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
_Suffer 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, 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 Innocence, it is a Case
much to be lamented.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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