his  Humiliation 
his  Judgment  was  taken  away,  and  he,  like  some  vile 
Criminal,  led  as  a  Lamb  to  the  Slaughter.  Under  these 
heavy  Trials  (tho*  poor  unstable  Pilate  was  convinced  of 
his  Innocence,  yet)  the  People  generally  looked  upon  him 
as  a  Deceiver,  a  Blasphemer,  and  the  approaching  Punish- 
ment as  a  just  Judgment  upon  him;  They  esteemed  him 
smitten  of  God  and  afflicted.  So  great  had  been  the 
Surprize  of  his  Disciples,  at  his  being  taken  by  armed 
Men,  that  they  forsook  him,  and  fled  ;  thus  they  hid  their 
Faces  from  him,  he  was  despised,  and  by  their  Conduct 
it  appeared  as  though  they  esteemed  him  not. 

But  contrary  to  that  Opinion,  of  his  being  smitten  of 
God  and  afflicted,  it  was  for  our  Sakes  that  he  was  put 
to  Grief  ;  he  was  wounded  for  our  Transgressions  ;  he  was 
bruised  for  our  Iniquities  ;  and  under  the  Weight  of  them 
manifesting  the  deepest  Compassion  for  the  Instruments 
of  his  Misery,  laboured  as  their  Advocate,  and  in  the 
Deeps  of  Affliction,  with  an  unconquerable  Patience,  cried 
out,  Father,  forgive  them,  they  know  not  what  they  do  I 

Now  this  Mind  being  in  us,  which  was  in  Christ  Jesus, 
it  removes  from  our  Hearts  the  Desire  of  Superiority, 
Worldly  Honour,  or  Greatness;  a  deep  Attention  is  felt 
to  the  Divine  Counsellor,  and  an  ardent  Engagement  to 
promote,  as  far  as  we  may  be  enabled,  the  Happiness  of 
Mankind  universally:  This  State,  where  every  Motion 
from  a  selfish  Spirit  yieldeth  to  pure  Love,  I  may,  with 


John  Woolman's  Writings       191 

Gratitude  to  the  Father  of  Mercies  acknowledge,  is  often 
opened  before  me  as  a  Pearl  to  dig  after;  attended  with 
a  living  Concern^  that  amongst  the  many  Nations  and 
Families  on  the  Earth,  those  who  believe  in  the  Messiah, 
that  he  was  manifested  to  destroy  the  Works  of  the  Devil, 
and  thus  to  take  away  the  Sins  of  the  World,  may  ex- 
perience the  Will  of  our  Heavenly  Father,  may  be  done 
on  Earth  as  it  is  in  Heaven.  Strong  are  the  Desires  I 
often  feel,  that  this  Holy  Profession  may  remain  un- 
polluted, and  the  Believers  in  Christ  may  so  abide  in  the 
pure  inward  Feeling  of  his  Spirit,  that  the  Wisdom  from 
above  may  shine  forth  in  their  Living,  as  a  Light  by 
which  others  may  be  instrumentally  helped  on  their  Way, 
in  the  true  harmonious  Walking. 


CHAPTER  III 
On  Merchandizing 

Where  the  Treasures  of  pure  Love  are  opened,  and  we 
obediently  follow  him  who  is  the  Light  of  Life,  the  Mind 
becomes  chaste ;  and  a  Care  is  felt,  that  the  Unction  from 
the  Holy  One  may  be  our  Leader  in  every  Undertaking. 

In  being  crucified  to  the  World,  broken  off  from  that 
Friendship  which  is  Enmity  with  God,  and  dead  to  the 
Customs  and  Fashions  which  have  not  their  Foundation 
in  the  Truth;  the  Way  is  prepared  to  Lowliness  in  out- 
ward Living,  and  to  a  Disintanglement  from  those  Snares 
which  attends  the  Love  of  Money ;  and  where  the  faithful 
Friends  of  Christ  are  so  situated  that  Merchandize  appears 
to  be  their  Duty,  they  feel  a  Restraint  from  proceeding 
farther  than  he  owns  their  Proceeding;  being  convinced 
that  we  are  not  our  own,  but  are  bought  with  a  Price,  that 
none  of  us  may  live  to  ourselves,  but  to  him  who  died  for  us, 
2  Cor.  V.  15.  Thus  they  are  taught,  not  only  to  keep 
to  a  moderate  Advance  and  Uprightness  in  their  Dealings; 
but  to  consider  the  Tendency  of  their  Proceeding;  to 
do  nothing  which  they  know  would  operate  against  the 
Cause  of  universal  Righteousness;  and  to  keep  continu- 
ally in  View  the  Spreading  of  the  peaceable  Kingdom 
of  Christ  amongst  Mankind. 

The  Prophet  Isaiah  spake  of  the  gathered  Church,  in 
the  Similitude  of  a  City,  where  many  being  employed 
were  all  preserved  in  Purity;  They  shall  call  them  the 
Holy  People,  the  Redeemed  of  the  Lord,  and  thou  shall  be 
called  sought  out,  a  City  not  forsaken,  Isa.  Ixiii.  10.  And 
the  Apostle,  after  mentioning  the  Mystery  of  Christ's 
Sufferings,  exhorts.  Be  ye  Holy  in  all  Manner  of  Con- 
versation, I  Pet.  i.  15.  There  is  a  Conversation  necessary 
in  Trade;  and  there  is  a  Conversation  so  foreign  from  the 
Nature  of  Christ's  Kingdom,  that  it  is  represented  in  the 

192 


John  Woolman's  Writings       193 

Similitude  of  one  Man  pushing  another  with  a  warlike 
Weapon;  There  is  that  speaketh  like  the  Piercings  of  a 
Sword,  Prov.  xii.  18.  Now  in  all  our  Concerns  it  is 
necessary  that  the  Leading  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ  be 
humbly  waited  for,  and  faithfully  followed,  as  the  only 
Means  of  being  preserved  chaste  as  an  Holy  People,  who 
in  all  Things  are  circumspect,  Exod.  xxiii.  13,  that  nothing 
we  do  may  carry  the  Appearance  of  Approbation  of  the 
Works  of  Wickedness,  make  the  Unrighteous  more  at 
Ease  in  Unrighteousness,  or  occasion  the  Injuries  com- 
mitted against  the  Oppressed  to  be  more  lightly  looked 
over. 

Where  Morality  is  kept  to,  and  supported  by  the 
Inhabitants  of  a  Country,  there  is  a  certain  Reproach 
attends  those  Individuals  amongst  them,  who  manifestly 
deviate  therefrom.  But  where  Iniquity  is  committed 
openly,  and  the  Authors  of  it  are  not  brought  to  Justice, 
nor  put  to  Shame,  their  Hands  grow  strong.  Thus  the 
general  Corruption  of  the  Jews  shortly  before  their  State 
was  broke  up  by  the  Chaldeans,  is  described  by  their 
Boldness  in  Impiety;  for  as  their  Leaders  were  connected 
together  in  Wickedness  they  strengthened  one  another, 
and  grew  confident;  Were  they  ashamed  when  they  had 
committed  Abominations  ?  Nay,  they  were  not  at  all 
ashamed,  neither  could  they  blush,  Jer.  vi.  15,  on  which 
Account  the  Lord  thus  expostulates  with  them,  What 
hath  my  Beloved  to  do  in  my  House,  seeing  she  hath  wrought 
Lewdness  with  many,  and  the  Holy  Flesh  is  passed  from 
thee  ;  when  thou  doest  Evil,  then  thou  rejoicest,  Jer.  xi.  15. 

Now  the  faithful  Friends  of  Christ,  who  hunger  and 
thirst  after  Righteousness,  and  inwardly  breathe  that  his 
Kingdom  may  come  on  Earth  as  it  is  in  Heaven,  he 
teacheth  them  to  be  quick  of  Understanding  in  his  Fear, 
and  to  be  very  attentive  to  the  Means  he  may  appoint 
for  promoting  pure  Righteousness  in  the  Earth;  and  as 
Shame  is  due  to  those  whose  works  manifestly  operate 
against  the  gracious  Design  of  his  Sufferings  for  us,  a 
Care  lives  on  their  Minds  that  no  wrong  Customs  however 
supported  may  bias  their  Judgments,  but  that  they  may 
humbly  abide  under  the  Cross,  and  be  preserved  in  a 


194       John  Woolman's  Writings 

Conduct  which  may  not  contribute  to  strengthen  the 
Hands  of  the  Wicked  in  their  Wickedness,  or  to  remove 
Shame  from  those  to  whom  it  is  justly  due.  The  Coming 
of  that  Day  is  precious,  in  which  we  experience  the  Truth 
of  this  Expression,  The  Lord  our  Righteousness,  Jer.  xiii.  6, 
and  feel  him  to  be  made  unto  us  Wisdom  and  Saitctiflcation. 

The  Example  of  a  righteous  Man  is  often  looked  at 
with  Attention.  Where  righteous  Men  join  in  Business, 
their  Company  gives  Encouragement  to  others;  and  as 
one  Grain  of  Incense  deliberately  offered  to  the  Prince  of 
this  World,  renders  an  Offering  to  God  in  that  State 
unacceptable;  and  from  those  esteemed  Leaders  of  the 
People  may  be  injurious  to  the  Weak;  it  requires  deep 
Humility  of  Heart,  to  follow  him  faithfully,  who  alone 
gives  sound  Wisdoih,  and  the  Spirit  of  true  Discerning; 
and  0  how  necessary  it  is,  to  consider  the  Weight  of  a 
Holy  Profession! 

The  Conduct  of  some  formerly  gave  Occasion  of  Com- 
plaint against  them;  Thon  hast  defiled  thy  Sanctuaries 
by  the  Multitude  of  thine  Iniquities,  by  the  Iniquity  of  thy 
Traffick,  Ezek.  xxviii.  i8,  and  in  several  Places  it  is 
charged  against  Israel,  that  they  had  polluted  the  Holy 
Name. 

The  Prophet  Isaiah  represents  inward  Sanctification  in 
the  Similitude  of  being  purged  from  that  which  is  Fuel 
for  Fire;  and  particularly  describes  the  outward  Fruits, 
brought  forth  by  those  who  dwell  in  this  inward  Holiness; 
They  walk  righteously,  and  speak  uprightly.  By  walking 
he  represents  the  Journey  through  Life,  as  a  righteous 
Journey;  and  by  speaking  uprightly,  seems  to  point  at 
that  which  Moses  appears  to  have  had  in  View,  when  he 
thus  express'd  himself;  Thou  shalt  not  follow  a  Multitude 
to  do  Evil,  nor  speak  in  a  Cause  to  decline  after  many  to 
wrest  Judgment,  Exod.  xxiii.  2. 

He  goes  on  to  shew  their  Firmness  in  Equity;  repre- 
senting them  as  Persons  superior  to  all  the  Arts  of  getting 
Money,  which  have  not  Righteousness  for  their  Founda- 
tion; They  despise  the  Gain  of  Oppressions :  And  further 
shews  how  careful  they  are  that  no  Prospects  of  Gain 
may  induce  them  to  become  partial  in  Judgment  respect- 


John  Woolman's  Writings       195 

ing  an  Injury;  They  shake  their  Hands  from  holding 
Bribes. 

Again^  where  any  Interest  is  so  connected  with  shed- 
ding Bloodj  that  the  Cry  of  innocent  Blood  goes  also  with 
it;  he  points  out  their  Care  to  keep  innocent  Blood  from 
crying  against  them,  in  the  Similitude  of  a  Man's  stopping 
his  Ears  to  prevent  a  Sound  from  entering  his  Head; 
They  stop  their  Ears  from  hearing  Blood :  And  where  they 
know  that  Wickedness  is  committed,  he  points  out  with 
Care,  that  they  do  not  by  an  unguarded  Friendship  with 
the  Authors  of  it,  appear  like  unconcerned  Lookers  on, 
but  as  People  so  deeply  affected  with  Sorrow,  that  they 
cannot  endure  to  stand  by  and  behold  it;  this  he  re- 
presents in  the  Similitude  of  a  Man  shutting  his  Eyes  from 
seeing  Evil. 

Who  amongst  us  shall  dwell  with  devouring  Fire  ?  Who 
amongst  us  shall  dwell  with  everlasting  Burnings  ?  He 
that  walketh  righteously  and  speaketh  uprightly.  He  that 
despiseth  the  Gain  of  Oppressions,  that  shaketh  his  Hands 
from  holding  of  Bribes,  that  stoppeth  his  Ears  from  hearing  of 
Blood,  and  shutteth  his  Eyes  from  seeing  Evil,  Isa.  xxxiii.  15. 

He  proceeds  in  the  Spirit  of  Prophecy  to  shew  how  the 
Faithful,  being  supported  under  Temptations,  would  be 
preserved  from  that  Defilement  that  there  is  in  the  Love 
of  Money;  that  as  they  who  in  a  reverent  Waiting  on 
God,  feel  their  Strength  renewed,  are  said  to  mount 
upward;  so  here  their  Preservation  from  the  Snare  of 
unrighteous  Gain,  is  represented  in  the  Likeness  of  a  Man, 
borne  up  above  all  crafty,  artful  Means  of  getting  the 
Advantage  of  another;  They  shall  dwell  on  high;  and 
points  out  the  Stability  and  Firmness  of  their  Condition; 
His  Place  of  Defence  shall  be  the  Munition  of  Rocks ; 
and  that  under  all  the  outward  Appearances  of  Loss,  in 
denying  himself  of  gainful  Profits  for  Righteousness 
Sake,  yet  through  the  Care  of  him  who  provides  for  the 
Sparrows,  he  should  have  a  Supply  answerable  to  his 
infinite  Wisdom;  Bread  shall  be  given  him,  his  Waters 
shall  be  sure.  And  as  our  Saviour  mentions  the  Sight  of 
God  to  be  attainable  by  the  Pure  in  Heart,  so  here  the 
Prophet   pointed    out,   how   in   true   Sanctification   the 


196       John  Woolman's  Writings 

Understanding  is  opened,  to  behold  the  peaceable  har- 
monious Nature  of  his  Kingdom;  thine  Eyes  shall  see  the 
King  in  his  Beauty :  And  that  looking  beyond  all  the 
Afflictions  which  attend  the  Righteous,  to  a  Habitation 
eternal  in  the  Heavens,  they  with  an  eye  divinely  open 
shall  behold  the  Land  that  is  very  far  off. 

He  shall  dwell  on  high,  his  Place  of  Defence  shall  be  the 
Munition  of  Rocks,  Bread  shall  be  given  him,  his  Waters 
shall  be  sure.  Thine  Eyes  shall  see  the  King  in  his  Beauty  ; 
they  shall  behold  the  Land  that  is  very  far  off,  Isa.  xxxiii.  16. 

1  often  remember,  and  to  me  the  Subject  is  awful,  that 
the  great  Judge  of  all  the  Earth  doeth  that  which  is 
right,  and  that  he,  before  whom  the  Nations  are  as  the  Drop 
of  a  Bucket,  is  no  Respecter  of  Persons.  Happy  for  them, 
who  like  the  inspired  Prophet,  in  the  Way  of  his  Judgments 
wait  for  him,  Isa.  xxvi.  8. 

When  we  feel  him  to  sit  as  a  Refiner  with  Fire,  and 
know  a  Resignedness  wrought  in  us,  to  that  which  he 
appoints  for  us,  his  Blessing  in  a  very  low  Estate,  is 
found  to  be  more  precious  than  much  outward  Treasure 
in  those  Ways  of  Life,  where  the  Leadings  of  his  Spirit 
are  not  followed. 

The  Prophet  in  a  Sight  of  a  divine  Work  amongst  many 
People,  declared  in  the  Name  of  the  Lord,  /  will  gather  all 
Nations  and  Tongues,  and  they  shall  come  and  see  my 
Glory,  Isa.  Ixvi.  18.  And  again,  from  the  rising  of  the 
Sun  to  the  going  down  of  the  same,  my  Name  shall  be  great 
amongst  the  Gentiles,  and  in  every  Place  Incense  shall  be 
offered  to  my  Name,  and  a  pure  Offering,  Malachi  i.  11. 

Behold  here  how  the  Prophets  had  an  inward  Sense 
of  the  Spreading  of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ;  and  how  he 
was  spoken  of  as  one  who  should  take  the  Heathen  for 
his  Inheritance,  and  the  utmost  Parts  of  the  Earth  for  his 
Possession,  Psal.  ii.  8.  That  he  was  given  for  a  Light  to 
the  Gentiles;  and  for  Salvation  to  the  Ends  of  the  Earth, 
Isa.  xlix.  6. 

When  we  meditate  on  this  divine  Work,  as  a  Work  of 
Ages;  a  Work  that  the  Prophets  felt  long  before  Christ 
appeared  visibly  on  Earth,  and  remember  the  bitter 
Agonies  he  endured  when  he  poured  out  his  Soul  unto 


John  Woolman's  Writings       197 

Death,  that  the  Heathen  Nations,  as  well  as  others,  might 
come  to  the  Knowledge  of  the  Truth  and  be  saved. 

When  we  contemplate  on  this  marvellous  Work,  as 
that  which  the  Angels  desire  to  look  into,  i  Pet.  i.  12.  And 
behold  People  amongst  whom  this  Light  hath  eminently 
broken  forth,  and  who  have  received  many  Favours  from 
the  bountiful  Hand  of  our  Heavenly  Father;  not  only 
indifferent  with  respect  to  publishing  the  glad  Tidings 
amongst  the  Gentiles,  as  yet  sitting  in  Darkness  and 
entangled  with  many  Superstitions;  but  aspiring  after 
Wealth  and  worldly  Honours,  take  hold  of  Means  to 
obtain  their  Ends,  tending  to  stir  up  Wrath  and  Indigna- 
tion, and  to  beget  an  Abhorrence  in  them  to  the  Name  of 
Christianity.  When  these  Things  are  weightily  attended 
to,  how  mournful  is  the  Subject? 

It  is  worthy  of  Remembrance,  that  People  in  different 
Ages,  deeply  baptized  into  the  Nature  of  that  Work  for 
which  Clurist  suffered,  have  joyfully  offered  up  their 
Liberty  and  Lives  for  the  promoting  of  it  in  the  Earth. 

Policarp,  who  was  reputed  a  Disciple  of  the  Apostle 
John,  having  attained  to  great  Age,  was  at  length  sentenced 
to  die  for  his  Religion;  and  being  brought  to  the  Fire, 
prayed  nearly  as  follows,  "  Thou  God  and  Father  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  I  have  received  the  Know- 
ledge of  thee!  0  God  of  the  Angels  and  Powers,  and  ol 
every  living  Creature,  and  of  all  Sorts  of  just  Men  which 
live  in  thy  Presence.  I  thank  thee,  that  thou  hast 
graciously  vouchsafed  this  Day  and  this  Hour  to  allot 
me  a  Portion  among  the  Number  of  Martyrs,  among  the 
People  of  Christ,  unto  the  Resurrection  of  everlasting 
Life;  among  whom  I  shall  be  received  in  thy  Sight,  this 
Day,  as  a  fruitful  and  acceptable  Sacrifice;  wherefore  for 
all  this,  I  praise  thee,  I  bless  thee,  I  glorify  thee  through 
the  everlasting  High  Priest,  Jesus  Christ,  thy  well-beloved 
Son;  to  whom,  with  thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  all 
Glory,  World  without  End.    Amen" 

Bishop  Latimer,  when  Sentence  of  Death  by  Fire  was 
pronounced  against  him,  on  Account  of  his  Firmness  in 
the  Cause  of  Religion,  he  said,  "  I  thank  God  most 
heartily,  that  he  hath  prolonged  my  Life  to  this  End; 


198       John  Woolman's  Writings 

that  I  may  in  this  Case  glorify  him  by  this  Kind  of 
Death."     Fox's  Acts  and  Mon.  936. 

William  Dewsbury,  who  had  suffered  much  for  his 
ReHgion,  in  his  last  Sickness,  encouraging  his  Friends  to 
Faithfulness,  made  mention,  like  good  old  Jacob,  of  the 
Loving-kindness  of  God  to  him  in  the  Course  of  his  Life, 
and  that  through  the  Power  of  Divine  Love,  he,  for 
Christ's  Sake,  had  joyfully  entered  Prisons.  See  Intro- 
duction to  his  Works. 

I  mention  these  as  a  few  Examples,  out  of  many  of  the 
powerful  Operations  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  where  People 
are  fully  devoted  to  it,  and  of  the  ardent  Longings  in  their 
Minds  for  the  Spreading  of  his  Kingdom  amongst  Man- 
kind. Now  to  those,  in  the  present  Age,  who  truly  know 
Christ,  and  feel  the  Nature  of  his  peaceable  Government 
opened  in  their  Understandings,  how  loud  is  that  Call 
wherewith  we  are  called  to  Faithfulness;  that  in  follow- 
ing this  pure  Light  of  Life,  we,  as  Workers  together  with 
him,  may  labour  in  that  great  Work  for  which  he  was 
offered  as  a  Sacrifice  on  the  Cross ;  and  that  his  peaceable 
Doctrines  may  shine  through  us  in  their  real  Harmony, 
at  a  Time  when  the  Name  of  Christianity  is  become  hateful 
to  many  of  the  Heathen. 

When  Gehazi  had  obtained  Treasures  which  the  Prophet 
under  divine  Direction  had  refused,  and  was  returned 
from  the  Business;  the  Prophet  troubled  at  his  Conduct, 
queried  if  it  was  a  Time  thus  to  prepare  for  a  specious 
Living. 

Is  it  a  Time  to  receive  Money  and  Garments,  Men  Servants 
and  Maid  Servants  ?  The  Leprosy  therefore  of  Naaman 
shall  cleave  to  thee,  and  to  thy  Seed  for  ever,  2  Kings  v.  26. 
And  0  that  we  may  lay  to  Heart  the  Condition  of  the 
present  Time,  and  humbly  follow  his  Counsel,  who  alone 
is  able  to  prepare  the  Way  for  a  true  harmonious  Walking 
amongst  Mankind, 


CHAPTER  IV 
On  Divine  Admonitions 

Such  are  the  Perfections  of  our  Heavenly  Father,  that 
in  all  the  Dispensations  of  his  Providence,  it  is  our  Duty, 
in  every  Thing,  to  give  Thanks.  Though  from  the  first 
Settlement  of  this  Part  of  Ainerica,  he  hath  not  extended 
his  Judgments  to  the  Degree  of  Famine,  yet  Worms  at 
Times  have  come  forth  beyond  numbering,  and  laid  waste 
Fields  of  Grain  and  Grass,  where  they  have  appeared; 
another  Kind,  in  great  Multitudes,  working  out  of  Sight, 
in  Grass  Ground,  have  so  eat  the  Roots,  that  the  Surface, 
being  loosened  from  the  Soil  beneath,  might  be  taken  off 
in  great  Sheets. 

These  Kind  of  devouring  Creatures  appearing  seldom, 
and  coming  in  such  Multitudes,  their  Generation  appears 
different  from  most  other  Reptiles,  and  by  the  Prophet 
were  call'd  God's  Army  sent  amongst  the  People,  Joel  ii.  25. 

There  have  been  Tempests  of  Hail,  which  have  very 
much  destroyed  the  Grain  where  they  extended.  Through 
long  Drought  in  Summer,  Grain  in  some  Places  hath  been 
less  than  half  the  usual  Quantity;  ^  and  in  the  Continuance 
thereof,  I  have  beheld  with  Attention,  from  Week  to 
Week,  how  Dryness  from  the  Top  of  the  Earth,  hath 
extended  deeper  and  deeper,  while  the  Corn  and  Plants 
have  languished;  and  with  Reverence  my  Mind  hath  been 
turned  towards  him,  who  being  perfect  in  Goodness,  in 
Wisdom  and  Power,  doeth  all  Things  right.  And  after 
long  Drought,  when  the  Sky  hath  grown  dark  with  a 
Collection  of  Matter,  and  Clouds  like  Lakes  of  Water 
hung  over  our  Heads,  from  whence  the  thirsty  Land  hath 
been  soaked;  I  have  at  Times,  with  Awfulness,  beheld 
the  vehement  Operation  of  Lightning,  made  sometimes 

*  When  Crops  fail,  I  often  feel  a  tender  Care  that  the  Case  of  poor 
Tenants  may  be  mercifully  considered. 

199 


200       John  Woolman's  Writings 

to  accompany  these  Blessings,  as  a  Messenger  from  him 
who  created  all  Things,  to  remind  us  of  our  Duty  in  a 
right  Use  of  those  Benefits,  and  give  striking  Admoni- 
tions, that  we  do  not  misapply  those  Gifts,  in  which  an 
Almighty  Power  is  exerted,  in  bestowing  them  upon  us. 

When  I  have  considered  that  many  of  our  Fellow 
Creatures  suffer  much  in  some  Places,  for  want  of  the 
Necessaries  of  Life,  whilst  those  who  rule  over  them 
are  too  much  given  to  Luxury,  and  divers  Vanities; 
and  behold  the  apparent  Deviation  from  pure  Wisdom 
amongst  us,  in  the  Use  of  the  outward  Gifts  of  God; 
those  Marks  of  Famine  have  appeared  like  humbling 
Admonitions  from  him,  that  we  might  be  instructed  by 
gentle  Chastisements,  and  might  seriously  consider  our 
Ways;  remembering  that  the  outward  Supply  of  Life 
is  a  Gift  from  our  Heavenly  Father,  and  no  more  venture 
to  use,  or  apply  his  Gifts,  in  a  Way  contrary  to  pure 
Wisdom. 

Should  we  continue  to  reject  those  merciful  Admoni- 
tions, and  use  his  Gifts  at  Home,  contrary  to  the  gracious 
Design  of  the  Giver,  or  send  them  Abroad  in  a  Way  of 
Trade,  which  the  Spirit  of  Truth  doth  not  lead  into; 
and  should  he  whose  Eyes  are  upon  all  our  Ways,  extend 
his  Chastisements  so  far  as  to  reduce  us  to  much  greater 
Distress  than  hath  yet  been  felt  by  these  Provinces ;  with 
what  sorrow  of  Heart  might  we  meditate  on  that  Subject, 
Hast  thou  not  procured  this  unto  thyself,  in  that  thou  hast 
forsaken  the  Lord  thy  God,  when  he  led  thee  by  the  Way  ? 
Thine  own  Wickedness  shall  correct  thee,  and  thy  Backslid- 
tngs  shall  reprove  thee  ;  know  therefore,  and  see  that  it  is  an 
evil  Thing  and  bitter,  that  thou  hast  forsaken  the  Lord  thy 
God,  and  that  my  Fear  is  not  in  thee,  saith  the  Lord  of 
Hosts,  Jer.  ii.  17,  19. 

My  Mind  hath  often  been  affected  with  Sorrow,  in 
beholding  a  wrong  Application  of  the  Gifts  of  our  Heavenly 
Father;  and  those  Expressions  concerning  the  Defile- 
ment of  the  Earth  have  been  opened  to  my  Understand- 
ing; The  Earth  was  corrupt  before  God,  and  the  Earth  was 
filled  with  Violence,  Gen.  vi.  11.  Again,  Isaiah  xxiv.  5. 
The  Earth  also  is  defiled  under  the  Inhabitants  thereof. 


John  Woolman's  Writings       201 

The  Earth  being  the  Work  of  a  Divine  Power,  may  not 
as  such  be  accounted  unclean;  but  when  Violence  is 
committed  thereon,  and  the  Channel  of  Righteousness 
so  obstructed,  that  in  our  Skirts  are  found  the  Blood  of  the 
Souls  of  poor  Innocents ;  not  by  a  secret  Search,  but  upon 
all  these, '^  Jer.  ii.  34. 

When  Blood  shed  unrighteously  remains  unatoned  for, 
and  the  Inhabitants  are  not  effectually  purged  from  it, 
when  they  do  not  wash  their  Hands  in  Innocency,  as  was 
figured  in  the  Law,  in  the  Case  of  one  being  found  slain; 
but  seek  for  Gain  arising  from  Scenes  of  Violence  and 
Oppression,  here  the  Land  is  polluted  with  Blood,  Deut. 
xxi.  6. 

Moreover,  when  the  Earth  is  planted  and  tilled,  and  the 
Fruits  brought  forth  are  applied  to  support  unrighteous 
Purposes;  here  the  gracious  Design  of  infinite  Goodness, 
in  these  his  Gifts  being  perverted,  the  Earth  is  defiled; 
and  the  Complaint  formerly  uttered  becomes  applicable; 
Thou  hast  made  me  to  serve  with  thy  Sins;  thou  hast  wearied 
me  with  thine  Iniquities,  Isaiah  xliii.  24^ 

1  See  a  Caution  and  Warning  to  Great  Britain  and  her  Colonies 
Page  31. 


AN 

EPISTLE 


TO   THE 


QUARTERLY  AND  MONTHLY 
MEETINGS 


OP 


FRIENDS. 


By    JOHN    WOOLMAN. 

LONDON: 
Re-printed  by  Mary  Hinde. 


p  402 


AN    EPISTLE,    &c. 

Beloved  Friends, — Feeling  at  this  Time  a  renewed 
Concern  that  the  pure  Principle  of  Light  and  Life,  and  the 
righteous  Fruits  thereof  may  spread  and  prevail  amongst 
Mankind,  there  is  an  Engagement  on  my  Heart  to  labour 
with  my  Brethren  in  religious  Profession,  that  none  of 
us  may  be  a  Stumbling-block  in  the  Way  of  others;  but 
may  so  walk  that  our  Conduct  may  reach  the  pure 
Witness  in  the  Hearts  of  such  who  are  not  in  Profession 
with  us. 

And,  dear  Friends,  while  we  publickly  own  that  the 
Holy  Spirit  is  our  Leader,  the  Profession  is  in  itself 
weighty,  and  the  Weightiness  thereof  increaseth  in  Pro- 
portion as  we  are  noted  among  the  Professors  of  Truth, 
and  active  in  dealing  with  such  who  walk  disorderly. 

Many  under  our  Profession,  for  Want  of  due  Attention, 
and  a  perfect  Resignation,  to  this  Divine  Teacher,  have 
in  some  Things  manifested  a  Deviation  from  the  Purity 
of  our  religious  Principles,  and  these  Deviations  having 
crept  in  amongst  us  by  little  and  little,  and  increasing  from 
less  to  greater,  have  been  so  far  unnoticed,  that  some 
living  in  them,  have  been  active  in  putting  Discipline 
in  Practice  with  relation  to  others,  whose  Conduct  hath 
appeared  more  dishonourable  in  the  World. 

Now  as  my  Mind  hath  been  exercised  before  the  Lord, 
I  have  seen,  that  the  Discipline  of  the  Church  of  Christ 
standeth  in  that  which  is  pure;  that  it  is  the  Wisdom 
from  above  which  gives  Authority  to  Discipline,  and 
that  the  Weightiness  thereof  standeth  not  in  any  out- 
ward Circumstances,  but  in  the  Authority  of  Christ  who 
is  the  Author  of  it;  and  where  any  walk  after  the  Flesh, 
and  not  according  to  the  Purity  of  Truth,  and  at  the  same 
Time  are  active  in  putting  Discipline  in  Practice,  a  Veil 
is  gradually  drawn  over  the  Purity  of  Discipline,  and 

205 


2o6        John  Woolman's  Writings 

over  that  Holiness  of  Life,  which  Christ  leads  those  into, 
in  whom  the  Love  of  God  is  verily  perfected,  i  John  ii.  5. 

When  we  labour  in  true  Love  with  Offenders,  and  they 
remain  obstinate,  it  sometimes  is  necessary  to  proceed 
as  far  as  our  Lord  directed;  Let  him  be  to  thee  as  an 
heathen  Man,  or  a  Publican,  Mat.  xviii.  17. 

Now  when  such  are  disowned,  and  they  who  act  therein 
feel  Christ  made  unto  them  Wisdom,  and  are  preserved 
in  his  meek,  restoring  Spirit,  there  is  no  just  Cause  of 
Offence  ministered  to  any;  but  when  such  who  are  active 
in  dealing  with  Offenders,  indulge  themselves  in  Things 
which  are  contrary  to  the  Purity  of  Truth,  and  yet  judge 
others  whose  Conduct  appears  more  dishonourable  than 
theirs,  here  the  pure  Authority  of  Discipline  ceaseth  as 
to  such  Offenders,  and  a  Temptation  is  laid  in  their  Way 
to  wrangle  and  contend; — Judge  not,  said  our  Lord,  that 
ye  be  not  Judged.  Now  this  forbidding  alludes  to  Man's 
Judgment,  and  points  out  the  Necessity  of  our  humbly 
attending  to  that  sanctifying  Power,  under  which  the 
Faithful  experience  the  Lord  to  be  a  Spirit  of  Judgment 
to  them,  Isa.  xxviii.  6.  And  as  we  feel  his  Holy  Spirit  to 
mortify  the  Deeds  of  the  Body  in  us,  and  can  say.  It  is 
no  more  I  that  live,  but  Christ  that  liveth  in  me,  here  right 
Judgment  is  known. 

And  while  Divine  Love  prevails  in  our  Hearts,  and  Self 
in  us  is  brought  under  Judgment,  a  Preparation  is  felt 
to  labour  in  a  right  Manner  with  Offenders;  but  if  we 
abide  not  in  this  Love,  our  outward  Performance  in  deal- 
ing with  others,  degenerates  into  Formality;  for  this  is 
the  Love  of  God,  that  we  keep  his  Commandments,  John  i.  3. 

How  weighty  are  those  Instructions  of  our  Redeemer 
concerning  religious  Duties,  when  he  points  out,  that  they 
who  pray,  should  be  so  obedient  to  the  Teachings  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  that  humbly  confiding  in  his  Help,  they  may 
say,  Thy  Name,  0  Father  1  be  hallowed.  Thy  Kingdom 
come.  Thy  Will  be  done  on  Earth,  as  it  is  in  Heaven. — 
In  this  awful  State  of  Mind  is  felt  that  Worship  which 
stands  in  doing  the  Will  of  God  on  Earth,  as  it  is  done  in 
Heaven,  and  keeping  the  Holy  Name  sacred:  To  take  a 
Holy  Profession  upon  us  is  awful,  nor  can  we  keep  his 


John  Woolinan's  Writings       207 

Holy  Name  sacred,  but  by  humbly  abiding  under  the 
Cross  of  Christ.  The  Apostle  laid  a  heavy  Complaint 
against  some  who  prophaned  this  Holy  Name  by  their 
Manner  of  Living,  Through  you,  he  says,  the  Name  of  God 
is  blasphemed  among  the  Gentiles,  Rom.  ii.  24. 

Some  of  our  Ancestors,  through  many  Tribulations, 
were  gathered  into  the  State  of  true  Worshippers,  and  had 
Fellowship  in  that  which  is  pure;  and  as  one  was  inwardly 
moved  to  kneel  down  in  their  Assemblies,  and  publickly 
call  on  the  Name  of  the  Lord,  those  in  the  Harmony  of 
united  Exercise  then  present,  joined  in  the  Prayer:  I 
mention  this,  in  order  that  we  of  the  present  Age,  may 
look  unto  the  Rock  from  whence  we  were  hewn,  and 
remember  that  to  unite  in  Worship,  is  an  Union  in  Prayer, 
and  that  Prayer  acceptable  to  the  Father,  is  only  in  a 
Mind  truly  sanctified,  where  the  sacred  Name  is  kept  Holy, 
and  the  Heart  resigned  to  do  his  Will  on  Earth,  as  it  is 
done  in  Heaven;  If  ye  abide  in  me,  saith  Christ,  and  my 
Words  abide  in  you,  ye  shall  ask  what  ye  will  in  my  Name, 
and  it  shall  be  done  unto  you. — Now  we  know  not  what 
to  pray  for  as  we  ought,  but  as  the  Holy  Spijit  doth  open 
and  direct  our  Minds,  and  as  we  faithfully  yield  to  its 
Influences,  our  Prayers  are  in  the  Will  of  our  Heavenly 
Father,  who  fails  not  to  grant  that  which  his  own  Spirit, 
through  his  Children,  asketh; — thus  Preservation  from 
Sin  is  known,  and  the  Fruits  of  Righteousness  are  brought 
forth  by  such  who  inwardly  unite  in  Prayer. 

How  weighty  are  our  solemn  Meetings  when  the  Name 
of  Christ  is  kept  Holy ! 

"  How  precious  is  that  State  in  which  the  Children  of 
the  Lord  are  so  redeemed  from  the  Love  of  this  World, 
that  they  are  accepted  and  blessed  in  all  that  they  do!  " 
R.  Barclays  Apology,  Page  404. 

How  necessary  is  it  that  we  who  profess  these  Prin- 
ciples, and  are  outwardly  active  in  supporting  them, 
should  faithfully  abide  in  Divine  Strength,  that  as  he  who 
has  called  us,  is  Holy,  so  we  may  be  Holy  in  all  manner  of 
Conversation,  i  Pet.  i.  15. 

If  one  professing  to  be  influenced  by  the  Spirit  of  Christ, 
propose  to  unite  in  a  Labour  to  promote  Righteousness 


2o8       John  Woolman's  Writings 

in  the  Earthy  and  in  Time  past  he  hath  manifestly  deviated 
from  the  Paths  of  Equity,  then  to  act  consistent  with  this 
Principle,  his  first  Work  is  to  make  Restitution  so  far  as 
he  may  be  enabled;  for  if  he  attempts  to  contribute 
toward  a  Work  intended  to  promote  Righteousness,  while 
it  appears  that  he  neglecteth,  or  refuseth  to  act  righteously 
himself,  his  Conduct  has  a  Tendency  to  entangle  the 
Minds  of  those  who  are  weak  in  the  Faith,  who  behold 
these  Things,  and  to  draw  a  Veil  over  the  Purity  of 
Righteousness,  by  carrying  an  Appearance  as  though  that 
was  Righteousness  which  is  not. 

Again,  if  I  propose  to  assist  in  supporting  those  Doc- 
trines wherein  that  Purity  of  Life  is  held  forth,  in  which 
Customs  proceeding  from  the  Spirit  of  this  World  have 
no  Place,  and  at  the  same  Time  strengthen  others  in 
those  Customs  by  my  Example;  the  first  Step  then  in 
an  orderly  Proceeding,  is  to  cease  from  those  Customs 
myself,  and  afterwards  to  labour,  as  I  may  be  enabled, 
to  promote  the  like  Disposition  and  Conduct  in  others. 

To  be  convinced  of  the  pure  Principle  of  Truth,  and 
diligently  exercised  in  walking  answerable  thereto,  is 
necessary  before  I  can  consistently  recommend  this  Prin- 
ciple to  others. — I  often  feel  a  Labour  in  Spirit,  that 
we  who  are  active  Members  in  religious  Society,  may 
experience  in  ourselves  the  Truth  of  those  Expressions 
of  the  Holy  One;    /  will  be  sanctified  in  them  that  come 

nigh  me,  Lev.  x.  3. In  this  Case,  my  Mind  hath  been 

often  exercised  when  alone,  Year  after  Year,  for  many 
Years,  and  in  the  Renewings  of  Divine  Love,  a  tender 
Care  hath  been  incited  in  me,  that  we  who  profess  the 
inward  Principle  of  Light  to  be  our  Teacher,  may  be  a 
Family  united  in  that  Purity  of  Worship,  which  com- 
prehends a  Holy  Life,  and  ministers  Instruction  to  others. 

My  Mind  is  often  drawn  towards  Children  in  the  Truth, 
who  having  a  small  Share  of  the  Things  of  this  Life, 
and  coming  to  have  Families,  may  be  inwardly  exercised 
before  the  Lord  to  support  them  in  a  Way  agreeable  to 
the  Purity  of  Truth,  in  which  they  may  feel  his  Blessing 
upon  them  in  their  Labours ;  the  Thoughts  of  such  being 
entangled    with    Customs,    contrary    to    pure    Wisdom, 


John  Woolman's  Writings       209 

conveyed  to  them  through  our  Hands,  doth  often  very 
tenderly,  and  movingly  affect  my  Heart,  and  when  I 
look  towards,  and  think  on  the  succeeding  Generation, 
fervent  Desires  are  raised  in  me,  that  we  by  yielding  to 
that  Holy  Spirit  which  leads  into  all  Truth,  may  not  do 
the  Work  of  the  Lord  deceitfully,  may  not  live  contrary 
to  the  Purity  of  the  Divine  Principle  we  profess;  but 
that  as  faithful  Labourers  in  our  Age,  we  may  be  instru- 
mental in  removing  Stumbling-blocks  out  of  the  Way  of 
those  who  may  succeed  us. 

So  great  was  the  Love  of  Christ,  that  he  gave  himself 
for  the  Church,  that  he  might  sanctify  and  cleanse  it,  that 
it  should  be  Holy,  and  without  Blemish,  not  having  Spot 
or  Wrinkle,  or  any  such  Thing,  Eph.  v.  25.  and  where  any 
take  the  Name  of  Christ  upon  them,  professing  to  be 
Members  of  his  Church,  and  led  by  his  Holy  Spirit,  and 
yet  manifestly  deviate  from  the  Purity  of  Truth,  they 
herein  act  against  the  gracious  Design  of  his  giving  himself 
for  them,  and  minister  Cause  for  the  Continuance  of  his 
Afflictions,  viz.  in  his  Body  the  Church. 

Christ  suffered  Afflictions  in  a  Body  of  Flesh  prepared 
by  the  Father,  but  the  Afflictions  of  his  mystical  Body 
are  yet  unfinished ;  for  they  who  are  baptized  into  Christ 
are  baptized  into  his  Death;  and  as  we  humbly  abide 
under  his  sanctifying  Power,  and  are  brought  forth  into 
Newness  of  Life,  we  feel  Christ  to  live  in  us,  who  being 
the  same  Yesterday,  To-day,  and  forever,  and  always  at 
Unity  with  himself,  his  Spirit  in  the  Hearts  of  his  People 
leads  to  an  inward  Exercise  for  the  Salvation  of  Mankind ; 
and  when  under  a  Travail  of  Spirit,  we  behold  a  visited 
People  entangled  by  the  Spirit  of  the  World  with  its 
Wickedness  and  Customs,  and  thereby  rendered  incapable 
of  being  faithful  Examples  to  others.  Sorrow  and  Heaviness 
under  a  Sense  of  these  Things,  is  often  experienced,  and 
thus  in  some  Measure  is  filled  up  that  which  remains  of 
the  Afflictions  of  Christ. 

Our  blessed  Saviour  speaking  concerning  Gifts  offered 
in  Divine  Service,  says,  //  thou  bring  thy  Gift  to  the  Altar, 
and  there  remembrest  that  thy  Brother  hath  ought  against 
thee,  leave  there  thy  Gift  before  the  Altar,  and  go  thy  Way, 


2IO       John  Woolman's  Writings 

first  be  reconciled  to  thy  Brother,  and  then  come  and  Q-Qer  thy 
Gift,  Mat.  V.  23,  24.  Now  there  is  no  true  Unity,  but 
in  that  wherein  the  Father  and  the  Son  are  united,  nor 
can  there  be  a  perfect  Reconcihation  but  in  ceasing  from 
that  which  ministers  Cause  for  the  Continuation  of  the 
Afflictions  of  Christ;  and  if  any  professing  to  bring  their 
Gift  to  the  Altar,  do  remember  the  customary  Contra- 
diction which  some  of  their  Fruits  bear  to  the  pure 
spiritual  Worship,  here  it  appears  necessary  to  lay  to 
Heart  this  Command,  Leave  thy  Gift  hy  the  Altar. 

Christ  graciously  calls  his  People  Brethren;  Whosoever 
shall  do  the  Will  of  God,  the  same  is  my  Brother,  Mark  iii.  35. 
Now  if  we  walk  contrary  to  the  Truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus, 
while  we  continue  to  profess  it,  we  offend  against  Christ, 
and  if  under  this  Offence  we  bring  our  Gift  to  the  Altar, 
our  Redeemer  doth  not  direct  us  to  take  back  our  Gift, 
he  doth  not  discourage  our  proceeding  in  a  good  Work; 
but  graciously  points  out  the  necessary  Means  by  which 
the  Gift  may  be  rendered  acceptable.  Leave,  saith  he,  thy 
Gift  by  the  Altar,  first  go  and  be  reconciled  to  thy  Brother, 
cease  from  that  which  grieves  the  Holy  Spirit,  cease  from 
that  which  is  against  the  Truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  and  then 
come  and  offer  thy  Gift. 

I  feel,  while  I  am  writing,  a  Tenderness  to  those  who 
through  Divine  Favour  are  preserved  in  a  lively  Sense 
of  the  State  of  the  Churches,  and  at  Times  may  be  under 
Discouragements  with  regard  to  proceeding  in  that  pure 
Way  which  Christ  by  his  Holy  Spirit  leads  into:  The 
Depth  of  Disorder  and  Weakness,  which  so  much  pre- 
vails, being  opened,  Doubtings  are  apt  to  arise  as  to  the 
Possibility  of  proceeding  as  an  Assembly  of  the  Lord's 
People  in  the  pure  Council  of  Truth;  and  here  I  feel  a 
Concern  to  express  in  Uprightness,  that  which  hath  been 
opened  in  my  Mind,  under  the  Power  of  the  Cross  of  Christ, 
relating  to  a  visible  gathered  Church,  the  Members  whereof 
are  guided  by  the  Holy  Spirit. 

The  Church  is  called  the  Body  of  Christ,  Col.  i,  24. 

Christ  is  called  the  Head  of  the  Church,  Eph.  i.  22, 

The  Church  is  called  the  Pillar,  and  Ground  of  Truth, 
I  Tim.  iii.  15. 


John  Woolman's  Writings       2 1 1 

Thus  the  Church  hath  a  Name  that  is  sacred,  and  the 
Necessity  of  keeping  this  Name  Holy,  appears  evident; 
for  where  a  Number  of  People  unite  in  a  Profession  of 
being  led  by  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  and  publish  their 
Principles  to  the  World,  the  Acts  and  Proceedings  of  that 
People  may  in  some  Measure  be  considered  as  such  which 
Christ  is  the  Author  of. 

Now  while  we  stand  in  this  Station,  if  the  pure  Light  of 
Life  is  not  followed  and  regarded  in  our  Proceedings,  we 
are  in  the  Way  of  prophaning  the  Holy  Name,  and  of 
going  back  toward  that  Wilderness  of  Sufferings  and 
Persecution,  out  of  which,  through  the  tender  Mercies  of 
God,  a  Church  hath  been  gathered;  Christ  liveth  in 
sanctified  Vessels,  Gal.  ii.  20.  and  where  they  behold  his 
Holy  Name  prophaned,  and  the  pure  Gospel  Light 
eclipsed,  through  the  Unfaithfulness  of  any  who  by  their 
Station  appear  to  be  Standard-bearers  under  the  Prince 
of  Peace,  the  living  Members  in  the  Body  of  Christ  in 
beholding  these  Things,  do  in  some  degree  experience  the 
Fellowship  of  his  Sufferings;  and  as  the  Wisdom  of  the 
World  more  and  more  takes  Place  in  conducting  the 
Affairs  of  this  visible  gathered  Church,  and  the  pure 
Leadings  of  the  Holy  Spirit  less  waited  for  and  followed, 
so  the  true  Suffering  Seed  is  more  and  more  oppressed. 

My  Mind  is  often  affected  with  a  Sense  of  the  Condition 
of  sincere-hearted  People  in  some  Kingdoms,  where 
Liberty  of  Conscience  is  not  allowed,  many  of  whom 
being  burthened  in  their  Minds  with  prevailing  Super- 
stition joined  with  Oppressions,  are  often  under  Sorrow; 
and  where  such  have  attended  to  that  pure  Light  which 
hath  in  some  degree  opened  their  Understandings,  and 
for  their  Faithfulness  thereto,  have  been  brought  to 
Examination  and  Trial,  how  heavy  are  the  Persecutions 
which  in  divers  Parts  of  the  World  are  exercised  upon 
them!  How  mighty,  as  to  the  outward,  is  that  Power 
by  which  they  are  borne  down,  and  oppressed ! 

How  deeply  affecting  is  the  Condition  of  many  upright- 
hearted  People  who  are  taken  into  the  Papal  Inquisition ! 
What  lamentable  Cruelties,  in  deep  Vaults,  in  a  private 
Way,  are  exercised  on  many  of  them !   And  how  lingering 


212        John  Woolman's  Writings 

is  that  Death  by  a  small  slow  Fire,  which  they  have  fre- 
quently indured,  who  have  been  faithful  to  the  End ! 

How  many  tender  spirited  Protestants  have  been 
sentenced  to  spend  the  Remainder  of  their  Lives  in  a 
Galley  chained  to  Oars,  under  hard-hearted  Masters, 
while  their  young  Children  are  placed  out  for  Education, 
and  taught  Principles  so  contrary  to  the  Conscience  of 
the  Parents,  that  by  dissenting  from  them,  they  have 
hazarded  their  Liberty,  Lives,  and  all  that  was  dear  to 
them  of  the  Things  of  this  World ! 

There  have  been  in  Time  past  severe  Persecutions 
under  the  English  Government,  and  many  sincere-hearted 
People  have  suffered  Death  for  the  Testimony  of  a  good 
Conscience,  whose  Faithfulness  in  their  Day  hath  ministred 
Encouragement  to  others,  and  been  a  Blessing  to  many 
who  have  succeeded  them;  thus  from  Age  to  Age,  the 
Darkness  being  more  and  more  removed,  a  Channel  at 
length,  through  the  tender  Mercies  of  God,  hath  been 
opened  for  the  Exercise  of  the  pure  Gift  of  the  Gospel 
Ministry,  without  Interruption  from  outward  Power,  a 
Work,  the  like  of  which  is  rare,  and  unknown  in  many 
Parts  of  the  World. 

As  these  Things  are  often  fresh  in  my  Mind,  and  this 
great  Work  of  God  going  on  in  the  Earth  has  been  open 
before  me,  that  Liberty  of  Conscience  with  which  we  are 
favoured,  hath  appeared  not  as  a  light  Matter. 

A  Trust  is  committed  to  us,  a  great  and  weighty  Trust, 
to  which  our  diligent  Attention  is  necessary,  wherever 
the  active  Members  of  this  visible  gathered  Church  use 
themselves  to  that  which  is  contrary  to  the  Purity  of 
our  Principles,  it  appears  to  be  a  Breach  of  this  Trust, 
and  one  Step  back  toward  the  Wilderness,  one  Step 
towards  undoing  what  God  in  infinite  Love  hath  done 
through  his  faithful  Servants,  in  a  Work  of  several  Ages, 
and  like  laying  the  Foundation  for  future  Sufferings. 

I  feel  a  living  Invitation  in  my  Mind  to  such  who  are 
active  in  our  religious  Society,  that  we  may  lay  to  Heart 
this  Matter,  and  consider  the  Station  in  which  we  stand; 
a  Place  of  outward  Liberty  under  the  free  Exercise  of 
our  Conscience  toward  God,  not  obtained  but  through 


John  Woolman's  Writings       213 

great  and  manifold  Afflictions  of  those  who  lived  before 
us.  There  is  Gratitude  due  from  us  to  our  Heavenly- 
Father,  and  Justice  to  our  Posterity;  can  our  Hearts 
endure,  or  our  Hands  be  strong,  if  we  desert  a  Cause  so 
precious,  if  we  turn  aside  from  a  Work,  under  which  so 
many  have  patiently  laboured? 

May  the  deep  Sufferings  of  our  Saviour  be  so  dear  to 
us,  that  we  may  never  trample  under  Foot  the  adorable 
Son  of  God,  nor  count  the  Blood  of  the  Covenant  unholy ! 

May  the  Faithfulness  of  the  Martyrs  when  the  Prospect 
of  Death  by  Fire  was  before  them,  be  remembred.  And 
may  the  patient  constant  Sufferings  of  the  upright- 
hearted  Servants  of  God  in  latter  Ages  be  revived  in  our 
Minds.  And  may  we  so  follow  on  to  know  the  Lord, 
that  neither  the  Faithful  in  this  Age,  nor  those  in  Ages 
to  come,  may  ever  be  brought  under  Suffering,  through 
our  sliding  back  from  the  Work  of  Reformation  in  the 
World. 

While  the  active  Members  in  the  visible  gathered  Church 
stand  upright,  and  the  Affairs  thereof  are  carried  on  under 
the  Leadings  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  although  Disorders  may 
arise  among  us,  and  cause  many  Exercises  to  those  who 
feel  the  Care  of  the  Churches  upon  them;  yet  while  these 
continue  under  the  Weight  of  the  Work,  and  labour  in 
the  Meekness  of  Wisdom  for  the  Help  of  others,  the  Name 
of  Christ  in  the  visible  gathered  Church  may  be  kept 
sacred;  but  while  they  who  are  active  in  the  Affairs  of 
this  Church,  continue  in  a  manifest  Opposition  to  the 
Purity  of  our  Principles,  this,  as  the  Prophet  Isaiah  x.  18. 
expresseth  it,  is  like  as  when  a  Standard-bearer  fainteth  ; 
and  thus  the  Way  opens  to  great  and  prevailing  De- 
generacy, and  to  Sufferings  for  such  who  through  the 
Power  of  Divine  Love,  are  separated  to  the  Gospel  of 
Christ,  and  cannot  unite  with  any  Thing  which  stands  in 
Opposition  to  the  Purity  of  it. 

The  Necessity  of  an  inward  Stillness,  hath  under  these 
Exercises  appeared  clear  to  my  Mind;  in  true  Silence 
Strength  is  renewed,  the  Mind  herein  is  weaned  from  all 
Things,  but  as  they  may  be  enjoyed  in  the  Divine  Will, 
and  a  Lowliness  in  outward  Living  opposite  to  Worldly 


2  14       ]^^^  Woolman's  Writings 

^v  Honour^  becomes  truly  acceptable  to  us; — in  the  Desire 
after  outward  Gain,  the  Mind  is  prevented  from  a  perfect 
Attention  to  the  Voice  of  Christ,  but  being  weaned  from 
all  Things,  but  as  they  may  be  enjoyed  in  the  Divine  Will, 
the  pure  Light  shines  into  the  Soul,  and  where  the  Fruits 
of  that  Spirit  which  is  of  the  World,  are  brought  forth 
by  many  who  profess  to  be  led  by  the  Spirit  of  Truth, 
and  Cloudiness  is  felt  to  be  gathering  over  the  visible 
gathered  Church,  the  Sincere  in  Heart  who  abide  in  true 
Stillness,  and  are  exercised  therein  before  the  Lord  for  his 
Name's  Sake,  have  a  Knowledge  of  Christ  in  the  Fellow- 
ship of  his  Sufferings,  and  inward  Thankfulness  is  felt 
at  Times,  that  through  Divine  Love,  our  own  Wisdom  is 
cast  out,  and  that  forward  active  Part  in  us  subjected, 
which  would  rise  and  do  something  in  the  visible  gathered 
Church,  without  the  pure  Leadings  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ. 

While  aught  remains  in  us  different  from  a  perfect 
Resignation  of  our  Wills,  it  is  like  a  Seal  to  a  Book  wherein 
is  written,  that  good,  and  acceptable,  and  perfect  Will  of 
God  concerning  us,  Rom.  xii.  2.  but  when  our  Minds 
entirely  yield  to  Christ,  that  Silence  is  known,  which 
followeth  the  opening  of  the  last  of  the  Seals,  Rev.  viii.  i. 
In  this  Silence  we  learn  abiding  in  the  Divine  Will,  and 
there  feel,  that  we  have  no  Cause  to  promote  but  that 
only  in  which  the  Light  of  Life  directs  us  in  our  Pro- 
ceedings, and  that  the  alone  Way  to  be  useful  in  the 
Church  of  Christ,  is  to  abide  faithfully  under  the  Lead- 
ings of  his  Holy  Spirit  in  all  Cases,  and  being  preserved 
thereby  in  Purity  of  Heart,  and  Holiness  of  Conversation, 
a  Testimony  to  the  Purity  of  his  Government  may  be 
held  forth  through  us,  to  others. 

As  my  Mind  hath  been  thus  exercised,  I  have  seen  that 
to  be  active  and  busy  in  the  visible  gathered  Church, 
without  the  Leadings  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  is  not  only  un- 
profitable, but  tends  to  increase  Dimness;  and  where 
Way  is  not  opened  to  proceed  in  the  Light  of  Truth,  a 
Stop  is  felt  by  those  who  humbly  attend  to  the  Divine 
Leader,  a  Stop  which  in  relation  to  good  Order  in  the 
visible  gathered  Church,  is  of  the  greatest  Consequence 
to  be  observed;   thus  Robert  Barclay  in  his  Treatise  on 


John  Woolman's  Writings       215 

Discipline  holds  forth.  Page  65,  68,  84.  "  That  the 
Judgment  or  Conclusion  of  the  Church  or  Congregation, 
is  no  further  effectual  as  to  the  true  End  and  Design 
thereof,  but  as  such  Judgment  or  Conclusion  proceeds 
from  the  Spirit  of  God  operating  on  their  Minds  who  are 
sanctified  in  Christ  Jesus." 

Now  in  this  Stop  I  have  learned  the  Necessity  of  wait- 
ing on  the  Lord  in  Humility,  that  the  Works  of  all  may 
be  brought  to  the  Light,  and  those  to  Judgment  which 
are  wrought  in  the  Wisdom  of  this  World;  and  have  also 
seen,  that  in  a  Mind  thoroughly  subjected  to  the  Power 
of  the  Cross,  there  is  a  Savour  of  Life  to  be  felt,  which 
evidently  tends  to  gather  Souls  to  God,  while  the  greatest 
Works  in  the  visible  gathered  Church  brought  forth  in 
Man's  Wisdom,  remain  to  be  unprofitable. 

Where  People  are  divinely  gathered  into  a  Holy  Fellow- 
ship, and  faithfully  abide  under  the  Influence  of  that 
Spirit  which  leads  into  all  Truth,  they  are  the  Light  of  the 
World,  Mat.  v.  14.  Now  holding  this  Profession,  to  me 
hath  appeared  weighty,  even  beyond  what  I  can  fully 
express,  and  what  our  blessed  Lord  seemed  to  have  in 
View,  when  he  proposed  the  Necessity  of  counting  the 
Cost,  before  we  begin  to  build. 

I  trust  there  are  many  who  at  Times,  under  Divine 
Visitation,  feel  an  inward  Enquiry  after  God;  and  when 
such  in  the  Simplicity  of  their  Hearts  mark  the  Lives 
of  a  People,  who  profess  to  walk  by  the  Leadings  of  his 
Spirit,  of  what  great  Concernment  is  it  that  our  Lights 
shine  clear,  that  nothing  of  our  Conduct  carry  a  Con- 
tradiction to  the  Truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  or  be  a  Means  of 
prophaning  his  Holy  Name,  and  be  a  Stumbling-block  in 
the  Way  of  those  sincere  Enquirers ! 

When  such  Seekers,  who  wearied  with  empty  Forms, 
look  toward  uniting  with  us  as  a  People,  and  behold 
active  Members  among  us  depart  in  their  customary  Way 
of  Living,  from  that  Purity  of  Life,  which  under  humbling 
Exercises  hath  been  opened  before  them,  as  the  Way  of 
the  Lord's  People,  how  mournful  and  discouraging  is  the 
Prospect!  And  how  strongly  doth  such  Unfaithfulness 
operate   against   the   Spreading   of   the   peaceable,   har- 


2i6       John  Woolman*s  Writings 

monious  Principle,  and  Testimony  of  Truth  amongst 
Mankind ! 

In  entering  into  that  Life^  which  is  hid  with  Christ  in 
God,  we  behold  his  peaceable  Government,  where  the 
whole  Family  are  governed  by  the  same  Spirit,  and  the 
doing  to  others  as  we  would  they  should  do  unto  us,  groweth 
up  as  good  Fruit  from  a  good  Tree;  the  Peace,  Quietness, 
and  harmonious  Walking  in  this  Government  is  beheld 
with  humble  Reverence  to  him  who  is  the  Author  of  it; 
and  in  partaking  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  we  partake  of 
that  which  labours,  and  suffers  for  the  Increase  of  this 
peaceable  Government  among  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
World;  and  I  have  felt  a  Labour  of  long  Continuance, 
that  we,  who  profess  this  peaceable  Principle,  may  be 
faithful  Standard-bearers  under  the  Prince  of  Peace,  and 
that  nothing  of  a  defiling  Nature,  tending  to  Discord  and 
Wars,  may  remain  among  us. 

May  each  of  us  query  with  ourselves,  have  the  Treasures 
I  possess  been  gathered  in  that  Wisdom  which  is  from 
above,  so  far  as  hath  appeared  to  me? 

Have  none  of  my  Fellow  Creatures  an  equitable  Right 
to  any  Part  which  is  called  mine  ? 

Have  the  Gifts,  and  Possessions  received  by  me  from 
others,  been  conveyed  in  a  Way  free  from  all  Unrighteous- 
ness, so  far  as  I  have  seen  ? 

The  Principle  of  Peace  in  which  our  Trust  is  only  in 
the  Lord,  and  our  Minds  weaned  from  a  Dependance  on 
the  Strength  of  Armies,  hath  appeared  to  me  very  precious, 
and  I  often  feel  strong  Desires,  that  we  who  profess  this 
Principle,  may  so  walk,  as  to  give  just  Cause  for  none  of 
our  Fellow  Creatures  to  be  offended  at  us ;  that  our  Lives 
may  evidently  manifest,  that  we  are  redeemed  from  that 
Spirit  in  which  Wars  are.  Our  blessed  Saviour  in  point- 
ing out  the  Danger  of  so  leaning  on  Man,  as  to  neglect 
the  Leadings  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  said,  Call  izo  Man  your 
Father  upon  the  Earth  ;  for  one  is  your  Father  which  is  in 
Heaven,  Mat.  xxiii.  9.  Where  the  Wisdom  from  above 
is  faithfully  followed,  and  therein  we  are  entrusted  with 
Substance,  it  is  a  Treasure  committed  to  our  Care  in  the 
Nature  of  an  Inheritance,  as  an  Inheritance  from  him, 


John  Woolman's  Writings       217 

who  formed,  and  supports  the  World.  Now  in  this 
Condition  the  true  Enjoyment  of  the  good  Things  of  this 
Life  is  understood,  and  that  Blessing  felt,  in  which  is 
real  Safety;  this  is  what  I  apprehend  our  blessed  Lord 
had  in  View,  when  he  pronounced.  Blessed  are  the  Meek, 
for  they  shall  inherit  the  Earth. 

Selfish  Worldly-minded  Men  may  hold  Lands  in  the 
selfish  Spirit,  and  depending  on  the  Strength  of  the  out- 
ward Power,  be  perplexed  with  secret  Uneasiness,  lest 
the  Injured  should  sometime  overpower  them,  and  that 
Measure  meted  to  them,  which  they  measure  to  others. 
Thus  selfish  Men  may  possess  the  Earth;  but  it  is  the 
Meek  who  inherit  it,  and  enjoy  it  as  an  Inheritance  from 
the  Heavenly  Father,  free  from  all  the  Defilements,  and 
Perplexities  of  Unrighteousness. 

Where  Proceedings  have  been  in  that  Wisdom  which 
is  from  beneath,  and  inequitable  Gain  gathered  by  a  Man, 
and  left  as  a  Gift  to  his  Children,  who  being  entangled 
by  the  same  Worldly  Spirit,  have  not  attained  to  that 
Clearness  of  Light  in  which  the  Channels  of  Righteousness 
are  opened,  and  Justice  done  to  those  who  remain  silent 
under  Injuries :  Here  I  have  seen  under  humbling  Exercise 
of  Mind,  that  the  Sins  of  the  Fathers  are  embraced  by 
the  Children,  and  become  their  Sins,  and  thus  of  the  Days 
of  Tribulation,  the  Iniquities  in  the  Fathers  are  visited 
upon  these  Children,  who  take  hold  of  the  Unrighteous- 
ness of  their  Fathers,  and  live  in  that  Spirit  in  which  those 
Iniquities  were  committed ;  to  which  agreeth  the  Prophecy 
of  Moses,  concerning  a  rebellious  People;  They  that  are 
left  of  you  shall  -pine  away  in  their  Iniquities,  in  your 
Enemy^s  Land,  and  in  the  Iniquities  of  their  Fathers  shall 
they  pine  away.  Lev.  xxvi.  39.  and  our  blessed  Lord  in 
beholding  the  Hardness  of  Heart  in  that  Generation,  and 
feeling  in  himself,  that  they  lived  in  the  same  Spirit  in 
which  the  Prophets  had  been  persecuted  unto  Death, 
signified,  That  the  Blood  of  all  the  Prophets  which  was 
shed  from  the  Foundation  of  the  World,  should  be  required 
of  that  Generation,  from  the  Blood  of  Abel,  unto  the  Blood 
of  Zacharias,  who  perished  between  the  Altar  and  the  Temple, 
Luke  xi.  51. 


21  8        John  Woolman's  Writings 

Tender  Compassion  fills  my  Heart  towards  my  Fellow 
Creatures  estranged  from  the  harmonious  Government  of 
the  Prince  of  Peace,  and  a  Labour  attends  me,  that  they 
may  be  gathered  to  this  peaceable  Habitation. 

In  being  inwardly  prepared  to  suffer  Adversity  for 
Christ's  Sake,  and  weaned  from  a  Dependance  on  the  Arm 
of  Flesh,  we  feel,  that  there  is  a  Rest  for  the  People  of 
God,  and  that  it  stands  in  a  perfect  Resignation  of  our- 
selves to  his  Holy  Will ;  in  this  Condition,  all  our  Wants  and 
Desires  are  bounded  by  pure  Wisdom,  and  our  Minds 
wholly  attentive  to  the  Counsel  of  Christ  inwardly  com- 
municated, which  hath  appeared  to  me  as  a  Habitation 
of  Safety  for  the  Lord's  People,  in  Times  of  outward 
Commotion  and  Trouble,  and  Desires  from  the  Fountain 
of  pure  Love,  are  opened  in  me,  to  invite  my  Brethren 
and  Fellow  Creatures  to  feel  for,  and  seek  after  that 
which  gathers  the  Mind  into  it. 

John  Woolman. 

Mount-Holly,  New- Jersey, 
4th  Month  1772. 


REMARKS 


ON 


SUNDRY  SUBJECTS. 


By   JOHN    WOOLMAN, 


LONDON: 
Printed  by  Mary  Hinde. 


Q   402 


^-^TRTEMARKS     &c 

CHAPTER  1 

On  loving  out  Neighbours  as  ourselves 

When  we  love  the  Lord  with  all  our  Hearts,  and  his 
Creatures  in  his  Love,  we  are  then  preserv'd  in  Tender- 
ness both  toward  Mankind  and  the  Animal  Creation; 
but  if  another  Spirit  gets  Room  in  our  Minds,  and  we 
follow  it  in  our  Proceedings,  we  are  then  in  the  Way  of 
disordering  the  Affairs  of  Society. 

If  a  Man  successful  in  Business  expends  Part  of  his 
Income  in  Things  of  no  real  Use,  while  the  Poor  employed 
by  him  pass  through  great  Difficulties  in  getting  the 
Necessaries  of  Life,  this  requires  his  serious  Attention. 

If  several  principal  Men  in  Business  unite  in  setting 
the  Wages  of  those  who  work  for  Hire,  and  therein  have 
Regard  to  a  Profit  to  themselves  answerable  to  unneces- 
sary Expence  in  their  Families,  while  the  Wages  of  the 
other  on  a  moderate  Industry  will  not  afford  a  comfortable 
Living  for  their  Families,  and  a  proper  Education  for  their 
Children,  this  is  like  laying  a  Temptation  in  the  Way  of 
some  to  strive  for  a  Place  higher  than  they  are  in,  when 
they  have  not  Stock  sufficient  for  it. 

Now  I  feel  a  Concern  in  the  Spring  of  pure  Love,  that 
all  who  have  Plenty  of  outward  Substance,  may  Example 
others  in  the  right  Use  of  Things;  may  carefully  look 
into  the  Condition  of  poor  People,  and  beware  of  exacting 
on  them  with  Regard  to  their  Wages. 

While  hired  Labourers,  by  moderate  Industry,  through 
the  Divine  Blessing,  may  live  comfortably,  raise  up 
Families,  and  give  them  suitable  Education,  it  appears 
reasonable  for  them  to  be  content  with  their  Wages. 

If  they  who  have  Plenty  love  their  Fellow  Creatures 

221 


2  22       John  Woolman's  Writings 

in  that  Love  which  is  Divine,  and  in  all  their  Proceedings 
have  an  equal  Regard  to  the  Good  of  Mankind  universally, 
their  Place  in  Society  is  a  Place  of  Caje,  an  Office  requiring 
Attention,  and  the  more  we  possess,  the  greater  is  our 
Trust,  and  with  an  Increase  of  Treasure,  an  Increase  of 
Care  becomes  necessary. 

When  our  Will  is  subject  to  the  Will  of  God,  and  in 
relation  to  the  Things  of  this  World,  we  have  nothing 
in  View,  but  a  comfortable  Living  equally  with  the  rest 
of  our  Fellow  Creatures,  then  outward  Treasures  are  no 
farther  desirable  than  as  we  feel  a  Gift  in  our  Minds 
equal  to  the  Trust,  and  Strength  to  act  as  dutiful  Children 
in  his  Service,  who  hath  formed  all  Mankind,  and  ap- 
pointed a  Subsistence  for  us  in  this  World. 

A  Desire  for  Treasures  on  any  other  Motive,  appears  to 
be  against  that  Command  of  our  blessed  Saviour,  Lay  not 
up  for  yourselves  Treasures  here  on  Earth,  Mat.  vi.  19. 

He  forbids  not  laying  up  in  the  Summer  against  the 
Wants  of  Winter;  nor  doth  he  teach  us  to  be  slothful 
in  that  which  properly  relates  to  our  being  in  this  World ; 
but  in  this  Prohibition  he  puts  in  yourselves,  Lay  not  up 
for  yourselves  Treasures  here  on  Earth. 

Now  in  the  pure  Light,  this  Language  is  understood, 
for  in  the  Love  of  Christ  there  is  no  Respect  of  Persons; 
and  while  we  abide  in  his  Love,  we  live  not  to  ourselves, 
but  to  him  who  died  for  us.  And  as  we  are  thus  united 
in  Spirit  to  Christ,  we  are  engag(3d  to  labour  in  promoting 
that  Work  in  the  Earth  for  which  he  suffer'd. 

In  this  State  of  Mind  our  Desires  are,  that  every  honest 
Member  in  Society  may  have  a  Portion  of  Treasure,  and 
Share  of  Trust,  answerable  to  that  Gift,  with  which  our 
Heavenly  Father  hath  gifted  us. 

In  great  Treasure,  there  is  a  great  Trust.  A  great 
Trust  require th  great  Care.  But  the  laborious  Mind 
wants  Rest. 

A  pious  Man  is  content  to  do  a  Share  of  Business  in 
Society,  answerable  to  the  Gifts  with  which  he  is  endowed, 
while  the  Channels  of  Business  are  free  from  Unrighteous- 
ness, but  is  careful  lest  at  any  Time  his  Heart  be  over- 
charg'd. 


John  Woolman's  Writings       223 

In  the  harmonious  Spirit  of  Society  Christ  is  all  in  all, 
Col.  iii.  II. 

Here  it  is  that  old  Things  are  past  away,  all  Things  are 
new,  all  Things  are  of  God,  2  Cor.  v.  17,  18,  and  the  Desire 
for  outward  Riches  is  at  an  End. 

They  of  low  Degree  who  have  small  Gifts,  enjoy  their 
Help  who  have  large  Gifts ;  those  with  their  small  Gifts, 
have  a  small  degree  of  Care,  while  these  with  their  large 
Gifts,  have  a  large  degree  of  Care:  And  thus  to  abide  in 
the  Love  of  Christ,  and  enjoy  a  comfortable  Living  in  this 
World  is  all  that  is  aimed  at  by  those  Members  in  Society, 
to  whom  Christ  is  made  Wisdom  and  Righteousness. 

But  when  they  who  have  much  Treasure,  are  not 
faithful  Stewards  of  the  Gifts  of  God,  great  Difficulties 
attend  it. 

Now  this  Matter  hath  deeply  affected  my  Mind.  The 
Lord,  through  merciful  Chastisements,  hath  given  me  a 
Feeling  of  that  Love,  in  which  the  Harmony  of  Society 
standeth,  and  a  Sight  of  the  Growth  of  that  Seed  which 
bringeth  forth  Wars  and  great  Calamities  in  the  World, 
and  a  Labour  attends  me  to  open  it  to  others. 

Now  to  act  with  Integrity,  according  to  that  Strength 
of  Mind  and  Body  with  which  our  Creator  hath  endowed 
each  of  us,  appears  necessary  for  all,  and  he  who  thus 
stands  in  the  lowest  Station,  appears  to  be  entitled  to  as 
comfortable  and  convenient  a  Living,  as  he  whose  Gifts 
of  Mind  are  greater,  and  whose  Cares  are  more  extensive. 

If  some  endowed  with  strong  Understandings  as  Men, 
abide  not  in  the  harmonious  State,  in  which  we  love  our 
Neighbours  as  ourselves,  but  walk  in  that  Spirit  in  which 
the  Children  of  this  World  are  wise  in  their  Generation; 
these  by  the  Strength  of  Contrivance  may  sometimes 
gather  great  Treasure,  but  the  Wisdom  of  this  World  is 
Foolishness  with  God;  and  if  we  gather  Treasures  in 
Worldly  Wisdom,  we  lay  up  Treasures  for  ourselves  ;  and 
great  Treasures  managed  in  any  other  Spirit,  than  the 
Spirit  of  Truth,  disordereth  the  Affairs  of  Society,  for 
hereby  the  good  Gifts  of  God  in  this  outward  Creation 
are  turned  into  the  Channels  of  Worldly  Honour,  and 
frequently  applied  to  support  Luxury,  while  the  Wages 


2  24       John  Woolman's  Writings 

of;  poor  Labourers  are  such,  that  with  moderate  Industry 
and  Frugality  they  may  not  live  comfortably,  raise  up 
Families,  and  give  them  suitable  Education,  but  through 
the  Streightness  of  their  Condition,  are  often  drawn  on 
to  labour  under  Weariness,  to  toil  through  Hardships 
themselves,  and  frequently  to  oppress  those  useful 
Animals  with  which  we  are  intrusted. 

From  Age  to  Age,  throughout  all  Ages,  Divine  Love  is 
that  alone,  in  which  Dominion  has  been,  is,  and  will  be 
rightly  conducted. 

In  this  the  Endowments  of  Men  are  so  employed,  that 
the  Friend  and  the  Governor  are  united  in  one,  and 
oppressive  Customs  come  to  an  End. 

Riches  in  the  Hands  of  Individuals  in  Society,  is 
attended  with  some  degree  of  Power;  and  so  far  as 
Power  is  put  forth  separate  from  pure  Love,  so  far  the 
Government  of  the  Prince  of  Peace  is  interrupted;  and 
as  we  know  not  that  our  Children  after  us  will  dwell  in 
that  State  in  which  Power  is  rightly  applied,  to  lay  up 
Riches  for  them  appears  to  be  against  the  Nature  of  his 
Government. 

The  Earth,  through  the  Labour  of  Men  under  the 
Blessing  of  him  who  formed  it,  yieldeth  a  Supply  for  the 
Inhabitants  from  Generation  to  Generation,  and  they 
who  walk  in  the  pure  Light,  their  Minds  are  prepared 
to  taste  and  relish  not  only  those  Blessings  which  are 
spiritual,  but  also  feel  a  Sweetness  and  Satisfaction  in  a 
right  Use  of  the  good  Gifts  of  God  in  the  visible  Creation. 

Here  we  see  that  Man's  Happiness  stands  not  in  great 
Possessions,  but  in  a  Heart  devoted  to  follow  Christ,  in 
that  Use  of  Things,  where  Customs  contrary  to  universal 
Love  have  no  Power  over  us. 

In  this  State  our  Hearts  are  prepared  to  trust  in  God, 
and  our  Desires  for  our  Children  and  Posterity  are,  that 
they,  with  the  rest  of  Mankind,  in  Ages  to  come,  may 
be  of  that  Number,  of  whom  he  hath  said,  /  will  be  a 
Father  to  them,  and  they  shall  be  my  Sons  and  Daughters, 
2  Cor.  vi.  i8. 

When  Wages  in  a  fruitful  Land  bear  so  small  a  Pro- 
portion to  the  Necessaries  of  Life,  that  poor  honest  People 


John  Woolman's  Writings       225 

who  have  Families  cannot  by  a  moderate  Industry  attain 
to  a  comfortable  Living,  and  give  their  Children  sufficient 
Learning,  but  must  either  labour  to  a  degree  of  Oppres- 
sion, or  else  omit  that  which  appears  to  be  a  Duty. 

While  this  is  the  Case  with  the  Poor,  there  is  an  Inclina- 
tion in  the  Minds  of  most  People,  to  prepare  at  least  so 
much  Treasure  for  their  Children,  that  they  with  Care 
and  moderate  Industry  may  live  free  from  these  Hard- 
ships which  the  Poor  pass  through. 

Now  this  Subject  requireth  our  serious  Consideration: 
To  labour  that  our  Children  may  be  put  in  a  Way  to  live 
comfortably,  appears  in  itself  to  be  a  Duty,  so  long  as 
these  our  Labours  are  consistent  with  universal  Righteous- 
ness; but  if  in  striving  to  shun  Poverty,  we  do  not  walk 
in  that  State  where  Christ  is  our  Life,  then  we  wander; 
He  that  hath  the  Son,  hath  Life,  i  John  v.  12.  This  Life 
is  the  Light  of  Men,  i  John  i.  4.  If  we  walk  not  in  this 
Light,  we  walk  in  Darkness,  and  he  that  walketh  in  Dark- 
ness, knoweth  not  whither  he  goeth,  John  xii.  35. 

To  keep  to  right  Means  in  labouring  to  attain  a  right 
End  is  necessary:  If  in  striving  to  shun  Poverty,  we 
strive  only  in  that  State  where  Christ  is  the  Light  of  our 
Life,  our  Labours  will  stand  in  the  true  Harmony  of 
Society;  but  if  People  are  confident  that  the  End  aimed 
at  is  good,  and  in  this  Confidence  pursue  it  so  eagerly,  as 
not  to  wait  for  the  Spirit  of  Truth  to  lead  them,  then 
they  come  to  Loss.  Christ  is  given  to  be  a  Leader  and 
Commander  of  the  People,  Isaiah  Iv.  4.  Again;  The  Lord 
shall  guide  thee  continually,  Isaiah  Iviii.  12.  Again;  Lord, 
thou  wilt  ordain  Peace  for  us,  for  thou  also  hast  wrought 
all  our  Works  in  us,  Isaiah  xxvi.  12. 

In  the  Lord  have  we  Righteousness  and  Strength,  Isaiah 
xlv.  24. 

In  this  State  our  Minds  are  preserved  watchful  in 
following  the  Leadings  of  his  Spirit  in  all  our  Proceedings 
in  this  World,  and  a  Care  is  felt  for  a  Reformation  in 
general.  That  our  own  Posterity,  with  the  rest  of  Man- 
kind in  succeeding  Ages,  may  not  be  entangled  by  oppres- 
sive Customs,  transmitted  to  them  through  our  Hands; 
but  if  People  in  the  Narrowness  of  natural  Love,  are 


2  26       John  Woolman's  Writings 

afraid  that  their  Children  will  be  oppressed  by  the  Rich, 
and  through  an  eager  Desire  to  get  Treasures,  depart 
from  the  pure  Leadings  of  Truth  in  one  Case,  though  it 
may  seem  to  be  a  small  Matter,  yet  the  Mind  even  in 
that  small  Matter  may  be  embolden'd  to  continue  in  a 
Way  of  Proceeding,  without  waiting  for  the  Divine 
Leader. 

Thus  People  may  grow  expert  in  Business,  wise  in  the 
Wisdom  of  this  World,  retain  a  fair  Reputation  amongst 
Men,  and  yet  being  Strangers  to  the  Voice  of  Christ,  the 
safe  Leader  of  his  Flock,  the  Treasures  thus  gotten,  may 
be  like  Snares  to  the  Feet  of  their  Posterity. 

Now  to  keep  faithful  to  the  pure  Counsellor,  and  under 
trying  Circumstances  suffer  Adversity  for  Righteousness 
Sake,  in  this  there  is  a  Reward. 

If  we,  being  poor,  are  hardly  dealt  with  by  those  who 
are  rich,  and  under  this  Difficulty  are  frugal  and  in- 
dustrious, and  in  true  Humility  open  our  Case  to  them 
who  oppress  us,  this  may  reach  the  pure  Witness  in  their 
Minds;  and  though  we  should  remain  under  Difficulties 
as  to  the  outward,  yet  if  we  abide  in  the  Love  of  Christ, 
all  will  work  for  our  Good. 

When  we  feel  what  it  is  to  suffer  in  the  true  suffering 
State,  then  we  experience  the  Truth  of  those  Expressions, 
that,  as  the  Sufferings  of  Christ  abound  in  us,  so  our  Con- 
solation aboundeth  by  Christ,  2  Cor.  i.  5. 

But  if  poor  People  who  are  hardly  dealt  with,  do  not 
attain  to  the  true  suffering  State,  do  not  labour  in  true 
Love  with  those  who  deal  hardly  with  them,  but  envy 
their  outward  Greatness,  murmur  in  their  Hearts  because 
of  their  own  Poverty,  and  strive  in  the  Wisdom  of  this 
World  to  get  Riches  for  themselves  and  their  Children; 
this  is  like  wandering  in  the  Dark. 

If  we  who  are  of  a  middle  Station  between  Riches  and 
Poverty,  are  affected  at  Times  with  the  Oppressions  of  the 
Poor,  and  feel  a  tender  Regard  for  our  Posterity  after  us, 
0  how  necessary  is  it  that  we  wait  for  the  pure  Counsel 
of  Truth! 

Many  have  seen  the  Hardships  of  the  Poor,  felt  an  eager 
Desire  that  their  Children  may  be  put  in  a  Way  to  escape 


John  Woolman's  Writings       227 

these  Hardships;  but  how  few  have  continued  in  that 
pure  Love  which  openeth  our  Understandings  to  proceed 
rightly  under  these  Difficulties ! 

How  few  have  faithfully  followed  that  Holy  Leader 
who  prepares  his  People  to  labour  for  the  Restoration  of 
true  Harmony  amongst  our  Fellow  Creatures! 

In  the  pure  Gospel  Spirit  we  walk  by  Faith  and  not  by 
Sight,  2  Cor.  V.  7. 

In  the  Obedience  of  Faith  we  die  to  the  Narrowness  of 
Self-love,  and  our  Life  being  hid  with  Christ  in  God,  our 
Hearts  are  enlarg'd  toward  Mankind  universally;  but 
in  departing  from  the  true  Light  of  Life,  many  in  striving 
to  get  Treasures  have  stumbled  upon  the  dark  Mountains. 

Now  that  Purity  of  Life  which  proceeds  from  Faithful- 
ness in  following  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  that  State  where 
our  Minds  are  devoted  to  serve  God,  and  all  our  Wants 
are  bounded  by  his  Wisdom,  this  Habitation  has  often 
been  open'd  before  me  as  a  Place  of  Retirement  for  the 
Children  of  the  Light,  where  we  may  stand  separated 
from  that  which  disordereth  and  confuseth  the  Affairs 
of  Society,  and  where  we  may  have  a  Testimony  of  our 
Innocence  in  the  Hearts  of  those  who  behold  us. 

Through  departing  from  the  Truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus, 
through  introducing  Ways  of  Life  attended  with  un- 
necessary Expences,  many  Wants  have  arisen,  the  Minds 
of  People  have  been  employ'd  in  studying  to  get  Wealth, 
and  in  this  Pursuit  some  departing  from  Equity,  have 
retain'd  a  Profession  of  Religion;  others  have  look'd  at 
their  Example,  and  thereby  been  strengthened  to  proceed 
further  in  the  same  Way:  Thus  many  have  encourag'd 
the  Trade  of  taking  Men  from  Africa,  and  selling  them  as 
Slaves. 

It  hath  been  computed  that  near  One  Hundred  Thousand 
Negroes  have  of  late  Years  been  taken  annually  from  that 
Coast,  by  Ships  employed  in  the  English  Trade. 

As  I  have  travell'd  on  religious  Visits  in  some  Parts  of 
America,  I  have  seen  many  of  these  People  under  the 
Command  of  Overseers,  in  a  painful  Servitude. 

I  have  beheld  them  as  Gentiles  under  People  professing 
Christianity,  not  only  kept  ignorant  of  the  Holy  Scriptures, 


2  28       John  Woolman's  Writings 

but  under  great  Provocations  to  Wrath;  of  whom  it  may 
truly  be  said,  They  that  rule  over  them  make  them  to  howl, 
and  the  Holy  Name  is  abundantly  blasphemed,  Isaiah  Hi.  5. 

Where  Children  are  taught  to  read  the  Sacred  Writings, 
while  young,  and  exampled  in  Meekness  and  Humility, 
it  is  often  helpful  to  them;  nor  is  this  any  more  than  a 
Debt  due  from  us  to  a  succeeding  Age. 

But  where  Youth  are  pinched  for  want  of  the  Neces- 
saries of  Life,  forced  to  labour  hard  under  the  harsh 
Rebukes  of  rigorous  Overseers,  and  many  Times  endure 
unmerciful  Whippings :  In  such  an  Education,  how  great 
are  the  Disadvantages  they  lie  under!  And  how  forcibly 
do  these  Things  work  against  the  Increase  of  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  Prince  of  Peace ! 

Humphrey  Smith,  in  his  Works,  p.  125,  speaking  of  the 
tender  Feelings  of  the  Love  of  God  in  his  Heart  when  he 
was  a  Child,  said,  "  By  the  violent  wrathful  Nature  that 
ruled  in  others,  was  my  Quietness  disturbed,  and  Anger 
begotten  in  me  toward  them,  yet  that  of  God  in  me  was 
not  wholly  overcome,  but  his  Love  was  felt  in  my  Heart, 
and  great  was  my  Grief  when  the  Earthly-mindedness 
and  wrathful  Nature  so  provoked  me,  that  I  was  estranged 
from  it. 

"  And  this  I  write  as  a  Warning  to  Parents  and  others, 
that  in  the  Fear  of  the  living  God,  you  may  train  up  the 
Youth,  and  may  not  be  a  Means  of  bringing  them  into 
such  Alienation." 

Many  are  the  Vanities  and  Luxuries  of  the  present  Age, 
and  in  labouring  to  support  a  Way  of  living  conformable 
to  the  present  World,  the  Departure  from  that  Wisdom 
that  is  pure  and  peaceable  hath  been  great. 

Under  the  Sense  of  a  deep  Revolt,  and  an  overflowing 
Stream  of  Unrighteousness,  my  Life  has  been  often  a 
Life  of  Mourning,  and  tender  Desires  are  raised  in  me, 
that  the  Nature  of  this  Practice  may  be  laid  to  Heart. 

I  have  read  some  Books  wrote  by  People  who  were 
acquainted  with  the  Manner  of  getting  Slaves  in  Africa. 

I  have  had  verbal  Relations  of  this  Nature  from  several 
Negroes  brought  from  Africa,  who  have  learn'd  to  talk 
English. 


John  Woolman's  Writings       229 

I  have  sundry  Times  heard  Englishmen  speak  on  this 
Subject,  who  have  been  at  Africa  on  this  Business;  and 
from  all  these  Accounts  it  appears  evident  that  great 
Violence  is  committed,  and  much  Blood  shed  in  Africa 
in  getting  Slaves. 

When  three  or  four  Hundred  Slaves  are  put  in  the 
Hold  of  a  Vessel  in  a  hot  Climate,  their  Breathing  soon 
affects  the  Air.  Were  that  Number  of  free  People  to  go 
Passengers  with  all  Things  proper  for  their  Voyage,  there 
would  Inconvenience  arise  from  their  Number;  but  Slaves 
are  taken  by  Violence,  and  frequently  endeavour  to  kill 
the  white  People,  that  they  may  return  to  their  Native 
Land.  Hence  they  are  frequently  kept  under  some  Sort 
of  Confinement,  by  Means  of  which  a  Scent  ariseth  in  the 
Hold  of  a  Ship,  and  Distempers  often  break  out  amongst 
them,  of  which  many  die.  Of  this  tainted  Air  in  the 
Hold  of  Ships  freighted  with  Slaves,  I  have  had  several 
Accounts,  some  in  Print,  and  some  verbal,  and  all  agree 
that  the  Scent  is  grievous.  When  these  People  are  sold 
in  America,  and  in  the  Islands,  they  are  made  to  labour  in 
a  Manner  more  servile  and  constant,  than  that  which 
they  were  used  to  at  Home,  that  with  Grief,  with  different 
Diet  from  what  has  been  common  with  them,  and  with 
hard  Labour,  some  Thousands  are  computed  to  die  every 
Year,  in  what  is  called  the  Seasoning. 

Thus  it  appears  evident,  that  great  Numbers  of  these 
People  are  brought  every  Year  to  an  untimely  End; 
many  of  them  being  such  who  never  injured  us« 

Wlien  the  Innocent  suffer  under  hard-hearted  Men, 
even  unto  Death,  and  the  Channels  of  Equity  are  so 
obstructed,  that  the  Cause  of  the  Sufferers  is  not  judged 
in  Righteousness,  the  Land  is  polluted  with  Blood,  Numb. 
XXXV.  33. 

When  Blood  hath  been  shed  unrighteously,  and  remains 
unattoned  for,  the  Cry  thereof  is  very  piercing. 

Under  the  humbling  Dispensations  of  Divine  Pro- 
vidence, this  Cry  hath  deeply  affected  my  Heart,  and  I 
feel  a  Concern  to  open,  as  I  may  be  enabled,  that  which 
lieth  heavy  on  my  Mind. 

When  the  Iniquity  of  the  House  of  Israel  and  of  Judah 


230       John  Woolman's  Writings 

was  exceeding  great,  when  the  Land  was  defiled  with  Blood, 
and  the  City  full  of  Perverseness,  Ezek.  ix.  9.  some  were 
found  sighing  and  crying  for  the  Abominations  of  the  Times, 
Ezek.  ix.  4.  and  such  who  live  under  a  right  Feeling  of 
our  Condition  as  a  Nation^  these  I  trust  will  be  sensible 
that  the  Lord  at  this  Day  doth  call  to  Mourning,  though 
many  are  ignorant  of  it.  So  powerful  are  bad  Customs 
when  they  become  general,  that  People  growing  bold 
thro'  the  Examples  one  of  another,  have  often  been 
unmoved  at  the  most  serious  Warnings. 

Our  blessed  Saviour  speaking  of  the  People  of  the  old 
World,  said,  They  eat,  they  drank,  they  married,  and  were 
given  in  Marriage,  until  the  Day  that  Noah  went  into  the 
Ark,  and  the  Flood  came  and  destroyed  them  all,  Luke 
xvii.  27. 

The  like  he  spake  concerning  the  People  of  Sodom,  who 
are  also  represented  by  the  Prophet  as  haughty,  luxurious, 
and  oppressive;  This  was  the  Sin  of  Sodom,  Pride,  Fulness 
of  Bread,  and  Abundance  of  Idleness  was  found  in  her, 
and  in  her  Daughters  ;  neither  did  she  strengthen  the  Hands 
of  the  Poor  and  Needy,  Ezek.  xvi.  49. 

Now  in  a  Revolt  so  deep  as  this,  when  much  Blood 
has  been  shed  unrighteously,  in  carrying  on  the  Slave 
Trade,  and  in  supporting  the  Practice  of  keeping  Slaves, 
which  at  this  Day  is  unattoned  for,  and  crieth  from  the 
Earth,  and  from  the  Seas  against  the  Oppressor ! 

While  this  Practice  is  continued,  and  under  a  great 
Load  of  Guilt  there  is  more  Unrighteousness  committed, 
the  State  of  Things  is  very  moving ! 

There  is  a  Love  which  stands  in  Nature,  and  a  Parent 
beholding  his  Child  in  Misery,  hath  a  Feeling  of  the 
Affliction;  but  in  Divine  Love  the  Heart  is  enlarged 
towards  Mankind  universally,  and  prepar'd  to  sym- 
pathize with  Strangers,  though  in  the  lowest  Station  in 
Life. 

Of  this  the  Prophet  appears  to  have  had  a  Feeling, 
when  he  said.  Have  we  not  all  one  Father  ?  Hath  not  one 
God  created  us  ?  Why  then  do  we  deal  treacherously  every 
Man  with  his  Brother,  in  prophaning  the  Covenant  of  our 
Fathers  ?  Mai.  ii.  10. 


John  Woolman's  Writings       231 

He  who  of  old  heard  the  Groans  of  the  Children  of 
Israel  under  the  hard  Task-masters  in  Egypt,  I  trust  hath 
looked  down  from  his  Holy  Habitation  on  the  Miseries 
of  these  deeply  oppress'd  People.  Many  Lives  have 
been  shorten' d  through  extreme  Oppression  while  they 
labour'd  to  support  Luxury  and  Worldly  Greatness; 
and  tho'  many  People  in  outward  Prosperity  may 
think  little  of  those  Things,  yet  the  gracious  Creator 
hath  Regard  to  the  Cries  of  the  Innocent,  however  un- 
noticed by  Men. 

The  Lord  in  the  Riches  of  his  Goodness  is  leading  some 
into  the  Feeling  of  the  Condition  of  this  People,  who 
cannot  rest  without  labouring  as  their  Advocate;  of 
which  in  some  Measure  I  have  had  Experience,  for,  in 
the  Movings  of  his  Love  in  my  Heart,  these  poor  Sufferers 
have  been  brought  near  to  me. 

The  unoffending  Aged  and  Infirm  made  to  labour  too 
hard,  kept  on  a  Diet  less  comfortable  than  their  weak 
State  required,  and  exposed  to  great  Difficulties  under 
hard-hearted  Men,  to  whose  Sufferings  I  have  often  been 
a  Witness,  and  under  the  Heart-melting  Power  of  Divine 
Love,  their  Misery  hath  felt  to  me  like  the  Misery  of  my 
Parents. 

Innocent  Youth  taken  by  Violence  from  their  Native 
Land,  from  their  Friends  and  Acquaintance;  put  on 
board  Ships  with  Hearts  laden  with  Sorrow;  exposed 
to  great  Hardships  at  Sea;  placed  under  People,  where 
their  Lives  have  been  attended  with  great  Provocation  to 
Anger  and  Revenge. 

With  the  Condition  of  these  Youth,  my  Mind  hath 
often  been  affected,  as  with  the  Afflictions  of  my  Children, 
and  in  a  Feeling  of  the  Misery  of  these  People,  and  of 
that  great  Offence  which  is  minister'd  to  them,  my  Tears 
have  been  often  poured  out  before  the  Lord. 

That  Holy  Spirit  which  affected  my  Heart  when  I  was 
a  Youth,  I  trust  is  often  felt  by  the  Negroes  in  their  Native 
Land,  inclining  their  Minds  to  that  which  is  righteous,  and 
had  the  professed  Followers  of  Christ  in  all  their  Conduct 
towards  them,  manifested  a  Disposition  answerable  to  the 
pure  Principle  in  their  Hearts,  how  might  the  Holy  Name 


232       John  Woolman's  Writings 

have  been  honoured  amongst  the  Gentiles,  and  how  might 
we  have  rejoiced  in  the  fulfilling  of  that  Prophecy,  I  the 
Lord  love  Judgment,  I  hate  Robbery  for  Burnt-offerings, 
and  I  will  direct  their  Work  in  Truth,  and  make  an  ever- 
lasting Covenant  with  them.  Their  Seed  shall  be  known 
amongst  the  Gentiles,  and  their  Offspring  amongst  the  People  : 
All  that  see  them  shall  acknowledge  them,  that  they  are  the 
Seed  which  the  Lord  hath  blessed,  Isaiah  Ixi.  8,  9. 

But  in  the  present  State  of  Things,  how  contrary  is 
this  Practice  to  that  meek  Spirit,  in  which  our  Saviour 
laid  down  his  Life  for  us,  that  all  the  Ends  of  the  Earth 
might  know  Salvation  in  his  Name ! 

How  are  the  Sufferings  of  our  blessed  Redeemer  set  at 
nought,  and  his  Name  blasphemed  amongst  the  Gentiles, 
through  the  unrighteous  Proceedings  of  his  profess'd 
Followers ! 

My  Mind  hath  often  been  affected,  even  from  the  Days 
of  my  Youth,  under  a  Sense  of  that  marvellous  Work, 
for  which  God,  in  infinite  Goodness,  sent  his  Son  into  the 
World. 

The  opening  of  that  Spring  of  living  Waters,  which  the 
true  Believers  in  Christ  experience,  by  which  they  are 
redeemed  from  Pride  and  Covetousness,  and  brought 
into  a  State  of  Meekness,  where  their  Hearts  are  enlarged 
in  true  Love  toward  their  Fellow  Creatures  universally; 
this  Work  to  me  has  been  precious,  and  the  Spreading 
the  Knowledge  of  the  Truth  amongst  the  Gentiles  been 
very  desirable.  And  the  professed  Followers  of  Christ 
joining  in  Customs  evidently  unrighteous,  which  mani- 
festly tend  to  stir  up  Wrath,  and  increase  Wars  and 
Desolations,  hath  often  covered  my  Mind  with  Sorrow. 

If  we  bring  this  Matter  home,  and  as  Job  proposed  to 
his  Friends,  Put  our  Soul  in  their  Soul's  stead,  Job  xvi.  4. 

If  we  consider  ourselves  and  our  Children  as  exposed 
to  the  Hardships  which  these  People  lie  under  in  support- 
ing an  imaginary  Greatness. 

Did  we  in  such  Case  behold  an  Increase  of  Luxury  and 
Superfluity  amongst  our  Oppressors,  and  therewith  felt 
an  Increase  of  the  Weight  of  our  Burdens,  and  expected 
our  Posterity  to  groan  under  Oppression  after  us. 


John  Woolman's  Writings       233 

Under  all  this  Misery,  had  we  none  to  plead  our  Cause, 
nor  any  Hope  of  Relief  from  Man,  how  would  our  Cries 
ascend  to  the  God  of  the  Spirits  of  all  Flesh,  who  judgeth 
the  World  in  Righteousness,  and  in  his  own  Time  is  a 
Refuge  for  the  Oppressed! 

If  they  who  thus  afflicted  us,  continued  to  lay  Claim 
to  Religion,  and  were  assisted  in  their  Business  by  others, 
esteemed  pious  People,  who  through  a  Friendship  with 
them  strengthened  their  Hands  in  Tyranny. 

In  such  a  State,  when  we  were  Hunger-bitten,  and  could 
not  have  sufficient  Nourishment  but  saw  them  in  fulness 
pleasing  their  Taste  with  Things  fetched  from  far: 

When  we  were  wearied  with  Labour,  denied  the  Liberty 
to  rest,  and  saw  them  spending  their  Time  at  Ease: 
When  Garments  answerable  to  our  Necessities  were 
denied  us,  while  we  saw  them  cloathed  in  that  which  was 
costly  and  delicate: 

Under  such  Affliction,  how  would  these  painful  Feelings 
rise  up  as  Witnesses  against  their  pretended  Devotion! 
And  if  the  Name  of  their  Religion  was  mention'd  in  our 
Hearing,  how  would  it  sound  in  our  Ears  like  a  Word 
which  signified  Self-exaltation,  and  Hardness  of  Heart! 

When  a  Trade  is  carried  on,  productive  of  much  Misery, 
and  they  who  suffer  by  it  are  some  Thousands  Miles  off, 
the  Danger  is  the  greater,  of  not  laying  their  Sufferings 
to  Heart. 

In  procuring  Slaves  on  the  Coast  of  Africa,  many 
Children  are  stolen  privately;  Wars  also  are  encouraged 
amongst  the  Negroes,  but  all  is  at  a  great  Distance. 

Many  Groans  arise  from  dying  Men,  which  we  hear  not. 

Many  Cries  are  uttered  by  Widows  and  Fatherless 
Children,  which  reach  not  our  Ears. 

Many  Cheeks  are  wet  with  Tears,  and  Faces  sad  with 
unutterable  Grief,  which  we  see  not. 

Cruel  Tyranny  is  encouraged.  The  Hands  of  Robbers 
are  strengthened,  and  Thousands  reduced  to  the  most 
abject  Slavery,  who  never  injured  us. 

Were  we  for  the  Term  of  one  Year  only  to  be  an  Eye- 
witness to  what  passeth  in  getting  these  Slaves : 

Was  the  Blood  which  is  there  shed  to  be  sprinkled  on 
our  Garments: 


2  34       John  Woolman's  Writings 

Were  the  poor  Captives  bound  with  Thongs,  heavy 
laden  with  Elephants  Teeth,  to  pass  before  our  Eyes  on 
their  Way  to  the  Sea: 

Were  their  bitter  Lamentations  Day  after  Day  to  ring 
in  our  Ears,  and  their  mournful  Cries  in  the  Night  to 
hinder  us  from  Sleeping : 

Were  we  to  hear  the  Sound  of  the  Tumult  when  the 
Slaves  on  board  the  Ships  attempt  to  kill  the  English, 
and  behold  the  Issue  of  those  bloody  Conflicts  : 

What  pious  Man  could  be  a  Witness  to  these  Things, 
and  see  a  Trade  carried  on  in  this  Manner,  without  being 
deeply  affected  with  Sorrow? 

Through  abiding  in  the  Love  of  Christ  we  feel  a  Tender- 
ness in  our  Hearts  toward  our  Fellow  Creatures,  en- 
tangled in  oppressive  Customs ;  and  a  Concern  so  to  walk, 
that  our  Conduct  may  not  be  a  Means  of  strength'ning 
them  in  Error. 

It  was  the  Command  of  the  Lord  through  Moses,  Thou 
shall  not  suffer  Sin  upon  thy  Brother :  Thou  shall  in  any- 
wise rebuke  thy  Brother,  and  shall  not  suffer  Sin  upon  him, 
Lev.  xix.  17. 

Again;  Keep  far  from  a  false  Matter  ;  and  the  Innocent 
and  Righteous  slay  thou  not,  Exod.  xxiii.  7. 

The  Prophet  Isaiah  mentions  Oppression  as  that  which 
the  true  Church  in  Time  of  outward  Quiet  should  not  only 
be  clear  of,  but  should  be  far  from  it ;  Thou  shall  he  far 
from  Oppression,  Isaiah  liv.  14.  Now  these  Words,  far 
from,  appear  to  have  an  extensive  Meaning,  and  to 
convey  Instruction  in  regard  to  that  of  which  Solomon 
speaks.  Though  Hand  join  in  Kand,  the  Wicked  shall  not 
go  unpunished.  Pro  v.  xvi.  5. 

It  was  a  Complaint  against  one  of  old.  When  thou  sawest 
a  Thief,  thou  consentedst  with  him,  Psal.  1.  18. 

The  Prophet  Jeremiah  represents  the  Degrees  of  Pre- 
paration toward  Idolatrous  Sacrifice,  in  the  Similitude  of 
a  Work  carried  on  by  Children,  Men,  and  Women:  The 
Children  gather  Wood,  the  Fathers  kindle  the  Fire,  and  the 
Women  knead  the  Dough  to  bake  Cakes  for  the  Queen  of 
Heaven,  Jer.  vii.  18. 

It  was  a  complaint  of  the  Lord  against  Israel,  through 


John  Woolman's  Writings       235 

his  Prophet  Ezekiel,  that  they  strengthen'd  the  Hands  of 
the  Wicked,  and  made  the  Hearts  of  the  Righteous  sad, 
Ezek.  xiii.  12. 

Some  Works  of  Iniquity  carried  on  by  the  People  were 
represented  by  the  Prophet  Hosea,  in  the  Similitude  of 
Ploughing,  Reaping,  and  eating  the  Fruit;  You  have 
ploughed  Wickedness,  reaped  Iniquity,  eaten  the  Fruit  of 
Lying,  because  thou  didst  trust  in  thy  own  Way,  to  the 
Multitude  of  thy  mighty  Men,  Hosea  x.  13. 

I  have  felt  great  Distress  of  Mind  since  I  came  on  this 
Island,  on  Account  of  the  Members  of  our  Society  being 
mixed  with  the  World  in  various  Sorts  of  Business  and 
Traffick,  carried  on  in  impure  Channels,  Great  is  the 
Trade  to  Africa  for  Slaves;  and  in  loading  these  Ships 
abundance  of  People  are  employ'd  in  the  Manufactories. 

Friends  in  early  Time  refused,  on  a  religious  Principle, 
to  make  or  trade  in  Superfluities,  of  which  we  have  many 
large  Testimonies  on  Record,  but  for  want  of  Faithfulness 
some  gave  way,  even  some  whose  Examples  were  of  Note 
in  Society,  and  from  thence  others  took  more  Liberty: 
Members  of  our  Society  worked  in  Superfluities,  and 
bought  and  sold  them,  and  thus  Dimness  of  Sight  came 
over  many.  At  length,  Friends  got  into  the  Use  of 
some  Superfluities  in  Dress,  and  in  the  Furniture  of  their 
Houses,  and  this  hath  spread  from  less  to  more,  till 
Superfluity  of  some  Kind  is  common  amongst  us. 

In  this  declining  State  many  look  at  the  Example  one 
of  another,  and  too  much  neglect  the  pure  Feeling  of 
Truth.  Of  late  Years  a  deep  Exercise  hath  attended 
my  Mind,  that  Friends  may  dig  deep,  may  carefully  cast 
forth  the  loose  Matter,  and  get  down  to  the  Rock,  the 
sure  Foundation,  and  there  hearken  to  that  Divine  Voice 
which  gives  a  clear  and  certain  Sound. 

And  I  have  felt  in  that  which  doth  not  deceive,  that  if 
Friends  who  have  known  the  Truth,  keep  in  that  Tender- 
ness of  Heart,  where  all  Views  of  outward  Gain  are  given 
up,  and  their  Trust  is  only  on  the  Lord,  he  will  graciously 
lead  some  to  be  Patterns  of  deep  Self-denial,  in  Things 
relating  to  Trade,  and  handicraft  Labour;  and  that  some 
who  have  Plenty  of  the  Treasures  of  this  World,  will 
R  402 


236       John  Woolman's  Writings 

example  in  a  plain  frugal  Life,  and  pay  Wages  to  such 
whom  they  may  hire,  more  liberally  than  is  now  customary 
in  some  Places. 

The  Prophet,  speaking  of  the  true  Church,  said,  Thy 
People  also  shall  be  all  righteous. 

Of  the  Depth  of  this  Divine  Work  several  have  spoken. 

John  Gratton,  in  his  Journal,  p.  45,  said,  "  The  Lord  is 
my  Portion,  I  shall  not  want.  He  hath  wrought  all  my 
Works  in  me.     I  am  nothing  but  what  I  am  in  him." 

Gilbert  Latey,  through  the  powerful  Operations  of  the 
Spirit  of  Christ  in  his  Soul,  was  brought  to  that  Depth 
of  Self-denial,  that  he  could  not  join  with  that  proud 
Spirit  in  other  People,  which  inclined  them  to  want 
Vanities  and  Superfluities.  This  Friend  was  often 
amongst  the  chief  Rulers  of  the  Nation  in  Times  of 
Persecution,  and  it  appears  by  the  Testimony  of  Friends, 
that  his  Dwelling  was  so  evidently  in  the  pure  Life  of 
Truth,  that  in  his  Visits  to  those  great  Men,  he  found  a 
Place  in  their  Minds;  and  that  King  James  the  Second, 
in  the  Times  of  his  Troubles,  made  particular  Mention  in 
a  very  respectful  Manner  of  what  Gilbert  once  said  to  him. 

The  said  Gilbert  found  a  Concern  to  write  an  Epistle, 
in  which  are  these  Expressions;  "  Fear  the  Lord,  ye  Men 
of  all  Sorts,  Trades,  and  Callings,  and  leave  off  all  the 
Evil  that  is  in  them,  for  the  Lord  is  grieved  with  all 
the  Evils  used  in  your  Employments  which  you  are 
exercised  in. 

"  It  is  even  a  Grief  to  see  how  you  are  Servants  to  Sin, 
and  Instruments  of  Satan."  See  his  Works,  Page  42,  etc. 
George  Fox,  in  an  Epistle,  writes  thus:  "  Friends,  stand 
in  the  Eternal  Power  of  God,  Witness  against  the  Pomps 
and  Vanities  of  this  World. 

"  Such  Tradesmen  who  stand  as  Witnesses  in  the 
Power  of  God,  cannot  fulfil  the  People's  Minds  in  these 
Vanities,  and  therefore  they  are  offended  at  them. 

"  Let  all  trust  in  the  Lord,  and  wait  patiently  on  him; 
for  when  Trust  first  broke  forth  in  London,  many  Trades- 
men could  not  take  so  much  Money  in  their  Shops  for 
some  Time,  as  would  buy  them  Bread  and  Water,  because 
they  withstood  the  World's  Ways,  Fashions,  and  Customs ; 


John  Woolman's  Writings       237 

yet  by  their  patient  waiting  on  the  Lord  in  their  good 
Life  and  Conversation,  they  answer'd  the  Truth  in 
People's  Hearts,  and  thus  their  Business  increased." 
Book  of  Doctrinals,  Page  824. 

Now  Christ  our  Holy  Leader  graciously  continueth  to 
open  the  Understandings  of  his  People,  and  as  Circum- 
stances alter  from  Age  to  Age,  some  who  are  deeply 
baptized  into  a  Feehng  of  the  State  of  Things,  are  led  by 
his  Holy  Spirit  into  Exercises  in  some  respect  different 
from  those  which  attended  the  Faithful  in  foregoing  Ages, 
and  through  the  Constrainings  of  pure  Love,  are  engaged 
to  open  the  Feelings  they  have  to  others. 

In  faithfully  following  Christ,  the  Heart  is  weaned  from 
the  Desires  of  Riches,  and  we  are  led  into  a  Life  so  plain 
and  simple,  that  a  little  doth  suffice,  and  thus  the  Way 
openeth  to  deny  ourselves,  under  all  the  tempting  Allure- 
ments of  that  Gain,  which  we  know  is  the  Gain  of 
Unrighteousness. 

The  Apostle  speaking  on  this  Subject,  asketh  this 
Question;  What  Fellowship  hath  Righteousness  with  Un- 
righteousness ?  2  Cor.  vi.  14.  And  again  saith.  Have  no 
Fellowship  with  the  unfruitful  Works  of  Darkness,  but 
rather  reprove  them,  Ephes.  v.  11.  Again,  Be  not  Partaker 
of  other  Men's  Sins,  keep  thyself  pure,  i  Tim.  v.  22. 

Where  People  through  the  Power  of  Christ  are  throughly 
settled  in  a  right  Use  of  Things,  freed  from  all  unneces- 
sary Care  and  Expence,  the  Mind  in  this  true  Resigna- 
tion is  at  Liberty  from  the  Bands  of  a  narrow  Self- 
Interest,  to  attend  from  Time  to  Time  on  the  Moving  s 
of  his  Spirit  upon  us,  though  he  leads  into  that  through 
which  our  Faith  is  closely  tried. 

The  Language  of  Christ  is  pure,  and  to  the  Pure  in 
Heart  this  pure  Language  is  intelligible;  but  in  the  Love 
of  Money,  the  Mind  being  intent  on  Gain,  is  too  full  of 
human  Contrivance  to  attend  to  it. 

It  appeareth  evident,  that  some  Channels  of  Trade  are 
defiled  with  Unrighteousness,  that  the  Minds  of  many  are 
intent  on  getting  Treasures  to  support  a  Life,  in  which 
there  are  many  unnecessary  Expences. 

And  I  feel  a  living  Concern  attend  my  Mind,  that  under 


238       John  Woolman's  Writings 

these  Difficulties  we  may  humbly  follow  our  Heavenly 
Shepherd,  who  graciously  regardeth  his  Flock,  and  is 
willing  and  able  to  supply  us  both  inwardly  and  out- 
wardly with  clean  Provender,  that  hath  been  winnowed 
with  the  Shovel  and  the  Fan,  where  we  may  sow  to  our- 
selves in  Righteousness,  reap  in  Mercy,  Hosea  x.  12.  and  not 
be  defiled  with  the  Works  of  Iniquity. 

Where  Customs  contrary  to  pure  Wisdom  are  trans- 
mitted to  Posterity,  it  appears  to  be  an  Injury  committed 
against  them ;  and  I  often  feel  tender  Compassion  toward 
a  young  Generation,  and  Desires  that  their  Difficulties 
may  not  be  increased  through  Unfaithfulness  in  us  of 
the  present  Age. 


CHAPTER  II 

On  a  Sailor's  LIFE 

In  the  Trade  to  Africa  for  Slaves,  and  in  the  Management 
of  Ships  going  on  these  Voyages,  many  of  our  Lads  and 
young  Men  have  a  considerable  Part  of  their  Education. 

Now  what  pious  Father  beholding  his  Son  placed  in  one 
of  these  Ships,  to  learn  the  Practice  of  a  Mariner,  could 
forbear  mourning  over  him  ? 

Where  Youth  are  exampled  in  Means  of  getting  Money 
so  full  of  Violence,  and  used  to  exercise  such  Cruelties  on 
their  Fellow  Creatures,  the  Disadvantage  to  them  in  their 
Education  is  very  great. 

But  I  feel  it  in  my  Mind  to  write  concerning  the  Sea- 
faring Life  in  general. 

In  the  Trade  carried  on  from  the  West-Indies,  and  from 
some  Part  of  the  Continent,  the  Produce  of  the  Labour  of 
Slaves  is  a  considerable  Part. 

And  Sailors  who  are  frequently  at  Ports  where  Slaves 
abound,  and  converse  often  with  People  who  oppress 
without  the  Appearance  of  Remorse,  and  often  with 
Sailors  employ'd  in  the  Slave  Trade,  how  powerfully  do 
these  evil  Examples  spread  amongst  the  Seafaring  Youth  I 

I  have  had  many  Opportunities  to  feel  and  understand 
the  general  State  of  the  Seafaring  Life  amongst  us,  and 
my  Mind  hath  often  been  sad  on  Accoimt  of  so  many 
Lads  and  young  Men  been  trained  up  amidst  so  great 
Corruption. 

Under  the  humbling  Power  of  Christ  I  have  seen,  that 
if  the  Leadings  of  his  Holy  Spirit  were  faithfully  attended 
to  by  his  professed  Followers  in  general,  the  Heathen 
Nations  would  be  exampled  in  Righteousness.  A  less 
Number  of  People  would  be  employed  on  the  Seas.  The 
Channels  of  Trade  would  be  more  free  from  Defilement. 

239 


240       John  Woolman's  Writings 

Fewer  People  would  be  employed  in  Vanities  and  Super- 
fluities. 

The  Inhabitants  of  Cities  would  be  less  in  Number. 

Those  who  have  much  Lands  would  become  Fathers  to 
the  Poor. 

More  People  would  be  employed  in  the  sweet  Employ- 
ment of  Husbandry,  and  in  the  Path  of  pure  Wisdom, 
Labour  would  be  an  agreeable,  healthful  Employment. 

In  the  Opening  of  these  Things  in  my  Mind,  I  feel  a 
living  Concern  that  we  who  have  felt  Divine  Love  in  our 
Hearts  may  faithfully  abide  in  it,  and  like  good  Soldiers 
endure  Hardness  for  Christ's  Sake. 

He,  our  blessed  Saviour,  exhorting  his  Followers  to 
love  one  another,  adds.  As  I  have  loved  you.     John  xiii.  34. 

He  loved  Lazarus,  yet  in  his  Sickness  did  not  heal  him, 
but  left  him  to  endure  the  Pains  of  Death,  that  in  restoring 
him  to  Life,  the  People  might  be  confirmed  in  the  true 
Faith. 

He  loved  his  Disciples,  but  sent  them  forth  on  a  Message 
attended  with  great  Difficulty,  amongst  Hard-hearted 
People,  some  of  whom  would  think  that  in  killing  them 
they  did  God  Service. 

So  deep  is  Divine  Love,  that  in  stedfastly  abiding  in 
it,  we  are  prepar'd  to  deny  ourselves  of  all  that  Gain 
which  is  contrary  to  pure  Wisdom,  and  to  follow  Christ, 
even  under  Contempt,  and  through  Sufferings. 

While  Friends  were  kept  truly  humble,  and  walked 
according  to  the  Purity  of  our  Principles,  the  Divine 
Witness  in  many  Hearts  was  reached ;  but  when  a  Worldly 
Spirit  got  Entrance,  therewith  came  in  Luxuries  and 
Superfluities,  and  spread  by  little  and  little,  even  among 
the  foremost  Rank  in  Society,  and  from  thence  others 
took  Liberty  in  that  Way  more  abundantly. 

In  the  Continuation  of  these  Things  from  Parents  to 
Children,  there  were  many  Wants  to  supply,  even  Wants 
unknown  to  Friends  while  they  faithfully  followed  Christ. 
And  in  striving  to  supply  these  Wants  many  have  exacted 
on  the  Poor,  many  have  enter'd  on  Employments,  in 
which  they  often  labour  in  upholding  Pride  and  Vanity. 
Many  have  looked  on  one  another,  been  strengthen'd  in 


John  Woolman's  Writings       241 

these  Things,  one  by  the  Example  of  another,  and  as  to 
the  pure  Divine  Seeing,  Dimness  hath  come  over  many, 
and  the  Channels  of  true  Brotherly  Love  been  obstructed. 

People  may  have  no  intention  to  oppress,  yet  by  enter- 
ing on  expensive  Ways  of  Life,  their  Minds  may  be  so 
entangled  therein,  and  so  engag'd  to  support  expensive 
Customs,  as  to  be  estranged  from  the  pure  sympathizing 
Spirit. 

As  I  have  travell'd  in  England,  I  have  had  a  tender 
Feeling  of  the  Condition  of  poor  People,  some  of  whom 
though  honest  and  industrious,  have  nothing  to  spare 
toward  paying  for  the  Schooling  of  their  Children. 

There  is  a  Proportion  between  Labour  and  the  Neces- 
saries of  Life,  and  in  true  Brotherly  Love  the  Mind  is 
open  to  feel  after  the  Necessities  of  the  Poor. 

Amongst  the  Poor  there  are  some  that  are  weak  through 
Age,  and  others  of  a  weakly  Nature,  who  pass  through 
Straits  in  very  private  Life,  without  asking  Relief  from 
the  Publick. 

Such  who  are  strong  and  healthy  may  do  that  Business, 
which  to  the  Weakly  may  be  oppressive ;  and  in  perform- 
ing that  in  a  Day  which  is  esteem' d  a  Day's  Labour,  by 
weakly  Persons  in  the  Field  and  in  the  Shops,  and  by 
weakly  Women  who  spin  and  knit  in  the  Manufactories, 
they  often  pass  through  Weariness;  and  many  Sighs  I 
believe  are  uttered  in  secret,  unheard  by  some  who  might 
ease  their  Burdens. 

Labour  in  the  right  Medium  is  healthy,  but  in  too  much 
of  it  there  is  a  painful  Weariness;  and  the  Hardships  of 
the  Poor  are  sometimes  increased  through  Want  of  a 
more  agreeable  Nourishment,  more  plentiful  Fewel  for 
the  Fire,  and  warmer  Cloathing  in  the  Winter  than  their 
Wages  will  answer. 

When  I  have  beheld  Plenty  in  some  Houses  to  a  Degree 
of  Luxury,  the  Condition  of  poor  Children  brought  up 
without  Learning,  and  the  Condition  of  the  Weakly  and 
Aged,  who  strive  to  live  by  their  Labour,  have  often 
revived  in  my  Mind,  as  Cases  of  which  some  who  live  in 
Fulness  need  to  be  put  in  Remembrance. 

There   are    few,   if   any,    could    behold  their    Fellow 


242       John  Woolman's  Writings 

Creatures  lie  long  in  Distress  and  forbear  to  help  them, 
when  they  could  do  it  without  any  Inconvenience;  but 
Customs  requiring  much  Labour  to  support  them,  do 
often  lie  heavy  on  the  Poor,  while  they  who  live  in  these 
Customs  are  so  entangled  in  a  Multitude  of  unnecessary 
Concerns  that  they  think  but  little  of  the  Hardships 
which  the  poor  People  go  through. 


CHAPTER  III 

On  Silent  Worship 

Worship  in  Silence  hath  often  been  refreshing  to  my 
Mind,  and  a  Care  attends  me  that  a  young  Generation 
may  feel  the  Nature  of  this  Worship. 

Great  Expence  ariseth  in  Relation  to  that  which  is 
call'd  Divine  Worship. 

A  considerable  Part  of  this  Expence  is  applied  toward 
outward  Greatness,  and  many  poor  People  in  raising  of 
Tithe,  labour  in  supporting  Customs  contrary  to  the 
Simplicity  that  there  is  in  Christ,  toward  whom  my  Mind 
hath  often  been  moved  with  Pity. 

In  pure  silent  Worship,  we  dwell  under  the  Holy 
Anointing,  and  feel  Christ  to  be  our  Shepherd. 

Here  the  best  of  Teachers  ministers  to  the  several 
Conditions  of  his  Flock,  and  the  Soul  receives  immediately 
from  the  Divine  Fountain,  that  with  which  it  is  nourished. 

As  I  have  travelled  at  Times  where  those  of  other 
Societies  have  attended  our  Meetings,  and  have  perceiv'd 
how  little  some  of  them  knew  of  the  Nature  of  silent 
Worship;  I  have  felt  tender  Desires  in  my  Heart  that 
we  who  often  sit  silent  in  our  Meetings,  may  live  answer- 
able to  the  Nature  of  an  inward  Fellowship  with  God, 
that  no  Stumbling-block  through  us,  may  be  laid  in  their 
Way. 

Such  is  the  Load  of  unnecessary  Expence  which  lieth 
on  that  which  is  called  Divine  Service  in  many  Places, 
and  so  much  are  the  Minds  of  many  People  employ' d  in 
outward  Forms  and  Ceremonies,  that  the  opening  of  an 
inward  silent  Worship  in  this  Nation  to  me  hath  appeared 
to  be  a  precious  Opening. 

Within  the  last  four  Hundred  Years,  many  pious 
People  have  been  deeply  exercised  in  Soul  on  Account  of 
the  Superstition  which  prevailed  amongst  the  professed 

243 


244       JoJ^^  Woolman's  Writings 

Followers  of  Christ,  and  in  support  of  their  Testimony 
against  oppressive  Idolatry,  some  in  several  Ages  have 
finished  their  Course  in  the  Flames. 

It  appears  by  the  History  of  the  Reformation,  that 
through  the  Faithfulness  of  the  Martyrs,  the  Understand- 
ings of  many  have  been  opened,  and  the  Minds  of  People, 
from  Age  to  Age,  been  more  and  more  prepared  for  a 
real  spiritual  Worship. 

My  Mind  is  often  affected  with  a  Sense  of  the  Condition 
of  those  People  who  in  different  Ages  have  been  meek 
and  patient,  following  Christ  through  great  Afflictions: 
And  while  I  behold  the  several  Steps,  of  Reformation, 
and  that  Clearness,  to  which  through  Divine  Goodness, 
it  hath  been  brought  by  our  Ancestors;  I  feel  tender 
Desires  that  we  who  sometimes  meet  in  Silence,  may 
never  by  our  Conduct  lay  Stumbling-blocks  in  the  Way  of 
others,  and  hinder  the  Progress  of  the  Reformation  in 
the  World. 

It  was  a  Complaint  against  some  who  were  called  the 
Lord's  People,  that  they  brought  polluted  Bread  to  his 
Altar,  and  said  the  Table  of  the  Lord  was  contemptible. 

In  real  silent  Worship  the  Soul  feeds  on  that  which  is 
Divine;  but  we  cannot  partake  of  the  Table  of  the  Lord, 
and  that  Table  which  is  prepared  by  the  God  of  this 
World. 

If  Christ  is  our  Shepherd,  and  feedeth  us,  and  we  are 
faithful  in  following  him,  our  Lives  will  have  an  inviting 
Language,  and  the  Table  of  the  Lord  will  not  be  polluted. 


SOME 


EXPRESSIONS 


OF 


JOHN  WOOLMAN 


IN 


HIS    LAST    ILNESS. 


LONDON: 
Printed  by  Mary  Hinde. 


SOME    EXPRESSIONS,    &c. 

Being  in  the  Course  of  his  religious  Visit  at  York,  and 
having  attended  most  of  the  Sittings  of  the  Quarterly- 
Meeting  there,  held  in  the  Ninth  Month,  1772,  he  was 
taken  ill  of  the  Small  Pox,  in  which  Disorder  he  continued 
about  two  Weeks,  at  Times  under  great  Affliction  of 
Body,  and  then  departed  in  full  Assurance  of  a  happy 
Eternity,  as  the  following  Expressions,  amongst  others, 
taken  from  his  own  Mouth,  do  plainly  evidence. 

One  Day  being  asked  how  he  felt  himself,  he  meekly 
answered,  "  I  don't  know  that  I  have  slept  this  Night: 
I  feel  the  Disorder  making  its  Progress,  but  my  Mind  is 
mercifully  preserved  in  Stilness  and  Peace."  Some  Time 
after  he  said,  *'  He  was  sensible  the  Pains  of  Death  must 
be  hard  to  bear,  but  if  he  escaped  them  now,  he  must 
some  Time  pass  through  them,  and  did  not  know  he  could 
be  better  prepared,  but  had  no  Will  in  it."  Said,  "  He 
had  settled  his  outward  Affairs  to  his  Mind;  had  taken 
Leave  of  his  Wife  and  Family,  as  never  to  return,  leaving 
them  to  the  Divine  Protection:  "  Adding,  "  And  though 
I  feel  them  near  to  me  at  this  Time,  yet  I  freely  give 
them  up,  having  an  Hope  they  will  be  provided  for." 
And  a  little  after  said,  "  This  Trial  is  made  easier  than  I 
could  have  thought,  by  my  Will  being  wholly  taken  away; 
for  if  I  was  anxious  as  to  the  Event,  it  would  be  harder, 
but  I  am  not,  and  my  Mind  enjoys  a  perfect  Calm." 

In  the  Night  a  young  Woman  having  given  him  some- 
thing to  drink,  he  said,  "  My  Child,  thou  seemest  very 
kind  to  me,  a  poor  Creature,  the  Lord  will  reward  thee  for 
it."  A  while  after  he  cried  out  with  great  Earnestness  of 
Spirit,  "  Oh !  my  Father,  my  Father,  how  comfortable 
art  thou  to  my  Soul  in  this  trying  Season."  Being  asked 
if  he  could  take  a  little  Nourishment,  after  some  Pause 
he  replied,  "  My  Child,  I  cannot  tell  what  to  say  to  it: 

247 


248        John  Woolman's  Writings 

I  seem  nearly  arrived  where  my  Soul  shall  have  Rest  from 
all  its  Troubles."  After  giving  in  something  to  be  put 
into  his  Journal,  he  said,  "  I  believe  the  Lord  will  now 
excuse  me  from  Exercises  of  this  Kind,  and  I  see  no 
Work  but  one,  which  is  to  be  the  last  wrought  by  me  in 
this  World;  the  Messenger  will  come  that  will  release  me 
from  all  these  Troubles,  but  it  must  be  in  the  Lord's  Time, 
which  I  am  waiting  for."  He  said,  "  He  had  laboured 
to  do  whatever  was  required,  according  to  the  Ability 
received,  in  the  Remembrance  of  which  he  had  Peace: 
And  though  the  Disorder  was  strong  at  Times,  and  would 
come  over  his  Mind  like  a  Whirlwind,  yet  it  had  hitherto 
been  kept  steady,  and  center' d  in  everlasting  Love." 
Adding,  "  And  if  that's  mercifully  continued,  I  ask  nor 
desire  no  more." 

At  another  Time  he  said,  "  He  had  long  had  a  View 
of  visiting  this  Nation;  and  some  Time  before  he  came, 
he  had  a  Dream,  in  which  he  saw  himself  in  the  Northern 
Parts  of  it;  and  that  the  Spring  of  the  Gospel  was  opened 
in  him,  much  as  in  the  Beginning  of  Friends,  such  as 
George  Fox  and  William  Dewsbury ;  and  he  saw  the 
different  States  of  People  as  clear  as  ever  he  had  seen 
Flowers  in  a  Garden;  but  in  his  going  on  he  was  suddenly 
stopt,  though  he  could  not  see  for  what  End,  but  looked 
towards  Home,  and  in  that  fell  into  a  Flood  of  Tears, 
which  waked  him."  At  another  Time  he  said,  "  My 
Draught  seem'd  strongest  to  the  North,  and  I  mentioned 
in  my  own  Monthly-Meeting,  that  attending  the  Quarterly- 
Meeting  at  York,  and  being  there,  looked  like  Home  to 
me. 

Having  repeatedly  consented  to  take  a  Medicine  with 
a  View  to  settle  his  Stomach,  but  without  Effect,  the 
Friend  then  waiting  on  him,  said,  through  Distress,  "  What 
shall  I  do  now.^  "  He  answered  with  great  Composure, 
"  Rejoice  evermore,  and  in  every  Thing  give  Thanks." 
But  added  a  little  after,  "  This  is  sometimes  hard  to 
come  at." 

One  Morning  early  he  brake  forth  in  Supplication  on 
this  wise;  "Oh  Lord!  it  was  thy  Power  that  enabled 
me  to  forsake  Sin  in  my  Youth,  and  I  have  felt  thy 


John  Woolman's  Writings       249 

Bruises  since  for  Disobedience,  but  as  I  bowed  under 
them  thou  healedst  me;  and  though  I  have  gone  through 
many  Trials  and  sore  Afflictions,  thou  hast  been  with  me> 
continuing  a  Father  and  a  Friend.  I  feel  thy  Power  now, 
and  beg  that  in  the  approaching  trying  Moments,  thou 
wilt  keep  my  Heart  steadfast  unto  thee."  Upon  his 
giving  the  same  Friend  Directions  concerning  some  little 
Matters,  she  said,  "  I  will  take  Care,  but  hope  thou  mayst 
live  to  order  them  thyself;  "  he  replied,  "  My  Hope  is  in 
Christ;  and  though  I  may  now  seem  a  little  better,  a 
Change  in  the  Disorder  may  soon  happen,  and  my  little 
Strength  be  dissolved,  and  if  it  so  happen,  I  shall  be 
gather' d  to  my  everlasting  Rest."  On  her  saying,  "  She 
did  not  doubt  that,  but  could  not  help  mourning  to  see 
so  many  faithful  Servants  removed  at  so  low  a  Time," 
he  said,  "  All  Goodness  cometh  from  the  Lord,  whose 
Power  is  the  same,  and  he  can  work  as  he  sees  best." 
The  same  Day,  after  giving  her  Directions  about  wrapping 
his  Corpse,  and  perceiving  her  to  weep,  he  said,  "  I  had 
rather  thou  wouldst  guard  against  Weeping  or  Sorrowing 
for  me,  my  Sister;  I  sorrow  not,  though  I  have  had  some 
painful  Conflicts;  but  now  they  seem  over,  and  Matters 
all  settled,  and  I  look  at  the  Face  of  my  dear  Redeemer, 
for  sweet  is  his  Voice,  and  his  Countenance  comely." 

Being  very  weak,  and  in  general  difficult  to  be  under- 
stood, he  uttered  a  few  Words  in  Commemoration  of  the 
Lord's  Goodness  to  him;  and  added,  "  How  tenderly  have 
I  been  waited  upon  in  this  Time  of  Affliction,  in  which 
I  may  say  in  Job's  Words,  Tedious  Days  and  wearisome 
Nights  are  appointed  unto  me  ;  and  how  many  are  spending 
their  Time  and  Money  in  Vanity  and  Superfluities,  while 
Thousands  and  Tens  of  Thousands  want  the  Necessaries  of 
Life,  who  might  be  relieved  by  them,  and  their  Distresses 
at  such  a  Time  as  this,  in  some  degree  softened  by  the 
administring  of  suitable  Things." 

An  Apothecary  who  attended  him  of  his  own  Accord 
(he  being  unwilling  to  have  any  sent  for)  appeared  very 
anxious  to  assist  him,  with  whom  conversing,  he  queried 
about  the  Probability  of  such  a  Load  of  Matter  being 
thrown  off  his  weak  Body,  and  the  Apothecary  making 


-250       John  Woolman's  Writings 

some  Remarks,  implying  he  thought  it  might,  he  spoke 
with  an  audible  Voice  on  this  wise:  "  My  Dependance  is 
in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  I  trust  will  forgive  my 
Sins,  which  is  all  I  hope  for;  and  if  it  be  his  Will  to  raise 
up  this  Body  again,  I  am  content,  and  if  to  die  I  am 
resigned:  And  if  thou  canst  not  be  easy  without  trying 
to  assist  Nature,  in  order  to  lengthen  out  my  Life,  I 
submit."  After  this,  his  Throat  was  so  much  affected, 
that  it  was  very  difficult  for  him  to  speak  so  as  to  be 
understood,  and  he  frequently  wrote  when  he  wanted 
any  Thing.  About  the  second  Hour  on  Fourth-day 
Morning,  being  the  7th  of  the  Tenth  Month,  1772,  he 
asked  for  Pen  and  Ink,  and  at  several  Times,  with  much 
Difficulty,  wrote  thus:  "  I  believe  my  being  here  is  in 
the  Wisdom  of  Christ;  I  know  not  as  to  Life  or  Death." 
About  a  Quarter  before  Six  the  same  Morning,  he  seemed 
to  fall  into  an  easy  Sleep,  which  continued  about  half  an 
Hour,  when  seeming  to  awake,  he  breathed  a  few  Times 
with  more  Difficulty,  and  so  expired  without  Sigh,  Groan, 
or  Struggle. 

NotCy  He  often  said,  "  It  was  hid  from  him,  whether  he 
might  recover,  or  not,  and  he  was  not  desirous  to  know 
it;  but  from  his  own  Feeling  of  the  Disorder,  and  his 
feeble  Constitution,  thought  he  should  not." 


FINIS 


Mao«  AtTmb 
TeMPue  PRfjss  ;^5/[^6Tchwortm 

'IN  Grsat  Britaim 


EVERYMAN'S 

LIBRARY 

EDITED    BY    ERNEST    RHYS 


A    CLASSIFIED    LIST 
OF    THE    FIRST    934    VOLUMES 


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•'"-'■-~*"i  iiiiiMiiiii~nnii 


EVERYMAN'S   LIBRARY 

CLASSIFIED  LIST  of  934  VOLS,  in  13  SECTIONS 


In  each  section  of  this  list  the  volumes  are  arranged,  as 
a  general  rule,  alphabetically  under  the  authors'  names. 
Where  authors  appear  in  more  than  one  section,  a  reference 
is  given,  viz. :  {See  also  Fiction).  The  number  at  the  end 
of  each  item  is  the  number  of  the  volume  in  the  series. 

Volumes  temporarily  out  of  print  are  marked  % 
Volumes  obtainable  in  Leather  are  marked  l 


BIOGRAPHY 

Audubon  the  Naturalist,  Life  and  Adventures  of.   By  R.  Buchanan.   601 
Baxter   (Richard),   Autobiography   of.     Edited   by   Rev.   J.   M.   Lloyd 

Thomas,  868 
Beaconsfield  (Lord),  Life  of.     By  J.  A.  Froude.     666 
Berlioz  (Hector),  Life  of.     Translated  by  Katherine  F.  Boult.     602 
Blackwell  (Dr.  Elizabeth) :  Pioneer  Work  for  Women.    With  an  Introduc- 
tion by  Mrs.  Fawcett.     667 
L  Boswell's  Life  of  Johnson,     2  vols.     1-2 
{See  also  Travel) 
Browning  (Robert),  Life  of.   By  E.  Dowden.   701 
Buxton  (Sir  Thomsis  Fowell).  Memoirs  of.    Edited  bv  Charles  Buxton. 

Introduction  by  Lord  Buxton.    773 
Byron's  Letters.     Introduction  by  Andr6  Maurois.     931. 
Carey  (William),  Life  of:  Shoemaker  and  Missionary.    395 
Carlyle's  Letters  and  Speeches  of  Cromwell.     3  vols.     266-8 
„  Reminiscences.     875 

{See  also  Essays  and  History) 
L  Cellini's  (Benvenuto)  Autobiography,   51 
Cibber's  (CoUey)  An  Apology  for  his  Life.    668 
Constable  (John),  Memoirs  of.    By  C.  R.  Leslie,  R.A.    563 
Cowper  (William),  Selected  Letters  of.   Intro,  by  W.  Hadlev,  M.A.   774 

{See  also  Poetry  and  Drama) 
De  Quincey's  Reminiscences  of  the  Lake  Poets.    Intro,  by  E.  Rhys.    163 

{See  also  Essays) 
De  Retz  (Cardinal):  Memoirs.   By  Himself.    2  vols.    735-6 
Evelyn's  Diary.   2  vols.   Introduction  by  G.  W.  E.  Russell.    220-1 
Forster's  Life  of  Dickens.    Intro,  by  G.  K.  Chesterton.    2  vols.    781-2 

{See  also  Fiction) 
Fox  (George),  Journal  of.     Text  revised  by  Norman  Penney,  F.S.A. 

Introduction  by  Rufus  M.  Jones,  LL.D.    764 
Franklin's  (Benjamin)  Autobiography.    316 
Froude's  Life  of  Benjamin  Disraeli,  Earl  of  Beaconsfield.    666 
L  Gaskell's  (Mrs.)  Life  of  Charlotte  Bronte.   Intro,  by  May  Sinclair.    318 
Gibbon  (Edward),  Autobiography  of.   Intro,  by  Oliphant  Smoatoa.    511 

{See  also  History) 
Gladstone,  Life  of.   By  G.  W.  E.  Russell  ('Onlooker').   661 
Hastings  (Warren),  Life  of.    By  (Dapt.  L.  J.  Trotter.    452 
Helps'  (Sir  Arthiu-)  Life  of  Columbus.    332 
Hodson,  of  Hodson's  Horse.   By  Capt.  L.  J.  Trotter.   401 
Holmes'  Life  of  Mozart.    Introduction  by  Ernest  Newman.    564 
Houghton's  Life  and  Letters  of  Keats.  Introduction  by  Robert  Lynd.  801 
Hutchinson  (Col.),  Memoirs  of.  Intro.  Monograph  by  F.  P.  G.  Guizot.  317 
Irving's  Life  of  Mahomet.    Introduction  by  Professor  E.  V.  Arnold.    513 
Johnson's  Lives  of  the  Poets.    Intro,  by  Mrs.  Archer-Hind,  M.A.    770-1 
Lamb  (Charles),  Letters  of.    2  vols.    342-3 

(-See  also  Essays  and  For  Young  People) 
Lewes'  Life  of  Goethe.    Introduction  by  Havelock  Ellis.    269 
Lincoln  (Abraham),  Life  of.    By  Henry  Bryan  Binns.    783 

{See  also  Oratory) 
Lockhart's  Life  of  Robert  Bm-ns.    Introduction  by  E.  Rhys  '  156 
L  „  Life  of  Napoleon.   3 

„  Life  of  Sir  Walter  Scott  (abridged).    55 

Mazzini,  Life  of.   By  Bolton  King,  M.A.   5(i2  [Now  castle.    722 

Newcastle  (First  Duko  of).  Life  of,  and  other  writings  by  the  Duchess  oi 

2 


BIOGRAPHY— continued 

Outram  (Sir  J.),  The  Bayard  of  India.   By  Capt.  L.  J.  Trotter.   393 

Pepys'  Diary.     Lord  Braybrooke's  1854  ed.    2  vols.    53-4 

Plutarch's  Lives  of  Noble  Greeks  and  Romans.     Dryden's  Translation. 
Revised,  with  Introduction,  by  Arthur  Hugh  Clough.   3  vols.   407-9 

Rousseau,  Confessions  of.   2  vols.   859-60 

Scott's  Lives  of  the  Novelists.   Introduction  by  George  Saintsbury.     331 
(See  also  Fiction  and  Poetry) 

Seebohm  (Frederic) :  The  Oxford  Reformers.     With  a  Preface  by  Hugh 
E.  Seebohm.    665 

Smeaton's  A  Life  of  Shakespeare,  with  Criticisms  of  the  Plays.    514 

Southey's  Life  of  Nelson,    52 

Strickland's  Life  of  Queen  Elizabeth.   100 

Swift's  Journal  to  Stella.     Newly  deciphered  and  edited  by  J.  K.  Moor- 
head.   Introduction  by  Sir  Walter  Scott.    757 
(See  also  Essays  and  Fob  Young  People) 

Vasari's  Lives  of  the  Painters.     Trans,  by  A.  B.  Hinds.   4  vols.   784-7 

Voltaire's  Life  of  Charles  XII.   Introduction  by  Rt.  Hon.  J.  Burns.    270 

Walpole  (Horace),  Selected  Letters  of.    Intro,  by  W.  Hadley,  M.A.    775 

Wellington,  Life  of.   By  G.  R.  Gleig.    341 

Wesley's  Journal.   4  vols.   Intro,  by  Rev.  F.  W.  Macdonald.    105-8 

Woolrnan's  (John)  Journal  and  Other  Papers.    Introduction  by  Vida  D. 
Scudder.   402 

CLASSICAL 

iEschylus'  Lyrical  Dramas.     Translated  by  Professor  J.  S.  Blackie.    62 
Aristophanes'  The  Frogs,  The  Clouds,  The  Thesmophorians.    516 

„  The  Acharnians,  The  Knights,  and  The  Birds.     Frere's 

Translation.   Introduction  by  John  P.  Maine.   344 
Aristotle's  Politics.   Introduction  by  A.  D.  Lindsay.    605 

„  Poetics,   etc.,   and    Demetrius    on   Style,    etc.     Edited   by 

(See  also  Philosophy)  [Rev.  T.  A.  Moxon.     901 

Csesar's  The  GaUic  War  and  Other  Commentaries.    Translated  by  W.  A. 

McDevitte.    702 
Cicero's  Essays  and  Select  Letters.     Intro.  Note  by  de  Quincy.     345 
L  Epictetus,  Moral  Discourses,  etc.  Elizabeth  Carter's  Translation.  Edited 
by  W.  H.  D.  Rouse,  M.A.  404 
Euripides'  Plays  in  2  vols.   Introduction  by  V.  R.  Reynolds.    Translated 
by  M.  Wodhull  and  R.  Potter,  with  Shelley's  '  Cyclops '  and  Dean 
Milman's 'Bacchanals'.    63,271 
Herodotus.     Rawlinson's  Translation.     Edited,  with  Introduction,  by 
E.  H.  Blakeney,  M.A.,  omitting  Translator's  Original  Essays,  and 
Appendices.    2  vols.   405-6 
L  Homer's  lUad.   Lord  Derby's  Translation.    453 

L         „        Odyssey.   William  Cowper's  Translation.   Introduction  by  Misa 
F.  M.  StaweU.    454 
Horace.    Complete  Poetical  Works.    515 
Hutchinson's  (W.  M.  L.)  The  Muses*  Pageant.     Vols.  I,  II,  and  III.  581. 

606  and  671 
Livy's  History  of  Rome.  Vols.  I-VI.  Translated  by  Rev.  Canon  Roberts. 

603,  669,  670,  749,  755,  and  756 
Lucretius:  On  the  Nature  of  Things.   Translated  by  W.  E.  Leonard.    750 
L  Marcus  Aurelius'  Meditations,   Introduction  by  W.  H.  D.  Rouse.   9 
L  Plato's  Dialogues.   2  vols.   Introduction  by  A.  D.  Lindsay.   456-7 
L       „       Republic.    Translated,  with  an  Introduction,  by  A.  D.  Lindsav.  64 
Plutarch's  Moralia.    20  Essays  translated  by  Philemon  Holland.    565 
Sophocles'  Dramas.    Translated  by  Sir  G.  Young,  Bart.    114 
Thucydides'  Peloponnesian  War.     Crawley's  Translation.    455 
L  Virgil's  .^neid.    Translated  by  E.  Fairfax-Taylor.    161 

„        Eclogues  and  Georgics.     Translated  by  T.  F.  Royds,  M.A.     222 
Xenophon's  Cyropeedia.     Translation  revised  by  Miss  F.  M.  StaweU.    672 

ESSAYS  AND  BELLES-LETTRES 

L  Anthology  of  Prose.    Compiled  and  Edited  by  Miss  S.  L.  Edwards.    675 
Arnold's  (Matthew)  Essays.     Introduction  by  G.  K.  Chesterton.       115 
„  ,»         Study  of  Celtic  Literature,  and  other  CriticalEssays, 

^A'ith  Supplement  by  Lord  Strangford,  etc.  45S 
(See  also  Poetry) 
L  Bacon's  Essays.   Introduction  by  Oliphant  Smeaton.    10 
(See  also  Philosophy) 
Bagehot's  Literary  Studies.    2  vols.  Intro,  by  George  Sampson.     520-1 
X   Brooke's  (Stopford,  M.A.)  Theology  in  the  English  Pouts.   493 
L  Brown's  Rab  and  his  Friends,  etc.    116 


ESSAYS  AND  BELLES-LETTRES— continued 

Biirke's  Reflections  on  the  French  Revolution  and  contingent  Essays. 

Introduction  by  A.  J.  Grieve,  M.A.    460  (-See  also  Oratory) 

Canton's  (William)  The  Invisible  Playmate,  W.  V.,  Her  Book,  and  In 
(See  also  For  Young  People)  [Memory  of  W.  V.   566 

Carlyle's  Essays.    2  vols.   With  Notes  by  J.  Russell  Lowell.    703-4 
,,        Past  and  Present.   Introduction  by  R.  W.  Emerson.    608 
L  „         Sartor  Resartus  and  Heroes  and  Hero  Worship.    278 

(See  also  Biographt  and  History) 
Casti^lione's  The  Courtier.     Translated  by  Sir  Thomas  Hoby.     Intro- 
duction by  W.  H.  D.  Rouse.    807 
li  Century  of  Essays.  A.   An  Anthologv  of  English  Essayists.    653 

Chesterfield's  (Lord)  Letters  to  his  Son.    823 
L  Chesterton's  (G.  K.)  Stories,  Essays,  and  Poems.     913 

Coleridge's  Biographia  Literaria.  '  Introduction  by  Arthur  Symons.    11 
„  Essays  and  Lectures  on  Shakespeare,  etc.    162 

{See  also  Poetry) 
J  Craik's  Manual  of  English  Literature.    346 

Curtis's  Prue  and  I,  and  Lotus  Eating.  Introduction  by  H.  W.  Mable.  418 
De  Quincey's  (Thomas)  Opium  Eater    Intro,  by  Sir  G.  Douglas.    223 

„  „         The  English  MaU  Coach  and  Other  Writings. 

Introduction  by  S.  Hill  Burton.    609 
(See  also  Biography) 
Dryden's  Dramatic  Essays.  With  an  Introduction  by  W.  H.  Hudson.  568 
Elyot's  Gouernour.    Intro,  and  Glossary  by  Prof.  Foster  Watson.    227 
L  Emerson's  Essays.    First  and  Second  Series.    12 
L  „         Nature,  Conduct  of  Life,  Essays  from  the 'Dial'.   322 

„         Representative  Men.    Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.    279 
„         Society  and  Solitude  and  Other  Essays.   567 
(See  also  Poetry) 
Florio's  Montaigne.    Introduction  by  A.  R.  WaUer,  M.A.    3  vols.    440-2 
Froude's  Short  Studies.   Vols.  I  and  II.    13,  705 

(See  also  History  and  Biography) 
Gilfillan's  Literary  Portraits.    Intro,  by  Sir  W.  Robertson  Nicoll.    348 
Goethe's  Conversations  with   Eckermann.      Intro,   by   Havelock   Ellis 

851.   (See  also  Fiction  and  Poetry) 
Goldsmith's  Citizen  of  the  World  and  The  Bee.   Intro,  by  R.  Church.  902 

(See  also  Fiction  and  Poetry) 
Hamilton's  The  Federalist.    519 

Hazlitt's  Lectures  on  the  English  Comic  Writers.    411 
„       Shakespeare's  Characters.    65 
„       Spirit  of  the  Age  and  Lectures  on  English  Poets.   459 

Table  Talk,    321 
„       Plain  Speaiier.  Introduction  by  P.  P.  Howe.   814 
L  Holmes'  Autocrat  of  the  Breakfast  Table.    66 
Poet  at  the  Breakfast  Table.   68 
„        Professor  at  the  Breakfast  Table.    67 
L  Hudson's  (W.  H.)  A  Shepherd's  Life.  Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.    926 

Himt's  (Leigh)  Selected  Essays.   Introduction  by  J.  B.  Priestly.'  829 
L  Irving's  Sketch  Book  of  Geoffrey  Crayon.    117 
(See  also  Biography  and  History) 
Landor's  Imaginary  Conversations  and  Poems:  A  selection.      Edited 
with  Introduction  by  Havelock  Ellis.    890 
L  Lamb's  Essays  of  Elia.    Introduction  by  Augustine  BirreU.    14 
(See  also  Biography  and  For  Young  People) 
Lowell's  (James  Russell)  Among  My  Books.    607 

Macaulay's  Essays.    2  vols.    Introduction  by  A.  J.  Grieve,  M.A.    225-6 
L  „  Miscellaneous  Essays  and  The  Lays  of  Ancient  Rome.   439 

(See  also  History  and  Oratory) 
Machiavelli's  Prince.    Special  Trans,  and  Intro,  by  W.  K.  Marriott.    280 

(See  also  History) 
Martinengo-Cesaresco  (Countess):  Essays  in  the  Study  of  Folk-Songs  673 
Mazzini's  Duties  of  Man,  etc.    Introduction  by  Thomas  Jones,  M.A.    224 
Milton's  Areopagitica,  etc.  Introduction  by  Professor  C.  E.  Vaughan.  795 
(See  also  Poetry) 
L  Mitford's  Our  S'illag-e.  Edited,  with  Introduction,  by  Sir  John  Squire.  927 
Montagu's  (Lady)  Letters.    Introduction  by  R.  Brimley  Jotmson.    69 
Newman's  On  the  Scope  and  Nature  of  University  Education,  and  a 
paper  on  Chriytianity  and  Scientific  Investigation,    Introduction  by 
(See  a/so  Philosophy)  [Wilfred  Ward.   7  23 

Osborne's  (Dorothy)  Letters  to  Sir  William  Temple.     Edited  and  con- 
notated by  Judge  Parry.    674 
Penn'H  The  Peace  of  Europe.   Some  Fruits  of  Solitude,  etc.    724 
i'rehidc  to  Poetrj',  The.   Edited  by  Ernest  Rhys.    789 


ESSAYS  AND  BELLES-LETTRES— continueJ 

Reynold's  Discourses.   Introduction  by  L.  March  PMUipps.    118 
L  Rhys'  New  Book  of  Sense  and  Nonsense.    813 

Rousseau's  Emile.    Translated  by  Barbara  Foxley.    518 
(See  also  Philosophy  and  Theology) 
L  Ruskin's  Crown  of  Wild  Olive  and  Cestus  of  Aglaia.   323 
,,        Elements  of  Drawing  and  Perspective.    217 
„       Ethics  of  the  Dust.    Introduction  by  Grace  Rhys.    232 

Modern  Painters.   5  vols.   Introduction  by  Lionel  Gust.   208-12 
„       Pre-Raphaelitism.      Lectures   on   Architecture   and   Painting, 
Academy  Notes,  1855-9,  and  Notes  on  the  Turner  Gallery. 
Introduction  by  Laurence  Binyon.    213 
L  „       Sesame  and  Lilies,  The  Two  Paths,  and  The  King  of  the  Golden 

River.     Introduction  by  Sir  Oliver  Lodge.     219 
„       Seven  Lamps  of  Architecture.    Intro,  by  Selwyn  Image.    207 
„       Stones  of  Venice.   3  vols.   Intro,  by  L.  March  Phillipps.   213-15 
„       Time  and  Tide  with  other  Essays.   450 

Unto  This  Last,  The  Political  Economy  of  Art.    216 
{See  also  For  Youno  People) 
Spectator,  The.   4  vols.   Introduction  by  G.  Gregory  Smith.   164-7 
Spencer's  (Herbert)  Essays  on  Education.   Intro,  by  C.  W.  Eliot.    504 
Sterne's  Sentimental  Journey  and  Journal  and  Letters  to  Eliza.    Intro. 
{See  also  Fiction)  [by  George  Saintsbury.    796 

l  Stevenson's  In  the  South  Seas  and  Island  Nights'  Entertainments.    769 
L  „  Virginibus   Puerisque   and   Familiar   Studies   of  Men  and 

{See  also  Fiction,  Poetry  and  Travel)  [Books.    765 

Swift's  Tale  of  a  Tub,  The  Battle  of  the  Books,  etc.   347 

{See  also  Biography  and  For  Young  People) 
Table  Talk.     Edited  by  J.  C.  Thornton.     906 

Taylor's   (Isaac)  Words  and  Places,   or  Etymological  Illustrations  of 
History,  Ethnology,  and  Geography.  Intro,  by  Edward  Thomas.  517 
Thackeray's  (W.  M.)  The  English  Humourists  and  The  Four  Georges. 
Introduction  by  Walter  Jerrold.   610 
(See  also  Fiction) 
L  Thoreau's  Walden.    Introduction  by  Walter  Raymond.   281 

Trench's  On  the  Study  of  Words  and  English  Past  and  Present.   Intro- 
duction by  George  Sampson.    788 
Tytler's  Essay  on  the  Principles  of  Translation.    168 
Walton's  Compleat  Angler.    Introduction  by  Andrew  Lang.    70 

FICTION 

Aimard's  The  Indian  Scout.   428 
L  Ainsworth'8  (Harrison)  Old  St.  Paul's.   Intro,  by  W.  E.  A.  Axon.   522 

„  „         The  Admirable  Crichton.  Intro,  by  E.  Rhys.  804 

L  „  „  The  Tower  of  London.    400 

L         „  „         Windsor  Castle.    709 

„  „         Rookwood.   Intro,  by  Frank  Swinnerton.   870 

American  Short  Stories  of  the  Nineteenth  Century.     Edited  by  John 
Coumos.    840 
L  Austen's  (Jane)  Emma.  Introduction  by  R.  B.  Johnson.   24 

„  „       Mansfield  Park.    Introduction  by  R.  B.  Johnson.    23 

L         „  „       Northanger  Abbey  and  Persuasion.     Introduction  by 

R.  B.  Johnson.    25 
L         „  „       Pride  and  Prejudice.  IntroductionbyR.  B.  Johnson.  22 

L         „  „       Sense  and  Sensibility.   Intro,  by  R.  B.  Johnson.   21 

Balzac's  (Honor6  de)  Atheist's  Mass.  Preface  by  George  Saintsbury.  229 
Catherine    de    M6dici.     Introduction   by   Georeo 

Saintsbury.    419  ^ 

Christ    in     Flanders.       Introduction    by    George 

Saintsbury.    284 
Cousin  Pons.   Intro,  by  George  Saintsbury.   463 
Eugenie  Grandet.  Intro,  by  George  Saintsbury.  169 
Lost  Illusions.    Intro,  by  George  Saintsbury,    656 
OldGoriot.  Introduction  by  George  Saintsbury.  170 
The  Cat  and  Racket,  and  Other  Stories.   349 
The  Chouans.   Intro,  by  George  Saintsbury.   285 
The  Country  Doctor.  Intro.  George  Saintsbury.  530 
The  Country  Parson.    686 
The  Quest  of  the  Absolute.  Introduction  by  Georira 

Saintsbury.    286 
The  Rise  and  Fall  of  C6sar  Birotteau.   596 
TheWild  Ass's  Skin.  Intro,  by  George  Saintsbury.  -'6 
_    .,         .    TT    ,"  ^.   Ursule  Mirouet.   Intro,  by  George  Saintsbury.   T6i 
BarbuBse's  Under  Fn-e.    Translated  by  Fitzwater  Wray.   798 


TlCriON— continued 

t  Beaumont's  (Mary)  Joan  Seaton.   Intro,  by  R.  F.  Horton,  D.D.   597 

L  Bennett's  (Arnold)  The  Old  Wives'  Tale.    919 

L  Blackmore's  (R.  D.)  Lorna  Doone.    304 

X  ,,  „        Springhaven.     350 

L  Sorrow's  Lavengro.   Introduction  by  Thomas  Seccombe.   119 

L         „         Romany  Rye.    120      {See  also  Travel) 

L  Bronte's  (Anne)  The  Tenant  of  Wildfell  Hall  and  Agnes  Qrey.   685 

L         „         (Charlotte)  Jane  Eyre.   Introduction  by  May  Sinclair.   287 

L         „  „  Shirley.    Introduction  by  May  Sinclair.    288 

„  „  The  Professor.    Introduction  by  May  Sinclair.    417 

L         „  „  Villette.    Introduction  by  May  Sinclair.    351 

L         „  (Emily)  Wuthering  Heights.    243 

L  Burney's  (Fanny)  Evelina.   Introduction  by  R.  B.  Johnson.   352 

Butler's  (Samuel)  Erewhon  and  Erewhon  Revisited.     Introduction  by 
Desmond  MacCarthv.    881 
,,  „         rheWayof  All  Flesh,  Introduction  by  A.J.  Hopp6.  895 

Collins'  (Wilkie)  The  Woman  in  White.   464 
L  Conrad's  Lord  Jim.    Introduction  by  R.  B.  Cunninghame  Graham.    925 
L  Converse's  (Florence)  Long  Will.   328 

Dana's  (Richard  H.)  Two  Years  before  the  Mast.   588 
Daudet's  Tartarin  of  Tarascon  and  Tartarin  on  the  Alps.   423 
Defoe's  Fortunes  and  Misfortunes  of  Moll  Flanders.     Introduction  by 
G.  A.  Aitken.  837 
„       Captain  Singleton.   Introduction  by  Edward  Garnett.    74 
„        Journal  of  the  Plague  Year.    Introduction  by  G.  A.  Aitken.    289 
„       Memoirs  of  a  Cavalier.   Introduction  by  G.  A.  Aitken.   283 

(See  also  For  Young  People)  [Chesterton. 

Charles  Dickens'  Works.    Each  volume  with  an  Introduction  by  G.  K. 
L  American  Notes.     290  L  Little  Dorrit.     293 

L  Barnaby  Rudge.     76  L  Martin  Chuzzlewlt.     241 

L  Bleak  House.     236  L  Nicholas  Nickleby.     233 

L  Child's  History  of  England.     291    l  Old  Curiosity  Shop.     173 
L  Christmas  Books.     239  L  Oliver  Twist.     233 

L  Christmas  Stories.     414  L  O^u*  Mutual  Friend.     294 

L  David  Copperfleld.     242  L  Pickwick  Papers.     235 

L  Dombev  and  Son.       240  L  Reprinted  Pieces.     744 

Edwin  brood.     725  Sketches  by  Boz.     237 

L  Great  Expectations.     234  L  Tale  of  Two  Cities.     102 

Hard  Times.     292  L  Uncommercial  Traveller.     536 

Disraeli's  Conlngsby.  Introduction  by  Langdon  Davles.   535 
Dostoevfiky's    (Fyodor)    Crime     and     Punishment.     Introduction     by 
Laxu-ence   Irving.    501 
,.  „       Letters  from  the  Underworld  and  Other  Tales. 

Translated  by  C.  J.  Hogarth.    654 
„  „       Poor  Folk  and  The  Gambler.  Translated  by  C.  J. 

Hogarth.     711 
„       The  Possessed.     Introduction  by  J.  Mlddleton 
Murry.    2  vols.    861-2  [533 

„  „      Prison  Life  in  Siberia.  Intro,  by  Madame  Stepniak. 

„  „       The  Brothers  Karamazov.    Translated  by  Con- 

stance Garnett.    2  vols.    802-3 
The  Idiot.    682 
Du  Manner's  (George)  Trilby.    Introduction  by  Sir  Gerald  du  Mauricr 

With  the  original  Illustrations.    863 
Dumas'  Black  Tulip.   Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.   174 
„  Chicot  the  Jester.   421 

„  Le  Chevalier  de  Maison  Rouge.    Intro,  by  Julius  Bramont.    614 

„  Marguerite  de  Valois  ('La  Reine  Margot').    326 

L       „  The  Count  of  Monte  Cristo.    2  vols.    393-4 

The  Forty-Five.   420 
L       „  The  Three  Musketeers.   81 

„  The  Vicomte  de  Bragelonne.    3  vols.  593-5 

L       „  Twenty  Years  After.    Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.    175 

Edgar's  Cressy  and  Poictiors.   Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.   17 
„  Runnymede  and  Lincoln  Fair.    Intro,  by  L.  K.  Hughes.    320 

(See  also  For  Young  People) 
Edgeworth's  Castle  Rackrent  and  The  Absentee.    410 
L  Eliot's  (George)  Adam  Bede.    27 
Felix  Holt.    353 
„        Middlemarch.    2  vols.    854-5 
L       ,,  ..        Mill  on  the  Floss.    Intro.  Sir  W.  Robertson  Niooll.    325 

L       ,,  „        Romola.    Introduction  by  Rudolf  Dircks.    231 

L       ,t  „        ScenoH  of  Clerical  Life.    468 

6 


FICTION— continuecf 

Eliot's  (George)  Silas  Mamer.    Introduction  by  Annie  Matheson.    121 
L  English  Short  Stories.   An  Anthology.    743 

Erckmann-Chatrian's  The  Conscript  and  Waterloo.    354 

„  „  The   Story   of  a  Peasant.      Translated  hy  C.   J. 

Hogarth.    2  vols.    706-7 
Fenimore  Cooper's  The  Deerslayer.    77 

„  „       The  Last  of  the  Mohicans.    79 

„  „       The  Pathfinder.    78 

„  „       The  Pioneers.    171 

The  Prairie.    172 
Ferrier's  (Snsan)  Marriage.  Introduction  by  H.  L.  Morrow.   816 
Fielding's  AmeUa.   Intro,  by  George  Saints btu-y.    2  vols.    852-3 

„         Jonathan  WUd,  and  The  Journal  of  a  Voyage  to  Lisbon. 

Introduction  by  George  Saintsbury.    877 
„         Joseph  Andrews.    Introduction  by  George  Saintsbury.    467 
L  „         Tom  Jones.   Intro,  by  George  Saintsbury.    2  vols.    355-6 

Flaubert's  Madame    Bovary.      Translated   by   Eleanor   Marx-Aveling. 
Introduction  by  George  Saintsbury,    808 
„  SalammbS.    Translated  by  J.  S.  Chartres.    Introduction  by 

Professor  F.  C.  Green.    869 
French  Short  Stories  of  the  19th  and  20th  Centuries.      Selected,  with 
an  Introduction  by  Professor  F.  C.  Green.     896 
L  Galsworthy's  (John)  The  Country  House.    917 

Gait's  Annals  of  a  Parish.   Introduction  by  Baillie  Macdonald.   427 
Gaskell's  (Mrs.)  Cousin  Phillis,  etc.   Intro,  by  Thos.  Seccombe.    615 
L  „  Cranford.    83 

„  Mary  Barton.    Introduction  by  Thomas  Seccombe.    598 

North  and  South.   680 
,,  Sylvia's  Lovers.    Intro,  by  Sirs.  ElUs  Chadwick.    524 

Gleig's  (G.  R.)  The  Subaltern.   708 
Goethe's  Wilhelm  Meister.   Carlyle's  Translation.    2  vols.   599-600 

{See  also  Essays  and  Poetrt) 
Gogol's  (Nicol)  Dead  Souls.   Translated  by  C.  J.  Hogarth.   725 
„         „        Taras  Bulba  and  Other  Tales.    740 
L  Goldsmith's  Vicar  of  Wakefield.   Introduction  by  J.  M.  D,   295 
(See  also  Essays  and  Poetry) 
Goncharov's  Oblomov.    Translated  by  Natalie  Duddington.   878 
Gorki's  ThroTigh  Russia.   Translated  by  C.  J.  Hogarth.    741 
t  Gotthelf 's  Ulric  the  Farm  Servant.  Ed.  \vith  Notes  by  John  Ruskin.      228 
Harte's  (Bret)  Luck  of  Roaring  Camp  and  other  Tales.   681 
Hawthorne's  The  House  of  the  Seven  Gables.  Intro,  by  Ernest  Rhys.  176 
L  „  The  Scarlet  Letter.    122 

„  The  Blithedale  Romance.    592 

„  The  Marble  Faun.    Intro,  by  Sir  Leslie  Stephen.    424 

Twice  Told  Tales.    531 
{See  also  For  young  People) 
L  Hugo's  (Victor)  Les  Miserables.   Intro,  by  S.  R.  John.   2  vols.   363-4 
L       „  „        Notre  Dame.    Introduction  by  A.  C  Swinburne.    422 

L       „  „        Toilers  of  the  Sea.    Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.    509 

Italian  Short  Stories.    Edited  by  D.  Pettoello.    876 
James's  (G.  P.  R.)  Richelieu.   Introduction  by  Rudolf  Dircks.   357 
L  James's  (Henry)  The  Turn  of  the  Screw  and  The  Aspern  Papers.    912 

Ivingsley's  (Charles)  Alton  Locke.    462 
L  „  „       Hereward  the  Wake.    Intro,    by  Ernest  Rhys.    296 

L  „  „       Hypatia,    230 

L  „  „      Westward  Ho;   Introduction  by  A.  G.  Grieve.   20 

Yeast.    611 

{See  also  Poetry  and  For  Young  People) 
„  (Henry)  Geoffrey  Hamlyn.    416 

„  „      Ravenshoe.    28 

L  Lawrence's  (D.  H.)  The  White  Peacock.    914 

Lever's  Harry  Lorrequer.   Introduction  by  Lewis  Melville.    177 
L  Loti's  (Pierre)  Iceland  Fisherman.    Translated  by  W.  P.  Baines.    920 
L  Lover's  Handy  Andy.   Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.    178 
L  Lytton's  Harold.   Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.    15 
L         „         Last  Days  of  Pompeii.   80 

„         Last  of  the  Barons.    Introduction  by  R.  G.  Watkin.    18 
„         Rienzi.   Introduction  by  E.  H.  Blakeney,  M.A.   533 
(-S'ee  also  Travel) 
MacDonaid's  (George)  Sir  Gibbie.    678 

{See  also  Romance)  [(Mrs.  Htakson).    324 

Manning's  Marv  Pov,'ell  and  Deborah's  Diary.  Intro,  by  Katherine  Tynan 
»y  Sir  Thomas  More.    Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.    19 

7 


FICTION— continued 

Marryat's  Jacob  Faithful.    618 
L  ,,  Mr.  Midshipman  Easy.    Introduction  by  B.  B.  Johnson.    82 

„  Percival  Keene.    Introduction  by  R.  Brimley  Johnson.    358 

„  Peter  Simple.    Introduction  by  R.  Brimley  Johnson.    232 

„  The  King's  Own.    580 

{See  also  Fob  Young  People) 
Maugham's  (Somerset)  Cakes  and  Ale.    932 

Maupassant's  Short  Stories.     Translated  by  Marjorie  Laurie.     Intro- 
duction by  Gerald  Gould.     907 
Melville's  (Herman)  Moby  Dick.    Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.    179 
„  „  Omoo.    Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.    297 

,,  ,,  Typee.    Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.    180 

L  Meredith's  (George)  The  Ordeal  of  Richard  Feverel.    916 

M6rim6e's  Carmen,  with  Provost's  IManon  Lescaut.     Introduction  by 

Philip  Henderson.    834 
Mickiewicz's  (Adam;  Pan  Tadeusz.    842 
Moore's  (George)  Esther  Waters.     933 
J  Morier's  Hajji  Baba.    679 

Mulock's  John  Halifax,  Gentleman.     Introduction  bv  J.  Shaylor.    123 
Neale's  ( J.M.)  The  Fall  of  Constantinople.  655 
t  Oliphant's  (Mrs.)  Salem  Chapel.   Intro,  by  Sir  W  Robertson  NicoJl.    244 
Paltock's  (Robert)  Peter  Wilkins;  or.  The  Flving  Indians.    Introduction 

by  A.  H.  BuUen.    676 
Pater's  Marius  the  Epicurean.     Introduction  by  Osbert  Burdett.    903 
Peacock's  Headlong  Hall  and  Nightmare  Abbey.    327 
L  Poe's  Tales  of  Mystery  and  Imagination.    Intro,  by  Padraic  Colum.    336 
(See  also  Poetky)  [Philip  Henderson.    834 

Pr6vo8t's  Manon  Lescaut,  with  M6rim6e's  Carmen.      Introduction  by 
Pushkin's  (Alexander)  The  Captain's  Daughter  and  Other  Tales.     Trans. 

by  Natalie  Duddington.     898 
Quiller-Couch's  (Sir  Arthur)  Hetty  Wesley.    864 

Radcliffe's  (Ann)  Mysteries  of  Udolpho.     Introduction  by  R.  Austin 
Freeman.    2  vols.   865-6 
L  Reade's  (O.)  The  Cloister  and  the  Hearth.  Intro,  by  A.  C.  Swinburne.  29 
Reade's  (C.)  Peg  WofRngton  and  Christie  Johnstone.    299 
Richardson's  (Samuel)  Pamela.    Intro,  by  G.  Saintsbury.    2  vols.    683-4 
„       Clarissa.    Intro,  by  Prof.  W    L.  Phelps.    4  vols. 
88  2-5 
Russian  Authors,  Short  Stories  from.    Trans,  by  R.  S.  Townsend.    758 
Sand's  (George)  The  Devil's  Pool  and  Francois  the  Waif.    534 
Scheffel's  Ekkehard:  a  Tale  of  the  Tenth  Century.    529 
Scott's  (Michael)  Tom  Cringle's  Log.    710 
Sir  Walter  Scott's  Works  : 
L  Abbot,  The.     124  L  Ivanhoe.  Intro,  by  Ernest  Rhys.  16 

Anne  of  Geierstein.     125  L  Kenilworth.     135 

L  Antiquary,  The.  126  L  Monastery,  The.     136 

Black    Dwarf   and   Legend   of         L  Old  Mortality.     137 

Montrose.     128  Peveril  of  the  Peak.     138 

Bride  of  Lammermoor.     129  Pirate,  The.     139 

Castle  Dangerous  and  The  Siir-     L  Quentin  Durward.     140 

geon's  Daughter.     130  L  Redgauntlet.     141 

Count  Robert  of  Paris.     131  L  Rob  Roy.     142 

L  Fair  Maid  of  Perth.     132  St.  Ronan's  Well.     143 

Fortunes  of  Nigel.     71  L  Talisman,  The.     144 

L  Guy  Mannering.     133  L  Waverley.     75 

L  Heart  of  Midlothian,  The.     134       L  Woodstock.       Intro,    by    Edward 
Highland  Widow  and  Betrothed.  127  Garnett.     72 

{See  also  Biography  and  Poetry) 
Shchedrin's  The  Golovlyov  Family.     Translated  by  Natalie  Duddington. 

Introduction  by  Edward  Garnett,     908 
Shellev's  (Mary  Wollstonecraft)  Frankenstein.     616 
Sheppard's  Charles  Auchester,    Intro,  by  Jessie  M.  Middleton.    505 
Sienkiewicz  (Henryk).    Tales  from.    Edited  by  Monica  M.  Gardner.    871 
Shorter  Novels,  Vol.  I.     Elizabethan  and  Jacobean.     Edited  by  Philip 
Henderson.    824 
„  „        Vol.  II.    Jacobean  and  Restoration.    Edited  by  Philip 

Henderson.     841 
„  „        Vol.    Ill        Eighteenth    Century    (Beckford's    Vathek, 

Walpole's    Castle    of    Otranto,    and    Dr.    Johnson's 
Smollett's  Peregrine  Pickle.   2  vols.   838-9  fRasselas).     856 

„  Roderick  Random.    Introduction  by  H.  W.  Hodges,    790 

L  Sterne's  Tristram  Shandy.  Introduction  by  George  Saintsbury.  617 
{See  also  Essays) 


FICTION— continued 

L  Stevenson's  Dr.  Jekyll  and  Mr.  Hyde,  The  Merry  Men,  and  Other  Tales. 
L  „  The  Master  of  Ballantrae  and  The  Black  Arrow.    764        [767 

L  „  Treasure  Island  and  Kidnapped.    763 

„  St.  Ives.     Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.     901 

(See  also  Essays,  Poetry,  and  Travel) 
Surtees'  Jorrocks'  Jaunts  and  Jollities.   817 
L  Tales  of  Detection.  Edited,  with  Introduction,  by  Dorothy  L.  Savers.  928 
Thackeray's  Rose  and  the  Ring  and  other  stories.  Introduction  by  Walter 
Jerrold.    359 
Esmond.   Introduction  by  Walter  Jerrold.    73 
Newcomes.   Introduction  by  Walter  Jerrold.    2  vols.    465-6 
Pendennis.    Intro,  by  Walter  Jerrold.    2  vols.    425-6 
Roundabout  Papers.    687 

Vanity  Fair.    Introduction  by  Hon.  Whitelaw  Reid.    298 
Virginians.   Introduction  by  Walter  Jerrold.    2  vols.    50 7 -S 
(See  also  Essays) 

L  Tolstoy 's  Anna  Karenina.  Trans,  by  Rochelle  S.  Townsend.  2  vols.  612-13 
„  Childhood,  Boyhood,  and  Youth.   Trans,  by  C.  J.  Hogarth.  591 

„  Master  and  Man,  and  other  Parables  and  Tales.    469 

„  War  and  Peace.    3  vols.   525-7 

Trollope's  (Anthony)  Barchester  Towers.    30 
„  Dr.  Thorne.    360 

„  „  Framley  Parsonage.    Intro,  by  Ernest  Rhys.    181 

„  „  The  Golden  Lion  of  Granpere.     Introduction  by 

Hugh  Walpole.    761 
„  „  The  Last  Chronicle  of  Barset.    2  vols.    391-2 

„  „  PhineasFinn.  Intro,  by  Hugh  Walpole.  2  vols.  832-3 

„  „  The  Small  House  at  Allington.    361 

„  „  The  Warden.    Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.    182 

Turgenev's  Fathers  and  Sons.   Translated  by  C.  J.  Hogarth.   742 
Liza.    Translated  by  W.  R.  S.  Ralston.    677 
,,  Virgin  Soil.    Translated  by  Rochelle  S.  Townsend.    528 

L  Walpole's  (HuRh)  Mr.  Perrin  and  Mr.  Traill.    918 
L  Wells's  (H.  G.)  The  Time  Machine  and  The  Wheels  of  Chance.    915 
Whyte-Melville's  The  Gladiators.  Introduction  by  J.  Mavrogordato.   523 
Wood's  (Mrs.  Henry)  The  Channings.  84 
Yonge's  (Charlotte  M.)  The  Dove  in  the  Eagle's  Nest.   329 

„  The  Heir  of  Redclyffe.   Intro.  Mrs.  Meynell.    362 

(See  also  For  Young  People) 
Zola's  (Emile)  Geraunal,     Translated  by  Havelock  Ellis.     897 

HISTORY 

Anglo-Saxon  Chronicle,  The.   Translated  by  James  Ingram.   624 
Bede's  Ecclesiastical  History,  etc.  Introduction  by  Vida  D.  Scudder.  479 
Burnet's  History  of  His  Own  Times.    85 
L  Carlyle's  French  Revolution.   Introduction  by  H.  Belloc.  2  vols.    31-2 

(See  also  Biography  and  Essays) 
L  Creasy's  Decisive  Battles  of  the  World.    Introduction  by  E.  Rhys.    300 
De  Joinville  (See  Villehardouin) 

Duruy's  (Jean  Victor)  A  History  of  France.    2  vols.    737-8 
Finlay's  Byzantine  Empire.    33 

„         Greece  under  the  Romans.    185 
Froude's  Henry  VIII.  Intro,  by  Llewellyn  Williams,  M.P.  3  vols.  372-4 
„       Edward  VI.    Intro,  by  Llewellyn  Williams,  M.P.,  B.C.L.    375 
„       Mary  Tudor.    Intro,  by  Llewellyn  Williams,  M.P.,  B.C.L.     477 
„       History  of  Queen   Elizabeth's   Reign.      5   vols.      Completing 
Froude's  'History  of  England',  in  10  vols.    583-7 
(See  also  Essays  and  Biography) 
Gibbon's  Decline  and  Fall  of  the  Roman  Empire.   Edited,  with  Introduc- 
tion and  Notes,  by  Oliphant  Smeaton,  M.A.    6  vols.    434-6,  474-6 
(See  also  Biography) 
Green's  Short  History  of  the  English  People.     Edited  and  Revised  by 
L.  Cecil  Jane,  with  an  Appendix  by  R.  P.  Farley,  B.A.  2  vols.  727-8 
Grote's  History  of  Greece.    Intro,  by  A.  D.  Lindsay.    12  vols.    186-97 
Hallam's  (Henry)  Constitutional  History  of  England.    3  vols.    621-3 
HoUnshed's  Chronicle  as  used  in  Shakespeare's  Plays.    Introduction  by 

Professor  Allardyce  NicoU.    800 
Irving's  (Washington)  Conquest  of  Granada.    478 

(See  also  Essays  and  Biography) 
Josephus'  Wars  of  the  Jews.   Introduction  by  Dr.  Jacob  Hart.   712 
Liitzow's  History  of  Bohemia.   432 
L  Macaulay's  History  of  England.    3  vols.    34-6 
(See  also  Essays  and  Oratory) 


UlSTORY— continued 

Machiavelli's  History  of  Florence.   376  (See  also  Essays) 

jVlaine's  (Sir  Henry)  Ancient  Law.    734 

Merlvale's  History  of  Rome.    (An  Introductory  vol.  to  Gibbon.)   433 

Mignet's  (F,  A.  M.)  The  French  Revolution.   713 

Miiman's  History  of  the  Jews.   2  vols.    377-8 

Mommsen's  History  of  Rome.     Translated  by  W.  P.  Dickson,  LL.D. 

With  a  review  of  the  work  by  E.  A.  Freeman.   4  vols.   542-5 
L  Motley's  Dutch  Republic.   3  vols.   86-8 

Parkman's  Conspiracy  of  Pontiac.    2  vols.    302-3 

Paston  Letters,  The.     Based  on  edition  of  Knight.     Introduction  by 

Mrs.  Archer-Hind,  M.A.  2  vols.  752-3 
Pilgrim  Fathers,  The.    Introduction  by  John  Masefleld.    480 
L  Pinnow's  History  of  Germany.  Translated  by  M.  R.  Brailsford.    929 
Political  Liberty,  The  Growth  of.    A  Source-Book  of  English  History. 

Arranged  by  Ernest  Rhys.    745 
Prescott's  Conquest  of  Mexico.  With  Introduction  by  Thomas  Seocombe, 
M.A.    2  vols.    397-8 
„        Conquest  of  Peru.   Intro,  by  Thomas  Seccombe,  M.A.   301 
Sismondi's  Italian  Republics.    250 
Stanley's  Lectures  on  the  Eastern  Church.    Intro,  by  A.  J.  Grieve.    251 

„        Memorials  of  Canterbiu*y.    89 
Tacitus.     Vol.  I  Annals.   Introduction  by  E.  H.  Blakeney.   273 

„  Vol.  II.  Agricola  and  Germania.  Intro,  by  E.  H.  Blakeney.  274 
Thierry's  Norman  Conquest.  Intro,  by  J.  A.  Price,  B.A.  2  vols.  198-9 
ViUehardouin  and  De  Joinville's  Chronicles  of  the  Crusades.   Translated. 

with  Introduction,  by  Sir  F.  Marzials,  C.B.   333 
Voltaire's  Age  of  Louis  XIV.   Translated  by  Martyn  P.  Pollack.   780 

ORATORY 

L  Anthology  of  British  Historical  Speeches  and  Orations.     Compiled  by 
Ernest  Rhys.    714 
Bright's  (John)  Speeches.   Selected  with  Intro,  by  Joseph  Sturge.   252 
Burke's  American  Speeches  and  Letters.    340 

(See  also  Essays) 
Demosthenes:  Select  Orations.    546 
Fox  (Charles  James):   Speeches   (French  Revolutionary  War  Period). 

Edited  with  Introduction  by  Irene  Cooper  Willis,  M.A.   759 
Lincoln's  Speeches,  etc.   Intro,  by  the  Rt.  Hon.  James  Bryce.   206 

(See  also  Biography) 
Macaulay's  Speeches  on  Politics  and  Literature.   399 

(See  also  Essays  and  History) 
Pitt's  Orations  on  the  War  with  France.  145 

PHILOSOPHY  AND  THEOLOGY 

L  A  Kempis'  Imitation  of  Christ.     484 

Ancient  Hebrew  Literature.     Being  the  Old  Testament  and  Apocrypha 

Arranged  by  the  Rev.  R.  B.  Taylor.     4  vols.     253-6 
Aristotle,  The  Nicomachean  Ethics  of.     Translated  by  D.  P.  Chase. 

Introduction  by  Professor  J.  A.  Smith.     547 
(See  also  Classical) 
Bacon's  The  Advancement  of  Learning.     719 

(See  also  Essays) 
Berkeley's  (Bishop)  Principles  of  Human  Knowledge,  New  Theory  of 

Vision.     With  Introduction  by  A.  D.  Lindsay.     483 
Boehme's  (Jacob)  The  Signature  of  All  Things,  with  Other  Writings. 

Introduction  by  Clifford  Bax.     569 
Browne's  Religio  Medici,  etc.  Introduction  by  Professor  C.  H.  Herford.  92 
Bunyan's  Grace  Abounding  and  ]VIr.  Badman.     Introduction  by  G.  B. 

Harrison.     815  (See  also  Romance) 

Burton's  (Robert)  Anatomy  of  Melancholy.     Introduction  by  Holbrook 

Jackson.     3  vols.     886-8 
Butler's  Analogy  of  Religion.     Introduction  by  Rev.  Ronald  Bayne.    90 
Descartes'  (Rene)  A  Discourse  on  Method.     Translated  by  Professor  John 

Veitch.     Introduction  hj  A.  D.  Lindsay.     570 
L  Ellis*  (Havelock)  Selected  Essays.  Introduction  by  J.  8.  Collis.     930 
L  Gore's  (Charles)  The  Philosophy  of  the  Good  Life.     924 

Hobbes'  Leviathan.  Edited,  with  Intro,  by  A.  D.  Lindsay,  M.A.  691 
Hooker's  Ecclesiastical  Polity.  Intro,  by  Rev,  H.  Bayne,  2  vols.  201-2 
Hume's  Treatise  of  Human  Nature,   and  other   Philosophical   Works. 

Introduction  by  A,  D.  Lindsay.     2  vols.     548-9 
James  (William):  Selected  Papers  on  Phuosophy.     739 
Kant's  Critique  of  Pure  Reason.     Translated  by  J.  M.  D.  Meiklejohn. 

Introduction  by  Dr.  A.  D.  Lindsay.     909 

lO 


PHILOSOPHY  AND  THEOLOGY— continue  J 

Keble's  The  Christian  Year,     Introduction  by  J.  C.  Shairp.     690 
King  Edward  VI.  First  and  Second  Prayer  Books.    Introduction  by  the 
Right  Rev.  Bishop  of  Gloucester.     448 
L  Koran,  The.     Rodwell's  Translation.     380 

Latimer's  Sermons.     Introduction  by  Canon  Beeching.     40 

Law's  Serious  CaU  to  a  Devout  and  Holy  Life.     91 

Leibniz's  Philosophical  Writings     Selected  and  trans,  by  Mary  Morris. 

Introduction  by  C.  R,  Morris,  M.A.     905 
Locke's  Two  Treatises  of  Civil  Government.     Introduction  by  Professor 

William  S.  Carpenter.     751 
Malthus  on  the  Principles  of  Population.     2  vols.     692-3 
Maurice's  Kingdom  of  Christ.     2  vols.     146-7      (Vol.  146 1) 
Mill's  (John  Stuart)  Utilitarianism,  Liberty,  Representative  Government. 
With  Introduction  by  A.  D.  Lindsay.     482 
„     Subjection  of  Women.    (See  Wollstonecraft,  Mary,  under  Science.) 
More's  Utopia.     Introduction  by  Judge  O'Hagan.     461 
L  New  Testament.   Arranged  in  the  order  in  which  the  books  came  to  the 
Christians  of  the  First  Century.     93 
Newman's  Apologia  pro  Vita  Sua.     Intro,  by  Dr.  Charles  Sarolea.     636 

{See  also  Essays) 
Nietzsche's   Thus    Spake    Zarathustra.     Translated    by    A.    Tille    and 

M.  M.  Bozman,     892 
Paine's  Rights  of  Man.     Introduction  by  G.  J.  Holyoake.     718 
Pascal's    Pens6es.     Translated    by    W.    F.    Trotter.     Introduction    by 
T.  S.   EUot.     874 
L  Ramayana  and  the  Mahabharata,  The.    Translated  by  Romesh  Dutt, 
CLE.    403 
Renan's  Life  of  Jesus.  Introduction  by  Right  Rev.  Chas.  Gore,  D.D.  805 
Robertson's  (F.  W.)  Sermons  on  Religion  and  Life,  Christian  Doctrine, 
and  Bible  Subjects.     Each  Volume  with  Introduction  by  Canon 
Burnett.     3  vols.     37-9 
Robinson's  (Wade)  The  Philosophy  of  Atonement  and  Other  Sermons. 

Introduction  by  Rev.  F.  B.  Meyer.     637 
Rousseau's  (J.  J.)  The  Social  Contract,  etc.    660 

(See  also  Essays) 
St.  Augustine's  Confessions.     Dr.  Pusey's  Translation.     200 
L  St.  Francis:  The  Little  Flowers,  and  The  Life  of  St.  Francis.     485 
Seeley's  Ecce  Homo.     Introduction  by  Sir  Oliver  Lodge.     305 
Spinoza's  Ethics,  etc.     Translated  by  Andrew  J.  Boyle.     With  Intro- 
duction by  Professor  Santayana.     481 
Swedenborg's  (Emmanuel)  Heaven  and  HeU.     379 

„  „  The  Divine  Love  and  Wisdom.   635 

„  „  The  Divine  Providence.    658 

L  „  „  The  True  Christian  Religion.   893 

POETRY  AND  DRAMA 

Anglo-Saxon  Poetry.     Edited  by  Professor  R.  K.  Gordon.     794 
Arnold's  (Matthew)  Poems,  1840-66,  including  Thyrsis.     334 
L  Ballads,  A  Book  of  British.     Selected  by  R.  B.  Johnson.     572 

Beaumont  and  Fletcher,  The  Select  Plays  of.     Introduction  by  Professor 

Baker,  of  Harvard  University.     506 
BjOrnson's  Plays.    Vol.    I.  The   Newly  Married  Couple,   Leonardo,   A 
Gauntlet.    Translated  by  R.  Farquharson  Sharp. 
625 
„  „         Vol.  II.  The  Editor,  The  Bankrupt,  and  The  King. 

Translated  by  R.  Farquharson  Sharp.     696 
Blake's  Poems  and  Prophecies.     Introduction  by  Max  Plowman.     792 
L  Browning's  Poems,  1833-44.     Introduction  by  Arthur  Waugh.     41 
L  Browning's  Poems,  1844-64.     42 

L  „  The  Ring  and  the  Book.   Intro,  by  Chas.  W.  HodeU.     502 

L  Burns'  Poems  and  Songs.     Introduction  by  J.  Douglas.     94 
Byron's  Poetical  and  Dramatic  Works.     3  vols.  486-8 
Calderon:  Six  Plays,  translated  by  Edward  Fitzgerald.     819 
L  Chaucer's  Canterbury  Tales.     Edited  by  Principal  Burrell,  M.A.     307 
Coleridge,  Golden  Book  of.     Edited  by  Stopford  A.  Brooke.     43 

(See  also  Essays) 
Cowper  (WilUam).     Poems  of.     Edited  by  H.  I'Anson  Fausset.     872 
(See  also  Biography) 
L  Dante's   Divine   Comedy   (Gary's   Translation).      SpeciaUy   edited    by 
Edmund  Gardner.     308 
Donne's  Poems.     Edited  by  H.  I'Anson  Faujwet.     867 
Dryden's  Poems.     Edited  by  Bonamy  Dobree.     910 
Eighteenth -Century  Plays.     Edited  by  John  Hampden.     818 

II 


POETRY  AND  DRAMA— continued 

Emerson's  Poems.  Introduction  by  Professor  Bakewell,  Yale,  U.S.A.  715 

Everyman  and  other  Interludes,  including  eight  Miracle  Plays.    Edited 

by  Ernest  Rhys.    381 

L  Fitzgerald'a  (Edward)  Omar  Khayyam  and  Six  Plays  of  Calderon.      819 

L  Goethe's  Faust.  Parts  I  and  II.  Trans,  and  Intro,  by  A.  G.  Latham.  335 

{See  also  Essays  and  Fiction)  [well.    921 

L  Golden  Book  of  Modern  English  Poetry,  The.      Edited  by  Thomas  Cald- 

L  Golden  Treasury  of  Longer  Poems,  The.    Edited  by  Ernest  Rhys.    746 

Goldsnoith's  Poems  and  Plays.     Introduction  by  Austin  Dobson.     415 

(See  also  Essays  and  Fiction) 
Gray's  Poems  and  Letters.  Introduction  by  John  Drinkwater.    623 
Hebbel's  Pia^'-s.  Translated  with  an  Introduction  by  Dr.  C.  K.  Allen.   694 
Heine:  Prose  and  Poetry.     911 

Herbert's  Temple.    Introduction  by  Edward  Thomas.    309 
t   Heroic  Verse,  A  Volume  of.    Arranged  by  Arthur  BurreU,  M.A.     574 

Herrick's  Hesperides  and  Noble  Numbers.     Intro,  by  Ernest  Rhys.    310 
L  Ibsen's  Brand.     Translated  by  F.  E.  Garrett.     716 
L       „         Ghosts,  The  Warriors  at  Helgeland,  and  An  Enemy  of  the  People. 

Translated  by  R.  Farquharson  Sharp.     552 
L       „         Lady  Inger  of  Ostraat,  Love's  Comedy,  and  The  League  of 
Youth.     Translated  by  R.  Farquharson  Sharp.     729 
„         Peer  Gynt.     Translated  by  R.  Farquharson  Sharp.     747 
L       „         A   Doll's  House,  The  Wild  Duck,  and  The  Lady  from  the  Sea. 

Translated  by  R.  Farquharson  Sharp.     494 
L       „         The  Pretenders,  Pillars  of  Society,  and  Rosmersholm.  Translated 
by  R.  Farquharson  Sharp.     659 
Jonson's  (Ben)  Plays.  Introduction  by  Professor  ScheUing.  2  vols.  489-90 
Kalidasa:  Shakuntala.     Translated  by  Professor  A.  W.  Ryder.     629 
L  Keats'  Poems.     101 

Kingsley's  (Charles)  Poems.     Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.     793 
(See  also  Fiction  and  For  Young  People) 
L  Langland's  (William)  Piers  Plowman.     571 

Lessing's  Laocoon,  Minna  von  Barnhelm,  and  Nathan  the  Wise.     843 
L  Longfellow's  Poems.     Introduction  by  Katherine  Tynan.     382 
L  Marlowe's  Plays  and  Poems.     Introduction  by  Edward  Thomas.     383 
L  Milton's  Poems.     Introduction  by  W.  H.  D.  Rouse.     384 
[See  also  Essays) 
l^Iinor  Elizabethan  Drama.  Vol.  I.  Tragedy.  Selected,  with  Introduction, 
by  Professor  Thorndike.     Vol.  II.  Comedy.     491-2 
L  Minor  Poets  of  the  18th  Century.    Edited  by  H.  I' Anson  Fausset.    844 
Minor  Poets  of  the  17th  Century.     Edited  by  R.  G.  Howarth.     873 
Moli^re's  Comedies.     Introduction  by  Prof.  F.  C.  Green.     2  vols.  830-1 
L  New  Golden  Treasury,  The.     An  Anthology  of  Songs  and  Lyrics.     695 

Old  Yellow  Book,  The.     Introduction  by  Charles  E.  Hodell.     503 
L  Omar  Khayyam  (The  Rubaiyat  of).  Trans,  by  Edward  Fitzgerald.     819 
L,  Palgrave's' Golden  Treasury.     Introduction  by  Edward  Hutton.     96 
Percy's  Reliques  of  Ancient  English  Poetry.     2  vols.     148-9 
Poe's  (Edgar  Allan)  Poems  and  Essays.    Intro,  by  Andrew  Lang.    791 

(See  also  Fiction) 
Pope  (Alexander):  Collected  Poems.     Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.   760 
Procter's  (Adelaide  A.)  Legends  and  Lyrics.     150 

Restoration  Plays,  A  Volume  of.     Introduction  by  Edmund  Gosse.    604 
L  Rossetti's  Poems  and  Translations.    Introduction  by  E,  G.  Gardner.   627 
Scott's  Poems  and  Plays.     Intro,   by  Andrew  Lang.     2   vols,     550-1 
(See  also  Biography  and  Fiction) 
L  Shakespeare's  Comedies.     153 

L  „  Historical  Plays,  Poems,  and  Sonnets.     154 

L  „  Tragedies.     155 

L  Shelley's  Poetical  Works.   Introduction  by  A.  H.  Koszul.    2  vols.    257-8 
L  Sheridan's  Plays.     95 

Spenser's  Faerie  Queene.     Intro,  by  Prof.  J.  W.  Hales.     2  vols.     443-4 
„         Shepherd's   Calendar  and   Other  Poems.     Edited   by   Philip 
Henderson.     879 
Stevenson's  Poems — A  Child's  Garden  of  Verses,  Underwoods,  Songs  of 
Travel,  BaUads.     768 

(See  also  Essays,  Fiction,  and  Travel) 
L  Tennyson's  Poems.    Vol.  I,  1830-50.    Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.    44 
L  ,  Vol.  II,  1857-70.     626  [Harrison.  899 

Webster  and  Ford.    Plays.     Selected,  with  Introduction,  by  Dr.  G.  B. 
Whitman's  (Walt)  Leaves  of  Grass  (I),  Democratic  Vistas,  etc.     573 
Wilde  (Oscar),  Plays,  Prose  Writings  and  Poems.  858 
L  Wordsworth's  Shorter  Poems.     Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.     20J 
L  „  Longer  Poems.     Note  by  Editor.     311 

1-2 


REFERENCE 

Atlas  of  Ancient  and  Classical  Geography.     Many  colourod  and  line 
Maps;  Historical  Gazetteer,  Index,  etc.     451 

Biographical  Dictionary  of  English  Literature.     449 

Biographical  Dictionary  of  Foreign  Literature.     900 

Dates,  Dictionary  of.     554 

Dictionary  ol  Quotations  and  Proverbs.    2  vols.    809-10. 

Everyman's  English  Dictionary.     776 

Literary  and  Historical  Atlas.     I.  Europe.  Many  coloured  and  line  Maps; 

full  Index  and  Gazetteer.    496 
„  „  „  II.  America.  Do.  653 

„  „  „         III.  Asia.  Do.  633 

„  ,,  „  IV.  Africa  and  Australia.       Do.       662 

Non-Classical  Mythologry,  Dictionary  of.     632 

Reader's  Guide  to  Everyman's  Library.     By  R.  Farquharson  Sharp. 
Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.     889 

Roget's  Thesaurus  of  English  Words  and  Phrases.    2  vols.    630-1. 

Smith's  Smaller  Classical  Dictionary.     Revised  and  Edited  by  E.  H. 
Blakeney,  M.A.     495 

Wright's  An  Encyclopaedia  of  Gardening.     555 

ROMANCE 

Aucassin  and  Nicolette,  with  other  Medieval  Romances,     497 
Boccaccio's   Decameron.      (Unabridged.)      Translated   by   J.   M.    RiarsT- 
Introduction  by  Edward  Hutton.     2  vols.     845-6 
L  Bunyan's  Pilgrim's  Progress.    Introduction  by  Rev.  H.  E.  Lewis.    204 

Burnt  Njal,  The  Story  of.     Translated  by  Sir  George  Dasent.     558 
L  Cervantes'    Don    Quixote.     Motteux'    Translation.     Lockhart's    Intro- 
duction.    2  vols.     385-6 
Chretien  de  Troyes :  Eric  and  Enid.     Translated,  with  Introduction  and 

Notes,  by  WiUiam  Wistar  Comfort.     698 
French  Medieval  Romances.     Translated  by  Eugene  Mason.     557 
Geoffrey  of  Monmouth's  Histories  of  the  Kings  of  Britain.     577 
Grettir  Saga,  The.     Newly  Translated  by  G.  Ainslie  Hight.     699 
Gudrun.     Done  into  English  by  Margaret  Armour.     880 
Guest's  (Lady)  Mabinogion.     Introduction  by  Rev.  R.  Williams.     97 
Heimskringla :  The  Olaf  Sagas.     Translated  by  Samuel  Laing.     Intro- 
duction and  Notes  by  John  Beveridge.     717 
„  Sagas  of  the  Norse  Kings.    Translated  by  Samuel  Laing. 

Introduction  and  Notes  bv  John  Beveridge.     847 
Holy  Graal,  The  High  History  of  the.     445 

Kalevala.     Introduction  by  W.  F.  Kirby,  F.L.S.,  F.E.S.    2  vols.    259-60 
Le  Sage's  The  Adventures  of  Gil  Bias.     Introduction  by  Anatoie  Le 

Bras.     2  vols.     437-8 
MacDonald's  (George)  Phantastes:  A  Faerie  Romance.     732 
{See  also  Fiction) 
L  Malory's  Le  Morte  d' Arthur.     Intro,  by  Professor  Rhvs.     2  vols.  45-6 
L  Morris  (William):  Early  Romances.    Introduction  by  Alfred  Noyes.    261 
„  „         The  Life  and  Death  of  Jason.     575 

Morte  d' Arthur  Romances,  Two.    Introduction  by  Lucy  A.  Paton.    634 
Nibelungs,  The  Fall  of  the.     Translated  by  Margaret  Armour.     312 
Rabelais'  The  Heroid  Deeds  of  Gargantua  and  Pantagruel.  Introduction 

by  D.  B.  Wyndham  Lewis.     2  vols.     826-7 
Wace's   Arthurian   Romance.     Translated   by   Eugene   Mason.     Laya- 
mon's  Bi^t.     Introduction  by  Lucy  A.  Paton.     578 

SCIENCE 

Boyle's  The  Sceptical  Chymist.     559 

Darwin's  The  Origin  of  Species.   Introduction  by  Sir  Arthur  Keith.    811 

{See  also  Travel)  [E.  F.  Bozman.    922 

L  Eddington's  (Sir  Arthur)  The  Nature  of  the  Physical  World,    Intro,  by 

Euclid:  the  Elements  of.     Todhunter's  Edition.     Introduction  by  Sir 

Thomas  Heath,  K.C.B.     891 
Faraday's  (Michael)  Experimental  Researches  in  Electricity.     576 
Galton's  Inquiries  into  Human  Faculty.     Revised  by  Author.     263 
George's  (Henry)  Progress  and  Poverty.     560 
Hahnemann's  (Samuel)  The  Organon  of  the  Rational  Art  of  Healing. 

Introduction  by  C.  E.  Wheeler.     663 
Harvey's  Cu'culation  of  the  Blood.   Introduction  by  Ernest  Parkyn.    262 
Howard's  State  of  the  Prisons.     Introduction  by  Kenneth  Ruck.     835 
Huxley's  Essays.   Introduction  by  Sir  Oliver  Lodge.   47 

„  Select  Lectures  and  Lay  Sermons.    Intro.  Sir  Oliver  Lodge.    498 

Ly ell's  Antiquity  of  Man.    With  an  Introduction  by  R.  H.  Rastall.    700 


SCIENCE— continued 

Marx's  (Karl)  Capital.     Translated  by  Eden  and  Cedar  Paul.     Intro- 
duction by  G.  D.  H.  Cole.     2  vols.     848-9 
Miller's  Old  Red  Sandstone.     103 

Owen's  (Robert)  A  New  View  of  Society,  etc.  Intro,  by  G.  D.  H.  Cole.  799 
Ricardo's  Principles  of  Political  Economy  and  Taxation.    590 
Smith's  (Adam)  The  Wealth  of  Nations.     2  vols.     412-13 
Tyndall's  Glaciers  of  the  Alps  and  Mountaineering  in  1861.     98 
White's  Selborne.     Introduction  by  Principal  Windle.     48 
Wollstonecraft  (Mary),  The  Rights  of  Woman,  with  John  Stuart  Mill's 
The  Subjection  of  Women.     825 

TRAVEL  AND  TOPOGRAPHY 

Anson's  Voyages.     Introduction  by  John  Masefleld.     510 

Bates'  Naturalist  on  the  Amazon.     With  Illustrations.     446 

Belt's  The  NatiiraUst  in  Nicaragua.   Intro,  by  Anthony  Belt,  F.L.S.   561 

Borrow's  (George)  The  Gypsies  in  Spain.  Intro,  by  Edward  Thomas.  697 

I,  „  „       The  Bible  in  Spain.    Intro,  by  Edward  Thomas.    151 

„  „       Wild  Wales.    Intro,  by  Theodore  Watts-Dunton.    49 

(See  also  Fiction) 
Boswell's  Tour  in  the  Hebrides  with  Dr.  Johnson.     387 

(See  also  Biography) 
Biirton's  (Sir  Richard)  First  Footsteps  in  East  Africa.     500 

X  Calderon  de  la  Barca's  (Mme.)  Life  in  Mexico.     664 

Cobbett's  Rural  Rides.     Introduction  by  Edward  Thomas.  2  vols.  638-9 

L  Cook's  Voyages  of  Discovery.     99 

Cr6vecoeur'8  (H.  St.  John)  Letters  from  an  American  Farmer.     640 
Darwin's  Voyage  of  the  Beagle.     104 

(See  also  Science) 
Defoe's  Tour  Through  England  and  Wales.     Introduction  by  G.  D,  H. 
(See  also  Fiction)  [Cole.     820-1 

Dennis'  Cities  and  Cemeteries  of  Etruria.     2  vols.     183-4 
Dufferin's  (Lord)  Letters  from  High  Latitudes.     499 
Ford's  Gatherings  from  Spain.     Introduction  by  Thomas  Okey.     152 
Franklin's  Journey  to  the  Polar  Sea.     Intro,  by  Capt.  R.  F.  Scott.    447 
Giraldus  Cambrensis:  Itinerary  and  Description  of  Wales.     272 
Hakluyt's  Voyages.     8  vols.     264,  265,  313,  314,  338,  339,  388,  389 
Kinglake's  Eothen.     Introduction  by  Harold  Spender,  M.A.     337 
Lane's  Modern  Egyptians.     With  many  Illustrations.     315 

t  Lytton's  Pilgrims  of  the  Rhine.     390 
(See  also  Fiction) 
Mandeville's  (Sir  John)  Travels.     Introduction  by  Jtdes  Bramont.     812 
Park  (Mungo):  Travels.     Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.     205 
Peaks,  Passes,  and  Glaciers.     Selected  by  E.  H.  Blakeney,  M.A.      778 

L  Polo's  (Marco)  Travels.     Introduction  by  John  Masefleld.     306 

Roberts'  The  Western  Avernus.     Intro,  by  Cunninghame  Graham.    762 

L  Speke's  Discovery  of  the  Source  of  the  NUe.     50 

L  Stevenson's  An  Inland  Voyage,  Travels  with  a  Donkey,  and  Silverado 
Squatters.    766 

(See  also  Essays,  Fiction,  and  Poetry) 
Stow's  Survey  of  London.     Introduction  by  H.  B.  Wheatley.    589 
Wakefield's  Letter  from  Sydney  and  Other  Writings  on  Colonization.  828 
Waterton's  Wanderings  in  South  America.    Intro,  by  E.  Selous.    7  72 
Young's  Travels  in  France  and  Italy.    Intro,  by  Thomas  Okey.     720 

FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE 

t  Abbott's  Rollo  at  Work  and  Rollo  at  Play.    Intro,  by  Lucy  Crump.    275 
L  iEsop's  and  Other  Fables:  An  Anthology  from  all  sources.     657 
L  Alcott's   Little  Men.     Introduction  by  Grace  Rhys.     512 
L  „       Little  Women  and  Good  Wives.     Intro,  by  Grace  Rhys.     243 

Andersen's  Fairy  Tales.    Illustrated  by  the  Brothers  Robinson.     4 

More  Fairy  Tales.     Illustrated  by  Mary  Shillabeer.     822 
Aunais  of  Fairyland.  The  Reign  of  King  Oberon.     365 
^,  „  The  Reiyn  of  King  Cole.      3G6 

,,         The  Reign  of  King  Herla.     541 
xXpgard  and  the  Norse  Heroes.     Translated  by  Mrs.  Boult.     689 
Baker's  Cast  Up  by  the  Sea.     539 
L  Ballantyne's  Coral  Island.     24o 

Martin  Rattler.     246 

Ungava.     Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.     276 
L  Browne's  (Frances)  Granny's  Wonderful  Chair.     Introduction  by  Dollie 
Radford.     112 

14 


FOR  YOUNG  ?EO?LE— continued 

Bulflnch's  (Thomas)  The  Age  of  Fable.     472 

"  Legends  of  Charlemagne.  Intro,  bv  Ernest  Rhvs.  556 

li,  Canton's  A  Child'  Book  of  Samts.     Illustrated  by  T.  H.  Robinson.     61 

(See  also  Essays) 
L  Carroll's  Alice  in  Wonderland,  Through  the  Looking-Glass,  etc.     Illus- 
trated by  the  Author.     Introduction  by  Ernest  Rhys.     836 
t  Clfirke's  Girlhood  of  Shakespeare's  Heroines.     3  vols.     109-11 
„         Tales  from  Chaucer.     537 
Collodi's  Pinocchio,*  or.  The  Story  of  a  Puppet.     538 
L  Converse's  (Florence)  The  House  of  Prayer.    923    {See  also  Fiction) 

Cox's  (Sir  G.  W.)  Tales  of  Ancient  Greece.     721 
L  Defoe's  Robinson  Crusoe.     Illustrated  by  J.  A.  Symington.     59 
(See  also  Fiction) 
Dodge's  (Mary  Mapes)  Hans  Brinker;  or.  The  Silver  Skates.     620 
Edgar's  Heroes  of  England.     471 
(See  also  Fiction) 
L  Ewing's  (Mrs.)  Jackanapes,    Daddy   Darwin's   Dovecot,   illustrated  by 
R.  Caldecott,  and  The  Story  of  a  Short  Life.     731 
Mrs.   Overtheway's  Remembrances.     730 
L  Fairy  Gold.     Illustrat,ed  by  Herbert  Cole.     157 
L  Fairy  Tales  from  the  Arabian  Nights.     Illustrated.     249 
Freeman's  Old  English  History  for  Children.     540 
Froissart's  Chronicles.     57 

Gatty's  Parables  from  Nature.     Introduction  by  Grace  Rhys.     158 
Grimm's  Fairy  Tales.     Illustrated  by  R.  Anning  Bell.     56 
L  Hawthorne's  Wonder  Book  and  Tanglewood  Tales.     5 
(See  also  Fiction) 
Howard's  Rattlin  the  Reefer.     Introduction  by  Guy  Pocock.     857 
i-  Hughes*  Tom  Brown's  School  Days.    Illustrated  by  T.  Robinson.    nS 
Ingelow's  (Jean)  Mopsa  the  Fairy.     Illustrated  by  Dora  Curtis.    619 
Jefferiea's  (Richard)  Bevis,  the  Story  of  a  Boy.    Introduction  by  Guy 
Pocock.     850 
L  Kingsley's  Heroes.     Introduction  by  Grace  Rhys.     113 

„  Madam  How  and  Lady  Why.  Introduction  by  C.  I.  Gardiner, 

L  „  Water  Babies  and  Glaucus.     277  [M.A.     777 

(See  also  Poetry  and  Fiction) 
Kingston's  Peter  the  Whaler.     6 
„  Three  Midshipmen.     7 

L  Lamb's  Tales  from  Shakespeare.     Illustrated  by  A.  Rackhara.     8 

(See  also  Biography  and  Essays) 
L  Lear  (and  Others):  A  Book  of  Nonsense.     806 
Marry at's  Children  of  the  New  Forest.     247 

„         Little  Savage.    Introduction  by  R.  Brimley  Johnson.    159 
„         Masterman  Ready.   Introduction  by  R.  Brimley  Johnson.   160 
„         Settlers  in  Canada.  Introduction  by  R.  Brimley  Johnson.   370 
„  (Edited  by)     Rattlin  the  Reefer.     857 

(See  also  Fiction) 
Martineau's  Feats  on  the  Fjords,  etc.     Illustrated  by  A.  Rackham.     429 
Mother  Goose's  Nursery  Rhyraes.     Illustrated.     473 
Poetry  Book  for  Boys  and  Girls.     Edited  by  Guy  Pocock.     894 
Reid's  (MajTie)  The  Boy  Hunters  of  the  Mississippi.     582 

„  „         The  Boy  Slaves.     Introduction  bv  Guy  Pocock.     797 

Ruskin's  The  Two  Boyhoods  and  Other  Passages.     688 
(See  also  Essays) 
L  Sewell's  (Anna)  Black  Beauty.     Illustrated  by  Lucy  Kemp-Welch.    7  48 
L  Spyri's  (Johanna)  Heidi.     Illustrations  by  Lizzie  Lawson.     431 
Story  Book  for  Boys  and    Girls,    Edited  by  Guy  Pocock.    934 
Stowe's  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin.     371 
L  Swift's  Gulliver's  Travels.     Illustrated  by  A.  Rackham.     60 

(See  also  Biography  and  Essays) 
L  Swiss  Family  Robinson.     Illustrations  by  Chgis.  Folkard.     430 
Verne's  (Jules)  Abandoned.     50  Illustrations.     368 

„  „       Dropped  from  the  Clouds.     50  Illustrations.     367 

L       „  „       Five  Weeks  in  a  Balloon  and  Around  the  World  in  Eighty 

Days.  Translated  by  Arthur  Chambers  and  P.  Dosages. 
L       ,,  „       Twenty  Thousand  Leagues  Under  the  Sea.    319  [779 

„       The  Secret  of  the  Island.     50  Illustrations.     369 
L  Yonge's  (Charlotte  M.)  The  Book  of  Golden  Deeds.     330 

„  „         The  Lances  of  Lynwood.     Illustrated  by  Dora 

Curtis.     579 
L  „  •  „        The  Little  Duke.  Illustrated  by  Dora  Curtis.  470 

(See  also  Fiction) 

15 


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Made  in  Great  Britain  at  The  Temple  Press,  Letchworth,  Herts      (K  I  j6) 


6X7795  .W7  A3 1922 


3  5002  00253  3581 

Woolman,  John 

The  journal,  with  other  writings  of  John 


APP 


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