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
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
_Woodbridge_, _Raway_, and _Plainfield_; 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 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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