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
When we love the Lord with all our Hearts, and his Creatures in his
Love, we are then preserv'd in Tenderness 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 unnecessary 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 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 Care, 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 appointed 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_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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