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
To keep a watchful eye towards real Objects of Charity, to visit
the Poor in their lonesome Dwelling-places, to comfort them who,
through the Dispensations of divine Providence, are in strait and
painful Circumstances in this Life, and steadily to endeavour to
honour God with our Substance, from a real Sense of the Love of
Christ influencing our Minds thereto, is more likely to bring a
Blessing to our Children, and will afford more Satisfaction to a
_Christian_ favoured with Plenty, than an earnest Desire to collect
much Wealth to leave behind us; for "Here we have no continuing
City;" may we therefore diligently "seek one that is to come, whose
Builder and Maker is God."
"Finally, Brethren, whatsoever Things are true, whatsoever Things
are just, whatsoever Things are pure, whatsoever Things are lovely,
whatsoever Things are of good Report; if there be any Virtue, if
there be any Praise, think on these Things and do them, and the God
of Peace shall be with you."
Signed, by Appointment, and on Behalf of our said
Meeting, by seven Friends.
On the twenty-eighth Day of the eleventh Month, in the Year 1759, I was
at the Quarterly-meeting in _Bucks_ County: This Day being the Meeting
of Ministers and Elders, my Heart was enlarged in the Love of Jesus
Christ; and the Favour of the Most High was extended to us in that and
the ensuing Meeting.
I had Conversation, at my Lodging, with my beloved Friend, SAMUEL
EASTBURN; who expressed a Concern to join in a Visit to some Friends, in
that County, who had Negroes; and as I had felt a Draught in my Mind to
that Work in the said County, came Home and put Things in Order: On the
eleventh Day of the twelfth Month following, I went over the River; and
on the next Day was at _Buckingham_ Meeting; where, through the
Descendings of heavenly Dew, my Mind was comforted, and drawn into a
near Unity with the Flock of Jesus Christ.
Entering upon this Visit appeared weighty: And before I left Home my
Mind was often sad; under which Exercise I felt, at Times, the Holy
Spirit, which helps our Infirmities; through which, in private, my
Prayers were, at Times, put up to God, that he would be pleased to purge
me from all Selfishness, that I might be strengthened to discharge my
Duty faithfully, how hard soever to the natural Part. We proceeded on
the Visit in a weighty Frame of Spirit, and went to the Houses of the
most active Members, throughout the Country, who had Negroes; and,
through the Goodness of the Lord, my Mind was preserved in Resignation
in Times of Trial, and, though the Work was hard to Nature, yet through
the Strength of that Love which is stronger than Death, Tenderness of
Heart was often felt amongst us in our Visits, and we parted from
several Families with greater Satisfaction than we expected.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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