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
In visiting People of Note in the Society who had Slaves, and labouring
with them in brotherly Love on that Account, I have seen, and the Sight
hath affected me, that a Conformity to some Customs, distinguishable
from pure Wisdom, has entangled many; and the Desire of Gain, to support
these Customs, greatly opposed the Work of Truth: And sometimes, when
the Prospect of the Work before me has been such, that in Bowedness of
Spirit, I have been drawn into retired Places, and besought the Lord
with Tears that he would take me wholly under his Direction, and shew me
the Way in which I ought to walk, it hath revived, with Strength of
Conviction, that, if I would be his faithful Servant, I must, in all
Things, attend to his Wisdom, and be teachable; and so cease from all
Customs contrary thereto, however used amongst religious People.
As he is the Perfection of Power, of Wisdom, and of Goodness, so, I
believe, he hath provided, that so much Labour shall be necessary for
Men's Support, in this World, as would, being rightly divided, be a
suitable Employment of their Time; and that we cannot go into
Superfluities, or grasp after Wealth in a Way contrary to his Wisdom,
without having Connection with some Degree of Oppression, and with that
Spirit which leads to Self-exaltation and Strife, and which frequently
brings Calamities on Countries, by Parties contending about their
Claims.
In the eleventh Month of the Year 1762, feeling an Engagement of Mind to
visit some Families in _Mansfield_. I joined my beloved Friend, BENJAMIN
JONES, and we spent a few Days together in that Service. In the second
Month, 1763, I joined in Company with ELIZABETH SMITH and MARY NOBLE on
a Visit to the Families of Friends at _Ancocas_; in both which Visits,
through the baptizing Power of Truth, the sincere Labourers were often
comforted, and the Hearts of Friends opened to receive us. And, in the
fourth Month following, I accompanied some Friends in a Visit to the
Families of Friends in _Mount-Holly_, in which my Mind was often drawn
into an inward Awfulness, wherein strong Desires were raised for the
everlasting Welfare of my Fellow-creatures; and, through the Kindness of
our heavenly Father, our Hearts were, at Times, enlarged, and Friends
invited, in the Flowings of divine Love, to attend to that which would
settle them on the sure Foundation.
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