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 beloved Companion had very acceptable Service on this Island.
When Meeting was over, we all agreed to sail the next Day, if the
Weather was suitable and we well; and, being called up the latter Part
of the Night, we went on board a Vessel, being in all about fifty; but,
the Wind changing, the Seamen thought best to stay in the Harbour till
it altered; so we returned on Shore; and, feeling clear as to any
farther Visits, I spent my Time in our Chamber chiefly alone; and, after
some Hours, my Heart being filled with the Spirit of Supplication, my
Prayers and Tears were poured out, before my heavenly Father, for his
Help and Instruction in the manifold Difficulties which attended me in
Life: And, while I was waiting upon the Lord, there came a Messenger
from the Women Friends, who lodged at another House, desiring to confer
with us about appointing a Meeting, which to me appeared weighty, as we
had been at so many before; but, after a short Conference, and advising
with some elderly Friends, a Meeting was appointed, in which the Friend,
who first moved it, and who had been much shut up before, was largely
opened in the Love of the Gospel: And the next Morning, about Break of
Day, going again on board the Vessel, we reached _Falmouth_ on the Main
before Night; where our Horses being brought, we proceeded toward
_Sandwich_ Quarterly-meeting.
Being two Days in going to _Nantucket_, and having been there once
before, I observed many Shoals in their Bay, which make Sailing more
dangerous, especially in stormy Nights; also, that a great Shoal, which
encloses their Harbour, prevents their going in with Sloops, except when
the Tide is up; waiting without which, for the Rising of the Tide, is
sometimes hazardous in Storms; waiting within, they sometimes miss a
fair Wind. I took Notice, that on that small Island was a great Number
of Inhabitants, and the Soil not very fertile; the Timber so gone, that
for Vessels, Fences, and Firewood, they depend chiefly on the buying
from the Main; the Cost whereof, with most of their other Expences, they
depend principally upon the Whale-fishery to answer. I considered, that
as Towns grew larger, and Lands near navigable Waters more cleared,
Timber and Wood require more Labour to get it: I understood that the
Whales being much hunted, and sometimes wounded and not killed, grew
more shy and difficult to come at: I considered that the Formation of
the Earth, the Seas, the Islands, Bays, and Rivers, the Motions of the
Winds and great Waters, which cause Bars and Shoals in particular
Places, were all the Works of him who is perfect Wisdom and Goodness;
and, as People attend to his heavenly Instruction, and put their Trust
in him, he provides for them in all Parts where he gives them a Being.
And as, in this Visit to these People, I felt a strong Desire for their
firm Establishment on the sure Foundation, besides what was said more
publickly, I was concerned to speak with the Women Friends, in their
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account