The journal, with other writings of John WoolmanWoolman, John
Religion
The journal, with other writings of John Woolman
Woolman, John
Quakers -- Biography; Woolman, John, 1720-1772
Sixth-day-morning, he broke forth early in Supplication on this wise: O
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
concerning 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 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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