^0*Mt&^

¦J\j2-J,<sni-a-dL

(?tU.. _

I8SX

JOUENAL

LIFE, GOSPEL LABOURS AND CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCES,
OF THAT FAITHFUL MINISTER OF
JESUS CHRIST,

JOHN WOOLMAN.

TO WHICH AEE ADDED,

HIS LAST EPISTLE,

AND OTHER WRITINGS.

The work of righteousness shall be peace ; and the effect of righteousness,
quietness and assurance for ever. Isaiah xxxii. 17.

PHILADELPHIA:
FOR SALE AT FRIENDS' BOOKSTORE,
No. 84 Mulberry Street.
1845.

CONTENTS.

The Testimony of Friends in Yorkshire, at their Quarterly Meet
ing held at York, the 24th and 25th of the third month, 1773,
concerning John Woolman  9
A Testimony of the Monthly Meeting of Friends, held in Bur
lington, the 1st day of the eighth month, in the year of our
Lord, 1774, concerning our esteemed friend John Woolman,
deceased  13

CHAPTER I.
His hirth and parentage, with some account of the operations of
Divine grace on his mind in his youth — his first appearance
in the ministry — considerations while young on keeping
slaves  19

CHAPTER II.
His first journey, on a religious visit, into East Jersey, in com
pany with Abraham Farrington — thoughts on merchandizing,
and learning a trade — second journey, with Isaac Andrews,
into Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina —
third journey, with Peter Andrews, through part of West and
East Jersey — some account of his sister Elizabeth, and her
death — fourth journey, with Peter Andrews, through New
York and Long Island, to New England — fifth journey, with
John Sykes, to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and the lower
counties on Delaware  31

IV CONTENTS.
CHAPTER III.
His marriage — the death of his father — his journeys into the upper
part of New Jersey, and afterwards into Pennsylvania — con
siderations on keeping slaves — visits to the families of
Friends at several times and places — an epistle from the
General Meeting — journey to Long Island — considerations
on trading, and on the use of spirituous liquors and costly
apparel — letter to a Friend  43
CHAPTER IV.
His visiting the families of Friends at Burlington — His journey
to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina —
Considerations on the state of Friends there, and the exer
cise he was under in travelling among those concerned in
keeping slaves : with some observations on this subject — His
epistle to Friends at New Garden and Cane creek — His
thoughts on the neglect of a religious care in the education
of the negroes  59
CHAPTER-V.
Considerations on the payment of a tax laid for carrying on the
war against the Indians — Some notes on Thomas a Kempis
and John Huss — Meetings of the committee of the Yearly
Meeting at Philadelphia — The present circumstances of
Friends in Pennsylvania and New Jersey very different from
those of our predecessors — The drafting of the militia in
New Jersey to serve in the army, with some observations on
the state of the members of our Society at that time — His
visit to Friends in Pennsylvania, accompanied by Benjamin
Jones — Proceedings at the Monthly, Quarterly and Yearly
Meetings in Philadelphia, respecting those who keep
slaves  81
CHAPTER VI.
His visiting the Quarterly Meetings in Chester county; and after
wards joining with Daniel Stanton and John Scarborough, in

CONTENTS. T
a visit to such as kept slaves there — Some observations on
the conduct those should maintain who are concerned to
speak in meetings for discipline — Several visits to such who
kept slaves : and to Friends near Salem — Some account of
the Yearly Meeting in the year 1759; and of the increasing
concern, in divers provinces, to labour against buying and
keeping slaves — The yearly Meeting epistle — His thoughts
on the smallpox spreading — and on inoculation  94
CHAPTER VII.
His visit in company with Samuel Eastburn, to Long Island,
Rhode Island, Boston, &c, in New England — Remarks on
the slave trade at Newport, and his exercise on that ac
count ; also on lotteries — Some observations on the island of
Nantucket  110
CHAPTER VIII.
His visits to Pennsylvania, Shrewsbury and Squan — publishes the
second part of his Considerations on keeping negroes — The
grounds of his appearing in some respects singular in his
dress — visits the families of Friends of Ancocas and Mount
Holly meetings — visit to the Indians at Wehaloosing on the
river Susquehanna  125
CHAPTER IX.
His religious conversation with a company met to see the tricks
of a juggler — John Smith's advice ; proceedings of a commit
tee at the Yearly Meeting in 1764 — Contemplations on the
nature of true wisdom, occasioned by hearing of the cruelty
of the Indians to their captives — Visits the families of Friends
at Mount Holly, Mansfield and Burlington, in 1764, and the
meetings on the sea coast from Cape May toward Squan in
1765 — visit to the lower counties on Delaware and the East
ern Shore of Maryland in 1 766, in company with John Sleeper ;
some account of Joseph Nichols and his followers; and ob
servations on the different state of the firet settlers in Penn-
a2

VI CONTENTS.
sylvania who depended on their own labour, and those of the
Southern provinces who kept negroes — visit to the northern
parts of New Jersey the same year, and the western parts
of Maryland and Pennsylvania in 1767, and afterwards
other parts of Pennsylvania and the families of Friends at
Mount Holly ; and again several parts of Maryland in 1768 —
further considerations on keeping slaves; his concern for
having formerly, as an executor, been party to the sale of
one; and what he did in consequence of it — thoughts on
Friends exercising offices in civil government  152
CHAPTER X.
His exercise for the good of the people in the West Indies — com
municates to Friends his resignation to visit some of these
islands— The state of his mind, and the close considerations
he was led into while under this exercise — preparations to
embark, and considerations on the trade to these islands ;
released from the concern he had been under— religious en
gagements after his return home — His sickness, in which he
was brought to a very low state; and the prospects he then
had  169
CHAPTER XI.
Preparing to visit Friends in England — Embarks at Chester, in
company with Samuel Emlen, in a ship bound to London —
His deep exercise, in observing the difficulties and hardships
the common sailors are exposed to — Considerations on the
dangers to which youth are exposed, in being trained to a
sea-faring life ; and its inconsistency with a pious education
— thoughts in a storm at sea ; with many instructive con
templations on the voyage — arrival at London  177
CHAPTER XII.
Attends the Yearly Meeting in London — proceeds towards York
shire, visiting several Quarterly and other meetings in the

CONTENTS. Vll
counties of Hertford, Warwick, Oxford, Nottingham, York,
and Westmoreland ; and thence again into Yorkshire, and to
the city of York — some instructive thoughts and observa
tions — letters on divers subjects — hears of the decease of
William Hunt; some account of him — sickness at York;
and death there  196
Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes ; recommended to the
professors of Christianity of every denomination  215
Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes, recommended to the
professors of Christianity of every denomination. Part the
Second  232
Considerations on pure wisdom and human policy; on Labour;
on Schools; and on the right use of the Lord's outward
gifts  274
Considerations on the Harmony of Mankind ; and how it is to be
maintained  291
Chap. I. — On serving the Lord in our outward employ
ments  292
Chap. n. — On the example of Christ  299
Chap. III. — On Merchandising  303
Chap. IV. — On Divine admonitions  312
Remarks on sundry subjects.
Chap. I. — On loving our neighbours as ourselves. ... 316
Note on the horrors of the slave trade  326
(See page 432 "Friends' Library.")
Chap, n.— On a Sailor's life  350
Chap. III.— On Silent Worship  354 .
An Epistle to the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings of Friends 356

THE TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS
In Yorkshire, at their Quarterly Meeting held at York, the
24<A and 25th of the third month, 1773, concerning John
Woolman, of Mount Holly, in the province of New
Jersey, in America, who departed this life at the house
of our friend Thomas Priestman, in the suburbs of this
city, the 1th of the tenth month, 1772, and was interred in
the burying-ground of Friends, the 9th of the same, aged
about fifty-two years.
This our valuable friend having been under a religious
engagement for some time, to visit Friends in this nation,
and more especially us in the northern parts, undertook
the same with the full concurrence and near sympathy of
his friends and brethren at home, as appeared by certifi
cates from the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings to which
he belonged, and from the Spring-meeting of ministers
and elders, held at Philadelphia, for Pennsylvania and
New Jersey.
He arrived in the city of London at the beginning of
the last Yearly Meeting, and after attending that meeting
travelled northward, visiting the Quarterly Meetings of
Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamtonshire, Ox
fordshire and Worcestershire, and divers particular meet
ings in his way.
He visited many meetings on the west side of this
county, also some in Lancashire and Westmoreland, from
whence he came to our Quarterly Meeting in the last
ninth month ; and though much out of health, yet was en
abled to attend all the sittings of that meeting except the
last. His disorder, which proved to be the smallpox, in-

10 TESTIMONIES CONCERNING
creased speedily upon him, and was very afflicting ; un
der which he was supported in much meeekness, patience
and Christian fortitude. To those who attended him in
his illness, his mind appeared to be centered in Divine
love, under the precious influence whereof, we believe
he finished his course, and entered into the mansions of
everlasting rest.
In the early part of his illness he requested a Friend
to write, and then broke forth thus :
" 0 Lord my God ! the amazing horrors of darkness
were gathered around me and covered me all over, and
I saw no way to go forth. I felt the misery of my fellow-
creatures separated from the Divine harmony, and it was
heavier than I could bear — I was crushed down under it.
I lifted up my hand, and stretched out my arm, but there
was none to help me. I looked round about and was
amazed. In the depths of misery, 0 Lord ! I remem
bered that thou art omnipotent, that I had called thee
Father. . I felt that I loved thee, and I was made quiet
in thy will. I waited for deliverance from thee, and thou
hadst pity upon me, when no man could help me. I saw
that meekness under suffering was showed to us in the
most affecting example of thy son, and that thou wast
teaching me to follow him : and I said, thy will, O Father,
be done."
Many more of his weighty expressions might have
been inserted here, but it was deemed unnecessary, they
being already published.
He was a man endued with a large natural capacity,
and being obedient to the manifestations of Divine grace,
having in patience and humility endured many deep bap
tisms, he became thereby sanctified and fitted for the
Lord's work, and was truly serviceable in his church. —

JOHN WOOLMAN. 11
Dwelling in awful fear and watchfulness,, he was careful
in his public appearances to feel the putting forth of the
Divine Hand, so that the spring of the Gospel ministry
often flowed through him with great sweetness and purity,
as a refreshing stream to the weary travellers towards the
city of God. Skilful in dividing the word, he was fur
nished by Him in whom are hid all the treasures of wis
dom and knowledge, to communicate freely to the several
states of the people where his lot was cast. His conduct
at other times was seasoned with the like watchful cir
cumspection and attention to the guidance of Divine wis
dom, which rendered his whole conversation edifying.
He was fully persuaded, that as the life of Christ comes
to reign in the earth, all abuse and unnecessary oppres
sion, both of the human and brute creation will come to
an end ; but under the sense of a deep revolt, and an
overflowing stream of unrighteousness, his life was often
a life of mourning.
He was deeply concerned on account of that inhuman
and iniquitous practice of making slaves of the people of
Africa, or holding them in that state ; and on that ac
count we understand he not only wrote some books, but
travelled much on the continent of America, in order to
make the negro masters, especially those in profession
with us, sensible of the evil of such a practice ; and though
in this journey to England he was far removed from the
outward sight of their sufferings, yet his deep exercise of
mind remained, as appears by a short treatise he wrote in
this journey, and his frequent concern to open the miser
able state of this deeply injured people. His testimony in
the last meeting he attended was on this subject, wherein
he remarked, that as we as a Society, when under outward
sufferings had often found it our concern to lay them be-

12 TESTIMONIES CONCERNING
fore those in authority, and thereby in the Lord's time,
had obtained relief, so he recommended this oppressed
part of the creation to our notice, that as way may open,
we may represent their sufferings in an individual, if not
a Society capacity to those in authority.
Deeply sensible that the desire to gratify people's in
clinations in luxury and superfluities, is the principal
ground of oppression, and the occasion of many unneces
sary wants, he believed it to be his duty to be a pattern
of great self-denial,, with respect to the things of this life,
and earnestly to labour with Friends in the meekness of
wisdom,, to impress on their minds the great importance
of our testimony in these things ; recommending them to
the guidance of the blessed Truth in this and all other
concerns, and cautioning such as are experienced therein,
against contenting themselves with, acting up to the stand
ard of others, but to be careful to make the standard of
Truth manifested to them, the measure of their obedience ;
for said he, " That purity of life which proceeds from
faithfulness in following the Spirit of Truth; that state
where our minds are devoted to serve God, and all our
wants are bounded by his wisdom ; this habitation has
often been opened before me as a place of retirement for
the children of the light, where they may stand separated
from that which disordereth and confusefh the affairs of
society, and where we may have a testimony of our inno
cence in the hearts of those who behold us."
We conclude with fervent desires, that we as a people
may thus, by our example, promote the Lord's work in
the earth ; and our hearts being prepared, may unite in
prayer to the great Lord of the harvest, that as in his in
finite wisdom he hath greatly stripped the church, by re
moving of late divers faithful ministers and elders, he

JOHN WOOLMAN. 13
may be pleased to send forth many more faithful labourers
into1 his harvest.
Signed in, by order, and on behalf of said meeting.
Thomas Bennett, Samuel Briscoe,
John Storr, John Turner,
Joseph Eglin, Joshua Robinson,
Thomas Perkinson, Thomas Priestman,
Joseph Wright, And divers other Friends.

A Testimony of the Monthly Meeting of Friends, held in
Burlington, the 1st day of the eighth month, in the year
of our Lord, 1774, concerning our esteemed friend John
Woolman, deceased.
He was born in Northampton, in the county of Bur
lington, and province of West New Jersey, in the eighth
month, 1720, of religious parents, who instructed him
very early in the principles of the Christian religion, as
professed by the people called Quakers, which he es
teemed a blessing to him, even in his young years, tend
ing to preserve him from the infection of wicked children.
But through the workings of the enemy, and the levity
incident to youth, he frequently deviated from those
parental precepts, by which he laid a renewed foundation
for repentance, that was finally succeeded by a godly
sorrow not to be repented of, and so became acquainted
with that sanctifying power which qualifies for true Gospel
ministry, into which he was called about the twenty-
second year of his age, and by a faithful use of the talents
committed to him, he experienced an increase, until he
arrived at the state of a father, capable of dividing the
B

14 testimonies concerning
word aright to the different states he ministered unto ;
dispensing milk to babes, and meat to those of riper
years. Thus he found the efficacy of that power to arise,
which, in his own expressions, "prepares the creature
to stand like a trumpet through which the Lord speaks
to his people."
He was a loving husband, a tender father, and very
humane to every part of the creation under his care.
His concern for the poor and those in affliction was evi
dent by his visits to them ; and he frequently relieved
them by his assistance and charity. He was for many
years deeply exercised on account of the poor enslaved
Africans, whose cause, as he sometimes mentioned, lay
almost continually upon him, and to obtain liberty to
those captives, he laboured both in public and private,
and was favoured to see his endeavours crowned with
considerable success. He was particularly desirous that
Friends should not be instrumental to lay burthens on
this oppressed people, but remember the days of suffer
ing from which they had been providentially delivered,
that if times of trouble should return, no injustice dealt
to those in slavery might rise in judgment against us,
but, being clear, we might on such occasions address
the Amighty with a degree of confidence, for his inter
position and relief; being particularly careful as to him
self, not to countenance slavery, even by the use of those
conveniences of life which were furnished by their labour.
He was desirous to have his own mind, and the minds
of others, redeemed from the pleasures and immoderate
profits of this world, and to fix them on those joys which
fade not away ; his principal care being after a life of
purity, endeavouring to avoid not only the grosser pol
lutions, but those also, which appearing in a more refined

JOHN WOOLMAN. 15
dress, are not sufficiently guarded against by some well
disposed people. In the latter part of his life he was re
markable for the plainness and simplicity of his dress,
and as much as possible, avoided the use of plate, costly
furniture and feasting ; thereby endeavouring to become
an example of temperance and self-denial, which he be
lieved himself called unto, and was favoured with peace
therein, although it carried the appearance of great aus
terity in the view of some. He was very moderate in
his charges in the way of business, and in his desires
after gain ; and though a man of industry, avoided and
strove much to lead others out of extreme labour and
anxiousness after perishable things ; being desirous that
the strength of our bodies might not be spent in procuring
things unprofitable, and that we might use moderation
and kindness to the brute animals under our care, to
prize the use of them as a great favour, and by no means
to abuse them ; that the gifts of Providence should be
thankfully received and applied to the uses they were
designed for.
He several times opened a school at Mount Holly, for
the instruction of poor Friends' children and others, being
concerned for their help and improvement therein. His
love and care for the rising youth among us was truly
great, recommending to parents and those who have
the charge of them, to choose conscientious and pious
tutors, saying, " It is a lovely sight to behold innocent
children," and "to labour for their help against that
which would mar the beauty of their minds, is a debt we
owe them."
His ministry was sound, very deep and penetrating,
sometimes pointing out the dangerous situation which
indulgence and custom lead into ; frequently exhorting

16 testimonies concerning
others, especially the youth, not to be discouraged at the
difficulties which occur, but to press after purity. He
often expressed an earnest engagement that pure wisdom
should be attended to, which would lead into lowliness
of mind and resignation to the Divine will, in which
state small possessions here would be sufficient.
In transacting the affairs of discipline, his judgment
was sound and clear, and he was very useful in treating
with those who had done amiss : he visited such in a pri
vate way in that plainness which Truth dictates, showing
great tenderness and Christian forbearance. He was acon-
stant attender of our Yearly Meeting, in which he was a
good example, and particularly useful ; assisting in the
business thereof with great weight and attention. He
several times visited most of the meetings of Friends in
this and the neighbouring provinces, with the concur
rence of the Monthly Meeting to which he belonged, and
we have reason to believe had good service therein, gen
erally or always expressing at his return how it had fared
with him, and the evidence of peace in his mind for thus
performing his duty. He was often concerned with other
Friends in the important service of visiting families,
which he was enabled to go through to satisfaction.
In the minutes of the meeting of ministers and elders
for this quarter, at the foot of a list of the members of
that meeting, made about five years before his death, we
find in his hand writing the following observation and
reflections. " As looking over the minutes made by per
sons who have put off this body, hath sometimes revived
in me a thought how ages pass away ; so this list may
probably revive a like thought in some, when I and the
rest of the persons above-named, are centered in another
state of being. — The Lord, who was the guide of my

JOHN WOOLMAN. 17
youth, hath in tender mercies helped me hitherto ; he
hath healed me of wounds, he hath helped me out of
grievous entanglements ; he remains to be the strength
of my life ; to whom I desire to devote myself in time,
and in eternity. "Signed, John Woolman."
In the twelfth month, 1771, he acquainted this meet
ing that he had found his mind drawn towards a religious
visit to Friends in some parts of England, particularly
in Yorkshire. In the first month, 1772, he obtained our
certificate, which was approved and endorsed by our
Quarterly Meeting, and by the Half-year's meeting of
ministers and elders at Philadelphia. He embarked on
his voyage in the fifth, and arrived in London in the
sixth month following, at the time of their annual meet
ing in that city. During his short visit to Friends in that
kingdom, we are informed that his services were accept
able and edifying. In his last illness he uttered many
lively and comfortable expressions, being "perfectly re
signed, having no will either to live or die," as appears
by the testimony of Friends at York, in Great Britain,
in the suburbs whereof, at the house of our friena Thomas
Priestman, he died of the smallpox, on the 7th day of
the tenth month, 1772, and was buried in Friends' bury-
ing-ground in that city, on the 9th of the same, after a
large and solid meeting held on the occasion, aged nearly
fifty-two years ; a minister upwards of thirty years, during
which time he belonged to Mount Holly particular meet
ing, which he diligently attended when at home and in
health of body, and his labours of love and pious care
for the prosperity of Friends in the blessed Truth, we
b2

18 TESTIMONIES CONCERNING, &C.
hope may not be forgotten, but that his good works may
be remembered to edification.
Signed in, and by order of the said meeting, by
Samuel Allinson, Clerk.
Read and approved at our Quarterly Meeting, held at
Burlington the 29th of the eighth month, 1774.
Signed by order of said meeting, Daniel Smith, Clerk.

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.

CHAPTER I.
His birth and parentage, with some account of the operations of
Divine grace on his mind in his youth — his first appearance
in the ministry — considerations while young on keeping
slaves.
I have often felt a motion of love to leave some hints
in writing of my experience of the goodness of God;
and now, in the thirty-sixth year of my age, I begin this
work. I was born in Northampton, in Burlington county,
West Jersey, in the year 1720; and before I was seven
years old I began to be acquainted with the operations
of Divine love. Through the care of my parents, I was
taught to read nearly as soon as I was capable of it ; and
as I went from school one seventh-day, I remember,
while my companions went to play by the way, I went
forward out of sight, and sitting down, I read the twenty-
second chapter of the Revelations; "He showed me a
pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding
out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, &c. ;" and
in reading it, my mind was drawn to seek after that pure
habitation, which, I then believed, God had prepared for
his servants. The place where I sat, and the sweetness
that attended my mind, remain fresh in my memory.
This, and the like gracious visitations, had such an
19

20 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
effect upon me, that when boys used ill language, it
troubled me ; and through the continued mercies of God,
I was preserved from it.
The pious instructions of my parents were often fresh
in my mind when I happened to be among wicked
children, and were of use to me. My parents having a
large family of children, used frequently on first-days
after meeting, to put us to read in the Holy Scriptures,
or some religious books, one after another, the rest sitting
by without much conversation ; which, I have since often
thought, was a good practice. From what I had read
and heard, I believed there had been, in past ages, peo
ple who walked in uprightness before God, in a degree
exceeding any that I knew or heard of, now living : and
the apprehension of there being less steadiness and firm
ness amongst people in this age than in past ages, often
troubled me while I was a child.
A thing remarkable in my childhood was, that once
going to a neighbour's house, I saw on the way, a robin
sitting on her nest, and as I came near she went off, but,
having young ones, flew about and with many cries ex
pressed her concern for them. I stood and threw stones
at her, till one striking her, she fell down dead : at first I
was pleased with the exploit, but after a few minutes
was seized with horror, for having, in a sportive way,
killed an innocent creature while she was careful for her
young. I beheld her lying dead, and thought those
young ones, for which she was so careful, must now perish
for want of their dam to nourish. them; and after some
painful considerations on the subject, I climbed up the
tree, took all the young birds and killed them, supposing
that better than to leave them to pine away and die
miserably ; and believed, in this case, that Scripture pro-

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 21
verb was fulfilled, « The tender mercies of the wicked
are cruel." I then went on my errand, but, for some
hours, could think of little else but the cruelties I had
committed, and was much troubled. Thus He, whose
tender mercies are over all his works, hath placed a prin
ciple in the human mind, which incites to exercise good
ness towards every living creature ; and this being singly
attended to, people become tender-hearted and sympa
thizing; but being frequently and totally rejected, the
mind becomes shut up in a contrary disposition.
About the twelfth year of my age, my father being
abroad, my mother reproved me for some* misconduct,
to which I made an undutiful reply ; and the next first-
day, as I was with my father returning from meeting, he
told me he understood I had behaved amiss to my mother,
and advised me to be more careful in future. I knew
myself blameable, and in shame and confusion remained
silent. Being thus awakened to a sense of my wicked
ness, I felt remorse in my mind, and getting home, I re
tired and prayed to the Lord to forgive me ; and do not
remember that I ever, after that, spoke unhandsomely to
either of my parents, however foolish in some other
things. Having attained the age of sixteen years, I began to
love wanton company? and though I was preserved from
profane language, or scandalous conduct, still I perceived
a plant in me which produced many wild grapes. Yet
my merciful Father forsook me not utterly, but at times,
through his grace, I was brought seriously to consider
my ways ; and the sight of my backslidihgs affected me
with sorrow ; but for want of rightly attending to the
reproofs of instruction, vanity was- added to vanity, and
repentance to repentance. Upon the whole, my mind

22 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN:
was more and more alienated from the Truth, and I has
tened toward destruction. While I meditate on the
gulf towards which I travelled, and reflect on my youthful
disobedience, for these things I weep, mine eye runneth
down with water.
Advancing in age, the number of my acquaintance
increased, and thereby my way grew more difficult.
Though I had found comfort in reading the Holy Scrip
tures, and thinking on heavenly things, I was now es
tranged therefrom. I knew that I was going from the
flock of Christ, and had no resolution to return ; hence
serious reflections were uneasy to me, and youthful vani
ties and diversions my greatest pleasure. Running in
this road I found many like myself; and we associated
in that which is the reverse to true friendship.
But in this swift race it pleased God to visit me with
sickness, so that I doubted of recovering ; . and then did
darkness, horror and amazement, with full force, seize
me, even when my pain and distress of body were very
great. I thought it would have been better for me never
to have had a being, than to see the day which I now
saw. I was filled with confusion ; and in great affliction,
both of mind and body, I lay and bewailed myself. I
had not confidence to lift up my cries to God, whom I
had thus offended ; but in a deep sense of my great folly,
I was humbled before him: and at length, that word
which is as a fire and a hammer, broke and dissolved my
rebellious heart, and then my cries were put up in con
trition ; and in the multitude of his mercies I found in
ward relief, and felt a close engagement, that if he was
pleased to restore my health, I might walk humbly be
fore him.
After my recovery, this exercise remained with me a

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 23
considerable time ; but by degrees, giving way to youth
ful vanities, they gained strength, and getting with wanton
young people I lost ground. The Lord had been very
gracious, and had spoken peace to me in the time of my
distress ; and I now most ungratefully turned again to
folly; on which account, at times, I felt sharp reproof,
but did not get low enough to cry for help. I was not
so hardy as to commit things scandalous ; but to exceed
in vanity and promote mirth, were my chief study. Still
I retained a love and esteem for pious people ; and their
company brought an awe upon me. My dear parents,
several times admonished me in the fear of the Lord, and
their admonition entered into my heart, and had a good
effect for a season ; but not getting deep enough to pray
rightly, the tempter, when he came, found entrance. I
remember that once, having spent a part of the day in
wantonness, as I went to bed at night, a Bible lay in a
window near my bed, which I opened, and first cast my
eye on the text, "we lie down in our shame, and our
confusion covers us;" this I knew to be my case; and
meeting with so unexpected a reproof, I was somewhat
affected with it, and went to bed under remorse of con
science ; which I soon cast off again.
Thus time passed on : my heart was replenished with
mirth and wantonness, while pleasing scenes of vanity
were presented to my imagination, till I attained the age
of eighteen years; near which time I felt the judgments
of God in my soul, like a consuming fire ; and looking
over my past life, the prospect was moving. I was often
sad, and longed to be delivered from those vanities;
then again, my heart was strongly inclined to them, and
there was in me a sore conflict. At times I turned to
folly ; and then sorrow and confusion took hold of me.

24 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
In a while, I resolved totally to leave off some of my
vanities ; but there was a secret reserve in my heart, of
the more refined part of them, and I was not low enough
to find true peace. Thus, for some months, I had great
troubles, there remaining in me an unsubjected will,
which rendered my labours fruitless, till at length, through
the merciful continuance of heavenly visitations, I was
made to bow down in spirit before the Lord. I remem
ber one evening I had spent some time in reading a pious
author ; and walking out alone, I humbly prayed to the
Lord for his help, that I might be delivered from all
those vanities which so ensnared . me. Thus, being
brought low, he helped me ; and as I learned to bear
the cross, I felt refreshment to come from his presence ;
but not keeping in that strength which gave victory, I
lost ground again ; the sense of which greatly affected
me ; and I sought deserts and lonely places, and there
with tears did confess my sins to God, and humbly
craved help of him. I may say with reverence, he was
near to me in my troubles, and in those times of humilia
tion opened my ear to discipline. I was now led to look
seriously at the means by which I was drawn from the
pure truth, and learned this, that if I would live in the
life which the faithful servants of God lived in, I must
not go into company as heretofore, in my own will ; but
all the cravings of sense must be governed by a Divine
principle. In times of sorrow and abasement, these in
structions were sealed upon me, and I felt the power of
Christ prevail over selfish desires, so that I was preserved
in a good degree of steadiness ; and being young, and
believing, at that time, that a single life was best for me,
I was strengthened to keep from such company as had
often been a snare to me.

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 25
I kept steadily to meetings ; spent first-day afternoon
chiefly in reading the Scriptures, and other good books ;
and was early convinced in my mind, that true religion
consisted in an inward life, wherein the heart doth love
and reverence God the Creator, and learns to exercise
true justice and goodness, not only toward all men, but
also toward the brute creatures. That as the mind is
moved by an inward principle, to love God as an invisi
ble, incomprehensible Being ; by the same principle it
is moved to love him in all his manifestations in the visi
ble world. That, as by his breath the flame of life was
kindled in all sensible creatures, to say we love God as
unseen, and, at the same time, exercise cruelty toward
the least creature moving by his life, or by life derived
from him, is a contradiction in itself.
I found no narrowness respecting sects and opinions ;
but believed, that sincere, upright-hearted people, in
every society, who truly love God, were accepted of him.
As I lived under the cross, and simply followed the
openings of Truth, my mind, from day to day, was more
enlightened ; my former acquaintance were left to judge
of me as they would, for I found it safest for me to live
in private, and to keep these things sealed up in my own
breast. While I silently ponder on that change wrought
in me, I find no language equal to [describe] it, nor any
means to convey to another a clear idea of it. I looked
upon the works of God in this visible creation, and an
awfulness covered me ; my heart was tender, and often
contrite, and universal love to my fellow-creatures in
creased in me : this will be understood by such who
have trodden in the same path.
Some glances of real beauty may be seen in their faces
who dwell in true meekness. There is a harmony in the
C

26 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
sound of that voice to which Divine love gives utterance,
and some appearance of right order in their temper and
conduct, whose passions are regulated ; yet all these do
not fully show forth that inward life to such who have
not felt it : but this white stone and new name are known
rightly to such only who have them.
Though I had been thus strengthened to bear the
cross, I still found myself in great danger, having many
weaknesses attending me, and strong temptations to
wrestle with ; in the feeling whereof I frequently with
drew into private places, and often with tears besought
the Lord to help me, whose gracious ear was open to
my cry.
All this time I lived with my parents, and wrought on
the plantation ; and having had schooling pretty well for
a planter, I used to improve it in winter evenings, and
other leisure times ; and being now in the twenty-first
year of my age, a man, in much business at shop-keep
ing and baking, asked me if I would hire with him to
tend shop and keep books. I acquainted my father with
the proposal ; and, after some deliberation, it was agreed
for me to go.
At home I had lived retired ; and now having a pros
pect of being much in the way of company, I felt fre
quent and fervent cries in my heart to God, the Father
of mercies, that he would preserve me from all taint and
corruption ; that, in this more public employment, I
might serve Him, my gracious Redeemer, in that humility
and self-denial, with which I had been, in a small degree,
exercised in a more private life. The man who em
ployed me, furnished a shop in Mount Holly, about five
miles from my father's house, and six from his own;
and there I lived alone, and tended his shop. Shortly

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 27
after my settlement here, I was visited by several young
people, my former acquaintance, who knew not but vani
ties would be as agreeable to me now as ever ; and, at
these times, I cried to the Lord in secret for wisdom
and strength ; for I felt myself encompassed with diffi
culties, and had fresh occasion to bewail the follies of
time past, in contracting a familiarity with libertine peo
ple : and as I had now left my father's house outwardly,
I found my heavenly Father to be merciful to me beyond
what I can express.
By day I was much amongst people, and had many |
trials to go through; but in the evenings, I was mostly
alone, and may with thankfulness acknowledge that, in
those times, the spirit of supplication was often poured
upon me ; under which I was frequently exercised, and
felt my strength renewed.
In a few months after I came here, my master bought
several Scotchmen as servants, from on board a vessel,
and brought them to Mount Holly to sell ; one of whom
was taken sick, and died.
In the latter part of his sickness, he, being delirious,
used to curse and swear most sorrowfully ; and the next
night after his burial, I was left to sleep alone in the
same chamber where he died. I perceived in me a
timorousness ; I knew, however, that I had not injured
the man, but assisted in taking care of him according to
my capacity ; and was not free to ask any one, on that
occasion, to sleep with me : nature was feeble ; but every
trial was a fresh incitement to give myself up wholly to
the service of God, for I found no helper like him in
times of trouble.
After a while, my former acquaintance gave over ex
pecting me as one of their company ; and I began to be

28 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
known to some whose conversation was helpful to me.
As I had experienced the love of God, through Jesus
Christ, to redeem me from many pollutions, and to be a
succour to me through a sea of conflicts, with which no
person was fully acquainted, and as my heart was often
enlarged in this heavenly principle, I felt a tender com
passion for the youth, who remained entangled in snares
like those which had entangled me from one time to an
other ; this love and tenderness increased ; and my mind
was more strongly engaged for the good of my fellow-
creatures. I went to meetings in an awful frame of
mind, and endeavoured to be inwardly acquainted with
the language of the true Shepherd ; and one day, being
under a strong exercise of spirit, I stood up, and said
some words in a meeting ; but not keeping close to the
Divine opening, I said more than was required of me ;
and being soon sensible of my error, I was afflicted in
mind some weeks, without any light or comfort, even to
such a degree that I could not take satisfaction in any
thing. I remembered God, and was troubled ; and, in
the depth of my distress, he had pity upon me, and sent
the Comforter. I then felt forgiveness for my offence,
and my mind became calm and quiet, being truly thank
ful to my gracious Redeemer for his mercies ; and after
this, feeling the spring of Divine love opened, and a.
concern to speak, I said a few words in a meeting, in
which I found peace. This, I believe, was about six
weeks from the first time. As I was thus humbled and
disciplined under the cross, my understanding became
more strengthened to distinguish the pure Spirit which
inwardly moves upon the heart, and taught me to wait
in silence, sometimes many weeks together, until I felt

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 29
that rise which prepares the creature to stand like a
trumpet, through which the Lord speaks to his flock.
From an inward purifying, and a steadfast abiding
under it, springs a lively operative desire for the good of
others : all the faithful are not called to the public minis
try; but whoever are, are called to minister of that which
they have tasted and handled spiritually. The outward
modes of worship are various; but wherever any are
true ministers of Jesus Christ, it is from the operation of
his Spirit upon their hearts, first purifying them, and thus
giving them a just sense of the condition of others.
This truth was early fixed in my mind^-and I jsas
taught to watch the pure opening, and to take heed, lest,
while I was standing to speak, my own will should get
uppermost, and cause me to utter words from wordly
wisdom, and depart from the channel of the true Gospel
ministry. In the management of my outward affairs, I
may say with thankfulness, I found truth to be my sup
port; and I was respected in my master's family, who
came to live in Mount Holly within two years after my
going there.
About the twenty-third year of my age, I had many
fresh and heavenly openings, in respect to the care and
providence of the Almighty over his creatures in general,
and over man as the most noble amongst those which are
visible. And being clearly convinced in my judgment,
that to place my whole trust in God was best for me, I
felt renewed engagements, that in all things I might act
on an inward principle of virtue, and pursue worldly bu
siness no further than Truth opened my way therein.
About the time called Christmas, I observed that many
people from the country, and dwellers in town, resorting
to public houses, spent their time in drinking and vain
c2

30 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
sports, tending to corrupt one another; on which account
I was much troubled. At one house in particular, there
was much disorder ; and I believed it was a duty in
cumbent on me to go and speak to the master of that
house. I considered I was young, and that several
elderly Friends in town had an opportunity to see these
things ; but though I would gladly have been excused,
yet I could not feel my mind clear.
The exercise was heavy : and as I was reading what
the Almighty said to Ezekiel, respecting his duty as a
watchman, the matter was set home more clearly ; and
then, with prayers and tears, I besought the Lord for his
assistance, who, in loving kindness, gave me a resigned
heart. Then, at a suitable opportunity, I went to the
public house ; and seeing the man amongst much com
pany, I went to him, and told him I wanted to speak
with him ; so we went aside, and there, in the fear and
dread of the Almighty, I expressed to him what rested
on my mind; which he took kindly, and afterwards
showed more regard to me than before. In a few years
afterwards he died, middle-aged ; and I often thought,
that had I neglected my duty in that case, it would have
given me great trouble ; and I was humbly thankful to
my gracious Father, who had supported me herein.
My employer having a negro woman, sold her, and
desired me to write a bill of sale, the man being waiting
who bought her. The thing was sudden ; and though
the thoughts of writing an instrument of slavery for one
of my fellow-creatures felt uneasy, yet I remembered
that I was hired by the year, that it was my master who
directed me to do it, and that it was an elderly man, a
member of our Society, who bought her; so, through
weakness, I gave way, and wrote it; but, at the exe-

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 31
curing of it, I was so afflicted in my mind, that I said,
before my master and the Friend, that I believed slave-
keeping to be a practice inconsistent with the Christian
religion. This in some degree abated my uneasiness ;
yet, as often as I reflected seriously upon it, I thought I
should have been clearer, if I had desired to be excused
from it, as a thing against my conscience ; for such it
was. Some time after this, a young man of our Society,
spoke to me to write a conveyance of a slave to him ;
he having lately taken a negro into his house. I told
him, I was not easy to write it ; for, though many of our
meeting, and in other places kept slaves, I still believed
the practice was not right ; and desired to be excused
from the writing. I spoke to him in good will; and he
told me, that keeping slaves was not altogether agreeable
to his mind ; but that the slave being a gift made to his
wife, he had accepted of her.

CHAPTER II.
His first journey, on a religious visit, into East Jersey, in com
pany with Abraham Farrington — thoughts on merchandizing,
and learning a trade — second journey, with Isaac Andrews,
into Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina —
third journey, with Peter Andrews, through part of West and
East Jersey — some account of his sister Elizabeth, and her
death — fourth journey, with Peter Andrews, through New
York and Long Island, to New England — fifth journey, with
John Sykes, to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and the lower
counties on Delaware.
My esteemed friend Abraham Farrington, being about
to make a visit to Friends on the eastern side of this

32 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
province, and having no companion, proposed to me to
go with him ; and after a conference with some elderly
Friends, I agreed to go. We set out on the 5th day of
the ninth month, in the year 1743 ; and had an evening
meeting at a tavern in Brunswick, a town in which none
of our Society dwelt ; the room was full, and the people
quiet. Thence to Amboy, and had an evening meeting
in the court-house ; to which came many people, amongst
whom were several members of assembly, they being in
town on the public affairs of the province : in both these
meetings my ancient companion was enlarged to preach,
in the love of the Gospel. Thence we went to Wood-
bridge, Rahway, and Plainfield; and had six or seven
meetings in places where Friends' meetings are not
usually held, being made up chiefly of Presbyterians, and
my beloved companion was frequently strengthened to
publish the word of life amongst them. As for me, I
was often silent through the meetings ; and when I spake,
it was with much care, that I might speak only what
Truth opened : my mind was often tender, and I learned
some profitable lessons. We were out about two weeks.
Near this time, being on some outward business in
which several families were concerned, and which was
attended with difficulties, some things relating thereto
not being clearly stated, nor rightly understood by all,
there arose some heat in the minds of the parties, and
one valuable Friend got off his watch. I had a great
regard for him, and felt a strong inclination, after matters
were settled, to speak to him concerning his conduct in
that case ; but I being a youth, and he far advanced in
age and experience, my way appeared difficult ; but after
some days deliberation, and inward seeking to the Lord
for assistance, I was made subject ; so that I expressed

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 33
what lay upon me, in a way which became my youth and
his years : and though it was a hard task to me, it was
well taken, and, I believe, was useful to us both.
Having now been several years with my employer, and
he doing less at merchandize than heretofore, I was
thoughtful of some other way of business; perceiving
merchandize to be attended with much cumber, in the
way of trading in these parts.
My mind, through the power of Truth, was in a good
degree weaned from the desire of outward greatness, and
I was learning to be content with real conveniences,
that were not costly; so that a way of life free from
much entanglement, appeared best for me, though the
income might be small. I had several offers of business
that appeared profitable, but did not see my way clear to
accept of them ; believing the business proposed would
be attended with more outward care and cumber than it
was required of me to engage in.
" I saw that a humble man, with the blessing of the
Lord, might live on a little :_ and that where the heart
was set on greatness, success in business did not satisfy
the craving; but that commonly with an increase of
wealth, the desire of wealth increased. There was a care
on my mind so to pass my time, that nothing might
hinder me from the most steady attention to the voice of
the true Shepherd.
My employer, though now a retailer of goods, was by
trade a tailor, and kept a servant man at that business ;
and I began to think about learning the trade, expecting,
that if I should settle, I might, by this trade, and a little
retailing of goods, get a living in a plain way, without
-the load of great business. I mentioned it to my em
ployer, and we soon agreed on terms; and then, when

34 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
I had leisure from the affairs of merchandize, I worked
with this man. I believed the hand of Providence point
ed out this business for me ; and was taught to be con
tent with it, though I felt, at times, a disposition that
would have sought for something greater. But, through
the revelation of Jesus Christ, I had seen the happiness
of humility, and there was an earnest desire in me to
enter deeply into it ; and, at times, this desire arose to a
degree of fervent supplication, wherein my soul was so
environed with heavenly light and consolation, that things
were made easy to me which had been otherwise.
After some time, my employer's wife died ; she was a
virtuous woman, and generally beloved of her neigh
bours: and soon after this, he left shop-keeping; and we
parted. I then wrought at my trade, as a tailor ; care
fully attended. meetings for worship and discipline; and
found an enlargement of Gospel love in my mind, and
therein a concern to visit Friends in some of the back
settlements of Pennsylvania and Virginia. Being thought
ful about a companion, I expressed it to my beloved
friend Isaac Andrews, who then told me that he had
drawings to the same places ; and also to go through
Maryland, Virginia, and Carolina. After considerable
time passed, and several conferences with him, I felt
easy to accompany him throughout, if way opened for it.
I opened the case in our Monthly Meeting, and Friends
expressing their unity therewith, we obtained certificates
to travel as companions; his from Haddonfield, and
mine from Burlington.
We left our province on the 12th day of the third
month, in the year 1746, and had several meetings in
the upper part of Chester county, and near Lancaster ; in
some of which, the love of Christ prevailed, uniting us

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 35
together in his service. Then we crossed the river Sus
quehanna, and had several meetings in a new settlement,
called the Red-lands ; the oldest of which, as I was in
formed, did not exceed ten years. It is the poorer sort
of people who commonly begin to improve remote de
serts : with a small stock they have houses to build, lands
to clear and fence, corn to raise, clothes to provide, and
children to educate ; that Friends, who visit such, may
well sympathize with them in their hardships in the wil
derness; and though the best entertainment such can
give, may seem coarse to some who are used to cities,
or old-settled places, it becomes the disciples of Christ
to be content with it. Our hearts were sometimes en
larged in the love of our heavenly Father amongst these
people ; and the sweet influence of his Spirit supported
us through some difficulties : to him be the praise.
We passed on to Manoquacy, Fairfax, Hopewell, and
Shanandoah, and had meetings ; some of which were
comfortable and edifying. From Shanandoah, we set
off in the afternoon for the old settlements of Friends in
Virginia ; and the first night, we, with our pilot, lodged
in the woods, our horses feeding near us ; but he being
poorly provided with a horse, and we young and having
good horses, were free to part with him ; and next day
did so. In two days after, we reached our friend John
Cheagle's, in Virginia; and taking the meetings in our
way through Virginia, were in some degree, baptized into
a feeling of the conditions of the people ; and our exer
cise in general was more painful in these old settlements,
than it had been amongst the back inhabitants : but!
through the goodness of our heavenly Father, the well
of living waters was, at times, opened to our encourage-M
ment and the refreshment of the sincere-hearted. We'

36 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
went on to Perquimons, in North Carolina ; had several
meetings, which were large, and found some openness in
those parts, and a hopeful appearance amongst the young
people. We turned again into Virginia, and attended
most of the meetings which we had not been at before,
labouring amongst Friends in the love of Jesus Christ,
as ability was given ; and thence went to the mountains,
up James River, to a new settlement, and had several
meetings amongst the people, some of whom had lately
joined in membership with our Society. In our journey
ing to and fro, we found some honest-hearted Friends,
who appeared to be concerned for the cause of Truth,
among a backsliding people.
From Virginia, we crossed over the river Potomac, at
Hoe's ferry, and made a general visit to the meetings of
Friends on the Western Shore of Maryland, and were at
their Quarterly Meeting. We had some hard labour
amongst them, endeavouring to discharge our duty honest
ly as way opened, in the love of truth. Taking sundry
meetings in our way, we passed homeward, where,
through the favour of Divine Providence, we reached^
the 16th day of the sixth month, in the year 1746 ; and
I may say, that through the assistance of the Holy Spirit,
which mortifies selfish desires, my companion and I
travelled in harmony, and parted in the nearness of true
brotherly love.
Two things were remarkable to me in this journey :
first, in regard to my entertainment ; when I eat, drank,
and lodged free-cost, with people who lived in ease on
the hard labour of their slaves, I felt uneasy ; and as my
mind was inward to the Lord, I found, from place to
place, this uneasiness return upon me, at times, through
the whole visit. Where the masters bore a good share

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 37
of the burthen, and lived frugally, so that their serv
ants were well provided for, and their labour moderate,
I felt more easy ; but where they lived in a costly way,
and laid heavy burthens on their slaves, my exercise
was often great, and I frequently had conversation with
them, in private, concerning it. Secondly ; the trade of
importing slaves from their native country being much
encouraged amongst them, and the white people and
their children so generally living without much labour,
were frequently the subjects of my serious thoughts ; and
I saw in these southern provinces so many vices and cor
ruptions, increased by this trade and this way of life, that
it appeared to me as a dark gloominess hanging over the
land ; and though now many willingly run into it, yet in
future the consequences will be grievous to posterity. I
express it as it hath appeared to me, not at once, or twice,
but as a matter fixed on my mind.
Soon after my return home, I felt an increasing con
cern for Friends on our sea-coast ; and on the 8th day of
the eighth month, in the year 1746, with the unity of
Friends, and in company with my beloved friend and
neighbour Peter Andrews, brother to my companion
before-mentioned, I set forward, and visited meetings gen-
.erally about Salem, Cape May, Great and Little Egg Har
bour ; and had meetings at Barnagat, Mannahockin, and
Mane-Squan, and so to the Yearly Meeting at Shrewsbu
ry. Through "the goodness of the Lord way was opened,
and the strength of Divine love was sometimes felt in our
assemblies, to the comfort and help of those who were
rightly concerned before him. We were out twenty-
two days, and rode, by computation, three hundred and
forty miles. At Shrewsbury Yearly Meeting, we met
D

38 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
with our dear friends Michael Lightfoot and Abraham
Farrington, who had good service there.
The winter following died my eldest sister, Elizabeth
Woolman, jun., of the smallpox, aged thirty-one years?
She was, from her youth, of a thoughtful disposition, and
very compassionate to her acquaintances in their sickness
or distress, being ready to help as far as she could. She
was dutiful to her parents ; one instance whereof follows :
It happened that she, and two of her sisters, being then
near the estate of young women, had an inclination one
first-day after meeting to go on a visit to some other
young women at some distance off, whose company, I
believe, would have done them no good. They expressed
their desire to our parents ; who were dissatisfied with
the proposal, and stopped them. The same day, as my
sisters and I were together, and they talking about their
disappointment, Elizabeth expressed her contentment
under it ; signifying, she believed it might be for their
good. A few years after she attained to mature age, through
the gracious visitations of God's love, she was strength
ened to live a self-denying exemplary life, giving herself
much to reading and meditation.
The following letter may show, in some degree, her
disposition : Haddonfield, Eleventh Month 1st, 1743.
Beloved brother, John Woolman — In that love which
desires the welfare of all men, I write unto thee. I re
ceived thine, dated 2nd day of the tenth month last,
with which I was comforted. My spirit was bowed with
thankfulness that I should be remembered, who am un
worthy ;,but the Lord is full of mercy, and his goodness
is extended to the meanest of his creation ; therefore, in

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 39
his infinite love, he hath pitied and spared and showed
mercy, that I have not been cut off nor quite lost ; but, at
times, I am refreshed and comforted as with the glimpse
.of his presence, which is more to the immortal part, than
all which this world can afford : so, with desires for thy
preservation with my own, I remain
Thy affectionate sister,
Elizabeth Woolman, Jun.
The fore part of her illness she was in great sadness
and dejection of mind, of which she told one of her inti
mate friends, and said, when I was a young girl I was
wanton and airy, but I thought I had thoroughly repented
for it ; and added, I have of late had great satisfaction in
meetings. Though she was thus disconsolate, still she
retained a hope, which was an anchor to her : and some
time after, the same friend came again to see her, to
whom she mentioned her former expressions, and said,
it is otherwise now, for the Lord hath rewarded me seven
fold ; and I am unable to express the greatness of his
love manifested to me. Her disorder appearing danger
ous, and our mother being sorrowful, she took notice of
it, and said, dear mother, weep not for me ; I go to my
God : and many times, with an audible voice, uttered praise
to her Redeemer.
A Friend coming some miles to see her the morning
before she died, asked her, how she did ? She answered,
I have had a hard night, but shall not have another such,
for I shall die, and it will be well with my soul ; and ac
cordingly she died the next evening.
The following ejaculations were found amongst her
writings ; written, I believe, at four times :
I. Oh ! that my head were as waters, and mine eyes

40 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
as a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night,
until acquainted with my God.
II. 0 Lord, that I may enjoy thy presence ; or else my
time is lost, and my life a snare to my soul.
III. O Lord, that I may receive bread from thy table,
and that thy grace may abound in me.
. IV. 0 Lord, that I may be acquainted with thy pre
sence, that I may be seasoned with thy salt, that thy
grace may abound in me.
Of late I found drawings in my mind to visit Friends
in New England, and having an opportunity of joining
in company with my beloved friend Peter Andrews, we
obtained certificates from our Monthly Meeting, and set
forward on the 16th day of the third month, in the year
1747, and reached the Yearly Meeting at Long Island ;
at which were our friends Samuel Nottingham from Eng
land, John Griffith, Jane Hoskins, and Elizabeth Hudson,
from Pennsylvania, and Jacob Andrews, from Chester
field ; several of whom were favoured in their public ex
ercise ; and, through the goodness of the Lord, we had
some edifying meetings. After this, my companion and
I visited Friends on Long Island ; and, through the mer
cies of God, were helped in the work.
Besides going to the settled meetings of Friends, we
were at a general meeting at Setawket, chiefly made up
of other societies, and had a meeting at Oyster Bay, in a
dwelling-house, at which were many people : at the first
of which there was not much said by way of testi
mony ; but it was, I believe, a good meeting : at the lat
ter, through the springing up of living waters, it was a
day to be thankfully remembered. Having visited the
island, we went over to the main, taking meetings in our

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 41
way to Oblong, Nine-Partners and New Milford. In
these back settlements we met with several people, who,
through the immediate workings of the Spirit of Christ
•on their minds, were drawn from the vanities of the
world, to an inward acquaintance with him : they were
educated in the way of the Presbyterians. A considerable
number of the youth, members of that Society, were used
to spend their time often together in merriment, but
some of the principal young men of that company being
visited by the powerful workings of the Spirit of Christ,
and thereby led humbly to take up his cross, could no
longer join in those vanities ; and as these stood stead
fast to that inward convincement, they were made a bles
sing to some of their former companions ; so that, through
the power of Truth, several were brought into a close ex
ercise concerning the eternal well-being of their souls. —
These young people- continued for a time to frequent
their public worship ; and besides that, had meetings of
their own ; which meetings were a while allowed by then-
preacher, who sometimes met with them :• but, in time,
their judgment in matters of religion disagreeing with
some of the articles of the Presbyterians, their meetings
were disapproved by that Society ; and such of them who
stood firm to their duty, as it was inwardly manifested,
had many difficulties to go through. Their meetings
were in a while dropped ; some of them returning to the
Presbyterians, and others, after a time, joined our reli
gious Society.
I had conversation with some of the latter, to my help
and edification ; and believe several of them are acquaint
ed with the nature of that worship which is performed in
spirit and in truth. From hence, accompanied by Amos
Powel, a Friend from Long Island, we rode through
D2

42 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
Connecticut, chiefly inhabited by Presbyterians; who
were generally civil to us, so far as I saw : and after
three days riding, we came amongst Friends in the colony
of Rhode Island. We visited Friends in and about
Newport and Dartmouth, and generally in those parts ;
and then went to Boston ; and proceeded eastward as
far as Dover: then returned to Newport, and not far
from thence we met our friend, Thomas Gawthrop, from
England, who was then on a visit to these provinces.
From Newport we sailed to Nantucket; were there
nearly a week, and from thence came over to Dartmouth :
and having finished our visits in these parts, we crossed
the sound from New London to Long Island ; and tak»
ing some meetings on the island, proceeded homeward ;
where we reached the 13th day of the seventh month, in
the year 1 747, having rode about fifteen hundred miles,
and sailed about one hundred and fifty.
In this journey, I may say in general, we were some
times in much weakness, and laboured under discourage
ments ; and at other times, through the renewed mani
festations of Divine love, we had seasons of refreshment,
wherein the power of Truth prevailed.
We were taught, by renewed experience, to labour for
an inward stillness ; at no time to seek for words, but to
live in the Spirit of Truth, and utter that to the people
which Truth opened in us. My beloved companion and
I belonged to one meeting, came forth in the ministry
near the same time, and were inwardly united in the
work : he was about thirteen years older than I, bore the
heaviest burthen, and was an instrument of the greatest
use. Finding a concern to visit Friends in the lower coun
ties on Delaware, and on the Eastern Shore of Maryland,

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 43
and having an opportunity to join with my well-beloved
ancient friend John Sykes, we obtained certificates, and
set off the 7th day of the eighth month, in the year 1748 ;
were at the meetings of Friends in the lower counties,
attended the Yearly Meeting at Little Creek, and made
a visit to most of the meetings on the Eastern Shore ;
and so home by the way of Nottingham : were abroad
about six weeks ; and rode, by computation, about five
hundred and fifty miles.
Our exercise, at times, was heavy ; but, through the
goodness of the Lord, we were often refreshed : and I
may say, by experience, " He is a strong hold in the day
of trouble." Though our Society, in these parts, ap
peared to me to be in a declining condition ; yet, I be
lieve the Lord hath a people amongst them, who labour
to serve him uprightly, but have many difficulties to
encounter.

CHAPTER III.
His marriage — the death of his father — his journeys into the upper
part of New Jersey, and afterwards into Pennsylvania — con
siderations on keeping slaves — visits to the families of
Friends at several times and places — an epistle from the
General Meeting — journey to Long Island — considerations
on trading, and on the use of spirituous liquors and costly
apparel — letter to a Friend.
About this time believing it good for me to settle,
and thinking seriously about a companion, my heart was
turned to the Lord, with desires that he would give me
wisdom to proceed therein agreeably to his will; and
He was pleased to give me a well-inclined damsel, Sarah

44 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
Ellis ; to whom I was married the 18th day of the eighth
month, in the year 1749.
In the fall of the year 1750, died my father, Samuel
Woolman, with a fever, aged about sixty years.
In his life-time he manifested much care for us his
children, that in our youth we might learn to fear the
Lord ; often endeavouring to imprint in our minds the
true principles of virtue, and particularly to cherish in us
a spirit of tenderness, not only towards poor people, but
also towards all creatures of which we had the command.
After my return from Carolina, in the year 1746, I
made some observations on keeping slaves, which some
time before his decease I showed him. He perused the
manuscript, proposed a few alterations, and appeared
well satisfied that I found a concern on that account. —
In his last sickness, as I was watching with him one
night, he being so far spent that there was no expectation
of his recovery, but had the perfect use of his under
standing, he asked me concerning the manuscript, whe
ther I expected soon to proceed to take the advice of
Friends in publishing it ? and, after some conversation
thereon, said, I have all along been deeply affected with
the oppression of the poor negroes ; and now, at last, my
concern for them is as great as ever.
He made mention of his end, which he believed was
now near ; and signified, that though he was sensible of
many imperfections in the course of his life, yet his ex
perience of the power of Truth, and of the love and
goodness of God from time to time, even until now, was
such, that he had no doubt but that in leaving this life he
should enter into one more happy.
The next day his sister Elizabeth came to see him,
and told him of the decease of their sister Ann ; who

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 45
died a few days before. He said, I reckon sister Ann
was free to leave this world ? Elizabeth said, she was :
he then said, I also am free to leave it ; and being in
great weakness of body, said, I hope I shall shortly go
to rest. He continued in a weighty frame of mind, and
was sensible until near the last.
On the 2d day of the ninth month, in the year 1751,
feeling drawings in my mind to visit Friends at the
Great Meadows, in the upper part of West Jersey, with
the unity of our Monthly Meeting, I went there ; and had
some searching laborious exercise amongst Friends in
those parts, and found peace therein.
In the ninth month of the year 1753, in company with
my well-esteemed friend John Sykes, and with the unity
of Friends, I travelled about two weeks, visiting Friends
in Bucks County. We laboured in the love of the Gos
pel, according to the measure received ; and, through
the mercies of Him, who is strength to the poor who
trust in him, we found satisfaction in our visit. In the
next winter, way opening to visit Friends' families within
the compass of our Monthly Meeting, partly by the labours
of two Friends from Pennsylvania, I joined in some part
of the work ; having had a desire for some time that it
might go forward amongst us.
About this time, a person at some distance lying sick,
his brother came to me to write his will. I knew he had
slaves ; and asking his brother, was told he intended to
leave them as slaves to his children. As writing is a
profitable employ, and as offending sober people was
disagreeable to my inclination, I was straitened in my
mind ; but as I looked to the Lord, he inclined my heart
to his testimony. I told the man, that I believed the
practice of continuing slavery to this people was not

46 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
right, and had a scruple in my mind against doing writ
ings of that kind : that though many in our Society kept
them as slaves, still I was not easy to be concerned in
it ; and desired to be excused from going to write the
will. I spake to him in the fear of the Lord ; and he
made no reply to what I said, but went away : he also
had some concern in the practice ; and I thought he was
displeased with me. In this case I had a fresh confirma
tion, that acting contrary to present outward interest,
from a motive of Divine love, and in regard to truth and
righteousness, and thereby incurring the resentments of
people, opens the way to a treasure better than silver,
and to a friendship exceeding the friendship of men.
The manuscript before mentioned having laid by me
several years, the publication of it rested weightily upon
me ; and this year I offered it to the revisal of Friends,
who, having examined and made some small alterations
in it, directed a number of copies thereof to be published
and dispersed amongst Friends.
In the year 1754, 1 found my mind drawn to join in a
visit to Friends' families belonging to Chesterfield Month
ly Meeting ; and having the approbation of our own, I
went to their Monthly Meeting in order to confer with
Friends, and see if way opened for it. I had conference
with some of their members, the proposal having been
opened before in their meeting, and one Friend agreed
to join with me as a companion for a beginning; but
when meeting was ended, I felt great distress of mind,
and doubted what way to take, or whether to go home
and wait for greater clearness. I kept my distress secret ;
and going with a Friend to his house, my desires were
to the great Shepherd for his heavenly instruction ; and
in the morning I felt easy to proceed on the visit, being

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 47
very low in my mind : and as mine eye was turned to
the Lord, waiting in families in deep reverence before
him, he was pleased graciously to afford help ; so that
we had many comfortable opportunities, and it appeared
as a fresh visitation to some young people. I spent
several weeks this winter in the service ; part of which
time was employed near home. In the following winter
I was several weeks in the same service ; some part
of the time at Shrewsbury, in company with my beloved
friend John Sykes ; and have cause humbly to acknow
ledge, that through the goodness of the Lord, our hearts
were, at times, enlarged in his love ; and strength was
given to go through the trials, which, in the course of our
visit, attended us.
From a disagreement between the powers of England
and France, it was now a time of trouble on this conti
nent; and an epistle to Friends went forth from our
General Spring meeting, which I thought good to give a
place in this journal.
An Epistle from our General Spring meeting of ministers
and elders, for Pennsylvania and New Jersey, held at
Philadelphia, from the 29th of the third month, to the 1st
of the fourth month, inclusive, 1755; To Friends on the
continent of America.
Dear Friends,
In an humble sense of Divine goodness, and the gra
cious continuation of God's love to his people, we
tenderly salute you ; and are at this time therein engaged
in mind, that all of us who profess the Truth, as held
forth and published by our worthy predecessors in this
latter age of the world, may keep near to that Life which
is the Light of men, and be strengthened to hold fast the

48 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
profession of our faith without wavering, that our trust
may not be in man, but in the Lord alone, who ruleth
in the army of heaven, and in the kingdoms of men,
before whom the earth is "as the dust of the balance,
and her inhabitants as grasshoppers."
We, being convinced that the gracious design of the
Almighty in sending his Son into the world, was to re
pair the breach made by disobedience, to finish sin and
transgression, that his kingdom might come, and his will
be done on earth as it is in heaven, have found it to be
our duty to cease from those national contests productive
of misery and bloodshed, and submit our cause to Him the
Most High, whose tender love to his children exceeds
the most warm affections of natural parents, and who
hath promised to his seed throughout the earth, as to one
individual, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
And as we, through the gracious dealings of the Lord
our God, have had experience of that work which is car
ried on " not by earthly might, nor by power, but by my
Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts ;" by which operation,
that spiritual kingdom is set up, which is to subdue and
break in pieces all kingdoms that oppose it, and shall
stand forever ; in a deep sense thereof, and of the safety,
stability and peace there is in it, we are desirous that all
who profess the Truth, may be inwardly acquainted with
it, and thereby be qualified to conduct in all parts of our
life as becomes our peaceable profession. And we trust,
as there is a faithful continuance to depend wholly upon
the Almighty arm, from one generation to another, the
peaceable kingdom will gradually be extended "from
sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth,"
to the completion of those prophecies already begun,

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 49
that "nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, nor
learn war any more."
And, dearly beloved friends, seeing we have these
promises, and believe that God is beginning to fulfil
them, let us constantly endeavour to have our minds suf
ficiently disentangled from the surfeiting cares of this
life, and redeemed from the love of the world, that no
earthly possessions or enjoyments may bias our judg
ments, or turn us from that resignation, and entire trust
in God, to which his blessing is most surely annexed ;
then may we say, " Our Redeemer is mighty, he will
plead our cause for us." And if, for the further pro
moting of his most gracious purposes in the earth, he
should give us to taste of that bitter cup which his faith
ful ones have often partaken of; O that we may be rightly
prepared to receive it !
And now, dear friends, with respect to the commo
tions and stirrings of the powers of the earth at this time
near us, we are desirous that none of us may be moved
thereat ; " but repose ourselves in the munition of that
Rock, that all these shakings shall not move, even in the
knowledge and feeling of the eternal power of God,
keeping us subjectly given up to his heavenly will, and
feel it daily to mortify that which remains in any of us
which is of this world : for the worldly part in any, is
the changeable part, and that is up and down, full and
empty, joyful and sorrowful, as things go well or ill in
this world. For as the Truth is but one, and many are
made partakers of its spirit, so the world is but one, and
many are made partakers of the spirit of it; and as
many as do partake of it, will be straitened and perplex
ed with it. But they who are single to the Truth, waiting
daily to feel the life and virtue of it in their hearts, shall
E

50 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
rejoice in the midst of adversity," and have to experience
with the prophet, that "Although the fig tree shall not
blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of
the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat ;
the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall
be no herd in the stall : yet will they rejoice in the Lord,
and joy in the God of their salvation." -.<
If, contrary to this, we profess the Truth, and not living
under the power and influence of it, are producing fruits
disagreeable to the purity thereof, and trust to the strength
of man to support ourselves therein, our confidence will
be vain. For He, who removed the hedge from his
vineyard, and gave it to be trodden under foot, by rea
son of the wild grapes it produced, Isaiah v, 5, remains
unchangeable : and if, for the chastisement of wicked
ness, and further promoting his own glory, he doth arise,
even to shake terribly the earth, who then may oppose
him, and prosper !
We remain, in the love of the Gospel, your friends
and brethren. Signed by fourteen Friends.
Scrupling to do writings relative to keeping slaves,
having been a .means of sundry small trials to me, in
which I have evidently felt my own will set aside, I think
it good to mention a few of them. Tradesmen and re
tailers of igoods, who depend on their business for a
living, are naturally inclined to keep the good will of
their customers ; nor is it a pleasant thing for young men
to be under a necessity to question the judgment or
honesty of elderly men, and more especially of such
who have a fair reputation. Deep rooted customs, though
wrong,. are not easily altered ; but it is the duty of every

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 51
one to be firm in that which they certainly know is right
for them. A charitable benevolent man, well acquainted
with a negro, may, I believe, under some circumstances,
keep him in his family as a servant, on no other motives
than the negro's good; but man, as man, knows not
what shall be after him, nor hath he any assurance that
his children will attain to that perfection in wisdom and
goodness, necessary rightly to exercise such power.
Hence it is clear to me, that I ought not to be the scribe
where wills are drawn, in which some children are made
absolute masters over others during life.
About this time, an ancient man of good esteem in the
neighbourhood, came to my house to get his will written.
He had young negroes ; and I asked him privately, how
he purposed to dispose of them? he told me: I then
said, I cannot write thy will without breaking my own
peace, and respectfully gave him my reasons for it. He
signified that he had a choice that I should have written
it ; but as I could not, consistent with my conscience, he
did not desire it : and so he got it written by some other
person. A few years after, there being great alterations
in his family, he came again to get me to write his will :
his negroes were yet young, and his son, to whom he
intended to give them, was, since he first spoke to me,
from a libertine, become a sober young man; and he
supposed that I would be free, on that account, to write
it. We had much friendly talk on the subject, and then
deferred it : a few days after, he came again and direct
ed their freedom ; and so I wrote his will.
Near the time the last-mentioned Friend first spoke to
me, a neighbour received a bad bruise in his body, and
sent for me to bleed him ; which being done, he desired
me to write his will. I took notes ; and amongst other

52 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
things, he told me to which of his children he gave his
young negro. I considered the pain and distress he was
in, and knew not how it would end ; so I wrote his will,
save only that part concerning his slave, and carrying.it
to his bedside, read it to him ; and then told him in a
friendly way, that I could not write any instrument by
which my fellow-creatures were made slaves, without
bringing trouble on my mind. I let him know that I
charged nothing for what I had done ; and desired to be
excused from doing the other part in the way he pro
posed : we then had a serious conference on the subject ;
and at length, he agreeing to set her free, I finished his
will. Having found drawings in my mind to visit Friends
on Long Island, after obtaining a certificate from our
Monthly Meeting, I set off on the 12th day of the fifth
month, in the year 1756. When I reached the island, I
lodged the first night at the house of my dear friend
Richard Hallet. Next day being the first of the week,
I was at the meeting at Newtown ; in which we expe
rienced the renewed manifestations of the love of Jesus
Christ, to the comfort of the honest-hearted. I went
that night to Flushing ; and the next day, in company
with my beloved friend Matthew Franklin, we crossed
the ferry at White-stone ; were at three meetings on the
main, and then -returned to the island, where I spent the
remainder of the week in visiting meetings. The Lord,
I believe, hath a people in those parts, who are honestly
inclined to serve him ; but many, I fear, are too much
clogged with the things of this life, and do not come
forward, bearing the cross, in such faithfulness as he
calls for.
My mind was deeply engaged in this visit, both in

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 53
public and private ; and at several places where I was, on
observing that they had slaves, I found myself under a
necessity, in a friendly way, to labour with them on that
subject; expressing, as way opened, the inconsistency
of that practice with the purity of the Christian religion,
and the ill effects of it, manifested amongst us.
The latter end of the week, their Yearly Meeting be
gan ; at which were our friends John Scarborough, Jane
Hoskins and Susannah Brown, from Pennsylvania : the
public meetings were large, and measurably favoured
with Divine goodness.
The exercise of my mind at this meeting, was chiefly
on account of those who were considered as the foremost
rank in the Society : and in a meeting of ministers and
elders, way opened, so that I expressed in some measure
what lay upon me ; and at a time when Friends were met
for transacting the affairs of the church, having sat awhile
silent, I felt a weight on my mind, and stood up ; and
through the gracious regard of our heavenly Father,
strength was given fully to clear myself of a burthen,
which for some days had been increasing upon me.
Through the humbling dispensations of Divine Provi
dence, men are sometimes fitted for bis service. The
messages of the prophet Jeremiah were so disagreeable
to the people, and so reverse to the spirit they lived in,
that he became the object of their reproach ; and in the
weakness of nature, thought of desisting from his pro
phetic office ; but, saith he, " His word was in my heart
as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary
with forbearing, and could not stay." I saw at this
time, that if I was honest in declaring that which Truth
opened in me, I could not please all men ; and laboured
to be content in the way of my duty, however disagree-
e2

54 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN-
able to my own inclination. After this I went homeward,
taking Woodbridge and Plainfield in my ways in both
which meetings, the pure influence of Divine love was
manifested ; in an humbling sense whereof I went home :
having been out about twenty-four days^ and rode about
three hundred and sixteen miles.
While on this journey, my heart was much affected
with a sense of the state of the churches in our southern
provinces; and believing the Lord was calling me to
some further labour amongst them, I was bowed in rev
erence before him, with fervent desires that I might find
strength to resign myself to his heavenly will.
Until this year, 1756, 1 continued to retail goods, be
sides following my trade as a tailor ; about which time I
grew uneasy on account of my business growing too
cumbersome., I had begun with selling trimmings for
garments,; and from thenGe proceeded to sell cloths and
linens ; and at length, having got a considerable shop of
goods, my trade increased , every year, and the road to
large business appeared open ; but I felt a stop in my
mind. Through the mercies of the Almighty, I had, in a good
degree, learned to be content with a plain way of living:
I had but a small family; and on serious consideration,. X
believed Truth did not require me to engage in many
cumbering affaiiis. It had been my general practice to
buy and sell things really useful; things that served
chiefly to please the vain mind in people^ I was not easy
to trade in ; seldom did it ; and whenever I did, I found
it to weaken me as a Christian.
The increase of business became my burthen; for
though my natural inclination was toward merchandizing,
yet I believed Truth required me to live more free from

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 55
outward cumber ; and there was now a strife in my mind
between the two. In this exercise my prayers were put
up to the Lord, who graciously heard me, and gave me
a heart resigned to his holy will : then I lessened my
business ; and as I had opportunity, told my customers
of my intentions, that they might consider what shop to
turn to : and in awhile, wholly laid down merchandize,
following my trade as a tailor, myself only, having no
apprentice. I also had a nursery of apple trees ; in
which I employed some of my time in hoeing, graft
ing, trimming and inoculating. In merchandize it is
the custom, where I lived, to sell chiefly on credit, and
poor people often get in debt ; and when payment is ex
pected, not having wherewith to pay, their creditors
often sue for it at law. Having often observed occur
rences of this kind, I found it good for me to advise poor
people to take such goods as were most useful and not
costly. In the time of trading, I had an opportunity of seeing
that the too liberal use of spirituous liquors, and the cus
tom of wearing too costly apparel, led some people into
great inconveniences ; and these two things appear to be
often connected one with the other. By not attending
to that use of things which is consistent with univer
sal righteousness,' there is an increase of labour, which
extends beyond what our heavenly Father intends for us ;
by great labour, and often by much sweating, there is,
even among such who are not drunkards, a craving of
some liquors to revive the spirite: that, partly by the
luxurious drinking of some, and partly by the drinking
of bthers^led to it through immoderate labour, very great
quantities of rum are every year expended in our colo-

56 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
nies ; the greater part of which we should have no need
of, did we steadily attend to pure wisdom.
Where men take pleasure in feeling their minds eleva
ted with strong drink, and so indulge their appetite as to
disorder their understandings, neglect their duty as mem
bers in a family or in civil society, and cast off all regard
to religion, their case is much to be pitied ; and where
such whose lives are for the most part regular, and whose
examples have a strong influence on the minds of others,
adhere to some customs which powerfully draw to the
use of more strong liquor than pure wisdom allows; this
also, as it hinders the spreading of the spirit of meekness,
and strengthens the hands of the more excessive drinkers,
is a case to be lamented.
As every degree of luxury hath some connexion with
evil ; for those who profess to be disciples of Christ, and
are looked upon as leaders of the people, to have that
mind in them, which was also in Christ, and so stand
separate from every wrong way, is a means of help to
the weaker. As I have sometimes been much spent in
the heat, and taken spirits to revive me, I have found by
experience, that in such circumstances the mind is not so
calm, nor so fitly disposed for Divine meditation, as
when all such extremes are avoided ; and I have felt an
increasing care to attend to that holy Spirit which sets
right bounds to our desires, and leads those who faith
fully follow it, to apply all the gifts of Divine Providence
to the purposes for which they were intended. Did
such who have the care of great estates, attend with
singleness of heart to this heavenly Instructer, which so
opens and enlarges the mind, that men love their neigh
bours as themselves, they would have wisdom given them
to manage, without finding occasion to employ some

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 57
people in the luxuries of life, or to make it necessary for
others to labour too hard ; but for want of steadily regard
ing this principle of Divine love, a selfish spirit takes
place in the minds of people, which is attended with
darkness and manifold confusions in the world.
Though trading in things useful is an honest employ ;
yet, through the great number of superfluities which are
bought and sold, and through the corruption of the times,
they who apply to merchandize for a living, have great
need to be well experienced in that precept which the
prophet Jeremiah laid down for his scribe ; " Seekest
thou great things for thy self? seek them not."
In the winter, this year, I was engaged with Friends
in visiting families ; and through the goodness of the
Lord, we had oftentimes experience of his heart-tendering
presence amongst us.
A copy of a letter written to a Friend.
In this thy late affliction I have found a deep fellow-
feeling with thee ; and had a secret hope throughout, that
it might please the Father of mercies to raise thee up,
and sanctify thy troubles to thee ; that thou being more
fully acquainted with that way which the world esteems
foolish, may feel the clothing of Divine fortitude, and be
strengthened to resist that spirit which leads from the
simplicity of the everlasting Truth.
We may see ourselves crippled and halting, and from
a strong bias to things pleasant and easy, find an impos
sibility to advance ; but things impossible with men are
possible with God ; and our wills being made subject to
his, all temptations are surmountable.
This work of subjecting the will, is compared to the
mineral in the furnace ; which, through fervent heat, is

58 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
reduced from its first principle : " He refines them as
silver is refined — He shall sit as a refiner, and purifier of
silver." ' By these comparisons, we are instructed in the
necessity of the melting operation of the hand of God
upon us, to prepare our hearts truly to adore him, and to
manifest that adoration, by inwardly turning away from
that spirit, in all its workings, which is not of him. To
forward this work, the all-wise God is sometimes pleased,
through outward distress, to bring us near the gates of
death, that life being painful and afflicting, and the pros
pect of eternity open, before us, all earthly bonds may be
loosened, and the mind prepared for that deep and sacred
instruction, which otherwise would not be received. If
kind parents love their children and delight in their hap
piness, then He, who is perfect goodness, in sending
abroad mortal contagions, doth assuredly direct their use.
Are the righteous removed by it, their change is happy ;
are the wicked taken away in their wickedness, the
Almighty is clear. Do we pass through with anguish
and great bitterness, and yet recover, he intends that we
should be purged from dross, and our ear opened to dis
cipline. And now on thy part, after thy sore affliction and
doubts of recovery, thou art again restored ; forget not
Him! who hath helped thee, but in humble gratitude hold
fast his instructions, thereby to shun those by-paths which
lead from the firm foundation. I am sensible of that
variety of company, to which one in thy business must
be exposed : I have painfully felt the force of conversa
tion proceeding from men deeply rooted in an earthly
mind, and can sympathize with others in such conflicts,
in that much weakness still attends me.
f I find that to be a fool as to worldly wisdom, and com-

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 59
mit my cause to God, not fearing to offend men, who take
offence at the simplicity of Truth, is the only way to
remain unmoved at the sentiments of others.
The fear of man brings a snare ; by halting in our
duty, and giving back in the time of trial, our hands
grow weaker, our spirits get mingled with the people,
our ears grow dull as to hearing the language of the true
Shepherd, so that when we look at the way of the right
eous, it seems as though it was not for us to follow them.
There is a love clothes my mind while I write, which
is superior to all expressions ; and I find my heart open
to encourage to a holy emulation, to advance in Chris
tian firmness. Deep humility is a strong bulwark ; and
as we enter into it, we find safety and true exaltation :
the foolishness of God is wiser than man, and the weak
ness of God is stronger than man. Being unclothed of
our own wisdom, and knowing the abasement of the
creature, therein we find that power to arise, which gives
health and vigour to us.

CHAPTER IV.
His visiting the families of Friends at Burlington — His journey
to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina —
Considerations on the state of Friends there, and the exer
cise he was under in travelling among those concerned in
keeping slaves : with some observations on this subject — His
epistle to Friends at New Garden and Cane creek — His
thoughts on the neglect of a religious care in the education
of the negroes.
The 13th day of the second month, in the year 1757,
being then in good health, and abroad with Friends visit-

60 • LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
ing families, I lodged at a Friend's house in Burlington ;
and going to bed about the time usual with, me, I awoke
in the night, and my meditations, as I lay, were on the
goodness and mercy of the Lord; in a sense whereof
my heart was contrite. After this,, I went to sleep again;
and sleeping a short time, I awoke ; it was yet dark, and
no appearance of day or moonshine; and as I opened
mine eyes, I saw a light in my chamber at the apparent
distance of five feet, about nine inches diameter, of a
clear easy brightness, and near its centre the most radiant.
As I lay still without any surprise looking upon it, words
were spoken to my inward ear, which filled my whole
inward man : they were not the effect of thought, nor
any conclusion in relation to the appearance, but as the
language of the Holy One spoken in my mind ; the words
were, Certain Evidence of Divine Truth ; and were
again repeated exactly in the same manner ; whereupon
the light disappeared.
Feeling the exercise in relation to a visit to the south
ern provinces increase upon me, I acquainted our Monthly-
Meeting therewith, and obtained their certificate. Ex
pecting to go alone, one of my brothers, who lived in
Philadelphia, having some business in North Carolina,
proposed going with me part of the way; but as he had.
a view of some outward affairs, to accept of him as a
companion seemed some difficulty with me. I had con
versation with him at sundry times, and at length, feeling
easy in my mind, I had conversation with several elderly-
Friends of Philadelphia on the subject ; and he obtain
ing a certificate suitable to the occasion, we set off in the
fifth month of the year 1757. Coming to Nottingham
week-day meeting, we lodged at John Churchman's, and
here I met with our friend Benjamin Buffington, from

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 61
New England, who was returning from a visit to the
southern provinces. Thence we crossed the river Sus
quehanna, and lodged at William Cox's in Maryland ;
and soon after I entered this province, a deep and pain
ful exercise came upon me, of which I had often had
some feeling since my mind vas drawn toward these
parts, and with which I „ad acquainted my brother be
fore we agreed to join as companions.
As the people in this and the southern provinces live
much on the labour of slaves, many of whom are used
hardly, my concern was, that I might attend with single
ness of heart to the voice of the true Shepherd, and be
so supported as to remain unmoved at the faces of men.
As it is common for Friends on such a visit to have en
tertainment free of cost, a difficulty arose in my mind
with respect to saving my money by kindness received,
which to me appeared to be the gain of oppression.
Receiving a gift, considered as a gift, brings the re
ceiver under obligations to the benefactor, and has a nat
ural tendency to draw the obliged into a party with the
giver. To prevent difficulties of this kind, and to pre
serve the minds of judges from any bias, was that Divine
prohibition ; " Thou shalt not receive any gift; for a gift
blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the right
eous." As the disciples were sent forth without any pro
vision for their journey, and our Lord said the workman
is worthy of his meat, their labour in the Gospel was
considered as a reward for their entertainment, and there
fore not received as a gift ; yet, in regard to my present
journey, I could not see my way clear in that respect.
The difference appeared thus: The entertainment the
disciples met with, was from such whose hearts God had
opened to receive them, from a love to them, and the
F

62 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
truth they published. But we, considered as members
of the same religious Society, look upon it as a piece of
civility to receive each other in such visits ; and such re
ception, at times, is partly in regard to reputation, and
not from an inward unity of heart and spirit. Conduct
is more convincing than language; and where people,
by their actions, manifest that the slave-trade is not so
disagreeable to their principles but that it may be en
couraged, there is not a sound uniting with some Friends
who visit them.
The prospect of so weighty a work, and being so dis
tinguished from many whom I esteemed before myself,
brought me very low; and such were the conflicts of my
soul, that I had a near sympathy with the prophet, in the
time of his weakness, when he said, "If thou deal thus
with me, kill me, I pray thee, if I have found favour in
thy sight;" but I soon saw that this proceeded from the
want of a full resignation to the Divine will. Many were
the afflictions which attended me ; and in great abase
ment, with many tears, my cries were to the Almighty,
for his gracious and fatherly assistance ; and then, after a
time of deep trial, I was favoured to understand the state
mentioned by the psalmist, more clearly than ever I had
before; to wit: "My soul is even as a weaned child."
Being thus helped to sink down into resignation, I felt a
deliverance from that tempest in which I had been sorely
exercised, and in calmness of mind went forward, trust
ing that the Lord Jesus Christ, as I faithfully attended to
him, would be a counsellor to me in all difficulties ; and
that by his strength I should be enabled even to leave
money with the members of Society where I had enter
tainment, when I found that omitting it would obstruct
that work to which I believed he had called me. And

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 63
as I copy this after my return, I may add, that oftentimes
I did so, under a sense of duty. The way in which I
did it was thus ; when I expected soon to leave a Friend's
house where I had had entertainment, if I believed that
_I should not keep clear from the gain of oppression with
out leaving money, I spoke to one of the heads of the
family privately, and desired him to accept of some
pieces of silver, and give them to such of the negroes as
he believed would make the best use of them ; and at
other times I gave them to the negroes myself, as the
way looked clearest to me. As I expected this before I
came out, I had provided a large number of small pieces ;
and thus offering them to some who appeared to be
wealthy people, was a trial both to me and them : but
the fear of the Lord so covered me at times, that my way
was made easier than I expected ; and few, if any, mani
fested any resentment at the offer, and most of them,
after some talk, accepted of them.
The 7th day of the fifth month, in the year 1757, I
lodged at a Friend's house ; and the next day being the
first of the week, was at Patapsco meeting ; then crossed
Patuxent river, and lodged at a public house.
On the 9th breakfasted at a Friend's house, who putting
us a little on our way, I had conversation with him in
the fear of the Lord, concerning his slaves ; in which
my heart was tender, and I used much plainness of
speech with him, which he appeared to take kindly. We
pursued our journey without appointing meetings, being
pressed in my mind to be at the Yearly Meeting in Vir
ginia. In my travelling on the road, I often felt a cry
rise from the centre of my mind, O Lord, I am a stranger
on the earth, hide not thy face from me. On the 11th
day of the fifth month, we crossed the rivers Potomac

64 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
and Rappahannock, and lodged at Port Royal : and on
the way happening in company with a colonel of the
militia, who appeared to be a thoughtful man, I took oc
casion to remark on the difference in general between a
people used to labour moderately for their living, train
ing up their children in frugality and business, and those
who live on the labour of slaves ; the former, in my view,
being the most happy life : with which he concurred, and
mentioned the trouble arising from the untoward, slothful
disposition of the negroes ; adding, that one of our la
bourers would do as much in a day as two of their slaves.
I replied,, that free men, whose minds were properly on
their business, found a satisfaction in improving, cul
tivating and providing for their families ; but negroes,
labouring to support others who claim them as their pro
perty, and expecting nothing but slavery during life, had
not the like inducement to be industrious.
After some further conversation, I said that men having
power, too often misapplied it; that though we made
slaves of the negroes, and the Turks made slaves of the
Christians, I believed that liberty was the natural right of
all men equally ; which he did not deny ; but said the
lives of the negroes were so wretched in their own
country, that many of them lived better here than there.
I only said there is great odds in regard to us, on what
principle we act ; and so the conversation on that sub
ject ended. I may here add, that another person, some
time afterward, mentioned the wretchedness of the ne
groes, occasioned by their intestine wars, as an argument
in favour of our fetching them away for slaves ; to which
I then replied, if compassion on the Africans, in regard
to their domestic troubles, were the real motives of our
purchasing them, that spirit of tenderness being attended

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 65
to, would incite us to use them kindly, that as strangers
brought out of affliction, their lives might be happy
among us ; and as they are human creatures, whose souls
are as precious as ours, and who may receive the same
help and comfort from the holy Scriptures as we do, we
could not omit suitable endeavours to instruct them
therein. But while we manifest by our conduct, that our
views in purchasing them are to advance ourselves ; and
while our buying captives taken in war, animates those
parties to push on that war, and increase desolation
amongst them ; to say they live unhappily in Africa, is
far from being an argument in our favour. I further said,
the present circumstances of these provinces to me ap
pear difficult ; the slaves look like a burthensome stone
to such who burthen themselves with them, and that if
the white people retain a resolution to prefer their out
ward prospects of gain to all other considerations, and
do not act conscientiously toward them as fellow-crea
tures, I believe that burthen will grow heavier and heav
ier, until times change in a way disagreeable to us. At
this the person appeared very serious, and owned, that in
considering their condition, and the manner of their
treatment in these provinces, he had sometimes thought
it might be just in the Almighty so to order it.
Having travelled through Maryland, we came amongst
Friends at Cedar creek in Virginia, on the 12th day of
the fifth month ; and the next day rode, in company
with several Friends, a day's journey to Camp creek.
As I was riding along in the morning, my mind was
deeply affected in a sense I had of the want of Divine
aid to support me in the various difficulties which attend
ed me; and in an uncommon distress of mind, I cried
in secret to the Most High, Oh, Lord ! be merciful, I be-
F 2

66 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
seech thee, to thy poor afflicted creature. After some
time, I felt inward relief; and soon after, a Friend in
company began to talk in support of the slave-trade, and
said the negroes were understood to be the offspring
of Cain, their blackness being the mark God set upon
him after he murdered Abel, his brother, and that it was
the design of Providence they should be slaves, as a con
dition proper to the race of so wicked a man as Cain
was. Then another spake in support of what had been
said. To all which, I replied in substance as follows :
Noah and his family were all who survived the flood,
according to Scripture ; and as Noah was of Seth's race,
the family of Cain was wholly destroyed. One of them
said, that after the flood Ham went to the land of Nod,
and took a wife ; that Nod was a land far distant, in
habited by Cain's race, and that the flood did not reach
it ; and as Ham was sentenced to be a servant of servants
to his brethren, these two families being thus joined, were
undoubtedly fit only for slaves. I replied, the flood was a
judgment upon the world for their abominations ; and it
was granted that Cain's stock was the most wicked, and
therefore unreasonable to suppose, they were spared : as
to Ham's going to the land of Nod for a wife, no time
being fixed, Nod might be inhabited by some of Noah's
family, before Ham married a second time; moreover
the text saith, " That all flesh died that moved upon the
earth." I further reminded them, how the prophets re
peatedly declare, "that the son shall not suffer for the
iniquity of the father ; but every one be answerable for
his own sins." f I was troubled to perceive the darkness
of their imaginations ; and in some pressure of spirit said,
the love of ease and gain are the motives in general of
keeping slaves, and men are wont to take hold of weak

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 67
arguments to support a cause which is unreasonable. I
have no interest on either side, save only the interest
which I desire to have in the Truth ; and as I believe
liberty is their right, and see they are not only deprived
of it, but treated in other respects with inhumanity in
many places, I believe He, who is a refuge for the op
pressed, will in his own time plead their cause ; and
happy will it be for such, who walk in uprightness before
bun : thus our conversation ended.
On the 14th day of the fifth month I was at Camp
creek Monthly Meeting, and then rode to the mountains
up James river, and had a meeting at a Friend's house ;
in both of which I felt sorrow of heart, and my tears
were poured out before the Lord, who was pleased to
afford a degree of strength by which way was opened to
clear my mind amongst Friends in those places. From
thence I went to Fork creek, and so to Cedar creek
again ; at which place I now had a meeting. Here I
found a tender seed ; and as I was preserved in the
ministry to keep low with the Truth, the same Truth in
their hearts answered it, so that it was a time of mutual
refreshment from the presence of the Lord. I lodged at
James Stanley's, father of William Stanley, one of the
young men who suffered imprisonment at Winchester
last summer, on account of their testimony against fight
ing ; and I had some satisfactory conversation with him
concerning it. Hence I went to the Swamp and Wainoak
meetings ; and then crossed James river, and lodged near
Burleigh. From the time of my entering Maryland I
have been much under sorrow, which of late so increased
upon me, that my mind was almost overwhelmed ; and I
may say with the psalmist, " in my distress I called upon
the Lord, and cried to my God ;" who, in infinite good-

68 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
ness, looked upon my affliction, and in my private re
tirement sent the Comforter for my relief; for which I
humbly bless his holy name.
The sense I had of the state of the churches, brought
a weight of distress upon me ; the gold to me appeared
dim, and the fine gold changed : and though this is the
case too generally, yet the sense of it in these parts hath,
in a particular manner, borne heavily upon me. It ap
peared to me, that through the prevailing of the spirit of
this world, the minds of many were brought to inward
desolation ; and instead of the spirit of meekness, gen
tleness and heavenly wisdom, which are the necessary
companions of the true sheep of Christ, a spirit of fierce
ness and the love of dominion, too generally prevailed.
From small beginnings in error, great buildings by de
grees, are raised, and from one age to another are more
and more strengthened by the general concurrence of the
people. As men obtain reputation by their profession
of the Truth, their virtues are mentioned as arguments
in favour of general error ; and those of less note, to
justify themselves, say, such and such good men did the
like. By what other steps could the people of Judah
rise to such a height in wickedness, as to give just ground
for the prophet Isaiah to declare in the name of the Lord,
" that none calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth :"
or for the Almighty to call upon the great city of Jerusa
lem, just before the Babylonish captivity, " If ye can find
a man, if there be any who executeth judgment, that
seeketh the Truth, and I will pardon it." The prospect
of a road lying open to the same degeneracy, in some parts
of this newly settled land of America, in respect to our
conduct toward the negroes, hath deeply bowed my
mind in this journey ; and though to relate briefly how

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 69
these people are treated is no agreeable work, yet after
often reading over the notes I made as I travelled, I find
my mind engaged to preserve them. Many of the white.
people in those provinces take little or no care of negro
marriages ; and when negroes marry after their own way,
some make so little account of those marriages, that with
views of outward interest, they often part men from their
wives by selling them far asunder ; which is common
when estates are sold by executors at vendue. Many
whose labour is heavy, being followed at their business
in the field, by a man with a whip, hired for that pur
pose, have in common little else allowed but one peck
of Indian corn and some salt for one week, with a few
potatoes ; the potatoes they commonly raise by their la
bour on the first day of the week.
The correction ensuing on their disobedience to over
seers, or slothfulness in business, is often very severe,
and sometimes desperate.
Men and women have many times scarcely clothes
enough to hide their nakedness, and boys and girls, ten
and twelve years old, are often quite naked amongst
their master's children. Some of our Society, and some
of the Society called New Lights, use some endeavours
to instruct those they have in reading ; but in common
this is not only neglected, but disapproved. These are
the people by whose labour the other inhabitants are in a
great measure supported, and many of them in the luxu
ries of life: these are the people who have made no
agreement to serve us, and who have not forfeited then-
liberty that we know of: these are the souls for whom
Christ died, and for our conduct toward them, we must
answer before Him who is no respecter of persons.
They who know the only true God, and Jesus Christ

70 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
whom he hath sent, and are thus acquainted with ihe
merciful, "benevolent,. Gospel spirit, will therein perceive
that the indignation of God is kindled against oppression
and cruelty ; and in beholding the great distress of so
numerous a people, will find cause for mourning.
From my lodgings I went to Burleigh meeting, where
I felt my mind drawn into a quiet resigned state ; and
after a long silence, I felt an engagement to stand up ;
and through the powerful operation of Divine love, we
were favoured with an edifying meeting. The next
meeting we had was at Black Water ; and so to the
Yearly Meeting at the Western Branch. When its busi
ness began, some queries were considered by some of
their members, to be now produced ; and if approved,
to be answered hereafter by their respective Monthly
Meetings. They were the Pennsylvania queries, which
had been examined by a committee of Virginia Yearly
Meeting, appointed last year, who made some alterations
in them ; one of which alterations was made in favour
of a custom which troubled me. The query was, " Are
there any concerned in the importation of negroes, or
buying them after imported ?" which they altered thus :
" Are there any concerned in the importation of negroes,
or buying them to trade in ?" As one query admitted
with unanimity was, " Are any concerned in buying or
vending goods unlawfully imported, or prize goods ?"
I found my mind engaged to say, that as we professed
the Truth, and were there assembled to support the tes
timony of it, it was necessary for us to dwell deep, and
act in that wisdom which is pure, or otherwise we could
not prosper. I then mentioned the alteration ; and re
ferring to the last-mentioned query, added, as purchasing
any merchandize taken by the sword, was always allowed

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 71
to be inconsistent with our principles, negroes being
captives of war, or taken by stealth, those circumstances
make it inconsistent with our testimony to buy them ;
and their being our fellow-creatures, who are sold as
slaves, adds greatly to the iniquity. Friends appeared
attentive to what was said ; some expressed a care and
concern about their negroes ; none made any objection,
by way of reply to what I said ; but the query was ad
mitted as they had altered it. As some of their members
have heretofore traded in negroes, as in other merchan
dize, this query, being admitted, will be one step further
than they have hitherto gone. I did not see it my duty
to press for an alteration ; but felt easy to leave it all to
Him, who alone is able to turn the hearts of the mighty,
and to make way for the spreading of Truth on the earth,
by means agreeable to his infinite wisdom. But in re
gard to those they already had, I felt my mind engaged
to labour with them ; and said, that, as we believe the
Scriptures were-given forth by holy men as they were
moved by the Holy Ghost, and many of us know by ex
perience that they are often helpful and comfortable, and
believe ourselves bound in duty to teach our children to
read them ; I believe that if we were divested of all self
ish views, the same good Spirit that gave them forth,
would engage us to teach the negroes to read, that they
might have the benefit of them: there were some
amongst them who, at this time, manifested a concern
in regard to taking more care in the education of their
negroes. On the 29th day of the fifth month, at the house where
I lodged, was a meeting of ministers and elders, at the
ninth hour in the morning ; at which time I found an en
gagement to speak freely and plainly to them concerning

72 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
their slaves ; mentioning how they, as the first rank in
the Society, whose conduct in that case was much no
ticed by others, were under the stronger obligations to
look carefully to themselves : expressing how needful it
was for them, in that situation, to be thoroughly divested
of all selfish views ; that living in the pure Truth, and
acting conscientiously toward those people in their edu
cation and otherwise, they might be instrumental in help
ing forward a work so exceedingly necessary, and so
much neglected amongst them. At the twelfth hour the
meeting for worship began, which was solid.
On the 30th day, about the tenth hour, Friends met
to finish their business, and then the meeting for worship
ensued, which to me was a laborious time ; but through
the goodness of the Lord, Truth, I believe, gained some
ground ; and it was a strengthening opportunity to the
honest-hearted. About this time I wrote an epistle to Friends in the
back settlements of North Carolina, as follows :
To Friends at their Monthly Meeting at New Garden and
Cane creek, in North Carolina.
Dear Friends,
It having pleased the Lord to draw me forth on a visit
to some parts of Virginia and Carolina, you have often
been in my mind ; and though my way is not clear to
come in person to visit you, yet I feel it in my heart to
commumeate a few things, as they arise in the love of
Truth. (jFirst, my dear Friends, dwell in humility ; and
take heed that no views of outward gain get too deep
hold of you, that so your eyes being single to the Lord,
you may be preserved in the way of safety.J Where
people let loose their minds after the love of outward

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 73
things, and are more engaged in pursuing the profits and
seeking the friendships of this world, than to be inwardly
acquainted with the way of true peace, such walk in a
vain shadow, while the true comfort of life is wanting ;
their examples are often hurtful to others ; and their trea
sures, thus collected, do many times prove dangerous
snares to their children.
But where people are sincerely devoted to follow
Christ, and dwell under the influence of his holy Spirit,
their stability and firmness, through a Divine blessing, is
at times like dew on the tender plants around about them,
and the weightiness of their spirits secretly works on the
minds of others; and in this condition, through the
spreading influence of Divine love, they feel a care over
the flock ; and way is opened for maintaining good order
in the Society. And though we meet with opposition
from another spirit, yet, as there is a dwelling in meek
ness, feeling our spirits subject, and moving only in the
gentle peaceable wisdom, the inward reward of quiet
ness, will be greater than all our difficulties. Where the
pure life is kept to, and meetings of discipline are held
in the authority of it, we find by experience that they
are comfortable, and tend to the health of the body.
While I write, the youth come fresh in my way. —
Dear young people, choose God for your portion ; love
his Truth, and be not ashamed of it ; choose for your
company such who serve him in uprightness ; and shun,
as most dangerous, the conversation of those whose lives
are of an ill savour ; for by frequenting such company,
some hopeful young people have come to great loss, and
been drawn from less evils to greater to their utter ruin.
In the bloom of youth no ornament is so lovely as that
of virtue, nor any enjoyments equal to those which we
G

74 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
partake of, in fully resigning ourselves to the Divine will.
These enjoyments add sweetness to all other comforts,
and give true satisfaction in company and conversation,
where people are mutually acquainted with it; and as
your minds are thus seasoned with the Truth, you will
find strength to abide steadfast to the testimony of it,
and be prepared for services in the church.
And now, dear friends and brethren, as you are im
proving a wilderness, and may be numbered amongst
the first planters in one part of a province, I beseech
you, in the love of Jesus Christ, wisely to consider the
force of your examples, and think how much your suc
cessors may be thereby affected. It is a help in a coun
try, yea, a great favour and a blessing, when customs
first settled, are agreeable to sound wisdom; so when
they are otherwise, the effect of them is grievous ; and
children feel themselves encompassed with difficulties
prepared for them by their predecessors.
As moderate care and exercise,- under the direction of
true wisdom, is useful both to mind and body ; so by
this means in general, the real wants of life are easily
supplied; our gracious Father having so proportioned
one to the other, that, keeping in the true medium, we
may pass on quietly. Where slaves are purchased to do
our labour, numerous difficulties attend. To rational
creatures bondage is uneasy, and frequently occasions
sourness and discontent in them ; which affects the family,
and such who claim the mastery over them : and thus
people and their children are many times encompassed
with vexations, which arise from their applying to wrong
methods to get a living.
I have been informed that there are a large number of
Friends in your parts, who have no slaves ; and in tender

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 75
and most affectionate love, I beseech you to keep clear
from purchasing any. Look, my dear friends, to Divine
Providence; and follow in simplicity that exercise of
body, that plainness and frugality, which true wisdom
leads to ; so may you be preserved from those dangers
which attend such who are aiming at outward ease and
greatness. Treasures, though small, attained on the true principle
of virtue, are sweet in the possession ; and while we
walk in the light of the Lord, there is true comfort and
satisfaction. Here, neither the murmurs of an oppressed
people, nor the throbbings of an uneasy conscience, nor
anxious thoughts about the event of things, hinder the
enjoyment of life.
When we look toward the end of life, and think on
the division of our substance among our successors, if
we know that it was collected in the fear of the Lord, in
honesty, in equity, and in uprightness of heart before
him, we may consider it as his gift to us ; and with a
single eye to his blessing, bestow it on those we leave
behind us. Such is the happiness of the plain way of
true virtue. " The work of righteousness shall be peace ;
and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance
for ever."
Dwell here, my dear friends ; and then in remote and
solitary deserts, you may find true peace and satisfaction.
If the Lord be our God, in truth and reality, there is
safety for us ; for he is a strong hold in the day of trou
ble, and knoweth them that trust in him.
Isle of Wight county, in Virginia,
29th of the fifth month, 1757.
From the Yearly Meeting in Virginia, I went to Caro
lina; and on the 1st day of the sixth month, was at

76 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
Wells Monthly Meeting, where the spring of the Gospel
ministry was opened, and the love of Jesus Christ expe
rienced amongst us : to his name be the praise.
Here my brother joined with some Friends from New
Garden, who were going homeward ; and I went next to
Simons creek Monthly Meeting, where I was silent during
the meeting for worship. When business came on, my
mind was exercised concerning the poor slaves ; but I
did not feel my way clear to speak : in this condition I
was bowed in spirit before the Lord ; and with tears and
inward supplication besought him, so to open my under
standing, that I might know his will concerning me ; and
at length, my mind was settled in silence. Near the end
of their business, a member of the meeting expressed a
concern, that had some time lain upon him, on account
of Friends so much neglecting their duty in the educa
tion of their slaves, and proposed having meetings some
times appointed for them on a week-day, to be only at
tended by some Friends to be named in their Monthly
Meetings. Many present appeared to unite with the
proposal: one said he had often wondered that they,
being our fellow-creatures and capable of religious un
derstanding, had been so exceedingly neglected : another
expressed the like concern, and appeared zealous that
Friends in future, might more closely consider it : at length
a minute was made ; and the further consideration of it
referred to their next Monthly Meeting. The Friend
who made this proposal has negroes : he told me that he
was at New Garden ; about two hundred and fifty miles
from home, and came back alone ; and that in this solitary
journey, this exercise in regard to the education of their
negroes, was, from time to time, renewed in his mind.
A Friend of some note in Virginia, who has slaves,: told

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 77
me, that he being far from home on a lonesome journey,
had many serious thoughts about them; and that his
mind was so impressed therewith, that he believed he
saw a time coming, when Divine Providence would alter
the circumstances of these people, respecting their con
dition as slaves.
From hence I went to Newbegun creek, and sat a
considerable time in much weakness ; then I felt Truth
open the way to speak a little in much plainness and
simplicity, till, at length, through the increase of Divine
love amongst us, we had a seasoning opportunity. From
thence I went to the head of Little river, where was, on
a first-day, a crowded meeting ; and I believe, through
Divine goodness, it was made profitable to some. —
Thence to the Old Neck ; where I was led into a careful
searching out the secret workings- of the mystery of ini
quity, which, under a cover of religion, exalts itself
against that pure spirit, which leads in the way of meek
ness and self-denial. From thence to Piney-woods;
which was the last meeting I was at in Carolina, and was
large ; and my heart being deeply engaged, I was drawn
forth in fervent labour amongst them.
When I was at Newbegun creek, a Friend was there
who laboured for his living, having no negroes, and had
been a minister many years. He came to me the next
day, and as we rode together, signified that he wanted
to talk with me concerning a difficulty he had been
under, and related it nearly as follows : to wit, That as
moneys had been raised by a tax of late years to carry on
war, he had a scruple in his mind in regard to paying it,
and chose rather to suffer distraint of his goods than pay
it ; and as he was the only person who refused it in
those parts, and knew not that any one else was in the
G 2

78 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
like circumstances, he signified that it had been a heavy
trial to him, and more so, for that some of his brethren
had been uneasy with his conduct in that case. He
added, that from a sympathy he felt with me yesterday
in meeting, he found freedom thus to open the matter,
in the way of query concerning Friends in our parts. I
told him the state of Friends amongst us/ as well as I
was able ; and also, that I had for some time been under
the like scruple. I believed him to be one who was
concerned to walk uprightly before the Lord ; and es
teemed it my duty to preserve this note concerning him ;
his name was Samuel Newby.
From hence I went back into Virginia, and had a
meeting near James Cowpland's ; it was a time of in
ward suffering ; but through the goodness of the Lord, I
was made content: then to another meeting; where,
through, the renewings of pure love, we had a very com
fortable season,
( Travelling up and down of late, I have had renewed
evidences,. that to be faithful to the Lord and contented
with his will concerning me, is a most necessary and
useful lesson for me to be learning ; looking less at the
effects of my labour, than at the pure motion and reality
of the concern, as it arises from heavenly love} In the
Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength ; and as the mind,
by humble resignation, is united to him, and we utter
words from an inward knowledge that they arise from
the heavenly spring, though our way may be difficult, and
require close attention to keep in it ; and though the man
ner in which we may be led may tend to our own abase
ment; yet, if we continue in patience and meekness,
heavenly peace is the reward of our labours.
From thence I went to Curies meeting ; which, though

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 79
small, was reviving to the honest-hearted. Thence to
Black creek and Caroline meetings ; from whence, ac
companied by William Stanley, before mentioned, we
rode to Goose creek, being much through the woods,
and about one hundred miles. We lodged the first night
at a public house ; the second in the woods ; and the
next day we reached a Friend's house, at Goose creek.
In the woods we lay under some disadvantage, having
no fire-works nor bells for our horses ; but we stopped a
little before night, and let them feed on the wild grass
which was plenty ; in the mean time cutting with our
knives a store against night, and then tied them; and
gathering some bushes under an oak, we lay down ; but
the mosquitoes being plenty and the ground damp, I
slept but little. Lying in the wilderness, and looking at
the stars, I was led to contemplate the condition of our
first parents, when they were sent forth from the garden ;
but the Almighty, though they had been disobedient,
continued to be a Father to them, and showed them
what tended to their felicity as intelligent creatures, and
was acceptable to him. To provide things relative to
our outward living, in the way of true wisdom is good ;
and the gift of improving in things useful, is a good gift,
and comes from the Father of lights. Many have had
this gift ; and from age to age, there have been improve
ments of this kind made in the world : but some not
keeping to the pure gift, have, in the creaturely cunning
and self-exaltation, sought out many inventions ; which
inventions of men, distinct from that uprightness in which
nan was created, as the first motion to them was evil, so
Jie effects have been and are evil. At this day, it is as
lecessary for us constantly to attend on the heavenly
rift, to be qualified to use rightly the good things in this

80 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
life amidst great improvements, as it was for our first
parents, when they were without any improvements,
without any friend or father but God only.
I was at a meeting at Goose creek ; and next at a
Monthly Meeting at Fairfax ; where, through the gra
cious dealing of the Almighty with us, his power pre
vailed over many hearts. Thence to Manoquacy and
Pipe creek, in Maryland ; at both which places I had
cause humbly to adore Him, who supported me through
many exercises, and by whose help I was enabled to
reach the true witness in the hearts of others : there were
some hopeful young people in those parts. I had meet
ings at John Everit's in Monallen, and at Huntingdon ;
and was made humbly thankful to the Lord, who opened
my heart amongst the people in these new settlements,
so that it was a time of encouragement to the honest-
minded. At 'Monallen, a Friend gave me some account of a
religious society among the Dutch, called Mennonists ;
and amongst other things, related a passage in substance
as follows : — One of the Mennonists having acquaintance
with a man of another society at a considerable distance,
and being with his wagon on business near the house of
his said acquaintance, and night coming on, he had
thoughts of putting up with him ; but passing by his
fields, and observing the distressed appearance of his
slaves, he kindled a fire in the woods hard by, and lay
there that night. His acquaintance hearing where he
lodged, and afterward meeting the Mennonist, told him
of it ; adding, he should have been heartily welcome at
his house ; and from their acquaintance in former time,
he wondered at his conduct in that case. The Men
nonist replied, ever since I lodged by thy field, I have

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 81
wanted an opportunity to speak with thee. I intended
to come to thy house for entertainment, but seeing thy
slaves at their work, and observing the manner of their
dress, I had no liking to come to partake with thee : he
then admonished him to use them with more humanity,
and added, as I lay by the fire that night, I thought that
as I was a man of substance, thou wouldst have received
me freely ; but if I had been as poor as one of thy slaves,
and had no power to help myself, I should have received
from thy hand no kinder usage than they.
From hence I was at three meetings in my way, and
so went home, under an humbling sense of the gracious
dealings of the Lord with me, in preserving me through
many trials and afflictions in my journey. I was out
about two months, and travelled about eleven hundred
and fifty miles.

CHAPTER V.
Considerations on the payment of a tax laid for carrying on the
war against the Indians — Some notes on Thomas a Kempis
and John Huss — Meetings of the committee of the Yearly
Meeting at Philadelphia — The present circumstances of
Friends in Pennsylvania and New Jersey very different from
those of our predecessors — The drafting of the militia in
New Jersey to serve in the army, with some observations on
the state of the members of our Society at that time — His
visit to Friends in Pennsylvania, accompanied by Benjamin
Jones — Proceedings at the Monthly, Quarterly and Yearly
Meetings in Philadelphia, respecting those who keep slaves.
A few years past, money being made current in our
province for carrying on wars, and to be called in again

82 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
by taxes laid on the inhabitants, my mind was often af
fected with the thoughts of paying such taxes; and I
believe it right for me to preserve a memorandum con
cerning it. I was told, that Friends in England fre
quently paid taxes, when the money was applied to such
purposes. I had conversation with several noted Friends
on the subject, who all favoured the payment of such
taxes ; some of whom I preferred before myself, and this
made me easier for a time ; yet there was in the deeps
of my mind, a scruple which I never could get over ;
and at certain times, I was greatly distressed on that
account. I all along believed that there were some upright-
hearted men, who paid such taxes; but could not see
that their example was a sufficient reason for me to do
so, while I believed that the Spirit of Truth required of
me, as an individual, to suffer patiently the distress of
goods, rather than pay actively.
I have been informed that Thomas a Kempis lived and
died in the profession of the Roman Catholic religion ;
and in reading his writings, I have believed him to be a
man of a true Christian spirit ; as fully so, as many who
died martyrs because they could not join with some
superstitions in that church.
All true Christians are of the same spirit, but their gifts
are diverse ; Jesus Christ appointing to each one their
peculiar office, agreeably to his infinite wisdom.
John Huss contended against the errors crept into the
church, in opposition to the council of Constance ; which
the historian reports to have consisted of some thousand
persons. He modestly vindicated the cause which he
believed was right ; and though his language and con
duct toward his judges appear to have been respectful,

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 83
yet he never could be moved from the principles settled
in his mind. To use his own words ; " This I most hum
bly require and desire of you all, even for his sake who
is the God of us all, that I be not compelled to the thing
which my conscience doth repugn or strive against." —
And again, in his answer to the emperor : " I refuse no
thing, most noble emperor, whatsoever the council shall
decree or determine upon me, only this one thing I
except, that I do not offend God and my conscience."
Fox's Acts and Monuments, page 233. At length, rather
than act contrary to that which he believed the Lord
required of him, he chose to suffer death by fire. Thomas
a Kempis, without disputing against the articles then
generally agreed to, appears to have laboured, by a
pious example as well as by preaching and writing, to
promote virtue and the inward spiritual religion : and I
believe they were both sincere-hearted followers of
Christ. True charity is an excellent virtue : and to labour sin
cerely for their good, whose belief, in all points, do not
agree with ours, is a happy state. To refuse the active
payment of a tax which our Society generally paid, was
exceedingly disagreeable ; but to do a thing contrary to
my conscience, appeared yet more dreadful. When this
exercise came upon me, I knew of none under the like
difficulty ; and in my distress, I besought the Lord to
enable me to give up all, that so I might follow him
wheresover he was pleased to lead me. Under this
exercise I went to our Yearly Meeting at Philadelphia,
in the year 1755 ; at which a committee was appointed
of some from each quarter, to correspond with the Meet
ing for Sufferings in London; and another to visit our
Monthly and Quarterly Meetings ; and after their appoint?

84 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
ment, before the last adjournment of the meeting, it was
agreed that these two committees should meet together
in Friends' school-house in the city, at a time then con
cluded on, to consider some things in which the cause
of Truth was concerned. These committees meeting
together, had a weighty conference in the fear of the
Lord; at which time, I perceived there were many
Friends under a scruple like that before-mentioned.*
As scrupling to pay a tax on account of the applica
tion, hath seldom been heard of heretofore, even amongst
men of integrity, who have steadily borne their testimony
against war, in their time ; I may here note some things
which have occurred to my mind, as I have been inwardly
exercised on that account. From the steady opposition
which faithful Friends, in early times, made to wrong
things then approved of, they were hated and persecuted
by men living in the spirit of this world ; and suffering
with firmness, they were made a blessing to the church,
and the work prospered. It equally concerns men in
every age, to take heed to their own spirit ; and in com
paring their situation with ours, it looks to me that there
was less danger of their being infected with the spirit of
this world, in paying such taxes, than there is of us now.
They had little or no share in civil government; and
many of them declared, they were, through the -power of
God, separated from the spirit in which wars were ; and
being afflicted by the rulers on account of their testi
mony, there was less likelihood of uniting in spirit with
them in things inconsistent with the purity of Truth. We,
from the first settlement of this land, have known little
* Christians refused to pay taxes to support Heathen temples.
See Primitive Christianity, part III, page 327.

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 85
or no troubles of that sort. Their profession for a time,
was accounted reproachful ; but at length, the uprightness
of our predecessors being understood by the rulers, and
their innocent sufferings moving them, our way of wor
ship was tolerated ; and many of our members in these
colonies became active in civil government. Being thus
tried with favour and prosperity, this world hath appeared
inviting ; our minds have been turned to the improvement
of our country, to merchandize and sciences, amongst
which are many things useful, being followed in pure
wisdom ; but in our present condition, that a carnal mind
is gaining upon us, I believe will not be denied. Some
of our members, who are officers in civil government, are,
in one case or other, called upon in their respective
stations to assist in things relative to the wars. Such
being in doubt whether to act, or crave to be excused
from their office, seeing their brethren united in the pay
ment of a tax to carry on the said wars, might think their
case not much different, and so quench the tender movings
of the Holy Spirit in their minds ; and thus, by small de
grees, there might be an approach toward fighting, until
we came so near it, as that the distinction would be little
else but the name of a peaceable people.
It requires great self-denial and resignation of ourselves
to God, to attain that state wherein we can freely cease
from fighting wheii wrongfully invaded, if by our fighting,
there was a probability of overcoming the invaders. —
Whoever rightly attains to it, does, in some degree, feel
that spirit in which our Redeemer gave his life for us ;
and through Divine goodness, many of our predecessors,
and many now living, have learned this blessed lesson.
But many others, having their religion chiefly by educa
tion, and not being enough acquainted with that cross
H

86 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
which crucifies to the world, manifest a temper distin
guishable from that of an entire trust in God. In calmly
considering these things, it hath not appeared strange to
me, that an exercise hath now fallen upon some, which,
as to the outward means of it, is different from what was
known to many of those who went before us.
Some time after the Yearly Meeting, a day being ap
pointed and letters written to distant members, the said
committees met at Philadelphia; and by adjournments,
continued several days. The calamities of war were now
increasing ; the frontier inhabitants of Pennsylvania were
frequently surprised, some slain, and many taken captive
by the Indians; and while these committees sat, the
corpse of one so slain was brought in a wagon, and taken
through the streets of the city, in his bloody garments, to
alarm the people, and rouse them up to war.
Friends thus met were not all of one mind in relation
to the tax ; which, to such who scrupled it, made the
way more difficult. To refuse an active payment at such
a time, might be construed into an act of disloyalty, and
appeared likely to displease the rulers, not only here but
in England. Still there was a scruple so fastened upon
the minds of many Friends, that nothing moved it : it
was a conference the most weighty that ever I was at, and
the hearts of many were bowed in reverence before the
Most High. Some Friends of the saM committees who
appeared easy to pay the tax, after several adjournments
withdrew, others of them continued till the last. At
length, an epistle of tender love and caution to Friends
in Pennsylvania, was drawn by some Friends concerned,
on that subject ; and being read several times and cor
rected, was then signed by such of them as were free to

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 87
sign it, and afterwards sent to the Monthly and Quarterly
Meetings. On the 9th day of the eighth month, in the year 1757,
at night, orders came to the military officers in our
county, (Burlington,) directing them to draft the militia
and prepare a number of men to go as soldiers, to the
relief of the English at fort William Henry, in New York
government. A few days after, there was a general
review of the militia at Mount Holly, and a number of
men chosen and sent off under some officers. Shortly
after, there came orders to draft three times as many, to
hold themselves in readiness to march when fresh orders
came ; and on the 17th day of the eighth month, there
was a meeting of the military officers at Mount Holly,
who agreed on a draft, and orders were sent to the men
so chosen, to meet their respective captains at set times
and places ; those in our township to meet at Mount
Holly ; amongst whom were a considerable number of
our Society. My mind being affected herewith, I had
fresh opportunity to see and consider the advantage of
living in the real substance of religion, where practice
doth harmonize with principle. Amongst the officers are
men of understanding, who have some regard to sincerity
where they see it ; and in the execution of their office,
when they have men to deal with whom they believe to
be upright-hearted, to put them to trouble on account of
scruples of conscience, is a painful task, and likely to be
avoided as much as easily may be. But where men pro
fess to be so meek and heavenly minded, and to have
their trust so firmly settled in God, that they cannot join
in wars ; and yet, by their spirit and conduct in common
life, manifest a contrary disposition, their difficulties are
great at such a time.

88 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
Officers, who, in great anxiety, are endeavouring to
get troops to answer the demands of their superiors, see
ing men who are insincere, pretend a scruple of con
science, in hopes of being excused from a dangerous
employment, are likely to handle them roughly. In this
time of commotion some of our young men left the parts,
and tarried abroad till it was over ; some came and pro
posed to go as soldiers ; others appeared to have a real
tender scruple in their minds against joining in wars, and
were much humbled under the apprehension of a trial so
near.. I had conversation with several of these to my
satisfaction. At the set time when the captain came to
town, some of those last-mentioned went and told him
in substance as follows : — That they could not bear arms
for conscience-sake ; nor could they hire any to go in
their places, being resigned as to the event of it: at
length the captain acquainted them all, that they might
return home for the present, and required them to pro
vide themselves as soldiers, and to be in readiness to
march when called upon. This was such a time as I had
not seen before ; and yet I may say, with thankfulness
to the Lord,, that I believed this trial was intended for
our good ; and I was favoured with resignation to him.
The French army taking the fort they were besieging,
destroyed it and went away: the company of men first
drafted, after some days march, had orders to return
home ; and those on the second draft, were no more
called upon on that occasion.
On the 4th day of the fourth month, in the year 1758,
orders came to some officers in Mount Holly, to prepare
quarters a short time, for about one hundred soldiers:
an officer and two other men, all inhabitants of our town,
came to my house ; and the officer told me that he came

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 89
to speak with me, to provide lodging and entertainment
for two soldiers, there being six shillings a week per man
allowed as pay for it. The case being new and unex
pected, I made no answer suddenly; but sat a- time
silent, my mind being turned inward. I was fully con
vinced, that the proceedings in wars are inconsistent with
the purity of the Christian religion ; and to be hired to
entertain men, who were then under pay as soldiers, was
a difficulty with me. I expected they had legal authority
for what they did ; and after a short time, I said to the
officer, if the men are sent here for entertainment, I be
lieve I shall not refuse to admit them into my house ; but
the nature of the case is such, that I expect I cannot
keep them on hire: one of the men intimated, that he
thought I might do it consistently with my religious prin
ciples ; to which I made no reply, believing silence, at
that time, best for me. Though they spoke of two, there
came only one, who tarried at my house about two
weeks, and behaved himself civilly; and when the offi
cer came to pay me, I told him I could not take pay for
it, having admitted him into my house in passive obe
dience to authority. I was on horseback when he spoke
to me ; and as I turned from him, he said, he was obliged
to me : to which I said nothing ; but thinking on the
expression, I grew uneasy; and afterwards being near
where he lived, I went and told him on what grounds I
refused taking pay for keeping the soldier.
Near the beginning of the year 1758, I went one
evening in company with a Friend, to visit a sick person ;
and before our return, we were told of a woman living
near, who, of late, had been disconsolate several days,
occasioned by a dream, wherein death and the judgments
of the Almighty after death, were represented to her
h2

90 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
mind in a moving manner. Her sadness on that account
being worn off, the Friend with whom I was in company,
went to see her, and had some religious conversation
with her and her husband: with this visit they were
somewhat affected; and the man, with many tears ex
pressed his satisfaction: and in a short time after, the
poor man being on the river in a storm of wind, he with
one more was drowned..
In the eighth month of the year 1758, having had
drawings in my mind to be at the Quarterly Meeting in
Chester county, and at some meetings in the county of
Philadelphia, I went first to the said Quarterly Meeting,
which was large; and several weighty matters came
under consideration and debate ; and the Lord was
pleased to qualify some of his servants with strength and
firmness, to bear the burthen of the day. Though I
said but little, my mind was deeply exercised ; and under
a sense of God's love, in anointing and fitting some
young men for his work, I was comforted, and my heart
was tendered before him. From hence I went to the
Youths' meeting at Darby, where my beloved friend and
brother Benjamin Jones met me, by an appointment
before I left home, to join in the visit. We were at
Radnor, Merion, Richland, North Wales, Plymouth and
Abington meetings ; and had cause to bow in reverence
before the Lord our gracious God, by whose help way
was opened for us from day to day. I was out about
two weeks, and rode about two hundred miles.
The Monthly Meeting of Philadelphia having been
under a concern on account of some Friends, who this
summer, 1758, had bought negro slaves ; the said meet
ing moved it to their Quarterly Meeting, to have the mi
nute reconsidered in the Yearly Meeting, which was

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 91
made last on that subject. The said Quarterly Meeting
appointed a committee to consider it, and report to their
next; which committee having met once and adjourned,
and I going to Philadelphia to meet a committee of the
Yearly Meeting, was in town the evening on which the
Quarterly Meeting's committee met the second time ; and
finding an inclination to sit with them, was with some
others admitted ; and Friends had a weighty conference
on the subject. Soon after their next Quarterly Meeting,
I heard that the case was coming to our Yearly Meeting ;
which brought a weighty exercise upon me, and under a
sense of my own infirmities, and the great danger I felt
of turning aside from perfect purity, my mind was often
drawn to retire alone, and put up my prayers to the
Lord, that he would be graciously pleased to strengthen
me ; that setting aside all views of self-interest and the
friendship of this world, I might stand fully resigned to
his holy will.
In this Yearly Meeting several weighty matters were
considered ; and toward the last, that in relation to deal
ing with persons who purchase slaves. During the several
sittings of the said meeting, my mind was frequently
covered with inward prayer ; and I could say with David,
"that tears were my meat day and night." The case of
slave-keeping lay heavy upon me ; nor did I find any en
gagement to speak directly to any other matter before the
meeting. When this case was opened, several faithful
Friends spoke weightily thereto, with which I was com
forted ; and feeling a concern to cast in my mite, I said
in substance, as follows :
" In the difficulties attending us in this life, nothing is
more precious than the mind of Truth inwardly manifest
ed; and it is my earnest desire, that in this weighty

92 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
matter, we may be so truly humbled as to be favoured
with a clear understanding, of the mind of Truth, and
follow it ; this would be of more advantage to the Society
than any medium not in the clearness of Divine wisdom.
The case is difficult to some who have slaves ; but if
such set aside all self-interest, and come to be weaned
from the desire of getting estates, or even from holding
them together, when Truth requires the contrary, I be
lieve way will open that they will know how to steer
through those difficulties."
Many Friends appeared to be deeply bowed under the
weight of the work; and manifested much firmness in
their love to the cause of Truth and universal righteous
ness on the earth. Though none openly justified the
practice of slave-keeping in general, yet some appeared
concerned, lest the meeting should go into such mea
sures as might give uneasiness to many brethren ; alleging
that if Friends patiently continued under the exercise,
the Lord in time to com'e, might open a way for the de
liverance of these people. Finding an engagement to
speak, I said, " My mind is often led to consider the
purity of the Divine Being, and the justice of his judg
ments ; and herein my soul is covered with awfulness. I
cannot omit to hint of some cases, where people have
not been treated with the purity of justice, and the event
hath been lamentable. Many slaves on this continent
are oppressed, and their cries have reached the ears of
the Most High. Such are the purity and certainty of his
judgments, that he cannot be partial in our favour. In
infinite love and goodness, he hath opened our under
standings from one time to another, concerning our duty
toward this people, and it is not a time for delay. Should
we now be sensible of what he requires of us, and

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 93
through a respect to the private interest of some persons,
or through a regard to some friendships which do not
stand on an immutable foundation, neglect to do our
duty in firmness and constancy, still waiting for some
extraordinary means to bring about their deliverance, it
may be that God may answer us, in this matter, by terri
ble things in righteousness."
Many faithful brethren laboured with great firmness ;
and the love of Truth, in a good degree, prevailed.
Several Friends who had negroes, expressed their desire
that a rule might be made, to deal with such Friends as
offenders who bought slaves in future. To this it was
answered, that the root of this evil would never be effect
ually struck at, until a thorough search was made into
the circumstances of such Friends who kept negroes, with
respect to the righteousness of their motives in keeping
them, that impartial justice might be administeredthrough-
out. Several Friends expressed their desire, that a visit
might be made to such as kept slaves ; and many Friends
said that they believed liberty was the negroes right ; to
which, at length, no opposition was made publicly. A
minute was made on that subject, more full than any
heretofore; and the names of several Friends entered,
who were free to join in a visit to such who kept slaves.

94 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.

CHAPTER VI.
His visiting the Quarterly Meetings in Chester county; and after
wards joining with Daniel Stanton and John Scarborough, in
a visit to such as kept slaves there — Some observations on
the conduct those should maintain who are concerned to
speak in meetings for discipline — Several visits to such who
kept slaves : and to Friends near Salem — Some account of
the Yearly Meeting in the year 1759; and of the increasing
concern, in divers provinces, to labour against buying and
keeping slaves — The yearly Meeting epistle — His thoughts
on the smallpox spreading — and on inoculation.
On the 11th day of the eleventh month, in the year
1758, I set out for Concord ; the Quarterly Meeting
heretofore held there, was now, by reason of a great in
crease of members, divided into two by the agreement
of Friends, at our last Yearly Meeting. Here I met with
our beloved friends Samuel Spavold and Mary Kirby
from England, and with Joseph White from Bucks county,
who had taken leave of his family in order to go on a
religious visit to Friends in England ; and through Divine
goodness, we were favoured with a strengthening oppor
tunity together.
After this meeting I joined with my friends Daniel
Stanton and John Scarborough, in visiting Friends who
had slaves; and at night we had a family meeting at
William Trimble's, many young people being there ; and
it was a precious reviving opportunity. Next morning
we had a comfortable sitting with a sick neighbour ; and
thence to the burial of the corpse of a Friend at Uwchland
meeting, at which were many people, and it was a time
of Divine favour ; after which, we visited some who had
slaves ; and at night had a family meeting at a Friend's

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 95
house, where the channel of Gospel love was opened,
and my mind was comforted after a hard day's labour.
The next day we were at Goshen Monthly Meeting : and
thence on the 18th day of the eleventh month, in the year
1758, attended the Quarterly Meeting at London Grove,
it being the first held at that place. Here we met again
with all the before-mentioned Friends, and had some
edifying meetings. Near the conclusion of the meeting
for business, Friends were incited to constancy in support
ing the testimony of Truth, and reminded of the necessity
which the disciples of Christ are under to attend princi
pally to his business, as he is pleased to open it to us ; s
and to be particularly careful to have our minds redeemed
from the love of wealth ; to have our outward affairs in as
little room as may be ; that no temporal concerns may
entangle our affections, or hinder us from diligently fol- ;
lowing the dictates of Truth, in labouring to promote
the pure spirit of meekness and heavenly-mindednesS
amongst the children of men, in these days of calamity
and distress; wherein God is visiting our land with his)
just judgments. ¦
Each of these Quarterly Meetings were large, and sat
nearly eight hours. Here I had occasion to consider that
it is a weighty thing to speak much in large meetings for
business. Except our minds are rightly prepared, and
we clearly understand the case we speak to, instead of
forwarding, we hinder business, and make more labour
for those on whom the burden of the work is laid.
If selfish views or a partial spirit have any room in our
minds, we are unfit for the Lord's work ; if we have a
clear prospect of the business, and proper weight on our
minds to speak, it behoves us to avoid useless apologies
and repetitions. Where people are gathered from afar,

96 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
and adjourning a meeting of business is attended with
great difficulty, it behoves all to be cautious how they
detain a meeting ; especially when it has sat six or seven
hours, and Friends have a great distance to ride home.
In the beginning of the twelfth month of the year 1758,
I joined my friends John Sykes and Daniel Stanton, in
visiting such who had slaves : some whose hearts were
rightly exercised about them, appeared to be glad of our
visit; but in some places our way was more difficult; and
I often saw the necessity of keeping down to that root
from whence our concern proceeded ; and have cause, in
reverent thankfulness, humbly to bow down before the
Lord, who was near to me, and preserved my mind in
calmness under some sharp conflicts, and begat a spirit
of sympathy and tenderness in me, toward some who
were grievously entangled by the spirit of this world.
In the first month of the year 1759, having found my
mind drawn to visit some of the more active members in
our Society at Philadelphia, who had slaves, I met my
friend John Churchman there by an agreement ; and we
continued about a week in the city. We visited some
that were sick, and some widows and their families ; and
and the other part of our time was mostly employed in
visiting such who had slaves. It was a time of deep
exercise, looking often to the Lord for his assistance ;
who, in unspeakable kindness, favoured us with the
influence of that spirit, which crucifies to the greatness
and splendour of this world, and enabled us to go
through some heavy labours, in which we found peace.
On the 24th day of the third month, of this year, I was
at our general spring meeting of Philadelphia; after which
I again joined with John Churchman on a visit to some
Friends who had slaves, in Philadelphia ; and with thank-

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 97
fulness to our heavenly Father, I may say that Divine love
and a true sympathizing tenderness of heart, prevailed at
times in this service.
Having, at times, perceived a shyness in some Friends
of considerable note, towards me, I found an engage
ment 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. I went and told him in private, that 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 14th 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 Meet
ing therein, I attended their Quarterly Meeting, and was
but 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 I found a near fellowship with the brethren and sis
ters, in the manifold trials attending their Christian pro
gress 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 com
pany of such who were named on the minute.s 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 burden.
After this, our friend John Churchman coming into
I

98 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
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 on this continent, I observed in most of them,
both this year and last, that it was recommended to
Friends to labour against buying and keeping slaves;
and in some of them closely treated upon. As this prac
tice hath 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,
observing now 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. This meet
ing continued nearly a week; and for several days, in
the forepart of it, my mind was drawn into a deep inward
stillness ; and being at times covered with the spirit of
supplication, my heart was secretly poured out before the
Lord. JTNear the conclusion of the meeting for business
way opened, that in the pure flowings of Divine love, I
expressed what lay upon me ; which, as it then arose in
my mind, was " first to show how deep answers to deep
in the hearts of the sincere and upright ; though in their
different growths they may not all have attained to the
same clearness in some points relating to our testimony.
I was led to mention the integrity and constancy of many
martyrs, who gave their lives for the testimony of Jesus ;

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 99
and yet, in some points, held doctrines distinguishable
from some which we hold ; and that in all ages where
people were faithful to the light and understanding which
the Most High afforded them, they found acceptance with
him ; and that now, though there are different ways of
thinking amongst us in some particulars, yet, if we mu
tually kept to that spirit and power which crucifies to the
world, which teaches us to be content with things really
needful, and to avoid all superfluities, giving up our hearts
to fear and serve the Lord, true unity may still be pre
served amongst us.. If such who were at times under
sufferings on account of some scruples of conscience,
kept low and humble, and in their conduct in life mani
fested a spirit of true charity, it would be more likely to
reach the witness in others, and be of more service in the
church, than if their sufferings were attended with a con
trary spirit and conduct." In this exercise I was drawn
into a sympathizing tenderness with the sheep of Christ,
however distinguished one from another in this world ;
and the like disposition appeared to spread over others in
the meeting. Great is the goodness of the Lord toward
his poor creatures.
An epistle went forth from this Yearly Meeting, which I
think good to give a place in this journal ; being as follows :
"From the Yearly Meeting held at Philadelphia, for
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, from the 22nd day of
the ninth month, to the 28th day of the same, inclusive,
1759.
" To the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings of Friends belong
ing to the said Yearly Meeting.
" Dearly beloved friends and brethren.
" In an awful sense of the wisdom and goodness of

100 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
the Lord our God, whose tender mercies have long been
continued to us in this land, we affectionately salute you,
with sincere and fervent desires, that we may reverently
regard the dispensations of his providence, and improve
under them.
" The empires and kingdoms of the earth are subject
to his Almighty power. He is the God of the spirits of
all flesh; and deals with his people agreeably to that
wisdom, the depth whereof is to us unsearchable. We
in these provinces, may say he hath, as a gracious and
tender Parent, dealt bountifully with us, even from the
days of our fathers. It was he who strengthened them
to labour through the difficulties attending the improve
ment of a wilderness, and made way for them in the
hearts of the natives ; so that by them they were com
forted in times of want and distress. It was by the
gracious influences of his holy Spirit, that they were dis
posed to work righteousness, and walk uprightly one
towards another, and towards the natives, and in life and
conversation to manifest the excellency of the principles
and doctrines of the Christian religion ; and thereby they
retain their esteem and friendship. Whilst they were
labouring for the necessaries of life, many of them were
fervently engaged to promote piety and virtue in the
earth, and to educate their children in the fear of the
Lord. " If we carefully consider the peaceable measures pur
sued in the first settlement of the land, and that freedom
from the desolations of wars, which for a long time we
enjoyed, we shall find ourselves under strong obligations
to the Almighty, who, when the earth is so generally
polluted with wickedness, gave us a being in a part so
signally favoured with tranquillity and plenty, and in

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 101
which the glad tidings of the Gospel of Christ are so
freely published, that we may justly say with the psalmist,
1 What shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits ?'
" Our own real good, and the good of our posterity
in some measure depend on the part we act ; and it nearly
concerns us to try our foundations impartially. Such
are the different rewards of the just and unjust in a future
state, that to attend diligently to the dictates of the spirit
of Christ, to devote ourselves to his service and engage
fervently in his cause, during our short stay in this world,
is a choice well becoming a free intelligent creature.
We shall thus clearly see and consider that the dealings
of God with mankind in a national capacity, as recorded
in holy writ, sufficiently evidence the truth of that saying,
1 it is righteousness which exalteth a nation ;' and though
he doth not at all times suddenly execute his judgments
on a sinful people in this life, yet we see by many
instances, that where < men follow lying vanities, they
forsake their own mercies.' As a proud selfish spirit
prevails and spreads among a people, so partial judg
ment, oppression, discord, envy and confusion increase,
and provinces and kingdoms are made to drink the cup
of adversity as a reward of their own doings. Thus the
inspired prophet, reasoning with the degenerated Jews,
saith, ' Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy
backslidings shall reprove thee : know therefore, that it
is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the
Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the
Lord God of hosts.'
" The God of our fathers, who hath bestowed on us
many benefits, furnished a table for us in the wilderness,
and made the deserts and solitary places to rejoice, doth
now mercifully call upon us to serve him more faithfully.
1 2

102 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
We may truly say with the prophet, <¦ it is his voice which
crieth to the city, and men of wisdom see his name:
They regard the rod, and him who- hath appointed it.' —
People who look chiefly at things outward, too little con
sider the original cause of the present troubles ; but such
who fear the Lord, and think often upon his name, they
see and feel that a wrong spirit is spreading among the
inhabitants of our country ; that the hearts of many are
waxed fat, and their ears dull of hearing ; that the Most
High, in his visitations to us, instead of calling, lifteth
up his voice and crieth ; he crieth to our country, and
his voice waxeth louder and louder. In former wars
between the English and other nations, since the settle
ment of our provinces, the calamities attending them
have fallen chiefly on other places, but of late they have
reached our, borders. Many of our fellow-subjects have
suffered on and near our frontiers, some have been slain
in battle, some killed in their houses, and some in their
fields; some wounded and left in great misery, and others
separated from their wives and little children, who have
been carried captives among the Indians. We have
seen men and women, who have been witnesses of these
scenes of sorrow, and being reduced to want, have come
to our houses asking relief. It is not long since it was
the case of many young men in one of these provinces
to be drafted, in order to be taken as soldiers. Some
were at that time in great distress, and had occasion to
consider that their lives had been too little conformable
to the purity and spirituality of that religion which we
profess, and found themselves too little acquainted with
that inward humility, in which true fortitude to endure
hardness for the Truth's1 sake is experienced. Many
parents were concerned for their children, and in that

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 103
time of trial were led to consider, that their care to get
outward treasure for them, had been greater than their
care for their settlement in that religion which crucifieth
to the world, and enableth to bear a clear testimony to
the peaceable government of the Messiah. These trou
bles are removed, and for a time we are released from
them. " Let us not forget that < the Most High hath his way
in the deep, in clouds and in thick darkness' — that it is
his voice which crieth to the city and to > the country ;
and oh ! that these loud and awakening cries, may have
a proper effect upon us, that heavier chastisement may
not become necessary! For though things, as to the
outward, may for a short time afford a pleasing prospect ;
yet while a selfish spirit, that is not subject to the cross
of Christ, continueth to spread and prevail, there can be
no long continuance in outward peace and tranquillity.
If we desire an inheritance incorruptible, and to be at
rest in that state of peace and happiness, which ever
continues ; if we desire in this life to dwell under the
favour and protection of that Almighty Being, whose
habitation is in holiness, whose ways are all equal and
whose anger is now kindled, because of our backslidings ;
let us then awfully regard these beginnings of his sore
judgments, and with abasement and humiliation turn to
him whom we have offended.
"Contending with one equal in strength, is an uneasy
exercise; but if the Lord becomes our enemy, if we
persist to contend with him who is omnipotent, our over
throw Will be unavoidable.
"Do we feel an affectionate regard to posterity ; and
are we employed to promote their happiness ? Do our
minds in things outward, look beyond our own dissolu-

104 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
tion ; and are we contriving for the prosperity of our
children after us ? Let us then like wise builders, lay
the foundation deep ; and by our constant uniform regard
to inward piety and virtue, let them see that we really
value it. Let us labour in the fear of the Lord, that
their innocent minds, while young and tender, may be
preserved from corruption ; that as they advance in age,
they may rightly understand their true interests, may
consider the uncertainty of temporal things, and above
all, have their hope and confidence firmly settled in the
blessing of that Almighty Being who inhabits eternity,
and preserves and supports the world.
" In all our cares about worldly treasures, let us steadily
bear in mind, that riches possessed by children who do
not truly serve God, are likely to prove snares that may
grievously entangle them in that spirit of selfishness and
exaltation, which stands in opposition to real peace and
happiness; and renders those enemies to the cross of
Christ, who submit to the influence of it.
"To keep a watchful eye towards real objects of
charity, to visit the poor in their lonesome dwelling-
places, to comfort those who, through the dispensations
of Divine Providence, are in strait and painful circum
stances 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, what-

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 105
soever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, what
soever 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 28th 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, I came home and put things in
order. On the 11th day of the twelfth month following,
I went over the river ; and on the next day was at Buck
ingham meeting; where, through the descendings of
heavenly dew, my mind was comforted and drawn into
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 exer
cise I felt at times, the Holy Spirit which helps our in
firmities ; through which, in private, my prayers were at
times put up to God, that he would please to purge me
from all selfishness, that I might be strengthened to dis
charge 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 mem
bers throughout the county who had negroes ; and through

106 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
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 fami
lies with greater satisfaction than we expected.
We visited Joseph White's family, he being in Eng
land; had also a family sitting at the house of an elder
who bore us company, and was at Makefield on a first-
day; at all which times my heart was truly thankful to
the Lord, who was graciously pleased to renew his loving
kindness to us, his poor servants, uniting us together in
his work.
In the winter of this year, the smallpox being in our
town, and many being inoculated, of which a few died,
some things were opened in my mind, which I wrote as
follow :
The more fully our lives are conformable to the will of
God, the better it is for us. I have looked on the small
pox as a messenger from the Almighty, to be an assistant
in the cause of virtue, and to incite us to consider whether
we employ our time in such things only as are consistent
with perfect wisdom and goodness.
Building houses suitable to dwell in, for ourselves and
our creatures ; preparing clothing suitable for the climate
and season, and food convenient, are duties incumbent
on us : and under these general heads, are many branches
of business, in which we may venture health and life, as
necessity may require.
This disease being in a house, and my business call
ing me to go near it, it incites me to think, whether this
business is a real indispensable duty ; whether it is not
in conformity to some custom which would be better

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 107
laid aside; or whether it does not proceed from too
eager a pursuit after outward treasure. If the business
before me springs not from a clear understanding, and a
regard to that use of things which perfect wisdom ap
proves ; to be brought to a sense of it, and stopped in
my pursuit, is a kindness ; for when I proceed to busi
ness without some evidence of duty, I have found by
experience, that it tends to weakness.
If I am so situated that there appears no probability
of missing the infection, it tends to make me think,
whether my manner of life in things outward, has nothing
in it which may unfit my body to receive this messenger,
in a way the most favourable to me. Do I use food and
drink in no other sort, and in no other degree, than was
designed by Him who gave these creatures for our suste
nance ? Do I never abuse my body by inordinate la
bour, striving to accomplish some end which I have
unwisely proposed ? Do I use action enough in some
useful employ ? Or do I sit too much idle, while some
persons who labour to support me, have too great a
share of it ? If in any of these things I am deficient, to
be incited to consider it, is a favour to me.
Employment is necessary in social life ; and this in
fection which often proves mortal, incites me to think,
whether these social acts of mine are real duties : if I go
on a visit to the widows and fatherless, do I go purely
on a principle of charity, free from any selfish views?
If I go to a religious meeting, it puts me on thinking,
whether I go in sincerity and a clear sense of duty ; or
whether it is not partly in conformity to custom, or partly
from a sensible delight which my animal spirits feel in
the company of other people ; and whether to support
my reputation as a religious man, has no share in it.

108 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
Do affairs relating to civil society, call me near this
infection ? If I go, it is at the hazard of my health and
life ; and it becomes me to think seriously, whether love
to Truth and righteousness is the motive of my attend
ing ; whether the manner of proceeding is altogether .
equitable; or whether ought of narrowness, party in
terest, respect to outward dignities, names or distinctions
among men, stains the beauty of those assemblies, and
renders it doubtful in point of duty, whether a disciple
of Christ ought to attend as a member united to the body
or not.
Whenever there are blemishes which remain for a
series of time, that which is a means of stirring us up to
look attentively on these blemishes, and to labour ac
cording to our capacities, to have health and soundness
restored in our country, we may justly account a kind
ness from our gracious Father, who appointed that mean.
The care of a wise and good man for his only son, is
inferior to the regard of the great Parent of the universe
for his creatures. He hath the command of all the
powers and operations in nature ; and " doth not afflict
willingly, nor grieve the children of men :" chastisement
is intended for instruction, and instruction being received
by gentle chastisement, greater calamities are prevented.
By an earthquake, hundreds of houses are sometimes
shaken down in a few minutes, and multitudes of people
perish suddenly; and many more being crushed and
bruised in the ruins of the buildings, pine away and die
in great misery. ~~
By the breaking in of enraged, merciless armies,
flourishing countries have been laid waste, great numbers
of people have perished in a short time, and many more
been pressed with poverty and grief.

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 109
By the pestilence, people have died so fast in a city,
that through fear, grief and confusion, those in health
have found great difficulty in burying the dead, even
without coffins.
By famine, great numbers of people,, in some places,
have been brought to the utmost distress, and pined
away for want of the necessaries of life. Thus, where
the kind invitations and gentle chastisements of a gra
cious God have not been attended to, his sore judgments
have at times, been poured out upon people.
While some rules approved in civil society, and con
formable to human policy, so called, are distinguishable
from the purity of Truth and righteousness ; while many,
professing Truth, are declining from that ardent love and
heavenly-mindedness, which were amongst the primitive
followers of Jesus Christ, it is a time for us to attend
diligently to the intent of every chastisement, and con
sider the most deep and inward design of 4hem.
The Most High doth not often speak with an outward
voice to our outward ears ; but if we humbly meditate
on his perfections, consider that he is perfect wisdom
and goodness, and that to afflict his creatures to no pur
pose, would be utterly averse to his nature, we shall hear
and understand his language, both in his gentle and more
heavy chastisements ; and take heed that we do not, in
the wisdom of this world, endeavour to escape his hand
by means too powerful for us.
Had he endowed men with understanding to hinder
the force of this disease by innocent means, which had
never proved mortal nor hurtful to our bodies, such dis
covery might be considered as the period of chastise
ment by this distemper, where that knowledge extended.
But as life and health are his gifts, and not to be dis-
K

110 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
posed of in our own wills, to take upon us, when in
health, a distemper of which some die, requires great
clearness of knowledge, that it is our duty to do so.

CHAPTER VII.
His visit in company with Samuel Eastburn, to Long Island,
Rhode Island, Boston, &c, in New England — Remarks on
the slave trade at Newport, and his exercise on that ac
count ; also on lotteries — Some observations on the island of
Nantucket. Having for some time past felt a sympathy in my
mind with Friends eastward, I opened my concern in
our Monthly Meeting; and obtaining a certificate, set
forward on the 17th day of the fourth month, in the year
1760, joining in company, by a previous agreement,
with my beloved friend Samuel Eastburn. We had
meetings at Woodbridge, Rahway and Plainfield ; and
were at their Monthly Meeting of ministers and elders in
Rahway. We laboured under some discouragement ;
but through the invisible power of Truth, our visit was
made reviving to the lowly-minded, with whom I felt a
near unity of spirit, being much reduced in my mind.
We passed on and visited most of the meetings on Long
Island. It was my concern from day to day, to say no
more nor less than what the Spirit of Truth opened in
me, being jealous over myself, lest I should speak any
thing to make my testimony look agreeable to that mind
in people, which is not in pure obedience to the cross
of Christ.
The spring of the ministry was often low ; and through

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. Ill
the subjecting power of Truth, we were kept low with
it ; and from place to place, such whose hearts were
truly concerned for the cause of Christ, appeared to be
comforted in our labours ; and though it was in general
a time of abasement of the creature, yet through His
goodness, who is a helper of the poor, we had some truly
edifying seasons both in meetings and in families where
we tarried ; and sometimes found strength to labour ear
nestly with the unfaithful, especially with those whose
station in families, or in the Society was such, that their
example had a powerful tendency to open the way for
others to go aside from the purity and soundness of the
blessed Truth. At Jericho, on Long Island, I wrote
home as follows : " 24th of the Fourth month, 1760.
" Dearly beloved wife,
" We are favoured with health ; have been at sundry
meetings in East Jersey, and on this island : my mind
hath been much in an inward watchful frame since I left
thee, greatly desiring that our proceedings may be singly
in the will of our heavenly Father.
"As the present appearance of things is not joyous, I
have been much shut up from outward cheerfulness, re
membering that promise, ' Then shalt thou delight thy
self in the Lord.' As this, from day to day, has been
revived in my memory, I have considered that his inter
nal presence on our minds, is a delight of all others the
most pure ; and that the honest-hearted not only delight
in this, but in the effect of it upon them. He who re
gards the helpless and distressed, reveals his love to his
children under affliction, and they delight in beholding
his benevolence, and feeling Divine charity moving upon

112 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
them. Of this I may speak a little ; for though, since I
left you, I have often found an engaging love and affec
tion toward thee and my daughter, and friends about
home,, that going out at this time, when sickness is so
great amongst you, is a trial upon me ; yet I often re
member there are many widows and fatherless, many
who have poor tutors, many who have evil examples be
fore them, and many whose minds are in captivity ; for
whose sake my heart is at times moved with compassion,
that I feel my mind resigned to leave you for a season,
to exercise that gift which the Lord hath bestowed on
me ; which, though small, compared with some, yet in
this I rejoice, that I feel love unfeigned toward my fel
low-creatures. I recommend you to the Almighty, who,
I trust, cares for you ; and under a sense of his heavenly
love, remain " Thy loving husband,
"J. W."
We crossed from the east end of Long Island to New
London, about thirty miles, in a large open boat ; while
we were out, the wind rising high, the waves several
times beat over us, and to me it appeared dangerous ;
but my mind was at that time, turned to Him who made
and governs the deep, and my life was resigned to him :
and as he was mercifully pleased to preserve us, I had
fresh occasion to consider every day as a day lent to me ;
and felt a renewed engagement to devote my time and
all I had to Him who gave it.
We had five meetings in Narraganset ; and went thence
to Newport on Rhode Island. Our gracious Father pre
served us in an humble dependence on him through deep
exercises, that were mortifying to the creaturely will. In

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 113
several families in the country where we lodged, I felt
an engagement on my mind to have a conference with
them in private concerning their slaves ; and through
Divine aid, I was favoured to give up thereto. Though,
in this concern, I appear singular from many whose
service in travelling I believe is greater than mine, I do
not think hard of them for omitting it ; nor do I repine
at having so unpleasant a task assigned me, but look
with awfulness to Him, who appoints to his servants their
respective employments, and is good to all who serve
him sincerely.
We got to Newport in the evening, and on the next
day visited two sick persons, and had comfortable sittings
with them ; and in the afternoon attended the burial of a
Friend. The next day we were at meetings at Newport, in the
forenoon and afternoon ; where the spring of the ministry
was opened, and strength given to declare the word of
life to the people.
The next day we went on our journey; but the great
number of slaves in these parts, and the continuance of
that trade from thence to Guinea, made a deep impres
sion on me ; and my cries were often put up to my
heavenly Father in secret, that he would enable me to
discharge my duty faithfully, in such way as he might be
pleased to point out to me.
We took Swansea, Freetown and Taunton, in our
way to Boston ; where also we had a meeting ; our ex
ercise was deep, and the love of Truth prevailed, for
which I bless the Lord. We went eastward about eighty
miles beyond Boston, taking meetings, and were in a
good degree preserved in an humble dependence on that
arm which drew us out ; and though we had some hard
k2

114 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
labour with the disobedient, laying things closely; home
to such as were stout against the Truth ; yet through the
goodness of God, we had at times to partake of heavenly
comfort with them who were meek, and were often
favoured to part with Friends in the nearness of true
Gospel fellowship. We returned to Boston, and had
another comfortable opportunity with Friends there ; and
thence rode back a day's journey eastward of Boston. —
Our guide being a heavy man, and the weather hot,
and my companion and I considering it, expressed our
freedom to go on without him, to which he consented,
and we respectfully took our leave of him ; we did
this,, believing the journey would be hard to him and his
horse. We visited the meetings in those parts, and were mea
surably baptized into a feeling of the state of the Society ;
and in bowedness of spirit went to the Yearly Meeting
at Newport ; where I understood that a large number of
slaves had been imported from Africa into that town, and
were then on sale by a member of our Society. At this
meeting we- met with John Storer from England, Eliza
beth Shipley, Ann Gaunt, Hannah Foster, and Mercy
Redman from our parts, all ministers of the Gospel, of
whose company I was glad.
At this time my appetite failed, and I grew outwardly
weak, and had a feeling of the condition of Habbakuk,
as thus expressed; "When I heard my belly trembled,
my lips quivered, I trembled in myself that I might rest
in the day of trouble." I had many cogitations, and
was sorely distressed; and was desirous that Friends
might petition the legislature, to use their endeavours
to discourage the future importation of slaves; for I
saw that this trade was a great evil, and tended to mul-

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 115
tiply troubles and bring distresses on the people in those
parts, for whose welfare my heart was deeply concerned.
But I perceived several difficulties in regard to petition
ing ; and such was the exercise of my mind, that I thought
of endeavouring to get an opportunity to speak a few
words in the House of Assembly, then sitting in town.
This exercise came upon me in. the afternoon, on the
second day of the Yearly Meeting, and going to bed, I
got no sleep till my mind was wholly resigned therein ;
and in the morning I inquired of a Friend how long the
Assembly were likely to continue sitting ; who told me,
they were expected to be prorogued that day or the next.
As I was desirous to attend the business of the meeting,
and perceived that the Assembly were likely to depart
before the business was over ; after considerable exercise,
humbly seeking to the Lord for instruction, my mind
settled to attend on the business of the meeting. I had
prepared a short essay of a petition to be presented to the
legislature, if way opened ; and being informed that there
were some appointed by that Yearly Meeting, to speak
with those in authority, in cases relating to the Society,
I opened my mind to several of them, and showed them
the essay I had made ; and afterward opened the case in
the meeting for business, in substance as follows :
" I have been under a concern for some time, on ac
count of the great number of slaves who are imported into
this colony. I am aware that it is a tender point to
speak to, but apprehend I am not clear in the sight of
heaven without speaking to it. I have prepared an essay
of a petition, if way open, to be presented to the legisla
ture ; and what I have to propose to this meeting is, that
some Friends may be named to withdraw and look over
it, and report whether they believe it suitable to be read

116 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
in the meeting ; if they should think well of reading it, it
will remain for the meeting, after hearing it, to consider
whether to take any further notice of it as a meeting or
not." After a short conference some friends went out,
and looking over it, expressed their willingness to have
it read ; which being done, many expressed their unity
with the proposal ; and some signified, that to have the
subjects of the petition enlarged upon, and to be signed
out of meeting by such who were free, would be more
suitable than to do it there. Though I expected at first,
that if it was done it would be in that way ; yet such was
the exercise of my mind, that to move it in the hearing
of Friends when assembled, appeared to me. a duty. My
heart yearned toward the inhabitants of these parts ; be
lieving that by this trade there had been an increase of
inquietude amongst them, and a way made easy for the
spreading of a spirit opposite to that meekness and hu
mility, which is a sure resting-place for the soul ; and
that the continuance of this trade would not only render
their healing more difficult, but increase their malady.
Having proceeded thus far, I felt easy to leave the essay
amongst Friends, for them to dispose of as they believed
best. And nowT an exercise revived on my mind in re
lation to lotteries, which were common' in those parts. I
had moved it in a former sitting of this meeting, when
arguments were used in favour of Friends being held
excused, who were only concerned in such lotteries as
were agreeable to law. On moving it again, it was op
posed as before ; but the hearts of some solid Friends
appeared to be united to discourage the practice amongst
their members ; and the matter was zealously handled by
some on both sides. In this debate it appeared very]
clear to me, that, the spirit of lotteries was a spirit of sel

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 117
I fishness, which tended to confusion and darkness of un
derstanding ; and that pleading for it in our meetings, set
apart for the Lord's work, was not right : and in the heat
of zeaU^ I_once made repryjojvhat an ancient-Friend said,
and when I sat down, I saw that my words were not enough
seasoned with charity ; and after this I spoke no more on
the subject. At length a minute was made ; a copy of
which was agreed to be sent to their several Quarterly
Meetings, inciting Friends to labour to discourage the
practice amongst all professing with us.
Some time after this minute was made, I remaining
uneasy with the manner of my speaking to the ancient
Friend, could not see my way clear to conceal my un
easiness, but was concerned that I might say nothing to
weaken the cause in which I had laboured. After some
close exercise and hearty repentance that I had not at
tended closely to the safe guide, I stood up and reciting
the passage, acquainted Friends that though I dare not
go from what I had said as to the matter, yet I was un
easy with the manner of my speaking, believing milder
language would have been better. As this was uttered
in some degree of creaturely abasement, it appeared to
have a good savour amongst us, after a warm debate.*''
The Tearly Meeting being now over, there remained
on my mind a secret, though heavy exercise in regard to
some leading active members about Newport, being in
the practice of slave-keeping. This I mentioned to two
ancient Friends who came out of the country, and pro
posed to them, if way opened, to have some conversation
with those Friends : and thereupon, one of those country
Friends and I, consulted one of the most noted elders
who had slaves ; and he, in a respectful manner, encour*
aged me to proceed to clear myself of what lay upon me.

118 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
I had had, near the beginning of the Yearly Meeting, a
private conference with this elder and his wife, concern
ing theirs ; so that the way seemed clear to me, to advise
with him about the manner of proceeding. I told him,
I was free to have a conference with them all together in
a private house ; or if he thought they would take it un
kind to be asked to come together, and to be spoken
with in the hearing of each other, I was free to spend
some time among them, and visit them all in their own
houses. He expressed his liking to the first proposal,
not doubting their willingness to come together ; and as
I proposed a visit to ministers, elders and overseers only;
he named some others, whom he desired might be pre
sent also. As a careful messenger was wanted to ac
quaint them in a proper manner, he offered to go to all
their houses to open the matter to them ; and did so. —
About the eighth hour next morning, we met in the
meeting-house chamber, and the last-mentioned country
Friend, also my companion and John Storer, with us;
when, after a short time of retirement, I acquainted them
with the steps I had taken in procuring that meeting,
opened the concern I was under, and we proceeded to a
free conference upon the subject. My exercise was heavy,
and I was deeply bowed in spirit before the Lord, who
was pleased to favour with the seasoning virtue of Truth,
which wrought a tenderness amongst us ; and the sub
ject was mutually handled in a calm and peaceable
spirit. At length feeling my mind released from the
burthen which I had been under, I took my leave of
them in a good degree of satisfaction ; and by the ten
derness they manifested in regard to the practice, and
the concern several of them expressed in relation to the
manner of disposing of their negroes after their decease,

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 119
I believed that a good exercise was spreading amongst
them ; and I am humbly thankful to God, who supported
my mind, and preserved me in a good degree of resig
nation through these trials.
Thou, who sometimes travels in the work of the minis
try, and art made very welcome by thy friends, and seest
many tokens of their satisfaction, in having thee for their
guest; it is good for thee to dwell deep, that thou mayest
feel and understand the spirits of people. If we believe
Truth points towards a conference on some subjects, in a
private way, it is needful for us to take heed that their
kindness, their freedom and affability, do not hinder us
from the Lord's work. I have seen, that in the midst of
kindness and smooth conduct, to speak close and home
to them who entertain us, on points that relate to their
outward interest, is hard labour ; and sometimes when I
have felt Truth lead toward it, I have found myself dis
qualified by a superficial friendship. As the sense thereof
hath abased me, and my cries have been to the Lord, I
have been humbled and made content to appear weak,
or as a fool for his sake ; and thus a door hath opened
to enter upon it. To attempt to do the Lord's work in
our own way, and to speak of that which is the burthen
of the word, in a way easy to the natural part, doth not
reach the bottom of the disorder. To see the failings of
our friends, and think hard of them, without opening that
which we ought to open, and still carry a face of friendship,
this tends to undermine the foundation of true unity.
The office of a minister of Christ is weighty ; and
they who now go forth as watchmen, had need to be
steadily on their guard against the snares of prosperity
and an outside friendship.
After the Yearly Meeting we were at meetings at New-

120 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
town, Acushnet, Cushnet, Long Plain, Rochester and
Dartmouth. From thence we sailed for Nantucket, in
company with Ann Gaunt and Mercy Redman, and seve
ral other Friends : the wind being slack, we only reached
Tarpawling Cove the first day ; where, going on shore,
we found room in a public house, and beds for a few of
us, the rest sleeping on the floor. We went on board
again about break of day; and though the wind was
small, we were favoured to come within about four miles
of Nantucket ; and about ten of us getting into our boat,
we rowed to the harbour before dark ; whereupon a large
boat going off, brought in the rest of the passengers
about midnight. The next day but one was their Yearly
Meeting, which held four days ; the last of which was
the Monthly Meeting for business. We had a laborious
time amongst them ; our minds were closely exercised,
and I believe it was a time of great searching of heart :
the longer I was on the island, the more I became sensi
ble that there was a considerable number of valuable
Friends there, though an evil spirit tending to strife, had
been at work amongst them. I was cautious of making
any visits, but as my mind was particularly drawn to
them ; and in that way we had some sittings in Friend's
houses, where the heavenly wing was at times spread
over us, to our mutual comfort.
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. . Feeling clear as to

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 121
any further 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. 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 appoint
ing 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 ap
pointed, 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. 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 towards Sandwich Quar
terly 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 this shoal for the
rising of the tide, is sometimes hazardous in storms:
waiting within, they sometimes miss a fair wind. I took
notice that on this 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 ; to answer the cost
whereof, with most of their other expenses, they depend
principally upon the whale fishery. I considered that as
towns grew larger, and lands near navigable waters were
L

122 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
more cleared, it would require more labour to get timber
and wood. 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 motion 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. In this visit to these people, I felt
a strong desire for their firm establishment on the sure
foundation ; and besides what was said more publicly, I
was concerned to speak with the women Friends, in their
Monthly Meeting of business, many being present ; and
in the fresh spring of pure love, to open before them the
advantage, both inward and outward, of attending singly
to the pure guidance of the Holy Spirit, and therein to
educate their children in true humility, and the disuse of
all superfluities, reminding them of the difficulties their
husbands and sons were frequently exposed to at sea;
and that the more plain and simple their way of living
was, the less need there would be of running great
hazards to support them in it. I encouraged the young
women in their neat decent way of attending themselves
on the affairs of the house ; showing, as the way opened,
that where people were truly humble, used themselves to
business, and were content with a plain way of life, it
had ever been attended with more true peace and calm
ness of mind, than they have had who, aspiring to great
ness and outward show, have grasped hard for an income
to support themselves in it. As I observed they had few
or no slaves amongst them, I had to encourage them to

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 123
be content without them ; making mention of the numer
ous troubles and vexations, which frequently attend the
minds of people, who depend on slaves to do their
labour. We attended the Quarterly Meeting at Sandwich, in
company with Ann Gaunt and Mercy Redman, which
was preceded by a Monthly Meeting, and in the whole
held three days. We were, in various ways exercised
amongst them in Gospel love, according to the several
gifts bestowed on us ; and were at times, overshadowed
with the virtue of Truth, to the comfort of the sincere
and the stirring up of the negligent. Here we parted
with Ann and Mercy, and went to Rhode Island, taking
one meeting in our way, which was a satisfactory time ;
and reaching Newport the evening before their Quarterly
Meeting, we attended it ; and after that had a meeting
with our young people, separated from those of other
societies. We went through much labour in this town;
and now in taking leave of it, though I felt close inward
exercise to the last, I found peace; and was in some
degree comforted in a belief, that a good number remain
in that place, who retain a sense of Truth ; and that there
are some young people attentive to the voice of the hea
venly Shepherd. The last meeting in which Friends from
the several parts of the quarter came together, was select ;
and through the renewed manifestation of the Father's
love, the hearts of the sincere were united together.
That poverty of spirit and inward weakness, with
which I was much tried during the fore part of this jour
ney, has of late appeared to me to be a dispensation
of kindness. Appointing meetings never appeared more
weighty to me. I was lead into deep search, whether in
all things my mind was resigned to the will of God;

124 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
often querying with myself, what should be the cause of
such inward poverty ; and greatly desired that no secret
reserve in my heart might hinder my access to the Divine
fountain. In these humbling times I was made watchful,
and excited to attend to the secret movings of the hea
venly principle in my mind which prepared the way to
some duties, that in more easy and prosperous times as
to the outward, I believe I should have been in danger
of omitting..
From Newport we went to Greenwich, Shanticut and
Warwick ; and were helped to labour amongst Friends
in the love of our gracious Redeemer; and then, ac
companied by our friend John Casey from Newport, we
rode through Connecticut to Oblong, visited the meet
ings of Friends in those parts, and thence proceeded to
the Quarterly Meeting at Ryewoods; and through the
gracious extendings of Divine help, had some seasoning
opportunities in those places. We visited Friends at
New York and Flushing ; and thence to Rahway ; and
here our roads parting, I took leave of my beloved com
panion and true yoke-mate Samuel Eastburn ; and reached
home on the 10th day of the eighth month, 1760, where
I found my family well : and for the favours and pro
tection of the Lord, both inward and outward, extended
to me in this journey,- my heart is humbled in grateful
acknowledgments ; and I find renewed desires to dwell
and walk in resignedness before him.

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 125

CHAPTER VIII.
His visits to Pennsylvania, Shrewsbury and Squan — publishes the
second part of his Considerations on keeping negroes — The
grounds of his appearing in some respects singular in his
dress — visits the families of Friends of Ancocas and Mount
Holly meetings — visit to the Indians at Wehaloosing on the.
river Susquehanna.
Having felt my mind drawn toward a visit to a few
meetings in Pennsylvania^ I was very desirous to be
rightly instructed as to the time of setting off. On the
10th day of the fifth month, 1761, being the first-day of
the week, I went to Haddonfield meeting, concluding to
seek for heavenly instruction, and to come home or go
on, as I might then believe best for me; and there,
through the springing up of pure love, I felt encourage
ment, and so crossed the river. In this visit I was at two
Quarterly and three Monthly Meetings ; and in the love
of Truth, felt my way open to labour with some noted
Friends ^o kept negroes ; and as I was favoured to keep
to the root, and endeavoured to discharge what I believed
was required of me, I found inward peace therein from
time to time ; and thankfulness of heart to the Lord, who
was graciously pleased to be a guide to me.
In the eighth month, 1761, having felt drawings in my
mind to visit Friends in and about Shrewsbury, I went
there, and was at their Monthly Meeting, and the meet
ing on first-day ; had a meeting at Squan, and another
at Squankum ; and as way opened, had conversation with
some noted Friends concerning their slaves : and I re
turned home in a thankful sense of the goodness of the
Lord. l2

126 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
From the care I had felt growing in me for some years,
I wrote Considerations on keeping Negroes, part the
second ; which was printed during this year 1762. When
the overseers of the press had done with it, they offered
to get a number printed, to be paid for out of the Yearly
Meeting stock, and to be given away; but I being most
easy to publish them at my own expense, and offering
my reasons they appeared satisfied..
This stock is the contribution of the members of our
religious Society in general; amongst whom are some
who keep negroes, and being inclined to continue them
in slavery, are not likely to be satisfied with those books
being spread amongst a people where many of the slaves
are taught to read, and especially at their expense ; and
such receiving them as a gift, often conceal them. But
as they who make a purchase, generally buy that which
they have a mind for, I believed it best to sell them;
expecting, by that means, they would more generally be
read with attention. Advertisements being signed by
order of the overseers of the press, directed to be read
in Monthly Meetings of business within our qpTi Yearly
Meeting, informing where the books were, and that the
price was no more than the cost of printing and binding
them ; many were taken off in our parts ; some I sent to
Virginia, some to New York, and some to Newport, to
my acquaintance there ; and some I kept, expecting to
give part of them away, where there appeared a prospect
of service.
In my youth I was used to hard labour ; and though I
was middling healthy, yet my nature was not fitted to
endure so much as many others. Being often weary, I
was prepared to sympathize with those whose circum
stances in life, as free men, required constant labour to

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 127
answer the demands of their creditors ; and with others
under oppression. In the uneasiness of body, which I
have many times felt by too much labour, not as a forced
but a voluntary oppression, I have often been excited to
think on the original cause of that oppression which is
imposed on many in the world. During the latter part
of the time wherein I laboured on our plantation, my
heart through the fresh visitations of heavenly love, being
often tender; and my leisure time frequently spent in
reading the life and doctrines of our blessed Redeemer,
the account of the sufferings of martyrs, and the history
of the first rise of our Society; a belief was gradually
settled in my mind, that if such who have great estates,
generally lived in that humility and plainness which be
longs to a Christian life, and laid much easier rents and
interests on their lands and moneys, and thus led the way
to a right use of things, so great a number of people
might be employed in things useful, that labour both for
men and other creatures would need to be no more than an
agreeable employ ; and divers branches of business which
serve chiefly to please the natural inclinations of our
minds, and which, at present, seem necessary to circulate
that wealth which some gather, might in this way of Dure
wisdom be discontinued. As I have thus considered
these things, a query at times hath arisen ; Do I in all my
proceedings, keep to that use of things which is agree
able to universal righteousness? And then there hath
some degree of sadness at times come over me ; because
I accustomed myself to some things which occasioned
more labour than I believe Divine wisdom intends for us.
From my early acquaintance with Truth, I have often
felt an inward distress, occasioned by the striving of a
spirit in me, against the operation of the heavenly princi-

128 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
pie ; and in this circumstance have been affected with a
sense of my own wretchedness, and in a mourning con
dition felt earnest longings for that Divine help, which
brings the soul into true liberty. Sometimes in this state,
retiring into private places, the spirit of supplication hath
been given me ; and under a heavenly covering, I have
asked my gracious Father to give me a heart in all things
resigned to the direction of his wisdom ; and in uttering
language like this, the thoughts of my wearing hats and
garments dyed with a dye hurtful to them, have made
lasting impressions on me.
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 has affected me, that a con
formity to some customs distinguishable from pure wis
dom, has entangled many ; and that the desire of gain to
support these customs, greatly opposed the work of Truth.
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 show
me the way in which I ought to walk ; it has 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 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 employ
ment of their time ; and that we cannot go into superflui
ties, or grasp after wealth in a way contrary to his wisdom,
without having connexion with some degree of oppres-

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 129
sion, and with that spirit which leads to self-exaltation
and strife, and which frequently brings calamities on
countries, by parties contending about their claims.
Being thus fully convinced, and feeling an increasing
desire to live in the spirit of peace ; being often sorrow
fully affected in thinking on the unquiet spirit in which
wars are generally carried on, and with the miseries of
many of my fellow-creatures engaged therein ; some sud
denly destroyed; some wounded, and after much pain
remain cripples ; some deprived of all their outward sub
stance and reduced to want ; and some carried into cap
tivity — thinking often on these things, the use of hats
and garments dyed with a dye hurtful to them, and wear
ing more clothes in summer than are useful, grew more
uneasy to me ; believing them to be customs which have
not their foundation in pure wisdom. The apprehension
of being singular from my beloved friends, was a strait
upon me ; and thus I remained in the use of some things
contrary to my judgment.
On the 31st day of the fifth month, 1761, I was taken
ill of a fever ; and after having it near a week, I was in
great distress of body. And one day there was a cry
raised in me, that I might understand the cause why I
was afflicted, and improve under it. My conformity to
some customs which I believed were not right, was then
brought to my remembrance ; and in the continuation of
the exercise, I felt all the powers in me yield themselves
up into the hands of Him who gave me being ; and was
made thankful that he had taken hold of me by his chas
tisement. Feeling the necessity of further purifying, there
was now no desire in me for health, until the design of
my correction was answered ; and thus I lay in abase
ment and brokenness of spirit, and as I felt a sinking

130 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
down into a calm resignation, so I felt as in an instant, an
inward healing in my nature ; and from that time forward
I grew better.
Though I was thus settled in mind in. relation to hurt
ful dyes, I felt easy to wear my garments heretofore
made; and so continued about nine months. Then I
thought of getting a hat the natural colour of the fur ; but
the apprehension of being looked upon as one affecting
singularity, felt uneasy to me. Here I had occasion to
consider, that things though small in themselves, being
clearly enjoined by Divine authority, became great things
to us; and I trusted that the Lord would support me in
the trials that might attend singularity, while that singu- |
larity was only for his sake. On thisaccount I was under
close exercise of mind in the time of our General Spring
Meeting in 1762, greatly desiring to be rightly directed ;
and being deeply bowed in spirit before the Lord, I was
made willing to submit to what I apprehended was re
quired of me; and when I returned home, got a hat of
the natural colour of the fur.
In attending meetings this singularity was a trial upon
me, and more especially at this time, white hats being
used by some who were fond of following the change
able modes of dress ; and as some Friends who knew not
on what motives I wore it, carried shy of me, I felt my
way for a time shut up in the exercise of the ministry. —
In this condition, my mind being turned toward my
heavenly Father, with fervent cries that I might be pre
served to walk before him in the meekness of wisdom,
my heart was often tender in meetings ; and I felt inward
consolation, which to me was very precious under those
difficulties. I had several dyed garments fit for use, which I be-

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 131
lieved it best to wear till I had occasion for new ones. —
Some Friends were apprehensive that my wearing such
a hat savoured of an affected singularity ; and such who
spoke with me in a friendly way, I generally informed
in a few words, that I believed my wearing it was not
in my own will. I had at times been sensible that a
superficial friendship had been dangerous to me; and
many Friends being now uneasy with me, I had an in
clination to acquaint some with the manner of my being
led into these things ; yet upon a deeper thought I was
for a time most easy to omit it, believing the present
dispensation was profitable ; and trusting that if I kept
my place, the Lord in his own time would open the
hearts of Friends towards me : since which I have had
cause to admire his goodness and loving-kindness, in
leading about and instructing, and opening and enlarging
my heart in some of our meetings.
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 com
forted, and the hearts of Friends opened to receive us.
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 in
ward 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 flow-

132 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
ings of Divine love to attend to that which would settle
them on the sure foundation.
Having many years felt love in my heart toward the
natives of this land, who dwell far back in the wilder
ness, whose ancestors were the owners and possessors of
the land where we dwell ; and who for a very small con
sideration, assigned their inheritance to us ; and being at
Philadelphia in the eighth month, 1761, on a visit to
some Friends who had slaves, I fell in company with
some of those natives who lived on the east branch of
the river Susquehanna, at an Indian town called Weha
loosing, two hundred miles from Philadelphia. In con
versation with them by an interpreter, as also by observa
tions on their countenances and conduct, I believed some
of them were measurably acquainted with that Divine
power which subjects the rough and froward will of the
creature ; and at times I felt inward drawings toward a
visit to that place of which I told none except my dear
wife, until it came to some ripeness. In the winter of
1762, I laid it before Friends at our Monthly and Quar
terly, and afterwards at our General Spring Meeting;
and having the unity of Friends, and being thoughtful
about an Indian pilot, there came a man and three wo
men from a little beyond that town to Philadelphia on
business. Being informed thereof by letter, I met them
in town in the fifth month, 1763 ; and after some con
versation, finding they were sober people, with the con
currence of Friends in that place, I agreed to join them
as companions in their return. On the 7th day of the
sixth month following, we appointed to meet at Samuel
Foulk's, at Richland, in Bucks county. As this visit felt
weighty, and was performed at a time when travelling
appeared perilous, so the dispensations of Divine Provi-

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 133
dence in preparing my mind for it, have been memora
ble ; and I believe it good for me to give some hints
thereof. After I had given up to go, the thoughts of the jour
ney were often attended with unusual sadness ; in which
times my heart was frequently turned to the Lord with
inward breathings for his heavenly support, that I might
not fail to follow him wheresoever he might lead me. —
Being at our Youths' meeting at Chesterfield, about a
week before the time I expected to set off, I was there
led to speak on that prayer of our Redeemer to his Fa
ther ; " I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the
world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil."
In attending to the pure openings of Truth, I had to men
tion what he elsewhere said to his Father ; " I know that
thou hearest me at all times :" so that as some of his fol
lowers kept their places, and as his prayer was granted,
it followed necessarily that they were kept from evil. As
some of those met with great hardships and afflictions in
this world, and at last suffered death by cruel men ; it
appears that whatsoever befalls men while they live in
pure obedience to God, as it certainly works for their
good, so it may not be considered an evil as it relates to
them. As I spoke on this subject, my heart was much
tendered, and great awfulness came over me ; and on the
1 first-day of the next week at our own afternoon meeting,
my heart being enlarged- in love, I was led to speak on
the care and protection of the Lord over his people, and
to make mention of that passage where a band of Assy
rians endeavouring to take the prophet captive, were
disappointed ; and how the psalmist said, " the angel of
the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him."
I parted from Friends in true love and tenderness, ex-
M

134 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
pecting the next morning to proceed on my journey ;
and being weary, went early to bed : and after I had
been asleep a short time, I was awaked by a man calling
at my door ; and arising, was invited to meet some
Friends at a public house in our town, who came from
Philadelphia so late that Friends were generally gone to
bed. These Friends informed me that an express arrived
the last morning from Pittsburgh, and brought news that
the Indians had taken a fort from the English westward,
and slain and scalped English people in divers places,
some near Pittsburgh ; and that some elderly Friends in
Philadelphia knowing the time of my expecting to set off,
had conferred together, and thought good to inform me
of these things before I left home, that I might consider
them and proceed as I believed best. I went to bed
again, and told not my wife till morning. My heart was
turned to the Lord for his heavenly instruction ; and it
was an humbling time to me. When I told my dear
wife, she appeared to be deeply concerned about it ; but
in a few hours time, my mind became settled in a belief
that it was my duty to proceed on my journey ; and she
bore it with a good degree of resignation. In this con
flict of spirit, there were great searchings of heart and
strong cries to the Lord, that no motion might be in the
least degree attended to, but that of the pure Spirit of
Truth. The subjects before mentioned, on which I had so
lately spoken in public, were now very fresh before me ;
and I was brought inwardly to commit myself to the
Lord, to be disposed of as he saw best. I took leave of
my family and neighbours in much bowedness of spirit,
and went to our Monthly Meeting at Burlington ; and
after taking leave of Friends there, I crossed the river

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 135
t
accompanied by my friends Israel and John Pemberton ;
and parting the next morning with Israel, John bore me
company to Samuel Foulk's ; where I met the before-
mentioned Indians, and we were glad to see each other.
Here my friend Benjamin Parvin met me, and proposed
joining as a companion, we having passed some letters
before on the subject ; and now on his account I had a
sharp trial ; for as the journey appeared perilous, I
thought if he went chiefly to bear me company, and we
should be taken captive, my having been the means of
drawing him into these difficulties, would add to my own
afflictions. So I told him my mind freely, and let him
know that I was resigned to go alone ; but after all, if he
really believed it to be his duty to go on, I believed his
company would be very comfortable to me. It was in
deed a time of deep exercise, and Benjamin appeared to
be so fastened to the visit, that he could not be easy to
leave me ; so we went on, accompanied by our friends
John Pemberton and William Lightfoot, of Pikeland,
and lodged at Bethlehem. Parting there with John,
William and we went forward on the 9th day of the sixth
month, and got lodging on the floor of a house about
five miles from Fort Allen. Here we parted with Wil
liam. At this place we met with an Indian trader, lately
come from Wyoming ; and in conversation with him, I
perceived that white people often sell rum to the Indians,
which I believe is a great evil ; first, they being thereby
deprived of the use of their reason, and their spirits
violently agitated, quarrels often arise which end in mis
chief; and the bitterness and resentments occasioned
hereby, are frequently of long continuance. Again, their
skins and furs, gotten through much fatigue and hard
travels in hunting, with which they intended to buy cloth-

136 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
ing, when they become intoxicated, they often sell at a
low rate for more rum ; and afterward, when they suffer
for want of the necessaries of life, are angry with those
who for the sake of gain, took the advantage of their
weakness. Of this their chiefs have often complained,
at their treaties with the English. Where cunning peo
ple pass counterfeits, and impose that on others which is
good for nothing, it is considered as a wickedness ; but
to sell that -to people which we know does them harm,
and which often works their ruin, for the sake of gain,
manifests a hardened and corrupt heart ; and is an evil
which demands the care of all true lovers of virtue to
suppress. While my mind this evening was thus em
ployed, I also remembered that the people on the frontiers,
among whom this evil is too common, are often poor ;
who venture to the outside of a colony, that they may
live more independently of such who are wealthy, who
often set high rents on their land. I was renewedly
confirmed in a belief, that if all our inhabitants lived ac
cording to sound wisdom, labouring to promote univer
sal love and righteousness, and ceased from every inor
dinate desire after wealth, and from all customs which
are tinctured with luxury, the way would be easy for the
inhabitants, though much more numerous than at present,
to live comfortably on honest employments, without that
temptation they are often under of being drawn into
schemes to make settlements on lands which have not
been purchased of the Indians, or of applying to the
practice of selling rum to them.
On the 10th day of the month we set out early in the
morning, and crossed the western branch of the Dela
ware, called the Great Lehigh, near Fort Allen; the
water being high, we went over in a canoe. Here we

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 137
met an Indian, and had some friendly conversation with
him, and gave him some biscuit ; and he having killed a
deer, gave the Indians with us some of it. After travel
ling some miles, we met several Indian men and women
with a cow and horse and some household goods, who
were lately come from their dwelling at Wyoming, and
going to settle at another place ; we made them some
small presents ; and some of them understanding English,
I told them my motive in coming into their country ;
with which they appeared satisfied. One of our guides
talking a while with an ancient woman concerning us,
the poor old woman came to my companion and me, and
took her leave of us with an appearance of sincere affec
tion. So going on we pitched our tent near the banks
of the same river, having laboured hard in crossing some
of those mountains called the Blue Ridge ; and by the
roughness of the stones and the cavities between them,
and the steepness of the hills, it appeared dangerous :
but we were preserved in safety, through the kindness'
of Him whose works in those mountainous deserts ap
peared awful ; toward whom my heart was turned during
this day's travel.
Near our tent, on the sides of large trees peeled for
that purpose, were various representations of men going
to and returning from the wars, and of some killed in
battle. This being a path heretofore used by warriors ;
and as I walked about viewing those Indian histories,
which were painted mostly in red but some in black, and
thinking on the innumerable afflictions which the proud,
fierce spirit produceth in the world ; thinking on the toils
and fatigues of warriors, travelling over mountains and
deserts ; thinking on their miseries and distresses when
wounded far from home by their enemies ; and of their
M 2

1 38 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
bruises and great weariness in chasing one another over
the rocks and mountains ; and of their restless, unquiet
state of mind, who live in this spirit ; and of the hatred
which mutually grows up in the minds of the children
of those nations engaged in war with each other : during
these meditations, the desire to cherish the spirit of love
and peace amongst these people, arose very fresh in me.
This was the first night that we lodged in the woods ;
and being wet with travelling in the rain, the ground,
our tent, and the bushes which we purposed to lay under
our blankets also wet, all looked discouraging; but I
believed that it was the Lord who had thus far brought
me forward, and that he would dispose of me as he saw
good, and therein I felt easy. We kindled a fire with
our tent open to it; and with some bushes next the
ground, and then our blankets, we made our bed ; and
lying down, got some sleep : and in the morning feeling
a little unwell, I went into the river ; the water was cold,
but soon after I felt fresh and well.
The 11th day of the sixth month, the bushes being
wet, we tarried in our tent till about eight o'clock ; when
going on, crossed a high mountain supposed to be up
ward of four miles over ; the steepness on the north side
exceeding all the others : we also crossed two swamps ;
and it raining near night, we pitched our tent and lodged.
About noon, on our way we were overtaken by one
of the Moravian brethren going to Wehaloosing, and an
Indian man with him who could talk English ; and we
being together while our horses eat grass, had some
friendly conversation ; but they travelling faster than we,
soon left us. This Moravian, I understood had spent
some time this spring at Wehaloosing ; and was by some
6"f the Indians, invited to come again.

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 139
The 12th day of the sixth month and first of the week,
it being rainy, we continued in our tent ; and here I was
led to think on the nature of the exercise which hath at
tended me. Love was the first motion, and thence a
concern arose to spend some time with the Indians, that
I might feel and understand their life and the spirit they
live in, if haply I might receive some instruction from
them, or they be in any degree helped forward by my
following the leadings of Truth amongst them. As it
pleased the Lord to make way for my going at a time
when the troubles of war were increasing, and by reason
of much wet weather, travelling was more difficult than
usual, I looked upon it as a more favourable opportunity
to season my mind, and bring me into a nearer sympathy
with them : and as mine eye was to the great Father of
mercies, humbly desiring to learn what his will was con
cerning me, I was made quiet and content.
Our guide's horse, though hoppled, went away in the
night ; and after finding our own, and searching some time
for him, his footsteps were discovered in the path going
back again, whereupon my kind companion went off in
the rain, and after about seven hours returned with him:
we lodged here again ; tying up our horses before we
went to bed, and loosing them to feed about break of
day. On the 13th day of the sixth month, the sun appearing,
we set forward ; and as I rode over the barren hills, my
meditations were on the alteration in the circumstances
of the natives of this land since the coming of the Eng
lish. The lands near the sea, are conveniently situated
for fishing; the lands near the rivers where the tides
flow, and some above, are in many places fertile, and
not mountainous ; while the running of the tides, makes

140 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
passing up and down easy with any kind of traffic.
Those natives have in some places, for trifling considera
tions, sold their inheritance so favourably situated ; and
in other places been driven back by superior force. As
their way of clothing themselves is now altered from
what it was, and they are far remote from us, they have
to pass over mountains, swamps and barren deserts,
where travelling is very troublesome, in bringing their
skins and furs to trade with us.
By the extending of English settlements, and partly
by English hunters, the wild beasts they chiefly depend
on for a subsistence, are not so plenty as they were ; and
people too often for the sake of gain, open a door for
the Indians to waste their skins and furs, in purchasing
a liquor which tends to the ruin of them and their
families. My own will and desires being now very much broken,
my heart with much earnestness turned to the Lord, to
whom alone I looked for help in the dangers before me.
I had a prospect of the English along the coast, for up
wards of nine hundred miles, where I have travelled ;
and their favourable"situation and the difficulties attend
ing the natives in many places, and also the negroes,
were open before me ; and a weighty and heavenly care
came over my mind, and love filled my heart toward all
mankind, in which I felt a strong engagement that we
might be obedient to the Lord, while in tender mercies
he is yet calling to us ; and so attend to pure universal
righteousness, as to give no just cause of offence to the
Gentiles who do not profess Christianity, whether the
blacks from Africa or the native inhabitants of this con
tinent. I was led into a close, laborious inquiry, whether
as an individual, I kept clear from all things which tended

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 141
to stir up, or were connected with wars, either in this
land or Africa; and my heart was deeply concerned,
that in future I might in all things keep steadily to the
pure Truth, and live and walk in the plainness and sim
plicity of a sincere follower of Christ. In this lonely
journey this day, I greatly bewailed the spreading of a
wrong spirit, believing that the prosperous, convenient
situation of the English, requires a constant attention to
Divine love and wisdom to guide and support us in a
way answerable to the will of that good, gracious and
Almighty Being, who hath an equal regard to all man
kind. Here, luxury and covetousness, with the nume
rous oppressions and other evils attending them, appeared
very afflicting to me ; and I felt in that which is immu
table, that the seeds of great calamity and desolation are
sown and growing fast on this continent : nor have I
words sufficient to set forth the longing I then felt, that
we who are placed along the coast, and have tasted the
love and goodness of God, might arise in his strength ;
and like faithful messengers, labour to check the growth
of these seeds, that they may not ripen to the ruin of our
posterity. We reached the Indian settlement at Wyoming, and
were told that an Indian runner had been at that place a
day or two before us, and brought news of the Indians
taking an English fort westward and destroying the peo
ple, and that they were endeavouring to take another ;
and also that another Indian runner came there about the
middle of the night before we got there, who came from
a town about ten miles above Wehaloosing, and brought
news that some Indian warriors from distant parts, came
to that town with two English scalps ; and told the peo
ple that it was war with the English.

142 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
Our guides took us to the house of a very ancient
man ; and soon after we had put in our baggage, there
came a man from another Indian house some distance off,
and I perceiving there was a man near the door, went
out ; and he having a tomahawk under his matchcoat out
of sight, as I approached him he took it in his hand. I
however went forward, and speaking to him in a friendly
way perceived he understood some English : my com
panion then coming out, we had some talk with him
concerning the nature of our visit in these parts ; and
then he going into the house with us, and talking with
our guides, soon appeared friendly, and sat down and
smoked his pipe. Though his taking his hatchet in his
hand at the instant I drew near to him, had a disagree
able appearance, I believe he had no other intent than
to be in readiness in case any violence was offered to
him. Hearing the news brought by these Indian runners,
and being told by the Indians where we lodged, that the
Indians living about Wyoming, expected in a few days
to move to some larger towns, I thought that to all out
ward appearance, it was dangerous travelling at this time.
After a hard day's journey, I was brought into a painful
exercise at night, in which I had to trace back and view
over the steps I had taken from my first moving in the
visit; and though I had to bewail some weakness which
at times had attended me, yet I could not find that I had
ever given way to a wilful disobedience. As I believed
I had under a sense of duty come thus far, I was now
earnest in spirit beseeching the Lord to show me what I
ought to do. In this great distress I grew jealous of
myself, lest the desire of reputation, as a man firmly
settled to persevere through dangers, or the fear of dis-

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 143
grace arising on my returning without performing the
visit, might have some place in me. Thus I lay full of
thoughts during a great part of the night, while my
beloved companion lay and slept by me ; until the Lord,
my gracious Father, who saw the conflicts of my soul,
was pleased to give me quietness. I was again strength
ened to commit my life and all things relating thereto,
into his heavenly hands ; and getting a little sleep toward
day, when morning came we arose.
On the 14th day of the sixth month, we sought out
and visited all the Indians hereabouts that we could meet
with ; they being chiefly in one place, about a mile from
where we lodged, in all perhaps twenty. I expressed
the care I had on my mind for their good ; and told them
that true love had made me willing to leave my family to
come and see the Indians, and speak with them in their
houses. Some of them appeared kind and friendly. We
took our leave of these Indians, and went up the river
Susquehanna about three miles, to the house of an Indian
called Jacob January, who had killed his hog ; and the
women were making a store of bread, and preparing to
move up the river. Here our pilots left their canoe when
they came down in the spring, which lying dry, was
leaky ; and being detained some hours, we had a good
deal of friendly conversation with the family, and after
eating dinner with them, made them some small presents.
Then putting our baggage in the canoe, some of them
pushed slowly up the stream, and the rest of us rode our
horses ; and swimming Jthem over a creek called Laha-
wahamunk, we pitchect our tent a little above it, there
being a shower in the evening : and in a sense of God's
goodness in helping me in my distress, sustaining me
under trials and inclining my heart to trust in him, I lay

144 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
down in an humble bowed frame of mind, and had a
comfortable night's lodging.
On the 15th day of the sixth month, we proceeded
until the afternoon ; when a storm appearing, we met our
canoe at an .appointed place, and staid there all night;
the rain continuing so heavy, that it beat through our
tent and wet us and our baggage.
On the 16th day, we found on our way an abundance
of trees blown down with the storm yesterday ; and had
occasion reverently to consider the kind dealings of the
Lord, who provided a safe place for us in a valley, while
this storm continued. By the falling of trees across our
path we were much hindered, and in some swamps our
way was so stopped, that we got through with extreme
difficulty. I had this day often to consider myself as a sojourner
in the world ; and a belief in the all-sufficiency of God
to support his people in their pilgrimage felt comfortable
to me; and I was industriously employed to get to a
state of perfect resignation.
We seldom saw our canoe but at appointed places,: by
reason of the path going off from the river : and this
afternoon, Job Chilaway, an Indian from Wehaloosing,
who talks good English, and is acquainted with several
people in and about Philadelphia, met our people on the
river; and understanding where we expected to lodge,
pushed back about six miles, and came to us after night;
and in a while our own canoe came, it being hard work
pushing up stream. Job told us that an Indian came in
haste to their town yesterday, and told them that three
warriors, coming from some distance, lodged in a town
above Wehaloosing a few nights past; and that these
three men were going against the English at Juniata.

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 145
Job was going down the river to the province store at
Shamokin. Though I was so far favoured with health
as to continue travelling, yet through the various diffi
culties in our journey, and the different way of living
from what I had been used to, I grew sick: and the
news of these warriors being on their march so near us,
and not knowing whether we might not fall in with them,
was a fresh trial of my faith ; and though through the
strength of Divine love, I had several times been enabled
to commit myself to the Divine disposal, I still found the
want of my strength being renewed, that I might perse
vere therein ; and my cries for help were put up to the
Lord, who in great mercy gave me a resigned heart, in
which I found quietness.
On the 17th day, parting from Job Chilaway, we went
on and reached Wehaloosing about the middle of the
afternoon ; and the first Indian we saw was a woman of
a modest countenance, with a Bible, who first spoke to
our guide ; and then with a harmonious voice expressed
her gladness at seeing us, having before heard of our
coming. By the direction of our guide we sat down on
a log, and he went to the town to tell the people we
were come. My companion and I sitting thus together,
in a deep inward stillness, the poor woman came and sat
near us ; and great awfulness coming over us, we rejoiced
in a sense of God's love manifested to our poor souls.
After a while we heard a conk-shell blow several times,
and then came John Curtis and another Indian man, who
kindly invited us into a house near the town, where we
found, I suppose, about sixty people sitting in silence.
After sitting a short time, I stood up and in some tender
ness of spirit acquainted them with the nature of my
visit, and that a concern for their good had made me
N

146 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
willing to come thus far to see them ; all in a few short
sentences, which some of them understanding, interpreted
to the others, and there appeared gladness amongst them.
Then I showed them my certificate, which was explained
to them ; and the Moravian who overtook us on the way,
being now here, bade me welcome.
On the 18th day we rested ourselves in the forenoon ;
and the Indians knowing that the Moravian and I were
of different religious societies, and that some of their
people had encouraged him to come and stay awhile
with them, were I believe concerned, that no jarring or
discord might be in their meetings : and they I suppose,
having conferred.together, acquainted me that the people
at my request, would at any time come together and hold
meetings ; and also told me, that they expected the Mo
ravian would speak in their settled meetings, which are
commonly held morning and near evening. I found a
liberty in my heart to speak to the Moravian, and told
him of the care I felt on my mind for the good of these
people ; and that I believed no ill effects would follow,
if I sometimes spoke in their meetings when love engaged
me thereto, without calling them together at times when
they did not meet of course: whereupon he expressed
his good-will toward my speaking at any time, all that I
found in my heart to say. Near evening I was at their
meeting, where the pure Gospel love was felt, to the
tendering some of our hearts ; and the interpreters en
deavouring to acquaint the people with what I said in
short sentences, found some difficulty, as none of them
were quite perfect in the English and Delaware tongues,
so they helped one another, and we laboured along,
Divine love attending. Afterwards, feeling my mind
covered with the spirit of prayer, I told the interpreters

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 147
that I found it in my heart to pray to God, and believed
if I prayed aright, he would hear me, and expressed my
willingness for them to omit interpreting ; so our meeting
ended with a degree of Divine love. Before the people
went out, I observed Papunehang, a man who had been
zealous in labouring for a reformation in that town, being
then very tender, spoke to one of the interpreters ; and I
was afterwards told that he said in substance ; " I love
to feel where words come from."
On the 19th day and first of the week, this morning
in the meeting the Indian who came with the Moravian,
being also a member of that society, prayed ; and then
the Moravian spoke a short time to the people. In the
afternoon they coming together, and my heart being filled
with a heavenly care for their good, I spoke to them
awhile by interpreters; but none of them being perfect
in the work, and I feeling the current of love run strong,
told the interpreters that I believed some of the people
would understand me, and so I proceeded. In which
exercise, I believe the Holy Ghost wrought on some
hearts to edification, where all the words were not under
stood. I looked upon it as a time of Divine favour, and
my heart was tendered and truly thankful before the Lord ;
and after I sat down, one of the interpreters seemed spi
rited to give the Indians the substance of what I had said.
Before our first meeting this morning, I was led to me
ditate 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, did not exceed what I then felt
for that people.

148 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
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 warriors, were in times
of weakness afflicting to me ; and being of a tender con
stitution, the thoughts of captivity amongst them, were
at times grievous ; 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 quiet
ness. And now, this day, though I had the same dan
gerous 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 inter
preters sitting by me, I observed Papunehang spoke with
an harmonious voice, I suppose, a minute or two : and
asking the interpreter, 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 the same which he had experienced in that
meeting." That though Papunehang had before agreed
to receive the Moravians, and join with them, he still
appeared kind and loving to us.
On the 20th day I was at two meetings, and silent in
them. The 21st day. This morning in meeting my heart was
enlarged in pure love amongst them, and in short plain

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 149
sentences expressed several things that rested upon me,
which one of the interpreters gave the people pretty read
ily ; after which the meeting ended in supplication, and
I had cause humbly to acknowledge the loving-kindness
of the Lord toward us ; and believed that a door remained
open for the faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, to labour
amongst these people.
Feeling my mind at liberty to return, I took my leave
of them in general, at the conclusion of what I said in
meeting ; and so we prepared to go homeward : but some
of their most active men told us, that when we were ready
to move, the people would choose to come and shake
hands with us ; which those who usually come to meet
ing did ; and from a secret draught in my mind, I went
amongst some who did not use to go to meeting, and
took my leave of them also : the Moravian and his Indian
interpreter, appeared respectful to us at parting. This
town stands on the bank of Susquehanna, and consists, I
believe, of about forty houses, mostly compact together ;
some about thirty feet long, and eighteen wide; some
larger, some less ; mostly built of split plank, one end set
in the ground, and the other pinned to a plate, on which
lay rafters covered with bark. I understand a great flood
last winter overflowed the chief part of the ground where
the town stands, and some were now about moving their
houses to higher ground.
We expected only two Indians to be our company ;
but when we were ready to go, we found many of them
were going to Bethlehem with skins and furs, who chose
to go in company with us ; so they loaded two canoes,
which they desired us to go in, telling us, the waters were
so raised with the rains, that the horses should be taken
by persons who were better acquainted with the fording
N 2

150 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
places : so we with several Indians went in the canoes,
and others went on horses, there being seven besides
ours. We met with the horsemen once on the way by
appointment, a little below a stream called Tunkhannock :
we lodged there, and some of the young men going out a
little before dusk with their guns, brought in a deer.
On the 22d day, through diligence we reached Wyo
ming before night, and understood the Indians were
mostly gone from this place : here we went up a small
creek into the woods with our canoes, and pitching our
tent, carried out our baggage; and before dark our
horses came to us.
On the 23d day in the morning, the horses were loaded,
and we prepared our baggage and set forward, being in
all fourteen ; and with diligent travelling were favoured
to get nearly half way to Fort Allen. The land on this
road from Wyoming to our frontier being mostly poor,
and good grass scarce, they chose a piece of low ground
to lodge on, as the best for grassing; and I having sweat
much in travelling, and being weary, slept sound. I per
ceived in the night that I had taken cold, of which I was
favoured to get better soon.
On the 24th day we passed Fort Allen, and lodged
near it in the woods.
We forded the westerly branch of the Delaware three
times, and thereby had a shorter way, and missed going
over the top of the Blue mountains, called the Second
Ridge. In the second time fording, where the river cuts
through the mountain, the waters being rapid and pretty
deep, and my companion's mare being a tall tractable
animal, he sundry times drove her through the river, and
they loaded her with the burthens of some small horses,

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 151
which they thought not sufficient to come through with
their loads.
The troubles westward, and the difficulty for Indians
to pass through our frontier, I apprehend was one reason
why so many came ; expecting that our being in com
pany, would prevent the frontier inhabitants from being
surprised. On the 25th day we reached Bethlehem, taking care
on the way to keep foremost, and to acquaint people on
and near the road who these Indians were : this we found
very needful; for the frontier inhabitants were often
alarmed at the report of English being killed by Indians
westward. Amongst our company were some who I did not re
member to have seen at meeting, and some of these at
first were very reserved ; but we being several days to
gether, and behaving friendly toward them, and making
them suitable returns for the services they did us, they
became more free and sociable.
On the 26th day and first of the week, having carefully
endeavoured to settle all affairs with the Indians relative
to our journey, we took leave of them, and I thought
they generally parted with us affectionately. We got to
Richland, and had a very comfortable meeting amongst
our friends : here I parted with my kind friend and com
panion Benjamin Parvin; and accompanied by my friend
Samuel Foulk, we rode to John Cadwallader's, from
whence I reached home the next day, where I found my
family middling well ; and they and my friends all along
appeared glad to see me return from a journey which they
apprehended dangerous. My mind while I was out, had
been so employed in striving for a perfect resignation,
and I had so often been confirmed in a belief, that what-

152 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
ever the Lord might be pleased to allot for me, would
work for good, that I was careful lest I should admit
any degree of selfishness in being glad overmuch, and
laboured to improve by those trials in such a manner as my
gracious Father and protector intends for me. Between
the English settlements and Wehaloosing, we had only a
narrow path, which in many places is much grown up
with bushes, and interrupted by abundance of trees lying
across it; these, together with the mountains, swamps
and rough stones, make it a difficult road to travel ; and
the more so, for that rattlesnakes abound there, of which
we killed four. People who have never been in such
places, have but an imperfect idea of them ; but I was
not only taught patience, but also made thankful to God,
who thus led me about and instructed me, that I might
have a quick and lively feeling of the afflictions of my
fellow-creatures, whose situation in life is difficult.

CHAPTER IX.
His religious conversation with a company met to see the tricks
of a juggler — John Smith's advice ; proceedings of a commit
tee at the Yearly Meeting in 1764 — Contemplations on the
nature of true wisdom, occasioned by hearing of the cruelty
of the Indians to their captives — Visits the families of Friends
at Mount Holly, Mansfield and Burlington, in 1764, and the
meetings on the sea coast from Cape May toward Squan in
1765 — visit to the lower counties on Delaware and the East
ern Shore of Maryland in 1766, in company with John Sleeper;
some account of Joseph Nichols and his followers; and ob
servations on the different state of the first settlers in Penn
sylvania who depended on their own labour, and those of the
Southern provinces who kept negroes — visit to the northern

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 153
parts of New Jersey the same year, and the western parts
of Maryland and Pennsylvania in 1767, and afterwards
other parts of Pennsylvania and the families of Friends at
Mount Holly ; and again several parts of Maryland in 1768 —
further considerations on keeping slaves; his concern for
having formerly, as an executor, been party to the sale of
one; and what he did in consequence of it — thoughts on
Friends exercising offices in civil government.
The latter part of the summer 1763, there came a
man to Mount Holly, who had before published by a
printed advertisement, that at a certain public house he
would show many wonderful operations, which he therein
enumerated. This man at the time appointed, did, by slight of hand,
sundry things, which to those gathered, appeared strange.
I heard of it next day, and understanding that the
show was to be continued, and the people to meet about
sun-set, I felt an exercise on that account : so I went to
the public house in the evening, and told the man of the
house that I had an inclination to spend a part of the
evening there ; with which he signified that he was con
tent. Then sitting down by the door, I spoke to the
people as they came together, concerning this show ; and
more coming and sitting down with us, the seats at the
door were mostly filled ; and I had conversation with ;
them in the fear of the Lord, and laboured to convince
them that thus assembling to see those tricks or slights j
of hand, and bestowing their money to support men who |
in that capacity were of no use in the world, was con
trary to the nature of the Christian religion.
There was one of the company who, for a time, en
deavoured by arguments to show the reasonableness of
their proceedings; but after considering some texts of

154 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
Scripture and calmly debating the matter, he gave Up the
point. Having spent about an hour amongst them, and
feeling my mind easy, I departed.
At our Yearly Meeting in Philadelphia, on the 25th
day of the ninth month, 1764, John Smith of Marlbo
rough, aged upwards of eighty years, a faithful minister,
though not eloquent, stood up in our meeting of minis
ters and elders, and appearing to be under a great exer
cise of spirit, informed Friends in substance as follows,
to wit: "That he had been a member of the Society
upward of sixty years, and well remembered that in those
early times Friends were a plain lowly-minded people ;
and that there was much tenderness and contrition in
their meetings. — That at twenty years from that time, the
Society increasing in wealth, and in some degree con
forming to the fashions of the world, true humility was
less apparent, and their meetings in general not so lively
and edifying — that at the end of forty years, many of
them were grown very rich ; that wearing fine costly gar
ments, and using silver and other watches, became cus
tomary with them, their sons and their daughters, and
many of the Society made a spacious appearance in the
world ; which marks of outward wealth and greatness,
appeared on some in our meetings of ministers and elders ;
and as these things became more prevalent, so the pow
erful overshadowings of the Holy Ghost were less mani
fest in the Society — that there had been a continued
increase of these ways of life even until now ; and that
the weakness which hath overspread the Society, and the
barrenness manifest amongst us, is matter of much
sorrow." He then mentioned the uncertainty of his
attending these meetings in future, expecting his dissolu
tion was now near ; and having tenderly expressed his

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 155
concern for us, signified that he had seen in the true
light that the Lord would bring back his people from
these things into which they were thus degenerated, but
that his faithful servants must first go through great and
heavy exercises.
On the 29th day, the committee appointed by the
Yearly Meeting to visit the Quarterly and Monthly Meet
ings, gave an account in writing of their proceedings in
that service ; in which they signified, that in the course
of it, they had been apprehensive that some persons
holding offices in government, inconsistent with our
principles ; and others who kept slaves, remaining active
members in our meetings of discipline, had been one
means of weakness more and more prevailing in the
management thereof in some places. After this report
was read, an exercise revived on my mind, which at
times had attended me for several years, and inward
cries to the Lord were raised in me, that the fear of man
might not prevent me from doing what he required of
me ; and standing up, I spoke in substance as follows :
" I have felt a tenderness in my mind toward persons, in
two circumstances mentioned in that report ; that is, to
ward such active members who keep slaves, and such
who hold offices in civil government ; and have desired,
that Friends in all their conduct may be kindly affectioned
one toward another. Many Friends who keep slaves,
are under some exercise on that account ; and at times,
think about trying them with freedom ; but find many
things in their way. The way of living, and annual ex
penses of some of them are such, that it seems impracti
cable for them to set their slaves free, without changing
their own way of life. It has been my lot to be often
abroad ; and I have observed in some places, at Quar-

156 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
terly and Yearly Meetings, and at some houses where
travelling Friends and their horses are often entertained,
that the yearly expense of individuals therein is very con
siderable. Friends in some places crowding much on
persons in these circumstances for entertainment, hath
rested as a burthen on my mind for some years past, and
I now express it in the fear of the Lord, greatly desiring
that Friends now present may duly consider it."
In the fall of this year having hired a man to work, I
perceived in conversation that he had been a soldier in
the late war on this continent ; and in the evening giving
a narrative of his captivity amongst the Indians, he in
formed me that he saw two of his fellow captives tortured
to death in a very cruel manner.
This relation affected me with sadness, under which I
went to bed ; and the next morning, soon after I awoke,
a fresh and living sense of Divine love spread over my
mind ; in which I had a renewed prospect of the nature
of that wisdom from above, which leads to a right use
of all gifts, both spiritual and temporal, and gives con
tentment therein : under a feeling thereof, I wrote as
follows. " Hath He, who gave me a being attended with many
wants unknown to brute creatures, given me a capacity
superior to theirs, and shown me, that a moderate appli
cation to business is proper to my present condition ; and
that this, attended with his blessing, may supply all out
ward wants, while they remain within the bounds he hath
fixed ; and no imaginary wants proceeding from an evil
spirit, have any place in me ? Attend then, O my soul!
to this pure wisdom, as thy sure conductor through the
manifold dangers in this world !
" Doth pride lead to vanity ? Doth vanity form imag-

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 157
inary wants ? Do these wants prompt men to exert
their power in requiring that of others, from which they
would.rather be excused, were the same required of them ?
"Do these proceedings beget hard thoughts? Do
hard thoughts, when ripe, become malice ! Does malice,
when ripe, become revengeful ; and in the end inflict terri
ble pains on their fellow-creatures, and spread desolations
in the world?
" Do mankind, walking in uprightness, delight in each
other's happiness ? And do these creatures, capable of
this attainment, by giving way to an evil spirit, employ
their wit and strength to afflict and destroy one another ?
"Remember then, 0 my soul I the quietude of those
in whom Christ governs, and in all thy proceedings feel
after it !
" Doth he condescend to bless thee with his presence ?
To move and influence to action ? To dwell in thee and
walk in thee ? Remember then thy station, as a being
sacred to God ; accept of the strength freely offered thee ;
and take heed that no weakness, in conforming to ex
pensive, unwise and hard-hearted customs, gendering to
discord and strife, be given way to. Doth he claim my
body as his temple ? And graciously grant that I may
be sacred to him. Oh ! that I may prize this favour ; and
that my whole life may be conformable to this character !
" Remember, O my soul ! that the prince of peace is
thy Lord : that he communicates his unmixed wisdom to
his family; that they living in perfect simplicity, may
give no just cause of offence to any creature, but may
walk as he walked !"
. Having felt an openness in my heart toward visiting
families in our own meeting, and especially in the town
of Mount Holly, the place of my abode, I mentioned it
O

158 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
in our Monthly Meeting the fore part of the winter 1764 ;
which being agreed to, and several Friends of our meet
ing united in the exercise, we proceeded therein ; and
through Divine favour were helped in the work, so that
it appeared to me as a fresh reviving of godly care
amongst Friends. In the latter part of the same winter,
I joined my friend William Jones, in a visit to Friends'
families in Mansfield ; in which labour I had cause to
admire the goodness of the Lord toward us.
. Having felt my mind drawn to visit Friends along
the sea coast from Cape May to near Squan ; and also
to visit some people in those parts, amongst whom there
is no settled worship ; I joined with my beloved friend
Benjamin Jones, in a visit there, having Friends' unity
therein. We set off the 24th day of the tenth month,
1765, and had a prosperous and very satisfactory journey ;
feeling at times, through the goodness of the heavenly
Shepherd, the Gospel to flow freely toward a poor people
scattered in those places. Soon after our return, I joined
my friends John Sleeper and Elizabeth Smith, in visiting
Friends' families at Burlington, there being at this time
about fifty families of our Society in that city ; and we
had cause humbly to adore our heavenly Father, who
baptized us into a feeling of the state of the people, and
strengthened us to labour in true Gospel love amongst
them. An exercise having at times for several years attended
me, in regard to paying a religious visit to Friends on
the Eastern Shore of Maryland ; such was the nature of
it, that I believed the Lord moved me to travel on foot
amongst them, that by so doing I might have a more
lively feeling of the condition of the oppressed slaves,
set an example of lowliness before the eyes of their

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 159
masters, and be more out of the way of temptation to
unprofitable converse.
The time drawing near in which I believed it my duty
to lay my concern before our Monthly Meeting, I per
ceived in conversation with my beloved friend John
Sleeper, that he was under a concern to travel the same
way, and also to go on foot in the form of a servant
amongst them, as he expressed it. This he told me be
fore he knew aught of my exercise.
We being thus drawn the same way, laid our exercise
and the nature of it before Friends ; and obtaining cer
tificates, we set off the 6th day of the fifth month, 1766 ;
and were at meetings with Friends at Wilmington, Duck
creek, Little creek and Motherkill ; my heart being at
times tendered under the Divine influence, and enlarged
in love toward the people amongst whom we travelled.
From Motherkill, we crossed the country about thirty-
five miles to Friends at Tuckahoe in Maryland, and had
a meeting there and at Marshy creek.
At these our three last meetings, were a considerable
number of people, followers of one Joseph Nichols, a
preacher ; who, I understand, is not in outward fellow
ship with any religious society of people, but professes
nearly the same principles as our Society doth, and often
travels up and down appointing meetings, to which many
people come. I heard Friends speaking of some of
their neighbours, who had been irreligious people, that
were now his followers, and were become sober well-
behaved men and women.
Some irregularities I hear have been amongst the peo
ple at several of his meetings ; but from the whole of
what I have perceived, I believe the man and some of
his followers, are honestly disposed, but that skilful

160 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
fathers are wanting among them : from hence we went to
Choptank and Third Haven ; and thence to Queen Ann's.
The weather for some days past having been hot and
dry, and in order to attend meetings pursuant to appoint?
ment, we having travelled pretty steadily, and had hard
labour in meetings, I grew weakly ; at which I was for a
time discouraged. But looking over our journey, and
thinking how the Lord had supported our minds and
bodies, so that we got forward much faster than I ex
pected before' we came out, I saw that I had been in
danger of too strongly desiring to get soon through the
journey, and that this bodily weakness was a kindness
to me ; and then in contrition of spirit, I became very
thankful to my gracious Father, for this manifestation of
his love; and in humble submission to his will, my trust
was renewed in him.
On this part of our journey I had many thoughts on
the different circumstances of Friends who inhabit Penn
sylvania and Jersey, from those who dwell in Maryland,
Virginia and' Carolina. Pennsylvania and New Jersey
were settled by Friends who were convinced of our prin
ciples in England in times of suffering, and coming over
bought lands of the natives, and applied themselves to
husbandry in a peaceable way ; and many of their children
were taught to labour for their living.
Few Friends, I believe, came from England to settle
in any of these Southern provinces ; but by the faithful
labours of travelling friends in early times, there were
considerable convincements amongst the inhabitants of
these, parts. Here I remembered my reading of the
warlike disposition of many of the first settlers in these
provinces, and of their numerous engagements with the
natives, in which. much: iblood was shed,, even in the

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 161
infancy of these colonies. The people inhabiting these
places, being grounded in customs contrary to the pure
Truth, when some of them were affected with the power
ful preaching of the Word of Life, and joined in fel
lowship with our Society, they had a great work to go
through. It is observable in the History of the Refor
mation from Popery, that it had a gradual progress from
age to age. The uprightness of the first reformers, in
attending to the light and understanding given them,
opened the way for sincere-hearted people to proceed
further afterward ; and thus each one truly fearing God,
and labouring in those works of righteousness appointed
for them in their day, findeth acceptance with him.
Through the darkness of the times and the corruption of
manners and customs, some upright men may have had
little more for their day's work than to attend to the
righteous principle in their minds, as it related to their
own conduct in life, without pointing out to others the
whole extent of that, which the same principle would
lead succeeding ages into. Thus for instance; amongst
an imperious warlike people, supported by oppressed
slaves, some of these masters I suppose, are awakened
to feel and see their error ; and through sincere repent
ance, cease from oppression and become like fathers to
their servants ; showing by their example, a pattern of
humility in living and moderation in governing, for the
instruction and admonition of their oppressing neigh
bours ; those without carrying the reformation further, I
believe have found acceptance with the Lord. Such was
the beginning ; and those who succeeded them, and have
faithfully attended to the nature and spirit of the refor
mation, have seen the necessity of proceeding further ;
and not only to instruct others by their example of
o 2

162 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
governing well, but also to use means to prevent ithieir
successors from having so much power to oppress others.
- Here I was renewedly confirmed in my mind, that the
Lord,; whose tender mercies are over all his works, and
whose ear is open to the cries and groans of the oppress
ed, is graciously moving on the hearts of people, to
draw them off from the desire of wealth, and bring them
into such an humble, lowly way of living, that they may
see ; their way clearly, to repair to the standard of true
righteousness ; and not only break the yoke of oppression,
but know him tone their strength and support in a time
of outward affliction.
Passing on we crossed Chester river, and had a meet
ing there, and at Cecil and Sassafras. Through my
bodily weakness, joined with a heavy exercise of mind,
it was to me an humbling dispensation, and I had a very
lively feeling. of the state of the. oppressed; yet I often
thought that what I suffered was little, compared with
the sufferings of the blessed Jesus, and many of his
faithful followers ; and may say with thankfulness, I was
made content.
From Sassafras we went pretty directly home, where
we found our families well ; and for several weeks after
our return, I had often to look over our journey.: -and
though to me it appeared as a small service, and that
some, faithful messengers will yet have more bitter cups
to ' drink for Christ's sake in those Southern provinces,
than we had ; yet I found peace in that I had been helped
to walk in sincerity, according to the understanding and
strength given me.
On the 13th day of the eleventh month, 1766, with
the unity of Friends at our Monthly Meeting, in company
with my beloved friend Benjamin Jones, I set out on a

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 163
idsit to Friends in the upper part of this^pjovince,! having
for a considerable time had drawings of love in myheart
that way: we travelled as far as Hardwick; and I had
inward peace in my labours of love amongst them.
Through the humbling dispensations, of Divine Provi
dence, my mind hath been brought into a further feeling
of the difficulties of Friends and their .servants south-
westward: and being often engaged in spirit on their
account, I believed it my duty to walk into some parts
of the Western shore of Maryland, on a religious visit.
Having obtained a certificate from Friends of our Monthly
Meeting, I took my leave of my family under the heart-
tendering operation of Truth ; and on the 20th day of
the fourth month, 1767, I rode to the ferry opposite .to
Philadelphia, and from thence walked to William Home's,
at Darby, that evening; and next day pursued my jour
ney alone, and, reached Concord week-day meeting.
Discouragements and a weight of distress, had attimes
attended me in this lonesome walk ; through which afflic
tions I was mercifully preserved : and now sitting down
with Friends, my mind was turned toward the Lord, to
wait for his , holy leadings; who, in infinite love, was
pleased, to soften my heart into humble contrition, and
renewedly strengthen me to go forward ; that to me it
was a time of heavenly refreshment in a silent meeting.
The next day I came to New Garden week-day meeting,
in which, I sat with bowedness of spirit ; and being bapti
zed into -a feeling of the state of some present, the Lord
gave us a heart-tendering season; to his name be the praise.
I passed .on, and was at Nottingham Monthly Meeting ;
and at a, meeting at Little Britain on first-day: and in
the, afternoon several Friends came to the house where I
lodged,, and we had a little afternoon meeting;, and

164 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
through the humbling power of Truth, I had to admire
the loving-kindness of the Lord manifested to us.
On the 26th day I crossed the Susquehanna; and
coming amongst people living in outward ease and great
ness, chiefly on the labour of slaves, my heart was much
affected ; and in awful retiredness, my mind was gathered
inward to the Lord, being humbly engaged that in true
resignation I might receive instruction from him, respect
ing my duty amongst this people.
Though travelling on foot was wearisome to my body ;
yet it was agreeable to the state of my mind.
I went gently on, being weakly ; and was covered
with sorrow and heaviness, on account of the spreading
prevailing spirit of this world, introducing customs griev
ous and oppressive on one hand, and cherishing pride
and wantonness on the other. In this lonely walk and
state of abasement and humiliation, the state of the
church in these parts was opened before me ; and I may
truly say with the prophet, " I was bowed down at the
hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it."
Under this exercise, I attended the Quarterly Meeting at
Gunpowder ; and in bowedness of spirit, I had to open
with much plainness, what I felt respecting Friends living
in fulness, on the labours of the poor oppressed negroes ;
and that promise of the Most High was now revived ;
" I will gather all nations and tongues ; and they shall
come and see my glory." Here the sufferings of Christ
and his tasting death for every man, and the travels, suf
ferings and martyrdom, of the apostles and primitive
Christians, in labouring for the conversion of the Gen
tiles, was livingly revived in me; and according to the
measure of strength afforded, I laboured in some tender
ness of spirit, being deeply affected amongst them. The

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 165
difference between the present treatment which these
Gentiles, the negroes, receive at our hands, and the
labours of the primitive Christians for the conversion of
the Gentiles, was pressed home, and the power of Truth
came over us; under a feeling of which, my mind was
united to a tender-hearted people in those parts ; and the
meeting concluded in a sense of God's goodness toward
his humble dependent children.
The next day was a general meeting for worship, much
crowded : in which I was deeply engaged in inward
cries to the Lord for help, that I might stand wholly
resigned, and move only as he might be pleased to lead
me : and I was mercifully helped to labour honestly and
fervently amongst them, in which I found inward peace ;
and the sincere were comforted.
From hence I turned toward Pipe creek, and passed
on to the Red Lands ; and had several meetings amongst
Friends in those parts. My heart was often tenderly
affected, under a sense of the Lord's goodness, in sanc
tifying my troubles and exercises, turning them to my
comfort, and I believe, to the benefit of many others ;
for I may say with thankfulness, that this visit appeared
like a fresh tendering visitation in most places.
I passed on to the western Quarterly Meeting in Penn
sylvania ; during the several days of this meeting, I was
mercifully preserved in an inward feeling after the mind
of Truth, and my public labours tended to my humilia
tion, with which I was content. After the Quarterly
Meeting of worship ended, I felt drawings to go to the
women's meeting of business, which was very full ; and
here the humility of Jesus Christ, as a pattern for us to
walk byj was livingly opened before me \ and in treatmg
on it my heart was enlarged, and it was a baptizing4ime.

166 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
From hence I went on, and was at meetings at Concord,
Middletown, Providence and Haddonfield, and so home;
where I found my family well. A sense of the Lord's
merciful preservation in this my journey, excites reverent
thankfulness to him.
On the 2d day of the ninth month, 1767, with the
unity of Friends, I set off on a visit to Friends in the
upper part of Berks and Philadelphia counties ; was at
eleven meetings in about two weeks ; and have renewed
cause to bow in reverence before the Lord, who, by the
powerful extendings of his humbling goodness, opened
my way amongst Friends, and made the meetings, I
trust, profitable to us. The following winter I joined in
a visit to Friends' families in some part of our meeting ;
in which exercise, the pure influence of Divine love
made our visits reviving.
On the 5th day of the fifth month, 1768, 1 left home
under the humbling hand of the Lord, having obtained
a certificate, in order to visit some meetings in Mary
land ; and to proceed without a horse looked clearest to
me. I was at Ihe Quarterly Meetings at Philadelphia
and Concord ; and then went on to Chester river ; and
crossing the bay with Friends, was at the Yearly Meeting
at West river : thence back to Chester river ; and tak
ing a few meetings in my way, proceeded home. It was
a journey of much inward waiting ; and as my eye was
to the Lord, way was several times opened to my hum
bling admiration, when things appeared very difficult.
In my return I felt a relief of mind very comfortable
to me ; having through Divine help, laboured in much
plainness, both with Friends selected, and in the more
public meetings ; so that I trust the pure witness in many
minds was reached.

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 167
The 11th day of the sixth month, 1769. Sundry cases
have happened of late years, within the limits of our
Monthly Meeting, respecting the exercise of pure right
eousness toward the negroes; in which I have lived
under a labour of heart that equity might be steadily kept
to. On this account I have had some close exercises
amongst Friends ; in which I may thankfully say, I find .
peace : and as my meditations have been on universal
love, my own conduct in time past, became of late very
grievous to'me.
As persons setting negroes free in our province, are
bound by law to maintain them, in case they have need
of relief, some who scrupled keeping slaves for term of
life, in the time of my youth, were wont to detain their
young negroes in their service until thirty years of age,
without wages, on that account : and with this custom I
so far agreed, that being engaged with another Friend in
executing the will of a deceased Friend, I once sold a
negro lad till he might attain the age of thirty years, and
applied the money to the use of the estate.
With abasement of heart I may now say, that some
times as I have sat in meeting, with my heart exercised
toward that awful Being, who respecteth not persons nor
colours, and have looked upon this lad, I have felt that
all was not clear in my mind respecting him : and as I
have attended to this exercise, and fervently sought the
Lord, it hath appeared to me that I should make some
restitution, but in what way I saw not till lately. Being
under a concern that I may be resigned to go on a visit
to some part of the West Indies, and under close en
gagement of spirit, seeking to the Lord for counsel
herein, my joining in the sale aforesaid, came heavily
upon me, and my mind for a time, was covered with

168 LIFE. OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
darkness and sorrow ; and under this sore affliction, my
heart was softened to receive instruction. Here I saw,
that as I had been one of the. two executors, who had
sold this lad nine years longer than is common for our
own children to serve, so I should now offer apart of my
substance to redeem the last half of that nine years; but
as the time was not yet come, I executed a bond, bind
ing: me and my executors, to pay to the man he was sold
to, what to candid men might appear equitable, for the
last four years and a half of his time, in case the said
youth should be living, and in a condition likely to pro
vide comfortably for himself.
The 9th day of the tenth month, 1769. My heart
hath often been deeply afflicted under a feeling I have
had, that the standard of pure righteousness, is not lifted
up to the people by us as a Society, in that clearness
which it might have been, had we been as faithful to the
teachings of Christ as we ought to have been. As my
mind hath been inward to the Lord, the purity of Christ's
government hath been opened on my understanding;
and under this exercise, that of Friends being active in
civil society, in putting laws in force which are not agree
able to the purity of righteousness, hath for several years
been an increasing burthen upon me. I have felt in the
openings of universal love, that where a people convinced
of the truth of the inward teachings of Christ, are active
in putting laws in execution, which are not consistent
with pure wisdom, it hath a necessary tendency toibring
dimness over their minds : and as my heart hath been
thus exercised, and a tender sympathy in me toward my
fellow members, I have within a few months past, in
several meetings for .discipline, expressed my concern on
this subject.

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 169

CHAPTER X.
His exercise for the good of the people in the West Indies — com
municates to Friends his resignation to visit some of these
islands — The state of his mind, and the close considerations
he was led into while under this exercise — preparations to
embark, and considerations on the trade to these islands ;
released from the concern he had been under — religious en
gagements after his return home — His sickness, in which he
was brought to a very low state; and the prospects he then
had. The 12th day of the third month, 1770, having for
some years past, dieted myself on account of a lump
gathering on my nose, I grew weak in body, and not of
ability to travel by land as heretofore. I was at times
favoured to look with awfulness toward the Lord, before
whom are all my ways, who alone hath the power of life
and death ; and to feel thankfulness raised in me, for this
his fatherly chastisement, believing if I was truly hum
bled under it, all would work for good. While I was
under this bodily weakness, my mind being at times ex
ercised for my fellow- creatures in the West Indies, I
grew jealous over myself, lest the disagreeableness of the
prospect should hinder me from obediently attending
thereto : for though I knew not that the Lord required
me to go there, yet I believed that resignation was now
called for in that respect. Feeling a danger of not being
wholly devoted to him, I was frequently engaged to watch
unto prayer, that I might be preserved ; and upwards of
a year having passed, as I walked one day in a solitary
wood, my mind being covered with awfulness, cries
were raised in me to my merciful Father, that he would
graciously keep me in faithfulness ; and it then settled
P

170 LIFE OE JOHN WOOLMAN.'
on my mind as a duty, to open my condition to Friends
at our Monthly Meeting; which I did soon after, as
follows :
" An exercise hath attended me for some time past,
and of late been more weighty upon me, under which,
I believe it is required of me to be resigned to go on a
visit to some part of the West Indies." In the Quarterly
and General Spring Meeting, I found no clearness to ex
press any thing further, than that I believed resignation
herein was required of me ; and having obtained certifi
cates from all the said meetings, I felt like a sojourner at
my outward habitation, kept free from worldly incum
brances, and was often bowed in spirit before the Lord,
with inward breathings to him, that I might be rightly
directed. I may here note, that what I have before re
lated of my being when young, joined as an executor
with another Friend, in executing a will, our having sold
a negro lad till he might attain the age of thirty years,
was now the occasion of great sorrow to me. After
having settled matters relating to this youth, I provided
sea-stores, a bed, and other things for the voyage ; and
hearing of a vessel likely to sail from Philadelphia for Bar
badoes, I spoke with one of the owners at Burlington, and
soon after went to Philadelphia on purpose to speak with
him again. He told me there was a Friend in town
who was part owner of the said vessel ; but I felt no in
clination to speak with him, but returned home. A
while after, I took leave of my family, and going to
Philadelphia, had some weighty conversation with the
first-mentioned owner, and showed him a writing, as
follows :
" On the 24th day of the eleventh month, 1769. As
an exercise, with respect to a visit to Barbadoes, hath

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 171
been weighty on my mind, I may express some of the
trials which have attended me, under which, I have at
times rejoiced that I have felt my own self-will subjected.
" Some years ago, I retailed rum, sugar and molasses,
the fruits of the labour of slaves ; but then had not much
concern about them, save only that the rum might be
used in moderation ; nor was this concern so weightily
attended to, as I now believe it ought to have been.
But of late years being further informed respecting the
oppressions too generally exercised in these islands, and
thinking often on the degrees there are in the connexions
of interest and fellowship with the works of darkness,
Ephe. v, 11 ; and feeling an increasing concern to be
wholly given up to the leadings of the Holy Spirit, it
hath appeared to me, that the small gain I got by this
branch of trade, should be applied in promoting right
eousness on the earth ; and was the first motion toward
a visit to Barbadoes. I believed the outward substance I
possess should be applied in paying my passage, if I go>
and providing things in a lowly way for my subsistence ;
but when the time drew near, in which I believed it re
quired of me to be in readiness, a difficulty arose, which
hath been a continued trial for some months past ; under
which, I have with abasement of mind, from day to day,
sought the Lord for instruction ; and often had a feeling
of the condition of one formerly, who bewailed himself,
for that the Lord hid his face from him. During these
exercises, my heart hath been often contrite ; and I have
had a tender feeling of the temptations of my fellow-
creatures, labouring under those expensive customs dis
tinguishable from the simplicity that there is in Christy
2 Cor. ii, 3, and sometimes in the renewings of Gospel
love, I have been helped to minister to others.

172 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
, ," That which hath so closely engaged my mind in
seeking to the Lord for instruction is, whether after so
full information of the oppression which the slaves who
raise the West India produce lie under, as I had in read
ing a caution and warning to Great Britain and her colo
nies, written by Anthony Benezet, it is right for me to
take a passage in a vessel employed in the West India
trade. 1 ' To trade freely with oppressors, and without labour
ing to dissuade from their unkind treatment, seek for
gain by such traffic, tends, I believe, to make them more
easy respecting their conduct, than they would be, if the
cause of universal righteousness was humbly and firmly
attended to, by those with whom they have commerce.
That complaint of the Lord by his prophet, " They have
strengthened the hands of the wicked," hath very often
revived in my mind ; and I may here add some circum
stances preceding any prospect of a visit there. The
case of David hath often been before me of late years :
he longed for some water in a well beyond an army of
Philistines, at war with Israel ; and some of his men to
please him, ventured their lives in passing through this
army, and brought that water.
" It doth not appear that the Israelites were then scarce
of water, but rather, that David gave way to delicacy of
taste ; but having thought on the danger these men were
exposed to, he considered this water as their blood, and
his heart smote him that he could not drink it, but poured
it out to the Lord. The oppression of the slaves which I
have seen in several journeys southward, on this conti
nent, and the report of their treatment in the West In
dies hath deeply affected me ; and a care to live in the
spirit of peace, and minister just cause of offence to none

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 173
of my fellow-creatures, hath, from time to time, livingly
revived on my mind ; and under this exercise, I have
for some years past, declined to gratify my palate with
those sugars.
" I do not censure my brethren in these things ; but
believe the Father of mercies, to whom all mankind by
creation are equally related, hath heard the groans of
these oppressed people ; and is preparing soon to have a
tender feeling of their condition : and the trading in, or
frequent use of any produce known to be raised by the
labours of those who are under such lamentable oppres
sion, hath appeared to be a subject which may yet require
the more serious consideration of the humble followers
of Christ, the prince of peace.
" After long and mournful exercise, I am now free to
mention how things have opened in my mind, with de
sires that if it may please the Lord, further to open his
will to any of his children in this matter, they may faith
fully follow him in such further manifestation.
" The number of those who decline the use of the
West India produce, on account of the hard usage of the
slaves who raise it, appears small, even amongst people
truly pious ; and the labours in Christian love on that
subject, of those who do, are not very extensive.
" Were the trade from this continent to the West
Indies to be quite stopped at once, I believe many there
would suffer for want of bread.
" Did we on this continent, and the inhabitants of the
West Indies, generally dwell in pure righteousness, I
believe a small trade between us might be right. Under
these considerations, when the thoughts of wholly de
clining the use of trading vessels, and of trying to hire a
vessel to go in ballast have arisen in my mind, I have
p2

174 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
believed that the labours in Gospel love, yet bestowed in
the cause of universal righteousness, are not arrived to
that height.
" If the trade to the West Indies was no more than
was consistent with pure wisdom, I believe the passage
money would, for good reasons, be higher than it is now;
and under deep exercise of mind, I have believed that I
should not take the advantage of this great trade and
small passage money ; but as a testimony in favour of less
trading, should pay more than is common for others to
pay, if I go at this time."
The first-mentioned owner having read the paper, ex
pressed a willingness to go with me to the other owner ;
and we going, the other owner read over the paper, and
we had some solid conversation ; under which, I felt my
soul bowed in reverence before the Most High. At length
one of them asked me, if I would go and see the vessel ;
but I had not clearness in my mind to go; but went to
my lodgings and retired in private.
I was now under great exercise of mind ; and my tears
were poured out before the Lord, with inward cries that
he would graciously help me under these trials.
In this case I believe my mind was resigned, but did
not feel clearness to proceed ; and my own weakness and
the necessity of Divine instruction, were impressed upon
me. I was for a time as one who knew not what to do, and
was tossed as in a tempest ; under which affliction, the
doctrine of Christ " Take no thought for the morrow,"
arose livingly before me. I remembered that it was some
days before they expected the vessel to sail, and was
favoured to get into a good degree of stillness ; and hav
ing been nearly two days in town, I believed my obe-

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 175
dience to my heavenly Father consisted in returning
homeward. I went over amongst Friends on the Jersey
shore, and tarried till the morning on which they had
appointed to sail; and as I lay in bed the latter part of
that night, my mind was comforted ; and I felt what I
esteemed a fresh confirmation, that it was the Lord's will
I should pass through some further exercises near home.
So I went home, and still felt like a sojourner with my
family, and in the fresh spring of pure love, had some
labours in a private way amongst Friends, on a subject
relating to Truth's testimony ; under which I had fre
quently been exercised in heart for some years. I remem
ber, as I walked on the road under this exercise, that
passage in Ezekiel came fresh before me, " Whitherso
ever their faces were turned, thither they went;" and I
was graciously helped to discharge my duty, in the fear
and dread of the Almighty.
After a few weeks it pleased the Lord to visit me with
a pleurisy ; and after I had lain a few days, and felt the
disorder very grievous, I was thoughtful how it might end.
I had of late, through various exercises, been much
weaned from the pleasant things of this life ; and I now
thought if it was the Lord's will to put an end to my
labours, and graciously receive me into the arms of his
mercy, death would be acceptable to me ; but if it was
his will further to refine me under affliction, and make
me in any degree, useful in his church, I desired not to
die. I may with thankfulness say, that in this case I felt
resignedness wrought in me, and had no inclination to
send for a doctor ; believing if it was the Lord's will,
through outward means, to raise me up, some sympa
thizing Friends would be sent to minister to me ; who
were accordingly. But though I was carefully attended^

176 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
yet the disorder was at times so heavy, that I had no
thoughts of recovery. One night in particular, my bodily
distress was great; my feet grew cold, and cold increased
up my legs toward my body, and at that time I had no
inclination to ask my nurse to apply any thing warm to
my feet, expecting my end was near. After I had lain
nearly ten hours in this condition, I closed my eyes,
thinking whether I might now be delivered out of the
body ; but in these awful moments my mind was livingly
opened to behold the church, and strong engagements
were begotten in me, for the everlasting well-being of
my fellow-creatures ; and I felt in the spring of pure love,
that I might remain some time longer in the body, in fill
ing up according to my measure, that which remains of
the afflictions of Christ, and in labouring for the good of
the church. After this I requested my nurse to apply
warmth to my feet, and I revived. The next night feel
ing a weighty exercise of spirit, and having a solid Friend
sitting up with me, I requested him to write what I said ;
which he did, as follows :
" 4th day of the first month, 1770, about five o'clock
in the morning. I have seen in the light of the Lord,
that the day is approaching, when the man that is the
most wise in human policy, shall be the greatest fool;
and the arm that is mighty to support injustice, shall be
broken to pieces. The enemies of righteousness shall
make a terrible rattle, and shall mightily torment one
another; for He that is omnipotent is rising up to judg
ment, and will plead the cause of the oppressed ; and he
commanded me to open the vision."
Near a week after this, feeling my mind livingly open
ed, I sent for a neighbour, who, at my request, wrote as
follows :

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 177
" The place of prayer is a precious habitation ; for I now
saw that the prayers of the saints were precious incense :
and a trumpet was given me, that I might sound forth
this language, that the children might hear it, and be
invited to gather to this precious habitation, where the
prayers of the saints, as precious incense, arise up before
the throne of God and the Lamb — I saw this habitation
to be safe; to be inwardly quiet, when there were great
stirrings and commotions in the world.
" Prayer at this day, in pure resignation, is a precious
place : the trumpet is sounded, the call goes forth to the
church, that she gather to the place of pure inward prayer ;
and her habitation is safe."

CHAPTER XI.
Preparing to visit Friends in England — Embarks at Chester, in
company with Samuel Emlen, in a ship bound to London —
His deep exercise, in observing the difficulties and hardships
the common sailors are exposed to — Considerations on the
dangers to which youth are exposed, in being trained to a
sea-faring life ; and its inconsistency with a pious education
— thoughts in a storm at sea ; with many instructive con
templations on the voyage — arrival at London.
Having been some time under a religious concern to
prepare for crossing the seas, in order to visit Friends in
the Northern parts of England, and more particularly in
Yorkshire ; after weighty consideration, I thought it expe
dient to inform Friends at our Monthly Meeting at Bur
lington of it ; who having unity with me therein, gave
me a certificate. I afterwards communicated the same
to our Quarterly Meeting, and they likewise certified

178 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
their concurrence therewith. Some time after, at the
General Spring Meeting of ministers and elders, I thought
it my duty to acquaint them of the religious exercise
which attended my mind; and they likewise signified
their unity by a certificate, dated the 24th day of the
eighth month, 1772, directed to Friends in Great Britain,
In the fourth month following, I thought the time was
come for me to make some inquiry for a suitable convey
ance ; being apprehensive, that as my concern was prin
cipally towards the Northern parts of England, it would
be most proper to go in a vessel bound to Liverpool or
Whitehaven. While I was at Philadelphia deliberating
on this occasion, I was informed that my beloved friend
Samuel Emlen, jr., intending to go to London, had
taken passage for himself in the cabin of the ship called
Mary and Elizabeth, of which James Sparks was master,
and John Head of the city of Philadelphia, one of the
owners ; and I feeling a draft in my mind toward the
steerage of the same ship, went first and opened to
Samuel the feeling I had concerning it.
My beloved friend wept when I spoke to him, and
appeared glad that I had thought of going in the vessel
with him, though my prospect was toward the steerage ;
and he offering to go with me, we went on board, first
into the cabin, a commodious room, and then into the
steerage, where we sat down on a chest, the sailors being
busy about us ; the owner of the ship came and sat down
with us.
Here my mind was turned toward Christ, the heavenly
counsellor ; and feeling at this time my own will sub
jected, my heart was contrite before him.
A motion was made by the owner to go and sit in the
cabin, as a place more retired ; but I felt easy to leave

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 179
the ship, and made no agreement as to a passage in her ;
but told the owner, if I took a passage in the ship, I
believed it would be in the steerage ; but did not say
much as to my exercise in that case.
After I went to my lodgings, and the case was a little
known in town, a Friend laid before me the great incon
venience attending a passage in the steerage ; which for
a time appeared very discouraging to me.
I soon after went to bed, and my mind was under a
deep exercise before the Lord, whose helping hand was
manifested to me as I slept that night, and his love
strengthened my heart. In the morning I went again
with two Friends on board the vessel ; and after a short
time spent therein, I went with Samuel Emlen to the
house of the owner ; to whom, in the hearing of Samuel,
I opened my exercise in relation to a scruple I felt with
regard to a passage in the cabin, which was in substance
as follows :
I told the owner that on the outside of that part of the
ship where the cabin was, I observed sundry sorts of
carved work and imagery ; that in the cabin I observed,
some superfluity of workmanship of several sorts ; and
that according to the ways of men's reckoning, the sum
of money to be paid for a passage in that apartment, had
some relation to the expense of furnishing it to please
the minds of such who give way to a conformity to this
world ; and that in this case, as in other cases, the monies
received from the passengers, are calculated to answer
every expense relating to their passage, and amongst the
rest of these superfluities : and that I felt a scruple with
regard to paying my money to defray such expenses.
As my mind was now opened, I told the owner that I
had at several times in my travels, seen great oppressions

180 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
on this continent; at which my heart had been much
affected, and brought into a feeling of the state of the
sufferers. And having many times been engaged, in the
fear and love of God, to labour with those under whom
the oppressed have been borne down and afflicted, I
have often perceived a desire prevalent to get riches and
provide estates for children, to live conformably to cus
toms, which stand in that spirit wherein men have regard
to the honours of this world. In the pursuit of these
things, I have seen many entangled in the spirit of op
pression, and the exercise of my soul has been such,
that I could not find peace in joining in any thing which
I saw was against that wisdom which is pure^
After this I agreed for a passage in the steerage ; and
hearing that Joseph White had a desire to see me, I felt
the reviving of a desire to see him, and went to his
house, and the next day home, where I tarried two
nights : and then early in the morning, I parted with my
family under a sense of the humbling hand of God upon
me; and going to Philadelphia, had opportunity with
several of my beloved friends, who appeared to be con
cerned for me, on account of the unpleasant situation of
that part of the vessel, where I was likely to lodge.
In these opportunities, my mind through the mercies
of the Lord, was kept low in an inward waiting for his
help ; and. Friends having expressed their desire that I
might have a place more convenient than the steerage,
did not urge, but appeared disposed to leave me to the
Lord. Having staid two nights in Philadelphia, I went the
next day to Darby Monthly Meeting ; where, through the
strength of Divine love, my heart was enlarged toward
the youth then present ; under which I was helped to

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 181
labour in some tenderness of spirit. Then lodging at
William Home's, I, with one Friend, went to Chester;
where meeting with Samuel Emlen, wewent on board
the 1st day of the fifth month, 1772: and as I sat alone
on the deck, I felt a satisfactory evidence that my pro
ceedings were not of my own will, but under the power
of the cross of Christ.
7th day of the fifth month : have had rough weather
mostly, since I came on board; and the passengers,
James Reynolds, John Till Adams, Sarah Logan and her
hired maid, and John Bispham, all sea-sick, more or
less, at times ; from which sickness, through the tender
mercies of my heavenly Father, I have been preserved ;
my afflictions now being of another kind.
There appeared an openness in the minds of the master
of the ship and of the cabin passengers toward me ; we were
often together on the deck, and sometimes in the cabin.
My mind, through the merciful help of the Lord, has
been preserved in a good degree watchful, and inward ;
and I have this day, great cause to be thankful that I
continue to feel quietness of mind.
As my lodging in the steerage, now nearly a week, has
afforded me opportunities of seeing, hearing and feeling,
with respect to the life and spirit of many poor sailors ;
an inward exercise of soul has attended me, in regard to
placing children and youth where they may be likely to
be exampled and instructed in the pure fear of the Lord.
Being much amongst the seamen, I have from a motion
of love, several times taken opportunities with one of
them at a time alone ; and in a free conversation, laboured
to turn their minds toward the fear of the Lord. This
day we had a meeting in the cabin, where my heart was
contrited under a feeling of Divine love.
Q

182 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
Concerning lads being trained up as seamen ; I believe
a communication by sea from one part of the world to
other parts of it, is at times, consistent with the will of
our heavenly Father ; and to educate some youth in the
practice of sailing, I believe may be right. But how
lamentable is the present corruption of the world ! how
impure are the channels through which trade has a con-
, veyance ! how great is the danger to which poor lads are
exposed, when placed on shipboard to learn the art of
sailing !
Five lads training up for the seas, were now on board
of this ship ; two of them brought up amongst our So
ciety, and one has a right amongst Friends, by name
James Nayler, to whose father, James Nayler mentioned
in, Sewel's History, appears to have been uncle.
I often feel a tenderness of heart toward these poor
lads ; and at times look at them as though they were my
children according to the flesh.
0 that all may take heed and beware of covetousness !
0 that all may learn of Christ, who was meek and low
of heart ! and in faithfully following him, he will teach
us to be content with food and raiment, without respect
to the customs or honours of this world.
Men thus redeemed, will feel a tender concern for
their fellow-creatures, and a desire that those in the lowest
stations may be assisted and encouraged ; and where
owners of ships attain to the perfect law of liberty, and
are doers of the word, these will be blessed in their
deeds. A ship at sea commonly sails all night, and the seamen
take their watches four hours at a time.
Rising to work in the night, is not commonly pleasant
in any case ; but in dark rainy nights it is very disagree-

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 183
able, even though each man were furnished with all con
veniences. But if men must go out at midnight to help
manage the ship in the rain, and having small room to
sleep and lay their garments in, are often beset to furnish
themselves for the watch ; their garments or some thing
relating to their business being wanting, and not easily
found ; when from the urgency occasioned by high winds,
they are hastened and called up suddenly ; here is a trial
of patience on the poor sailors, and the poor lads their
companions. If after they have been on deck several hours in the
night, they come down into the steerage soaking wet,
and are so closely stowed that proper convenience for
change of garment is not easily come at, but for want of
proper room their wet garments thrown in heaps, and
sometimes through much crowding, are trodden under
foot, in going to their lodgings and getting out of them,
and great difficulty at times, each one to find his own ;
here are trials on the poor sailors.
As I have been with them in my lodge, my heart has
often yearned for them ; and tender desires been raised
in me, that owners and masters of vessels may dwell in
the love of God, and therein act uprightly ; and by seek
ing less for gain, and looking carefully to their ways, may
earnestly labour to remove all cause of provocation from
the poor seamen, either to fret or use excess of strong
drink ; for indeed the poor creatures at times, in the wet
and cold, seem to apply to strong drink to supply the
want of other conveniences.
Great reformation in the world is wanting, and the
necessity of it amongst those who do business on the
great waters, has at this time been abundantly opened
before me.

184 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
The 8th day of the fifth month. This morning the
clouds gathered, and the wind blew strong from the
south-eastward, and. before noon increased to a degree
that made sailing appear dangerous. The seamen then
bound up some of their sails and took down some ; and
the storm increasing, they put the dead lights, so called,
into the cabin windows and lighted a lamp as at night.
The wind, now blew vehemently, and the sea wrought
to such a degree, that an awful seriousness prevailed in
the cabin, in which I spent, I believe, about seventeen
hours ; for I believed the poor wet toiling seamen, had
need of all the room in the crowded steerage, and the
cabin passengers had given me frequent invitations.
They ceased now from sailing, and put the vessel in
the posture called lying-to.
My mind during this tempest, through the gracious
assistance of the Lord, was preserved in a good degree
of resignation ; and I felt at times a few words in his love
to my ship-mates, in regard to the all-sufficiency of Him
who formed the great deep, and whose care is so exten
sive, that a sparrow falls not without his notice. Thus
in a tender frame of mind I spoke to them of the neces
sity of our yielding, in true obedience, to the instructions
of our heavenly Father, who sometimes through adversi
ties, intendeth our refinement.
About eleven o'eloek at night I went out on the deck,
when the sea wrought exceedingly, and the high foaming
waves, all around, had in some sort the appearance of
fire ; but did not give much, if any light. The sailor
then at the helm, said he lately saw a corposant at the
head; of the mast.
About this- time I observed the master of the ship
ordered the carpenter to keep on deck ; and though he

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 185
§aid little, I apprehended his care was, that the carpenter
with his axe might be in readiness, in case of any ex
tremity. Soon after this, the vehemency of the wind abated;
and before morning they again put the ship under sail.
The 10th day of the month and first of the week, being
fine weather, we had a meeting in the cabin, at which
most of the seamen were present ; and to me it was a
strengthening time.
The 13th day of the month. As I continue to lodge
in the steerage, I feel an openness this morning to ex
press something further of the state of my mind, in respect
to lads bound apprentice to learn the art of sailing. As
I believe sailing is of some use in the world, a labour of
soul attends me, that the pure counsel of Truth may be
humbly waited for, in this case, by all concerned in the
business of the seas.
A pious father, whose mind is exercised for the ever
lasting welfare of his child, may not, with a peaceable
mind, place him out to an employment amongst a people
whose common course of life is manifestly corrupt and
profane. So great is the present defect amongst sea
faring men, in regard to piety and virtue, and through
an abundant traffic, and many ships of war, so many peo
ple are employed on the sea, that the subject of placing
lads to this employment appears very weighty.
Profane examples are very corrupting and very forci
ble. As my mind, day after day, and night after night,
has been affected with a sympathizing tenderness toward
children put to the employment of sailors, I have some
times had weighty conversation with the sailors in the
steerage, who were mostly respectful to me, and more
q2

186 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
so the longer I was with them. They mostly appeared
to take kindly what I said to them ; but their minds ap
peared to be so deeply impressed with the almost universal
depravity amongst sailors, that the poor creatures in their
answers to me on this subject, revived in my remem
brance, that of the degenerate Jews a little before the
captivity, as repeated by Jeremiah the prophet, " There
is no hope."
Under this exercise a sense of the desire of outward
gain prevailing amongst us, hath felt grievous; and a
strong call to the professed followers of Christ, hath
been raised in me, that all may take heed, lest through
loving this present world, they be found in a continued
neglect of duty, with respect to a faithful labour for a
reformation. Silence, as. to every motion proceeding from the love
of money, and an humble waiting upon God to know his
will concerning us, appear necessary : he alone is able
to strengthen us to dig deep, to remove all which lies
between us and the safe foundation, and so to direct us
in. our outward employments, that pure universal love
may shine forth in our proceedings.
Desires arising from the Spirit of Truth, are pure de
sires ; and when a mind, divinely opened toward a young
generation, is made sensible of corrupting examples,
powerfully working and extensively spreading amongst
them, how moving is the prospect !
There is a great trade to the coast of Africa for slaves ;
of which I heard frequent conversation among the sailors !
A great trade in that which is raised and prepared
through grievous oppression !
A great trade in superfluity of workmanship formed to
please the pride and vanity of people's minds!

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 187
Great and extensive is that depravity which prevails
amongst the poor sailors !
When I remember that saying of the Most High,
through his prophet, " This people have I formed for
myself; they shall show forth my praise," and think of
placing children amongst them, to learn the practice of
sailing, the consistency of it with, a pious education,
seems to me like that mentioned by the prophet, " There
is no answer from God."
In a world of dangers and difficulties, like a desolate
thorny wilderness, how precious, how comfortable, how
safe, are the leadings of Christ, the good Shepherd ;
who said, " I know my sheep, and am known of mine."
The 16th day of the month. Wind for several days
past often high, what the sailors call squally, rough sea
and frequent rains. This last night was a very trying
one to the poor seamen ; the water, during the chief part
of it, running over the main deck, and sometimes break
ing waves came on the quarter deck. The latter part
of the night as I lay in bed, my mind was humbled under
the power of Divine love ; and resignedness to the great
Creator of the earth and the seas, was renewedly wrought
in me, whose fatherly care over his children felt precious
to my soul. Desires were now renewed in me, to em
brace every opportunity of being inwardly acquainted
with the hardships and difficulties of my fellow-creatures,
and to labour in his love for the spreading of pure uni
versal righteousness on the earth. The opportunities
were frequent of hearing conversation amongst the sailors,
in respect to the voyages to Africa, the manner of bringing
the deeply oppressed slaves into our islands, and their
condition on board the vessels, frequently in chains and
fetters, with hearts loaded with grief, under the appre-

188 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
tensions of miserable slavery ; and my mind was fre
quently opened to meditate on these things.
On the 17th day of the month and first of the Week,
we had a meeting in the cabin ; to which the seamen
generally came. My spirit was contrite before the Lord ;
whose love at this time, affected my heart.
This afternoon I felt a tender sympathy of soul, with
my poor wife and family left behind ; in which state my
heart was enlarged in desires that they may walk in that
humble obedience wherein the everlasting Father maybe
their guide and support, through all the difficulties in this
world ; and a sense of that gracious assistance, through
which my mind hath been strengthened to take up the
cross and leave them, to travel in the love of Truth, begot
thankfulness in my heart to our great Helper.
On the 24th day of the month and first of the week, a
clear pleasant morning ; and as I sat on deck, I felt a re
viving in my nature ; which through much rainy weather
and high winds, being shut up in a close unhealthy air,
was weakened.
Several nights, of late I felt breathing so difficult, that
a little after the rising of the second watch, which is
about midnight, I got up, and stood, I believe, nearly
an hour with my face near the hatchway, to get the fresh
air at a small vacancy under the hatch door, which is
commonly shut down, partly to keep out rain, and some
times to keep the breaking waves from dashing into the
steerage. I may, with thankfulness to the Father of mercies,
acknowledge that in my present weak state, my mind
hath been supported to bear the affliction with patience ;
and I have looked at the present dispensation as a kind
ness from the great Father of mankind, who, in this my

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 189
floating pilgrimage, is in some degree bringing me to
feel what many thousands of my fellow-creatures often
suffer in a greater degree.
My appetite failing, the trial has been the heavier;
and I have felt tender breathings in my soul after God,
the fountain of comfort, whose inward help has supplied,
at times, the want of outward convenience : and strong
desires have attended me, that his family, who are ac
quainted with the movings of his Holy Spirit, may be so
redeemed from the love of money, and from that spirit
in which men seek honour one of another ; that in all
business by sea or land, we may constantly keep in view
the coming of his kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven ;
and by faithfully following this safe guide, show forth
examples, lending to lead out of those things under
which the creation groans !
This day we had a meeting in the cabin ; in which I
was favoured in some degree to experience the fulfilling
of that saying of the prophet, "The Lord hath been a
strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in their dis
tress ;" for which my heart is bowed in thankfulness
before him.
The 28th day of the month : wet weather of late, with
small winds inclining to calms ; our seamen cast a lead,
I suppose about one hundred fathoms, but found no
bottom : foggy weather this morning.
Through the kindness of the great Preserver of men,
my mind remains quiet ; and a degree of exercise from
day to day attends me, that the pure peaceable govern
ment of Christ may spread and prevail amongst mankind.
The leading on of a young generation, in that pure
way, in which the wisdom of this world hath no place ;
where parents and tutors, humbly waiting for the heav-

190 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
enly Counsellor, may example them in the Truth as it
is in Jesus, has for several days, been the exercise of my
mind. 0 how safe, how quiet is that state, where the
soul stands in pure obedience to the voice of Christ, and
a watchful care is maintained, not to follow the voice of
the stranger!
Here, Christ is felt to be our Shepherd ; and under. his
leading people are brought to a stability ; and where he
doth not lead forward, we are bound in the bonds of
pure love, to stand still and wait upon him. In the love
of money, and in the wisdom of this world, business is
proposed, then the urgency of affairs pushes forward;
nor can the mind in this state, discern the good and per
fect .will of God concerning us.
The love of God is manifested in graciously calling us
to come out of that which stands in confusion ; but if we
bow not in the name of Jesus ; if we give not up those
prospects of gain, which in the wisdom of this world are
open before us, but say in our hearts, I must needs go
on ; and in going on, I hope to keep as near to the
purity of Truth, as the business before me will admit of;
here the mind remains entangled, and the shining of the
light of life into the soul is obstructed.
This query opens in my mind in the love of Christ ;
where shall a pious father place his son apprentice, to be
instructed in the practice of crossing the seas ; and have
faith to believe, that Christ our holy Shepherd leads him
to place his son there ?
Surely the Lord calls to mourning and deep humilia
tion, that in his fear we may be instructed, and led safely
on through the great difficulties and perplexities of the
present age.
In an entire subjection of our wills, the Lord gra-

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 191
ciously opens a way for his people, where all their wants
are bounded by his wisdom ; and here we experience
the substance of what Moses the prophet figured out in
the water of separation, as a purification from sin.
Esau is mentioned as a child red. all over, like a hairy
garment : in Esau is represented the natural will of man.
In preparing the water of separation, a red heifer with
out blemish, on which there had been no yoke, was to
be slain, and her blood sprinkled by the priest seven
times toward the tabernacle of the congregation. Then
her skin, her flesh, and all pertaining to her, were to be
burnt without the camp ; and of her ashes the water was
prepared. Thus the crucifying of the old man, or natural
will, is represented ; and hence comes a separation from
that carnal mind, which is death.
" He who toucheth the dead body of a man, and puri-
fieth not himself with the water of separation, he defileth
the tabernacle of the Lord; he is unclean."
If any through the love of gain, go forth into business,
wherein they dwell as amongst the tombs, and touch the
bodies of those who are dead : if these, through the in
finite love of God, feel the power of the cross of Christ
to crucify them to the world, and therein learn humbly
to follow the Divine Leader ; here is the judgment of
this world — here the prince of this world is cast out.
The water of separation is felt ; and though we have
been amongst the slain, and through the desire of gain
have touched the dead body of a man ; yet in the puri
fying love of Christ, we are washed in the water of
separation, are brought off from that business, from that
gain, and from that fellowship, which are not agreeable
to his holy will. I have felt a renewed confirmation in
the time of this voyage, that the Lord, in his infinite

192 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
love, is calling to his visited children, so to give up all
outward possessions and means of getting treasures, that
his Holy Spirit may have free course in their hearts, and
direct them in all their proceedings.
To feel the substance pointed at in this figure, man
must know death, as to his own will.
" No man can see God, and live :" This was spoken
by the Almighty to Moses the prophet ; and opened by
our blessed Redeemer.
As death comes on our own wills, and a new life is
formed in us, the heart is purified and prepared to under
stand clearly. " Blessed are the pure in heart, for they
shall see God." In purity of heart, the mind is Divinely
opened to behold the nature of universal righteousness,
or the righteousness of the kingdom of God. " No man
hath seen the Father, save he that is of God ; he hath
seen the Father."
The natural mind is active about the things of this life ;
and in this natural activity, business is proposed, and
there is a will in us to go forward in it. And as long as
this natural will remains unsubjected, so long there re
mains an obstruction against the clearness of Divine light
operating in us ; but when we love God with all our
heart, and with all our strength, then in this love we love
our neighbours as ourselves ; and a tenderness of heart
is felt toward all people for whom Christ died, even such
who as to untoward circumstances may be to us as the
Jews were to the Samaritans. "Who is my neigh
bour?" See this question answered by our Saviour,
Luke x, 30.
In this love we can say, that Jesus is the Lord ; and
the reformation in our souls is manifested in a full reforma
tion of our lives, wherein all things are new, and all

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 193
things are of God ; 2 Cor. v, 18, in this the desire of
gain is subjected.
When employment is honestly followed in the light of
Truth; and people become diligent in business, "fer
vent in spirit, serving the Lord," the name is opened ;
" This is the name by which he shall be called, The
Lord our Righteousness." Oh, how precious is this
name ! It is like ointment poured out. The chaste
virgins are, in love with the Redeemer; and for promot
ing his peaceable kingdom in the world, are content to
endure hardness like good soldiers ; and are so separated
in spirit from the desire of riches, that in their employ
ments, they become extensively careful to give no of
fence, either to Jews, or heathen, or the church of Christ.
On the 31st day of the month, and first of the week,
we had a meeting in the cabin, with nearly all the ship's
company ; the whole being nearly thirty. In this meet
ing the Lord, in mercy, favoured us with the extendings
of his love.
The 2d day of the sixth month. Last evening the
seamen found bottom at about twenty fathoms.
This morning there was a fair wind, and it was plea
sant : as I sat on deck my heart was overcome with the
love of Christ, and melted into contrition before him :
and in this state, the prospect of that work, to which I
have felt my mind drawn when in my native land, being
in some degree opened before me, I felt like a little
child ; and my cries were put up to my heavenly Father
for preservation, that in an humble dependence on him,
my soul may be strengthened in his love, and kept in
wardly waiting for his counsel.
This afternoon we saw that part of England called the
Lizard. R

1 94 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
Some dunghill fowls yet remained of those the pas
sengers took for their sea-stores : I believe about fourteen
perished in the storms at sea, by the waves breaking
over the quarter-deck ; and a considerable number with
sickness, at different times. I observed the cocks crew
coming down the Delaware, and while we were near the
land ; but afterward, I think I did not hear one of them
crow till we came near the land in England, when they
again crowed a few times.
In observing their dull appearance at sea, and the
pining sickness of some of them, I often remembered the
fountain of Goodness, who gave being to all creatures,
and whose love extends even to caring for the sparrows;
and I believe, where the love of God is verily perfected,
and the true spirit of government watchfully attended to,
a tenderness toward all creatures made subject to us
will be experienced; and a care felt, that we do not
lessen that sweetness of life, in the animal creation, which
the great Creator intends for them under our government.
The 4th day of the month. Wet weather, with high
winds, and so dark that we could see but a little way.
I perceived our seamen were apprehensive of missing the
channel ; which I understood was narrow. In a while
it grew lighter ; and they saw the land, and knew where
we were. Thus the Father of mercies was pleased to
try us with the sight of dangers, and then graciously
from time to time deliver from them ; sparing our lives,
that in humility and reverence, we may walk before him,
and put our trust in him.
About noon a pilot came off from Dover ; where my
beloved friend Samuel Emlen went on shore, and thence
to London, about seventy-two miles by land ; but I felt
easy in staying in the ship.

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 195
The 7th day of the month, and first of the week. A
clear morning ; we lay at anchor for the tide, and had a
parting meeting with the ship's company ; in which my
heart was enlarged in a fervent concern for them, that
they may come to experience salvation through Christ.
Had a head wind up the Thames ; sometimes lay at an
chor, and saw many ships passing, and some at anchor
near ; and had large opportunity of feeling the spirit in
which the poor bewildered sailors too generally live.
That lamentable degeneracy, which so much prevails
among the people employed on the seas, so affected my
heart, that I may not easily convey to another the feeling
I have had.
The present state of a sea-faring life in general, ap
pears so opposite to a pious education ; so full of cor
ruption, and extreme alienation from God ; so full of
examples, the most dangerous to young people, that in
looking toward a young generation, I feel a care for
them, that they may have an education different from the
present education of lads at sea : and that all of us, who
are acquainted with the pure Gospel spirit, may lay this
case to heart, may remember the lamentable corruptions
which attend the conveyance of merchandise across the
seas, and so abide in the love of Christ, that being de
livered from the love of money, from the entangling
expenses of a curious, delicate and luxurious life, we
may learn contentment with a little; and promote the
sea-faring life no further, than that spirit, which leads
into all truth, attends us in our proceedings.

196 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.

CHAPTER XII.
Attends the Yearly Meeting in London — proceeds towards York
shire, visiting several Quarterly and other meetings in the
counties of Hertford, Warwick, Oxford, Nottingham, York,
and Westmoreland ; and thence again into Yorkshire, and to
the city of York — some instructive thoughts and observa
tions — letters on divers subjects — hears of the decease of
William Hunt; some account of him — sickness at York;
and death there.
On the 8th day of the sixth month, 1772, we landed
at London ; and I went straightway to the Yearly Meet
ing of ministers and elders, which had been gathered, I
suppose, about half an hour.
In this meeting, my mind was humbly contrite : in the
afternoon, the meeting of business opened, which by
adjournments held near a week. In these meetings, I
often felt a living concern for the establishment of Friends
in the pure life of Truth ; and my heart was enlarged in
the meeting of ministers, meeting of business, and in
several meetings for public worship ; and I felt my mind
united in true love to the faithful labourers now gathered
at this Yearly Meeting.
On the 15th day of the month I left London, and went
to a Quarterly Meeting at Hertford.
The 1st day of the seventh month. I have been at
Quarterly Meetings at Sherrington, Northampton, Ban
bury and Shipton, and had sundry meetings between'.
My mind has been bowed under a sense of Divine good
ness manifested amongst us ; my heart being often en
larged in true love, both amongst ministers and elders,
and in public meetings ; and through the Lord's good-

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 197
ness, I believe it has been a fresh visitation to many, in
particular to the youth.
The 17th day of the month. Was this day at Birming
ham : have been at meetings at Coventry, Warwick in
Oxfordshire, and sundry other places; I have felt the
humbling hand of the Lord upon me, and through his
tender mercies find peace in the labours I have gone
through. The 26th day of the month. I have continued trav
elling northward visiting meetings : was this day at
Nottingham ; which, in the forenoon especially, was
through Divine love a heart-tendering season : next day
had a meeting with Friends' children and some Friends ;
this, through the strengthening arm of the Lord, was a
time to be thankfully remembered.
The 2d day of the eighth month, and first of the
week, was this day at Sheffield, a large inland town : I
have been at sundry meetings last week, and feel inward
thankfulness for that Divine support, which hath been
graciously extended to me.
The 9th day of the month, and first of the week, was
at Rushworth : have lately passed through some painful
labour ; but I have been comforted, under a sense of that
Divine visitation, which I feel extended toward many
young people.
The 16th day of the month, the first of the week, was
at Settle : it has of late been a time of inward poverty ;
under which, my mind has been preserved in a watchful
tender state, feeling for the mind of the holy Leader,
and find peace in the labours I have passed through.
On inquiry, in many places, I find the price of rye
about five shillings, and wheat about eight shillings, per
bushel; oatmeal twelve shillings for an hundred and
r2

198 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
twenty: pounds ; mutton from three-pence to five-pence
per pound; bacon, from seven-pence to nine-pence;
cheese, from four-pence to six-pence;. butter, from eight-
pence to tenpence ; house-rent, for a poor man, from
twenty-five shillings to forty shillings per year, to be paid
weekly ; wood for fire,, very scarce and dear ; coal, in
some places, two shillings and six-pence per hundred
weight ; but near the pits, not a quarter so much. O,
may the wealthy consider the poor!
The wages of labouring men in several counties toward
London, are ten-pence per day in common business, the
employer finds small-beer, and the labourer finds his own
food; but in harvest and hay time, wages are about
one shilling per day, and the labourer has all his diet.
In some parts of the north of England, poor labouring
men have their food where they work; and appear, in
common, to do rather better than nearer London. In
dustrious women, who spin in the factories, get some
four-pence, some five-pence, and so on to six, seven,
eight, nine or ten-pence per day, and' find their own
house-room and diet. Great numbers of poor people
live chiefly on bread and water in the southern parts' of
England, and some in the northern parts ; and there are
many poor children not even taught to read. May those
who have plenty, lay these things to heart !
Stage-coaches frequently go upwards of an hundred
miles in twenty- four hours; and I have. heard Friends
say, in several- places j that it is common for horses to be
killed iwith, hard driving, and many others are driven until
they, grow blind.
Post-boys pursue their business, each one to his stage,
all night through the winter : some boys who ride long
stages, suffer greatly during winter nights ; and at several

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 199
places I have heard of their being frozen to death. So
great is the hurry in the spirit of this world, that in
aiming to do business quick andrto: gain wealth, the
creation at this day doth loudly groan !
As my journey has been without a horse, I have had
several offers of being assisted on my way in stage
coaches ; but have not been in them ; nor have I had
freedom to send letters by these posts, in the present
way of their riding; the stages being so fixed, and one
boy dependant on another as to time, that they commonly
go upward of one hundred miles in twenty-four hours ; and
in the cold long winter nights, the poor boys suffer much.
I heard in America of the way of these posts ; and
cautioned Friends in the General Meeting of ministers
and elders at Philadelphia, and in the Yearly Meeting of
ministers and elders at London, not to send letters to me
on any common occasion by post. And though on this
account, I may be likely to hear more seldom from my
family left behind, yet for righteousness sake, I am
through Divine favour made content.
I have felt great distress of mind, since I came on this
island, on account of the members of our Society being
mixed with the world, in various sorts of business and
traffic, carried on in impure channels. Great is the trade
to Africa for slaves ! and in loading these ships, abund
ance of people are employed in the factories ; amongst
whom are many of our Society. Friends in early times
refused on a religious principle, to make or trade in su
perfluities, of which we have many large testimonies on
record : but for want of faithfulness some gave way, even
some whose examples were of note in our Society ; and
from thence others took more liberty. Members of our
Society worked in superfluities, and bought and sold

200 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
them ; and thus dimness of sight came over many. At
length, Friends got into the use of some superfluities in
dress, and in the furniture of their houses ; and this has
spread from less to more, until superfluity of some kinds
is common amongst us.
In this declining state, many look at the example one
of another, and too much neglect the pure feeling of
Truth. Of late years, a deep exercise has attended my
mind, that Friends may dig deep, may carefully cast
forth the loose matter, and get down to the Rock, the
sure foundation, and there hearken to that Divine voice
which gives a clear and certain sound. I have felt in
that which doth not deceive, that if Friends who have
known the Truth, keep in that tenderness of heart, where
all views of outward gain are given up, and their trust is
only on the Lord, he will graciously lead some to be
patterns of deep self-denial in things relating to trade and
handicraft labour ; and that some who have plenty of the
treasures of this world, will set an example of a plain
frugal life, and pay wages to such whom they may hire,
more liberally than is now customary in some places.
The 23d day of the month ; was this day at Preston-
Patrick, and had a comfortable meeting. I have several
times been entertained at the houses of Friends, who had
sundry things about them which had the appearance of
outward greatness ; and as I have kept inward, way has
opened for conversation with such in private, in which
Divine goodness has favoured us together with heart-
tendering times.
The 26th day of the month. Being now at George
Crosfield's, in the county of Westmoreland, I feel a con
cern to commit to writing, that which to me hath been a
case uncommon.

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 201
In a time of sickness with the pleurisy, a little upward
of two years and a half ago, I was brought so near the
gates of death, that I forgot my name : being then de
sirous to know who I was, I saw a mass of matter of a
dull gloomy colour, between the south and the east ; and
was informed, that this mass was human beings in as
great misery as they could be, and live ; and that I was
mixed in with them, and that henceforth I might not con
sider myself as a distinct or separate being. In this state
I remained several hours. I then heard a soft melodious
voice, more pure and harmonious than any I had heard
before. I believed it was the voice of an angel, who
spake to the other angels, and the words were these,
John Woolman is dead. I soon remembered that I once
was John Woolman ; and being assured that I was alive
in the body, I greatly wondered what that heavenly voice
could mean.
I believed beyond doubting that it was the voice of an
holy angel ; but as yet it was a mystery to me.
I was then carried in spirit to the mines, where poor
oppressed people were digging rich treasures for those
called Christians ; and I heard them blaspheme the name
of Christ, at which I was grieved ; for his name to me
was precious.
Then I was informed, that these heathen were told,
that those who oppressed them were the followers of
Christ; and they said amongst themselves, If Christ
directed them to use us in this sort, then Christ is a cruel
tyrant. All this time the song of the angel remained a mystery ;
and in the morning, my dear wife and some others coming
to my bed-side, I asked them if they knew who I was;
and they telling me I was John Woolman, thought I was

202 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
light-headed : for I told them not what the angel said,
nor was I disposed to talk much to any one ; but was
very desirous to get so deep, that I might understand this
mystery. My tongue was often so dry, that I could not speak
till I had moved it about and gathered some moisture,
and as I lay still for a time, at length I felt Divine power
prepare my mouth that I could speak ; and then I said,
"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not
I, but Christ liveth in me : and the life I now live in the
flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved
me, and gave himself for me."
Then the mystery was opened ; and I perceived there
was joy in heaven over a sinner who had repented ; and
that that language (John Woolman is dead) meant no
more than the death of my own will.
Soon after this I coughed, and raised much bloody
matter ; which I had not done during this vision : and
now my natural understanding returned as before. Here
I saw, that people getting silver vessels to set off their
tables at entertainments, was often stained with worldly
glory ; and that in the present state of things, I should
take heed how I fed myself out of silver vessels.
Soon after my recovery, going to our Monthly Meet
ing, I dined at a Friend's house where drink was brought
in silver vessels, and not in any other ; and wanting some
drink, I told him my case with weeping ; and he ordered
some drink for me in another vessel.
The like I afterwards went through in several Friends'
houses in America, and have also in England, since I
came here : and have cause, with humble reverence, to
acknowledge the loving-kindness of my heavenly Father,
who hath preserved me in such a tender frame of mind,

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 203
that none, I believe, have ever been offended at what I
have said on that occasion.
After this sickness, I spake not in public meetings for
worship for nearly one year ; but my mind was very often
in company with the oppressed slaves, as I sat in meet
ings : and though under this dispensation, I was shut up
from speaking, yet the spring of the Gospel ministry was
many times livingly opened in me ; and the Divine gift
operated by abundance of weeping, in feeling the op
pression of this people. It being long since I passed
through this dispensation, and the matter remaining fresh
and livingly in my mind, I believe it safest for me to
commit it to writing.
The 30th day of the month. This morning I wrote a
letter, in substance as follows :
" Beloved friend,
" My mind is often affected as I pass along, under a
sense of the state of many poor people, who sit under
that sort of ministry which requires much outward labour
to support it ; and the loving-kindness of our heavenly
Father, in opening a pure Gospel ministry in this nation,
hath often raised thankfulness in my heart to him. I often
remember the conflicts of the faithful under persecution,
and now look at the free exercise of the pure gift, unin
terrupted by outward laws, as a trust committed to us,
which requires our deepest gratitude, and most careful
attention. I feel a tender concern, that the work of
reformation, so prosperously carried on in this land within
a few ages past, may go forward and spread amongst the
nations ; and may not go backward, through dust gather
ing on our garments, who have been called to a work so
great and so precious.

204 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
"Last evening I had a little opportunity at thy house
with some of thy family in thy absence, in which. I re
joiced ; and feeling a sweetness on my mind toward thee,
I now endeavour to open a little of the feeling I had
there.: " I have heard that in these parts, you had, at certain
seasons meetings of conference, in relation to Friends
living up to our principles, in which several meetings
unite in one ; with which I feel unity. I have in some
measure, felt Truth lead that way amongst Friends in
America ; and have found, my dear friend, that in these
labours, all superfluities in. our own living are against
us. I feel that pure love toward thee, in which there is
freedom. " I look at that precious gift bestowed on thee, with
awfulness before Him who gave it ; and feel a care, that
we may be so separated to the Gospel of Christ, that
those things which proceed from the spirit of this world,
may have no place amongst us.
" Thy friend,
John Woolman."
I rested a few days, in body and mind, with our friend
Jane Crosfield, who was once in America: was on the
sixth day of the week, at Kendal in Westmoreland ; and
at Grayrig meeting the 30th day of the month, and first
of the week.
I have known poverty of late, and been graciously
supported to keep in the patience; and am thankful,
under a sense of the goodness of the Lord. toward those
that are of a contrite spirit.
The 6th day of the ninth month and first of the week;
was this day at Counterside, a large meeting-house and

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 205
very full : and through the opening of pure love, it was
a strengthening time to me, and I believe to many more.
The 13th day of the month. Was this day at Rich
mond, a small meeting; but the town's people coming
in, the house was crowded: it was a time of heavy
labour ; and I believe was a* profitable meeting.
At this place I heard that my kinsman William Hunt
from North Carolina, who was on a religious visit to
Friends in England, departed this life on the 9th day of
the ninth month instant, of the smallpox, at Newcastle.
He appeared in the ministry when a youth ; and his
labours therein were of good savour. He travelled much
in that work in America. I once heard him say in public
testimony, that his concern was, in that visit, to be de
voted to the service of Christ so fully, that he might not
spend one minute in pleasing himself; which words,
joined with his example, were a means of stirring up the
pure mind in me.
Having of late travelled often in wet weather, through
narrow streets in towns and villages, where there were
dirtiness under foot, and the scent arising from that filth,
which more or less infects the air of all thickly settled
towns ; and being *but weakly, I have felt distress both
in body and mind, with that which is impure.
In these journeys I have been where much cloth has
been dyed ; and sundry times walked over ground, where
much of the dye stuffs has drained away. I have felt a
longing in my mind, that people might come into clean
ness of spirit, cleanness of person, and cleanness about
their houses and garments.
Some who are great, carry delicacy to a great height
themselves, and yet real cleanliness is not generally pro
moted. Dyes being invented partly to please the eye,
S

206 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
and partly to hide dirt, I have felt in this weak, state,
travelling in dirtiness and affected with unwholesome
scents, a strong desire that the practice of dyeing cloth
to hide dirt may be more fully considered.
To hide dirt in our garments, appears opposite to real
cleanliness.. To wash garments and keep them sweet, appears
cleanly. Through giving way to hiding dirt in our garments, a
spirit which would cover that which is disagreeable, is
strengthened. Real cleanness becometh a holy people: but hiding
that which is not clean by colouring our garments, ap
pears contrary to the sweetness of sincerity.
Through some sorts of dyes, cloth is less useful ; and
if the valueof dye-stuffs, the expense of dyeing, and the
damage done to cloth were all added together, and that
expense applied to keep all sweet and clean, how much
more cleanly would people be.
On this visit to England I have felt some instructions
sealed on my mind, which I am concerned to leave in
writing, for the use of such who are called to the station
of a minister of Christ.
Christ being the Prince of peace, and we being no
more than ministers, I find it necessary for us, not only
to feel a concern in our first going forth, but to expe
rience the renewing thereof, in the appointment of meet
ings. I felt a concern in America, to prepare for this voyage ;
and being through the mercy of God brought safely here,
my heart was like a vessel that wanted vent, and for
several weeks at first, when my mouth was opened in
meetings, it often felt like the raising of a gate in a water

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 207
course, where a weight of water lay upon it ; and in these
labours there appeared a fresh visitation to many, espe
cially the youth ; but sometimes after this, I felt empty
and poor, and yet felt a necessity to appoint meetings.
In this state I was exercised to abide in the pure life
of Truth, and in all my labours to watch diligently against
the motions of self in my own mind.
I have frequently felt a necessity to stand up, when the
spring of the ministry was low, and to speak from the
necessity, in that which subjecteth the will of the crea
ture ; and herein I was united with the suffering seed,
and found inward sweetness in these mortifying labours.
As I have been preserved in a watchful attention to the
Divine Leader under these dispensations, enlargement at
times hath followed, and the power of Truth hath risen
higher in some meetings, than I ever knew it before
through me.
Thus I have been more and more instructed as to the
necessity of depending, not upon a concern which I felt
in America, to come on a visit to England; but upon
the fresh instructions of Christ the Prince of peace, from
day to day.
Now of late, I felt a stop in the appointment of meet
ings, not wholly but in part ; and I do not feel liberty to
appoint them so quickly one after another as I have here
tofore. The work of the ministry being a work of Divine love,
I feel that the openings thereof are to be waited for in
all our appointments.
O how deep is Divine wisdom ! Christ puts forth his
ministers, and goeth before them ; and oh how great is
the danger of departing from the pure feeling of that
which leadeth safely !

208 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
Christ knoweth the state of the people, and in the pure
feeling of the Gospel ministry, their states are opened to
his servants.
Christ knoweth when the fruit-bearing branches them
selves have need of purging.
Oh that these lessons may be remembered by me ! and
that all who appoint meetings, may proceed in the pure
feeling of duty..
I have sometimes felt a necessity to stand up, but that
spirit which is of the world hath so much prevailed in
many, and the pure life of Truth has been so pressed
down, that I have gone forward, not as one travelling in
a road cast up and well prepared, but as a man walking
through a miry place, in which are stones here and there,
safe to step on ; but so situated that one step being taken,
time is necessary to see where to step next.
I find that in the pure obedience, the mind learns con
tentment in appearing weak and foolish to that wisdom
which is of the world ; and in these lowly labours, they
who stand in a low place, rightly exercised under the
cross, will find nourishment.
The gift is pure, and while the eye is single in attend
ing thereto, the understanding is preserved clear ; self is
kept out ; and we rejoice in filling up that which remains
of the afflictions of Christ, for his body's sake, which is
the church.
The natural man loveth eloquence, and many love to
hear eloquent orations ; and if there is not a careful at
tention to the gift, men who have once laboured in the
pure Gospel ministry, growing weary of suffering, and
ashamed of appearing weak, may kindle a fire, compass
themselves about with. sparks and walk in the light, not
of Christ who is under suffering, but of that fire, which

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 209
they going from the gift have kindled. And that in
hearers which is gone from the meek suffering state into
the worldly wisdom, may be warmed with this fire, and
speak highly of these labours. That which is of God
gathers to God ; and that which is of the world is owned
by the world.
In this journey a labour hath attended my mind, that
the ministers amongst us may be preserved in the meek,
feeling life of Truth, where we may have no desire, but
to follow Christ and be with him ; that when he is under
suffering we may suffer with him ; and never desire to
rise up in dominion, but as he by the virtue of his own
spirit may raise us.

A few days after writing these considerations, our dear
friend in the course of his religious visit, came to the city
of York, and attended most of the sittings of the Quar
terly Meeting there ; but before it was over, was taken
ill of the smallpox. Our friend Thomas Priestman and
others who attended him, preserved the following min
utes of his expressions in the time of his sickness, and
of his decease.
First-day, the 27th of the ninth month, 1772. His
disorder appeared to be the smallpox : being asked to
have a doctor's advice, he signified he had not freedom
or liberty in his mind so to do, standing wholly resigned
to his will who gave him life, and whose power he had
witnessed to raise and heal him in sickness before, when
he seemed nigh unto death ; and if he was to wind up
now, he was perfectly resigned, having no will either to
live or die, and did not choose any should be sent for to
him. But a young man an apothecary coming of his
s 2

210 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
own accord the next day, and desiring to do something
for him, he said he found a freedom to confer with him
and the other Friends about him, and if any thing should
be proposed, as to medicine, that did not come through
defiled channels or oppressive hands, he should be wil
ling to consider and take it, so far as he found freedom.
Second-day. He said he felt the disorder to affect
his head, so that he could think little, and but as a child ;
and desired if bis understanding should be more affected,
to have nothing given him that those about him knew he
had a testimony against.
Third-day he uttered the following prayer. " 0 Lord
my God, the amazing horrors of darkness were gathered
around me and covered me all over, and I saw no way
to go forth. I felt the depth and extent of the misery of
my fellow-creatures separated from the Divine harmony,
and it was heavier than I could bear, and I was crushed
down under it. I lifted up my hand, I stretched out my
arm, but there was none to help me. I looked round
about and was amazed. In the depths of misery, O
Lord ! I remembered that thou art omnipotent, that I had
called thee Father, and I felt that I loved thee, and I was
made quiet in thy will, and I waited for deliverance from
thee. Thou hadst pity upon me when no man could help
me. I saw that meekness under suffering was showed
to us in the most affecting example of thy Son, and thou
taught me to, follow him, and I said, thy will O Father
be done."
Fourth-day morning, being asked how he felt himself,
he meekly answered, I don't know that I have slept this
night. I feel the disorder making its progress, but my
mind is mercifully preserved in stillness and peace. —
Sometime after he said he was sensible the pains of death

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 211
must be hard to bear, but if he escaped them now, he
must some time pass through them, and he did not know
that he could be better prepared, but had no will in it.
He said he had settled his outward affairs to his mind,
and had taken leave of his wife and family as never to
return, leaving them to the Divine protection ; adding,
" and though I feel them near to me at this time, yet I
freely give them up, having a hope that they will be pro
vided for." A little after he said, "This trial is made
easier than I could have thought, my will being wholly
taken away ; for if I was anxious for the event it would
have been harder, but I am not, and my mind enjoys a
perfect calm."
In the night a young woman having given him some
thing to drink, he said, " My child thou seems very kind
to me a poor creature, the Lord will reward thee for it."
Awhile after he cried out with great earnestness of spirit,
"Oh my Father! my Father!" and soon after he said,
" Oh my Father! my Father! how comfortable art thou
to my soul in this trying season." Being asked if he
could take a little nourishment, after some pause he re
plied, " My child I cannot tell what to say to it ; I seem
nearly arrived where my soul shall have rest from all its
troubles." After giving in something to be inserted in
his Journal, he said, " I believe the Lord will now ex
cuse me from exercises of this kind. I see no work but
one, which is to be the last wrought by me in this world ;
the messenger will come that will release me from all
these troubles ; but it must be in the Lord's time, which
I am waiting for." He said he had laboured to do what
ever was required, according to the ability received, in
the remembrance of which he had peace ; and though
the disorder was strong at times, and would like a whirl-

212 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
wind come over his mind, yet it had hitherto been kept
steady and centered in everlasting love ; adding, " and
if that be mercifully continued, I ask or desire no more."
Another time he said, he had long had a view of visiting
this nation, and sometime before he came had a dream,
in which he saw himself in the northern parts of it, and
that the spring of the Gospel was opened in him much
as in the beginning of Friends, such as George Fox and
William Dewsbury ; and he saw the different states of the
people, as clearly as he had ever seen flowers in a garden ;
but in his going along he was suddenly stopped, though
he could not see for what end ; but looking towards
home, fell into a flood of tears which wakened him.
At another time he said, " my draught seemed strong
est towards the North, and I mentioned in my own
Monthly Meeting, that attending the Quarterly Meeting
at York, and being there looked like home to me."
Fifth-day night, having repeatedly consented to take
medicine with a view to settle his stomach, but without
effect ; the Friend then waiting on him, said through dis
tress, What shall I do now ? He answered with great
composure, " Rejoice ever more, and in every thing
give thanks ;" but added a little after, "this is sometimes
hard to come at."
Sixth-day morning early, he broke forth in supplica
tion on this wise, " O Lord, it was thy power that ena
bled me to forsake sin in my youth, and I have felt thy
bruises for disobedience, but as I bowed under them
thou healed me, continuing a father and a friend. I feel
thy power now, and I beg that in the approaching trying
moment thou wilt keep my heart steadfast unto thee." —
Upon his giving directions to a friend concerning some
little things, she said I will take care, but hope thou wilt

LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN. 213
live to order them thyself; he replied, "my hope is in
Christ, and though I may seem a little better, a change
in the disorder may soon happen, and my little strength
be dissolved, and if so it happens, I shall be gathered to
my everlasting rest." On her saying she did not doubt
that, but could not help mourning to see so many faith
ful servants removed at so low a time ; he said, " all
good cometh from the Lord, whose power is the same,
and can work as he sees best." The same day he had
given directions about wrapping his corpse ; and per
ceiving a Friend to weep, he said " I would rather thou
wouldst guard against weeping for me, my sister ; I sor
row not, though I have had some painful conflicts, Dut
now they seem over and matters well settled, and I look
at the face of my dear Redeemer, for sweet is his voice
and his countenance is comely."
First-day, 4th of the tenth month, being very weak
and in general difficult to be understood, he uttered a
few words in commemoration of the Lord's goodness ;
and added, " how tenderly have I been waited on in this
time of affliction, in which I may say in Job's words,
' Tedious days and wearisome nights are appointed unto
me ;' and how many are spending their time and money
in vanity and superfluities, while thousands and tens of
thousands want the necessaries of life, who might be re
lieved by them, and their distresses at such a time as this,
in some degree softened by the administering suitable
things." Second-day morning, the apothecary who appeared
very anxious to assist him, being present, he queried
about the probability of such a load of matter being
thrown off his weak body, and the apothecary making
some remarks implying that he thought it might; he

214 LIFE OF JOHN WOOLMAN.
spoke with an audible voice on this wise, " My depend
ence is on the Lord Jesus, who I trust will forgive my
sins, which is all I hope for, and if it be his will to raise
up this body again, I am content ; and if to die, I am
resigned ; and if thou canst not be easy without tiying
to assist nature, I submit:" after which his throat was
so much affected, that it was very difficult for him to
speak so as to be understood, and he frequently wrote
when he wanted any thing. About the second hour on
fourth-day morning he asked for pen and ink, and at
several times with much difficulty wrote thus, " I believe
my being here is in the wisdom of Christ, I know not as
to life or death."
About a quarter before six o'clock the same morning
he seemed to fall into an easy sleep, which continued
about half an hour, when seeming to awake, he breathed
a few times with more difficulty, and expired without
sigh, groan or struggle.

END OF THE JOURNAL.

CONSIDERATIONS
ON THE KEEPING OF NEGROES;
RECOMMENDED TO THE PROFESSORS OF CHRISTIANITY OF EVERY
DENOMINATION.
FIRST PRINTED IN THE YEAR 1754.

INTRODUCTION.
Customs generally approved, and opinions received .
by youth from their superiors, become like the natural
produce of a soil, especially when they are suited to
favourite inclinations : but as the judgments of God are
without partiality, by which the state of the soul must be
tried, it would be the highest wisdom to forego customs
and popular opinions, and try the measures of the soul
by the infallible standard, Truth.
Natural affection needs a careful examination ; operat
ing upon us in a soft manner, it kindles desires of love
and tenderness, and there is danger of taking it for some
thing higher. To me it appears an instinct like that
which inferior creatures have ; each of them, we see, by
the ties of nature, love self best ; that which is a part of
self, they love by the same tie or instinct. In them it in
some measure does the offices of reason, by which,
among other things, they watchfully keep and regularly
feed their helpless offspring. Thus natural affection ap
pears to be a branch of self-love, good in the animal
215

216 CONSIDERATIONS ON
race, and in us likewise, with proper limitations; but
otherwise it is productive of evil, by exciting desires to
promote some by means prejudicial to others.
Our blessed Saviour seems to give a check to this
irregular fondness in nature, and at the same time, a pre
cedent for us : " Who is my mother, and who are my
brethren ?" thereby intimating that the earthly ties of re
lationship are comparatively inconsiderable to such, who
through a steady course of obedience, have come to the
happy experience of the Spirit of God bearing witness
with their spirits that they are his children : — " And he
stretched forth his hands towards his disciples, and said,
Behold my mother and my bretliren : For whosoever
shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, (ar
rives at the more noble part of true relationship) the same
is my brother, and sister, and mother."
This doctrine agrees well with a state truly complete,
where love necessarily operates according to the agree-
ableness of things, on principles unalterable and in-them-
selves perfect.
If endeavouring to have my children eminent amongst
men after my death, be that which no reasons grounded
on those principles can be brought to support ; then to
be temperate in my pursuit after gain, and to keep
always within the bounds of those principles, is an in
dispensable duty, and to depart from it, a dark unfruit
ful toil.
In our present condition, to love our children is need
ful ; but except this love proceeds from the true heavenly
principle which sees beyond earthly treasures, it will
rather be injurious than of any real advantage to them :
where the fountain is corrupt, the streams must neces
sarily be impure.

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 217
That important injunction of our Saviour, Matt, vi, 33,
with the promise annexed, contains a short but compre
hensive view of our duty and happiness : — If then the
business of mankind in this life, is first to seek another ;
if this cannot be done but by attending to the means ;
if a summary of the means is, not to do that to another
which, in like circumstances, we would not have done
unto us, then these are points of moment, and worthy of
our most serious consideration.
What I write on this subject is with reluctance, and
the hints given are in as general terms as my concern
would allow. I know it is a point about which, in all
its branches, men that appear to aim well are not gene
rally agreed ; and for that reason I chose to avoid being
very particular. If I may happily let drop any thing
that may excite such as are concerned in the practice to
a close thinking on the subject treated of, the candid
amongst them may easily do the subject such further
justice, as on an impartial inquiry it may appear to de
serve ; and such an inquiry I would earnestly recom
mend.

CONSIDERATIONS, &e.

" Forasmuch as ye did it to the least of these my brethren, ye
did it unto me." — Matt, xxv, 40.
As many times there are different motives to the same
action ; and one does that from a generous heart, which
another does for selfish ends ; the like may be said in
this case.
There are various circumstances among those that
keep negroes, and different ways by which they fall
under their care ; and I doubt not, there are many well-
disposed persons amongst them who desire rather to
manage wisely and justly in this difficult matter, than to
make gain of it.
But the general disadvantage which these poor Afri
cans lie under in an enlightened Christian country, hav
ing often filled me with real sadness, and been like
undigested matter on my mind, I now think it my duty,
through Divine aid, to offer some thoughts thereon to the
consideration of others.
When we remember that all nations are of one blood,
Gen. iii, 20, that in this world we are but sojourners,
that we are subject to the like afflictions and infirmities
of body, the like disorders and frailties in mind, the like
temptations, the same death, and the same judgment,
and that the all-wise Being is Judge and Lord over us
all, it seems to raise an idea of general brotherhood, and
218

CONSIDERATIONS, &C. 219
a disposition easy to be touched, with a feeling of each
other's afflictions : but when we forget those things^ and
look chiefly at our outward circumstances, in this and
some ages past, constantly retaining in our minds the
distinction between us and them, with respect to our
knowledge and improvement in things Divine, natural
and artificial, our breasts being apt to be filled with fond
notions of superiority, there is danger of erring in our
conduct toward them.
We allow them to be of the same species with our
selves ; the odds is, we are in a higher station, and en
joy greater favours than they. And when it is thus that
our heavenly Father endoweth some of his children with
distinguished gifts, they are intended for good ends ;
but if those thus gifted are thereby lifted up above their
brethren, not considering themselves as debtors to the
weak, nor behaving themselves as faithful stewards,
none who judge impartially can suppose them free from
ingratitude. When a people dwell under the liberal distribution of
favours from heaven, it behoves them carefully to inspect
their ways, and consider the purposes for which those
favours are bestowed, lest, through forgetfulness of God
and misusing his gifts, they incur his heavy displeasure,
whose judgments are just and equal, who exalteth and
humbleth to the dust, as he seeth meet.
It appears, by Holy Record, that men under high
favours have been apt to err in their opinions concern
ing others. Thus Israel, according to the description
of the prophet, Isa. lxv, 5, when exceedingly corrupted
and degenerated, yet remembered they were the chosen
people of God ; and could say, " Stand by thyself, come
not'near me, for I am holier than thou." That this was

220 CONSIDERATIONS ON
no chance language, but their common opinion of other
people, more fully appears, by considering the circum
stances which attended when God was beginning to fulfil
his precious promises concerning the gathering of the
Gentiles. The Most High, in a vision undeceived Peter, first
prepared his heart to believe, and at the house of Corne
lius showed him of a certainty, that God is no respecter
of persons.
The effusion of the Holy Ghost upon a people, with
whom they, the Jewish Christians would not so much as
eat, was strange to them. All they of the circumcision
were astonished to see it ; and the apostles and brethren
of Judea contended with Peter about it, till he having
rehearsed the whole matter, and fully shown that the
Father's love was unlimited, they are thereat struck with
admiration, and cry out, " Then hath God also to the
Gentiles granted repentance unto life."
The opinion of peculiar favours being confined to
them, was deeply rooted, or else the above instance had
been less strange to them for these reasons : First, They
were generally acquainted with the writings of the proph
ets, by whom this time was repeatedly spoken of, and
pointed at. Secondly, Our blessed Lord shortly before
expressly said, " I have other sheep not of this fold, them
also must I bring," &c. Lastly, His words to them after
his resurrection, at the very time of his ascension, " Ye
shall be witnesses to me, not only in Jerusalem, Judea,
and Samaria, but to the uttermost parts of the earth."
These concurring circumstances, one would think,
might have raised a strong expectation of seeing such a
time ; yet when it came, it proved matter of offence and
astonishment.

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 221
To consider mankind otherwise than brethren, to think
favours are peculiar to one nation, and to exclude others,
plainly supposes a darkness in the understanding : for as
God's love is universal, so where the mind is sufficiently
influenced by it, it begets a likeness of itself, and the
heart is enlarged towards all men. Again, to conclude a
people froward, perverse, and worse by nature than
others, who ungratefully receive favours, and apply them
to bad ends, will excite a behaviour toward them unbe
coming the excellence of true religion.
To prevent such an error, let us calmly consider their
circumstance : and the better to do it, make their case
ours. Suppose then that our ancestors and we had been
exposed to constant servitude, in the more servile and
inferior employments, of life ; that we had been destitute
of the help of reading and good company; that amongst
ourselves we had had but few wise and pious instructers ;
that the religious amongst our superiors seldom took notice
of us ; that while others in ease have plentifully heaped
up the fruit of our lab6ur, we had received barely enough
to relieve nature ; and being wholly at the command of
others, had generally been treated as a contemptible,
ignorant part of mankind, should we in that case be less
abject than they now are ? Again, If oppression be so
hard to bear, that a wise man is made mad by it, Eccl.
vii, 7, then a series of oppressions altering the behaviour
and manners of a people, is what may reasonably be
expected. When our property is taken contrary to our mind, by
means appearing to us unjust, it is only through Divine
influence, and the enlargement of heart from thence pro
ceeding, that we can love our reputed oppressors. If
the negroes fall short in this, an uneasy, if not a discon-
t2

222 CONSIDERATIONS ON
solate disposition will be awakened, and remain like
seeds in their minds, producing sloth and other habits
which appear odious to us ; and with which, had they
been free men, they would not perhaps have been charge
able. These and other circumstances rightly considered,
will lessen the too great disparity which some make be
tween us and them.
Integrity of heart has appeared in some of them; so
that if we continue in the word of Christ (previous to
discipleship, John viii, 31,) and our conduct towards
them be seasoned with his love, we may hope to see the
good effect of it. This, in a good degree, is the case
with some into whose hands they have fallen ; but that
too many treat them otherwise, not seeming conscious of
any neglect, is alas ! too evident.
When self-love presides in our minds, our opinions
are biassed in our own favour; and in this condition,
being concerned with a people so situated, that.they have
no voice to plead their own cause, there is danger of
using ourselves to an undisturbed partiality, until by long
custom, the mind becomes reconciled with it, and the
judgment itself infected.
To apply humbly to God for wisdom, that we may
thereby be enabled to see things as they are, and as they
ought to be, is very needful. Hereby the hidden things
of darkness may be brought to light, and the judgment
made clear: we shall then consider mankind as brethren..
Though different degrees and a variety of qualifications
and abilities, one dependant on another, be admitted, yet
high thoughts will be laid aside, and all men treated as
becometh the sons of one father, agreeably to the doc
trine of Christ Jesus.
" He hath laid down the best criterion, by which man-

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 223
kind ought to judge of their own conduct, and others
judge for them of theirs, one towards another, viz :
' Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do
ye even so to them.' I take it, that all men by nature,
are equally entitled to the equity of this rule, and under
the indispensable obligations of it. One man ought not
to look upon another man or society of men, as so far
beneath him, that he should not put himself in their
place, in all his actions towards them, and bring all to
this test, viz. How should I approve of this conduct,
were I in their circumstance, and they in mine ?"
This doctrine being of a moral unchangeable nature,
hath been likewise inculcated in the former dispensation ;
"If a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall
not vex him ; but the stranger that dwelleth with you,
shall be as one born amongst you, and thou shalt love
him as thyself." Had these people come voluntarily and
dwelt amongst us, to call them strangers would be pro
per ; and their being brought by force, with regret and a
languishing mind, may well raise compassion in a heart
rightly disposed : but there is nothing in such treatment,
which upon a wise and judicious consideration, will in
any way lessen their right to be treated as strangers. If
the treatment which many of them meet with, be rightly
examined and compared with those precepts, " Thou
shalt not vex him nor oppress him ; he shall be as one
born amongst you, and thou shalt love him as thyself,"
there will appear an important difference between them.
It may be objected that there is the cost of purchase,
and risk of their lives to those who possess them, and
therefore it is needful that they make the best use of
their time. In a practice just and reasonable, such ob
jections may have weight ; but if the work be wrong

224 CONSIDERATIONS ON
from the beginning, there is little or no force in them.
If I purchase a man who has never forfeited his liberty,
the natural right of freedom is in him ; and shall I keep
him and his posterity in servitude and ignorance ? " How
should I approve of this conduct, were I in his circum
stances, and he in mine?" It may be thought, that to
treat them as we would willingly be treated, our gain by
them would be inconsiderable: and it were, in divers
respects, better that there were none in our country.
We may further consider, that they are now amongst
us, and people of our nation were the cause of their
being here ; that whatsoever difficulty accrues thereon,
we are justly chargeable with, and to bear all inconve
niences attending it with a serious and weighty concern
of mind to do our duty by them, is the best we can do.
To seek a remedy by continuing the oppression, because
we have power to do it, and see others do it, will, I
apprehend, not be doing as we would be done by.
How deeply soever men are involved in difficulties,
sincerity of heart, and upright walking before God,
freely submitting to his providence, is the most sure re
medy. He only is able to relieve, not only persons but
nations in their greatest calamities.
David in a great strait, when the sense of his past
error, and the full expectation of an impending calamity
as the reward of it were united to aggravate his distress,
after some deliberation, saith, " Let me fall now into the
hand of the Lord, for very great are his mercies ; let me
not fall into the hand of man."
To act continually with integrity of heart, above all
narrow or selfish motives, is a sure token of our being
partakers of that salvation which " God hath appointed
for walls and bulwarks," and is, beyond all contradic-

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 225
tion, a more happy situation than can ever be promised
by the utmost reach of art and power united, not pro
ceeding from heavenly wisdom.
A supply to nature's lawful wants, joined with a peace
ful humble mind, is the truest happiness in this life ; and
if we arrive at this, and continue to walk in the path of
the just, our case will be truly happy. Though herein
we may part with, or miss of the glaring show of riches,
and leave our children little else but wise instructions, a
good example, and the knowledge of some honest em
ployment ; these, with the blessing of Providence, are
sufficient for their happiness, and are more likely to prove
so, than laying up treasures for them, which are often
rather a snare, than any real benefit ; especially to those,
who instead of being exampled to temperance, are in all
things taught to prefer the getting of riches, and to eye
the temporal distinctions they give, as the principal bu
siness of this life. These readily overlook the true hap
piness of man, which results from the enjoyment of all
things in the fear of God, and miserably substituting an
inferior good, dangerous in the acquiring and uncertain
in the fruition, they are subject to many disappointments,
and every sweet carries its sting.
It is the conclusion of our blessed Lord and his apos
tles, as appears by their lives and doctrines, that the
highest delights of sense, or most pleasing objects visi
ble, ought ever to be accounted infinitely inferior to that
real intellectual happiness, suited to man in his primitive
innocence, and now to be found in true renovation of
mind; and that the comforts of our present life, the
things most grateful to us, ought always to be received
with temperance, and never made the chief objects of
our desire, hope or love ; but that our whole heart and

226 CONSIDERATIONS ON
affections be principally looking to that " city, which
hath foundations, whose maker and builder is God.'' Do
we so improve the gifts bestowed on us, that our children
might have an education suited to these doctrines, and
our example to confirm it, we might rejoice in hopes of
their being heirs of an inheritance incorruptible.
This inheritance, as Christians, we esteem the most
valuable ; and how then can we fail to desire it for our
children? 0 that we were consistent with ourselves, in
pursuing the means necessary to obtain it!
It appears by experience, that where children are edu
cated in fulness, ease, and idleness, evil habits are more
prevalent, than is common amongst such who are pru
dently employed in the necessary affairs of life. If chil
dren are not only educated in the way of so great tempt
ation, but have also the opportunity of lording it over
their fellow-creatures, and being masters of men in
their childhood, how can we hope otherwise than that
their tender minds will be possessed with thoughts too
high for them ; which gaining strength by continuance,
will prove like a slow current, gradually separating them
from or keeping from acquaintance with that humility
and meekness in which alone lasting happiness can be
enjoyed. Man is born to labour, and experience abundantly
showeth, that it is for our good : but where the power
ful lay the burthen on the inferior, without affording a
Christian education, and suitable opportunity of improv
ing the mind, and a treatment which we, in their case,
should approve, in order that themselves may live at
ease, and fare sumptuously, and lay up riches for their
posterity, this seems to contradict the design of Provi
dence, and I doubt not, is sometimes the effect of a per-

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 227
verted mind ; for while the life of one is made grievous
by the rigour of another, it entails misery on both.
Amongst the manifold works of Providence, displayed
in the different ages of the world, these which follow,
with many others, may afford instruction.
Abraham was called of God to leave his country and
kindred, to sojourn amongst strangers. Through famine,
and danger of death, he was forced to flee from one
kingdom to another ; yet, at length, he not only had as
surance of being the father of many nations, 1)ut became
a mighty prince. Genesis xxiii, 6.
Remarkable were the dealings of God with Jacob in
a low estate, the just sense he retained of them after his
advancement, appears by his words : "I am not worthy
of the least of all thy mercies."
The numerous afflictions of Joseph are very singular ;
the particular Providence of God therein, no less mani
fest : he at length became governor of Egypt, and famous
for wisdom and virtue.
The series of troubles which David passed through,
few amongst us are ignorant of; and yet he afterwards
became as one of the great men of the earth.
Some evidences of the Divine wisdom appear in those
things, in that such who are intended for high stations,
have first been very low and dejected, that Truth might
be sealed on their hearts ; and that the characters there
imprinted by bitterness and adversity, might in after years
remain, suggesting compassionate ideas, and in their
prosperity, quicken their regard to those in the like con
dition. This yet further appears in the case of Israel ;
who were well acquainted with grievous sufferings, a
long and rigorous servitude ; and then through many
notable events, were made chief amongst the nations.

228 CONSIDERATIONS ON
To them we find a repetition of precepts to the purpose
abovesaid : though for ends agreeable to infinite wisdom,
they were chosen as a peculiar people for a time ; yet
the Most High acquaints them, that his love is not con
fined, but extends to the stranger ; and to excite their
compassion, reminds them of times past, "Ye were
strangers in the land of Egypt." Again, "Thou shalt
not oppress a stranger, for ye know the heart of a stran
ger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."
If we call to mind our beginning, some of us may find
a time, wherein our fathers were under afflictions, re
proaches, and manifold sufferings.
Respecting our progress in this land, the time is short
since our beginning was small and number few, com
pared with the native inhabitants. He that sleeps not
by day nor night, hath watched over us, and kept us as
the apple of his eye. His Almighty arm hath been
round about us, and saved us from dangers.
The wilderness and solitary deserts in which our
fathers passed the days of their pilgrimage, are now
turned into pleasant fields; the natives are gone from
before us, and we established peaceably in the posses
sion of the land, enjoying our civil and religious liberties;
and while many parts of the world have groaned under
the heavy calamities of war, our habitation remains quiet,
and our land fruitful.
When we trace back the steps we have trodden, and
see how the Lord hath opened a way in the wilderness
for us, to the wise it will easily appear, that all this was
not done to be buried in oblivion ; but to prepare a
people for more fruitful returns, and the remembrance
thereof ought to humble us in prosperity, and excite in
us a Christian benevolence towards our inferiors.

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 229
If we do not consider these things aright, but through
a stupid indolence, conceive views of interest separate
from the general good of the great brotherhood, and in
pursuance thereof, treat our inferiors with rigour to in
crease our wealth, and gain riches for our children;
" What then shall we do when God riseth up ? and when
he visiteth, what shall we answer him ? did not he that
made us, make them ? and did not one fashion us ?"
To our great Master we stand or fall, to judge or con
demn us as is most suitable to his wisdom or authority ;
my inclination is to persuade, and entreat, and simply
give hints of my way of thinking.
If the Christian religion be considered, both respecting
its doctrines, and the happy influence which it hath on
the minds and manners of all real Christians, it looks
reasonable to think, that the miraculous manifestation
thereof to the world, is a kindness beyond expression.
Are we the people thus favoured? Are we they
whose minds are opened, influenced, and governed by
the Spirit of Christ, and thereby made sons of God ? Is
it not a fair, conclusion, that we, like our heavenly
Father, ought in our degree to be active in the same
great cause, of the eternal happiness of, at least our whole
families, and more, if thereto capacitated ?
If we, by the operation of the Spirit of Christ, become
heirs with him in the kingdom of his Father, and are re
deemed from the alluring- counterfeit joys of this world,
and the joy of Christ remain in us, to suppose that one
in this happy condition, can, for the sake of earthly
riches, not only deprive his fellow-creatures of the sweet
ness of freedom, which rightly used, is one of the great
est temporal blessings, but therewith neglect using proper
means for their acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures,
u

230 CONSIDERATIONS ON
and the advantage of true religion, seems at least a con
tradiction to reason. ,
Whoever rightly advocates the cause of some, thereby
promotes the good of all. The state of mankind was
harmonious in the beginning, and though sin hath intro
duced discord, yet through the wonderful love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord, the way is open for our re
demption, and means appointed to restore us to primitive
harmony. That if one suffer by the unfaithfulness of
another, the mind, the most noble part of him that occa
sions the discord, is thereby alienated from its true and
real happiness.
Our duty and interest are inseparably united, and when
we neglect or misuse our talents, we necessarily depart
from the heavenly fellowship, and are in the way to the
greatest of evils.
• Therefore to examine and prove ourselves, to find
what harmony the power presiding in us bears with the
Divine nature, is a duty not more incumbent and neces
sary, than it would be beneficial.
In Holy Writ the Divine Being saith of himself, " I
am the Lord, which exercise loving-kindness, judgment
and righteousness in the earth ; for in these things I de
light, saith the Lord." Again, speaking in the way of.
man, to show his compassion to Israel, whose wicked
ness had occasioned a calamity, and then being humbled
under it, it is said, " His soul was grieved for their
miseries." If we consider the life of our blessed Sa
viour when on earth, as it is recorded by his followers,
we shall find that one uniform desire for the eternal and
temporal good of mankind, discovered itself in all his
actions. If we observe men, both apostles and others, in many

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 231
different ages, who have really come to the unity of the
Spirit, and the fellowship of the saints, there still appears
the like disposition, and in them the desire for the real
happiness of mankind, has out-balanced the desire of
ease, liberty, and many times, of life itself.
If upon a true search, we find that our natures are so
far renewed, that to exercise righteousness and loving-
kindness, according to our ability, towards all men,
without respect of persons, is easy to us, or is our de
light ; if our love be so orderly and regular, that he who
doeth the will of our Father who is in heaven, appears
in our view to be our nearest relation, our brother, and
sister, and mother ; if this be our case, there is a good
foundation to hope, that the blessing of God will sweeten
our treasures during our stay in this life, and that our
memory will be savoury, when we are entered into rest.
To conclude, It is a truth most certain, that a life
guided by wisdom from above, agreeably with justice,
equity and mercy, is throughout consistent and amiable,
and truly beneficial to society ; the serenity and calmness
of mind in it, affords an unparalleled comfort in this life,
and the end of it is blessed.
And it is no less true, that they who in the midst of
high favours remain ungrateful, and under all the advan
tages that a Christian can desire, are selfish, earthly and
sensual, do miss the true fountain of happiness, and
wander in a maze of dark anxiety, where all their trea
sures are insufficient to quiet their minds : hence from
an insatiable craving, they neglect doing good with what
they have acquired, and too often add oppression to
vanity, that they may compass more.
" O that they were wise, that they understood this,
that they would consider, their latter end !"

CONSIDERATIONS
ON THE KEEPING OF NEGROES;
RECOMMENDED TO THE PROFESSORS OF CHRISTIANITY OF EVERY
DENOMINATION.

PART THE SECOND.
FIRST PRINTED IN THE YEAR 176 2.
"Ye shall not respect persons in judgment ; but ye shall hear
the small as well as the great : ye shall not be afraid of the faee
of man: for the judgment is God's." Deut. i, 17.

PREFACE.
All our actions are of like nature with their root ; and
the Most High weigheth them more skilfully than men
can weigh them one for another.
I believe that one Supreme Being made and supports
the world ; nor can I worship any other Deity without
being an idolater, and guilty of wickedness.
Many nations have believed in and worshipped a plu
rality of deities ; but I do not believe they were therefore
all wicked. Idolatry indeed is wickedness ; but it is the
thing, not the name, which is so. Real idolatry is to pay
that adoration to a creature, which is known to be due
only to the true God.
He who professeth to believe in one Almighty Creator,
232

CONSIDERATIONS, &C. 233
and in his Son Jesus Christ, and yet is more intent on
the honours, profits and friendships of the world, than he
is in singleness of heart to stand faithful to the Christian
religion, is in the channel of idolatry ; while the Gentile,
who under some mistaken opinions, is notwithstanding
established in the true principle of virtue, and humbly
adores an Almighty power, may be of that number who
fear God and work righteousness.
I believe the bishop of Rome assumes a power that
does not belong to any officer in the church of Christ ; and
if I should knowingly do any thing tending to strengthen
him in that capacity, it would be great iniquity. There
are many thousands of people, who by their profession
acknowledge him to be the representative of Jesus Christ
on earth ; and to say that none of them are upright in
heart, would be contrary to my sentiments.
Men who sincerely apply their minds to true virtue,
and find an inward support from above, by which all
vicious inclinations are made subject; that they love God
sincerely, and prefer the real good of mankind universally
to their own private interest; though these through the
strength of education and tradition, may remain under
some speculative and great errors, it would be uncharit
able to say, that therefore God rejects them. He who
creates, supports and gives understanding to all men,
possesses knowledge and goodness superior to the various
cases and circumstances of his creatures, which to us ap
pear the most difficult.
The apostles and primitive Christians did not censure
all the Gentiles as wicked men, Rom. ii, 14 ; Col. iii, 11 ;
but as they were favoured with a gift to discern things
more clearly, respecting the worship of the true God,
they with much firmness declared against the worshipping
u 2

234 CONSIDERATIONS, &.C.
of idols, and with true patience endured many sufferings
on that account.
Great numbers of faithful Protestants have contended
for the Truth, in opposition to papal errors ; and with
true fortitude laid down their lives in the conflict, without
saying, that no man was saved who made profession of
that religion.
While we have no right to keep men as servants for
term of life, but that of superior power ; to do this with
design to profit ourselves and our families by their labour,
I believe is wrong ; but I do not believe that all who have
kept slaves, have therefore been chargeable with guilt.
If their motives thereto were free from selfishness, and
their slaves contented, they were a sort of freemen;
which I believe hath sometimes been the case.
Whatever a man does in the spirit of charity, to him it
is not sin : and while he lives and acts in this spirit, he
learns all things essential to his happiness as an individ
ual : and if he doth not see that any injury or injustice
to any other person, is necessarily promoted by any part
.of his form of government, I believe the merciful Judge
will not lay iniquity to his charge. Yet others, who live
in the same spirit of charity, from a clear convincement,
may see the relation of one thing to another, and the
necessary tendency of each ; and hence it may be abso
lutely binding on them to desist from some parts of con
duct, which some good men have been in.

CONSIDERATIONS, &c.

As some in most religious societies amongst the Eng
lish are concerned in importing or purchasing the in
habitants of Africa as slaves ; and as the professors of
Christianity of several other nations do the like ; these
circumstances tend to make people less apt to examine
the practice as closely as they would, if such a thing had
not been, but was now proposed to be entered upon. It
is however our duty, and what concerns us individually,
as creatures accountable to our Creator, to employ rightly
the understanding which he hath given us, in humbly
endeavouring to be acquainted with his will concerning
us, and with the nature and tendency of those things
which we practise. For as justice remains to be justice,
so many people of reputation in the world, joining with
wrong things, does not excuse others in joining with
them, nor make the consequence of their proceedings
less dreadful in the final issue, than it would otherwise be.
Where unrighteousness is justified from one age to
another, it is like dark matter gathering into clouds over
us. We may know that this gloom will remain till the
cause be removed by a reformation, or a change of times,
and may feel a desire from a love of equity, to speak on
the occasion; yet where error is so strong, that it may
not be spoken against without a prospect of some incon
venience to the speaker, this difficulty is likely to operate
on our weakness, and quench the good desires in us ;
235

236 CONSIDERATIONS ON
except we dwell so steadily under the weight of it, as to
be made willing to " endure hardness" on that account.
Where men exert their talents against vices which are
generally accounted such, the ill effects whereof are pre
sently perceived in a government, all men who regard
their own temporal good, are likely to approve the work.
But when that which is inconsistent with perfect equity,
has the law or the countenance of the great in its favour,
though the tendency thereof be contrary to the true hap
piness of mankind, in an equal if not greater degree, than
many things accounted reproachful to Christians ; yet as
these ill effects are not generally perceived, they who la
bour to dissuade from such things, which people believe
accord with their interest, have many difficulties to en
counter. The repeated charges which God gave to his prophets,
imply the danger they were in of erring on this hand.
" Be not afraid of their faces ; for I am with thee, to de
liver thee, saith the Lord." " Speak all the words that
I command thee to speak to them ; diminish not a word."
"And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor dis
mayed at their looks. Speak my words to them, whether
they will hear or forbear."
Under an apprehension of duty, I offer some further
considerations on this subject, having endeavoured some
years to consider it candidly. I have observed people
of our own colour, whose abilities have been inadequate
to manage the affairs which relate to their convenient
subsistence, who have been taken care of by others, and
the profit of such work as they could do, applied toward
their support. I believe there are such amongst negroes ;
and that some people in whose hands they are, keep
them with no view of outward profit, do. not consider

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 237
them as black men, who as such ought to serve white
men ; but account them persons who have need of guard
ians, and as such take care of them: yet where equal
care is taken in all parts of their education, I do not
apprehend cases of this sort are likely to occur more
frequently amongst one sort of people than another.
It looks to me that the slave trade was founded, and
has generally been carried on in a wrong spirit ; that the
effects of it are detrimental to the real prosperity of our
country ; and will be more so, except we cease from the
common motives of keeping them, and treat them in
future agreeably to Truth and pure justice.
Negroes may be imported, who for their cruelty to
their countrymen, and the evil disposition of their minds,
may be unfit to be at liberty ; and if we as lovers of
righteousness undertake the management of them, we
should have a full and clear knowledge of their crimes,
and of those circumstances which might operate in their
favour ; but the difficulty of obtaining this is so great,
that we have great reason to be cautious therein. But
should it plainly appear that absolute subjection is a con
dition the most proper for the person who is purchased,
yet the innocent children ought not to be made slaves,
because their parents sinned.
We have an account in Holy Scripture of some fami
lies suffering, where mention is only made of the heads of
the family committing wickedness ; and it is likely that
the degenerate Jews, misunderstanding some occurrences
of this kind, took occasion to charge God with being un
equal ; so that a saying became common, " The Fathers
have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set
on edge." Jeremiah and Ezekiel, two of the inspired
prophets, who lived near the same time, were concerned

238 CONSIDERATIONS ON
to correct this error. Ezekiel is large on the subject. —
First, he reproves them for their error. " What mean
ye, that ye do so." " As I live, saith the Lord God, ye
shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in
Israel." The words, " any more," have reference to
time past ; intimating, that though they had not rightly
understood some things they had heard or seen, and
thence supposed the proverb to be well grounded ; yet
henceforth they might know of a certainty, that the ways
of God are all equal ; that as surely as the Most High
liveth, so surely men are only answerable for their own
sins. He thus sums up the matter, " The soul that sin-
neth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity
of the father ; neither shall the father bear the iniquity of
the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be
upon him ; and the wickedness of the wicked shall be
upon him."
Where men are wicked, they commonly are a means
of corrupting the succeeding age ; and thereby hasten
those outward calamities which fall on nations, when
their iniquities are full.
Men may pursue means which are not agreeable to
perfect purity, with a view to increase the wealth and
happiness of their offspring, and thereby make the way
of virtue more difficult to them. And though the ill ex
ample of a parent, or of a multitude, does not excuse
a man in doing evil, yet the mind being early impressed
with vicious notions and practices, and nurtured up in
ways of getting treasure, which are not the ways of Truth ;
this wrong spirit first getting possession, and being thus
strengthened, frequently prevents a due attention to the
true spirit of wisdom, so that they exceed in wickedness
those who lived before them. And in this channel,

THE, KEEPING OF NEGROES. 239
though parents labour, as they think, to forward the hap
piness of their children, it proves a means of forwarding
their calamity. This being the case in the age next be
fore the grievous calamity in the siege of Jerusalem, and
carrying Judah captive to Babylon, they might say with
propriety, This came upon us, because our fathers for
sook God, and because we did worse than our fathers.
See Jer. vii, 26.
As the generation next before them inwardly turned
away from God, who yet waited to be gracious ; and as
they in that age continued in those things which neces
sarily separated from perfect goodness, growing more
stubborn till the judgments of God were poured out
upon them ; they might properly say, " Our fathers have
sinned, and we have borne their iniquities." And yet,
wicked as their fathers were, had they not succeeded
them in their wickedness, they had not borne their in
iquities. To suppose it right, that an innocent man shall at this
day be excluded from the common rules of justice ; be
deprived of that liberty which is the natural right of hu
man creatures, and be a slave to others during life, on
account of a sin committed by his immediate parents ; or
a sin committed by Ham, the son of Noah ; is a supposi
tion too gross to be admitted into the mind of any per
son, who sincerely desires to be governed by just and
solid principles.
It is alleged in favour of the practice, that Joshua made
slaves of the Gibeonites.
What men do by the command of God, and what
comes to pass as a consequence of their neglect, are
different ; the case now mentioned was such as the latter*
It was the express command of the Almighty to Israel,

240 CONSIDERATIONS ON
concerning the inhabitants of the promised land, " Thou
shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods :
they shall not dwell in thy land." Those Gibeonites
came craftily, telling Joshua that they were come from a
far country; that their elders had sent them to make a
league with the people of Israel ; and as an evidence of
their being foreigners, showed their old clothes, &c. —
" And the men took of their victuals, and asked not
counsel at the mouth of the Lord; and Joshua made
peace with them, and made a league with them, to let
them live; and the princes sware to them."
When the imposition was discovered, the congregation
murmured against the princes : " But all the princes said
to all the congregation, we have sworn to them by the
Lord God of Israel ; now therefore we may not touch
them ; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us ;
but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water
unto the congregation."
Omitting to ask counsel, involved them in great diffi
culty. The Gebonites were of those cities, of which the
Lord said, " Thou shalt save alive nothing that breath-
eth ;" and of the stock of the Hivites, concerning whom
he commanded by name, " Thou shalt smite them, and
utterly destroy them : Thou shalt make no covenant with
them, nor show mercy unto, them." Joshua and the
princes not knowing them, had made a league with them
to let them live ; and in this strait they resolved to make
them servants. Joshua and the princes suspected them
to be deceivers: " Pera'dventure you dwell amongst us:
and how shall we make a league with you ?" Which
words show that they remembered the command before-
mentioned ; and yet did not inquire at the mouth of the
Lord, as Moses directed Joshua, when he gave him a

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 241
charge respecting his duty as chief man among that peo
ple, Numb, xxvii, 21. By this omission things became
so situated, that Joshua and the princes could not exe
cute the judgments of God on them, without violating
the oath which they had made.
Moses did amiss at the waters of Meribah, and doubt
less he soon repented ; for the Lord was with him. And
it is likely that Joshua was deeply humbled, under a
sense of his omission ; for it appears that God continued
him in his office, and spared the lives of those people,
for the sake of the league and oath made in his name.
The wickedness of these people was great, and they
were worthy to die, or perfect justice had not passed
sentence of death upon them; and as their execution
was prevented by this league and oath, they appear to
have been contented to be servants: "As it seemeth
good and right unto thee to do unto us, do."
These criminals, instead of death, had the sentence of
servitude pronounced on them, in these words, " Now
therefore ye are cursed ; and there shall none of you be
freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and
drawers of water for the house of my God."
We find, Deut. xx, 10, that there were cities far dis
tant from Canaan, against which Israel went to battle,
unto whom they were to proclaim peace, and if the in
habitants made answer of peace, and opened their gates,
they were not to destroy them, but make them tributaries.
The children of Israel were then the Lord's host, and
executioners of his judgments on people hardened in
wickedness. They were not to go to battle, but by his
appointment. The men who were chief in his army, had
their instructions from the Almighty ; sometimes imme
diately, and sometimes by the ministry of angels. Of
V

242 CONSIDERATIONS ON i':'
these amongst others* were, Moses, Joshua, Othnjel and
Gideon; see Exod. iii, 2, and xviii, 19 ; Josh, v, 13. —
These people far off from Canaan, against whom Israel
was sent to battle, were so corrupt, that the Creator of
the universe saw it good to change their situation ; and
in case of their opening their gates, and coming under
tribute, this their subjection, though probably more mild
than absolute slavery, was to last little or no longer than
while Israel remained in the true spirit of government.
It was pronounced by Moses the prophet, as a conse
quence of their wickedness, " The stranger that is within
thee shall get above thee very high ; and thou shalt come
down very low: he shall be the head, and thou the tail."
This we find in some measure verified in their being
made tributaries to the Moabites, Midianites, Amorites
and Philistines.
It is alleged in favour of the practice of slave-keeping,
that the Jews by their law made slaves of the heathen.
"Moreover, of the children of the strangers that do so
journ amongst you, of them shall ye buy, and of their
children which are with you, which they begat in your
land ; and they shall be your possession ; and you shall
take them as an inheritance for your children after you,
to inherit them as a possession, they shall be your bond
men fqr ever." It is difficult for us to have a certain
knowledge of the mind of Moses, in regard to keeping
slaves, in any other way than by looking upon him as a
true servant of God, whose mind and conduct were reg
ulated by an inward principle of justice and equity. —
To admit a supposition that he in that case was drawn
from perfect equity by the alliance of outward kindred,
would be to disown his authority.
Abraham had servants born in his house, and bought

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 243
with his money : " And the Almighty said of Abraham,
I know him, that he will order his house after him;"
which implies, that he was as a father, an instructer, and
a good governor of his people. Moses, considered as a
man of God, must necessarily have had a prospect of
some real advantage in the strangers and heathens being
servants to the Israelites for a time.
As mankind had received and established many erro
neous and hurtful customs, their living and conversing
with the Jews, while the Jews stood faithful to their
principles, might be helpful to remove those errors, and
reform their manners. But for men, with private views,
to assume an absolute power over the persons and proper
ties of others, and to continue it from age to age in the
line of natural generation, without regard to the virtues
or vices of their successors, as it is manifestly contrary
to true universal love, and attended with great evils, it
requires the clearest evidence to beget a belief in us, that
Moses intended that the strangers should be such slaves
to the Jews.
He directed them to buy strangers and sojourners.
It appears that there were strangers in Israel who were
free men; and considering with what tenderness and
humanity the Jews, by their law, were obliged to use
their servants, and what care was to be taken to instruct
them in the true religion, it is not unlikely that some
strangers in poverty and distress were willing to enter
into bonds to serve the Jews as long as they lived ; and
in such case the Jews, by their law, had a right to their
service during life.
When the awl was bored through, the ear of the He
brew .servant, the text saith, " He shall serve forever;"
yet we do not suppose that by the word "for ever," it

.244 CONSIDERATIONS ON
was intended that none of his posterity should afterwards
be free. When it is said in regard to the strangers which
they bought, " They shall be your possession," it may
be well understood to mean only the persons so pur
chased; all that precedes relates to buying them, and
what follows to the continuance of their service ; " You
shall take them as an inheritance to your children after
you; they shall be your bondmen for ever." It may be
well understood to stand limited to those they purchased.
Moses directing .Aaron and his sons to wash their
hands and feet, when they went into the tabernacle of
the congregation, saith, " It shall be a statute for ever to
them, even to him and his seed throughout all genera
tions." And to express the continuance of the law, it
was his common language, " It shall be a statute forever
throughout your generations." So that had he intended
the posterity of the strangers so purchased to continue in
slavery to the Jews, it looks likely that he would have
used some terms clearly to express it. The Jews un
doubtedly had slaves, whom they kept as such from one
age to another ; but that this was agreeable to the genuine
design of their inspired law-giver, is far from being a
clear case.
Making constructions of the law contrary to the true
meaning of it, was common amongst that people. Sam
uel's sons took bribes, and perverted judgment. Isaiah
complained that they justified the wicked for reward.
Zephaniah, contemporary with Jeremiah, on account of
the injustice of the civil magistrates, declared that those
judges were evening wolves ; and that the priests did
violence to the law.
Jeremiah acquaints us, that the priests cried peace,
peace, when there was no peace ; by which means the

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 245
people grew bold in their wickedness ; and having com
mitted abominations, were not ashamed; but through
wrong constructions of the law, they justified themselves,
and boastingly said, "We are wise; and the law of the
Lord is with us." These corruptions continued till the
days of our Saviour, who told the Pharisees, "You have
made the commandment of God of none effect through
your tradition."
Thus it appears that they corrupted the law of Moses ;
nor is it unlikely that among many others this was one ;
for oppressing the strangers was a heavy charge against
the Jews, and very often strongly represented by the
Lord's faithful prophets.
That the liberty of man was, by the inspired law-giver
esteemed precious, appears in this ; that such who un
justly deprived men of it, were to be punished in like
manner as if they had murdered them. " He that steal-
eth a man, and selleth him; or if he be found in his
hand, shall surely be put to death." This part of the
law was so considerable, that Paul the learned Jew, giving
a brief account of the uses of the law, adds this, " It
was made for men-stealers."
The great men amongst that people were exceedingly
oppressive ; and it is likely exerted their whole strength
and influence, to have the law construed to suit their
turns. The honest servants of the Lord had heavy work
with them in regard to their oppression ; a few instances
follow. " Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of
Israel, amend your ways and your doings, and I will
cause you to dwell in this place. If you thoroughly ex
ecute judgment between a man and his neighbour ; if
you oppress not the stranger, the fatherless and the
widow; and shed not innocent blood in this placet;
v2

246 CONSIDERATIONS ON
neither walk after other gods to your hurt, then will I
cause you to dwell in this place." Again, this message
was sent not only to the inferior ministers of justice, but
also to the chief ruler. " Thus saith the Lord, go down
to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this
word ; execute ye judgment and righteousness, and de
liver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor ; and
do no wrong ; do no violence to the stranger, the father
less and the widow ; neither shed innocent blood in this
place." Then adds, "That in so doing they should
prosper ; but if ye will not hear these words, I swear by
myself, saith the Lord, that this house shall become a
desolation." The king, the princes, and rulers were agreed in op
pression before the Babylonish captivity ; for whatever
courts of justice were retained amongst them, or however
they decided matters between men of estates, it is plain
that the cause of the poor was not judged in equity.
It appears that the great men amongst the Jews were
fully resolved to have slaves, even of their own brethren,
Jer. xxxiv. Notwithstanding the promises and threaten-
ings of the Lord, by the prophet, and their solemn co
venant to set them free, confirmed by the imprecation of
passing between the parts of a ealf cut in twain ; inti
mating by that ceremony, that on breach of the covenant,
it were just for their bodies to be so cut in pieces, yet
after all, they held fast to their old custom, and called
home the servants whom they had set free. "And ye
were now turned, and had done right in my sight, in
proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbour ; and ye
had made a covenant before me, in the house which is
called by my name, but ye turned and polluted my name,
and caused every man his servant, whom he had set at

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 247
liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into
subjection, to be unto you for servants, and for hand
maids : therefore thus saith the Lord, ye have not heark
ened unto me in proclaiming liberty every one to his
neighbour, and every one to his brother. Behold, I
proclaim liberty to you, saith the Lord, to the sword, to
the pestilence, and to the famine ; and I will make you
to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. The
men who transgressed my covenant which they made,
and passed between the parts of the calf, I will give into
the hands of their enemies, and their dead bodies shall
be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts
of the earth."
Soon after this their city was taken and burnt; the
king's sons and the princes slain; and the king, with
the chief men of his kingdom, carried captive to Baby
lon. Ezekiel, prophesying the return of that people to
their own land, directs, "Ye shall divide the land by lot,
for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that
sojourn amongst you ; in what tribe the stranger sojourns,
there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord
God." Nor is this particular direction, and the authority
with which it is enforced, without a tacit implication,
that their ancestors had erred in their conduct towards
the stranger.
Some who keep slaves, have doubted as to the equity
of the practice ; but as they knew men, noted for their
piety, who were in it, this, they say, has made their
minds easy.
To lean on the example of men in doubtful cases, is
difficult : for only admit, that those men were not faithful
and upright to the highest degree, but that in some par
ticular case they erred, and it may follow that this one

248 CONSIDERATIONS ON
case was the same, about which we are in doubt ; and
to quiet our minds by their example, may be dangerous
to ourselves ; and continuing in it, prove a stumbling-
block to tender-minded people who succeed us, in like
manner as their examples are to us.
But supposing charity was their only motive, and they
not foreseeing the tendency of paying robbers for their
booty, were not justly under the imputation of being
partners with a thief, Prov. xxix, 24, but were really in
nocent in what they did, are we assured that we keep
them with the same views they kept them ? If we keep
them from no other motive than a real sense of duty,
and true charity governs us in all our proceedings toward
them, we are so far safe: but if another spirit, which
inclines our minds to the ways of this world, prevails
upon us, and we are concerned for our own outward
gain more than for their real happiness,, it will avail us
nothing that some good men have had the care and
management of negroes.
Since mankind spread upon the earth, many have been
the revolutions attending the several families, and their
customs and ways of life different from each other. This
diversity of manners, though some are preferable to
others, operates not in favour of any, so far as to justify
them to do violence to innocent men ; to bring them
from their own into another way of life. The mind,
when moved by , a principle of true love, may feel a
warmth of gratitude to the universal Father, and a lively
sympathy with those nations where Divine Light has been
less manifest.
This desire for their real good may beget a willingness
to undergo hardships for their sakes, that the true know
ledge of God may be spread amongst them: but to. take

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 249
them from their own land, with views of profit to our
selves, by means inconsistent with pure justice, is foreign
to that principle which seeks the happiness of the whole
creation. Forced subjection, of innocent persons of full
age, is inconsistent with right reason ; on one side, the
human mind is not naturally fortified with that firmness
in wisdom and goodness, necessary to an independent
ruler ; on the other side, to be subject to the uncontrolled
will of a man liable to err, is most painful and afflicting
to a conscientious creature.
It is our happiness faithfully to serve the Divine Being
who made us : his perfection makes our service reason
able ; but so long as men are biassed by narrow self-love,
so long they are unfit for absolute power over other men.
Men, taking on them the government of others, may
intend to govern reasonably, and make their subjects
more happy than they would otherwise be ; but as abso
lute command belongs only to him who is perfect, where
frail men, in their own wills, assume such command, it
hath a direct tendency to vitiate their minds, and make
them more unfit for government.
Placing on men the ignominious title of slave, dressing
them in uncomely garments, keeping them to servile la
bour, in which they are often dirty, tends gradually to
fix a notion in the mind, that they are a sort of people
below us in nature, and leads, us to consider them as
such in all our conclusions about them. And moreover,
where a person who is mean and contemptible in our
esteem, uses language or behaviour toward us which is
unseemly or disrespectful, it excites wrath more power
fully than the like conduct in one whom we account our
equal or superior ; and where this happens to be the case,
it disqualifies for candid judgment ; for it is unfit for a

250 CONSIDERATIONS ON
person to sit as judge in a case where his own personal
resentments are stirred up ; and as members of society
in a well-framed government, we are mutually dependent.
Present interest incites to duty, and makes each man at
tentive to the convenience of others ; but he whose will
is a law to others, and who can enforce obedience by
punishment ; he whose wants are supplied without feeling
any obligation to make equal returns to his benefactor,
and whose irregular appetites find an open field for mo
tion, is in danger of growing hard, and inattentive to
their convenience who-iabour for his support, and of
losing that disposition, in which alone men are fit to
govern. The English government has been commended by
foreigners for the disuse of racks and tortures, so .much
practised in some states ; but this multiplying of slaves
leads to cruel tortures ; for where people, exact hard la
bour of others, without- a suitable reward, and are re
solved to continue in that way, seve/ity to such who
oppose them becomes the consequence ; and several
negro criminals among the English in America, have
been executed in a lingering painful way, very terrifying
to others.
,. It is a happy case to set out right, and persevere in the
same way: a wrong beginning leads into many difficul
ties ; for to support one evil, another becomes customary ;
two produce more ; and the further men proceed in this
way, the greater their dangers, their doubts and fears;
and the more painful and perplexing are their circum
stances ; so that such who are true friends to the real and
lasting interest of our country, and candidly consider the
tendency of things, cannot but feel concern on this ac
count.

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 251
There is a superiority in men over the brute creatures,
and some of them are so manifestly dependent on men
for a living, that for them to serve us in moderation, so
far as relates to the right use of things, looks consonant
to the design of our Creator.
There is nothing in their frame which argues the con
trary ; but in men there is. The frame of men's bodies,
and the dispositions of their minds are different ; some
who are tough and strong, and their minds active, choose
ways of life requiring much labour to support them ;
others are soon weary; and though use makes labour
more tolerable, yet some are less apt for toil than others,
and their minds less sprightly. These latter labouring
for their subsistence, commonly choose a mode of life
easy to support, being content with a little. When they
are weary they may rest, take the most advantageous
part of the day for their labour, and in all cases propor
tion one thing to another, so that their bodies be not
oppressed. Now while each is at liberty, the latter may be as hap
py, and live as comfortably as the former ; but where
men of the first sort have the latter under absolute com
mand, and not considering the odds in strength and
firmness, do sometimes in their eager pursuit, lay on
them burtheps grievous to be borne ; and by degrees
grow more rigorous ; these aspiring to greatness, increase
oppression, and the true order of a kind Providence is
subverted. There are weaknesses sometimes attending us, which
make little or no alteration in our countenances, nor
much lessen our appetite for food, and yet so affect us,
as to make labour very uneasy. In such cases, masters
intent on putting forward business, and jealous of the

252 CONSIDERATIONS ON
sincerity of their slaves, may disbelieve what they say
and grievously afflict them.
Action is necessary for all men, and our exhausting
frame requires a support, which is the fruit of labour. —
The earth must be tilled to keep us alive : labour is a
proper part of our life ; to make one answer the other in
some useful mode, looks agreeable to the design of our
Creator. Motion rightly managed, tends to our satisfac
tion, health and support.
Those who quit all useful business, and live wholly
on the labour of others, have their exercise to seek ; some
such use less than their health requires ; others choose
that which, by the circumstances attending it, proves
utterly adverse to true happiness. Thus while some are
in divers ways, distressed for want of useful action, those
who support them sigh, and are exhausted with exertions
too powerful for nature, spending their days with too
little cessation from labour.
Seed sown with the tears of a confined oppressed
people, harvests cut down by an overborne discontented
reaper, make bread less sweet to the taste of an honest
man, than that which is the produce, or just reward of
such voluntary action, as is a proper part of the business
of human creatures.
Again, the weak state of the human species, in bear
ing and bringing forth their young, and the helpless con
dition of their young beyond that of other creatures,
clearly show that Perfect Goodness designs a tender care
and regard should be exercised toward them ; and that
no imperfect, arbitrary power should prevent the cordial
effects of that sympathy, which exists in the minds of
well-met pairs, to each other, and toward their offspring.
In our species the mutual ties of affection are more

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 253
rational and durable than in others below us ; and the
care and labour of raising our offspring are much greater.
The satisfaction arising to us in their innocent company,
and in their advances from one rational improvement to
another, is considerable, when two are thus joined, and
their affections sincere. It however happens among
slaves, that they are often situate in different places ; and
their seeing each other depends on the will of men, lia
ble to human passions, and a bias in judgment ; who,
with views of self-interest, may keep them apart more
than is right. Being absent from each other, and often
with other company, there is a danger of their affections
being alienated, jealousies arising, the happiness other
wise resulting from the care of their offspring frustrated,
and the comforts of marriage destroyed. These things
being considered closely, as happening to a near friend,
will appear to be hard and painful.
He who reverently observes that goodness manifested
by our gracious Creator toward the various species of
beings in this world, will see, that in our frame and con
stitution it is clearly shown that innocent men, capable
to manage for themselves, were not intended to be slaves.
A person lately travelling amongst the negroes near
Senegal, has this remark; " Which way so ever I turned
my eyes on this pleasant spot, I beheld a perfect image
of pure nature ; an agreeable solitude, bounded on every
side by charming landscapes, the rural situation of cot
tages in the midst of trees ; the ease and indolence of
the negroes reclining under the shade of their spreading
foliage ; the simplicity of their dress and manners ; the
whole revived in my mind the idea of our first parents,
and I seemed to contemplate the world in its primitive
state." M. Adanson, page 55.
W

254. CONSIDERATIONS ON
Some negroes. in these parts, who have had an agree
able education, have manifested a brightness of under
standing equal to many of us. A remark of this kind
we find in Bosman, page 328. " The negroes of Fida,
saith he, are so accurately quick in their merchandise
accounts, that they easily reckon as justly and quickly
in their heads only, as we with the assistance of pen and
ink, though the sum amounts to several thousands."
Through the force ^f long custom, it appears needful
to speak in relation to colour. Suppose a white child,
born of parents of the meanest sort, who died and left
him an infant, falls into the hands of a person, who en
deavours to keep him a slave, some men would account
him an unjust man in doing so, who yet appear easy
while many black people, of honest lives and good abili
ties, are enslaved in a manner more shocking than the
case here supposed. This is owing chiefly to the idea
of slavery being connected with the black colour, and
liberty with the white ; and where false ideas are twisted
into our minds, it is with difficulty we get fairly disen
tangled. A traveller who in cloudy weather misses his way,
makes many turns while he is lost, yet still forms in his
mind the bearing and situation of places, and though
the ideas are wrong, they fix as fast as if they were right.
Finding how things are, we see our mistake ; yet the
force of reason, with repeated observations on places
and things, do not soon remove those false notions so
fastened upon us, but it will seem in the imagination
as if the course of the sun was altered ; and though by
recollection we are assured it is not, yet those ideas do
not suddenly leave us.
Selfishness being indulged, clouds the understanding ;

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 255
and where selfish men for a long time proceed on their
way without opposition, the deceivableness of unright
eousness gets so rooted in their intellects, that a candid
examination of things relating to self-interest is prevented ;
and in this circumstance, some who would not agree to
make a slave of a person whose colour is like their own,
appear easy in making slaves of others of a different
colour, though their understandings and morals are equal
to the generality of men of their own colour.
The colour of a man avails nothing, in matters of right
and equity. Consider colour in relation to treaties ; by
which disputes between nations are sometimes settled. —
And should the Father of us all so dispose things, that
treaties with black men should sometimes be necessary,
how then would it appear amongst the princes and am
bassadors, to insist on the prerogative of the white colour ?
Whence is it that men, who believe in a righteous
Omnipotent Being, to whom all nations stand equally
related, and are equally accountable, remain so easy in
it; but because the ideas of negroes and slaves are so
interwoven in the mind, that they do not discuss this
matter with that candour and freedom of thought, which
the case justly calls for.
To come at a right feeling of their condition, requires
humble serious thinking ; for in their present situation,
they have but little to engage our natural affection in their
favour. Had we a son or a daughter involved in the same case,
in which many of them are, it would alarm us and make
us feel their condition without seeking for it. The ad
versity of an intimate friend will excite our compassion,
while that of others equally good, in the like trouble will
but little affect us.

256 CONSIDERATIONS ON
Again, the man in worldly honour whom we consider
as our superior, treating us with kindness and generosity,
begets a return of gratitude and friendship toward hiim
We may receive as great benefits from men a degree
lower than ourselves, in the common way of reckoning,
and feel ourselves less engaged in favour of them. Such
is our condition by nature, and these things being nar
rowly watched and examined, will be found to center in
self-love. The blacks seem far from being our kinsfolk, and did
we find an agreeable disposition and sound understandr
ing in some of them, which appeared as a good founda
tion for a true friendship between us, the disgrace arising
from an open friendship with a person of so vile a stock,
in the common esteem, would naturally tend to hinder it.
They have neither honours, riches, outward magnificence
nor power; their dress coarse, and often ragged, their
employ drudgery and much in the dirt, they have little or
nothing at command, but must wait upon and work for
others, to obtain the necessaries of life ; so that in their
present situation, there is not much to engage the friend
ship, or move the affection of selfish men. But such
who live in the spirit of true charity, sympathise with the
afflicted even in the lowest stations of life.
Such is the kindness of our Creator, that people ap
plying their minds to sound wisdom, may in general with
moderate exercise live comfortably, where no misapplied
power hinders it. We in these parts have cause grate
fully to acknowledge it. But where men leave the true
use of things, their lives become less of calm, and have
less of real happiness in them.
Many are desirous of purchasing and keeping slaves,
that they may live in some measure conformably to those

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 257
customs of the times, which have in them a tincture of
luxury ; for when we, in the least degree, depart from
that use of the creatures, for which the Creator of all
things intended them, there luxury begins.
And if we consider this way of life seriously, we shall
see there is nothing in it sufficient to induce a wise man
to choose it, before a plain, simple way of living. If we
examine stately buildings and equipage, delicious food,
superfine clothes, silks and linens; if we consider the
splendour of choice metal fastened upon raiment, and
the most showy inventions of men, it will yet appear that
i the humble-minded man, who is contented with the true
use of houses, food and garments, and cheerfully exer-
ciseth himself agreeably to his station in civil society, to
earn them, acts more reasonably, and discovers more
soundness of understanding in his conduct, than such
who lay heavy burdens on others, to support themselves
in a luxurious way of living.
George Buchanan, in his history of Scotland, page
62, tells of some ancient inhabitants of Britain, who were
derived from a people that "had a way of marking their
bodies, as some said, with instruments of iron, with
variety of pictures, and with animals of all shapes, and
wear no garments, that they should not hide their pic
tures ; and were therefore called Picts."
Did we see those people shrink with pain, for a consid
erable time together, under the point or edge of this
iron instrument, and their bodies all bloody with the
operation; did we see them sometimes naked, suffering
with cold, and yet refuse to put on garments, that those
imaginary ensigns of grandeur might not be concealed,
it is likely we should pity their folly and fondness for
those things : but if we candidly compare their conduct,
w 2

258 CONSIDERATIONS ON
in that case, with some conduct amongst ourselves, will
it not appear that our folly is the greatest ?
In true Gospel simplicity, free from all wrong use of
things, a spirit which breathes peace and good will is
cherished ; but when we aspire after imaginary grandeur,
and apply to selfish means to attain our end, this desirej
in its original, is the same with the Picts in cutting figures
on their bodies; but the evil consequences attending our
proceedings are the greatest.
A covetous mind, which seeks opportunity to exalt
itself, is a great enemy of true harmony in a country:
envy and grudging usually accompany this disposition,
and it tends to stir up its likeness in others. And where
this disposition ariseth so high, as to embolden us to
look upon honest industrious men as our own property
during life, and to keep them to hard labour, to support
us in those customs which have not their foundation in
right reason, or to use any means of oppression ; a
haughty spirit is cherished on one side, and the desire
of revenge frequently excited on the other, till the in
habitants of the land are ripe for great commotion and
trouble ; and thus luxury and oppression have the seeds
of war and desolation in them.

Some account of the slave-lrade,from the writings of persons
who have been at the places where they are first purchased,
viz. Bosman on Guinea, who was a factor for the Dutch
about sixteen years in that country, (page 339) thus re
marks : " But since I have so often mentioned that com
merce, I shall describe how it is managed by our factors.
The first business of one of our factors, when he comes

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 259
to Fida, is to satisfy the customs of the king, and the
great men, which amounts to. about one hundred pounds,
in Guinea value, as the goods must sell there. After
which we have fiee license to trade, which is published
throughout the whole land by the crier. And yet before
we can deal with any person, we are obliged to buy the
king's whole stock of slaves, at a set price ; which is
commonly one third or fourth higher than ordinary. After
which we have free leave to deal with all his subjects, of;
what rank so ever. But if there happen to be no stock
of slaves, the factor must resolve to run the risk of trust
ing the inhabitants with goods, to the value of one or
two hundred slaves ; which commodities they send into
the inland country, in order to buy with them slaves at
all markets, and that sometimes two hundred miles deep
in the country : for you ought to be informed, that mar
kets of men are here kept in the same manner as they of
beasts are with us.
"Most of the slaves which are offered to us, are pris
oners of war, which are sold by the victors as their
booty. When these slaves come to Fida, they are put
in prisons all together; and when we treat concerning
them, they are all brought out in a large plain, where, by
our surgeons, whose province it is, they are thoroughly
examined, even to the smallest member, and that naked,
both men and women, without the least distinction or
modesty. Those which are approved as good, are set on
one side. The invalids and maimed being thrown out,
the remainder are numbered, and it is entered who deliv
ered them : in the mean while a burning iron, with the
arms or name of the company, lies in the fire, with which
ours are marked on the breast. This is done that we
may distinguish them from the slaves of the English,

260 CONSIDERATIONS ON
French, or others. When we have agreed with the
owners of the slaves, they are returned to their prisons,
where, from that time forward, they are kept at our
charge, cost us two-pence a day a slave, which serves to
subsist them, like our criminals, on bread and water : so
that, to save charges, we send them on board our ships
the first opportunity; before which their masters strip
them of all they have on their backs, so that they come
aboard stark naked, as well women as men; in which
condition they are obliged to continue, if the master of
the ship is not so charitable, which he commonly is, as
to bestow something on them, to cover their nakedness."
Same author, page 310. " The inhabitants of Popo,
as well as those of Coto, depend on plunder and the
slave trade, in both which they very much exceed the
latter ; for being endowed with more courage, they rob
more successfully, and by that means increase their trade :
notwithstanding which, to freight a vessel with slaves,
requires some months attendance. In the year 1697, in
three days time I could get but three slaves ; but they
assured me, that if I would have patience for other three
days only, they should be able to deliver me one or two
hundred." Bosman, page 440. " We cast anchor at Cape Mizu-
rada, but not one negro coming on board ; I went on
shore, and being desirous to be informed why they did
not come on board, was answered, That about two
months before, the English had been there with two ves
sels, and had ravaged the country, destroyed all their
canoes, plundered their houses, and carried off some of
their people for slaves ; upon which the remainder fled
to the inland country. They tell us, they live in peace
with all their neighbours, and have no notion of any

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 261
other enemy than the English ; of which nation they had
taken some then : and publicly declared, that they would
endeavour to get as many of them, as the two-mentioned
ships had carried off of their natives. These unhappy
English were in danger of being sacrificed to the memory
of their friends, which some of their nation carried off."
Extracts from a collection of voyages. Vol. 1.
The author, a popish missionary, speaking of his de
parting from the negro country to Brazil, saith, " I re
member the duke of Bambay, a negro chief, one day
sent me several blacks to be my slaves, which I would
not accept ; but sent them back to him. I afterwards
told him, I came not into his country to make slaves ;
but rather to deliver those from the slavery of the devil,
whom he kept in miserable thraldom. The ship I went
aboard was loaded with elephants' teeth, and slaves to
the number of six hundred and eighty-men, women and
children. It was a pitiful sight to behold how all these
people were bestowed. The men were standing in the
hold, fastened one to another, with stakes, for fear they
should rise and kill the whites : the women were between
the decks, and the children in the steerage, pressed to
gether like herrings in a barrel ; which caused an intoler
able heat and stench." Page 507.
" It is now time, saith the same author, to speak of a
brutish custom these people have amongst them in making
slaves ; which I take not to be lawful for any person of a
good conscience to buy."
He then describes how women betray men into slavery,
and adds, " Others go up into the inland country, and
through pretence of jurisdiction, seize men upon any
trifling offence, and sell them for slaves." Page 537.

262 CONSIDERATIONS ON
The author of this treatise , conversing with a person
of good credit, was informed by him, that in his youth,
while in England, he was minded to come to America,
and happening on a vessel bound for Guinea, and from
thence into America, he, with a view to see Africa, went
on board her, and continued with them in their voyagej
and so came into this country. Among other circum
stances he related these. " They purchased on the coast
about three hundred slaves ; some of them he understood
were captives of war, and some stolen by other negroes
privately. When they had got many slaves on board,
but were still on that coast, a plot was laid by an old
negro, notwithstanding the men had irons on their hands
and feet, to kill the English and take the vessel ; which
being discovered, the man was hanged, and many of the
slaves made to shoot at him as he hung up.
" Another slave was charged with having a design to
kill the English ; and the captain spoke to him in relation
to the charge brought against him, as he stood on deck;
whereupon he immediately threw himself into the sea,
and was drowned.
" Several negroes confined on board, were so extreme
ly uneasy with their condition, that after many endeavours
used, they could never make them eat nor drink after
they came in the vessel ; but in a desperate resolution
starved themselves to death, behaving toward the last
like mad-men."
In Randall's Geography, printed 1744, we are in
formed, " That in a time of full peace nothing is more
common than for the negroes of one nation to steal those
of another, and sell them to the Europeans. It is thought
that the English transmit annually nearly fifty thousand

THEKEEPING OF NEGROES. 263
of these unhappy creatures; and the other European
nations together, about two hundred thousand more."
It is through the goodness of God that the reforma
tion from gross idolatry and barbarity hath been thus far
effected. If we consider our condition as Christians,
and the benefits we enjoy, and compare them with the
condition of those people, and consider that our nation
trading with them for their country produce, has had an
opportunity of imparting useful instructions to Jthem, and
remember that but little pains have been taken therein, it
must look like an indifference in us. But when we reflect
on a custom the most shocking of any amongst them,
and remember, that with a view to outward gain we have
joined as parties in it; that our concurrence with them
in their barbarous proceedings, has tended to harden
them in cruelty, and been a means of increasing calami
ties in their country, we must own that herein we have
acted contrary to the precepts of Christ and the examples
of those worthies whose lives and substance were spent
in propagating Truth and righteousness amongst the
heathen. When Saul, by the hand of Doeg, slew four
score priests at once, he had a jealousy that one of them
at least was confederate with David, whom he considered
as his enemy. Herod slaying all the male children in
Bethlehem of two years old and under, was an act of
uncommon cruelty ; but he supposed there was a male
child there, within that age, who was likely to be king
of the Jews, and finding no way to destroy him, but by
destroying them all, thought this the most effectual means
to secure the kingdom to his own family.
When the sentence against the Protestants of Marin-
dol, &c, in France, was put in execution, great numbers
of people fled to the wilderness ; amongst whom were

264 CONSIDERATIONS ON
ancient people, women great with child, and others with
babes in their arms, who endured calamities grievous to
relate, and in the end some perished with hunger, and
many were destroyed by fire and sword ; but they had
this objection against them, That they obstinately per
sisted in opposition to the holy mother church, and being
heretics, it was right to work their ruin and extirpation,
and raze out their memory from among men. Fox's Acts
and Monuments, page 646.
In favour of these cruelties, every one had what they
deemed a plea. These scenes of blood and cruelty
among the barbarous inhabitants of Guinea, are not less
terrible than those now mentioned. They are continued
from one age to another, and we make ourselves parties
and fellow-helpers in them ; nor do I see that we have
any plea in our favour more plausible than the plea of
Saul, of Herod, or of the French, in those slaughters.
Many who are parties in this trade, by keeping slaves
with views of self-interest, were they to go as soldiers in
one of these inland expeditions to catch slaves, must
necessarily grow dissatisfied with such employ, or cease
to profess their religious principles. And though the first
and most striking part of the scene is done at a great
distance, and by other hands, yet every one who is
acquainted with the circumstances, and notwithstanding
joins in it, for the sake of gain only, must in the nature
of things, be chargeable with the others.
Should we consider ourselves present as spectators,
when cruel negroes privately catch innocent children,
who are employed in the fields; hear their lamentable
cries, under the most terrifying apprehensions ; or should
we look upon it as happening in our own families, having
our children carried off by savages, we must needs own,

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 265
that such proceedings are contrary to the nature of Chris
tianity. Should we meditate on the wars which are
greatly increased by this trade, and on that affliction
which many thousands live m, through apprehensions of
being taken or slain ; on the terror and amazement that
villages are in, when surrounded by these troops of enter
prisers ; on the great pain and misery of groaning dying
men, who get wounded in those skirmishes; we shall
necessarily see, that if is impossible to be parties in such
a trade, on the motives of gain, and retain our innocence.
Should we consider the case of multitudes of those
people, who in a fruitful soil, and hot climate, with a
little labour raise grain, roots and pulse to eat ; spin and
weave cotton, and fasten together the large feathers of
fowls, to cover their nakedness ; many of whom, in much
simplicity live inoffensively in their cottages, and take
great comfort in rearing up their children.
Should we contemplate their circumstances, when sud
denly attacked, and labour to understand their inex
pressible anguish of soul who survive Ike conflict : should
we think on inoffensive women, who fled at the alarm,
and at their return saw that village in which they and
their acquaintance were raised up, and had pleasantly
spent their youthful days, now lying in gloomy desola
tion ;v some shocked at finding the mangled bodies of
their near friends amongst the slain ; others bemoaning
the absence of a brother, a sister, a child, or a whole
family of children, who by cruel men, are bound and
carried to market to be sold, without the least hopes of
seeing them again: add to this, the afflicted condition
of. these poor captives, who are separated from family
connexions, and all the comforts arising from friendship
and acquaintance, carried amongst a people of a strange

266 CONSIDERATIONS ON
language, to be parted from their fellow-captives, put to
labour in a manner more servile and wearisome than
what they were used to, with many sorrowful circum
stances attending their slavery ; we must necessarily see,
that it belongs not to the followers of Christ to be parties
in such a trade, on the motives of outward gain.
Though there were wars and desolations among the
negroes, before the Europeans began to trade there for
slaves, yet now the calamities are greatly increased, so
many thousands being annually brought from thence;
and we by purchasing them with views of self-interest,
are become parties with them, and accessary to that
increase. In this case, we are not joining against an enemy who
is fomenting discords on our continent, and using all
possible means to make slaves of us arid our children;
but against a people who have not injured us.
If those who were spoiled and wronged, should at
length make slaves of their oppressors, and continue
slavery to their posterity, it would look rigorous to candid
men : but to act that part toward a people, when neither
they nor their fathers have injured us, has something in
it extraordinary, and requires our serious attention.
Our .children breaking a bone ; getting so bruised that
a leg or an arm must be taken off; lost for a few hours,
so that we despair of their being found again ; a friend
hurt, so that he dieth in a day or two ; are circumstances
that move us with grief. Did we .attend to these scenes
in Africa, in like manner as if they were transacted in
our presence, and sympathise with the negroes in all their
afflictions and miseries, as we do with our children and
friends, we should be more careful to do nothing in any
degree helping forward a trade productive of so many

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 267
and so great calamities. Great distance makes nothing
in our favour. Willingly to join with unrighteousness,
to the injury of men who live some thousand miles off, is
the same in substance, as joining with it to the injury of
our neighbours.
In the eye of pure justice, actions are regarded accord
ing to the spirit and disposition they arise from : some
evils are accounted scandalous, and the desire of reputa
tion may keep selfish men from appearing openly to par
ticipate in them ; but he who is shy on that account, and
yet by indirect means promotes that evil, and shares in
the profit of it, cannot be innocent.
He who with a view to self-interest buys a slave, made
so by violence, and on the strength of such purchase
holds him a slave, thereby joins hands with those who
committed that violence, and in the nature of things be
comes chargeable with the guilt.
Suppose a man wants a slave, and being in Guinea,
goes and hides by the path where boys pass from one
little town to another, and there catches one the day he
expects to sail; and taking him on board, brings him
home, without any aggravating circumstances; suppose
another buys a man taken by them who live by plunder
and the slave-trade ; who often steal them privately, and
shed much blood in getting them, he who buys the slaves
thus taken, pays those men for their wickedness, apd
makes himself a party with them.
Whatever nicety of distinction there may be, between
going in person on expeditions to catch slaves, and buying
those with a view to self-interest, which others have
taken ; it is clear and plain to an upright mind, that such
distinction is in words, not in substance ; for the parties
are concerned in the same work, and have a necessary

268 CONSIDERATIONS ON
connection with and dependence on each other; for were
there none to purchase slaves, they who live by stealing
arid. selling them, would of consequence do less at it.
Some would buy a negro brought from Guinea, with a
view to self-interest, and keep him a slave, who yet
would seem to scruple to take arms, and join with men
employed in taking slaves.
Others have civil negroes, who were bom in our
country, capable and likely to manage well for them
selves ; whom, they keep as slaves, without ever trying
them with freedom, and take the profit of their labour as
a part of their estates, and yet disapprove of bringing
them from their own country.
If those negroes had come here as merchants, with
their ivory and gold dust, in order to trade with us, and
some powerful person had taken their effects to himself,
and then put them to hard labour, and ever after consid
ered them as slaves, the action would be looked upon
as unrighteous.
If those negro merchants should have children after
being among us, whose endowments and conduct were
like other people's in common, and on their attaining to
mature age, and requesting to have their liberty, they
should be told they were born in slavery, and were lawful
slaves, and therefore their request should be denied ; such
conduct toward them would be looked upon as unfair
and oppressive.
In the present ease, relating to home-born negroes,
whose- understandings and behaviour are as good as
common among other people, if we have any claim to
them as slaves, that claim is grounded on their being the
children or offspring of slaves,' who in general were made
such through means as unrighteous, and attended with

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 269
more terrible circumstances than the case last supposed ;
so that when we trace our claim to the bottom, these
home-born negroes having paid for their education, and
given reasonable security to those who owned them, in
case of their becoming chargeable, we have no more
equitable right to their service, than we should if they
were the children of honest merchants who came from
Guinea in an English vessel to trade with us.
If we claim any right to them as the children of slaves,
we build on the foundation, laid by those who made slaves
of their ancestors ; so-*that of necessity we must either
justify the trade, or relinquish our right to them, as being
the children of slaves.
Why should it seem right to honest men to make ad
vantage by these people more than by others? Others
enjoy freedom, and receive wages equal to their work, at
or near such time as they have discharged these equitable
obligations they are under to those who educate them.
These have made no contract to serve ; been no more
expensive in raising up than others, and many of them
appear as likely to make a right use of freedom as other
people ; how then can an honest man withhold from them
that liberty, which is the free gift of the Most High to
his rational creatures ?
The upright in heart cannot succeed the wicked in
their wickedness ^ nor is it consonant to the life they live,
to hold fast an advantage unjustly gained.
The negroes who live by plunder and the slave-trade,
steal poor innocent children, invade their neighbours' ter
ritories, and spill much blood to get these slaves : and
can it be possible for an honest man to think that with a
view to self-interest, we may continue slavery to the off
spring of these unhappy sufferers, merely because they
x 2

270 CONSIDERATIONS ON
are the children of slaves* and not have a share of this
guilt ?
It is granted by many, that the means used in getting
them are unrighteous, and that buying theiri when brought
here is wrong ; yet as setting them free is attended with
some difficulty, they do not comply with it ; but seem to
be of the opinion, that to give them food and raiment,
and keep them servants without any other wages, is the
best way to manage them that they know of; and hoping
that their children after them will not be cruel to the
negroes, conclude to leave them as slaves to their children.
While present outward interests is the chief object of
our attention, we shall feel many objections in our rriinds
against renouncing our claim to them, as the children of
slaves ; for being prepossessed with wrong opinions,
prevents our seeing things clearly, which to indifferent
persons are easy to be seen.
Suppose a person seventy years past, in low circum
stances, beught a negro man and woman, and that the
children of such person are now wealthy* and have the
children of Such slaves ; admit that the first negro man
and his wife did as much business as their master and
Unstress, and that the children of the slaves have done
more than their young masters : suppose on the whole,
that the expense of living has been less on the negroes
side1 than' on the othe-r, all which are no improbable sup
positions, it follows, that in equity these negroes have a
right to a part of this increase of worldly substance ;
that should some difficulties arise on their being set free,
there is reason for us patiently to labour through them.
As the conduct of men varies, relating to civil society,
so different treatment is justly due to them. Indiscreet
men occasion trouble in the world; and it remains to be

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 271
the care of those who seek the good of mankind, to
admonish such as they find occasion.
The slothfulness of some of them, in providing for
themselves and families, it is likely would require the
notice of their neighbours ; nor is it unlikely that some
would, with justice, be made servants* and others pun
ished for their crimes. Puie justice points out to each
individual their due ; but to deny a people the privilege
of human creatures* on a supposition that being free,
many of them would be troublesome to us, is to mix
the condition of good arid bad men together, and to treat
the whole as the worst of them deserve.
If we seriously consider that liberty is the right of
innocent men ; that the mighty God is a refuge for the
oppressed ; that in reality we are indebted to them ; that
they being set free, are still liable to the penalties of our
laws, and as likely to have punishment for their crimes
as other people; these may answer all our objections;
and to retain them in perpetual servitude, without just
cause for it, will produce effects, in the event, more
grievous than setting them free would do, when a real
love to truth and equity is the motive to it.
Our authority over them stands originally in a purchase
made from those who, as to the general, obtained theirs
by unrighteousness. Whenever we have recourse to
such authority, it tends more or less to obstruct the chan
nels through which the perfect plant in us receives nour
ishment. There is aprinciple, [the Spiritof Truth] which is pure,
placed in the human mind, which in different places and
ages hath had different names ; it is however pure, and.
proceeds from God. It is deep and inward, confined to,
no forms of religion* nor excluded from any, where the

272 CONSIDERATIONS ON
heart stands in perfect sincerity. In whomsoever this
takes root and grows, of what nation soever, they be
come brethren, in the best sense of the expression.' Using
ourselves to take ways which appear most easy to us,
when inconsistent with that purity which is without be
ginning, we thereby set up a government of our own,
and deny obedience to Him, whose service is true liberty.
He that hath a servant made so wrongfully, and knows
it to be so, when he treats him otherwise than a free man,
when he reaps the benefit of his labonr* without paying
him such wages as are reasonabiy due to free men for
the like service, clothes, excepted ; these things, though
done in calmness, without any show of disorder, do yet
deprave the mind in like manner, and with as great cer
tainty, as prevailing cold congeals water. These steps
taken by masters, and their conduct striking the minds
of their children whilst young, leave less room for that
which is good to work upon them. The customs of their
parents, their neighbours, and the people with whom they
converse* working upon their minds; and they from
thence conceiving similar ideas of things and modes of
conduct, the entrance into their hearts becomes in a great
measure, shut up against the gentle movings of uncreated
purity. From one age to another, the gloom grows thicker and
darker, till error gets established by general opinion;
that whoever attends to perfect goodness and remains
under the melting influence of it, finds a path unknown
to many, and sees the necessity to lean upon the arm of
Divine strength, and dwell alone or with a few, in rightly
committing their cause to Him, who is a refuge for his
people in all their troubles.
Where through the agreement of a multitude, some

THE KEEPING OF NEGROES. 273
channels of justice are stopped, and men may support
their characters as just men, by being just to a party,
there is great danger of contracting an alliance with that
spirit, which stands in opposition to the God of love, and
spreads discord, trouble and vexation among such who
give up to the influence of it.
Negroes are our fellow creatures, and their present
condition amongst us requires our serious consideration.
We know not the time when those scales, in which
mountains are weighed, may turn. The Parent of man
kind is gracious : his care is over his smallest creatures ;
arid a multitude of men escape not his notice. And
though many of them are trodden down and despised,
yet he remembers them : he seeth their affliction, and
looketh upon the spreading increasing exaltation of the
oppressor. He turns the channels of power, humbles
the most haughty people, and gives deliverance to the
oppressed, at such periods as are consistent with his in
finite justice and goodness. And wherever gain is pre
ferred to equity, and wrong things publicly encouraged
to that degree, that wickedness takes root and spreads
wide amongst the inhabitants of a country, there is real
cause for sorrow to all such, whose love to mankind
stands on a true principle, and who wisely consider the
end and event of things.

CONSIDERATIONS
ON PURE WISDOM AND HUMAN POLICY J ON LABOUR ; ON SCHOOLS J
AND ON THE RIGHT USE OF THE LORD'S OUTWARD GIFTS.
FIRST PRINTED IN THE YEAR 1768.

'¦' The wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality, and without hypocrisy." James iii, 17.

INTRODUCTION.
My mind hath often been affected with sorrow, on
account of the prevailing of that spirit, which leads from
an humble waiting on the inward teaching of Christ, to
pursue ways of living, attended with unnecessary labour,
and which draws forth the minds of many people to seek
after outward power, and to strive for riches, which fre
quently introduce oppression, and bring forth wars and
grievous calamities.
It is with reverence that I acknowledge the mercies
of our heavenly Father, who in infinite love visited me
in my youth, and wrought a belief in me, that through
true obedience a state of inward purity may be known
in this life, in which we may love mankind in the same
love with which our Redeemer loveth us, and therein
learn resignation to endure hardships for the real good
of others.
" While the eye is single, the whole body is full of
274

CONSIDERATIONS, &C 275
light ;" but for want of this, selfish desires and an imagi
nary superiority, darken the mind; hence injustice fre
quently proceeds ; and where this is the case, to convince
the judgment, is the most effectual remedy.
Where violent measures are pursued in opposing in
justice, the passions and resentments of the injured,
frequently operate in the prosecution of their designs ;
and after conflicts productive of very great calamities, the
minds of contending parties often remain as little ac
quainted with the pure principle of Divine love, as they
were before ; but where people walk in that pure light
in which all their "works are wrought in God," and
under oppression persevere in the meek spirit, and abide
firm in the cause of Truth, without actively complying
with oppressive demands, through these the Lord hath
often manifested his power, in opening the understand
ings of others, to the promoting of righteousuess in the
earth. «
A time I believe is coming, wherein this Divine work
will so spread and prevail, that "Nation shall not lift up
sword against nation, nor learn war any more." And as
we, through the tender mercies of God, do feel that this
precious work is begun, I am concerned to encourage
my brethren and sisters in a holy care and diligence, that
each of us may so live under the sanctifying power of
Truth, as to be redeemed from all unnecessary cares ; that
our eye being single to him, no customs, however preva
lent, which are contrary to the wisdom from above, may
hinder us from faithfully following his holy leadings, in
whatsoever he may graciously appoint for us.

CONSIDERATIONS, &c.

To have our trust settled in the Lord, and not to seek
after or desire outward treasures, any further than .his
holy Spirit leads us therein, is a happy state, as saith the
prophet, "Blessed is the man that .trustethin the Lord,
and whose hope, the Lord is."
Pure wisdom leads people into lowliness of mind, in
which they learn resignation to the Divine will, and con
tentment in suffering for his cause, when they cannot
keep a clear conscience without suffering.
In this pure wisdom the mind is attentive to the root
and original spring of motions and desires,; and as we
know " the Lord to be our refuge," and find no safety
but in humbly walking before him, we feel an holy en
gagement, that every desire which .leads, therefrom may
be brought to judgment.
While we proceed in this precious way, and find ar
dent longings for a .full deliverance from every thing
which defiles, all prospects of gain that are not consistent
with the wisdom from above, are considered as snares,
and an inward concern is felt, that we may live under
the cross, and, faithfully attend to that holy Spirit, which
is sufficient to preserve out of them.
When Iih*Ye considered that saying of Christ, "Lay
not up for yourselves, treasures upop earth," his omnipo
tence hath often occurred to my mind.
While we. believe that he is every where present with
his people, and that perfect goodness, wisdom and
276

CONSIDERATIONS, &C 277
power, are united in him, how comfortable is the con
sideration. Our wants may be great, but his power is greater.
We may be oppressed and despised, but he is able to
turn our patient sufferings into profit to ourselves, and to
the advancement of his work on earth. His people who
feel the power of his cross, to crucify all that is selfish
in them, who are engaged in outward concerns, from a
convincement that it is their duty, and resign themselves
and their treasures to him ; these feel that it is danger
ous to give way to that in us, which craves riches and
greatness in this world.
As the heart truly contrite, earnestly desires " to know
Christ and the fellowship of his sufferings," so far as the
Lord for gracious ends may lead into them ; as such feel
that it is their interest to put their trust in God, and to
seek no gain but that which he by his holy Spirit, leads
into ; so on the contrary, they who do not reverently
wait for this Divine Teacher, and are not humbly con
cerned, according to their measure, "to fill up that
which is behind of the afflictions of Christ," in patiently
suffering for the promotion of righteousness in the earth ;
but have an eye toward the power of men and the out
ward advantage of wealth, these are often attentive to
those employments which appear profitable, even though
the gains arise from such trade and business as proceed
from the workings of that spirit, which is estranged from
the self-denying life of an humble contrite Christian.
While I write on this subject, I feel my mind tenderly
affected toward those honestly, disposed people, who
have been brought up in employments attended with
these difficulties.
To such I may say, in the feeling of our heavenly
Y

278 CONSIDERATIONS
Father's love, and number myself with you, O that our
eyes may be single to the Lord ! may we reverently wait
on him for strength to lay aside all unnecessary expense of
every kind, and learn contentment in a plain simple life.
May we in lowliness submit to the leadings of his
spirit, and enter upon any outward employ which he
graciously points out to us, and then whatever difficulties
arise in consequence of our faithfulness, I trust they will
work for our good.
Small treasure to a resigned mind is sufficient. How
happy is it to be content with a little, to live in humility,
and feel that in us, which breathes out this language,
Abba! Father.
If that called the wisdom of this world, had no resem
blance of true wisdom, the name of wisdom, I suppose,
had not been given to it.
As wasting outward substance to gratify vain desires,
on one hand ; so slothfulness and neglect on the other,
do often involve men and their families in trouble, and
reduce them to want and distress. To shun both these
vices is good in itself, and hath a resemblance of wis
dom ; but while people thus provident, have it princi
pally in view to get riches and power, and the friendship
of this world, and do not humbly wait for the Spirit of
Truth to lead them in purity ; these, through an anxious
care to obtain the end desired, reach forth for gain in
worldly wisdom, and in regard to their inward state, fall
into divers temptations and snares. And though such
may think of applying wealth to good purposes, and to
use their power to prevent oppression, yet wealth and
power are often applied otherwise ; nor can we depart
from the leadings of our holy Shepherd, without going
into confusion.

ON LABOUR. 279
Great wealth is frequently attended with power, which
nothing but Divine love can qualify the mind to use
rightly ; and as to the humility and uprightness of our
children after us, how great is the uncertainty ! If, in
acquiring wealth, we take hold on the wisdom which is
from beneath, and depart from the leadings of Truth, and
example our children herein, we have great cause to ap
prehend that wealth may be a snare to them, and prove
an injury to others, over whom their wealth may give
them power.
To be redeemed from that wisdom which is from be
neath, and to walk in the light of the Lord, is a precious
situation ; thus his people are brought to put their trust
in him ; and in this humble confidence in his wisdom,
goodness and power, the righteous find a refuge in ad
versities, superior to the greatest outward help, and a
comfort more certain than any worldly -advantages can
afford.

ON LABOUR.

Having from my childhood been used to bodily labour
for a living, I may express my experience therein.
Right exercise affords an innocent pleasure in the time
of it, and prepares us to enjoy the sweetness of rest ; but
from the extremes each way, arise inconveniences.
Moderate exercise opens the pores, gives the blood a
lively circulation, and enables us to judge rightly respect
ing that portion of labour which is the true medium.
" The fowls of the air sow not, nor gather into barns,
yet our heavenly Father feedeth them ;" nor do I be
lieve that infinite goodness and power would have allotted

280 CONSIDERATIONS
labour to us, had he not seen that labour was proper for
us in this life.
The original design and true medium of labour, is a
subject that to me appears worthy of our serious con
sideration. Idle men are often a burthen to themselves, neglect
the duty they owe to their families, and become burden
some to others also.
As outward labour directed by the wisdom from above,
tends to our health and adds to our happiness in this
life ; so on the contrary, entering upon it in a selfish
spirit, and pursuing it too long, or too hard, have a con
trary effect.
I have observed that too much labour not only makes
the understanding dull, but so intrudes upon the harmo
ny of the body, that after ceasing from our toil, we have
another to pass through, before we can be so composed
as to enjoy the sweetness of rest..
From too much labour in the heat, frequently proceed
immoderate sweats, which often I believe open the way
for disorders and impair our constitutions.
When we go beyond the true medium, and feel weari
ness approaching, but think business may suffer if we
cease, at such a time spirituous liquors are frequently
taken, with a view to support nature under these fatigues.
I have found that too much labour in the summer
heats the blood, that taking strong drink to support the
body under such labour, increaseth that heat, and though
a person may be so far temperate as not to manifest the
least disorder, yet the mind in such a circumstance, doth
not retain that calmness and serenity, in which we should
endeavour to live>.
Thus toiling in the heat and drinking strong liquor,

ON LABOUR. 281
make men more resolute and less considerate, and tend
very much to disqualify for following him who is meek
and low of heart.
As laying out more business than is consistent with
pure wisdom is an evil, so this evil frequently leads into
more. Too much business leads to hurry. In the hurry
and toil strong drink is often used, and hereby many
proceed to noise and wantonness, arid some, though
more considerate, do often suffer loss, as to a true com-
posedness of mind.
I feel sincere desires in my heart that no rent or inter
est may be laid so high as to be a snare to tenants ; and
that no desires of gain may draw any too far in business.
That no cares to support customs, which have not their
foundation in pure wisdom, may have place in our
minds, but that we may build on the sure foundation,
and feel our holy Shepherd to lead us, who alone is able
to preserve us, and bring forth from every thing which
defiles. Having several times in my travels, had opportunity to
observe the labour and manner of life of great numbers
of slaves, it appears to me that the true medium is lam
entably neglected by many, who assign them their por
tion of labour.
Without, saying much at this time, concerning buying
and selling men for term of life, who have as just a right
to liberty as we have ; nor about the great miseries and
effusion of blood, consequent on promoting the slave-
trade ; and to speak as favourably as may be, with re
gard to continuing those in bondage who are amongst
US, we cannot say there is no partiality in it : for what
ever tenderness may be manifested by individuals in their
life time toward them, yet for people to be transmitted
y2

282 CONSIDERATIONS
from a man to his posterity, in the helpless condition of
slaves, appears inconsistent with the nature of the Gos
pel spirit. From such proceedings it often follows, that
persons in the decline of life, are deprived of monies
equitably due to them, and committed to the care, and
subjected to the absolute power^of young inexperienced
men, who know but little about the weakness of old age,
nor understand the language of declining life.
When parents give their estates to their children, and
then depend on them for a maintenance, they sometimes
meet with great inconveniences ; but if the power of pos
session thus obtained, often reverses the obligations of
gratitude and filial duty, and makes manifest that youth
are often ignorant of the language of old age, how hard
is the. case of ancient negroes who, deprived of the wages
equitably due to them, are left to young people, who
have been used to look upon them as their inferiors.
For men to behold the fruits of their labour withheld
from them, and possessed by others, and in old age to
find themselves destitute of those comfortable accommo
dations, and that tender regard, which their time of life
requires ;¦
When they feel pains, and stiffness in their joints and
limbs, weakness of appetite, and that a little labour is
wearisome, and still behold themselves in the neglected
uncomfortable condition of a slave, and oftentimes to a
young unsympathizing man ;
For men to be thus treated from one generation to
another who, besides their own distresses, think on the
slavery entailed on their posterity, and are grieved, what
disagreeable thoughts must they have of the professed
followers of Jesus ! and how must their groans ascend to
that Almighty Being, who "will be a refuge for the op
pressed."

ON SCHOOLS. 283

ON SCHOOLS.
" Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for
of such is the kingdom of God." Mark x, 14.
To encourage children to do things with a view to get
the praise of men, to me appears an obstruction to their
being inwardly acquainted with the Spirit of Truth. For
it is the work of the Holy Spirit to direct the mind to
God, that in all our proceedings we may have a single
eye to him ; to give alms in secret, to fast in secret, and
labour to keep clear of that disposition reproved by our
Saviour, " But all their works they do for to be seen of
men." That Divine light which enlightens all men, I believe
does often shine in the minds of children very early, and
humbly to wait for wisdom, that our conduct toward
them may tend to forward their acquaintance with it,
and to strengthen them in obedience thereto, appears to
me to be a duty on all of us.
By cherishing the spirit of pride, and the love of praise
in them, I believe they may sometimes improve faster in
learning, than otherwise they would, but to take mea
sures to forward children in learning, which naturally
tend to divert their minds from true humility, appears to
me to savour of the wisdom of this world.
If tutors are not acquainted with sanctification of spirit,
nor experienced m an humble waiting for the leadings
of Truth, but follow the maxims of the wisdom of this
world, children who are under their tuition, appear to
me to be in danger of imbibing thoughts and apprehen
sions reverse to that meekness and lowliness of heart,
which is necessary for all the true followers of Christ.

284 CONSIDERATIONS
Children at an age fit for schools, are in a time of life
which requires the patient attention of pious people, and
if we commit them to the tuition of those whose minds
we believe are not rightly prepared to " train them up in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord," we are in dan
ger of not acting the part of faithful parents toward them ;
for our heavenly Father doth not require us to do evil,
that good may come of it ; and it is needful that we
deeply examine ourselves, lest we get entangled in the
wisdom of this world, and through wrong apprehensions,
take such methods in education, as may prove a great
injury to the minds of our children.
It is a lovely sight to behold innocent children ; and
when they are sent to schools where their tender minds
are in imminent danger of being led astray by tutors,
who do not live a self-denying life, or by the conversa
tion of children who do not live in innocence, it is a
case much to be lamented.
While a pious tutor has the charge of no more children
than he can take due care of, and keeps his authority in
the Truth, the good spirit in which he leads and governs,
works on the minds of such who are not hardened, and
his labours not only tend to bring them forward in out
ward learning, but to open their understanding with re
spect to uie true Christian life. But where a person has
charge of too many, and his thoughts and time are so
much employed in the outward affairs of his school, that
he does not so weightily attend to the spirit and conduct
of each individual, as to be enabled to administer rightly
to all in due season ; through such omissions he not only
suffers, as to the state of his own mind, but the minds of
the children are in danger of suffering also.
To watch the spirit of children, to nurture them in

ON SCHOOLS. 285
Gospel love, and labour to help them against that which
would mar the beauty of their minds, is a debt we owe
them ; and a faithful performance of our duty, not only
tends to their lasting benefit, and our own peace, but
also to render their company agreeable to us.
Instruction thus administered, reaches the pure witness
in the minds of children who are not hardened, and
begets love in them toward those who thus lead them
on ; but where too great a number are committed to a
tutor, and he, through much cumber, omits a careful
attention to the minds of the children, there is a danger
of disorders gradually increasing amongst them, until the
effects thereof appear in their conduct, too strong to be
easily remedied.
A care hath lived on my mind, that more time might
be employed by parents at home, and by tutors at school,
in weightily attending to the spirit and inclinations of
children, and that we may so. lead, instruct and govern:
them, in this tender part of life, that nothing may be
omitted which is in our power, to help them on their
way to become the children of our Father, who is in
heaven. Meditating on the situation of schools in our provinces,
my mind has at times been affected with sorrow, and
under these exercises it has appeared to me, that if those
who have large estates were faithful stewards, and laid no
rent, or interest, or other demand, higher than is consist
ent with universal love ; and those in lower circumstances
would, under a moderate employ, shun unnecessary ex
pense, even to the smallest article, and all unite in humbly
seeking to the Lord, he would graciously instruct us, and
strengthen us, to relieve the youth from various snares in
which many of them are entangled.

286 CONSIDERATIONS ON

ON THE RIGHT USE OF THE LORD'S OUTWARD GIFTS.
As our understandings are opened by the pure light,
we experience that through an inward approaching to
God, the mind is strengthened in obedience ; and that by
gratifying those desires which are not of his begetting,
these approaches to him are obstructed, and the deceiv-
able spirit gains strength.
These truths being as it were engraven upon our hearts,
and our everlasting interest in Christ evidently concerned
therein, we become fervently engaged, that nothing may
be nourished which tends to feed pride or self-love in us.
Thus in pure obedience, we are not only instructed in
our duty to God, but also in the affairs which necessarily
relate to this life, and the Spirit of Truth which guides
into all truth, leavens the mind with a pious concern,
that " whatsoever we do in word or deed, may be done
in His name."
Hence such buildings, furniture, food and raiment, as
best answer our necessities, and are the least likely to
feed that selfish spirit which is our enemy, are the most
acceptable to us.
In this state the mind is tender, and inwardly watchful,
that the love of gain draw us not into any business which
may weaken our love to our heavenly Father, or bring
unnecessary trouble to any of his creatures.
Thus the way gradually opens to cease from that spirit
which craves riches and things fetched far, which so
mixes with the customs of this world, and so intrudes
upon the true harmony of life, that the right medium of
labour is very much departed from. As the minds of
people are settled in a steady concern, not to hold or

THE RIGHT USE, &C. 287
possess any thing but what may be held consistently with
the wisdom which is from above, they consider what they
possess as the gift of God, and are inwardly exercised,
that in all parts of their conduct they may act agreeably
to the nature of the peaceable government of Christ.
A little supports such a life ; and in a state truly re
signed to the Lord, the eye is single to see what outward
employ he leads into as a means of our subsistence, and
a lively care is maintained to hold to that, without launch
ing further.
There is a harmony in the several parts of this divine
work in the hearts of people: he who leads them to
cease from those gainful employments, carried on in that
wisdom which is from beneath, delivers also from the
desire after worldly greatness, and reconciles the mind to
a life so plain, that a little suffices.
Here the real comforts of life are not lessened. Mod
erate exercise, in the way of true wisdom, is pleasant
both to mind and body.
Food and raiment sufficient, though in the greatest
simplicity, is accepted with contentment and gratitude.
The mutual love subsisting between the faithful follow
ers of Christ, is more pure than that friendship which is
not seasoned with humility, how specious soever the ap
pearance. Where people depart from pure wisdom in one case,
it is often an introduction to depart from it in many more ;
and thus a spirit which seeks for outward greatness, and
leads into worldly wisdom to attain it and support it, gets
possession of the mind.
In beholding the customary departure from the true
medium of labour, and that unnecessary toil which many
go through, in supporting outward greatness, and pro-

288 CONSIDERATIONS ON
curing delicacies ; in beholding how the true calmness of
life is changed into hurry, and how many, by eagerly
pursuing outward treasure, are in great danger of wither
ing as to the inward state of the mind ; in meditating on
the works of this spirit, and on the desolations it makes
amongst the professors of Christianity, I may thankfully
acknowledge, that I often feel pure love beget longings
in my heart, for the exaltation of the peaceable kingdom
of Christ, and an engagement to labour according to the
gift bestowed on me, for promoting an humble, plain,
temperate way of living : a life where no unnecessary
cares or expenses may encumber our minds, or lessen
our ability to do good ; where no desires after riches, or
greatness may lead into hard dealing ; where no con
nexions with worldly-minded men, may abate our love
to God, or weaken a true zeal for righteousness : a life
wherein we may diligently labour for resignedness to do
and suffer whatever our heavenly Father may allot for
us, in reconciling the world to himself.
When the prophet Isaiah had uttered his vision, and
declared that a time was coming wherein " swords should
be beaten into ploughshares, and spears into pruning-
hooks, and that nation should not lift up sword against
nation, neither shall they learn war any more;" he im
mediately directs the minds of people to the Divine
teacher in this remarkable language: " O house of Jacob,
come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord."
To wait for the direction of this light, in all temporal
as well as spiritual concerns, appears necessary ; for if
in any case we enter lightly into temporal affairs, without
feeling this Spirit of Truth to open our way therein, and
through the love of this world proceed on, and seek for
gain by that business or traffic, which " is not of the

THE RIGHT USE, &C. 289
Father, but of the world," we fail in our testimony to
the purity and peace of his government, and get into
that which is for chastisement.
This matter hath lain heavy on my mind, it being
evident, that a life less humble, less simple and plain,
than that which Christ leads his sheep into, necessarily
requires a support, for which pure wisdom does not pro
vide ; hence there is no probability of our being " a
peculiar people, so zealous of good works, as to have no
fellowship with works of darkness," while we have wants
to supply which have their foundation in custom, and do
not come within the meaning of those expressions, " your
heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need', of all these
things." Those things which he beholds to be necessary for his
people, he fails not to give them in his own way and
time; but as his ways are above our ways, and his
thoughts above our thoughts, so imaginary wants are
different "from those things which he knoweth that we
have need of."
As my meditations have been on these things, com
passion hath filled my heart toward my fellow-creatures,
involved in customs, which have grown up in "the
wisdom of this world, which is foolishness with God."
0 that the youth may be so thoroughly experienced in an
humble walking before the Lord, that they may be his
children, and know him to be their refuge, their safe un
failing refuge, through the various dangers attending this
uncertain state of being.
If those whose minds are redeemed from the love of
wealth, and who are contented with a plain, simple way
of living, find that to conduct the affairs of a family,
without giving- countenance to unrighteous proceedings,
Z

290 CONSIDERATIONS ON THE RIGHT USE, &C.
or having fellowship with works of darkness, the most
diligent care is necessary ;
If customs, distinguishable from universal righteous
ness, and opposite to the true self-denying life, are now
prevalent, and so mixed with trade, and with almost
every employ, that it is only through humble waiting on
the inward guidance of Truth, that we may reasonably
hope to walk safely, and support an uniform testimony to
the peaceable government of Christ ; if this be the case,
how lamentably do they expose themselves to temptations,
who give way to the love of riches, conform to expen
sive living, and reach forth for gain, to support customs
which our holy Shepherd leads not into.

CONSIDERATIONS
ON THE TRUE HARMONY OF MANKIND; AND HOW IT IS TO BE
MAINTAINED.
FIRST PRINTED IN THE VEAB 177 0.

" And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many
people, as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that
tarrieth.notforman,nor waiteth for the sonsof men." Micahv, 7.

INTRODUCTION.
As mankind, though descended from one parent, are
divided into many families, and as trading to sea is
greatly increased within a few ages past; amidst this
extended commerce, how necessary it is that the pro
fessed followers of Christ keep sacred his holy Name,
and be employed about trade and traffic no farther than
justice and equity evidently accompany them; that we
may give no just cause of offence to any, however distant,
or unable to plead their own cause ; and may continually
keep in view, the spreading of the true and saving know
ledge of God and of his Son Jesus Christ, amongst our
fellow-creatures, which through his infinite love, some
feel to be more precious than any other treasure. 291

CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY.

CHAPTER I.
On serving the Lord in our outward employments.
Under tthe humbling dispensations of the Father of
mercies, I have felt an inward labour for the good of my
fellow-creatures, and a concern that the holy Spirit,
which alone can restore mankind to a state of true har
mony, may with singleness of heart be waited for and
followed. I trust there are many under that visitation, which, if
faithfully attended to, will make them quick of under
standing in the fear of the Lord, and qualify them with
firmness to be true patterns of the Christian life, who, in.
living and walking, may hold forth an invitation to others,
to come out of the entanglements of the spirit of this
world. That which I feel first to express is, a care for those
who are in circumstances which appear difficult, with
respect to supporting their families in a way answerable
to pure wisdom, that they may not be discouraged, but
remember that in humbly obeying the leading of Christ,
he owneth us as his friends ; " Ye are .my friends if ye
do whatsoever I command you ;" and to be a friend to
Christ, is to be united to him who has all power in heaven
and in earth ; and though a woman may forget her suck
ing child, yet will he not forget his faithful ones.
The condition of many who dwell in cities has often
292

CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY. 293
affected me with a brotherly sympathy, attended with a
desire that resignation may be laboured for; and where
the holy Leader directeth to a country fife or some change
of employ, he may be faithfully followed ; for under the
refining hand of the Lord, I have seen that the inhabitants
of some cities are greatly increased through some branches
of business which his holy Spirit doth not lead into, and
that being entangled in these things, tends to bring a
cloud over the minds of people convinced of the leadings
of this holy Leader, and obstructs the coming of the king
dom of Christ on earth as it is in heaven.
If we indulge a desire to imitate our neighbours in
those things which harmonize not with the true Christian
walking, these entanglements may hold fast to us, and
some who in an awakening time, feel tender scruples
with respect to their manner of life, may look on the
example of others more noted in the church, who yet
may not be refined from every degree of dross.; and by
looking on these examples, and desiring to support their
families in a way pleasant to the natural mind, there may
be danger of the worldly wisdom gaining strength in
them, and of their departing from that pure feeling of
Truth, which if faithfully attended to, would teach con
tentment in the Divine will, even in a very low estate.
One formerly speaking on the profitableness of true
humility, saith, " He that troubles not himself with anxious
thoughts for more than is necessary, lives little less than
the life of angels ; whilst by a mind content with little, he
imitates their want of nothing." Cave's Primitive Chris
tianity, page 31.
" It is not enough," says Tertullian, " that a Christian
be chaste and modest, but he must appear to be so : a virtue
of which he should have so great a store, that it should
z 2

294 CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY.
flow from his mind upon his habit, and break from the
retirements of his conscience, into the superficies of his
life." Same book, page 43.
" The garments we wear," says Clemens, " ought to be
mean and frugal — that is true simplicity of habit, which
takes away what is vain and superfluous ; that the best
and most solid garment, which is the farthest from curi
osity." Page 49.
Though the change from day to night, is by a motion
so gradual as scarcely to be perceived, yet when night is
come we behold it very different from the day ; and thus
as people become wise in their own eyes, and prudent in
their own sight, customs rise up from the spirit of this
world, and spread by little and -little, until a departure
from the simplicity that there is in Christ, becomes as
distinguishable as light from darkness, to such who are
crucified to the world.
Our holy Shepherd, to encourage his flock in firmness
and perseverance, reminds them of his love for them;
"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you;
continue ye in my love ;" and in another place he gra
ciously points out the danger of departing therefrom, by
going into unsuitable employments. This he represents
in the similitude of offence from that useful active mem
ber, the hand ; and to fix the instruction the deeper, he
names the right hand ; " If thy right hand offend thee cut
it off and cast it from thee':" — If thou feelest offence in
thy employment, humbly follow him who leads into all
Truth, and is a strong and faithful friend to those who
are resigned to him.
Again, he points out those things which appearing
pleasant to the natural mind, are not best for us, in the
similitude of offence from the eye ; " If thy right eye

CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY. 295
offend thee pluck it out, and cast it from thee." To
pluck out the eye, or cut off the hand* is attended with
sharp pain ; and how precious is the instruction which our
Redeemer thus opens to us, that we may not faint under
the most painful trials, but put our trust in him, even in
him who sent an angel to feed Elijah in the wilderness ;
who fed a multitude with a few barley loaves, and is now
as attentive to the wants of his people as ever.
The prophet Isaiah represents the unrighteous doings
of the Israelites toward the poor, as the fruits of an
effeminate life ; " As for my people, children are their
oppressors, and women rule over them ; what mean ye
that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of
the poor, saith the Lord God." Then he mentions the
haughtiness of the daughters of Sion, and enumerates
many ornaments as instances of their vanity, to uphold
which, the poor were so hardly dealt with, that he sets
forth their poverty, their leanness and inability to help
themselves, in the similitude of a man maimed by violence
or " beaten to pieces," and forced to endure the painful
operation of having his face gradually worn away in the
manner of grinding.
I may here add, that at times, when I have felt true
love open my heart towards my fellow-creatures, and
been engaged in weighty conversation in the cause of
righteousness, the instructions I have received under
these exercises, in regard to the true use of the outward
gifts: of God, have made deep and lasting impressions on
my mind.
I have beheld how the desire to provide wealth, and
to uphold a delicate life hath grievously entangled many,
and been like snares to their offspring ; and though some
have been affected with a sense of their difficulties* and

296 CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY.
appeared desirous at times to be helped out of them ; yet
for want of abiding under the humbling power of Truth,
they have continued in these entanglements; for in
remaining conformable to this world, and giving way to
a delicate life, this expensive way of living, in parents
and in children, hath called for a large supply, and in
answering this call " the faces of the poor" have been
ground away and made thin through hard dealing.
There is balm, there is a physician ; and 0 what long
ings do I feel that we may embrace the means appointed
for our healing; know that removed which now ministers
cause for the cries of many people to ascend to heaven
against their oppressors, and that we may see the true
harmony restored. .
Behold " how good and how pleasant it is, for brethren
to dwell together in unity." The nature of this unity is
thus opened by the apostle ; " If we walk in the light, as He
[God] is in the light, we shall have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth
us from all sin."
The land may be polluted with innocent blood, which
like the blood of Abel may cry to the Almighty ; but those
who " walk in the light as Christ is in the light," they
know the " Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of
the world."
Walking is a phrase frequently used in Scripture to
represent our journey through life, and appears to com
prehend the various affairs and transactions properly
relating to our being in this world.
Christ being the light dwells always in the light ; and
if our walking be thus, and in every affair and concern
we faithfully follow this divine Leader, he preserves from
giving just cause for any to quarrel with us ; and where

CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY. 297
this foundation is laid and mutually kept to, by families
conversant with each other, the way is open for those
comforts in society, which our heavenly Father intends
as a part of our happiness in this world ; and we may
experience the goodness and pleasantness of dwelling
together in unity. But where ways of living take place
which tend to oppression, and in the pursuit of wealth,
people do that to others which they know would not be
acceptable to themselves, either in exercising an abso
lute power over them, or otherwise laying on them
inequitable burdens ; here a fear lest that measure should
be meted to them, which they have measured to others,
incites a care to support that by craft and cunning
devices, which stands not on the firm foundation of right
eousness: thus the harmony of society is broken, and
from hence commotions and wars do frequently arise in
the world.
" Come out of Babylon my people, that ye be not par
takers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."
This babel, or Babylon, was built in the spirit of self-
exaltation: " Let us build us a city and a tower, whose
top may reach to heaven, and let us make us a name."
In departing from an humble trust in God, and in follow
ing a selfish spirit, people have intentions to get the
upper-hand of their fellow-creatures, privately meditate
on means to obtain their ends, and have a language in
their hearts which is hard to understand. In Babel the
language is confounded.
This city is represented as a place of business, and
those employed in it as merchants of the earth : " The
merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abun
dance of her delicacies."
It is remarkable in this call, that the language from

298 CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY,
the Father of mercies is, " my people," " Come out of •
Babylon my people !" Thus tender his mercies are toward
ns in an imperfect state ; and as we faithfully attend to
the call, the path of righteousness is more and more
opened; cravings which have not their foundation in
pure wisdom, more and more cease ; and in an inward
purity of heart, we experience a restoration of that which
was lost at Babel, represented by the inspired prophet,
in the " returning of a pure language."
Happy for those who humbly attend to the call, " Come
out of Babylon my people." For though in going forth
we may meet with trials, which for a time may be pain
ful, yet as we bow in true humility and continue in it, an
evidence is felt that God only is wise ; and that in wean
ing us from all that is selfish, he prepares the way to a
quiet habitation where all our desires are bounded by
his wisdom. An exercise of spirit attends me, that we
who are convinced of the pure leadings of Truth, may
bow in the -deepest reverence, and so watchfully regard
this leader, that many who are grievously entangled in a
wilderness of vain customs, may look upon us and be
instructed. And O that such who have plenty of this
world's goods, may be faithful in that with which they
are entrusted, and example others in the true Christian
walking. Our blessed Saviour speaking on worldly greatness,
compares himself to one waiting and attending on a
company at dinner : " Whether is greater, he that sitteth
at meat or he that serveth ? Is not he that :sitteth at
meat ? but I am amongst you as he that serveth."
Thus in a world greatly disordered, where men aspir
ing to outward greatness are wont to oppress others to
support their designs, he who was of the highest descent,

CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY. 299
being the Son of God, and greater than any amongst the
greatest families of men, by his example and doctrines
foreclosed his followers from claiming any show of out
ward greatness, and from any supposed superiority in
themselves, or derived from their ancestors.
He who was greater than earthly princes, was not only
meek and low of heart, but his outward appearance was
plain and lowly, and free from every stain of the spirit
of this world.
Such was the example of our blessed Redeemer, of
whom the beloved disciple said, " He that saith he abideth
in him, ought himself also so to walk even as he walked."
John Bradford, who suffered martyrdom under Queen
Mary, wrote a letter to his friends out of prison a short
time before he was burnt, in which are these expressions ;"
" Consider your dignity as children of God and temples
of the Holy Ghost, and members of Christ ; be ashamed
therefore to think, speak, or do any thing unseemly, for
God's children and the members of Christ." Fox's
Acts and Monuments, page 1177.

CHAPTER II.
On the example of Christ.
My mind has been brought into a brotherly feeling
with the poor, as to the things of this life, who are under
trials in regard to getting a living in a way answerable to
the purity of Truth ; and a labour of heart hath attended
me, that their way may not be made difficult through the
love of money in those who are tried with plentiful
estates, but that they with tenderness of heart may sym
pathize with them.

300 CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY.
It is. the saying of our blessed Redeemer, "Ye cannot
serve God and mammon." There is a deep feeling of
the way of purity, a way in which the wisdom of the
world hath no part, but is opened by the Spirit of Truth,
and is " called the way of holiness ;" a way in which
the traveller is employed in watching unto prayer ; and
the outward gain we get in this journey, is considered
as a trust committed to us by Him, who formed and
supports the world, and is the rightful director of the use
and application of the products of it.
Except the mind be preserved chaste, there is no safety
for us ; but in an estrangement from true resignation,
the spirit of the world casts up a way,, in which gain is
many times principally attended to, and in which there
is a selfish application of outward treasures.
How agreeable to the true harmony of society, is that
exhortation of the apostle, " Look not every man on his
own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."
A person in outward prosperity may have the power
of obtaining riches, but the same mind being in him
which was in Christ Jesus, he may feel a tenderness of
heart towards those of low degree ; and instead of setting
himself'above them, may look upon it as an unmerited
favour that his. way through life is more easy than the
way of many others ; may improve every opportunity of
leading forth out of those customs which have entangled
the family ; employ his time in looking into the wants of
the poor members, and hold forth such a perfect exam
ple of humiliation, that the pure witness may be reached
in many minds, and the way opened for a harmonious
walking together.
Jesus Christ in promoting the happiness of others,, was

CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY. 301
not deficient in looking for the helpless, who lay in ob
scurity, nor did he save any thing to render himself hon
ourable among men, which might have been of more use
to the weak members in his Father's family ; of whose
compassion towards us I may now speak a little. He
who was perfectly happy in himself, moved with infinite
love, " took not upon him the nature of angels," but
our imperfect natures, and therein wrestled with the
temptations which attend us in this life ; and although he
was the Son of Him who is greater than earthly princes,
yet he became a companion to poor, sincere-hearted men ;
and though he gave the clearest evidence that Divine
power attended him, yet the most unfavourable construc
tions of his acts were framed by a self-righteous people ;
his miracles represented as the effect of a diabolical
power, and endeavours used to render him hateful, as
having his mission from the prince of darkness ; nor did
their envy cease until they took him like a criminal and
brought him to trial. Though some may affect to carry
the appearance of being unmoved at the apprehension
of distress, our dear Redeemer, who was perfectly sin
cere, having the same human nature which we have, and
feeling, a little before he was apprehended, the weight
of that work upon him, for which he came into the
world, was "sorrowful even unto death." Here the hu
man nature struggled to be excused from a cup so
bitter; but his prayers centered in resignation, "Not my
will but thine be done." In this conflict, so great was
his agony that "sweat like drops of blood fell from him
to the ground."
Behold now, as foretold by the prophet, he is in a
judicial manner " numbered with the transgressors." —
Behold him as some poor man of no reputation, standing
2A

302 CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY.
before the high priest and elders, and before Herod and
Pilate, where witnesses appear against him, and he,
mindful of the most gracious design of his coming, de-
clineth to plead in his own defence, " but as a sheep that
is dumb before his shearer," so under many accusations,
revilings and bufferings, he remained silent. And though
he signified to Peter that he had access to power suffi
cient to overthrow all their outward forces ; yet retaining
a resignation to suffer for the sins of mankind, he exerted
not that power, but permitted them to go on in their
malicious designs, and pronounce him to be worthy of
death, even him who was perfect in goodness. Thus,
" in his humiliation his judgment was taken away," and
like some vile criminal, " he was led as a lamb to the
slaughter." Under these heavy trials, though poor un
stable Pilate was convinced of his innocence, yet the
people generally looked upon him as a deceiver and a blas
phemer, and the approaching punishment as a just judg
ment upon him : " They esteemed him smitten of God and
afflicted." So great had been the surprise of his disci
ples, at his being taken by armed men, that they " for
sook him and fled :" thus they hid their faces from him,
he was despised, and by their conduct it appeared as
though "they esteemed him not."
But contrary to that opinion, of his being smitten of
God and afflicted, it was for our sakes that "he was put
to grief; he was wounded for our transgressions ; he was
bruised for our iniquities ;" and under the weight of them,
manifesting the deepest compassion for the instruments
of his misery, he laboured as their advocate, and in the
deeps of affliction, with an unconquerable patience, cried
out, " Father forgive them, for they know not what they
do !"

CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY. 303
Now this mind being in us, which was in Christ Jesus,
it removes from our hearts the desire of superiority,
worldly honour or greatness ; a deep attention is felt to
the Divine Counsellor, and an ardent engagement to pro
mote as far as we may be enabled, the happiness of
mankind universally. This state, where every motion
from a selfish spirit yieldeth to pure love, I may with
gratitude to the Father of mercies acknowledge, is often
opened before me as a pearl to dig after ; attended with
a living concern, that amongst the many nations and
families on the earth, those who believe in the Messiah,
that "he was manifested to destroy the works of the
devil," and thus to "take away the sins of the world,"
may experience the will of our heavenly Father, "to be
done on earth as it is in heaven." Strong are the desires
I often feel, that this holy profession may remain unpol
luted, and that the believers in Christ may so abide in
the pure inward feeling of his Spirit, that the wisdom
from above may shine forth in their living, as a light by
which others may be instrumentally helped on their way,
in the true harmonious walking.

CHAPTER III.
On Merchandising.
Where the treasures of pure love are opened, and we
obediently follow Him who is the light of life, the mind
becomes chaste ; and a care is felt, that the unction from
the holy One may be our leader in every undertaking.
In being crucified to the world, broken off from that

304 CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY.
friendship which is enmity with God, and dead to the
customs and fashions which have not their foundation in
the Truth ; the way is prepared to lowliness in outward
living, and to a disentanglement from those snares which
attend the love of money; and where the faithful friends
of Christ are so situated that merchandising appears to
be their duty, they feel a restraint from going farther than
he owns their proceeding ; being convinced that " we
are not our own, but are bought with a price, that none
of us may live to ourselves, but to Him who died for
us." Thus they are taught not only to keep to a mod
erate advance and uprightness in their dealings, but to
consider the tendency of their proceeding ; to do nothing
which they know would operate against the cause of
universal righteousness, and to keep continually in view
the spreading of the peaceable kingdom of Christ amongst
mankind. The prophet Isaiah spoke of the gathered church, in
the similitude of a city, where many being employed
were all preserved in purity; "They shall call them the
holy people, the redeemed of the Lord, and thou shalt
be called, sought out, a city not forsaken." The apostle
after mentioning the mystery of Christ's sufferings, ex
horts " Be ye holy in all manner of conversation." There
is a conversation necessary in trade ; and there is a con
versation so foreign from the nature of Christ's kingdom,
that it is represented in the similitude of one man push
ing another with a warlike weapon ; " There is that
speaketh like the piercing of a sword." In all our con
cerns it is necessary that the leading of the Spirit of
Christ be humbly waited for and faithfully followed, as
the only means of being preserved chaste as an holy
people, who " in all things are circumspect;" that nothing

CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY. 305
we do may carry the appearance of approbation of the
works of wickedness, make the unrighteous more at ease
in unrighteousness, or occasion the injuries committed
against the oppressed to be more lightly looked over.
Where morality is kept to and supported by the in
habitants of a country, there is a certain reproach attends
those individuals amongst them, who manifestly deviate
therefrom. Thus if a person of good report is charged
with stealing goods out of an open shop in the day time,
and on a public trial is found guilty, and the law in that
case is put in execution, he therein sustains a loss of
reputation ; but if he be convicted a second and third
time of the like offence, his good name would cease
amongst such who knew these things. If his neighbour,
reputed to be an honest man, is charged with buying
goods of this thief, at a time when the purchaser knew
they were stolen, and on a public trial is found guilty,
this purchaser would meet with disesteem; but if he
persisted in buying stolen goods, knowing them to be
such, and was publicly convicted thereof a second and
third time, he would no longer be considered as an
honest man by those who knew these things ; nor would
it appear of good report to be found in his company, or
buying his traffic, until some evident tokens of sincere
repentance appeared in him. But where- iniquity is com
mitted openly, and the authors of it are not brought to
justice or put to shame, their hands grow strong. Thus
the general corruption of the Jews shortly before their
state was broken up' by the Chaldeans, is described by
their boldness in impiety ; for as their leaders were con
nected together in wickedness, they strengthened one
another and grew confident. <« Were they ashamed
when they had committed abominations? nay, they were
2a2

306 CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY.
not at all ashamed, neither could they blush ;" on which
account the Lord thus expostulates with them, " What
hath my beloved to do in my house, seeing she hath
wrought lewdness with many ? and the holy flesh is passed
from thee : when thou doest evil, then thou xejoicest."
The faithful friends of Christ, who hunger and thirst
after righteousness, and inwardly breathe that his king
dom may come on earth as it is in heaven, are taught by
him to be quick of understanding in his fear, and to be
very attentive to the means he may appoint for promoting
pure righteousness in the earth ; and as shame is due to
those whose works manifestly operate against the gracious
design of his sufferings for us, a care lives on their minds
that no wrong customs, however supported, may bias
their judgments, but that they may humbly abide under
the cross, and be preserved in a conduct which may not
contribute to strengthen the hands of the wicked in their
wickedness, or to remove shame from those to whom it
is justly due. The coming of that day is precious in
which we experience the truth of this expression, "The
Lord our righteousness," and feel him to be " made unto
us wisdom and sanctification."
The. example of a righteous man is often looked at
with attention. Where righteous men join in business
their company gives encouragement to others.; and as
one grain of incense deliberately offered to the prince of
this world, renders an offering to God in that state unac
ceptable, and from those esteemed leaders of the people
mayl>e injurious to the weak; it requires deep humility
of heart to follow him faithfully, who alone gives sound
wisdom and the spirit of true discerning. O how neces
sary it is to consider the weight of a holy profession !
The conduct of some formerly, gave occasion of com-

CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY. 307
plaint against them, " Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries
by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of
thy traffic." And in several places it is charged against
Israel that they had polluted the holy Name.
The prophet Isaiah represents inward sanctification in
the similitude of being purged from that which is fuel
for fire; and particularly describes the outward fruits,
brought forth by those who dwell in this inward holiness,
" they walk righteously, andspeak uprightly." By walk
ing he represents the journey through life, as a righteous
journey ; and " by speaking uprightly," seems to point at
that which Moses appears to have had in view, when he
thus expressed himself, " Thou shalt not follow a multi
tude to do evil, nor speak in a case to decline after many
to wrest judgment."
He goes on to show their firmness in equity ; repre
senting them as persons superior to all the arts of getting
money, which have not righteousness for their founda
tion ; "They despise the gain of oppressions:" and he
further shows how careful they are that no prospects of
gain may induce them to become partial in judgment
respecting an injury; "They shake their hands from
holding bribes."
Again, where any interest is so connected with shed
ding blood, that the cry of innocent blood goes also with
it ; he points out their care to keep innocent blood from
crying against them, in the similitude of a man stopping
his ears to prevent a sound from entering his head,
" They stop their ears from hearing of blood ;" and
where they know that wickedness is committed, he points
out with care, that they do not by an unguarded friend
ship with the authors of it, appear like unconcerned
lookers on, but as people so deeply affected with sorrow,

308 CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY.
that they cannot endure to stand by and behold it ; this
he represents in the similitude of a man " shutting his
eyes from seeing evil."
"Who amongst us shall dwell with the devouring
fire ? Who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting burn
ings? He that walketh righteously and speaketh up
rightly. He that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that
shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth
his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes
from seeing evil."
He proceeds in the spirit of prophecy to show how the
faithful being supported under temptations, would be
preserved from the defilement which there is in the love
of money ; that as they who, in a reverent waiting on
God, feel their strength renewed, are said to " mount
upward;" so here their preservation from the snare of
unrighteous gain, is represented in the likeness of a man,
borne up above all crafty, artful means of getting the
advantage of another, " They shall dwell on high ;" and
he points out the stability and firmness of their condi
tion, " His place of defence shall be the munitions of
rocks ;" and that under all the outward appearances of
loss, in denying himself of gainful profits for righteous
ness sake, through the care of Him who provides for the
sparrows, he should have a supply answerable to infinite
wisdom, " Bread shall be given him, his waters shall be
sure." And as our Saviour mentions the sight of God
to be attainable by "the pure in heart," so here the
prophet pointed out, how in true sanctification the un
derstanding is opened, to behold the peaceable harmo
nious nature of his kingdom, " thine eyes shall see the
King in his beauty ;" and that looking beyond all the
afflictions which attend the righteous, to " a habitation

CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY. 309
eternal in the heavens," with an eye divinely opened,
they " shall behold the land that is very far off."
" He shall dwell on high, his place of defence shall
be the munitions of rocks, bread shall be given him,
his water shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the King
in his beauty ; they shall behold the land that is very far
off." I often remember, and to me the subject is awful, that
the great Judge of all the earth doeth that which is right,
and that he " before whom the nations are as the drop
of a bucket," is "no respecter of persons." Happy for
them, who like the inspired prophet, " in the way of his
judgments, wait for him."
When we feel him to sit as a refiner with fire, and
know a resignedness wrought in us, to that which he
appoints for us, his blessing in a very low estate, is
found to be more precious than much outward treasure,
in those ways of life where the leadings of his Spirit are
not followed.
The prophet, in a sight of the Divine work amongst
many people, declared in the name of the Lord, " I will
gather all nations and tongues, and they shall come and
see my glory." And again, "from the rising of the sun
to the going down of the same, my name shall be great
amongst the Gentiles, and in every place incense shall
be offered to my name, and a pure offering."
Behold here how the prophets had an inward sense
of the spreading of the kingdom of Christ ; and how he
was spoken of as one who should " take the heathen for
his inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for his
possession ;" that "he was given for a light to the Gen
tiles; and for salvation to the ends of the earth."
When we meditate on this Divine work, as a work of

310 CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY.
*
ages ; a work that the prophets felt long before Christ
appeared visibly on earth, and remember the bitter ago
nies he endured when he "poured out his soul unto
death," that the heathen nations as well as others, might
come to the knowledge of the Truth and be saved;
when we contemplate this marvellous work, as that
which "the angels desire to look into," and behold
people amongst whom this light hath eminently broken
forth, and who have received many favours from the
bountiful hand of our heavenly Father, not only indiffer
ent with respect to publishing the glad tidings amongst
the Gentiles, as yet sitting in darkness and entangled
with many superstitions ; but aspiring after wealth and
worldly honours, and taking means to obtain their ends,
tending to stir up wrath and indignation, and to beget
an abhorrence in them to the name of Christianity —
when these things are weightily attended to, how mourn
ful is the subject?
It is worthy of remembrance, that people in different
ages, deeply baptized into the nature of that work for
which Christ suffered, have joyfully offered up their
liberty and lives for promoting it in the earth.
Policarp, who was reputed a disciple of St. John,
having attained to great age, was at length sentenced to
die for his religion, and being brought to the fire, prayed
nearly as follows, " Thou .God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom I have received the knowledge
of thee ! 0 God of the angels and powers, and of every
living creature, and of all sorts of just men who live in
thy presence ; I thank thee, that thou hast graciously
vouchsafed this day and this hour to allot me a portion
among the number of martyrs, among the people of
Christ, unto the resurrection of everlasting life ; among

CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY. 311
whom I shall be received in thy sight, this day, as a
fruitful and acceptable sacrifice : wherefore for all this, I
praise thee, I bless thee, I glorify thee through the ever
lasting High Priest, Jesus Christ, thy well-beloved Son ;
to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all glory,
world without end. Amen."
Bishop Latimer, when sentence of death by fire, was
pronounced against him, on account of his firmness in
the cause of religion, said, "I thank God most heartily,
that he hath prolonged my life to this end ; that I may,
in this case glorify him by this kind of death." Fox's
Acts and Monuments, page 936.
William Dewsbury, who had suffered much for his
religion, in his last sickness, encouraging his friends to
faithfulness, made mention, like good old Jacob, of the
loving-kindness of God to him in the course of his life,
and that through the power of Divine love, he for Christ's
sake had joyfully entered prisons.
I mention these, as a few examples, out of many, of
the powerful operation of the Spirit of Christ, where
people are fully devoted to it, and of the ardent longings
in their minds for the spreading of his kingdom amongst
mankind. Now to those, in the present age, who truly
know Christ, and feel the nature of his peaceable govern
ment opened in their understandings, how loud is the
call wherewith we are called to faithfulness ; that in fol
lowing this pure light of life, "we as workers together
with him," may labour in that great work for which he
was offered as a sacrifice on the cross; and that his
peaceable doctrines may shine through us in their real
harmony, at a time when the name of Christianity has
become hateful to many of the heathen.
When Gehazi had obtained treasures which the prophet

312 CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY.
under Divine direction had refused, and was returned
from the business ; the prophet, troubled at his conduct,
queried if it was a time thus to prepare for specious liv
ing. " Is it a time to receive money and garments, men
servants and maid servants ? The leprosy therefore of
Naaman shall cleave to thee and to thy seed for ever."
O that we may lay to heart the condition of the present
time, and humbly follow his counsel, who alone is able
to prepare the way for a true harmonious walking amongst
mankind.

CHAPTER IV.
On Divine admonitions.
Such are the perfections of our heavenly Father, that
in all the dispensations of his providence, it is our duty,
" in every thing, to give thanks." Though from the first
settlement of this part of America, he hath not extended
his judgments to the degree of famine, yet worms at
times have come forth beyond numbering, and laid waste
fields of grain and grass, where they have appeared:
another kind, in great multitudes, working out of sight,
in grass ground, have so eaten the roots that the surface,
being loosened from the soil beneath, might be taken off
in great sheets.
These devouring creatures appearing seldom, and
coming in such multitudes, their generation appears dif
ferent from most other reptiles, and by the prophet they
were called " God's army sent amongst the people."
There have been tempests of hail, which have very
much destroyed the grain where they extended. Through

CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY. 313
long drought in summer, grain in some places has been
less than half the usual quantity ;* and in the continuance
thereof, I have beheld with attention, from week to week,
how dryness from the top of the earth, hath extended
deeper and deeper, while the corn and plants have lan
guished ; and with reverence my mind has been turned
toward Him, who being perfect in goodness, in wisdom
and power, doeth all things right. After long drought,
when the sky has grown dark with a collection of mat
ter, and clouds like lakes of water have hung over our
heads, from whence the thirsty land has been soaked ;
I have at times, with awfulness beheld the vehement
operation of lightning, made sometimes to accompany
these blessings, as a messenger from Him who -created
all things, to remind us of our duty in a right use of
those benefits, and to give striking admonitions, that we
do not misapply those gifts, in which an Almighty power
is exerted, in bestowing them upon us.
When I have considered that many of our fellow-
creatures suffer much in some places, for want of the
necessaries of life, whilst those who rule over them are
too much given to luxury and divers vanities ; and be
hold the apparent deviation from pure wisdom amongst
us, in the use of the outward gifts of God ; those marks
of famine have appeared like humbling admonitions from
him, that we might be instructed by gentle chastisements,
and might seriously" consider our ways; remembering
that the outward supply of life is a gift from our heavenly
Father, and that we should not venture to use, or to
apply his gifts, in a .way contrary to pure wisdom.
* When crops fail, I often feel a tender care that the case of
poor tenants may be mercifully considered.
2B

314 CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONKi,
Should we continue to reject those, merciful admoni
tions, and use his gifts at home, contrary to the: gracious
design of the giver, or send them , abroad in a way of
trade, which the Spirit of Truth doth not lead into ; and
should he whose eyes are upon all our ways, extend his
chastisements so far as to reduce us to much greater dis
tress than hath yet been felt by these provinces ; with
what sorrow of heart might we meditate on that saying,
<< Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou
hast forsaken the Lord thy God, when he led thee by
the way ? Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and
thy backslidings shall reprove thee : know therefore and
see, that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast for
saken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee,
saith the Lord God of hosts."
My mind has often been affected with sorrow, in be
holding a wrong application of the gifts of our heavenly
Father ; and those expressions concerning the defilement
of the earth hath been opened to my understanding,
" The earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was
filled with violence." Again, "The earth also, is de
filed under the inhabitants thereof, because they have
broken the everlasting covenant."
The earth being the work of a Divine power, may not
as such be accounted unclean ; but when violence is
committed thereon, and the channel of righteousness so
obstructed, that "in our skirts are found the blood of
the souls of poor innocents ; not by a secret search but
upon all these"* — when blood, shed unrighteously, re
mains unatoned for, and the inhabitants are not effect-
* See a Caution and Warning to Great Britain and. her colonies,
page 31.

CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY. 315
ually purged from it, when they do not wash their hands
in innocency, as was figured in the law, in the case of
one being found slain ; but seek for gain arising from
scenes of -violence and oppression, here the 'land is pol
luted with blood. Deut. xxi, 6.
Moreover, when the earth is planted and tilled, and
the fruits brought forth are applied to support unright
eous purposes ; here the gracious design of Infinite Good
ness, in these his gifts, being perverted, the earth is
defiled ; and the complaint formerly uttered becomes
applicable ; " Thou hast made me to serve with thy sins ;
thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities."

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.

FIRST PRINTED, 18. Ii O H DO It, 1773.
CHAPTER I
On loving our neighbours as ourselves.
When we love the Lord' with all our hearts, and his
creatures in his love, we are then preserved in tender
ness both toward mankind and the animal creation ; but
if another spirit gets room in our minds, and we follow
it in our proceedings, we are then in the way of disor
dering the affairs of society.
If a man, successful in business, expends part of his
income in things of no real use, while the poor employed
by him pass through great difficulties in getting the ne
cessaries of life,, this requires his serious attention.
If several principal men in business unite in setting the
wages of those who work for hire, and therein have re
gard to a profit to themselves, answerable to unnecessary
expense in their families, while the wages of the others
on a moderate industry will not afford a comfortable
living for their families, and a proper education for their
children ; this is like laying a temptation in the way of
some to strive for a place higher than they are in, when
they have not stock sufficient for it.
I feel a concern in the spring of pure love, that all who
have plenty of outward substance, may example others
316

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 317
in the right use of things ; may carefully look into the con
dition of pooT people, and beware of exacting on them
with regard to their wages.
While hired labourers, by moderate industry, through
the Divine blessing, may live comfortably, rear up fami
lies, and give them suitable education, it appears reason
able for them to be contented with their wages.
If they who have- plenty, love their fellow-creatures in
that love which is Divine, and in all their proceedings
have an equal regard to the good of mankind universally,
their place in society is a place of care, an office requir
ing attention, and the more we possess, the greater is
our trust, and with an increase of treasure, an increase
of care becomes necessary.
When our will is subject to the will of God, and in
relation to the things of this world, we have nothing in
view, but a comfortable living equally with the rest of
our fellow-creatures, then outward treasures are no fur
ther desirable than as we feel a gift in our minds equal
to the trust, and strength to act as dutiful children in His
service, who hath formed all mankind, and appointed a
subsistence for us in this world.
A desire for treasures on any other motive, appears to
be against that command of our blessed Saviour, " Lay
not up for yourselves treasures on earth."
He forbids not laying up in the summer against the wants
of winter ; nor doth "he teach us to be slothful in that
which properly relates to our being in this world ; but in
this prohibition he puts in yourselves, " Lay not up for
yourselves treasures on earth."
Now in the pure light, this language is understood,
for in the love of Christ there is no respect of persons ;
and while we abide in his love, we live not to ourselves,
2b2

318 REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
but to him who died for us. And as we are thus united
in spirit to Christ, we are engaged, to labour in promot
ing that work in the earth for which he suffered.
In this state of mind our desires are, that every honest
member, in society may have a portion of treasure and
share of trust, answerable to that gift,, with which our
heavenly Father hath gifted us.
In great treasure, there is a great trust.
A great trust requireth great care.
But the laborious mind wants rest.
A pious man is content to do a share of business in
society, answerable to the gifts with which he is endowed,
while the channels of business are free from unrighteous
ness, but is careful lest at any time his heart be over
charged., In the harmonious spirit of society " Christ is all in
all." Here it is .that " old things are put away, all things
are become new, all things are of God," and the desire
for outward riches is at an end.
They of lew degree who have small gifts, enjoy the
help of those who have large gifts ; those with small gifts,
have a small degree of care, while those with large gifts,
have a large degree of care : and thus to abide in the love
of Christ, and enjoy a comfortable living in this world,
is all that is aimed at by those members in society, to
.whom Christ is made wisdom and righteousness.
But when they who have much treasure, are not faith
ful stewards, of the gifts of God,, great difficulties attend.
This matter hath deeply affected my mind. The Lord,
through merciful chastisements, hath given me a feeling
of that love, in which the harmony of society standeth,
and a*sight of the growth of that seed which bringeth forth

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 319
wars and great calamities in the world; and a labour
attends me to open it to others.
To act with integrity, according to that strength of
mind and body with which our Creator hath endowed
each of us, appears necessary for all, and he who thus
stands in the lowest station, appears to be entitled to
as comfortable and convenient a hving, as he whose
gifts of mind are greater, and whose cares are most
extensive. If some endowed with strong understanding as men,
abide not in the harmonious state, in which we " love
our neighbours as ourselves," but walk in that spirit in
which the children of this world are wise in their genera
tion ; these by the strength of contrivance may sometimes
gather great treasure. But the wisdom of this world is
foolishness with God ; and if we gather treasures in
worldly wisdom, we lay up " treasures for ourselves ;"
and great treasure managed in any other spirit, than the
Spirit of Truth, disorder the affairs of society ; for hereby
the good gifts of God in his outward creation are turned
into the channels of worldly honour, and frequently ap
plied to support luxury, while the wages of poor labour
ers are such, that with moderate industry and frugality
they may not live comfortably, rear up families, and give
them suitable education, but through the straitness of
their condition, are often drawn on to labour under wea
riness, to toil through hardships themselves, and frequent
ly to oppress those useful animals with which we are
entrusted. From age to age, throughout all ages, Divine love is
that alone, in which dominion has been, is, and will be
rightly conducted.
In this the endowments of men are so employed, that

320 REMAHKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
the friend and the governor are united in one, and op
pressive customs come to an end.
Riches in the hands of individuals in society, are
attended with some degree of power; and so far as
power is put forth separate from pure love, so far: the
government of the Prince of peace is interrupted ; and as
we know not that our children after us will dwell in that
state in which power is rightly applied, to lay up riches
for them appears to be against the nature of his govern
ment.
^ The earth, through the labour of men, under the bless
ing. of Him who formed it, yieldeth a supply for the in
habitants from generation to generation, and they who
walk in the pure light, have their minds prepared to taste
and relish not only those blessings which are spiritual,
but also feel a sweetness and satisfaction in a right use
of the good gifts of God in the visible creation.
Here we see that man's happiness stands not in great
possessions, but in a heart devoted to follow Christ, in
that use of things, where customs contrary to universal
love have no power over us.
In this state our hearts are prepared to trust in God,
and our desires for our children and posterity are, that
they, with the rest of mankind in ages to come, may be
of that number, of whom he hath said, " I will be a father
to them, and they shall be my sons and daughters."
When wages in a fruitful land bear so small a propor
tion to the necessaries of life, that poor honest people
who have families, cannot by a moderate industry attain
to a comfortable living, and give their children sufficient
learning, but must either labour to a degree of oppres
sion, or else omit that which appears to be a duty;
while this is the case with the poor, there is an inclina-

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 321
tion in the minds of most people, to prepare at least so
much treasure for their children, that they with care and
moderate industry may live free from the hardships which
the poor pass through.
This subject requires our serious consideration: to
labour that our children may be put in a way to live
comfortably, appears in itself to be a duty, so long as
our labours are consistent with universal righteousness ;
but if in striving to shun poverty, we do not walk in that
state where " Christ is our life," then we wander. " He
that hath the Son, hath life." " This life is the light of
men." If we walk not in this light, we walk in dark
ness, and " he that walketh in darkness, knoweth not
whither he goefh."
To keep to right means in labouring to attain a right
end is necessary : if in striving to shun poverty, we strive
only in that state where Christ is the light of our life, our
labours will stand in the true harmony of society ; but if
people are confident that the end aimed at is good, and
in this confidence pursue it so eagerly, as not to wait for
the Spirit of Truth to lead them, then they come to loss.
" Christ is given to be a leader and commander of the
people." Again, " The Lord shall guide thee continu
ally." Again, " Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us, for
thou also hast wrought all our works in us." " In the
Lord have we righteousness and strength."
In this state our minds are preserved watchful in follow
ing the leadings of his Spirit in all our proceedings, and a
care is felt for a reformation in general ; that our own
posterity, with the rest of mankind in succeeding ages,
may not be entangled by oppressive customs, transmitted
to them through our hands. But if people in the narrow
ness of natural love, are afraid that their children will be

322 REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
oppressed by the rich, and through an eager desire to get
treasures, depart from the pure leadings of Truth in one
case, though it may seem to be a small matter, yet the
mind even in that small matter may be emboldenedtto
continue in a way of proceeding, without waiting for the
Divine Leader.
Thus people may grow expert <in business, wise in the
wisdom of this world, retain a fair reputation amongst
men, and yet being strangers to the voice of Christ, the
safe leader of his flock, the treasures thus gotten, may be
like snares to the feet of their posterity.
In keeping faithful to the pure Counsellor, and under
trying circumstances suffering adversity for righteousness
sake, there is a reward.
If we being poor, are hardly dealt with by those who
are rich, and under this difficulty are frugal and indus
trious, and in true humility open our case to them who
oppress us, this may reach the pure witness in their
fninds ; and though we should remain under difficulties
as to the outward, yet if we abide in the love of Christ,
all will work for our good.
When we feel what it is to suffer in the true suffering
state, we experience the truth of those expressions, that
" as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our conso
lation aboundeth by Christ."
But if poor people who are hardly dealt with, do not
attain to the true suffering state, do not labour in true
love with those who deal hardly with them, but envy
their outward greatness, murmur in their hearts because
of. their own poverty, and strive in the wisdom of this
world to get riches for themselves and their children ;
this is like wandering in the dark.
If we who are of a middle station between riches and

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 323
poverty, are affected at times with the oppressions of the
poor, and feel a tender regard for our posterity after us ;
0 how necessary is it that we wait for the pure counsel
of Truth!
Many who have seen the hardships of the poor, have
felt an eager desire that their children may be put in a
way to escape these hardships; but how few have con
tinued in that pure love which openeth our understand
ings to proceed rightly under these difficulties !
How few have faithfully followed that holy Leader
who prepares his people to labour for the restoration of
true harmony amongst our fellow-creatures !
" In the pure Gospel spirit we walk by faith and not
by sight."
In the obedience of faith we die to the narrowness of
self-love, and our life being hid with Christ in God, our
hearts are enlarged toward mankind universally ; but in
departing from the true light of life, many in striving to
get treasures have stumbled upon the dark mountains.
That purity of life which proceeds from faithfulness in
following the Spirit of Truth, that state where our minds
are devoted to serve God, and all our wants are bounded
by his wisdom, this habitation has often been opened
before me as a place of retirement for the children of the
light, where we may stand separated from that which dis
ordereth and confuseth the affairs of society, and where we
may have a testimony of our innocence in the hearts of
those who behold us.
Through departing from the Truth as it. is in Jesus,
through introducing ways of life attended with unneces
sary expenses, many wants have arisen, the minds of.
people have been employed in studying to get wealthy
and in this pursuit some departing from equity, have

324 REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
retained a profession of religion ; others have looked at
their example, and thereby been strengthened to proceed
further in the same way.: thus many have encouraged the
trade of taking men from Africa and selling them as slaves.
It has been computed that nearly one hundred thousand
negroes have of late years been taken annually from that
coast, by ships employed in the English trade.
. As I have travelled on religious visits in some parts of
America, I have seen many of these people under the
command of overseers, in a painful servitude.
I have beheld them as Gentiles under people profess
ing Christianity, not only kept ignorant of the holy Scrip
tures, but under great provocations to wrath ; of whom it
may truly be said, " They that rule over them make them
to howl, and the holy Name is abundantly blasphemed."
Where children are taught to read the Sacred Writings
while young, and exampled in meekness and humility, it
is often helpful to them ; nor is this any more than a debt
due from us to a succeeding age.
But where youth are pinched for want of the necessa
ries of life, forced to labour hard under the harsh rebukes
of rigorous overseers, and many times endure unmerciful
whippings ; in such an education how great are the dis
advantages they lie under ! And how forcibly do these
things work against the increase of the government of the
Prince of peace.
Humphrey Smith, in his works, page 125, speaking of
the tender feelings of the love of God in his heart when
he was a chUd, said, " By the violent wrathful nature
that ruled in others, was my quietness disturbed, and
anger begotten in me toward them, yet that of God in
me was not wholly overcome, but his love was felt in my
heart, and great was my grief when the earthly-minded-

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 325
ness and wrathful nature so provoked me, that I was
estranged from it.
" And this I write as a warning to parents and others,
that in the fear of the living God you may train up the
youth, and may not be a means of bringing them into
such alienation."
Many are the vanities and luxuries of the present age,
and in labouring to support a way of living conformable
to the present world, the departure from that wisdom
that is pure and peaceable, has been great.
Under the sense of a deep revolt, and an overflowing
stream of unrighteousness, my life has been often a life
of mourning, and tender desires are raised in me, that
the nature of this practice may be laid to heart.
I have read some books written by people who were
acquainted with the manner of getting slaves in Africa.
I have had verbal relations of this nature from several
negroes brought from Africa, who have learned to talk
English. I have sundry times heard Englishmen speak on this
subject, who have been in Africa on this business ; and
from all these accounts it appears evident that great vio
lence is committed, and much blood shed in Africa in
getting slaves.
When three or four hundred slaves are put in the hold
of a vessel in a hot climate, their breathing -soon affects
the air. Were that number of free people to go passengers
with all things proper for their voyage, there would incon
venience arise from their number ; but slaves are taken
by violence, and they frequently endeavour to kill the
white people, that they may return to their native land.
Hence they are kept under confinement, by means of
which a scent ariseth in the hold of a ship, and distem-
2C

326 REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
pers often break out amongst them* of* which many die.-
Of this tainted air in the hold of ships freighted- with
slaves, I have had several accounts* some in print and
some verbal, and all agree that the scent is grievous.
When these people are sold in America and in the
islands, they are made to labour in a manner more servile
and constant, than that which they were used to at home,
that with grief, with different diet from what has been
common with them, and with hard labour, some thou
sands are computed to die every year, in what is called
the seasoning.*
* In perusing the writings of this worthy man, the reader can
not fail to observe how large a portion of his attention was occu
pied in contemplating the wrongs and cruelties of negro slavery
and the slave trade, and how deeply and tenderly he sympathised
with the suffering victims of those crying evils. The firm but
temperate tone of his writings in relation to them, and his earnest
and moving remonstrances with the oppressors, are models worthy
of imitation. It is the benign, the just and the merciful spirit of
the Gospel which must eradicate slavery from our country if it is
done by peaceful methods ; and the closer we keep to the lead
ings of this spirit, the more successful will be our efforts in this
righteous cause. If the evils attendant on slavery, occasioned so
much painful concern and exercise of mind to John Woolman, at
the time in which he lived, how much more deeply would he
suffer now, when the number of its helpless victims is so vastly
multiplied. We must not admit the idea, that praiseworthy as
were his sympathy and benevolent exertions on behalf of these
oppressed people, they were suited to other times and other cir
cumstances than those under which we live, and that we are
exempted from the obligation of those principles and feelings
which actuated him and his fellow-labourers in the cause of
suffering humanity. Within these United States, more than two
millions of our fellow-beings are groaning under the wrongs and
cruelties of hopeless, unconditional bondage, and we cannot doubt

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 327
Thus it appears evident, that great 'numbers of these
people are brought every year to an untimely end ; many
of them, being persons who never injured us.
Where the innocent suffer under hard-hearted men,
but that the sighs and the tears extorted from them by the iron
hand of oppression, are noticed by that gracious and impartial
Being, who made of one blood all the families of the earth, and
who declares himself to be the refuge of the poor, the refuge of
the needy in his distress.
Since the enactment of laws for the abolishment of the foreign
slave-trade and declaring it piracy, it has claimed but- a small
share of the public attention, and the idea seems to have obtained
considerable currency, that it had nearly ceased. But the truth
is, that not only the extent of the traffic is greatly increased, but
the horrors and cruelties attendant on its prosecution are dread
fully aggravated. The trade being contraband, the vessels em
ployed in it are constructed for fast sailing, in order to elude the
vigilance of the cruisers who are watching them. This mode of
construction diminishes the space allowed the poor slaves and
increases their sufferings to a frightful degree, while the laws
which regulated the number of slaves taken on board, in propor
tion to the tonnage of the vessel, and made some other humane
provisions to lessen their sufferings, are of course all inoperative.
Thus the wretched victims of this abominable traffic are wholly
at the mercy of a class of men, who seem actuated only by
cupidity and the worst passions which degrade the human species.
The following statements founded mainly on official docu
ments, will give some idea of the present state of the foreign
. slave-trade. It appears that after making ample allowance for all doubtful
cases, not less than one hundred and fifty thousand slaves are
annually imported from Africa into Cuba, Brazil and Porto Rico,
besides a large number, (not less than fifty thousand more) who
are parried every year to. Texas,,, the United States and other
countries. As these.slaves are ohiefly theuvictims of rapine, or prisoners

328 REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
even unto death, and the channels of equity are so
obstructed, that the cause of the sufferers is not
judged in righteousness, "the land is polluted with
blood." taken in predatory warfare,, the number who are killed in pro
curing them is great, not less probably than those who are cap
tured. During the long forced marches to the sea-coast, over
burning sands, destitute of food and of water, and subjected to
great cruelties, vast numbers perish; and while waiting for a
market at the places of deposit on the sea-board, contagious
diseases and sickness occasioned by grief, confinement and star
vation, occasion great mortality.
On the passage across the Atlantic, it is well ascertained, that
the deaths are fully twenty-five per cent, of the whole number
shipped ;. and of those who are landed at the place of destination,
twenty per cent, die in the seasoning and from other causes.
Thus we are warranted in the conclusion, that at a moderate
estimate, for the two hundred thousand slaves annually taken
from Africa,, three hundred thousand are sacrificed, and that the
continent is. thus despoiled of half a million ef its inhabitants
every year.
We have already said that many of the slaves were prisoners
srf war:
These wars are not the consequence of a disposition naturally
quarrelsome, but are the immediate offspring of cupidity, sharp
ened up and roused to action by the arrival of a slave ship.
Others of these wretched beings are the innocent victims of a
corrupt system of jurisprudence, which owes its existence to the
same fruitful source of human misery. This unjust system places'
the poor natives wholly at the mercy of the petty despots who
rule the country. He- who has enriched himself by his industry,
or who has a numerous family of fine children, the sale of which
would produce a handsome sum, seldom escapes the notice of '
his chieftain. Crimes are invented and promoted, and accusa
tions multiplied, solely with the hope of procuring condemna
tions, the punishment annexed to which is, ' Sale to the Slave

REMARKS ON SUNDRY. SUBJECTS. 329
Where blood hath been shed unrighteously, and re
mains unatoned for, the cry thereof is very piercing.
. Under the humbling dispensations of Divine Provi
dence, this cry hath deeply affected my heart, and I -feel
Merchant.' Many are the victims of a system of avowed rapine
and plunder — peacefully pursuing their agricultural or mechanical
occupations, they are seized by ruffians who had concealed them
selves in ambush, are gagged, bound, and borne away to the
slave ship. All these are the effects of the strong temptations
held out by the white men who visit their shores, to procure car
goes of slaves ; for the natives, when unprovoked by their artifices,
evince mild and pacific dispositions; but no sooner does a ship
drop anchor, than avarice, hatred, revenge, and all the malevolent
passions which agitate the human breast, seem at once roused
into action. *
Upon the authority of Mungo Parke, an eye witness of the
facts* and whose interesting travels in Africa are before the public,
we state the following facts :^-Those who are captured or stolen
in the vicinity of the sea-coast, suffer comparatively but little
from the fatigue of travelling;, but such as are brought from the
interior of the country endure the most grievous sufferings during
a journey of several moons, over rugged rocks and burning sands.
and through inhospitable and dangerous deserts. They are
secured by locking the right leg of one and the left leg of another
in the same pair of fetters, which they must support by a string
in order to enable them to walk without very great torture.
Every four slaves are tied together by a rope of strong twisted
thongs, passed round their necks, and at night an additional pair
of fetters is put upon their hands. The scorching heat of the
sun and sand, the weight of their irons, added to the burdens
which they are compelled to carry, weary and oppress them to
so dreadful a degree as to induce sickness, vomiting, and fre
quently fainting; but regardless of their sufferings, they are
goaded and spurred along by the cruel application of the lacerating
lash, till .many actually expire under their complicated miseries.
In an investigation into the character and effects of the slave-
2c 2

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
a concern to open, as I may be. enabled, that which lieth
heavy on my mind.
When " the iniquity of the house of Israel and of
Judah was exceedingly great, when the land was defiled
trade, which took place before a committee of the British Par
liament, numerous witnesses who were examined under the
solemn obligation of an oath or affirmation, agree in stating that
when on board the vessels,, the slaves appear melancholy and
dejected, that many continue so during the whole of the voyage,
and that their dejection evidently arises from the anguish of
their feelings- en being separated forever from their country,
their homes, their beloved families and friends. From the same
respectable and' authentic source we draw the following informa
tion : — The men are chained together in pairs — the right leg of
one is fettered to the left leg of another, in which situation they
are stpwed into the hold of the vessel — the women and children,
however, are not chained, and. ironed like the men. When the
weather, is fair, they are brought up out of their, prisons for the
benefit of a pure air, and to take their meals. For this purpose
the men are distributed on the deck in long rows, two by two,
from head to stern, but to prevent their rising, and to secure them
from jumping overboard, which they often attempt* a long chain
is passed through the irons of- each couple and locked down to
the deck at both ends.
When the vessel is full, their condition is wretched indeed. In
the best regulated ships, a full grown man has no more space
allowed him to lie upon than sixteen inches, which is less than
he would have in a coffin — while the height of the apartment is
about thirty-two inches. There are few vessels, however, in
which even this limited space is. allowed them. In many they
are so closely stowed that the poor creatures are compelled to lie
upon their sides,, while, the top of the hold in which they- are
crammed is so very low as wholly to prevent their sitting upright.
Besides all ithese evils, they are entirely naked, and lie upon the
bare boards, in which situation the constant motion of the vessel
bruises and excoriates different parts of their bodies — the rubbing

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 331
with blood, and the city full of perverseness ; some were
found sighing and crying for the abominations of the
times." And those who live under a right feeling of
our condition as a nation, I trust will be sensible that the
of their irons lacerates and inflames -their legs, occasioning con
stant torture, from which they can seldom procure even the
smallest intermission-,
But horrible beyondall description,, are the agonies which they
endure, when it blows a. heavy gate, and the hatchings and
gratings are of necessity shut down. No language can possibly
portray even a faint picture of their deplorable condition. In the
extremity of anguish they are often heard to cry out in the lan
guage of their country, "We are dying! We are dying!"
Imagine to yourselves several hundreds of human beings shut up
close in the hold of a vessel in a warm climate, the circulation
of air wholly excluded, while the heat, the excretions of their
bodies, and the filth of the boards they lie upon, are emitting the
most noisome effluvia — add to this, the dreadful effects of the
increased motion of the vessel, the shrieks of the swooning, and
the groans of the dying, and your imagination may present some
idea of what these miserable beings are compelled to suffer in a
voyage to our country. The steam which comes at this time from
their bodies, and which ascends through the little crevices of the
gratings, has been compared by some of the witnesses, to that
which issues from the mouth of a furnace. Many of them
fainting from the heat, stench and corrupted air, have been
brought upon deck in a dying state, while others have actually
expired of suffocation, who but a few hours before were in ap
parent health. Horrible as this description may appear, many
circumstances are omitted which would greatly aggravate it. We
can refer to the most credible testimony for cases, where they
have been afflicted with contagious diseases, especially the flux,
when, says one of the witnesses, the floor of their prison was
covered with blood and mucus like that of a slaughter-house.—
See the Evidence before the Committee of Parliament before
referred to.

332 REMARKS ON. SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
Lord at this day doth call to mourning, though many are
ignorant of it. So powerful are bad- customs when they
become general, that people growing bold through the
example one of another, have often been unmoved atthe
most serious warnings.
It is not surprising that these poor creatures, groaning under
the horrors of such complicated misery should seek that relief in
death, which they have no reason to hope for from any other
source, and hence, it is that opportunities for destroying them
selves are anxiously watched for and seized with an avidity
almost beyond, belief. The most common method of effecting
this, is by throwing themselves into the sea, although every
avenue of escape, by such means is carefully guarded. The men
are not only locked to the deck as before mentioned, but strong
nettings are fastened around the ship which reach from the deck
to a considerable height in the rigging. But notwithstanding
these precautions, and the terrible example of shooting some who
attempt to leap pverboard, the, instances where they thus destroy
themselves are numerous, and where they are frustrated in the
attempt this way, they resort to other means to attain their object.
The keenest foresight on the part of their oppressors cannot
always prevent them. When ropes have been left about the
deck, some have seized the opportunity and strangled them
selves— when small, instruments, or even pieces of iron have
pome within their reach,, others have been discovered to have
made mortal wounds with them upon their bodies, and many to
whom all these means;have failed, resolutely refuse to take any
sustenance, when after pining in great misery for several days,
the welcome hand of death has at last terminated their sufferings.
Numerous are the instances of females of very delicate tempera
ment of body and mind, whose feelings are more tender* and
who have a more acute sense of their situation, but possess less
resolution, where a continually increasing melancholy has" ter
minated;, in madness,, in which pitiable condition they .have
remained for the short remnant of their days. Such are the
melancholy scenes which are continually passing on board the

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 333
Our blessed Saviour speaking of the people of the old
world, said, " They eat, they drank, they married and
were given in marriage, until the day that Noah went
into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them
all."slave ships from the period of leaving the coast of Africa, until
they arrive at the place of destination, during which time a con
siderable mortality occurs. From the evidence before quoted, it
appears that out of seven thousand nine hundred and four slaves
who sailed with the witnesses at different times, two thousand
and fifty-three perished in the short space of six or eight weeks,
though all of them were young and healthy when brought on
board — the oldest slave seldom being more than twenty-five years
of age. What a murderous, what a cruel devastation of the
human race is hereby occasioned ! What an impious rebellion
against the will and the designs of a benificent Providence !
It is impossible that men can frequently participate in such
scenes as those we have been endeavouring to describe, without
becoming hardened in cruelty and in wickedness. There is no
doubt that many when they first commence this diabolical em
ploy, find it necessary to suppress and stifle the feelings of
humanity; but every suppression of benevolent feeling does
violence to the tenderness of the human heart; it steels and
blunts its virtuous sensibility, and prepares it for the commission
of acts of greater atrocity. Such is precisely the case of slave
traders. By degrees they are brought to view with indifference,
and then to perpetrate acts of the most shocking barbarity — acts,
the bare recital of which would cause a feeling mind to shudder
with abhorrence. — They are taught by repeated cruelties, to re
gard the cries, the tears, and the sufferings of a fellow-creature
whom they have purchased, no more than they would the drown
ing of a fly ! To the truth of our assertions let the following
facts testify :
" On board a foreign ship called the Zong, many of the slaves
had died, and the mortality was spreading so rapidly that the
captain began to fear he should lose them all. He therefore

334 REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
The like he spoke concerning the people of Sodom,
who are also represented by the prophet, as haughty,
luxurious and oppressive ; " This was the sin of Sodom ;
pride, fulness of bread, and aburidance of idleness were
came to the diabolical resolution of selecting those who were the
most sickly and. throwing them into, the sea, conceiving that if he
could plead a necessity for the deed, the loss of the slaves would
fall upon the underwriters. The plea which he proposed to set
up, was want of water, though neither the crew nor the slaves
had been put upon allowance. He selected accordingly, one
hundred and , thirty-two of the most sickly, fifty-four of whom
were immediately thrown overboard, and forty-two on the suc
ceeding day. But here the wretch was left without the shadow
of an excuse, for a shower of rain came on, which lasted for three
days. Notwithstanding this, the remaining twenty-six were
brought on deck to share the same fate. The first sixteen sub
mitted to be thrown into the sea, but the remainder would not
permit any of the crew to touch them, but leaped in after their
companions. These circumstances were all fully proved before
a court of justice, held at Guildhall, in London, in the prosecu
tion of a suit brought to recover their value from the insurers —
the result of which however, was, that the Joss was adjudged to
fall upon the owners.
"The case of the Bodeur, captain B  , a French vessel of
two hundred tons burden, is remarkable. She left Havre for the
coast of Africa, where she arrived and anchored before Bonny,
in the river Calabar, and took in a cargo of slaves, contrary to the
French law for the abolition of the trade. She soon after sailed
with them for Guadaloupe. In about a fortnight, when the vessel
had nearly reached the Equator, a dreadful ophthalmia, sore
eyes, broke( out among the negroes, and spread with alarming
rapidity. By the advice of the surgeon to the ship, the negroes,
who till then had been confined to the hold, were successively
brought upon .deck, in order that they might breathe a purer air;
but it soon became necessary to abandon this salutary measure,
for many of them .leaped into the^ea, embracing each other, un-

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 335
found in her, and in her daughters ; neither did she
strengthen the hands of the poor and needy."
In a revolt so deep as this, when much blood has been
shed unrighteously, in carrying on the slave trade, and
daunted by the severity of the captain, who made a terrible ex
ample by shooting some and hanging others who attempted it.
The danger of the disease, and probably the cause of the conta
gion were increased, by a violent dysentery, which now broke
out among them. The disorder increased daily, as well as the
number of those who became blind ; and it spread with such
alarming rapidity among the crew, that in a little time there was
only one man left who could steer the ship. At this period a
large ship approached the» Rodeur, which appeared to be totally
at the mercy of the winds and waves. She was the Spanish
slave ship St. Leon. Her crew, hearing the voices of the Ro-
deur's men, cried out most vehemently for help. They told the
melancholy tale as they passed along, that the contagion had
seized the eyes of all on board, and that there was not one indi
vidual left, either sailor or slave, who could see ! But alas — this
pitiable tale of woe was utterly in vain — no help could be given
them — the St. Leon passed on and was never heard of more !
" At length by a concurrence of very favourable circumstances,.
and the skill and perseverance of one man, who only preserved
his sight unimpaired, the Rodeur reached Guadaloupe. By this
time thirty-nine ofthe slaves had become blind, twelve had lost
one eye and fourteen were affected with blemishes. Out of the
crew consisting of twenty-two, twelve had lost their sight, among
whom was the surgeon, five had become blind of one eye, and
four others were partially injured.
"Now what will the reader suppose was the first act of this
captain and crew when they found themselves safely entering
the port of Guadaloupe ? Doubtless he will imagine they were
employed in returning unfeigned thanks to God for so signal and
so unmerited a deliverance. But he will mistake if he thinks so.
They possessed neither gratitude to God nor humanity towards
his creatures. Destitute of every virtuous and tender feeling, they

336 REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
in supporting the practice of keeping slaves, which at
this day is unatoned for, and crieth from the earth and
from the seas against the oppressor ; while this practice
is continued, and under a great load of guilt there is
evinced their impious ingratitude by absolutely throwing into the
sea all those slaves, to the number of thirty-nine, who were incura
bly blind. This they did upon the wicked plea that if they car
ried them on shore nobody would purchase them, and they would
of course be at the expense of their maintenance ; and further,
by feigning an act of necessity, they might claim their value
from the underwriters."
Sir George Collier of the Tartar frigate, gave chase to a vessel
supposed to be a slave ship. In the cqnrse of the chase several
casks were observed to be floating in the sea, which the Tartar
passed. After a long pursuit they boarded her, and she proved
to be the La Jeune Estelle, of Martinique, Olympia Sanguines,
master. The captain declared that he had no slaves on board,
having been plundered of them by a Spanish pirate. The agita
tion and alarm which marked every countenance on board the
vessel, excited strong suspicions in the mind of the chief officer
of the Tartar, and he ordered the hold to be searched. During
Jhe examination one of the sailors happened to strike a cask
which was tightly closed up, when he heard a faint sound issue
from it like the voice of some creature expiring. The cask was
immediately opened, when two slave girls, about twelve or four
teen years of age, in the last stage of suffocation were found
packed up in it. They were carried on board the Tartar, revived
by the fresh air, and were thus saved from a miserable death.
These girls, when brought on the deck of the Tartar, were recog
nized by a person who had seen them in their own country, and
who had been taken from another slave ship, as being the
property of captain Richards, of the schooner Swift, of New York.
An investigation afterwards took place, in the course of which, it
appeared in evidence that captain Richards had died at Trade
town on the coast of Africa, leaving behind him fourteen slaves,
of whom these girls were a part ; and that after his death, cap-

. REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 337
more unrighteousness committed, the state. of things is
very moving.
There is a love which stands in : nature, and a parent
beholding his child in misery hath a feeling of the afflic-
tain Sanguines had landed his men armed with swords and pis
tols, and carried off the whole fourteen slaves on board the Jeune
Estelle: Sir George Collier conceiving that the other twelve
might possibly be concealed in the vessel, ordered her re
searched. The result was that a negro man, not however of the
twelve, was rescued from death. A platform of loose boards had
been raised upon the water casks of the vessel, forming a be-
tween-decks of about twenty-three inches in height, which was
the intended receptacle of the cargo of human beings which
captain Sanguines designed to procure. Beneath this platform,
with one of the boards resting upon his body, jammed into the
crevice between two water casks* was found this wretched ne
gro, in a situation so extremely distressing^ that it was matter of
great astonishment to find him alive. The search for the other
twelve proving fruitless, the officers and crew of the Tartar re
collected with feelings of horror the casks which they had seen
floating on the ocean ; the painful conviction now forced itself
upon their minds that the captain, fearing lest he should be cap
tured by the Tartar and detained, had during the chase, packed
up his slaves in casks and thrown them into the sea ; an appre
hension which is corroborated by the reflection, that hacLhe
thrown them overboard without some such covering, their bodies
would in all probability have met the view of the- officers and
crew of the Tartar, and disclosed the horrid catastrophe; But
alas ! it was now too late to attempt any plan for rescuing .them,
The chase had carried them many leagues to the windward of
the casks, and should they even fall in with .them, which was
scarcely possible, there was not the smallest probability of find
ing any of the wretched negroes alive, for the casks being tight
they must have perished from suffocation. See Papers laid, on
the table of the House of Commons— Report of Sir George Collier
—Speech of DucdeBoglie— Report of African Institution, vol. 16,
2D

338 REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
tion ; but in Divine love the heart is enlarged towards
mankind universally, and prepared to sympathize with
strangers, though in the lowest stations in life.
Of this the prophet appears to have had a feeling,
The schooner  , Don Morales, master, arrived in the Rio
Pongos, where she took on board two hundred slaves. Our in
formant states, that Morales while trading for the cargo, exhibit
ed many' instances of savage ferocity toward the slaves, but
after leaving the river, his cruelty seems to have had full scope.
The number of slaves on board being greatly disproportioned
to the stowage of the schooner, he was obliged from the first to
issue short rations of water and rice, in consequence of which
some of the slaves evinced some signs of discontent. Morales,
deaf to their wants, kept them all below for three days without
food of any kind, and with a barbarity unparalleled except among
slave traders, discharged all the fire arms in his vessel among
the wretched beings, bound down and chained together as they
were. Some of the sailors presumed to interfere, but the bar
barian silenced their complaints by killing the foremost of them
with his sabre. He then made sail again for the Rio Pongos,
where, with the assistance of the slave factors, he got every
thing put to rights, took in slaves to supply the number he had
killed, and bore away for Havanna.
Captain Hayes, R. N., mentions the case of a slaver, having a
large cargo of human beings chained together: " The master of
the vessel, with more humanity than his fellows, permitted some
of them to come on deck, but still chained together, for the
benefit of the air, when they immediately commenced jumping
overboard, hand in hand, and drowning in couples.' He explains
the cause of this circumstance by saying, ' they were just brought
from a situation between decks, and to which they knew they
must return, where the scalding perspiration was running from
one to the other, covered also with their own filth, and where it
is no uncommon occurrence for women to be bringing forth chil
dren, and men dying by their side, with, full in their view, living
and dead bodies chained together, and the living, in addition to

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 339
when he said, " Have we not all one Father ? Hath not
one God created us ? Why then do we deal treacher
ously every man with his brother, in profaning the cove
nant of our fathers ?"
all their other torments, labouring under the most famishing
thirst, being in a very few instances allowed more than a pint of
water a day.' He goes on to say, "I have now an officer on
board the ' Dryad,' who, on examining one of these slave vessels,
found not only living men chained to dead bodies, but the latter
in a putrid state ; and we have now a case which, if true, is too
horrible and disgusting to be described."
In a letter from captain Wauchope, dated 13th of eighth month,
1838, he says, "In second month, 1836, 1 was informed by Com
mander Puget, that the Spanish slaver, Argus, three months
before this date, was chased by the Charybdis, Lieutenant Mer
cer ; that during the chase ninety-seven slaves had been thrown
overboard, and that a Spanish captain he had captured, declared
he would never hesitate to throw the slaves overboard, to prevent
being taken."
" Captain Wauchope in the same letter informs, that on the
18th of ninth month, 1836, the Thalia captured the Portuguese
brig Felix, five hundred and ninety slaves on board. 'After
capture,' he says, ( I went on board, and such a scene of horror
it is not easy to describe ; the long-boat on the booms, and the
deck aft, were crowded with little children, sickly, poor little un
happy things, some of them rather pretty, and some much marked
and tattoed ; much pains must have been taken by their misera
ble parents to ornament and beautify them.
" ' The women lay between decks aft, much crowded, and per
fectly naked ; they were not barred down, the hatchway, a small
one, being off; but the place for the men was too horrible, the
wretches, chained two and two, gasping and striving to get at the
bars of the hatchways, and such a steam and stench as to make
it intolerable even to look down. It requires much caution at
first, in allowing them to go on deck, as it is a common practice
for them to jump overboard to get quit of their misery.

340 REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
He who of old heard ; the groans of the children .of
Israel under the hard task-masters in Egypt, I trust hath
looked down from his holy habitation on the miseries of
these deeply oppressed people. Many lives have been
shortened through extreme oppression, while they laboured
to support luxury and worldly greatness; and though
many people in outward prosperity may think little of
those things, yet the gracious Creator hath regard to the
cries of the innocent, however unnoticed by men.
"'The slave-deck was not more than three feet six inches' in
height, and the human beings stowed, or rather crushed as close
as possible ; many appeared very sickly. There was no way of
getting into the slave-room but by the hatchway. I was toldr
when they were all on deck to be counted, that it was impossible
for any of our people to go into the slave-room for a single minute,
so intolerable was the stench. The colour of these poor creatures
was of a dark squalid yellow, so different from the fine glossy
black of our liberated Africans and Kroomen. I was shown a
man much bit and bruised;, it was done in a struggle at the grat
ings of their hatchways, for a mouthful of fresh air.'
"The Carolina, captured in 1834, off Wydah. This vessel was
only seventy-five tons burden, yet she had three hundred and
fifty negroes crammed on board of Her, one hundred and eighty
of whom were literally so stowed as to have barely sufficient
height to hold themselves up, when in a sitting posture. The
poor creatures crowded round their deliverers, with their mouths
open and their tongues parched for want of water, presenting a
perfect spectacle of human misery.
"In a letter from the Cape of Good Hope, of date 20th of first
month, 1837, we find it stated that the British brig Dolphin, had
lately captured the corvette Incomprehensible ; and that on taking
possession of her,- ' the scene presented on board was harrowing
in the. extreme. One hundred had died from sickness, out of the
eight . hundred embarked ; another hundred were lying nearly
lifeless on her decks) in wretchedness and misery, and all the

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 341
The Lord in the riches of his goodness is leading some
into the feeling of the condition of this people, who
cannot rest without labouring as their advocates ; of
which in some measure I have had experience, for in the
movings of his love in my heart, these poor sufferers
have been brought near to me.
The unoffending aged and infirm are made to labour
too hard, kept on a diet less comfortable than their weak
state requires, and exposed to great difficulties under
agony of despair ; the remaining six hundred were so cramped
from the close manner in which they were packed, like herrings
in a barrel, and the length of time they had been on their voy
age, and the cold they had endured in rounding the Cape, in a
state of nudity, that it took the utmost exertions of the English
sailors, favoured by a hot sun,, to straighten them.'
"In a letter from Colonel Nicolls, at the Bahamas, of date 1st of
eighth month, 1837, it is stated that ' the Esperanza, a Spanish
slave schooner, had been wrecked on one of these islands during
the preceding month. It was ascertained that this vessel had
embarked three hundred and twenty negroes- on the coast of
Africa ; of these only two hundred and twenty were landed at
the time of the wreck. It appears that between sixty and seventy
murders had been committed during the voyage on the helpless
Africans ; and in this manner : — When any of the slaves refused
their food or became sick, the boatswain's mate, with a weighty
club struck them on the back of the neck, when they fell, and
were thrown overboard.' "
Shocking as these details are, the truth of them is indisputable ;
and while a system exists which inflicts such sufferings upon our
innocent fellow-creatures, it cannot be a matter of indifference or
unconcern to us. But especially are we called upon deeply to
ponder this affecting subject, and to dwell under the weight of
it, by the fact that our own country is implicated, in no small
degree in the guilt of the traffic, it being well ascertained that
American vessels, American capital and American citizens, are
employed in its prosecution. — Friends' Library, Vol. VI.
2d 2

342 REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
hard-hearted men, to whose sufferings I have often been
a witness, and under the heart-melting power of Divine
love, their misery hath felt to me like the- misery of1 my
parents. Innocent youth-are takenby violence from their native
land, from their friends and acquaintance ; put on board
ships with hearts laden with sorrow ; exposed to great
hardships at sea, and placed under people where their
lives are attended with great provocation to anger and
revenge. With the condition of these youth my mind has often
been affected, as with the afflictions of my children, and
in a feeling of the misery of these people, and of that
great offence which is ministered to them, my tears have
been often poured out before the Lord.
That holy Spirit which affected my heart when I was
a youth, I trust is often felt by the negroes in their native
land, inclining their minds to that which is righteous ;
and had the professed followers of Christ in all their con
duct toward them, manifested a disposition answerable
to the pure principle in their hearts, how might the holy
Name have been honoured amongst the Gentiles, and
how might we have rejoiced in the fulfilling of that pro
phecy, "I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery. for
burnt-offerings, and I will direct their work in truth, and
make an everlasting covenant with them: Their seed
shal? be known amongst the Gentiles, and their offspring
amongst the people ; all that see them shall acknowledge
them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed."
But in the present state of things, how contrary is our
practice to that meek. ; spirit, in which our Saviour laid
down his life for us, that all the ends of the -earth might
know salvation in his name !

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 343
How are the sufferings of our. blessed Redeemer set at
naught, and his name blasphemed- amongst the Gentiles^
through the unrighteous proceedings of his professed
followers ! :
My mind has often been affected, even from the days
of. my youth, under a sense of that marvellous work, for
which God in infinite goodness sent his Son into the
world. The opening of that spring of living waters, which the
true believers in Christ experience, by which they are
redeemed from pride and covetousness, and brought into
a state, of meekness, where their hearts are enlarged in
true love toward their fellow-creatures universally ; is a
work that to me has been precious, and spreading
the knowledge of the Truth amongst the Gentiles, is
very desirable. And the professed followers of Christ
joining in customs evidently unrighteous, which mani
festly- tend to stir up wrath and increase wars and deso»
lations, has often covered my mind with sorrow.
If. we bring this matter home, and as Job proposed to
his-friends, " Put our soul in their soul's stead ;" if we
consider ourselves and our children as exposed to the
hardships which these people lie under in supporting an
imaginary greatness,, and in such case, beheld an increase
of luxury and superfluity amongst our oppressors, and
therewith felt. an increase of the weight of our burdens,
and expected our posterity to groan under oppression
afteP us ;- undenall this misery, had we none to plead
ousrcamse, norjany hope of relief from man, how would
our cries ascend to the God of the spirits of all flesh,
whc jtrdgetlrthe world, in righteousness, and in his own
time is a refuge for the oppressed!
If they who thus afflicted us, continued to lay claim

344 REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
to religion, and were assisted in their business by others,
esteemed pious people, who through a friendship with
them strengthened their hands in tyranny ; if when we
were hunger-bitten, we could not have sufficient nour
ishment, but saw them in fulness pleasing their taste with
things fetched from far ; if when we were wearied with
labour, we were denied the liberty to rest, and saw them
spending their time at ease ; if garments answerable to
our necessities were denied us, while we saw them
clothed in that which was costly and delicate; under
such affliction, how would these painful feelings rise up
as witnesses against their pretended devotion ! And if
the name of their religion was mentioned in our hearing,
how would it sound in our ears like a word which sig
nified self-exaltation and hardness of heart !
When a trade is carried on productive of much misery,
and they who suffer by it are some thousands of miles
off, the danger is the greater, of not laying their sufferings
to heart.
In procuring slaves on the coast of Africa, many
children are stolen privately; wars also are encouraged
amongst the negroes, but all is at a great distance.
Many groans arise from dying men, which we hear not.
Many cries are uttered by widows and fatherless chil
dren, which reach not our ears.
Many cheeks are wet with tears and faces sad with
unutterable grief, which we see not.
Cruel tyranny is encouraged. The hands of robbers
are strengthened, and thousands reduced to the most
abject slavery, who never injured us.
Were we for the term of one year only to be eye wit
nesses to what passes in getting these slaves ;

REMARKS OS SUNDKY SUBJECTS. 345
Was 'the blood which is there shed to be sprinkled on
our garments ;
Were the poor captives bound with thongs and heavy
laden with elephants' teeth, to pass before our eyes on
their way to the sea :
Were their bitter lamentations day after day to ring in
our ears, and their mournful cries in the night to hinder
us from sleeping :
Were we to hear the sound of the tumult when the
slaves on board the ships attempt to kill the English, and
behold the issue of those bloody conflicts :
What pious man could be a witness to these thingSj
and see a trade carried on in this manner, without being
deeply affected with sorrow ?
Through abiding in the love of Christ we feel a tender
ness in our hearts toward our fellow-creatures, entangled
in oppressive customs ; and a concern so to walk, that
our conduct may not be a means of strengthening them
in error.
It was the command of the Lord through Moses,
" Thou shalt not suffer sin upon thy brother : thou shalt
in any wise rebuke thy brother, and shalt not suffer sin
upon him."
Again ; " Keep far from a false matter ; and the inno
cent and righteous slay thou not."
The prophet Isaiah mentions oppression as that which
the true church in time of outward quiet should not only
be clear of, but should be far from it ; " Thou shalt be
far from oppression." Now these words, /ar from, ap
pear to have an extensive meaning, and to convey in
struction in regard to that of which Solomon speaks,
" Though hand join in hand^ the wicked shall not go
unpunished."

346 REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
It was a complaint against one of old, " When thou
sawest a thief, thou consentedst with him." ,.-
The prophet Jeremiah represents the degrees of prepa
ration toward idolatrous sacrifice, in the similitude of a
work carried on by children, men and women. " The
children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the
women knead the dough to bake cakes for the queen of
heaven." It was a complaint of the Lord against Israel, through
his prophet Ezekiel, that " they strengthened the hands
of the wicked, and made the hearts of the righteous
sad." Some works of iniquity carried on by the people were
represented by the prophet Hosea, in the similitude of
ploughing, reaping and eating the fruit ; " You have
ploughed wickedness, reaped iniquity, eaten the fruit of
lying, because thou didst trust in thy own way, to the
multitude of thy mighty men."
I have felt great distress of mind since I came on this
island, on account of the members of our Society being
mixed with the world in various sorts of business and
traffic, carried on in impure channels. Great is the trade
to Africa for slaves ; and in loading the ships abundance
of people are employed in the manufactories.
Friends in early time refused on a religious principle,
to make or trade in superfluities, of which we have many
large testimonies on record, but for want of faithfulness
some gave way, even some whose examples were of note
in society, and from thence others took more liberty.
Members of our Society worked in superfluities, and
bought and sold them, and thus dimness of sight came
over many. At length Friends got into the use of some
superfluities in dress, and in the furniture of their houses,

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 347
and this hath spread from less to more, till superfluity of
some kinds is common amongst us.
In this declining state many look at the example one
of another, and too much neglect the pure feeling of
Truth. Of late years a deep exercise hath attended my
mind, that Friends may dig deep, may carefully cast
forth the loose matter and get down to the rock, the sure
foundation, and there hearken to that Divine voice which
gives a clear and certain sound.
I have felt in that which doth not deceive, that if
Friends who have known the Truth, keep in that tender
ness of heart where all views of outward gain are given
up, and their trust is only on the Lord, he will graciously
lead some to be patterns of deep self-denial, in things
relating to trade and handicraft labour ; and that some
who have plenty of the treasures of this world, will ex
ample in a plain frugal life, and pay wages to those whom
they may hire, more liberally than is now customary in'
some places. $
The prophet speaking of the true church, said, " Thy
people also shall be all righteous." Of the depth of this
Divine work several have spoken.
John Gratton, in his Journal, page 45, said " The Lord
is my portion, I shall not want. He hath wrought all my
works in me. I am nothing but what I am in him."
Gilbert Latey, through the powerful operations of the
Spirit of Christ in his soul, was brought to that depth of
self-denial, that he could not join with that proud spirit
in other people, which inclined them to want vanities
and superfluities. This Friend was often amongst the
chief rulers of the nation in times of persecution, and it
appears by the testimony of Friends, that his dwelling
was so evidently in the pure life of Truth, that in his

348 REMARKS ON; SUNDRY ;6UBJECTS.
visits to those great men, he found a place in their minds ;
and that King James the second, in the -times of his
troubles, : made particular :mention in a very respectful
manner of what Gilbert once said to him.
nThe said Gilbert found a concern to write an epistle,
in which are these expressions ;
"Fear the Lord, ye .men- of -all sorts, trades and call
ings, and leave off all the evil, that is in them, for the
Lord is grieved with all the evils. used in your employ
ments which you are exercised in."
" It is even a grief to see how you are servants to sin,
and instruments of Satan." See his works, page 42, &c.
:. George Fox, in an epistle writes thus: "Friends,
¦ stand in the eternal power of God, witnesses against the
pomps and vanities of this world.
" Such tradesmen who stand as witnesses in the. power
of God, cannot fulfill the people's minds in these vanities,
and therefore they are offended at them.
" Let all trust in the Lord, and wait patiently on him;
for when Truth first broke, forth in: London, many trades
men could not take so much money in their shops > for
some time, as would buy them bread and..water, because
they withstood the world's ways, fashions and customs ;
yet by their patient waiting.on the Lord in their good life
and conversation, they answered the Truth in people's
hearts, and thus their business increased." Book of
Doctrinals, page 824.
Christ our holy Leader graciously continueth to open
the understandings of his people, and as circumstances
alter from age to age, some who are deeply baptized into
a feeling of the state of things, are led by his holy Spirit
into exercises in some respects different from those which
attended the faithful in foregoing ages, and through the

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 349
constrainings of pure love, are engaged to open the feel
ings they have to others."
In faithfully following Christ, the heart is weaned from
the desire of riches, and we are led into a life so plain
and simple, that a little doth suffice, and thus the way
openeth to deny ourselves, under all the tempting allure
ments of that gain, which we know is the gain of un
righteousness. >
The apostle speaking on this subject, asketh this ques
tion; " What fellowship hath righteousness with unright
eousness?" And again saith, " Have no fellowship with
the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
them." Again, " Be not partaker of other men's sins,
keep thyself pure."
Where people through the power of Christ are tho
roughly settled in a right use of things, and freed from
all unnecessary care and expense, the mind in this true
resignation is at liberty from the bands of a narrow self-
interest, to attend from time to time on the movings of
his Spirit upon us, though he leads into that through
which our faith is closely tried.
The language of Christ is pure, and to the pure in
heart this pure language is intelligible ; but in the love
of money, the mind being intent on gain, is too full of
human contrivance to attend to it.
It appears evident that some channels of trade are
defiled with unrighteousness, and that the minds of many
are intent on getting treasures to support a life, in which
there are many unnecessary expenses.
I feel a living concern attend my mind, that under
these difficulties we may humbly follow our heavenly
Shepherd, who graciously regardeth his flock, and is
willing and able to supply us both inwardly and out-
2E

350 REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
wardly with clean provender, that has been winnowed
with the shovel and the fan, where- we may "sow to
ourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy," and not be
defiled with the works of iniquity.
Where customs contrary to pure wisdom are trans
mitted to posterity, it appears to be an injury committed
against them ; and I often feel tender compassion toward
a young generation, with desires that their difficulties
may not be increased through unfaithfulness in us of the
present age.

CHAPTER II.
On a Sailor's life.
In the trade to Africa for slaves, and in the management
of ships going on these voyages, many of our lads and
young men have a considerable part of their education.
What pious father beholding his son placed in one of
these ships to learn the practice of a mariner, could for
bear mourning over him ?
Where youth are exampled in means of getting money
so full of violence, and used to exercise such cruelties
on their fellow-creatures, the disadvantage to them in
their education is very great.
But I feel it in my mind to write concerning the sea
faring life in general.
In the trade carried on from the West Indies, and
from some parts of the continent, the produce of the
labour of slaves is a considerable part.
Sailors are frequently at ports where slaves abound,
and converse often with people who oppress them without
the appearance of remorse, and often with other sailors

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 351
employed in the slave trade, and how powerfully do these
evil examples spread amongst the sea-faring' youth !
I have had many opportunities to feel and understand
the general state of the sea-faring life amongst us, and
my mind hath often been sad on account of so many
lads and young men being trained up amidst so great
corruption. Under the humbling power of Christ I have seen, that
if the leadings of his holy Spirit were faithfully attended
to by his professed followers in general, the heathen na
tions would be exampled in righteousness, a less number
of people would be employed on the seas, the channels
of trade would be more free from defilement, and fewer
people would be employed in vanities and super
fluities. The inhabitants of cities would also be less in number,
and those who have much land would become fathers to
the poor.
More people would be engaged in the sweet employ
ment of husbandry ; and in the path of pure wisdom,
labour would be an agreeable, healthful employment.
In the opening of these things in my mind, I feel a
living concern that we who have felt Divine love in our
hearts may faithfully abide in it, and like good soldiers
endure hardness for Christ's sake.
He, our blessed Saviour, exhorting his followers to
love one another, adds, "As I have loved you." He
loved Lazarus, yet in his sickness he did not heal him,
but left him to endure the pains of death; that in restoring
him to life, the people might be confirmed in the true
faith. He loved his disciples, but sent them forth on a mes
sage attended with great difficulty, amongst hard-hearted

352 REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
people, some of whom thought that in killing them they
did God service.
So deep is Divine love, that in steadfastly abiding in
it, we are prepared to deny ourselves of all gain which
is contrary to pure wisdom, and to follow Christ, even
under contempt and through sufferings.
While Friends were kept truly humble and walked
according to the purity of our principles, the Divine
witness in many hearts was reached ; but when a worldly
spirit got entrance,, therewith came in luxuries and super
fluities, and spread by little and little, even amongst the
foremost rank in society, and from thence others took
liberty in that way more abundantly.
In the continuation of these things from parents to
children, there were many wants to supply, even wants
unknown to Friends while they faithfully followed Christ.
In striving to supply these wants many have exacted on
the poor, and many have entered on employments, in
which they often labour in upholding pride and vanity.
Many have looked on one another, been strengthened in
these things, one by the example of another, and as to
the pure divine seeing, dimness has come over many, and
the channels of true brotherly love have been obstructed.
People may have no intention to oppress, yet by enter
ing on expensive ways of life, their minds may be so
entangled therein and so engaged to support expensive
customs, as to be estranged from the pure sympathizing
spirit. As I have travelled in England, I have had a tender
feeling of the condition of poor people, some of whom
though honest and industrious, have nothing to spare
toward paying for the schooling of their children.
There is a right proportion between labour and the

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 353
necessaries of life, and in true brotherly love the mind
is open to feel after the necessities of the poor.
Amongst the poor there are some that are weak through
age, and others of a weakly nature, who pass through
straits in very private life, without asking relief from the
public. Those who are strong and healthy may do business,
which to the weakly may be oppressive ; and in perform
ing that in a day which is esteemed a day's labour,
weakly persons in the field and in the shops, and weakly
women who spin and knit in the manufactories, often pass
through weariness ; and many sighs I believe are uttered
in secret, unheard by some who might ease their burdens'.
Labour in the right medium is healthy, but in too
much of it there is a painful weariness ; and the hard
ships of the poor are sometimes increased through the
want of more agreeable nourishment, more plentiful fuel
for fire, and warmer clothing in the winter than their
wages will answer.
When I have beheld plenty in some houses to a degree
of luxury; the condition of poor children brought up
without learning, and the condition of the weakly and
aged, who strive to live by their labour, have often
revived in my mind, as cases of which some who live in
fulness need to be put in remembrance.
There are few if any, who could behold their fellow-
creatures lie long in distress and forbear to help them,
when they could do it without any inconvenience ; but
customs requiring much labour to support them, do often
lie heavily on the poor, while they who live in these cus
toms are so entangled in a multitude of unnecessary con
cerns, that they think but little of the hardships which
the poor people go through.
2e2

354 REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.
CHAPTER III.
On Silent Worship.
Worship in silence hath often been refreshing to my
mind, and a care attends me that a young generation
may feel the nature of this worship.
Great expense is incurred in relation to that which is
called Divine worship.
A considerable part of this expense is applied toward
outward greatness, and many poor people in raising of
tithe, labour in supporting customs contrary to the sim
plicity that there is in Christ, toward whom my mind hath
often been moved with pity.
In pure silent worship, we dwell under the holy anoint
ing, and feel Christ to be our shepherd.
Here the best of teachers ministers to the several con
ditions of his flock, and the soul receives immediately
from the Divine fountain, that with which it is nourished.
I have travelled at times where those of other societies
have attended our meetings, and have perceived how
little some of them knew of the nature of silent worship ;
and I have felt tender desires in my heart that we who
often sit silently in our meetings, may live answerably to
the nature of an inward fellowship with God, that no
stumbling block through us, may be laid in their way.
Such is the load of unnecessary expense laid in many
places on that which is called Divine service, and so
much are the minds of many people employed in outward
forms and ceremonies, that the opening of an inward
silent worship in this nation, to me, has appeared to be
a precious opening.
Within the last four hundred years, many pious people

REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. 355
have been deeply exercised in soul, on account of the
superstition which prevailed amongst the professed fol
lowers of Christ, and in support of their testimony against
oppressive idolatry, some in several ages have finished
their course in the flames.
It appears by the history of the reformation, that
through the faithfulness of the martyrs, the understand
ings of many have been opened, and the minds of people,
from age to age, been more and more prepared for spir
itual worship.
My mind is often affected with a sense of the condi
tion of those people," who in different ages have been
meek and patient, following Christ through great afflic
tions. And while I behold the several steps of reform
ation, and that clearness, to which through Divine Good
ness, it hath been brought by our ancestors, I feel tender
desires that we who sometimes meet in silence, may
never by our conduct lay stumbling blocks in the way
of others, and hinder the progress of the reformation in
the world.
It was a complaint against some who were called the
Lord's people, that they brought polluted bread to his
altar, and said the table of the Lord was contemptible.
In real silent worship the soul feeds on that which is
Divine ; but we cannot partake of the table of the Lord,
and that table which is prepared by the god of this world.
If Christ is our shepherd and feedeth us, and we are
faithful in following him, our lives will have an inviting
language, and the table of the Lord will not be polluted.

AN EPISTLE

QUARTERLY AND MONTHLY MEETINGS OF FRIENDS.
Beloved Friends,
Feeling at this time a renewed concern that the pure
Spirit of light and life, and the righteous fruits thereof,
may spread and prevail amongst mankind, there is an
engagement on my heart to labour with my brethren in
religious profession, that none of us may be a stumbling-
block in the way of others ; but that we may so walk
that our conduct may reach the pure witness in the hearts
of those who are not in profession with us.
And, dear friends, while we publicly own that the holy
Spirit is our leader, the profession is in itself weighty,
and the weightiness thereof increases, in proportion as
we are noted among the professors of Truth, and active
in dealing with those who walk disorderly.
Many under our profession for want of due atten
tion, and a perfect resignation to this Divine teacher,
have in some things manifested a deviation from the
purity of our religious principles, and these deviations
having crept in amongst us by little and little, and in
creasing from less to greater, have been so far unnoticed,
that some living in them, have been active in putting
discipline in practice, with relation to others, whose con
duct has appeared more dishonourable in the world.
As my mind hath been exercised before the Lord, I
have seen that the discipline of the church of Christ
356

AN EPISTLE. 357
standeth in that which is pure ; that it is the wisdom
from above which gives authority to discipline ; and that
the weightiness thereof standeth not in any outward cir
cumstances, but in the authority of Christ who is the
author of it ; and where any walk after the flesh, and not
according to the purity of Truth, and at the same time
are active in putting discipline in practice, a veil is
gradually drawn over its purity, and over that holiness
of life, which Christ leads those into, « in whom the love
of God is verily perfected."
When we labour in true love with offenders, and they
remain obstinate, it sometimes is necessary to proceed as
far as our Lord directed, " Let him be to thee as an hea
then man, or a publican."
When such are disowned, and they who act therein
feel Christ made unto them wisdom, and are preserved
in his meek, restoring spirit, there is no just cause of
offence ministered to any ; but when those who are active
in dealing with offenders indulge themselves in things
which are contrary to the purity of Truth, and yet judge
others whose conduct appears more dishonourable than
theirs, here the pure authority of discipline ceaseth as to
such offenders, and a temptation is laid in their way to
wrangle and contend. "Judge not," said our Lord,
"that ye be not judged." This forbidding alludes to
man's judgment, and points out the necessity of humbly
attending to that sanctifying power under which the
faithful experience the Lord to be " a spirit of judgment
to them." And as we feel his holy Spirit to mortify the
deeds of the body in us, and can say, " it is no more I
that live, but Christ that liveth in me," here right judg
ment is known.
While Divine love prevails in our hearts, and self in

358 AN EPISTLE.
us is brought under judgment, a preparation is felt to
labour in a right manner with offenders ; but if we abide
not in this love, our outward performance in dealing with
others degenerates into formality; for "this is the loYe
of God, that we keep his commandments."
How weighty are those instructions of our Redeemer
concerning religious duties, when he points out, that
they who pray, should be so obedient to the teachings
of the holy Spirit, that humbly confiding in his help, they
may say, " Thy name 0 Father be hallowed ! Thy king
dom come ; thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven."
In this awful state of mind is felt that worship which
stands in doing the will of God on earth, as it is done in
heaven, and keeping the holy name sacred. To take a
holy profession upon us is awful, nor can we keep this
holy name sacred, but by humbly abiding under the
cross of Christ. The apostle made a heavy complaint
against some who profaned this holy name by their man
ner of living; "through you," he says, "the name of
God is blasphemed amongst the Gentiles."
Some of our ancestors through many tribulations were
gathered into the state of true worshippers, and had fel
lowship in that which is pure, and as one was inwardly
moved to kneel down in their assemblies and publicly
call on the name of the Lord, those in the harmony of
united exercise then present, joined in the prayer. I
mention this in order that we of the present age may look
unto the Rock from whence we were hewn, and remem
ber that to unite in worship, is a union in prayer, and
that prayer is acceptable to the Father which is in a mind
truly sanctified, where the sacred name is kept holy, and
the heart resigned to do his will on earth as it is done in
heaven.' "If ye abide' in me," saith Christ, "and my

AN EPISTLE. 359
words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will in my
name, and it shall be done unto you." We know not
what to pray for as we ought, but as the holy Spirit doth
open and direct our minds, and as we faithfully yield to
its influences, our prayers are in the will of our heavenly
Father, who fails not to grant that which his own Spirit,
through his children, asketh; — thus preservation from
sin is known, and the fruits of righteousness are brought
forth by such who inwardly unite in prayer.
How weighty are our solemn meetings when the name
of Christ is kept holy ?
" How precious is that state in which the children of
the Lord are so redeemed from the love of this world,
that they are accepted and blessed in all that they do."
R. Barclay's Apology, page 404.
How necessary is it that we who profess these princi
ples, and are active in supporting them, should faithfully
abide in Divine strength, that "As He who hath called
us is holy, so that we may be holy in all manner of con
versation." If one professing to be influenced by the Spirit of
Christ, proposes to unite in a labour to promote right
eousness in the earth, and in time past he hath manifestly
deviated from the path of equity, then to act consistently
with this principle, his first work is to make restitution
so far as he may be enabled ; for if he attempts to con
tribute toward a work intended to promote righteousness,
while it appears that he neglecteth, or refuseth to act
righteously himself, his conduct has a tendency to en
tangle the minds of those who are weak in the faith, who
behold these things, and to draw a veil over the purity
of righteousness, by carrying an appearance as though
that was righteousness which is not.

360 AN EPISTLE.
Again, if I propose to assist in supporting those doc
trines wherein that purity of life is held forth, in which
customs proceeding from the spirit of this world have
no place, and at the same time strengthen others in those
customs by my example ; the first step in an orderly
proceeding, is to cease from those customs myself, and
afterwards to labour, as I may be enabled, to promote
the like disposition and conduct in others.
To be convinced of the pure principle of Truth, and
diligently exercised in walking answerably thereto, is
necessary before I can consistently recommend this prin
ciple to others. I often feel a labour in spirit, that we
who are active members in religious society may expe
rience in ourselves the truth of those expressions of the
holy One — " I will be sanctified in them that come nigh
me." In this case, my mind hath been often exercised
when alone year after year for many years, and in the
renewings of Divine love, a tender care hath been in
cited in me, that we who profess the light of Christ Jesus
to be our teacher, may be a family united in that purity
of worship, which comprehends a holy life, and ministers
instruction to others.
My mind is often drawn towards children in the Truth,
who having a small share of the things of this life, and
coming to have families, may be exercised before the
Lord to support them in a way agreeable to the purity
of Truth, in which they may feel His blessing upon them
in their labours. The thought of such being entangled
with customs, contrary to pure wisdom, conveyed to
them through our hands, often very tenderly and mov
ingly affects my heart ; and when I look towards and
think on the succeeding generation, fervent desires are
raised in me, that by yielding to that holy Spirit which

AN EPISTLE. 361
leads into all Truth, we may not do the work of the
Lord deceitfully, may not live contrary to the purity of
the Divine light we profess ; but that as faithful labourers
in our age, we may be instrumental in removing stum
bling-blocks out of the way of those who may succeed us.
So great was the love of Christ, that he gave himself
for the church, that he might sanctify and cleanse it, that
it should be holy, and without blemish, not having spot
or wrinkle, or any such thing. Where any take the
name of Christ upon them, professing to be members of
his church, and to be led by his holy Spirit, and yet
manifestly deviate from the purity of Truth, they herein
act against the gracious design of his giving himself for
them, and minister cause for the continuance of his
afflictions in his body, the church.
Christ suffered afflictions in a body of flesh prepared
by the Father, but the afflictions of his mystical body are
yet unfinished ; for they who are baptized into Christ are
baptized into his death, and as we humbly abide under
his sanctifying power, and are brought forth into new
ness of life, we feel Christ to live in us, who, being the
same yesterday, to-day, and forever, and always at unity
with himself, his Spirit in the hearts of his people leads
to an inward exercise for the salvation of mankind.
When under a travail of spirit, we behold a visited peo
ple entangled by the spirit of this world with its wicked
ness and customs, and thereby rendered incapable of
being faithful examples to others, sorrow and heaviness
under a sense of these things, are often experienced, and
thus in some measure is filled up that which remains of
the afflictions of Christ.
Our blessed Saviour speaking concerning gifts offered
in Divine service, says, "If thou bring thy gift to the
2F

362 AN EPISTLE.
altar, and there remeniberest that thy brother hath aught
against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go
thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then
come and offer thy gift." Now there is no true unity,
but in that wherein the Father and the Son are united,
nor can there be a perfect reconciliation but in ceasing
from that -which ministers cause for the continuation of
the afflictions of Christ ; and if any professing to bring
their gift to the altar, do remember the customary con
tradiction which some of their fruits bear to the pure,
spiritual worship, here it appears necessary to lay to
heart this command, " leave thy gift by the altar."
Christ graciously calls his people brethren ; " whoso
ever shall do the will of God the same is my brother."
If we walk contrary to the Truth as it is in Jesus while
we continue to profess it, we offend against Christ, and
if under this offence we bring our gift to the altar, our
Redeemer doth not direct us to take back our gift, he
doth not discourage our proceeding in a good work;
but graciously points out the necessary means by which
the gift may be rendered acceptable ; " leave," saith he,
." thy gift by the altar, first go and be reconciled to thy
brother," cease from that which grieves the holy Spirit,
cease from that which is against the Truth as it is in
Jesus, and then come and offer thy gift.
I feel, while I am writing, a tenderness to those who
through Divine favour, are preserved in a lively sense
of the state of the churches, and at times may be under
discouragements with regard to proceeding in that pure
way which Christ by his holy Spirit leads into. The
depth of disorder and weakness, which so much prevails,
being opened, doubtings are apt to arise as to the possi
bility of proceeding as an assembly of the Lord's people

AN EPISTLE. 363
in the pure counsel of Truth ; and here I feel a concern
to express in uprightness, that which hath been opened
in my mind, under the power of the cross of Christ, re
lating to a visible gathered church, the members whereof
are guided by the holy Spirit.
The church is called the body of Christ, Col. i, 25. —
Christ is called the head of the church, Eph. i, 22. The
church is called the pillar and ground of Truth, 1 Tim.
hi, 15. Thus the church hath a name that is sacred,
and the necessity of keeping this name holy, appears
evident ; for where a number of people unite in a profes
sion of being led by the Spirit of Christ, and publish
their principles to the world, the acts and proceedings
of that people may in some measure be considered as
those of which Christ is the author.
While we stand in this station, if the pure light of
life is not followed and regarded in our proceedings, we
are in the way of profaning the holy name, and of going
back toward that wilderness of sufferings and persecu
tion, out of which, through the tender mercies of God,
a church hath been gathered. " Christ liveth in sanctified
vessels," and where they behold his holy name profaned,
and the pure Gospel light eclipsed through the unfaith
fulness of any who by their station appear to be standard
bearers under the Prince of peace, the living members
in the body of Christ, beholding these things, do in some
degree experience the fellowship of his sufferings, and as
the wisdom of the world more and more takes place in
conducting the affairs of this visible gathered church, and
the pure leadings of the holy Spirit are less waited for
and followed, so the true suffering seed is more and
more oppressed.
My mind is often affected with a sense of the condi-

364 AN EPISTLE.
tion of sincere-hearted people in some kingdoms, where
liberty of conscience is not allowed, many of whom being
burthened in their minds with the prevailing superstition,
joined with oppressions, are often under sorrow ; and
where such have attended to that pure light which has
in some degree opened their understandings, and for
their faithfulness thereto, have been brought to examina
tion and trial, how heavy have been the persecutions
which in divers parts of the world have been exercised
upon them ? How mighty, as to the outward, is that
power by which they have been borne down and op
pressed ?
How deeply affecting is the condition of many upright-
hearted people who are taken into the papal inquisition ?
What lamentable cruelties, in deep vaults, in a private
way, are exercised on many'of them ? and how lingering
is that death by a small slow fire, which those have fre
quently endured who have been faithful to the end ?
How many tender-spirited Protestants have been sen
tenced to spend the reminder of their lives in a galley
chained to oars, under hard-hearted masters, while their
young children are placed out for education, and taught
principles so contrary to the consciences of the parents,
that by dissenting from them, they have hazarded their
liberty, their lives, and all that was dear to them of the
things of this world ?
There have been in time past severe persecutions under
the English government, and many sincere-hearted peo
ple have suffered death for the testimony of a good con
science, whose faithfulness in their day has ministered
encouragement to others, and been a blessing to many
who have succeeded them. Thus from age to age, the
darkness being more and more removed, a channel at

AN EPISTLE. 365
length, through the tender mercies of God, has been
opened for the exercise of the pure gift of the Gospel
ministry, without interruption from outward power, a
work, the like of which is rare, and unknown in many
parts of the world.
As these things are often fresh in my mind, and this
great work of God going on in the earth has been opened
before me, that liberty of conscience with which we are
favoured, has appeared not to be a light matter.
A trust is committed to us, a great and weighty trust,
to which our diligent attention, is necessary. Wherever
the active members of this visible gathered church use
themselves to that which is contrary to the purity of our
principles, it appears to be a breach of this trust, and
one step back toward the wilderness ; one step towards
undoing what God in infinite love hath done through
his faithful servants in a work of several ages, and is
like laying the foundation for future sufferings.
I feel a living invitation in my mind to those who are
active in our religious Society, that we may lay to heart
this matter, and consider the station in which we stand ;
a place of outward liberty under the free exercise of our
consciences towards God, not obtained but through the
great and manifold afflictions of those who lived before
us. There is gratitude due from us to our heavenly
Father, and justice to our posterity. Can our hearts en
dure, or our hands be strong, if we desert a cause so
precious, if we turn aside from a work in which so many
have patiently laboured ?
May the deep sufferings of our Saviour be so dear to
us, that we may never trample under foot the adorable
Son of God, or count the blood of the covenant unholy !
May the faithfulness of the martyrs when the prospect
2f2

366 AN EPISTLE.
of death by fire was before them, be remembered ! May
the patient constant sufferings of the upright-hearted
servants of God in latter ages be revived in our minds !
May we so follow on to know the Lord, that neither the
faithful in this age, nor those in ages to come, may be
brought under suffering, through our sliding back from
the work of reformation in the world !
While the active members in the visible gathered
church stand upright, and the affairs thereof are carried
on under the leadings of the holy Spirit, although disor
ders may arise among us, and cause many exercises to
those who feel the care of the churches upon them ; yet
while these continue under the weight of the work, and
labour in the meekness of wisdom for the help of others,
the name of Christ in the visible gathered church may
be kept sacred. But while they who are active in the
affairs of the church, continue in a manifest opposition
to the purity of our principles, this as the prophet Isaiah
expresseth it, is like " as when a standard bearer faint-
eth.." Thus the way opens to great and prevailing de
generacy, and to sufferings for those who, through the
power of Divine love, are separated to the Gospel of
Christ, and cannot unite with any thing which stands in
opposition to the purity of it.
The necessity of an inward stillness, hath under these
exercises appeared clear to my mind. In true silence
strength is renewed, the mind herein is weaned from all
things, but as they may be enjoyed in the Divine will,
and a lowliness in outward living, opposite to worldly
honour, becomes truly acceptable to us. In the desire
after outward gain, the mind is prevented from a perfect
attention to the voice of Christ ; but being weaned
from all things, but as they may be enjoyed in the Divine

AN EPISTLE. 367
will, the puie light shines into the soul. Where the
fruits of that spirit which is of this world, are brought
forth by many who profess to be led by the Spirit of
Truth, and cloudiness is felt to be gathering over the
visible church, the sincere in heart who abide in true
stillness, and are exercised therein before the Lord for
his name sake, have a knowledge of Christ in the fel
lowship of his sufferings, and inward thankfulness is felt
at times, that through Divine love our own wisdom is cast
out, and that forward active part in us subjected, which
would rise and do something in the visible church,
without the pure leadings of the Spirit of Christ.
While aught remains in us different from a perfect re
signation of our wills, it is like a seal to a book wherein
is written "that good and acceptable, and perfect will of
God concerning us ;" but when our minds entirely yield
to Christ, that silence is known, which followeth the
opening of the last of the seals, Rev. viii, 1. In this
silence we learn to abide in the Divine will, and there
feel that we have no cause to promote but that only in
which the light of life directs us in our proceedings, and
that the alone way to be useful in the church of Christ, is
to abide faithfully under the leadings of his holy Spirit in
all cases, that being preserved thereby in purity of heart
and holiness of conversation, a testimony to the purity
of his government may be held forth through us to
others. As my mind hath been thus exercised, I have seen that
to be active and busy in the visible gathered church,
without the leadings of the holy Spirit is not only un
profitable, but tends to increase dimness, and where way
is not opened to proceed in the light of Truth, a stop is
felt by those who humbly attend to the Divine Leader, a

368 AN EPISTLE.
stop which in relation to good order in the church, is of
the greatest consequence to be observed. Robert Bar
clay in his treatise on discipline, holds forth, pages 65,
68, 84, " That the judgment or conclusion of the church
or congregation, is no further effectual as to the true end
and design thereof, but as such judgment or conclusion
proceeds from the Spirit of God operating on their minds
who are sanctified in Christ Jesus."
In this stop I have learned the necessity of waiting on
the Lord in humility, that the works of all may be brought
to light, and those to judgment which are wrought in
the wisdom of this world, and have also seen, that in a
mind thoroughly subjected to the power of the cross,
there is a savour of life to be felt, which evidently tends
to gather souls to God, while the greatest works in the
visible church, brought forth in man's wisdom, remain to
be unprofitable.
Where people are divinely gathered into a holy fel
lowship, and faithfully abide under the influence of that
Spirit which leads into all truth, " they are the light of the
world." Holding this profession, to me appears weighty,
even beyond what I can fully express, and what our
blessed Lord seemed to have in view, when he proposed
the necessity of counting the cost, before we begin to
build. I trust there are many who at times, under Divine
visitation, feel an inward inquiry after God, and when
such in the simplicity of their hearts mark the lives of a
people who profess to walk by the leadings of his Spirit,
of what great concernment is it that our lights shine
clear, that nothing in our conduct carry a contradiction
to the Truth as it is in Jesus, or be a means of profaning

AN EPISTLE. 369
his holy name, and be a stumbling-block in the way of
sincere inquirers.
When such seekers, wearied with empty forms, look
towards uniting with us as a people, and behold active
members among us depart in their customary way of liv
ing from that purity of life, which under humbling exer
cises has been opened before them as the way of the
Lord's people, how mournful and discouraging is the
prospect! and how strongly doth such unfaithfulness
operate against the spreading of the peaceable, harmoni
ous principles and testimony of truth amongst mankind ?
In entering into that life which is hid with Christ in
God, we behold his peaceable government, where the
whole family are governed by the same spirit, and the
" doing to others as we would they should do unto us,"
groweth up as good fruit from a good tree : the peace,
quietness, and harmonious walking in this government is
beheld with humble reverence to Him who is the author
of it, and in partaking of the Spirit of Christ, we partake
of, that which labours and suffers for the increase of this
peaceable government among the inhabitants of the
world. I have felt a labour of long continuance that we
who profess this peaceable principle, may be faithful
standard-bearers under the Prince of peace, and that
nothing of a defiling nature, tending to discord and wars,
may remain among us.
May each of us query with ourselves, have the trea
sures I possess, been gathered in that wisdom which is
from above, so far as has appeared to me ?
Have none of my fellow-creatures an equitable right
to any part of what is called mine ?
Have the gifts and possessions received by me from

370 AN EPISTLE.
others^ been conveyed in a way free from all unrighteous
ness so far as I have seen ?
The principle of peace in which our trust is only on
the Lord, and our minds weaned from a dependance on
the strength of armies, has appeared to me very precious ;
and I often feel strong desires, that we who profess this
principle, may so walk, as to give no just cause for any
of our fellow-creatures to be offended at us ; and that our
lives may evidently manifest, that we are redeemed from
that spirit in which wars are. Our blessed Saviour in
pointing out the danger of so leaning on man, as to
neglect the leadings of his holy Spirit, said, " Call no
man your father upon the earth ; for one is your father
which is in heaven." Where the wisdom from above is
faithfully followed, and therein we are entrusted with
substance, it is a treasure committed to our care, in the
nature of an inheritance from Him who formed and sup
ports the world. In this condition the true enjoyment of
the good things of this life is understood, and that bless
ing felt, in which is real safety ; this is what I apprehend
our blessed Lord had in view, when he pronounced,
" Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
Selfish worldly-minded men may hold lands in the
selfish spirit, and depending on the strength of outward
power, may be perplexed with secret uneasiness, lest the
injured should at sometime overpower them, and that
measure be meted to them, which they measure to others.
Thus selfish men may possess the earth; but it is the
meek who inherit it, and enjoy it as an inheritance from
their heavenly Father, free from all the defilements and
perplexities of unrighteousness.
Where proceedings have been in that wisdom which is
from beneath, and inequitable gain gathered by a man,

AN EPISTLE. 371
and left as a gift to his children, who being entangled by
the same worldly spirit, have not attained to that clear
ness of light in which the channels of righteousness are
opened, and justice done to those who remain silent
under injuries ; here I have seen under humbling exer
cise of mind, that the sins of the fathers are embraced by
the children, and become their sins, and thus in the days
of tribulation, the iniquities of the fathers are visited upon
these children, who take hold of the unrighteousness of
their fathers, and live in that spirit in which those iniqui
ties were committed. To this agreeth the prophecy of
Moses, concerning a rebellious people, " They that are
left of you shall pine away in their iniquities in your
enemy's land, and in the iniquities of their fathers shall
they pine away." Our blessed Lord in beholding the
hardness of heart in that generation, and feeling in him
self, that they lived in the same spirit in which the pro
phets had been persecuted unto death, signified "that
the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the
foundation of the world, should be required of that gene
ration, from the blood of Abel, unto the blood of Zacha-
rias, which perished between the altar and the temple."
Tender compassion fills my heart toward my fellow-
creatures estranged from the harmonious government of
the Prince of peace, and a labour attends me, that they
may be gathered to this peaceable habitation.
In being inwardly prepared to suffer adversity for
Christ's sake, and weaned from a dependance on the
arm of flesh, we feel that there is a rest for the people of
God, and that it stands in a perfect resignation of our
selves to his holy will. In this condition all our wants
and desires are bounded by pure wisdom, and our minds
are wholly attentive to the counsel of Christ inwardly

372 AN EPISTLE.
communicated. This has appeared to me a habitation
of safety for the Lord's people, in times of outward com
motion and trouble, and desires from the fountain of pure
love are opened in me, to invite my brethren and fellow-
creatures to feel for, and seek after that which gathers
the mind into it.
John Woolman.
Mount Holly, New Jersey,
Fourth month, 1772.

THE END.

•¦'> '.