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
Before our first Meeting, this Morning, I was led to meditate on the
manifold Difficulties of these _Indians_, who, by the Permission of the
six Nations, dwell in these Parts; and a near Sympathy with them was
raised in me; and, my Heart being enlarged in the Love of Christ, I
thought that the affectionate Care of a good Man for his only Brother in
Affliction does not exceed what I then felt for that People.
I came to this Place through much Trouble; and though, through the
Mercies of God, I believed, that if I died in the Journey, it would be
well with me; yet the Thoughts of falling into the Hands of _Indian_
Warriours were, in Times of Weakness, afflicting to me; and, being of a
tender Constitution of Body, the Thoughts of Captivity amongst them
were, at Times, grievous; as supposing, that they being strong and
hardy, might demand Service of me beyond what I could well bear; but the
Lord alone was my Keeper; and I believed, if I went into Captivity, it
would be for some good End: And thus, from Time to Time, my Mind was
centered in Resignation, in which I always found Quietness. And now,
this Day, though I had the same dangerous Wilderness between me and
Home, I was inwardly joyful that the Lord had strengthened me to come on
this Visit, and manifested a fatherly Care over me in my poor lowly
Condition, when in mine own Eyes I appeared inferior to many amongst the
_Indians_.
When the last-mentioned Meeting was ended, it being Night, PAPUNEHANG
went to Bed; and, one of the Interpreters sitting by me, I observed
PAPUNEHANG spoke with an harmonious Voice, I suppose a Minute or two;
and, asking the Interpreter, I was told, that "He was expressing his
Thankfulness to God for the Favours he had received that Day; and
prayed that he would continue to favour him with that same, which he had
experienced in that Meeting." And though PAPUNEHANG had before agreed to
receive the _Moravian_, and join with them, he still appeared kind and
loving to us.
On the twentieth Day I was at two Meetings, and silent in them.
The twenty-first Day: This Morning, in Meeting, my Heart was enlarged in
pure Love amongst them, and, in short plain Sentences, I expressed
several Things that rested upon me, which one of the Interpreters gave
the People pretty readily; after which, the Meeting ended in
Supplication, and I had Cause humbly to acknowledge the Loving-kindness
of the Lord towards us; and then I believed that a Door remained open
for the faithful Disciples of Jesus Christ to labour amongst these
People.
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