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
Having, at Times, perceived a Shyness in some Friends, of considerable
Note, towards me, I found an Engagement 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: And
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.
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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